My other half’s new daily; E88 BMW 125i cabriolet

[roadie]

I always find it a mega satisfying job to get new discs and pads fitted. I think those bits when they are corrosion free really make the car look better.

[MDifficult]

You’ve sent me back to Autotrader again… There’s a red 135i M Sport manual convertible on there at the moment that I remember seeing on CC I think. Very strong money but it’s making my wallet itch for the summer!

[Court_S]

roadie said:

I always find it a mega satisfying job to get new discs and pads fitted. I think those bits when they are corrosion free really make the car look better.

I like new disc day; shame they don’t stay looking that fresh for longer!

[Court_S]

MDifficult said:

You’ve sent me back to Autotrader again… There’s a red 135i M Sport manual convertible on there at the moment that I remember seeing on CC I think. Very strong money but it’s making my wallet itch for the summer!

Do it….the weather’s warming up and prices will only go one way once it’s warmer.

[Court_S]

An update to the 125i today that my other half can’t work out why I’m do excited….I finally got off my arse and bought a pair of E9x headrests that tilt!

I loved the tilting headrests in my E46 325ti, my E90 330i and my current 335i. It always annoyed me that the 1 series never got them (and more the more recent cars I’ve driven).

[Court_S]

Busy day pushing around with cars today…

First up was washing the 125i before changing the oil. Cleaned and up on stands ready.



Seven litres of Milers oil and a Bosch filter ready to go.



Old filter removed.



Didn’t look in bad shape, but the car has only done 7k since the oil was last changed. I’ve found that the Bosch filters hold up pretty well (better than my last OE filter to be fair).

Old oil draining.



New filter and o-rings installed, ready to be fitted.



Popped in six and a half litres which hadn’t quite taken it to full when my other half popped out in the car earlier, so it needs a wee top up. The car needs a few longer runs because there’s a bit of yellow sludge under the oil filler cap which I’m sure is just the result of short trips this winter (it’s been a while since it had a proper run out).

Service light reset. I’ll change the oil again once it’s halfway through the BMW service interval.

It needs its post winter detail that’s for sure. The roof has a few stubborn spots of algae and there are a few tar spots etc.

Edited by Court_S on Saturday 11th March 20:19

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

Old filter removed.



Didn’t look in bad shape, but the car has only done 7k since the oil was last changed. I’ve found that the Bosch filters hold up pretty well (better than my last OE filter to be fair).

That's useful info I change mine every 6K and the filter always looks proper knarly - when I run out of BMW filters I'll try a Bosch one

Court_S said:

Popped in six and a half litres which hadn’t quite taken it to full when my other half popped out in the car earlier, so it needs a wee top up. The car needs a few longer runs because there’s a bit of yellow sludge under the oil filler cap which I’m sure is just the result of short trips this winter (it’s been a while since it had a proper run out).

I have the same issue lots of short trips make the cap mucky - did 250 miles yesterday - the coolant temp sat nicely at 102 deg unless I gave it a squirt (when it plunges down to mid 80's) and when we got home the cap was clean as a whistle - it's due it's change this month.

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

Old filter removed.



Didn’t look in bad shape, but the car has only done 7k since the oil was last changed. I’ve found that the Bosch filters hold up pretty well (better than my last OE filter to be fair).

That's useful info I change mine every 6K and the filter always looks proper knarly - when I run out of BMW filters I'll try a Bosch one

Court_S said:

Popped in six and a half litres which hadn’t quite taken it to full when my other half popped out in the car earlier, so it needs a wee top up. The car needs a few longer runs because there’s a bit of yellow sludge under the oil filler cap which I’m sure is just the result of short trips this winter (it’s been a while since it had a proper run out).

I have the same issue lots of short trips make the cap mucky - did 250 miles yesterday - the coolant temp sat nicely at 102 deg unless I gave it a squirt (when it plunges down to mid 80's) and when we got home the cap was clean as a whistle - it's due it's change this month.

My last OE filter looked fked after 7k. The Bosch ones seem to hold their shape better. It’s also what Opie sell in their service kits.

I’ll get the cap off at some point to give a proper clean and then get the 125i doing some proper trips. I’ll steal it for a drive to Holyhead for work once the weather warms up.

[bodhi]

Think I've mentioned this on other threads Sam but I'm properly impressed with the changes you've made here, especially to the interior - looks a cracking example now, and I will admit to being a trifle jealous

As you know I'm looking at starting to upgrade mine, starting with the interior, so your work has been great for inspiration.

A couple of q's if I may:

How you you find the BMW Performance shifter compared to the standard model? Any thoughts on it vs the Clubsport/ZHP shifter?
Is the gaiter round it the BMW Performance one I've spotted on eBay?

Also for getting the trim redone by Royal Steering Wheels - did you take the plastic trim off yours and send it down? Or did you pick up another set and get him retrim that bit?

[Court_S]

bodhi said:

Think I've mentioned this on other threads Sam but I'm properly impressed with the changes you've made here, especially to the interior - looks a cracking example now, and I will admit to being a trifle jealous

As you know I'm looking at starting to upgrade mine, starting with the interior, so your work has been great for inspiration.

A couple of q's if I may:

How you you find the BMW Performance shifter compared to the standard model? Any thoughts on it vs the Clubsport/ZHP shifter?
Is the gaiter round it the BMW Performance one I've spotted on eBay?

Also for getting the trim redone by Royal Steering Wheels - did you take the plastic trim off yours and send it down? Or did you pick up another set and get him retrim that bit?

Thanks. It’s certainly getting there; needs some paint this summer. The front bumper has been painted badly at some point and is flaking around the grilles and there is some lacquer peel and there’s a dent on the crease of the door which will need painting the sort. As she won’t let me sell it, I need to get that sorted to keep it looking it’s best.

Personally I really like the Performance shift knob. Some think it’s too small but I like it and it ties with with my alcantara fetish. I don’t like the ZHP one aesthetically. It looks like it belongs in an older car like the E46. I’m in the minority with that opinion though.

I had a spare dash insert to sent that off. If you want to do the binnacle cover, I have a spare that you can and to them if you want it.

[bodhi]

Court_S said:

Thanks. It’s certainly getting there; needs some paint this summer. The front bumper has been painted badly at some point and is flaking around the grilles and there is some lacquer peel and there’s a dent on the crease of the door which will need painting the sort. As she won’t let me sell it, I need to get that sorted to keep it looking it’s best.

Personally I really like the Performance shift knob. Some think it’s too small but I like it and it ties with with my alcantara fetish. I don’t like the ZHP one aesthetically. It looks like it belongs in an older car like the E46. I’m in the minority with that opinion though.

I had a spare dash insert to sent that off. If you want to do the binnacle cover, I have a spare that you can and to them if you want it.

Your OH sounds entirely sensible if I'm honest, I think these things are worth hanging onto with the move towards electrification and cars doing everything by themselves, I've certainly got no plans to let mine go.

That is an incredibly generous offer on the binnacle and I hope to be able to take you up on that - I'm sending it in for an Inspection service plus new water pump and potentially starter motor, so as long as that isn't too horrendous I'll start on the interior.

Anyway rather than clogging up your thread with my ramblings I'll use this as an excuse to finally update mine so, to be continued

[Court_S]

bodhi said:

Your OH sounds entirely sensible if I'm honest, I think these things are worth hanging onto with the move towards electrification and cars doing everything by themselves, I've certainly got no plans to let mine go.

That is an incredibly generous offer on the binnacle and I hope to be able to take you up on that - I'm sending it in for an Inspection service plus new water pump and potentially starter motor, so as long as that isn't too horrendous I'll start on the interior.

Anyway rather than clogging up your thread with my ramblings I'll use this as an excuse to finally update mine so, to be continued

It was only going to get swapped for something else with six cylinders; a Z4 Coupe which she really liked as well. Ultimately the money that would have been spent on that is going on an office in the garden which is probably far more sensible (if not as exciting).

You’re more than welcome to the binnacle; it’s just sat in my random box of car bits. The alcantara dash from and binnacle to make it a nicer place to sit.

Sounds like an expensive service; I had to do the starter on this last year. Not that bad, but a bit fiddly.

[Court_S]

bodhi said:

Your OH sounds entirely sensible if I'm honest, I think these things are worth hanging onto with the move towards electrification and cars doing everything by themselves, I've certainly got no plans to let mine go.

That is an incredibly generous offer on the binnacle and I hope to be able to take you up on that - I'm sending it in for an Inspection service plus new water pump and potentially starter motor, so as long as that isn't too horrendous I'll start on the interior.

Anyway rather than clogging up your thread with my ramblings I'll use this as an excuse to finally update mine so, to be continued

It was only going to get swapped for something else with six cylinders; a Z4 Coupe which she really liked as well. Ultimately the money that would have been spent on that is going on an office in the garden which is probably far more sensible (if not as exciting).

You’re more than welcome to the binnacle; it’s just sat in my random box of car bits. The alcantara dash from and binnacle to make it a nicer place to sit.

Sounds like an expensive service; I had to do the starter on this last year. Not that bad, but a bit fiddly.

[Court_S]

Gave the old girl a clean this morning because it was looking rather grotty after the snotty weather this week. It’s definitely ready for it’s post winter detail.

[url=https://postimg.cc/gnHPvv8h]

Unfortunately, I found something that I didn’t want to find; a small blister in the paint by the rear wheel arch.



It’s quite hard to see in the picture, but it is there. Luckily it’s on the side that needs paint due to a ding in the crease of the door. I’ve been putting off the paint for a while, but it definitely needs sorting this summer.

There is a load of mud and silt behind the arch liner, so I need to remove them both and clean that crap out.

[bodhi]

Aye after resisting rust so well compared to my old E46 I've got a couple of spots appearing on mine - one in a similar position to yours which I assume is stone chip damage, and a small portion on the boot slam panel near the latch.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

Gave the old girl a clean this morning because it was looking rather grotty after the snotty weather this week. It’s definitely ready for it’s post winter detail.

[url=https://postimg.cc/gnHPvv8h]

Unfortunately, I found something that I didn’t want to find; a small blister in the paint by the rear wheel arch.



It’s quite hard to see in the picture, but it is there. Luckily it’s on the side that needs paint due to a ding in the crease of the door. I’ve been putting off the paint for a while, but it definitely needs sorting this summer.

There is a load of mud and silt behind the arch liner, so I need to remove them both and clean that crap out.

That'll soon get sorted Sam; a local dent specialist/smart repair would have that sorted I reckon...

Aren't the panels alu on these?

[Court_S]

bodhi said:

Aye after resisting rust so well compared to my old E46 I've got a couple of spots appearing on mine - one in a similar position to yours which I assume is stone chip damage, and a small portion on the boot slam panel near the latch.

They do seem to be holding up better than their predecessors, but I guess the mud traps will eventually take their toll. There are a few spots on the inner face of the arch too.

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

That'll soon get sorted Sam; a local dent specialist/smart repair would have that sorted I reckon...

Aren't the panels alu on these?

They’re steel on the 1 series. The larger, posher cars got the lighter ali and composite panels.

[Court_S]

Took the 125i to Holyhead yesterday. It needed a good run out, so it had a bit of an Italian tune up. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to drive and it definitely makes me miss a manual n a good B road.

Managed to enjoy a fair about of the trip with the roof down too despite the very moody skies particularly around Snowdon.

[cerb4.5lee]

Nice one Sam and it is great that you got to enjoy some roof down motoring.

I bet it was nice to enjoy a bit of cog swapping as well for a change, and I'm looking forward to getting the 370 back on the road to shift my own gears again.