NO LONGER WANTED E86 manual

[DJBBC]

Hi all,

After wanting an E86 for years I have spent most of lockdown perusing here/ autotrader/ pistonheads and trying to save enough money for a decent coupe.

These wanted ads seem to work more often than not so thought I would give my own a go:

Must haves:
- manual gearbox
- m sport seats
- heated seats
- Full service history
- can't be imola red (just a personal preference)


Nice to haves:
- Xenons
- 108s
- Montego blue exterior
- MFSW
- parking sensors
- not running run flats

I'm not too bothered on mileage - a well looked-after car that has high mileage would be okay as could use it more without worrying about value!

I've got about £7,500 to spend although could go up a bit more if something came up that ticked all the boxes!

Based in Falkirk Scotland (hence the heated seats being a necessity!), but willing to travel (lockdown permitting).

Thanks in advance for any help

[mr wilks]

Welcome to the forum , i don't think you are wanting the moon on a stick there with desires + budget .
Happy hunting , great cars to drive & own

[Number5]

I think Bowser134 still has a 70k Montego blue Coupe for sale and you couldn’t buy from a better source ( He runs his own BMW Indy ) but it’s nearer the £10k mark. Ex BMW management car too.

Maybe worth considering though ?

85FF07D1-CB1B-45AE-92D5-0EBF3C5CD4A7.jpeg (200.93 KiB) Viewed 803 times

[Zedebee]

People hang out for the m-sport seats, but the non m-sports are perfectly decent. An SE in my opinion has a nicer ride than the Sport (but doesn’t have Sport seats unless specified) and is likely to be cheaper.

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

An E86 is a great car, but then I seem to be addicted to them!

The 3.0Si came in "HellRot", Imola Red was only offered on the M models. But you probably won't find too many with heated seats, although my 1st one had them (possibly because it was a pre-registered car).

It also had the Bi-Xenons which are definitely worth having if you drive much at night on un-lit roads.

I didn't know bowser134 had bought one (he looked at my Montego one when I was selling in January) but any car of his is sure to be spot-on, although Hampshire is a long way from Falkirk!

I know others aren't so fussed about the M-Sport seats but I'd not want the standard Sport seats in a Z4 - they're OK in my 3 Series though. I have seen a few SE models that had M-Sport seats as an option and one of those might be a sweet spot in the range.

Anyway hopefully you will find the right one soon.

[Woodrow]

Just wondering why being an ex management car is a good thing. 2 of my friends who are high level designers at Ford and Mercedes cain the arse out of their company cars. I’d not touch one of their cars even after the 20% discount. However I’m sure not all management cars are the same. Still worth the usual checks in my opinion.

[DJBBC]

Seen this one on Autotrader and although it is pretty much perfect spec (silver 108s, montego blue + a stubby aerial really do it for me!) realistically it is just out of my price range so didn’t want to waste anybody’s time!

As Mr Tidy says Falkirk to Hampshire is a long way to go just for a look! With that in mind, thinking of going to see this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 500&page=1

Higher mileage, no interior pics, and can’t make out reg to check out MOTs - but no harm in looking when only a few minutes away.

[Zedebee]

That Montego Blue must be Bowser’s car referred to above. I’d have a lot of confidence buying that car based on Bowser’s reputation on this forum and having been to see his RBM operation in Hook. The information on that silver one is sparse and the mileage high, but if the condition and service history are good the price isn’t too bad.

[Number5]

Just wondering why being an ex management car is a good thing?

Management cars are generally well equipped, high spec and driven by the management or used as demonstrators or showroom models for 6-9 months
You can spot them as the Reg’s normally start with a Y

[mr wilks]

Just wondering why being an ex management car is a good thing?

Management cars are generally well equipped, high spec and driven by the management or used as demonstrators or showroom models for 6-9 months
You can spot them as the Reg’s normally start with a Y

That doesn't answer the question Mr 5 i have a chum who works in sales for Bmw , all his cars are demos usually has them 3-4 months , as you point out generally well specced but not sure id want to own one after him or one that gets punted out for 4-6 hr "testdrives" to joe public

[Simon 3.2M]

Seen this one on Autotrader and although it is pretty much perfect spec (silver 108s, montego blue + a stubby aerial really do it for me!) realistically it is just out of my price range so didn’t want to waste anybody’s time!

As Mr Tidy says Falkirk to Hampshire is a long way to go just for a look! With that in mind, thinking of going to see this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 500&page=1

Higher mileage, no interior pics, and can’t make out reg to check out MOTs - but no harm in looking when only a few minutes away.

The passenger side headlight washer cover is also missing. It could be a nice car and the price isn’t too bad however, I’d like the seller to make a little more effort regarding the ad!

[DJBBC]

Good spot Simon! Just back from viewing it and passenger washer jet is indeed missing. Reg is PX56 YPL - not sure if anyone on here knows the car?

The check engine light is on and the guy selling has said it is an exhaust issue which he is getting it sorted before selling (but may reduce how much of a deal I could get on the car depending on what it costs him).

It's also coming up for an MOT and the history doesn't put me any more at ease, although not sure if I'm just being too cautious?
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/?_ ... 1608487402

Lastly, each corner had a different brand of tyre on it! That rang alarm bells for me too - should it?

Shame because it did tick all of my "must have" boxes + a few more besides that!

[mr.tourette]

personally I'd give that a wide berth, if you have alarm bells you should listen to your instincts, I wouldn't dream of selling a car with a check engine light on and as for 4 different tyres sounds like an unloved motor, bide your time and the right car will turn up eventually

[Simon 3.2M]

I have to echo Mr Tourette in that it’s probably best steer clear. As I said earlier regarding the advert and which your observations have highlighted, it doesn’t appear to be a particularly well maintained or loved car and the seller seems somewhat economical with the details relying more on the current popularity of the coupe to sell it.

I’m looking for a Coupe too however, remember a fool and his money are easily parted - there is always another car.

[DJBBC]

The search continues!

Has anyone on here come across RO08 WZF before? Only on EBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-08-BMW- ... SwmGNfttnh

High miler, but ticks almost all my boxes. Nothing scary in MOT history that I could see either!