Good things come to those who wait...(and then wait some more)

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Sun May 16, 2021 9:59 pm

I spent around 5 years planning for an e86. I spent over 3 years researching my daily driver. I wouldn't say I'm overly patient, but I don't mind taking the time to research and plan if the end result gives me what I want.

Except after all that time, I didn't get to use what I wanted; although I've owned Melz for over a year now, theres been little opportunity to enjoy her due to you-know-what. Not a very exciting intro to coupe ownership I'll admit, however this has given me even more time to think about what happens to it next. Oh well, back to research and planning then......

So I made a list (not a short one), and unless I win the lotto, this will be a multi-year list. This month I finally got to start crossing things of that list, as a number of those changes have all come together in the past 2 weeks after months of saving, researching, and for one special item, a lot of planning, coordination, a cardboard box with some rope attached, and a bit of luck!

Maybe this will become a thread that I revisit as/when I make other changes, but for now I wanted to share my progress, and give back some thanks to this community for all of the excellent input and help I've received. Special mention must go to Stu Boy for going above and beyond with one item in particular.

First off - it's gotta be clean and shiny. I enjoy washing the car, but the paint was showing it's age, and any sparkle I could mustre was short lived. Paint correction, detailing, and ceramic coating arranged at a local business with great reviews.

In parallel, I had also been looking for new wheels. After agonising over styles, sizes, fitment, and offsets, I settled on some 19" matt bronze JR-25s, shod with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2s.

As luck would have it, they arrived while the car was in being detailed, so they got added to the mix for a ceramic coating as well, and allowed for some lovely pics to be taken under under lights.

Before

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After

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Calps · Post by **Calps** » Sun May 16, 2021 10:03 pm

Next up, into the engine bay. I took advantage of the GruppeM offer at Christmas, and after a few head scratching moments (mainly due to the, eh, curious instructions provided), I have some lovely engine bling that sounds intoxicating.

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It's a work of art, and lovely to listen to. I'm tempted to tackle the sound generator next, but will enjoy this for a while first.

Ole gits rule · Post by **Ole gits rule** » Sun May 16, 2021 10:07 pm

Lovely job - looks great under the lights

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Sun May 16, 2021 10:26 pm

Finally, after marathons of failed Internet searches, unworkable transactions, and optimistic group buy registrations, I awoke to a message from Stu Boy.
He'd been in touch previously over Christams, wondering if a deal was possible, but due to CV, travel restrictions, Brexit uncertainty, and our geographical location, it wasn't to be. He promised me first refusal if he felt inclined to sell again though, and true to his word, the opportunity to bag some aeros was staring me in the face.

In the intervening time, through a number of failed attempts in other sales, I'd bottomed out most of the logistical issues we'd previously encountered, and was better equipped to make this a reality.

I have to again recognise his efforts in making this possible, and an inspired rope enhanced packaging attempt that reduced the possibility of in transit damage. Hopefully I'll get to thank him in person at some point, he's a straight up guy, and a credit to this community.

I got them sent to a friend in Northern Ireland which minimised courier costs and customs, but the 300km round trip was worth it. They went to a body shop during the week, and were ready to fit Friday evening. Of course, it rained. Saturday it was then.

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Just look at that craftsmanship!

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And behold!

Of course, it rained immediately afterwards, and hasn't really stopped since (a perk? of Ireland), so no further pics, but boy do they look good.

And that's about it. It was taxed at the start of the month, and we've just had our travel restrictions relaxed, so I cannot wait to get it out on the road and meet up with a few other Irish members.

I've consumed my 2021 (and probably 2022) budget on the Z already, but plenty more planned in the months and years to come. All that I've got on my side now is time, yet again. And so the planning and researching cycle resumes.

Thanks to all on this forum who've provided advice and input to my journey so far!

oldgitdave · Post by **oldgitdave** » Sun May 16, 2021 10:59 pm

Stunning, just stunning

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon May 17, 2021 12:22 am

5 years is a long wait.

I wanted an E86 ever since I picked up my 123d in 2008, but I was doing business miles and getting HMRC mileage rates.

I should have ignored the econmics and bought what I wanted, but then in 2014 I wanted a change so I went to look at my first E86 in early June 2014 and knew I had to have one.

So I collected my first on 12 June 2014!

And bought my current one in December 2019 just in time for Covid.

Then some Aero sill covers late last year because they were the right colour!

But your car looks stunning with those Bronze wheels.

And while a Gruppe-M is very popular I'm happy with Powerflow back-boxes.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Mon May 17, 2021 1:33 am

Worth the wait. Love the axle stands.

mr.tourette · Post by **mr.tourette** » Mon May 17, 2021 8:38 am

That's a great looking zed, love the wheels

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Mon May 17, 2021 10:28 am

Ole gits rule wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 10:07 pm Lovely job - looks great under the lights

Cheers. I know they're set up to make it look as best as possible, but it doesn't look half bad in regular daylight as well!

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Calps · Post by **Calps** » Mon May 17, 2021 10:34 am

oldgitdave wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 10:59 pm Stunning, just stunning

Thanks oldgitdave,

It's nice when the image you have in your head, matches how it looks in reality. And it's nicer again when others agree!

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Mon May 17, 2021 10:38 am

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 12:22 am 5 years is a long wait.

I wanted an E86 ever since I picked up my 123d in 2008, but I was doing business miles and getting HMRC mileage rates.

I should have ignored the econmics and bought what I wanted, but then in 2014 I wanted a change so I went to look at my first E86 in early June 2014 and knew I had to have one.

So I collected my first on 12 June 2014!

And bought my current one in December 2019 just in time for Covid.

Then some Aero sill covers late last year because they were the right colour!

But your car looks stunning with those Bronze wheels.

And while a Gruppe-M is very popular I'm happy with Powerflow back-boxes.

Some things are worth the wait alright!

Taste is subjective (and I'm sure there'll be as many for, as against, the wheels) but always nice to have others reaffirm your choices

They contrast nicely with the bodywork, although I'm not as convinced about with the interior. (I do have a list though, and a retrim is in there somewhere, so we'll see).

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Mon May 17, 2021 10:41 am

buzyg wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 1:33 am Worth the wait. Love the axle stands.

They're a fantastically under-appreciated piece of kit. Everyone should have some. And hopefully they'll see plenty more use as time passes.

mr.tourette wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 8:38 am That's a great looking zed, love the wheels

Cheers, they're probably the thing I spent the most time deliberating over. Now I just need to decide what I do with my MV2s!

colb · Post by **colb** » Mon May 17, 2021 6:03 pm

Those rusty bolts on the slam panel need some cleaning and painting.

Calps · Post by **Calps** » Mon May 17, 2021 8:12 pm

colb wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 6:03 pm Those rusty bolts on the slam panel need some cleaning and painting.

I know, they're really bugging me! I'm not keen on painting them though, prefer the raw look. I've taken a wire brush to them but, unsurprisingly, they're not much improved, so I think I'm just going to replace them with new.

colb · Post by **colb** » Thu May 20, 2021 11:09 am

Stainless bolts might be a soloution, painted mine at the moment.

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