MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
Gratuitous arty shot just for the sake of it...
Like most of the rest of the country, the last few weeks have been all about lockdown 2.0. Apart from a couple of critical journeys for the M5, the cars have languished on the drive, looking pretty neglected.
So what to do with the time that I'd normally spend driving?
Well, it all started with this message from PHer MarkCSL
Without going into too many details (trust me... I have a LOT of details), by far the most interesting thing is that all the previous owners are enthusiasts. Each one was a serial sports-car owner and, for a few of them, serial M-Car owners. There's always a risk that you're going to uncover something nasty (like a big crash or changes in mileage) but thankfully all's well and every owner I spoke to (bar one, who couldn't get on with it) had a real soft-spot for the car.
Thankfully though, lockdown came to an end and MrTouring and I used the opportunity to get out this Sunday morning for a blast up through the Cotswolds to Caffeine and Machine. Apart from a few slippery patches and an errant stag it was a beautiful dry chilly morning...
However, the heavens opened by the time we got to C&M so we had a quick tea, bacon butty and a mooch around the shop - plus some obligatory photos..
The journey home wasn't quite so much fun as the Sunday Morning crowd (ponderous drivers, herds of cyclists in bright technical fabrics and dozens of dog-walkers) had all woken up, so we took a bit more of a b-road route home. Only downside... the car's absolutely minging now
Like most of the rest of the country, the last few weeks have been all about lockdown 2.0. Apart from a couple of critical journeys for the M5, the cars have languished on the drive, looking pretty neglected.
So what to do with the time that I'd normally spend driving?
Well, it all started with this message from PHer MarkCSL
markcsl said:
That Looks like my old 1M I still have the replica model of it.
Is it 647 the last 3 on the reg ?
Massive thanks to Mark for posting on the thread (spoiler: my car IS Mark's old car) and it triggered a great discussion with Mark about his time with it. However, Mark was also kind enough to share a few details about who he bought it from, and who he sold it to. This lead me to spend a bunch of the time during lockdown, tracking down the previous owners and building up a really comprehensive history of who's owned it, what they did with it etc - including pictures, adventures etc. Is it 647 the last 3 on the reg ?
Without going into too many details (trust me... I have a LOT of details), by far the most interesting thing is that all the previous owners are enthusiasts. Each one was a serial sports-car owner and, for a few of them, serial M-Car owners. There's always a risk that you're going to uncover something nasty (like a big crash or changes in mileage) but thankfully all's well and every owner I spoke to (bar one, who couldn't get on with it) had a real soft-spot for the car.
Thankfully though, lockdown came to an end and MrTouring and I used the opportunity to get out this Sunday morning for a blast up through the Cotswolds to Caffeine and Machine. Apart from a few slippery patches and an errant stag it was a beautiful dry chilly morning...
However, the heavens opened by the time we got to C&M so we had a quick tea, bacon butty and a mooch around the shop - plus some obligatory photos..
The journey home wasn't quite so much fun as the Sunday Morning crowd (ponderous drivers, herds of cyclists in bright technical fabrics and dozens of dog-walkers) had all woken up, so we took a bit more of a b-road route home. Only downside... the car's absolutely minging now
The curse of the idle M5 continues. The less it's used, the more little things start to go wrong.
This time, it was the almost-inevitable 'big yellow grommet'. A common fault on the F10 5 series (especially those that park 'nose up') is a general build up of crud in the scuttle drain that starts to hold water and, over time, causes the 'big yellow grommet' that blocks up the LHD steering column hole in the firewall to fail, allowing water into the cabin where it flows to the nearside rear footwell.
Normally, when the car is regularly used, heat from the engine, motion etc keeps the build-up area dry and prevents issues, but thanks to weeks of being idle as well as lots of wet weather, the drains filled up, my grommet finally failed and I spotted a damp spot in the rear carpet. Check out the tide-mark on the grommet when it was being replaced...
As is often the case, the 'M Tax' plays a big role in getting this fixed. If it was a 520d (with a teeny-tiny little engine) it's a DIY job. Reach behind the engine, undo and remove the heat matting, pull out the old grommet, put in a new one, and refit the heat matting. About a 30 minute job and a couple of quid for a new grommet apparently.
Sadly, my engine bay is fully taken up with a 4.4ltr twin-turbo V8 so replacement involves significantly more buggeration, including (but not limited to) removal of one of the ECUs, under trays, heat shielding etc etc. Hours of work. So the cost is... not insubstantial. All to swap a grommet.
But, it's all done and I'm now in the process of trying to dry car carpet, outside, in perpetually cold and damp weather, without being able to legally drive it anywhere. So that's fun. There's many much more serious reasons why lockdown has been a misery for people all over the world, but it's also been really unfortunate for the M5.
The only other news is that I upgraded my battery charger to a new Ctek unit. On the very rare occasion the cars move, it's either a few feet to allow me to open the garage door or its a couple of miles to Sainsbury's, so they're not getting charged at all. I've invested in the fly leads with the LED indicators, so that I can keep an eye on the state of the batteries of both cars at a glance, and simply top them up from the unit over night when they drop into the red zone.
Other than that, I just look at the cars out of the window - fantasising about the days when I could just 'go out for a drive'. This sucks.
This time, it was the almost-inevitable 'big yellow grommet'. A common fault on the F10 5 series (especially those that park 'nose up') is a general build up of crud in the scuttle drain that starts to hold water and, over time, causes the 'big yellow grommet' that blocks up the LHD steering column hole in the firewall to fail, allowing water into the cabin where it flows to the nearside rear footwell.
Normally, when the car is regularly used, heat from the engine, motion etc keeps the build-up area dry and prevents issues, but thanks to weeks of being idle as well as lots of wet weather, the drains filled up, my grommet finally failed and I spotted a damp spot in the rear carpet. Check out the tide-mark on the grommet when it was being replaced...
As is often the case, the 'M Tax' plays a big role in getting this fixed. If it was a 520d (with a teeny-tiny little engine) it's a DIY job. Reach behind the engine, undo and remove the heat matting, pull out the old grommet, put in a new one, and refit the heat matting. About a 30 minute job and a couple of quid for a new grommet apparently.
Sadly, my engine bay is fully taken up with a 4.4ltr twin-turbo V8 so replacement involves significantly more buggeration, including (but not limited to) removal of one of the ECUs, under trays, heat shielding etc etc. Hours of work. So the cost is... not insubstantial. All to swap a grommet.
But, it's all done and I'm now in the process of trying to dry car carpet, outside, in perpetually cold and damp weather, without being able to legally drive it anywhere. So that's fun. There's many much more serious reasons why lockdown has been a misery for people all over the world, but it's also been really unfortunate for the M5.
The only other news is that I upgraded my battery charger to a new Ctek unit. On the very rare occasion the cars move, it's either a few feet to allow me to open the garage door or its a couple of miles to Sainsbury's, so they're not getting charged at all. I've invested in the fly leads with the LED indicators, so that I can keep an eye on the state of the batteries of both cars at a glance, and simply top them up from the unit over night when they drop into the red zone.
Other than that, I just look at the cars out of the window - fantasising about the days when I could just 'go out for a drive'. This sucks.
Edited by MDifficult on Wednesday 13th January 10:40
That's a bit of a pisser on the grommet, but as you say it affects all F10 models. Some seem to come away much worse!
I've got two CTEK's now, too. Hard-wiring chargers has also been my flavour of the month. One of the cars just stays in the garage, and the other is used once per week to food shopping. I'm sure companies like CTEK, Karcher et al have had a massive year. Nothing else to do, so I'll either clean or charge batteries.
I've got two CTEK's now, too. Hard-wiring chargers has also been my flavour of the month. One of the cars just stays in the garage, and the other is used once per week to food shopping. I'm sure companies like CTEK, Karcher et al have had a massive year. Nothing else to do, so I'll either clean or charge batteries.
JakeT said:
That's a bit of a pisser on the grommet, but as you say it affects all F10 models. Some seem to come away much worse!
I've got two CTEK's now, too. Hard-wiring chargers has also been my flavour of the month. One of the cars just stays in the garage, and the other is used once per week to food shopping. I'm sure companies like CTEK, Karcher et al have had a massive year. Nothing else to do, so I'll either clean or charge batteries.
Cheers. It definitely seems to be that cars that park 'nose-up, bum down' get it much worse, because gravity holds all the crap and the water against the grommet. Flat, or nose forward lessens the risk. But, at 8 years old and 83k miles, it seems the issue struck me about on par. I've got two CTEK's now, too. Hard-wiring chargers has also been my flavour of the month. One of the cars just stays in the garage, and the other is used once per week to food shopping. I'm sure companies like CTEK, Karcher et al have had a massive year. Nothing else to do, so I'll either clean or charge batteries.
I had an older charger that was ideal for my motorbikes and my MINI when it was stored away for the winter. The 'big' cars never needed charging because they were always being used. However, with the need to charge the huge AGM battery in the M5, I needed something with a lot more electric 'horsepower' and Ctek seemed to be recommended by everyone.
I have to say, the LED indicator fly-leads are a game-changer - I'm using the grip versions at the moment but I've got the eyelet 'hard-wire' versions ready to fit once the weather improves a bit. It's annoying that, with both cars, you need to install them to the positive post under the bonnet to keep the cars own monitoring systems in the loop. I'd much rather hard-wire to the battery in the boot to make access easier. I'm sure there's a way around it but don't want to risk causing even more buggeration!
For anyone who’s interested, turns out the technique for drying out M5 carpet on cold days, in winter, when you can’t drive the car because of lockdown and your garage isn’t quite big enough is as follows...
Sit in the back of the car. Open the sunroof but keep all the doors and windows shut. Then sit there for hours on end using your wife’s hairdryer to dry the carpet while watching YouTube on your headphones.
Be prepared for some puzzled looks from your neighbours as they head out for their daily walk.
Sit in the back of the car. Open the sunroof but keep all the doors and windows shut. Then sit there for hours on end using your wife’s hairdryer to dry the carpet while watching YouTube on your headphones.
Be prepared for some puzzled looks from your neighbours as they head out for their daily walk.
toasty said:
Ugh, it looks like I’ve the same issue on mine.
I’m hoping it’s not going to be too many hours labour.
You have my sympathies mate - such a small frustrating issue but sorting it out is such a huge pain in the arse. Good luck with it. I’m hoping it’s not going to be too many hours labour.
I'm still struggling to completely remove the dampness right in that corner of the rear nearside carpet but I can't decide if it's still leaking (in which case it'll back for a warranty resolution on the fix) or whether its just residual dampness in the carpet/under the floor that's moving around as I drive and just taking ages to remove.
If this was 'normal' days I'd have a daily commute and I could be certain that it was totally dry (and then know if it was still leaking). But with so few opportunities to drive it for a long period I'm kind of 'buggered' until lockdown ends or the weather warms up.
MDifficult said:
.......with so few opportunities to drive it for a long period I'm kind of 'buggered' until lockdown ends or the weather warms up.
I have a regular commute as a key worker so I suppose I could help you out by taking the M5 on for a few weeks. I only offer this to enable you to successfully diagnose this little issue and the 4.4 V8 does not have any bearing whatsoever on this offer. 
MDifficult said:
You have my sympathies mate - such a small frustrating issue but sorting it out is such a huge pain in the arse. Good luck with it.
I'm still struggling to completely remove the dampness right in that corner of the rear nearside carpet but I can't decide if it's still leaking (in which case it'll back for a warranty resolution on the fix) or whether its just residual dampness in the carpet/under the floor that's moving around as I drive and just taking ages to remove.
If this was 'normal' days I'd have a daily commute and I could be certain that it was totally dry (and then know if it was still leaking). But with so few opportunities to drive it for a long period I'm kind of 'buggered' until lockdown ends or the weather warms up.
Cheers, booked in Friday to get the grommet sorted then it’ll be Saturday morning getting as much moisture out with a Vax. I'm still struggling to completely remove the dampness right in that corner of the rear nearside carpet but I can't decide if it's still leaking (in which case it'll back for a warranty resolution on the fix) or whether its just residual dampness in the carpet/under the floor that's moving around as I drive and just taking ages to remove.
If this was 'normal' days I'd have a daily commute and I could be certain that it was totally dry (and then know if it was still leaking). But with so few opportunities to drive it for a long period I'm kind of 'buggered' until lockdown ends or the weather warms up.
TorqueR said:
I have a regular commute as a key worker so I suppose I could help you out by taking the M5 on for a few weeks. I only offer this to enable you to successfully diagnose this little issue and the 4.4 V8 does not have any bearing whatsoever on this offer.
Too many more weeks of this and I might actually be tempted..!toasty said:
Cheers, booked in Friday to get the grommet sorted then it’ll be Saturday morning getting as much moisture out with a Vax.
Let me know how you get on? The most frustrating thing is the thickness of the foam underlay in that specific corner. There’s a section about 4 inches by 6 that is clearly a couple of inches thick, and then there’s a recess underneath in the floor pan where the water sits. The foam itself holds SO much water but getting to the pooled water underneath is even harder. MDifficult said:
Let me know how you get on? The most frustrating thing is the thickness of the foam underlay in that specific corner. There’s a section about 4 inches by 6 that is clearly a couple of inches thick, and then there’s a recess underneath in the floor pan where the water sits. The foam itself holds SO much water but getting to the pooled water underneath is even harder.
I have it back now after a week at Vines Redhill. I suggested the yellow grommet issue, they thought not but after they took the carpets out realised I was right. Thankfully they put in a goodwill claim from BMW who covered most of the cost leaving me with just over my warranty excess to pay.
All in all, I feel like I dodged a bullet. Thanks for the advice.
MDifficult said:
Glad it went well and huge benefit of running a warranty I guess
Can't believe they had your carpets out though... that must have been a monster amount of work in order to diagnose an issue that is a) Incredibly common and b) Pointed out to you by the owner.
It wasn't covered by warranty, hence the claim for goodwill. I think the service guy was a little embarrassed to admit I knew the cause before they did. Can't believe they had your carpets out though... that must have been a monster amount of work in order to diagnose an issue that is a) Incredibly common and b) Pointed out to you by the owner.
Anyhow all sorted and I can now see my car outside, next to useless with all the snow and ice.
toasty said:
It wasn't covered by warranty, hence the claim for goodwill. I think the service guy was a little embarrassed to admit I knew the cause before they did.
Anyhow all sorted and I can now see my car outside, next to useless with all the snow and ice.
Ah, in that case ‘well done!’. I’ve always been impressed with BMW and their goodwill gestures - both on my BMWs and MINIs. Glad they came through for you too. Anyhow all sorted and I can now see my car outside, next to useless with all the snow and ice.
Find a reason to use the M5 though - as we’re both learning to our cost, they don’t like sitting around doing nothing
MDifficult said:
A question for you...
What does a proper petrolhead who has two cars he can’t use do at the weekend?
If your answer was “buy a third car he can use even less than the other two” then you win the prize!!
Details to follow soon...
Brilliant. The dangers of being stuck indoors and being bored What does a proper petrolhead who has two cars he can’t use do at the weekend?
If your answer was “buy a third car he can use even less than the other two” then you win the prize!!
Details to follow soon...
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