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New E85 Owner
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- Newbie
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:56 pm
- Location: Sunny Devon
New E85 Owner
Heya all
[Edit, you may as well skip past this bit, pics at botttom]
I never expected the post to be so long...
Recently picked up a very nice looking 2003 3.0 SE for what I think is a good price but a bit of a gamble with no service history.
It has around 125k on the clock and came with a clean 12 months MOT
Here's the link to eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133817455842
(Not sure if that'll work as auction was ended early)
It seemed solid to me, roof and windows were quick and quiet and for its age it looks great.
It has had all the breaks overhauled (lines, pads, calipers) which was cause of the previous MOT failures
No serious mods like the roof motor relocation or intake/exhaust though it does have the noise generator mod and sounds rediculous (in a good way)
So anyway the sound from the 3 litre, the looks and that nothing was obviously broken was all it took and I bought it.
The only maybe major thing I found whilst driving it in the hot weather yesterday was the steering felt a bit strange but I couldn't work out what it was and I just put it down to the quirky electronic steering.
Will give the advice in this thread a try - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=100725&start=45
Or probably see if a local garage can give it a try.
Here's my list of things I'll get looked at or fixed, is there anything else I should know?
I do plan to check out the two drainage plugs, I've seen the threads but still welcome advice
Some Easy fixes
• no Bluetooth music, looking at this bargain Bluetooth dongle
There is no Aux port and no CD changer, I hope this type will still work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313544304665
• Cup holders don't hold anything.
How are these cheap replacement cup holders?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363390813852
• Black grills. Just because
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174349764355
• Missing the OEM wind deflector
It does the clip fittings near the head things, I'd rather get a nice looking OEM one
I've got it booked into a BMW and Mercedes specialist here in Exeter to give it a proper once over.
I'm not usually a very hands-on car owner
Other than the steering is there anything I need to ask em to look at?
More pics to follow once I go somewhere scenic and less bug-ridden but the previous seller took some nice ones
Edit: Ohhh.. and I think it refuels really slow.. it's unlikely every petrol station has dodgey pumps.
Am I correct in assuming this is likely the Fuel Tank Breather Valve?
[Edit, you may as well skip past this bit, pics at botttom]
I never expected the post to be so long...
Recently picked up a very nice looking 2003 3.0 SE for what I think is a good price but a bit of a gamble with no service history.
It has around 125k on the clock and came with a clean 12 months MOT
Here's the link to eBay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133817455842
(Not sure if that'll work as auction was ended early)
It seemed solid to me, roof and windows were quick and quiet and for its age it looks great.
It has had all the breaks overhauled (lines, pads, calipers) which was cause of the previous MOT failures
No serious mods like the roof motor relocation or intake/exhaust though it does have the noise generator mod and sounds rediculous (in a good way)
So anyway the sound from the 3 litre, the looks and that nothing was obviously broken was all it took and I bought it.
The only maybe major thing I found whilst driving it in the hot weather yesterday was the steering felt a bit strange but I couldn't work out what it was and I just put it down to the quirky electronic steering.
Will give the advice in this thread a try - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=100725&start=45
Or probably see if a local garage can give it a try.
Here's my list of things I'll get looked at or fixed, is there anything else I should know?
I do plan to check out the two drainage plugs, I've seen the threads but still welcome advice
Some Easy fixes
• no Bluetooth music, looking at this bargain Bluetooth dongle
There is no Aux port and no CD changer, I hope this type will still work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313544304665
• Cup holders don't hold anything.
How are these cheap replacement cup holders?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363390813852
• Black grills. Just because
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174349764355
• Missing the OEM wind deflector
It does the clip fittings near the head things, I'd rather get a nice looking OEM one
I've got it booked into a BMW and Mercedes specialist here in Exeter to give it a proper once over.
I'm not usually a very hands-on car owner
Other than the steering is there anything I need to ask em to look at?
More pics to follow once I go somewhere scenic and less bug-ridden but the previous seller took some nice ones
Edit: Ohhh.. and I think it refuels really slow.. it's unlikely every petrol station has dodgey pumps.
Am I correct in assuming this is likely the Fuel Tank Breather Valve?
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Last edited by Pointy on Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:45 pm, edited 3 times in total.
- Beatman
- Member
- Posts: 635
- Joined: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:00 pm
- Location: West Country
New E85 Owner
Hi and welcome to the forum.
My Car- 2004 3.0se sterling grey, mv3s , satnav, heated seats, ZHP.
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- Member
- Posts: 628
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:09 am
- Location: New Zealand
New E85 Owner
Welcome to Z ownership and the forum. I have the same year of car, fairly easy cars to work on and lots of fun. Plenty info here on the forum.
2003 Toledo Blue 3.0 E85 Manual
2008 Volvo V50 - Dog Car
2020 Kia Sportage GT - Her Indoor’s Car
1995 Dakar Yellow M3 E36 Race Car - Sold
2009 Vauxhall Astra VXR - Sold
2003 350Z well modded - Sold
1992 911 RS - Sold and still in mourning
2008 Volvo V50 - Dog Car
2020 Kia Sportage GT - Her Indoor’s Car
1995 Dakar Yellow M3 E36 Race Car - Sold
2009 Vauxhall Astra VXR - Sold
2003 350Z well modded - Sold
1992 911 RS - Sold and still in mourning
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 23608
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
New E85 Owner
Hi and welcome to the forum.
That link regarding the steering looks like a good place to start.
I don't know about Bluetooth adapters but I believe all E85s were pre-wired for a CD changer so if that cables connects to the changer wiring I imagine that should work, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon!
Those ebay cup-holders don't look much different to the OE ones - they are a bit fiddly to use, and pretty flimsy.
Slow refuelling does sound like a breather issue.
Anyway I hope you can get the niggles sorted so you can just enjoy it.
That link regarding the steering looks like a good place to start.
I don't know about Bluetooth adapters but I believe all E85s were pre-wired for a CD changer so if that cables connects to the changer wiring I imagine that should work, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon!
Those ebay cup-holders don't look much different to the OE ones - they are a bit fiddly to use, and pretty flimsy.
Slow refuelling does sound like a breather issue.
Anyway I hope you can get the niggles sorted so you can just enjoy it.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3296
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2020 10:37 pm
- Location: North Hampshire
New E85 Owner
Hi and welcome to the forum. That’s a serious bug collection you’ve got going on there.
Best place to start if you have weird steering is check if you have run-flat tyres. The OEM fit Bridgestone Potenzas are truly awful and your steering will be transformed by switching to a decent tyre. Plenty of advice on here for steering and suspension issues if it’s not that.
Best place to start if you have weird steering is check if you have run-flat tyres. The OEM fit Bridgestone Potenzas are truly awful and your steering will be transformed by switching to a decent tyre. Plenty of advice on here for steering and suspension issues if it’s not that.
2003 Maldives Blue 3.0i auto
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
Previously: Maldives Blue 2.5i manual (its back!) and another, and a Monaco Blue 3.0Si coupe
- Ole gits rule
- Lifer
- Posts: 4541
- Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2020 5:49 pm
- Location: Pont-y-Pwll
New E85 Owner
Hello and welcome, car looks good, as Zedebee said if it has run flats lose them quickly
Last edited by Ole gits rule on Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
M4 Vert in Yas Marina Blue
2011 23i M Sport Highline in Alpine White with Smart Top installed - Gone but not forgotten.
2011 23i M Sport Highline in Alpine White with Smart Top installed - Gone but not forgotten.
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- Newbie
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:56 pm
- Location: Sunny Devon
New E85 Owner
Cheers guys, I think the steering is the 'sticky' issue.. it was fine during the test drive and driving it home late at night
It was night and day hoping back into my old car, never noticed how light and responsive the steering was until I had that comparison
Great looking cars, not sure why I've never looked at them sooner
It was night and day hoping back into my old car, never noticed how light and responsive the steering was until I had that comparison
Great looking cars, not sure why I've never looked at them sooner
- buzyg
- Legend
- Posts: 26421
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2011 6:11 pm
- Location: Cornwall
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- Newbie
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:56 pm
- Location: Sunny Devon
New E85 Owner
I proimised more pictures without the bugs, one of these days..
Recent weekend away with the boys.
Also an unexpected bonus, almost all the issues I mentioned in OP seemed to have fix themselves.
Recent weekend away with the boys.
Also an unexpected bonus, almost all the issues I mentioned in OP seemed to have fix themselves.
Last edited by Pointy on Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Member
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:06 pm
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- Newbie
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:56 pm
- Location: Sunny Devon
New E85 Owner
That was in Elan Valley, Wales
Here's a couple of nice scenery shots form that area. The road to get there is called something like Nation Cycle Route 81 and it's very windy!
Here's a couple of nice scenery shots form that area. The road to get there is called something like Nation Cycle Route 81 and it's very windy!
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- Member
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:02 am
- Location: Fife
New E85 Owner
Hello there, welcome to the fourm
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- Member
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2021 5:06 pm
New E85 Owner
Very nice! well if you're ever venturing up north I can recommend Ladybower dam and some surrounding roads for a nice drive and similar scenery.
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 14383
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
New E85 Owner
Hi and a belated welcome.
If you're still needing cup holders I can recommend these ones
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1
If you're still needing cup holders I can recommend these ones
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1
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- Newbie
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:56 pm
- Location: Sunny Devon
New E85 Owner
Thanks for the tip! We might end up making a trip up there, I don't think any of us have beenabzthemanc wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:05 am
Very nice! well if you're ever venturing up north I can recommend Ladybower dam and some surrounding roads for a nice drive and similar scenery.
I reckon being able to sending the drones around that big drainhole will tempt some of the guys. Looks very cool