My 1st 'Baby BMW' - 2007 E81 130i LE

[danb79]

cerb4.5lee said:

Nice one Dan, and that is a great choice of motor for sure.

I've always liked these loads, and the big engine/small car combo really hits the spot I reckon.

Enjoy it.

Cheers Lee

It's ticked all those boxes for me, but still plenty big enough inside for me to fit... Even with my near 5stone weight loss, I'm still wide across the back / shoulders / legs and a lot of cars I just felt like I was wedged in haha

I was surprised at how balanced it feels too. It handles brilliantly and has a lovely turn in

Edited by danb79 on Saturday 14th September 10:03

Edited by danb79 on Saturday 14th September 10:03

[911Spanker]

Need to add a diff to these really to fully uncork their handling abilities.

[DoubleSix]

My 2007 has just had the same suspension refresh as the OP at 85k on the clock.

Great car that has been in my hands since 2012. Have quite a few performance parts too.

Glad to see you have the Xenons OP (standard on LE?), really lifts the front end. LCI gets the LED rears which help too…

[Court_S]

danb79 said:

That looks like the one I accidentally ordered. Not sure it'll fit the E81 though as that's got more of a square fitting where it attaches to the leather boot

I've just ordered an OEM used one from Quarry Motors on ebay for £40. Looks very clean. A good scrub and a touch of black leather dye and it'll look as new I think

It’ll fit Dan, they’re pretty much interchangeable. Both of the 330i and Z4 have them.

[danb79]

Court_S said:

It’ll fit Dan, they’re pretty much interchangeable. Both of the 330i and Z4 have them.

Cheers Sam

I'll see if I can message BMW to ask them to ignore my cancellation request

[danb79]

DoubleSix said:

My 2007 has just had the same suspension refresh as the OP at 85k on the clock.

Great car that has been in my hands since 2012. Have quite a few performance parts too.

Glad to see you have the Xenons OP (standard on LE?), really lifts the front end. LCI gets the LED rears which help too…

Yes; really glad it's got xenons. Halogens would haven't sat well with me, they're not the best on BMWs!

I haven't paid attention to the rear lights; I'll have a look

I need to see if I can polish the NS headlight up; it's looking its age whereas the OS has been replaced and still looks like new...

[danb79]

911Spanker said:

Need to add a diff to these really to fully uncork their handling abilities.

That could be an idea in the future; I'll see if my pal at Grinspeed can get an MFactory one for it

[danb79]

So far, this morning I've done...

- E81 onto axle stands; all 4 wheels off, brake calipers wire brushed and painted with black enamel paint using a sponge applicator, it gets dabbed on rather than brushed on and it goes on thick. One coat is enough
- Barrels of the wheels cleaned (new Michelin Cross Climate 2s being fitted sometime next week/week after)
- New OEM chrome wheel bolts fitted; locking wheel nuts binned
- Wheels back on & torqued down
- New Bosch wiper blades fitted all round

More to come...

[Court_S]

danb79 said:

Cheers Sam

I'll see if I can message BMW to ask them to ignore my cancellation request

If I remember the 1 series shifter and gaiter are technically one piece hence they’re expensive new. The gaiter is held on with a zip tie so can be removed.

I think I might have an alacantara shifter gaiter in my box of random stuff. You’re welcome to it if you want.

[Court_S]

DoubleSix said:

My 2007 has just had the same suspension refresh as the OP at 85k on the clock.

Great car that has been in my hands since 2012. Have quite a few performance parts too.

Glad to see you have the Xenons OP (standard on LE?), really lifts the front end. LCI gets the LED rears which help too…

Xenon’s were indeed stand in the LE.

My wife had a 125i with halogens and there were awful.

[B'stard Child]

Court_S said:

The Performance parts are cool, but there’s no way they’re worth what they sell for these days which is more than when they were new.

Was the exhaust and carbon air box that was for sale on the FB group from this car - could not believe the prices asked!!!

Soon be the case that the Performance parts cost more than the cars to buy

[danb79]

Court_S said:

danb79 said:

Cheers Sam

I'll see if I can message BMW to ask them to ignore my cancellation request

If I remember the 1 series shifter and gaiter are technically one piece hence they’re expensive new. The gaiter is held on with a zip tie so can be removed.

I think I might have an alacantara shifter gaiter in my box of random stuff. You’re welcome to it if you want.

Cheers Sam

Aye; I've already removed it and seen they're attached. It looks like it's more clipped in than a zip-tie, couldn't see that at all. But can see what look to be like 3 prongs inside the base of the gear knob

The Quarry Motors one was £40; so if needs be I'll butcher the one on the car now to see if/how I can make it all fit

Re the alcantara boot; thanks. I'll bear that in mind.. I think I'll be sending the current steering wheel off to RSW to get retrimmed in alcantara

[DoubleSix]

B'stard Child said:

Court_S said:

The Performance parts are cool, but there’s no way they’re worth what they sell for these days which is more than when they were new.

Was the exhaust and carbon air box that was for sale on the FB group from this car - could not believe the prices asked!!!

Soon be the case that the Performance parts cost more than the cars to buy

I have both of these, enlighten me?

[danb79]

B'stard Child said:

Was the exhaust and carbon air box that was for sale on the FB group from this car - could not believe the prices asked!!!

Soon be the case that the Performance parts cost more than the cars to buy

Think so; think he was asking c£900 each; now he's said he'll sell them at £750 each...

Rare as hens teeth IIRC so it's that 'supply n demand' / 'see who'll pay for them' game etc...

They're of no interest to me, the cars loud enough as it is

[Court_S]

DoubleSix said:

I have both of these, enlighten me?

As Dan said they sell for big money.

I got £700 for my carbon intake when I sold that and it was missing a tiny piece.

[B'stard Child]

danb79 said:

B'stard Child said:

Was the exhaust and carbon air box that was for sale on the FB group from this car - could not believe the prices asked!!!

Soon be the case that the Performance parts cost more than the cars to buy

Think so; think he was asking c£900 each; now he's said he'll sell them at £750 each...

Rare as hens teeth IIRC so it's that 'supply n demand' / 'see who'll pay for them' game etc...

They're of no interest to me, the cars loud enough as it is

Still not “affordable” for me at that price IMO

But as said earlier - lack of supply and still some demand for those parts mean sellers often ask what I think are crazy prices for them but I guess they sell eventually

[danb79]

And so the cleaning begins

Full engine bay scrub and wipe dry/plastics treated. Wheels cleaned with AG Magma and various brushes; exterior snowfoamed, washed, towel dried and a quick treatment of AGs Rapid Ceramic Wax. Wheels dried and tyres treated with AGs Tyre Dressing and buffed

That'll do it for now... Once I've got the touch up kit and gone to town on the stone chips and various marks; I'll then get my pal booked in for a full polish and ceramic coating etc

Some pics for now:

[stickylabels]

Cracking stuff Dan! That looks like it could be a lot of fun. Really liking the colour combo too!

Cheers

[danb79]

stickylabels said:

Cracking stuff Dan! That looks like it could be a lot of fun. Really liking the colour combo too!

Cheers

Cheers Kenny

So far it's a good car; fingers crossed it stays that way

It is a superb colour; but deffo a 6ft'er haha

[stickylabels]

It is a superb colour; but deffo a 6ft'er haha
[/quote]

I always dreamed of becoming a 6ft’er………

I’m sure you’ll have it up to standard and more soon enough, 😊