Well after nearly 6 years of ownership I've decided to put my 2005 E85 3.0i SE up for sale. I don’t really want to sell it as an awful lot of time, effort and money has gone into it. But I can't justify four cars for two people who now both work from home, so a couple have to go and unfortunately the E85 is one of them. Over the last 12 months or so the E89 has become our default zed, when you could actually get out and use one and the E85 hasn’t been getting much use at all, as the wife finds it a bit too hardcore for her tastes and much prefers the relative comfort of the E89. This has resulted in the E85 doing just over 2,000 miles in the last two years and head over heart, it’s time for it to go to a new home.
The car has covered 102k with a Full Service History (9 stamps in the book, last at 100k). MOT Jan 2022 and comes with two keys. It’s in great condition for its age and mileage with a few minor chips/marks to the paint etc and has just been treated to a couple of fresh coats of Collinite 845 Insulator Wax after a Clay and Iron X treatment.
It also came with a number of extras from the factory including Xenons, Heated Seats and the all-important Wind Deflector. Since then I’ve added a multitude of mods including;
POST FACELIFT XENON HEADLIGHTS WITH DLR’S ACTIVATED,
M SPORT HEATED ELECTRIC SEATS (better bolsters support etc)
M SPORT MULTIFUNCTIONAL STEERING WHEEL (thicker wheel and switches for volume etc)
CLEAR INDICATOR REAR LIGHT UNITS (SYMETRICAL REVERSE LIGHTS) with full circle rear light/brake light mod and emergency braking mod (flashing). Twin ultra bright LED reverse lights (easily reversible to restore fog light). Original lights including french fries included, as are new adhesive pads for french fries should you want to refit them.
CLEAR SIDE REPEATERS, originals and a spare clear set included.
CLEAR HIGH VISIBILITY REAR BRAKE LIGHT - with the later spring and nuts so the light doesn’t crack.
ROOF MOTOR RELOCATED TO BOOT
E46 330I FRONT BRAKES BREMBO DISCS & TEXTAR EPADS (low brake dust)
BILSTEIN B4 SHOCKS & EIBACH SPRINGS. NEW FRONT & REAR TOP MOUNTS – camber pins removed and camber maxed for better handling/steering turn in.
MEYLE HD RTAB’s & LIMITER KIT (better handling)
NEW MEYLE HD FRONT REAR BUSHES (LOLLIPOPS) – Upgrade on standard
MEYLE HD FRONT TRACK CONTROL ARMS AND DROP LINKS – Upgrade on standard
MODIFIED BACKBOX – now sounds like a sports cars should, but without the drone/excess noise of aftermarket systems I previous tried
SOUND GENERATOR DELETE – makes quite an artificial sound to my ears and isn’t needed with a modified back box making a nice and proper exhaust note
DIFF FOR 3.64 RATIO (FROM PRE FACELIFT 2.5 AUTO) – massively improves the acceleration of the car, really livens things up. However it may not be to everyone’s taste so the original 3.09 diff also comes with the car (a couple of hours to refit)
GAPTECH + ROOF MODULE – one touch and key operation of the roof, the way it really should have come from the factory
MV2’s FRESHLY RECONDITIONED IN GLOSS BLACK (MARCH 2021) – NON RFT BRIDGESTONES FITTED
GLOSS BLACK GRILLES – originals supplied with the car
MACHINE MONKEY EXHAUST TIPS
DASH TRIMS WRAPPED IN 3M DI – NOC BLACK CARBON FIBRE VINYL
X3 STEREO VOLUME KNOB - looks classier than the plain standard black one. The x3 one has a chrome ring/accent
PARROT MKI 9100 (MOUNTED IN ASHTRAY) WITH JUST CAR KITS PARROT LOOM FOR AUX INPUT Bluetooth that allows music from Parrot to go through BMW stereo to give same audio quality as original stereo.
BMW SPRINTBOOSTER – a bit like the Sport button with a couple of modes that make the accelerator more responsive
CLUTCH DELAY VALVE REMOVED – aids proper gear changes
RETROFITTED CRUISE CONTROL
RETROFITTED CUPHOLDERS
LED INTERIOR LIGHT BULBS
NUMEROUS CODING CHANGES WITH CARLY/INPA/ISTA
I’m bound to have forgotten a few but that’s most of them. In addition to the mods the car has had a lot spent on routine maintenance and repairs whilst in my ownership.
In addition to routine servicing and the roof drains blasted clean with an airline every 3-6 months it’s also had in my ownership;
NEW AIR INTAKE ELBOW PIPE TO THROTTLE BODY
DISA VALVE REPAIR KIT
VANOS SEALS & RINGS WITH NEW CAM COVER GASKETS
NEW SPARK PLUGS - extra set to be supplied with car
NEW AIR FILTER – new extra filter to be supplied with car
NEW POLLEN FILTER
PROPSHAFT LUBE (TO STOP KNOCK WHEN MOVING OFF COMMON ON E85’S ) USING LOCTITE 660
CLEAN OUT IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE
REPAIRED WORN/DAMAGED ROOF WIRING LOOM
NEW MEYLE HD FRONT REAR BUSHES (LOLLIPOPS)
MEYLE HD FRONT TRACK CONTROL ARMS AND DROP LINKS
NEW MEYLE HD REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHES WITH LIMITER KIT
NEW COOLANT EXPANSION TANK
BILSTEIN B4 SHOCKS WITH EIBACH SPRINGS. NEW FRONT& REAR TOP MOUNTS
OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (LEAKING)
GEAR BOX OIL CHANGE
DIFF OIL CHANGE
BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED
NEW WINDSCREEN WASHER PUMP AND JETS
WIPER LINKAGE FIX CLIPS
CRANK VENTILATION VALVE AND PIPES (including the cold weather version of the valve)
NEW REAR BRAKE LINES (CORRODED) & FLUID CHANGE
NEW STARTER MOTOR
NEW BONNET CABLE AND CATCH MECH
NEW BATTERY (FEB 2021)
Again I’ve probably forgotten a few things, everything has been done in the last 20k as I bought the car with 84k back in 2005.
Now for the bad bits, there’s only a few. As previously mentioned there’s a few small chips and marks on the body as well as some wear marks on the roof and a tiny spot of damage that’s been there since I bought it (see photos). It’s still fully waterproof and doesn’t cause any issues. You’re more than welcome to put this to the test on a viewing with my hosepipe etc if you wish. It’s just a little unsightly once you notice it and although I have contemplated replacing the roof a few times over the years, it's never caused a problem and is hardly noticeable so I never actually bothered. If it really bothers you and you do want to replace it you’re looking at circa £250 for a second hand roof and if you don’t fancy fitting it yourself you’re into another few hundred at a specialist or one of our resident roof guru’s to fit it.
The 3M Carbon fibre wrap to the dash and centre console has been on for five years and the glue is starting to fail in a few areas so could do with either re-doing or replacing with something different. I’m including a spare set of dash trims with the sale which I had intended to have carbon skinned but never got around to it.
The only mechanical fault with the car is that the handbrake sheered a few teeth a month or so ago. It still works OK as you can pull it up past the missing teeth but ideally needs replacing. I had thought about doing this but given that the centre console has to come out to do this and that it also has to come out to replace the dash trims I’ve decided to sell it as is and let the new owner decide what they want to do with the trims and have the handbrake done at the same time. I’ve adjusted my asking price to reflect this.
Beyond that I would probably factor in an oil change and fit the air filter and plugs I'm supplying with the car, as despite the fact its only done 2k since the last oil change its getting close to a couple of years ago now.
OK that’s everything!
Bearing the above in mind and also the fact that there are not many E85’s around like this one with all the desirable mods, I’m going to ask £5,000 no offers for the car. Which I think is fair, as to buy the likes of the M Sport Seats, Facelift Xenon Headlights, Clear Indicator Rear lights and M Sport MFSW would set you back £1,000's, if you could even find them at all. Not to mention the other many upgrades, repairs amaintenance etc I have made, this really is a great example.
I’m also going to be throwing in a number of spare parts that I have lying around such as the fore mentioned original diff, sound generator, spare dash trims, new Mann air filter and NGK plugs. There are also the original grilles, original rear lights, original side indicators, spare clear indicator set, spare interior air vents, spare ashtray, other dash/centre console plastics, a heater control panel, some switches and a spare LCM.
I'm located in Manchester, any questions just ask
Thanks
£5,000 no offers - NOW SOLD
The car has covered 102k with a Full Service History (9 stamps in the book, last at 100k). MOT Jan 2022 and comes with two keys. It’s in great condition for its age and mileage with a few minor chips/marks to the paint etc and has just been treated to a couple of fresh coats of Collinite 845 Insulator Wax after a Clay and Iron X treatment.
It also came with a number of extras from the factory including Xenons, Heated Seats and the all-important Wind Deflector. Since then I’ve added a multitude of mods including;
POST FACELIFT XENON HEADLIGHTS WITH DLR’S ACTIVATED,
M SPORT HEATED ELECTRIC SEATS (better bolsters support etc)
M SPORT MULTIFUNCTIONAL STEERING WHEEL (thicker wheel and switches for volume etc)
CLEAR INDICATOR REAR LIGHT UNITS (SYMETRICAL REVERSE LIGHTS) with full circle rear light/brake light mod and emergency braking mod (flashing). Twin ultra bright LED reverse lights (easily reversible to restore fog light). Original lights including french fries included, as are new adhesive pads for french fries should you want to refit them.
CLEAR SIDE REPEATERS, originals and a spare clear set included.
CLEAR HIGH VISIBILITY REAR BRAKE LIGHT - with the later spring and nuts so the light doesn’t crack.
ROOF MOTOR RELOCATED TO BOOT
E46 330I FRONT BRAKES BREMBO DISCS & TEXTAR EPADS (low brake dust)
BILSTEIN B4 SHOCKS & EIBACH SPRINGS. NEW FRONT & REAR TOP MOUNTS – camber pins removed and camber maxed for better handling/steering turn in.
MEYLE HD RTAB’s & LIMITER KIT (better handling)
NEW MEYLE HD FRONT REAR BUSHES (LOLLIPOPS) – Upgrade on standard
MEYLE HD FRONT TRACK CONTROL ARMS AND DROP LINKS – Upgrade on standard
MODIFIED BACKBOX – now sounds like a sports cars should, but without the drone/excess noise of aftermarket systems I previous tried
SOUND GENERATOR DELETE – makes quite an artificial sound to my ears and isn’t needed with a modified back box making a nice and proper exhaust note
DIFF FOR 3.64 RATIO (FROM PRE FACELIFT 2.5 AUTO) – massively improves the acceleration of the car, really livens things up. However it may not be to everyone’s taste so the original 3.09 diff also comes with the car (a couple of hours to refit)
GAPTECH + ROOF MODULE – one touch and key operation of the roof, the way it really should have come from the factory
MV2’s FRESHLY RECONDITIONED IN GLOSS BLACK (MARCH 2021) – NON RFT BRIDGESTONES FITTED
GLOSS BLACK GRILLES – originals supplied with the car
MACHINE MONKEY EXHAUST TIPS
DASH TRIMS WRAPPED IN 3M DI – NOC BLACK CARBON FIBRE VINYL
X3 STEREO VOLUME KNOB - looks classier than the plain standard black one. The x3 one has a chrome ring/accent
PARROT MKI 9100 (MOUNTED IN ASHTRAY) WITH JUST CAR KITS PARROT LOOM FOR AUX INPUT Bluetooth that allows music from Parrot to go through BMW stereo to give same audio quality as original stereo.
BMW SPRINTBOOSTER – a bit like the Sport button with a couple of modes that make the accelerator more responsive
CLUTCH DELAY VALVE REMOVED – aids proper gear changes
RETROFITTED CRUISE CONTROL
RETROFITTED CUPHOLDERS
LED INTERIOR LIGHT BULBS
NUMEROUS CODING CHANGES WITH CARLY/INPA/ISTA
I’m bound to have forgotten a few but that’s most of them. In addition to the mods the car has had a lot spent on routine maintenance and repairs whilst in my ownership.
In addition to routine servicing and the roof drains blasted clean with an airline every 3-6 months it’s also had in my ownership;
NEW AIR INTAKE ELBOW PIPE TO THROTTLE BODY
DISA VALVE REPAIR KIT
VANOS SEALS & RINGS WITH NEW CAM COVER GASKETS
NEW SPARK PLUGS - extra set to be supplied with car
NEW AIR FILTER – new extra filter to be supplied with car
NEW POLLEN FILTER
PROPSHAFT LUBE (TO STOP KNOCK WHEN MOVING OFF COMMON ON E85’S ) USING LOCTITE 660
CLEAN OUT IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE
REPAIRED WORN/DAMAGED ROOF WIRING LOOM
NEW MEYLE HD FRONT REAR BUSHES (LOLLIPOPS)
MEYLE HD FRONT TRACK CONTROL ARMS AND DROP LINKS
NEW MEYLE HD REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHES WITH LIMITER KIT
NEW COOLANT EXPANSION TANK
BILSTEIN B4 SHOCKS WITH EIBACH SPRINGS. NEW FRONT& REAR TOP MOUNTS
OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (LEAKING)
GEAR BOX OIL CHANGE
DIFF OIL CHANGE
BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED
NEW WINDSCREEN WASHER PUMP AND JETS
WIPER LINKAGE FIX CLIPS
CRANK VENTILATION VALVE AND PIPES (including the cold weather version of the valve)
NEW REAR BRAKE LINES (CORRODED) & FLUID CHANGE
NEW STARTER MOTOR
NEW BONNET CABLE AND CATCH MECH
NEW BATTERY (FEB 2021)
Again I’ve probably forgotten a few things, everything has been done in the last 20k as I bought the car with 84k back in 2005.
Now for the bad bits, there’s only a few. As previously mentioned there’s a few small chips and marks on the body as well as some wear marks on the roof and a tiny spot of damage that’s been there since I bought it (see photos). It’s still fully waterproof and doesn’t cause any issues. You’re more than welcome to put this to the test on a viewing with my hosepipe etc if you wish. It’s just a little unsightly once you notice it and although I have contemplated replacing the roof a few times over the years, it's never caused a problem and is hardly noticeable so I never actually bothered. If it really bothers you and you do want to replace it you’re looking at circa £250 for a second hand roof and if you don’t fancy fitting it yourself you’re into another few hundred at a specialist or one of our resident roof guru’s to fit it.
The 3M Carbon fibre wrap to the dash and centre console has been on for five years and the glue is starting to fail in a few areas so could do with either re-doing or replacing with something different. I’m including a spare set of dash trims with the sale which I had intended to have carbon skinned but never got around to it.
The only mechanical fault with the car is that the handbrake sheered a few teeth a month or so ago. It still works OK as you can pull it up past the missing teeth but ideally needs replacing. I had thought about doing this but given that the centre console has to come out to do this and that it also has to come out to replace the dash trims I’ve decided to sell it as is and let the new owner decide what they want to do with the trims and have the handbrake done at the same time. I’ve adjusted my asking price to reflect this.
Beyond that I would probably factor in an oil change and fit the air filter and plugs I'm supplying with the car, as despite the fact its only done 2k since the last oil change its getting close to a couple of years ago now.
OK that’s everything!
Bearing the above in mind and also the fact that there are not many E85’s around like this one with all the desirable mods, I’m going to ask £5,000 no offers for the car. Which I think is fair, as to buy the likes of the M Sport Seats, Facelift Xenon Headlights, Clear Indicator Rear lights and M Sport MFSW would set you back £1,000's, if you could even find them at all. Not to mention the other many upgrades, repairs amaintenance etc I have made, this really is a great example.
I’m also going to be throwing in a number of spare parts that I have lying around such as the fore mentioned original diff, sound generator, spare dash trims, new Mann air filter and NGK plugs. There are also the original grilles, original rear lights, original side indicators, spare clear indicator set, spare interior air vents, spare ashtray, other dash/centre console plastics, a heater control panel, some switches and a spare LCM.
I'm located in Manchester, any questions just ask
Thanks
£5,000 no offers - NOW SOLD
Fastest car I have ever sold! 
