Badly specced E89 retrofits

[sym]

I came across a 2009 E89 35i thats for sale in my region. There is not many (like any) available here. This one is very bare bone, no cruise control, no idrive, no m sport. Even steering wheel is one without the buttons. Its also manual so no DCT.

I have some questions about how to go about fixing this car assuming I end up buying it

Missing iDrive I can fix with Android unit.
How about retrofitting cruise control? How much does that cost and where can I get the parts? How about the software?
New steering wheel with the buttons? Does it need software configs?
Exterior I may end up wrapping and at the same time going with some bodykit.

It has heated seats so no problem there. Any other specs I may have missed?

Also question about the drivetrain: can manual handle torque better than DCT? I plan on adding some tunes and couldnt find info about this anywhere.

Cheers!

[Argyll Andy]

I came across a 2009 E89 35i thats for sale in my region. There is not many (like any) available here. This one is very bare bone, no cruise control, no idrive, no m sport. Even steering wheel is one without the buttons. Its also manual so no DCT.

I have some questions about how to go about fixing this car assuming I end up buying it

Missing iDrive I can fix with Android unit.
How about retrofitting cruise control? How much does that cost and where can I get the parts? How about the software?
New steering wheel with the buttons? Does it need software configs?
Exterior I may end up wrapping and at the same time going with some bodykit.

It has heated seats so no problem there. Any other specs I may have missed?

Also question about the drivetrain: can manual handle torque better than DCT? I plan on adding some tunes and couldnt find info about this anywhere.

Cheers!

Mine seemingly came without most of the things you’re questioning but spec’d with parking sensors

All done by previous ownerAFAIK

Heated M-Sport seats retrofitted, I love these
The idrive doesn’t bother me at all. Not even going for an android system. Looking at a Kenwood stereo with Bluetooth streaming calls etc. £180 fitted by Halfords
Cruise control was retrofitted, lots of stuff on here about it cost for bits approx £110 iirc. Was a New set on here recently for around that.
MFSW same again retrofit if you can pick one up 2nd hand, mine was. Think it and cruise need coding but someone with better knowledge will advise.
Mine also has lci indicators and 296’s I love the look and it doesn’t bother me about not being M-Sport
As for the manual, mine’s is a 23 so I can’t answer about the 35

Only thing I’d say is once you add everything you want to do the cost may start climbing and you may be able to buy a better spec’d car for the same money which has everything you want. There’s a few nice 35s on here just now.

Anyway welcome and good luck with a purchase

[Rassi]

Only thing I’d say is once you add everything you want to do the cost may start climbing and you may be able to buy a better spec’d car for the same money which has everything you want. There’s a few nice 35s on here just now.

Very much this! Upping your budget with a couple of K will almost always be more cost effective than retrofitting a lot of options.

[john-e89]

If you can afford to wrap it along with a body kit then that tells us you can afford to travel further afield for a better specced car if that’s what you really want. Pretty confusing post tbh...!

Best of luck with whatever you do mind.

[enzed4]

I don't know that the OP is in the UK. Perhaps they could clarify where they are, to help with the advice?

[sym]

I understand the confusion. Im in Finland and here we have currently total of 5 E89 35i(s) for sale and all others than the one Im thinking about have either huge mileage or are >40 000 € (stupid car taxes )

As for my original question: Im not in a hurry to do all these mods. Im planning on keeping the car for a long while and addings mods down the line as I get annoyed about something. Its enough that I know its possible to do these mods for reasonable amount of work/money and thats why Im asking for advice/experiences in such situations

Also still a bit unsure about the manual. Was thinking about the DCT originally...

[AnubisZed]

Hi sym, I've just replied to your post on the other site

Check out my signature below vv, for Cruise Control info.

[Timmyboybunter]

I don't think I've ever seen a E89 without mfsw - didn't realise it was an option.

[Silverstar]

I don't think I've ever seen a E89 without mfsw - didn't realise it was an option.

Different markets get different specs / options. Many times cars in Europe are poorly specced compared to what you get in the UK.

[mcbutler]

Forget it and keep looking

[Silverstar]

Have you thought about importing from Germany? There will be a lot more choice there.