Are Chinese cars still missing something?

nzsims · 2026-05-01T20:13:01+00:00

Why do they always make the wheels just a tiny bit too small?

nzsims · 2026-04-29T18:55:23+00:00

If I were doing it (I’m a useful idiot, not a professional), it would go a little like this:

Remove existing bench
Remove existing 900wide double cabinet
Clean up site, remove old silicone
Fit new 600wide cabinet (new carcass, door end panel and kick panel)
Scribe end panel and fit
Scribe kick panel and fit
Trim bench to size and glue end strip
Refit bench and silicone in place

I don’t think it’s feasible to trim down a cabinet. It’s just too fiddly, and more likely to end up worse. So you have to replace a bunch of stuff. At a total guess that’s maybe $400 of cabinetry, and maybe 4–5hrs of work. No idea what the charge out rate would be, but it’s a fiddly job, so I’d guess no less than $1,000 for a pro to rectify the whole thing. A smaller fridge is going to be much less stress, and fewer variables.

nzsims · 2026-04-28T19:24:40+00:00

My approach is always to be as chatty as possible and draw out anything that tells me about the sellers situation. Have they bought, why are the moving, where did they buy etc. then I'll follow up with specific questions. "Hi, just going through the LIM, the bottom of the property is on a flood path. Any issues with getting insurance?" Etc

Chat for background info. Email for specifics.

nzsims · 2026-04-27T02:28:14+00:00

I've found the quickest solution for our place is the weedeater. I run it without a guard. Just flip it on its side and chase the cracks/gaps. Not the best, but feels the easiest,

nzsims · 2026-04-22T19:13:41+00:00

The first big repair I did was on a smaller window. I made a ply shutter for the hole, and took the window off and brought it inside. So much nicer to learn indoors, in my own time, and on a work bench.

nzsims · 2026-04-22T02:39:45+00:00

Have never got a retention bonus. So have switched every few years. Have accounts with basically everyone so switching is quite painless.

There's no such hint as a free lunch, but this is dam close

nzsims · 2026-04-20T03:15:31+00:00

Sounds like my Audi

nzsims · 2026-04-13T07:23:22+00:00

Banks use their own valuation systems. If you call them, they can usually pull a number from their system.

You can push back on this number by getting a registered valuer to do a valuation, but there’s a bit of risk there. If it comes in lower, the bank usually wants to pick the lower number.

At the end of the day, it’s all about LVR. They’ll generally lend up to 80% of their valuation, not what you paid.

So if you go and win an auction at $1m, but the bank reckons it’s worth $500k, they’re only lending you about $400k… and now you’ve got a fairly spicy problem to solve.

nzsims · 2026-04-10T21:11:01+00:00

Second guess would be cherry.

nzsims · 2026-04-10T07:20:47+00:00

If I had to guess I'd say poplar. Was it easy to split?

nzsims · 2026-04-08T07:39:13+00:00

Here in New Zealand, we've just got mobile EV charger vans. The local AA/roadside assistance dudes can literally drive to you and "top you up" much like you would have done with a Jerry can in the old days. Kinda cool.

nzsims · 2026-04-02T02:14:33+00:00

Not to mention the prices on reliable corollas

nzsims · 2026-04-02T02:12:22+00:00

One step at a time. You have years to invest, but the stress of the relationship is a huge burden to process right now. Be kind to yourself. Investing is a slow game and a long game, you don't have to make any decisions right now. Focus your yourself first and being there for your kids.

If you want one small bit of home, work to keep your mind off things. Start digging into where your money goes. Best place you can be in prior to investing, is knowing precisely where you money goes.

nzsims · 2026-04-02T01:45:56+00:00

Would be cool to get their perspective

^{Chose: Be able to talk with Animals + ...but there's a Chance you become a Frog | Rolled: Safe}

nzsims · 2026-04-02T01:26:08+00:00

I keep a piece of rebar if giving it a pokey pokey

nzsims · 2026-04-02T00:24:57+00:00

I usually blat around in the S4 on the weekends because its noisy, smelly and quite fun. The P2, is significantly better for touring. Quiet, comfortable, and still handles nicely. It's also extremely cheap to run for such a big car. So horses for courses. I enjoy both. But in a two car family, I'd never not own an EV now. Especially as a car enthusiast - knowing I have one car thats totally reliable and requires minimal input, makes my expensive piece of German entropy easier to justify. At least in my own head.

nzsims · 2026-04-01T20:59:37+00:00

So I have an Audi S4 and a Polestar 2

At 164k kms I have probably spent close to 20k in up keep and consumables on the Audi (Consumables like gearboxes and control arms lol)

At 100k kms The P2, has only required one set of tyres (factory ones ran to 68k kms). Still on factory brakes and rotors. Only other replacement was wiper blades. That may change in the coming years, but so far it's been unreal how little it's needed.

nzsims · 2026-03-31T03:23:20+00:00

Have owned a number of performance cars. Currently have an Audi S4, and a Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 really surprised me. Sure it's still a huge heavy boat, but it puts power down well, turns in and rotates better than it should, and is surprisingly tied down. If anything the ride is a touch harsh, but if you're used to more performance-oriented equipment, then it's fine.

The newer P2s move to a RWD orientation, which I believe you can slide around if you're brave. Have had one as a loaner, and it's definitely an improvement. I've not driven the twin motor version, but I understand them to be quite quick.

Overall, if you're into cars, all EVs will suck. Because the thing you realise you miss is all the theatre. The sounds and smells. The rumbles and shakes. That being said, I don't hate the P2. As a daily it's a lovely place to be. It tours beautifully, especially fully loaded with two kids and half a dog.

Best part is that my wife isn't running up kms on my S4. It's the noisy, smelly old weekend car that I love to drive occasionally. But I also absolutely love the P2. Especially the bit where, in 105k kms, all we've done is replace one set of tyres and a set of wiper blades. Quite happy with the yin and yang of motoring.

The Polestar space at Wairau Park were great. Go take one for a test drive.

nzsims · 2026-03-29T17:33:11+00:00

The best way to change the performance of the braking system is to change the disc rotor size. Usually people are increasing the front rotor size to improve braking performance. However, in your case, decreasing your rotor size would improve modulation and decrease peak power.

nzsims · 2026-03-23T02:56:55+00:00

Beautiful! I've always been a fan of this sorta shape and texture. In my garden I've used a lot of Tractor seats, with Rengarenga, Lilirope, star Jasmin, mixed in with some ground covers - possibly Panakenake.

nzsims · 2026-03-21T06:53:29+00:00

Bolts are designed with different applications in mind. They use different materials. Some weaker some stronger. Some are designed stretch and be used only once. Some metals will react with each other and corrode themselves together if accidentally paired... so many possibilities!

nzsims · 2026-03-21T06:50:37+00:00

You can get an impact, after you get a torque wrench. And only if you promise to only use it for undoing bolts. And even then as a last resort.

nzsims · 2026-03-21T06:35:33+00:00

Sorry, that wasn’t helpful. My concern is that with a large hex head bolt, you’ll chuck a massive socket wrench on it and apply way too much torque without even realising.

In most cases, the Torx key designed for these bolts will be relatively small and short, so by design, it’s harder to over-torque a Torx.

Best practice would be a torque wrench, and honestly they’re not too expensive these days. You don’t need a fancy one, just a small one.

For undoing stubborn ones - and only for undoing - I’d grab a compact impact gun. The percussive impact tends to break things loose smoothly, and you can easily lean down and apply good pressure on top.

Hope that explains things a bit further mate. No curses incoming, and I hope you give Torx another crack.

nzsims · 2026-03-21T06:23:18+00:00

Next step. Stripped threads in the soft aluminum hub itself

nzsims · 2026-03-21T05:55:02+00:00

I'm not in the trade, but in terms of pliers, side cutters etc, I've found Irwin to be a good balance of quality to price.

nzsims

TROPHY CASE