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I’ll get some proper photos later today!
Roof motor needs a relocation, but it’s been garaged for the last 8 years, and there is a receipt for a replacement motor from BMW in the service history just prior to that so I’m hopeful it’s not too wet/crusty down there.
I’m trying to not get carried away on spending as it’s just a second car… but… it’s going to get the roof motor done, front suspension refresh, either refurbed or replaced wheels, and a trip to a detailer for a correction…. It will be truly mint then!!
Roof motor needs a relocation, but it’s been garaged for the last 8 years, and there is a receipt for a replacement motor from BMW in the service history just prior to that so I’m hopeful it’s not too wet/crusty down there.
I’m trying to not get carried away on spending as it’s just a second car… but… it’s going to get the roof motor done, front suspension refresh, either refurbed or replaced wheels, and a trip to a detailer for a correction…. It will be truly mint then!!
Funnily enough I'm already a member on there, have been since 2013 when apparently I was considering an E85 before. I settled on the MX5 as they were much cheaper and running costs were significantly less...
As promised here's a snap of the beast:
I did the deal yesterday but didn't pick up the car until today as travelled down alone yesterday to see it. It was a 90 minute drive home which I was slightly worried about, but my partner followed me back and it was fine, bar having to shut the bonnet firmly as I failed to latch it properly... Averaged 39mpg on the way home which I was impressed by. Its much much more refined than my old MX5 was on the motorway, hardly any wind noise and the stock stereo sounds better than my Supra... Most importantly it got the seal of approval from my partner. She is incredibly patient when it comes to my car buying/ranting/browsing/constantly talking about it... she couldn't believe the price paid nor how good it looked in the flesh. The red seats are a strange one, they all look almost hot pink in some pictures but in the flesh they're a lovely deeper wine colour. Really suits the black paintwork. This was prior to me giving the inside a once over with some interior detailer.
So the car isn't perfect - its 15 years old and the interior is showing signs of this. However a few hours with some interior detailing has brought it back to life and got rid of what I think is make-up/foundation from most interior surfaces. This was my third pass over the steering wheel, and it now looks much much better...
The change is quite astonishing, the leather has come up almost like new. The MOT history mentioned front lower suspension bushes worn, specifically front lower arm rear bushes and you can feel it under heavy braking so this will need rectifying sooner rather than later. As mentioned before the wheels need a refurb and the paint could do with going over with a polisher. almost ashamed to post the state of this rear wheel, it is grotty but i'll get it sorted...
From what i've read and seen its a common complaint with these split rims. I'm not sure if i'm going to refurb these or get a different style. Before picking it up I was convinced it needed a set of these (I think they're MV2's?!) but in the flesh I quite like the style which is on the car already.
The paint work looks good from a few metres, but up close you can see it needs some work. Also the parking sensors which were working yesterday appear to have died overnight. But from reading online this is a common problem and could be sorted with some electrical cleaner or if that fails replacement of sensors. None of which sounds too difficult or expensive to sort out.
But not being negative, ultimately it was a cheap car. The original invoice in 2008 was £32K, which is apparently £49K in todays money. So it seems a lot of car for the money. Even with suspect front bushes the turn in is nice and quick, there is plenty of mechanical grip and the engine is delightful. I put half a tank of V Power in it on the way back, and it is probably all in my head but it seemed to quieten right down and felt much keener to rev. It's not the quickest car in the world, but having a decent 6spd manual again found me with a massive grin on my face, and its quick enough for my 'sensible' car! Reviews at the time when they came out suggests you can really feel their weight when cornering, but it doesn't feel that porky to me. Brakes are fantastic. Definitely the right car. (but ask me again in the depths of winter...!)
Thanks for all the advice...if anyone is interested I might start a readers car on this one.
As promised here's a snap of the beast:
I did the deal yesterday but didn't pick up the car until today as travelled down alone yesterday to see it. It was a 90 minute drive home which I was slightly worried about, but my partner followed me back and it was fine, bar having to shut the bonnet firmly as I failed to latch it properly... Averaged 39mpg on the way home which I was impressed by. Its much much more refined than my old MX5 was on the motorway, hardly any wind noise and the stock stereo sounds better than my Supra... Most importantly it got the seal of approval from my partner. She is incredibly patient when it comes to my car buying/ranting/browsing/constantly talking about it... she couldn't believe the price paid nor how good it looked in the flesh. The red seats are a strange one, they all look almost hot pink in some pictures but in the flesh they're a lovely deeper wine colour. Really suits the black paintwork. This was prior to me giving the inside a once over with some interior detailer.
So the car isn't perfect - its 15 years old and the interior is showing signs of this. However a few hours with some interior detailing has brought it back to life and got rid of what I think is make-up/foundation from most interior surfaces. This was my third pass over the steering wheel, and it now looks much much better...
The change is quite astonishing, the leather has come up almost like new. The MOT history mentioned front lower suspension bushes worn, specifically front lower arm rear bushes and you can feel it under heavy braking so this will need rectifying sooner rather than later. As mentioned before the wheels need a refurb and the paint could do with going over with a polisher. almost ashamed to post the state of this rear wheel, it is grotty but i'll get it sorted...
From what i've read and seen its a common complaint with these split rims. I'm not sure if i'm going to refurb these or get a different style. Before picking it up I was convinced it needed a set of these (I think they're MV2's?!) but in the flesh I quite like the style which is on the car already.
The paint work looks good from a few metres, but up close you can see it needs some work. Also the parking sensors which were working yesterday appear to have died overnight. But from reading online this is a common problem and could be sorted with some electrical cleaner or if that fails replacement of sensors. None of which sounds too difficult or expensive to sort out.
But not being negative, ultimately it was a cheap car. The original invoice in 2008 was £32K, which is apparently £49K in todays money. So it seems a lot of car for the money. Even with suspect front bushes the turn in is nice and quick, there is plenty of mechanical grip and the engine is delightful. I put half a tank of V Power in it on the way back, and it is probably all in my head but it seemed to quieten right down and felt much keener to rev. It's not the quickest car in the world, but having a decent 6spd manual again found me with a massive grin on my face, and its quick enough for my 'sensible' car! Reviews at the time when they came out suggests you can really feel their weight when cornering, but it doesn't feel that porky to me. Brakes are fantastic. Definitely the right car. (but ask me again in the depths of winter...!)
Thanks for all the advice...if anyone is interested I might start a readers car on this one.
Mr Tidy said:
I do like a red interior!
But your wheels are 108s which tend to be expensive to refurb as they need to be split for a proper job, and the bolts tend to snap which can get expensive when they are about £5 each with 20 in each wheel.
So I sold mine while they still looked decent!
Yes my research has suggested it could be upto £100 a corner… I think that’s a job which can wait till Summer! But your wheels are 108s which tend to be expensive to refurb as they need to be split for a proper job, and the bolts tend to snap which can get expensive when they are about £5 each with 20 in each wheel.
So I sold mine while they still looked decent!
Slightly above budget but this looks clean and some tasteful changes
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15683866
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15683866
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