My other half’s new daily; E88 BMW 125i cabriolet
Discussion
The battery will be here tomorrow but the car is at the garage tomorrow for the alignment, so I’ll pop it in on Thursday (plus the forecast tomorrow is grim).
Another hiccup today....the bottom of the seat belt was damp this morning (the bit that goes across your lap). Whilst feeling, I noticed the rear passenger mat behind my seat was a bit damp too. First thought was s
t. The roof is buggered. Cue me flapping about feeling the seals, all parts of the roof. Nothing, bone dry.
Bit of head scratching and sweating. Checked the boot / battery area...all dry. Pulled the base of the rear seats up...dry. Absolutely zero evidence of drips / water staining on any trim.
I then started poking around the external seals and I spotted this...
This seal is damaged, I’m guessing from the previous owner squeezing in and out of the car. Bad news is the seal doesn’t appear to be available on its own but a window from a breaker is peanuts. For now I’m going to try a bit of subtle, black silicone in there to see if that stops the issue. If it does I’ll replace the rear window. I’ll check the drainage channels over the next few days too.
On the good news side, this arrived today
Which means I can fit the alcantara wheel from the 116 (will do it whilst I’m pissing about with the battery).
Another hiccup today....the bottom of the seat belt was damp this morning (the bit that goes across your lap). Whilst feeling, I noticed the rear passenger mat behind my seat was a bit damp too. First thought was s
t. The roof is buggered. Cue me flapping about feeling the seals, all parts of the roof. Nothing, bone dry.Bit of head scratching and sweating. Checked the boot / battery area...all dry. Pulled the base of the rear seats up...dry. Absolutely zero evidence of drips / water staining on any trim.
I then started poking around the external seals and I spotted this...
This seal is damaged, I’m guessing from the previous owner squeezing in and out of the car. Bad news is the seal doesn’t appear to be available on its own but a window from a breaker is peanuts. For now I’m going to try a bit of subtle, black silicone in there to see if that stops the issue. If it does I’ll replace the rear window. I’ll check the drainage channels over the next few days too.
On the good news side, this arrived today
Which means I can fit the alcantara wheel from the 116 (will do it whilst I’m pissing about with the battery).
What do you make of the M Performance knob? I've seriously considered fitting one in my E90 but there's always the question in the back of my head about whether it'll be enough improvement for the outlay. I'd also be inclined to go the whole hog and fit the alcantara gaiters, as I see you've done too.
That's a lovely looking motor you have there. At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
That's a lovely looking motor you have there. At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
Levin said:
What do you make of the M Performance knob? I've seriously considered fitting one in my E90 but there's always the question in the back of my head about whether it'll be enough improvement for the outlay. I'd also be inclined to go the whole hog and fit the alcantara gaiters, as I see you've done too.
That's a lovely looking motor you have there. At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
I like it more in this car than the other one, but that’s because the gear box in this one is nicer to use in general. I think it’s improved the shift, others prefer the older Clubsport shifter.That's a lovely looking motor you have there. At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
They’re not too epithets days (I paid £40 for it). The gaiter is stain available for the E90 (about £30 on eBay from BMW dealers). I had to buy an aftermarket copy because the 1 series gaiter is no longer available.
Levin said:
At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
Just get on and do it - YOLO after all!I had a couple of 4 cylinder turbo-diesel BMWs for nearly 10 years trying to justify that with business use, but then got my first straight 6 petrol in 2014 and I've now got numbers 5 and 6!
The ZHP gear-knob is a massive improvement on what BMW fitted to the E90, E87, E85/6, etc. - shorter and heavier. Getting the Clutch Delay Valve removed improves things significantly, and fresh fluid in the gearbox helps (despite BMW claiming they are sealed for life).
beambeam1 said:
Court_S said:
I’ve dropped you a PM. Black ones no longer available, but I’ve sent a link to a blue one.
Cheers and thanks for letting me know, landed in my junk folder! Wondering if I'll drop one in my car as well since it's the N52 engine as well.d Child reckons it made a decent difference to his, although it was more external than internal. Mr Tidy said:
Levin said:
At some point I'm going to have to put a straight six BMW on the drive, just to scratch that particular itch.
Just get on and do it - YOLO after all!I had a couple of 4 cylinder turbo-diesel BMWs for nearly 10 years trying to justify that with business use, but then got my first straight 6 petrol in 2014 and I've now got numbers 5 and 6!
The ZHP gear-knob is a massive improvement on what BMW fitted to the E90, E87, E85/6, etc. - shorter and heavier. Getting the Clutch Delay Valve removed improves things significantly, and fresh fluid in the gearbox helps (despite BMW claiming they are sealed for life).
I’m in my fourth now.
Providing this doesn’t turn out to be too much of a dog, I’ll start getting fluids done later in the year. The gearbox feels remarkably good, much nicer than the six speed in her old 116. The CDV will be going in the bin in due course too.
New battery fitted and registered to the car this afternoon (in between the rain). Didn’t bother taking photos because it was drizzling and bloody cold. Car starts loads better and none of the weird error codes that I cleared at the weekend have reappeared (5 days now).
I also pissed around and did a bit of coding to the car. Just need to do the folding mirrors on locking / unlocking the car.
Alignment didn’t go to plan yesterday due do the track rod ends being seized. I’ll get it booked in (one quote made me nearly fall off my chair given that an entire track rod isn’t all that expensive). Hopefully the other garage will be a bit more wallet friendly.
The v5 for the 116 has been updated with the private plate removed, so I’ll get that up for sale this weekend. As soon as that’s sold, I’ll get a set of none run flats ordered. Hopefully with an alignment and some better tyres it’ll ride better. A mate has offered me his old B4 rear dampers which are only a few months old (he’s upgrading to B8’s) so I’ll pop those on when available.
I also pissed around and did a bit of coding to the car. Just need to do the folding mirrors on locking / unlocking the car.
Alignment didn’t go to plan yesterday due do the track rod ends being seized. I’ll get it booked in (one quote made me nearly fall off my chair given that an entire track rod isn’t all that expensive). Hopefully the other garage will be a bit more wallet friendly.
The v5 for the 116 has been updated with the private plate removed, so I’ll get that up for sale this weekend. As soon as that’s sold, I’ll get a set of none run flats ordered. Hopefully with an alignment and some better tyres it’ll ride better. A mate has offered me his old B4 rear dampers which are only a few months old (he’s upgrading to B8’s) so I’ll pop those on when available.
Popped out in the car last night and checked the tyre pressures, one of the rears was super low. Drives a bit better now but I still want to set fire to the run flats! :lol: I was really pissed off when the car was a tad slow to start again but I realised that since fitting the battery I’d mucked around doing some coding and not really run it. When I got to the garage to check the pressures etc, it started a million times better. Phew.
I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
Court_S said:
Popped out in the car last night and checked the tyre pressures, one of the rears was super low. Drives a bit better now but I still want to set fire to the run flats! :lol:
I hated the Run Craps - best thing I did was ditch them - Obviously I'm going to die in another ditch because I didn't fit MPS to the car (according to a well know 1 series forum) but I'm happy with my rainsports 
Court_S said:
I was really pissed off when the car was a tad slow to start again but I realised that since fitting the battery I’d mucked around doing some coding and not really run it. When I got to the garage to check the pressures etc, it started a million times better. Phew.
I got my mate Will to code out the "have to press the clutch before the engine starter button will work" Need to do a tweak to that coding cos you have to press and hold till it startsCourt_S said:
I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
That looks lovely it would be manky in 20 mins if fitted to my car but looks very nice indeedCourt_S said:
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
B'stard Child said:
Court_S said:
Popped out in the car last night and checked the tyre pressures, one of the rears was super low. Drives a bit better now but I still want to set fire to the run flats! :lol:
I hated the Run Craps - best thing I did was ditch them - Obviously I'm going to die in another ditch because I didn't fit MPS to the car (according to a well know 1 series forum) but I'm happy with my rainsports Court_S said:
I was really pissed off when the car was a tad slow to start again but I realised that since fitting the battery I’d mucked around doing some coding and not really run it. When I got to the garage to check the pressures etc, it started a million times better. Phew.
I got my mate Will to code out the "have to press the clutch before the engine starter button will work" Need to do a tweak to that coding cos you have to press and hold till it startsCourt_S said:
I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
That looks lovely it would be manky in 20 mins if fitted to my car but looks very nice indeedCourt_S said:
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
God knows what horrors I’ll find when I really clean the car and remove the seats.
Court_S said:
Popped out in the car last night and checked the tyre pressures, one of the rears was super low. Drives a bit better now but I still want to set fire to the run flats! :lol: I was really pissed off when the car was a tad slow to start again but I realised that since fitting the battery I’d mucked around doing some coding and not really run it. When I got to the garage to check the pressures etc, it started a million times better. Phew.
I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
As a man that also buys cars around 10 years old-ish I always put a refurbed wheel makes a big difference. I fitted the alcantara wheel from the other car today (I’m a dab hand with with these now). Looks great and feels nicer than the shiny old M Sport wheel with it’s worn trim.
It was pretty manky behind the wheel with lots of fluff and pet hair. Nice.
Car looks great.
cerb4.5lee said:
Very nice and I'm really pleased for you both. 
I love how you make your cars your own.
You will love driving that roof down when the weather picks up for sure.
Enjoy it.
Cheers Lee.I love how you make your cars your own.
You will love driving that roof down when the weather picks up for sure.
Enjoy it.
I’ve already enjoyed a bit of roof down driving....it was just sodding cold!
It’s booked in for new tyres tomorrow, replacement track rods next Tuesday and an alignment. Hoping it’ll be hunky dory after that.
I’ll replace the dampers and springs later in the year.
Managed to pick up a genuine BMW wind deflector for £40 this week, much lore palatable than the small fortune they sell for on eBay.
New exhaust tips arrived from BMW today and I’m waiting on some LED interior bulbs and a black diffuser because the stock grey looks balls against grey paint, like it’s had some bad paint previously.
The handbrake handle and gaiter are going to be sent to Royal to be recovered in alcantara with grey stitching to match the steering wheel / gear knob.
Other jobs...
Metal pedal covers
Wheel refurb
Double din screen
Dampers and springs
And the mother of all cleans (when the weather improves).
Had the horrible worn run flats changed to normal tyres today....what a difference they’ve made too. I’ve swapped to a 225 front instead of the stock 215 because they were cheaper (£40 is £40), other than that it’s a like fo like change, just no run flats.
The ride is vastly better. It’s still firm with 18’s and M Sport suspension, but the car doesn’t seem to move and shimmy around so much. It thuds less through imperfections and doesn’t tramline anywhere near as badly as it did. A few hundred quid well spent.
Hopefully it’ll feel better again next week once the alignment gets done properly.
The ride is vastly better. It’s still firm with 18’s and M Sport suspension, but the car doesn’t seem to move and shimmy around so much. It thuds less through imperfections and doesn’t tramline anywhere near as badly as it did. A few hundred quid well spent.
Hopefully it’ll feel better again next week once the alignment gets done properly.
Court_S said:
Alfahorn said:
As a man that also buys cars around 10 years old-ish I always put a refurbed wheel makes a big difference.
Car looks great.
Yeah, the old wheel was a bit rank, all shiny with years of someone else’s palm sweat Car looks great.
Despite the snow this morning (didn’t stick around long) and the cold, I had another afternoon passing around with the car. It was hanging after the weather this week so needed a damn good clean, plus I had a few little updates to fit...
LED interior bulbs because the stock halogen ones looked pants
New exhaust tips because the original ones were hanging. Also have some to fit to my car, both sets have now had four coats of high temperature paste wax
I also had a stubby aerial because I’m sick of poking myself on the face when cleaning the car on the old one. I bought a cheapy eBay diffuser in black too hoping that it’d be cheaper than painting the OE one. It’s not that glossy nor that black so looks like it’s back to painting one. I need to source an infill piece too, I thought I’d be able to use the old one and paint it but it’s stuck. Stuck really well. The black does look better than the grey though. The V5 finally arrived so I’ve been able to get rid of the minging plates the car came with and add her private plate.
The LED bulbs look loads better. The ones by the rear view mirror were sods to fit though.
The old exhaust tips came off remarkably easily but were totally shagged.
Big improvement with the new ones and black diffuser.
Plates and aerial fitted and then the car had a quick was and dry. It needs a good polish to remove some minor scuffs and scratches, but is scrubs up pretty well. Space grey metallic is a nice colour. After cleaning it, I coated the rear window in Angel Wax H2Go to try and stop water collecting on the rear window.
Took the car for a longer drive last night after going to check the tyre pressures (the warning light had come on whilst my other half used it yesterday). All were fine. I’m really pleased with the car having changed the tyres, I really can’t believe the change just by changing the tyres. It’s now a really nice little car to drive.
It’s in for new track rods Tuesday and a proper four wheel alignment on Wednesday. Whilst the track rods are being done I’ve asked for the brake fluid to be done. The car is saying it’s due next month but I’m not sure if it’s needed or because the date was wrong (it said 2020 despite it being g 2021....). Looking through the service book, the last tick for brake fluid was four years ago. It’s not expensive so I’ll just do it. I’ll get the oil changed later in the year too just to be safe.
LED interior bulbs because the stock halogen ones looked pants
New exhaust tips because the original ones were hanging. Also have some to fit to my car, both sets have now had four coats of high temperature paste wax
I also had a stubby aerial because I’m sick of poking myself on the face when cleaning the car on the old one. I bought a cheapy eBay diffuser in black too hoping that it’d be cheaper than painting the OE one. It’s not that glossy nor that black so looks like it’s back to painting one. I need to source an infill piece too, I thought I’d be able to use the old one and paint it but it’s stuck. Stuck really well. The black does look better than the grey though. The V5 finally arrived so I’ve been able to get rid of the minging plates the car came with and add her private plate.
The LED bulbs look loads better. The ones by the rear view mirror were sods to fit though.
The old exhaust tips came off remarkably easily but were totally shagged.
Big improvement with the new ones and black diffuser.
Plates and aerial fitted and then the car had a quick was and dry. It needs a good polish to remove some minor scuffs and scratches, but is scrubs up pretty well. Space grey metallic is a nice colour. After cleaning it, I coated the rear window in Angel Wax H2Go to try and stop water collecting on the rear window.
Took the car for a longer drive last night after going to check the tyre pressures (the warning light had come on whilst my other half used it yesterday). All were fine. I’m really pleased with the car having changed the tyres, I really can’t believe the change just by changing the tyres. It’s now a really nice little car to drive.
It’s in for new track rods Tuesday and a proper four wheel alignment on Wednesday. Whilst the track rods are being done I’ve asked for the brake fluid to be done. The car is saying it’s due next month but I’m not sure if it’s needed or because the date was wrong (it said 2020 despite it being g 2021....). Looking through the service book, the last tick for brake fluid was four years ago. It’s not expensive so I’ll just do it. I’ll get the oil changed later in the year too just to be safe.
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