Hope I made the right decision.
- Thread starter BMW4LYFER
- Start date
Finland
South Lanarkshire
Curious to know what doubt you have about your purchase? Older cars are just better imo.
Devon
Hey guys! thank for all of the positive energy! @Micke that is a beauty!!!! The BBS are a nice touch. I'm considering a set of CSL style rims from BBS. @Chippie thanks man, yeah I'm in the US. @ARCS thank you! I've always had a BMW since I could first purchase a car but they have always been within a year or two from the production date. With that being said, I've never purchased a car that is 18 years old. Granted this car is in excellent condition, I think I'm going to mostly need care incite. For instance I've been told that I should use a super thick oil during the winter months instead of the standard. Little things like this. Thanks @Zedebee ! You know what? I think I'd be happier with the wheels if they were 19'. I do agree for OEM it looks great. Thanks @MikeyH !! Thanks @buzyg ! Is that your M convertible? If so well done! I really wanted the M coupe.
One of the reasons I like this wheel is that they look more like a 19” than any other, while preserving the benefits of the 18”s thicker rubber.
If you were in the UK I’d be very interested in taking them off you.
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on finding a barely run-in E86. 
The N52 is a fantastic engine and as others have said there are some on here with over 200K miles. I'm on my 4th in my 330i daily and the way it performs you'd never know it has done 129K!
But I've never heard anything about using different oil in the winter.
Surely if anything you'd run thinner oil in cold weather?
My first couple of BMWs were nearly new but my first E86 was 8 years old and I seem to have become addicted to them as 11 years on I've got my third one.
The N52 is a fantastic engine and as others have said there are some on here with over 200K miles. I'm on my 4th in my 330i daily and the way it performs you'd never know it has done 129K!
But I've never heard anything about using different oil in the winter.
Surely if anything you'd run thinner oil in cold weather?My first couple of BMWs were nearly new but my first E86 was 8 years old and I seem to have become addicted to them as 11 years on I've got my third one.
As above. No way thicker oil in winter. Stick with what BMW recommend. They ,with major lubricant producers ,will have done hours of rig testing in all conditions to decide what is best. 25 year career with Mobil Oil .
Thanks @Mr Tidy ! You've had multiple e86's? That's incredible. What are some do's and don't as far as maintenance can you rattle off? Hey @Jeff Eatough yeah, I was wondering about that. I've been seeing youtube videos debunking BMW's recommended services. for example, the extended life on transmission fluid, just to list one. Thanks @Roberltd2 !
I've just stuck to the BMW service intervals. I know a lot of people change the oil and filter more often, but none of my cars has done more than 8,000 within the 2 year time interval so that seems frequent enough. I did have the transmission fluid changed in my 2nd E86 at 82k miles because I don't like the idea of it being filled for life. My first one had only done 62k when I sold it so fresh fluid didn't seem necessary.
My first one needed a new electric water pump at 60k miles and my second suffered from corrosion on the rear brake pipes at 84k and 11 years of age, so I had them replaced in Kunifer.
It's worth looking out for oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing as the gaskets can get brittle over time but other than that it's just been normal consumables.
I've restricted this to my 3.0Sis as the M requires far more TLC (and cost)!
My first one needed a new electric water pump at 60k miles and my second suffered from corrosion on the rear brake pipes at 84k and 11 years of age, so I had them replaced in Kunifer.
It's worth looking out for oil leaks from the cam-cover and oil filter housing as the gaskets can get brittle over time but other than that it's just been normal consumables.
I've restricted this to my 3.0Sis as the M requires far more TLC (and cost)!