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

[Court_S]

Nicked the car today to grab some pudding for Sunday dinner and to chuck a bit of fuel in. Despite being sodding cold (car cleaning was pleasant....) but the roads were dry. I took the long route home and really, really enjoyed the drive back. It really is a lovely little thing to drive; it’s not fast and is a bit flat above 4,500rpm so a remap is definitely in order. It makes a lovely noise though especially on blips for downshifts. Regarding the flatness about 4,500rpm it’s very different to my old 330 with the N52 which used to really get into its stride higher in the rev range. It is noticeably quicker than the 116

The ride and handling are vastly improved with the new tyres and decent alignment. Overall I’m really pleased with it. I forgot the wind deflector so chickened out of a roof down drive.

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

I took the long route home and really, really enjoyed the drive back. It really is a lovely little thing to drive; it’s not fast and is a bit flat above 4,500rpm so a remap is definitely in order. It makes a lovely noise though especially on blips for downshifts. Regarding the flatness about 4,500rpm it’s very different to my old 330 with the N52 which used to really get into its stride higher in the rev range. It is noticeably quicker than the 116

Pretty much my impressions when I first got the 125i coupe - Plenty of low down grunt from the N52 engine as you would expect from a 3000 cc lump but flat as a witches tit when you go past 5000 rpm - 2000 rm before the red line - they might as well have given it oil burner clocks

Re-mapped it comes alive at 5000 rpm and zings round the rev counter

Court_S said:

The ride and handling are vastly improved with the new tyres and decent alignment. Overall I’m really pleased with it.

Same for me - ditching run flats transformed the ride

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

I took the long route home and really, really enjoyed the drive back. It really is a lovely little thing to drive; it’s not fast and is a bit flat above 4,500rpm so a remap is definitely in order. It makes a lovely noise though especially on blips for downshifts. Regarding the flatness about 4,500rpm it’s very different to my old 330 with the N52 which used to really get into its stride higher in the rev range. It is noticeably quicker than the 116

Pretty much my impressions when I first got the 125i coupe - Plenty of low down grunt from the N52 engine as you would expect from a 3000 cc lump but flat as a witches tit when you go past 5000 rpm - 2000 rm before the red line - they might as well have given it oil burner clocks

Re-mapped it comes alive at 5000 rpm and zings round the rev counter

Court_S said:

The ride and handling are vastly improved with the new tyres and decent alignment. Overall I’m really pleased with it.

Same for me - ditching run flats transformed the ride

Who remapped yours? Mate of mine had his done by P Torque and had been really pleased with it since.

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

Who remapped yours? Mate of mine had his done by P Torque and had been really pleased with it since.

Got mine done in Norwich by a place I've used before - but I don't think it maters who does it - the throttle opening is restricted in the BMW map which is why it feels so flat

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

Who remapped yours? Mate of mine had his done by P Torque and had been really pleased with it since.

Got mine done in Norwich by a place I've used before - but I don't think it maters who does it - the throttle opening is restricted in the BMW map which is why it feels so flat

I’ll probably go down the P Torque route because they’re pretty local and my mate has been pleased with his.

Very flat, the 330 really came on song in the last 2,000rom or so and did it’s best work there. This feels properly restricted. Still, it’s brisk enough for now.

[Court_S]

Some penis in a white van hit the drivers side wing mirror the other night.

I was on my way to pick my other half up from worm (she’d not wanted to drive that morning because of the snow) and on a narrow section of a country lane he was barrelling along way too fast and partially across my side of the road and as he crested the hill he caught mirror, taking out the glass and sending the cover flying. Luckily my other half spirited the cover after I’d collected her. It’s a bit beaten up so needs painting (job whilst I’m off next week). I’ve just bought tinted glass because I’m not paying for a replacement dimming mirror.

Whilst I’m mucking about painting the mirror cap, I’ve bought a small lip spoiler too because that’ll need painting as well.

I swapped out the air filter this week for a K&N one. I think it is fair to say that the old one was a bit past its best



The K&N filter is dry so it shouldn’t affect the MAF. Sounds a bit better too.

Wheels are booked in for a refurb next week too.

[cerb4.5lee]

That is annoying regards the wing mirror. Someone opened their door on me as I was driving past them in my E92 M3 and smashed the glass in my wing mirror. I was really calm when they did it...less calm when I went to price the replacement glass up at BMW...£321 just for the glass!! I ended up getting a glass replacement off eBay for £20 instead.

[Court_S]

cerb4.5lee said:

That is annoying regards the wing mirror. Someone opened their door on me as I was driving past them in my E92 M3 and smashed the glass in my wing mirror. I was really calm when they did it...less calm when I went to price the replacement glass up at BMW...£321 just for the glass!! I ended up getting a glass replacement off eBay for £20 instead.

Yeah, I wasn’t best pleased. I managed not to swear (good with the little ‘un in the back).

That is exact he reason why it’ll be getting eBay special glass. Balsa to paying that sort of money for dimming glass.

[Mr Tidy]

That's a b*gger about the mirror glass.

Same thing happened to my E46 325ti - I got a basic tinted one from ECP for £24.99!

It sounds like it's definitely worth getting that remap done - the N52 in my 330i really starts to get going when I get the revs up.

[Court_S]

Mr Tidy said:

That's a b*gger about the mirror glass.

Same thing happened to my E46 325ti - I got a basic tinted one from ECP for £24.99!

It sounds like it's definitely worth getting that remap done - the N52 in my 330i really starts to get going when I get the revs up.

It’s annoying but I guess these things happen.

My 330 did too, so the remap is definitely on the cards at some point. Even as it is, it makes a bloody nice noice (especially with the Mishimoto intake and K&N filter).

[Court_S]

Few jobs ticked off n the 125i over the last week....

First up was fitted the painted OE rear diffuser (Sod’s law it started raining as soon as I started). It looked better than the eBay special I bought.







We’ve been off this week so I repainted the mirror cover that the van driver smashed off. Looks pretty good for a rattle can job.



The retrimmed handbrake grip and gaiter arrived from Royal yesterday. Really pleased with it especially after I had a strop the other day because Cotswold had found the last 12 genuine BMW ones! Would have been a bit cheaper too, but this does loom good and it matches the other alcantara bits nicely.



I should be picking up the refurbed wheels later today. Slightly nervous because they rung to say that the inner faces are a bit rough after a poor previous refurb. I’ll fit those tomorrow and clean out the wheel arches which are full of crap.

I’m trying to track down a lip spoiler. Looks like the other wing mirror will need a kick of paint too because there’s a slight scuff.

[cerb4.5lee]

Nice upgrades Sam. They look great I reckon.

Great job on the wing mirror for sure, I dread to think what a balls up I would make of it if I tried to do it!

[B'stard Child]

Difuser and mirror cover look good for rattle can job

[Court_S]

Thanks both. I did have to redo the mirror cap after I got a bit carried away with the paint leading to a massive run. It’s turned out well though and the colour match is good.

Forgot to say earlier this week that I had chance to drive it with the roof down so took the opportunity to clean the interface between the top of the screen and to the roof. It was pretty crusty. Cleaned the tonneau cover too. I did a more permanent repair to the window seal with sone silicone which I’ll take a photo of. It pretty much disappears.

Wheels were collected today. I was a bit worried after the called to say that the wheels were a bit rough when they were stripped. Looks like they’ve had a bad refurb at some point. I had them redone in a metallic silver which I think will look great against the grey paint of the car.

Spent the evening in the garage with the rugby on on my iPad and a beer; four coats of FK1000 high temperature wax, new centre caps, new M stickers and tyre dressed and the interface with the hub has any paint removed. Plan to fit them tomorrow after cleaning out the wheel arches.





It was back at BMW on Monday for a recall on the wiring to the heater blower. They did their best to upsell me on a service (£422) but the car only thinks it’s due because the date was wrong when we collected it and a new first aid kit because this one has expired. I’m going to get the oil, filter a d plugs changed in the autumn (it was done in October 2020). I’ve done the filter and have a pollen filter on the way. The guys at BMW commented on it being in good condition for its age which was nice. The rear bump stops are shagged though and the dust covers keep slipping down (also on order).

Next jobs are...

Fit the Bilstein B4 dampers that my mate is giving me (he fitted them last summer so they’ve got to be better than my OE ones with 83k on the clock).

I’ll replace the bump stops at the same time

Fit the new pollen filter (I’m guessing it’ll be grim judging by the air filter)

Good detail (decontaminate, machine polish, wax, clean and treat the roof etc)

Track down a lip spoiler

Repaint the slats in the air vent due to sun damage (happened on the 116 too)

Repaint the near side mirror cap

New interior trim (I despise the glacier silver trim )

Fit a double din screen so it has CarPlay etc

Remap

Upgrade the front brakes to 330 spec

Edited by Court_S on Friday 19th February 22:25

[Mr Tidy]

Court_S said:

T

It was back at BMW on Monday for a recall on the wiring to the heater blower. They did their best to upsell me on a service (£422) but the car only thinks it’s due because the date was wrong when we collected it and a new first aid kit because this one has expired. I’m going to get the oil, filter a d plugs changed in the autumn (it was done in October 2020). I’ve done the filter and have a pollen filter on the way. The guys at BMW commented on it being in good condition for its age which was nice. The rear bump stops are shagged though and the dust covers keep slipping down (also on order).

Next jobs are...

Fit the Bilstein B4 dampers that my mate is giving me (he fitted them last summer so they’ve got to be better than my OE ones with 83k on the clock).

I’ll replace the bump stops at the same time

Fit the new pollen filter (I’m guessing it’ll be grim judging by the air filter)

Good detail (decontaminate, machine polish, wax, clean and treat the roof etc)

Track down a lip spoiler

Repaint the slats in the air vent due to sun damage (happened on the 116 too)

Repaint the near side mirror cap

New interior trim (I despise the glacier silver trim )

Fit a double din screen so it has CarPlay etc

Remap

Upgrade the front brakes to 330 spec

Edited by Court_S on Friday 19th February 22:25

I know what you mean about the heater blower recall - my E90 went to BMW for that a while ago.

If the cabin filter is due a change it's well worth doing as I found out when I swapped mine last year, but it does make you wonder what you breath walking down the road.

This is what I took out of my 3 Series last year (it was supposedly only 2 years old)!



I can relate to your dislike of the standard silver interior trim in BMWs of that era, but have read about people improving them no end with a plastidip finish or a wrap.

In terms of brakes I think you need the calipers and carriers to use the bigger front discs, but the 130i and 123d had them too.

Still yours seems destined to be a great car.

[Court_S]

Mr Tidy said:

I can relate to your dislike of the standard silver interior trim in BMWs of that era, but have read about people improving them no end with a plastidip finish or a wrap.

In terms of brakes I think you need the calipers and carriers to use the bigger front discs, but the 130i and 123d had them too.

Still yours seems destined to be a great car.

The texture looks like fish scales. It’s grim, but replacements are few and far between. I like the brushed aluminium, but it doesn’t wear well and most sets are battered and bloody expensive.

The callipers are identical to those of a 123/130. All the the 125i needs is the bigger discs and the carriers which are proving hard to find at the mo (they’re £198 each new, sod that). I’m hoping Quarry Motors have a pair.

[B'stard Child]

I like the silver trim - the texture is much nicer than brushed which is so easily marked

What is this heater blower recall and how did you find out about it?

[Court_S]

B'stard Child said:

I like the silver trim - the texture is much nicer than brushed which is so easily marked

What is this heater blower recall and how did you find out about it?

It was posted on BabyBMW.

Check here:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/footer/quick-links/bmw-ve...

I’d imagine yours is affected (seems to be most). There were a fair few E8x 1 series in the workshop when mine was in this week.

[Court_S]

Before fitting the wheels today, I washed out the wheel arches. Quick shot of the rather shagged bump stops



12 years of crap. I’m sure my neighbours are well chuffed with all the crap washed out and into the road....



The nice, shiny wheels are showing up the wheel carriers and callipers, so I’ll pain them over Easter assuming that the weather is ok.



Wheels look good though.





Popped out this afternoon to check the tyre pressures and took the scenic route home with the roof down.







Ive got to say, I really like the car. It drives really well and makes a glorious noise if you rev it out. It’s feeling better with some use and the odd Italian tune up, it wasn’t really used much in the last year. It makes a lively little ‘wumpf’ noise when you blip on down shifts.

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

B'stard Child said:

I like the silver trim - the texture is much nicer than brushed which is so easily marked

What is this heater blower recall and how did you find out about it?

It was posted on BabyBMW.

Check here:

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/footer/quick-links/bmw-ve...

I’d imagine yours is affected (seems to be most). There were a fair few E8x 1 series in the workshop when mine was in this week.

Thanks for that link - just checked using the VIN "There are no open safety related recalls or technical enhancements on this vehicle."