1 year of ownership down the line

[Ozzy]

OK I have now been the owner of a 350i Convertible for a whole glorious year and thought I would share a few moments and stats.

Miles covered 4,750 (just managed to keep it under that limited mileage threshold)---honest guv.

Max speed 125mph (not quite up there with the big block boys)

Best burn. 30 min race with a guy in an Elise around country roads (pure joy)

Number of crashes / near misses 1
1st week of ownership coming off the accelerator on a hair pin on a country lane. Just about brought that one back and never did that again !

Wild experiences in the wet 1
First drop of rain after the mega hot spell managed to 360 spin quite nicely but as there wasn't another car in sight and road was mega wide does not count as a near miss !

Number of new tyres 4 (heh)

Most niggly job
Whilst removing all of the veneer panels for a revamp getting that dashboard one off may be described as pure hell. Head in a ball of wiring with both legs in the air whilst maneuvering a spanner in pit black touchy feely type mode.

Expenses
Cat 1 Alarm immob 350 GBP
Assorted shiny alluminum bits(can't resist em) 250 GBP
Re-veneer 375 GBP
Insurance 300 GBP
Juice 950 GBP approx
Spotlight 17.50 GBP
Tyres 400 GBP

Yearly total then about 2642.50 (Wow that adds up)

Most invaluable item purchased Beakdown cover. Only used it twice but was very far away from home at the time. Starter motor jam whilst visiting mother in law in Lincoln(My god can you imagine anything worse) Fan belt snap when at the airport. (ahhhh) Arrived within 30 mins both times.

Next expenses planned
Re-spray 300 GBP
Wheel refurb 160 GBP
Brake upgrade (under discussion/bribery 400 ish I suppose)
Interior trim 500 ish ?

Overall reliablility rating 85%

Grin factor 100%

Roll on the summer !!

[rev-erend]

Ozzy said:

OK I have now been the owner of a 350i Convertible for a whole glorious year and thought I would share a few moments and stats. Miles covered 4,750 (just managed to keep it under that limited mileage threshold)---honest guv. Max speed 125mph (not quite up there with the big block boys) Best burn. 30 min race with a guy in an Elise around country roads (pure joy) Number of crashes / near misses 1 1st week of ownership coming off the accelerator on a hair pin on a country lane. Just about brought that one back and never did that again ! Wild experiences in the wet 1 First drop of rain after the mega hot spell managed to 360 spin quite nicely but as there wasn't another car in sight and road was mega wide does not count as a near miss ! Number of new tyres 4 (heh) Most niggly job Whilst removing all of the veneer panels for a revamp getting that dashboard one off may be described as pure hell. Head in a ball of wiring with both legs in the air whilst maneuvering a spanner in pit black touchy feely type mode. Expenses Cat 1 Alarm immob 350 GBP Assorted shiny alluminum bits(can't resist em) 250 GBP Re-veneer 375 GBP Insurance 300 GBP Juice 950 GBP approx Spotlight 17.50 GBP Tyres 400 GBP Yearly total then about 2642.50 (Wow that adds up) Most invaluable item purchased Beakdown cover. Only used it twice but was very far away from home at the time. Starter motor jam whilst visiting mother in law in Lincoln(My god can you imagine anything worse) Fan belt snap when at the airport. (ahhhh) Arrived within 30 mins both times. Next expenses planned Re-spray 300 GBP Wheel refurb 160 GBP Brake upgrade (under discussion/bribery 400 ish I suppose) Interior trim 500 ish ? Overall reliablility rating 85% Grin factor 100% Roll on the summer !!

Sounds like you have really had fun..

You are in Watford ... you are a local ... why not join us for the BBWF ..

[skyrocketship]

where are you getting your respray for £300?

[rev-erend]

Agreed and the wheel refurb for £160 .. mine cost that each .. but they are the split rim type !

[Seamus]

Sounds like you've had a great year so far, most standard wheels cost around £40-£50 quid each so £160 sounds fair - must admit £300 for a respray sounds fantastic, assume you are preping the car for the sprayers..

[Ozzy]

RE the wheel refurb, I called Leven Technology and they stated they are referring all inquiries directly to the company that does the refurbs. They are a company in Scotland, got the number somewhere but I am sure if you call Leven they will just refer you on.

The cost of 160 also include return freight to Watford which I though was pretty good. Mine are the original lattice wheels.

Got a freind sprayer in Chesham hence cheap rate.