130i

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
Thanks!

So the spending begins. Leather kit and new mats ordered, luckily the carpets underneath are pretty much mint. Need a touch up pen for the odd chip. CDV ordered to modify and get rid of the Devils work, should have done this ages ago. It's a bh I sold the E90 M3 camber arms, guess I'll order those as well.

Moved it with the spare key and it's showing a battery warning. Can someone tell me when they charge, just when it's running or plugged in. I'm asking because I am wondering if I could leave it in the slot with the trickle charger on?

Front pads look ok, rears are knackered, I think that they are RS29's, but will have to read back through the thread or just whip them out. I can't believe how weedy the stock calipers look (doorstops in the garage), and they bite so much harder than the 3 series.

I'm investing in a pressure washer (help please) and some wheel cleaner, they need a referb but no point before winter. It'd be amusing to fit some narrow steels actually as I sold the winter set months back. I can't wait to order the B1 kit and LSD, but I really want some time driving it standard. Until the other car sells I guess I won't. But then again I might have to, selling cars is a weird thing, no accounting for what the market wants.

Priced up the Alcons as I have them on the Atom and they're absolutely amazing. It's a big spend but if they work under the stock wheels I'm tempted. It has to look standard as much as possible, it's half the appeal. Lastly I'll find a remap. The temptation is to go the whole hog and seek ITB's, but this is probably a pipe dream.

Other than that, updated rear lights, maybe and adding cruise control.

I think that's enough to be going on with for this week smile


selym

9,544 posts

171 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
You can't go wrong with the Nilfisk pressure washers in my experience.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
selym said:
You can't go wrong with the Nilfisk pressure washers in my experience.
Ah, are they still the things to have. I would look on Detailing World but I haven't got the luxury of a massive attention span smile

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
Keeping an eye on this - I am planning some upgrades to my BMW too...

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 5th September 2016
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
Keeping an eye on this - I am planning some upgrades to my BMW too...
How's the Cayman working out?

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
SidewaysSi said:
Keeping an eye on this - I am planning some upgrades to my BMW too...
How's the Cayman working out?
Great car and very capable but not as raw or involving as the Seven or Elise on road. It is a brilliant "do it all" car and would be a stunning Euro tool to blast around Europe, do a few laps of the ring, go to dinner with the missus and then come home. It could probably be as comfortable as a 5 Series on road yet as quick and capable as an R400 on track.

But it would take bigger balls than I have to make it move underneath me on road in a way that is natural for my other cars, BMW included.

I would love a stripped GT4 with narrower tyres, close ratio straight cut 'box, plexiglass windows and no PAS...or an old 911 of course wink.



anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
Great car and very capable but not as raw or involving as the Seven or Elise on road. It is a brilliant "do it all" car and would be a stunning Euro tool to blast around Europe, do a few laps of the ring, go to dinner with the missus and then come home. It could probably be as comfortable as a 5 Series on road yet as quick and capable as an R400 on track.

But it would take bigger balls than I have to make it move underneath me on road in a way that is natural for my other cars, BMW included.

I would love a stripped GT4 with narrower tyres, close ratio straight cut 'box, plexiglass windows and no PAS...or an old 911 of course wink.
It sounds pretty awesome I must admit. A guy I know sold his R400 for one, he says the same thing.

At the weekend there were some lovely 911's..https://flic.kr/s/aHskD3N2Ek Prices have gone crazy in the last few years though so you have to be quite determined to own one. The lower speeds that older cars move around is one of the many reasons I have gone 'backwards' tbh.


SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
SidewaysSi said:
Great car and very capable but not as raw or involving as the Seven or Elise on road. It is a brilliant "do it all" car and would be a stunning Euro tool to blast around Europe, do a few laps of the ring, go to dinner with the missus and then come home. It could probably be as comfortable as a 5 Series on road yet as quick and capable as an R400 on track.

But it would take bigger balls than I have to make it move underneath me on road in a way that is natural for my other cars, BMW included.

I would love a stripped GT4 with narrower tyres, close ratio straight cut 'box, plexiglass windows and no PAS...or an old 911 of course wink.
It sounds pretty awesome I must admit. A guy I know sold his R400 for one, he says the same thing.

At the weekend there were some lovely 911's..https://flic.kr/s/aHskD3N2Ek Prices have gone crazy in the last few years though so you have to be quite determined to own one. The lower speeds that older cars move around is one of the many reasons I have gone 'backwards' tbh.
I love being able to push my cars at sane speeds on the road, something not that possible in the Cayman. Fabulous car and stunningly capable though.

However I do want an old 911 - perhaps a modified SC or 964 but I think running costs would kill me! 996 gt3 is a hero of mine too.

But of late I have been having thoughts about a 105 series Alfa with an engine conversion. Something like this or a GT Junior:

http://petrolicious.com/he-built-this-alfa-romeo-b...

Not sure how long I will keep the Cayman as I have realised I like my cars from the 1960s-1990s. Low speed and low grip fun smile

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
I love being able to push my cars at sane speeds on the road, something not that possible in the Cayman. Fabulous car and stunningly capable though.

However I do want an old 911 - perhaps a modified SC or 964 but I think running costs would kill me! 996 gt3 is a hero of mine too.

But of late I have been having thoughts about a 105 series Alfa with an engine conversion. Something like this or a GT Junior:

http://petrolicious.com/he-built-this-alfa-romeo-b...

Not sure how long I will keep the Cayman as I have realised I like my cars from the 1960s-1990s. Low speed and low grip fun smile
Yes, I hear that. Really hoping that the 130 lives up to my expectations when finished. Enough power, linear response and suspension tuned for the roads rather than track.

Love that Alfa, one of the prettiest they made IMO.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
SidewaysSi said:
I love being able to push my cars at sane speeds on the road, something not that possible in the Cayman. Fabulous car and stunningly capable though.

However I do want an old 911 - perhaps a modified SC or 964 but I think running costs would kill me! 996 gt3 is a hero of mine too.

But of late I have been having thoughts about a 105 series Alfa with an engine conversion. Something like this or a GT Junior:

http://petrolicious.com/he-built-this-alfa-romeo-b...

Not sure how long I will keep the Cayman as I have realised I like my cars from the 1960s-1990s. Low speed and low grip fun smile
Yes, I hear that. Really hoping that the 130 lives up to my expectations when finished. Enough power, linear response and suspension tuned for the roads rather than track.

Love that Alfa, one of the prettiest they made IMO.
I am about to jump into the unknown with my E36 too. If you are like me, I fear nothing gets close to a Caterham, Atom etc and I am searching in vain for the practical yet raw experience.

My DC2 was bloody brilliant but even that could have done without PAS, hence me looking at 40 year old Alfas!

The shopping list for the BMW is getting longer and more expensive by the day...

mgian2

17 posts

104 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
Was seriously tempted to buy one of these, especially as a newer 'step-up' to the e46 325ti Compact I owned at the time.

Main reason I didn't - rarity. When I was looking, there were so few in budget and the ones that were there were high milers. Eventually gave up and ended up getting an A3 instead which was good but I missed the straight 6 engine note and smoothness.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
I am about to jump into the unknown with my E36 too. If you are like me, I fear nothing gets close to a Caterham, Atom etc and I am searching in vain for the practical yet raw experience.

My DC2 was bloody brilliant but even that could have done without PAS, hence me looking at 40 year old Alfas!

The shopping list for the BMW is getting longer and more expensive by the day...
I guess we are. It took 8 years to get out of the DC2, I loved that car and apart from the Caterham, nothing, has given me more confidence on turn in. The great thing was when I had mine nobody looked twice. It was 1999 and this bonkers car with a huge rev range and deeply impressive handling was viewed by most as a 'Honda'. So much fun.

Kevin (Bird) maintains that the 130 with the kit is as close to the E30 M3 as you're going to get, losing out on steering feel obviously but that goes with the age. Another reason I bought this one back is it's pre LCI.

Have you tried an Alfasud, that was something that blew my mind way back when.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Tuesday 6th September 2016
quotequote all
mgian2 said:
Was seriously tempted to buy one of these, especially as a newer 'step-up' to the e46 325ti Compact I owned at the time.

Main reason I didn't - rarity. When I was looking, there were so few in budget and the ones that were there were high milers. Eventually gave up and ended up getting an A3 instead which was good but I missed the straight 6 engine note and smoothness.
It's an issue for sure, but reading about the longevity of the N52 you have a solid start. As I plan to junk pretty much all the suspension that's the normal wear issues out of the way. Clutch, well that's just a gamble, still not exactly expensive. The lack of turbo's is a god send, I think it's about the last BMW that isn't really complicated. I think there is about 1000 of them, it's so bizarre with the amount of 1 Series that are on the road.

Anyway. The eBay mats fitted and look pretty decent for £25. Leather conditioner is on the way. It's still not happy on the trickle charger, the battery could be borked tbh.

It's quite odd how much more interested in this than I am with the 3 series.

mgian2

17 posts

104 months

Wednesday 7th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
It's an issue for sure, but reading about the longevity of the N52 you have a solid start. As I plan to junk pretty much all the suspension that's the normal wear issues out of the way. Clutch, well that's just a gamble, still not exactly expensive. The lack of turbo's is a god send, I think it's about the last BMW that isn't really complicated. I think there is about 1000 of them, it's so bizarre with the amount of 1 Series that are on the road.

Anyway. The eBay mats fitted and look pretty decent for £25. Leather conditioner is on the way. It's still not happy on the trickle charger, the battery could be borked tbh.

It's quite odd how much more interested in this than I am with the 3 series.
Generally I'd heard they are pretty solid but I get nervous looking at any cars with 100k + as I wonder what sort of life they've had. Don't mind replacing a few bits but it could become unnecessarily costly if more needs doing.

I do wish I would've at least test drove one though, just to see how it compares to the e46. Driving it may have swung me to buy it regardless of the mileage!

inabox

291 posts

191 months

Wednesday 7th September 2016
quotequote all
I'll be really interested in hearing how your suspension updates go. I just can't get on with my 130i. It's a fat, crashy, jittery thing that just doesn't seem fun to thrash. I love the engine and I'm unsure wether or not to bother getting it to handle properly.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Wednesday 7th September 2016
quotequote all
inabox said:
I'll be really interested in hearing how your suspension updates go. I just can't get on with my 130i. It's a fat, crashy, jittery thing that just doesn't seem fun to thrash. I love the engine and I'm unsure wether or not to bother getting it to handle properly.
Are you still on run flat tyres, if so ditch them first. What is it, M-Sport?

selym

9,544 posts

171 months

Wednesday 7th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
inabox said:
I'll be really interested in hearing how your suspension updates go. I just can't get on with my 130i. It's a fat, crashy, jittery thing that just doesn't seem fun to thrash. I love the engine and I'm unsure wether or not to bother getting it to handle properly.
Are you still on run flat tyres, if so ditch them first. What is it, M-Sport?
Agreed. Do the tyres first then you'll see what the car is actually like. I have recently moved from RFT to Good Year Eagle F1 Assy 3 and can see the potential now the RFT have gone. Playing with tyre pressures is fun.

inabox

291 posts

191 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
Aye, first thing I did was put it on Michelin PSS, improved it no end. I'm good put the m3 arms on the front and rear subframe bushes but I really don't hold much hope. I think my expectations are skewed because my last 2 cars were a 172 cup and a 550kg mini haha. It's an m sport which I think is German for crashy.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
Yes, the standard M Sport setup gets very confused when pushed. The Birds kit uses much softer ARB's and is far more compliant, this allows much more control and a stack of grip. The reviews are night and day, every owner says the same. The LSD is just the icing on the cake really. The M3 LCA are cheap enough and worth fitting. There's an issue with the values of the cars and then adding almost half again on parts, but there's no modern alternative in the same price range.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

234 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
yonex said:
SidewaysSi said:
I am about to jump into the unknown with my E36 too. If you are like me, I fear nothing gets close to a Caterham, Atom etc and I am searching in vain for the practical yet raw experience.

My DC2 was bloody brilliant but even that could have done without PAS, hence me looking at 40 year old Alfas!

The shopping list for the BMW is getting longer and more expensive by the day...
I guess we are. It took 8 years to get out of the DC2, I loved that car and apart from the Caterham, nothing, has given me more confidence on turn in. The great thing was when I had mine nobody looked twice. It was 1999 and this bonkers car with a huge rev range and deeply impressive handling was viewed by most as a 'Honda'. So much fun.

Kevin (Bird) maintains that the 130 with the kit is as close to the E30 M3 as you're going to get, losing out on steering feel obviously but that goes with the age. Another reason I bought this one back is it's pre LCI.

Have you tried an Alfasud, that was something that blew my mind way back when.
The Integra was great but much as I loved it, felt the 205 GTi was a better machine. Or maybe it was rose tinted specs..

Not driven a Sud and know they are meant to be lovely but if I am going for an old Italian, it is hard to look past a 105.

Saying that, Lancer Evo RS cars also look good value too and are no doubt more capable and probably more fun than an Integrale.