850 T5, Hope it turns out OK! (215k and counting..)

[Max M4X WW]

Hi all,

This is a bit of a weird one but after deciding to hand back my leased M135i early due to lack of use since buying a house and excessive cost for a weekend car I thought I'd but something cheap. This also allows me to start ticking cars off the 'always wanted one' list (my list is fairly extensive/odd and includes things such as a W140 S-Class, Citroen ZX Volcane TD, Renault Twizy, E39 M5, Mercedes CL etc etc!)

I actually bought the car in June after 'having a look' and this particularly poor example came up. It's not that bad really I don't think and it was cheap, came with a far amount of paperwork and hasn't obviously been abused like many (by kids, dogs, tip runs etc) The car was actually leased to begin with and covered 90k+ in the first three years of its life.

These are the pics from the Ad - the headline specs were 215k miles with RICA 304 map and 'race spec' features such as no sunroof or 7 seat option!















As I said, by 1999 it had done 90k and in 2004 130k. I have loads of paperwork and I expect the maintenance tailed off slightly until the last owner bought it when it received the map, 'Stage 0' and dump valve that you can see in the photo.

Although the mileage is high, the bodywork is pretty good (the bonnet is scuffed on the front, bumpers need attention and the top of the tailgate is rusty for some reason) and the interior is pretty good.

This is the day I viewed the car..



And back in storage (already being pulled apart!)



I had a fairly long list of plans for the car, which I have been trying to knock off whilst the car has been storage for a few months. So far I have fitted the V70 rear lights and repeaters, wooden steering wheel, V70 roof trims, genuine strut brace, removed the dump valve and headlight wipers. I also had a go at the leather with some blue restoration paste which seems to have done the trick.

I still need to machine polish the car, re-fit all of the painted black/grey trim and hunt down some T-5R wheels. Once the car is taxed and insured I will get the cambelt and water pump done. Then if everything is going to plan I will upgrade the front brakes and fit a used Supersprint exhaust/de-cat that I have on the way.

I found a cheap R front bumper on a forum and given the state of the one on the car I thought I'd pick it up and have it painted along with the headlight trims which I smoothed and the door mirror caps which were badly scuffed..











I think the bumper transforms the car and once the 17" wheels are on I think it will look pretty good.

So there we are, I'm hoping the car turns out as nice as Ecurie Ecosse's on here and I'll keep this thread updated with progress, but for now that's it!

[kiethton]

Looks pretty good, sure a good detail will bring that paint back to life!

Need to tick one if these off the list one day too!

[Rick448]

This is how mine ended up... Some young woman hit me head on in fog. Her Punto came off considerably worse. Mine had a Rica map too and went quite well. I averaged about 18 mpg.

Yours looks pretty good for the mileage. Enjoy

[W00DY]

Looking good. Must admit I was tempted by that when I saw it. Should be a very nice example after your work!

[Max M4X WW]

Thanks all,

Saturday is detailing day so we will see how it looks after that.

I'm still looking for a replacement rear bumper as both the top and bottom parts are scuffed - annoyingly I'm told they don't split like the front so I'm looking for a really good one.

[S10GTA]

Lovely. Have a real soft spot for Volvos now.

[Max M4X WW]

Taxed & Insured, The M135i went back on Monday so I've just driven it home.

MOT and checkover on the 17th, cambelt, waterpump, de-cat and exhaust being fitted on the 20th - then it will be in use.









Still looking for a rear bumper too, ignore the one on it!

[kiethton]

You bringing the big blue beast to Silverstone on Sunday?

[Max M4X WW]

Nope, sorry. Its overdue a cambelt and don't want to risk it!

[Chunkychucky]

The 2 previous mornings I have been passed by a green 850R wagon whilst walking to work through York, the 5 pot burble as it passes by... if I could find a manual it would appeal as a daily!

[Max M4X WW]

I'm looking forward to the noise, sounds OK now but the exhaust is near silent. Having it de-catted and an almost straight through system fitted until I find a proper system. Will see how it sounds.

[LittleEnus]

Any updates? I've just picked up a 202k mile T5 for a rally next year. Following this with interest!

[Max M4X WW]

Cambelt, waterpump etc was done yesterday along with a de-cat and almost straight through exhaust. Collecting the car this evening.

[C7 JFW]

This sounds like it could be very interesting.

[Max M4X WW]

C7 JFW said:

This sounds like it could be very interesting.

Why is that?

[kiethton]

Would be rude not to re-map it now....

[Max M4X WW]

It already has a RICA 304

[Max M4X WW]

OK so the cambelt etc is done so I am now safe to drive it in anger. We have 15psi, not a lot of traction (in the wet) and some gunfire on overrun since the de-cat and 'new' exhaust. I'm not sure if this is totally normal, so will see how it goes and get it over to Surrey Rolling Road soon.

[KillerHERTZ]

For the faded plastic part of the rear bumper, a couple of cans of Halfords black plastic bumper paint will get that looking brand new.

[Max M4X WW]

KillerHERTZ said:

For the faded plastic part of the rear bumper, a couple of cans of Halfords black plastic bumper paint will get that looking brand new.

Yep, I've done the front bumper, door trims, handles and boot handle with U-Pol PlastX which matches the original colour. I'm on the hun for a replacement rear bumper as this one is scuffed and the grey bit is out of shape.