When the weather improves I will be getting the DA polisher on to it. The previous owner I think had a good detailing routine, the paintwork is smooth to touch so could have been claying the paint which is good, I cant see any marring so probably did a good job of it too (or just used a clay mitt). Engine bay needs a good detox, I got a brush set and a load of cleaner for that job which is hugely satisfying. Seats are in good condition for the age, I will at some point restore some of the leather cracking.
Just put a deposit on an E86
- Thread starter coldel
- Start date
Work has begun!
Bought some matte black grilles for the front, nice easy job to pop the old ones out and replace. Black on black looks so much better.
I have a problem with the rear parking sensors. Checked all the sensors they all 'tick' so ordered a module which arrives tomorrow, spent today pulling out all the boot trim which is a pain the backside.
Also tomorrow heading to the tyre shop for some new boots, get rid of the awful run flats which have no place on a performance car. Michelin Pilot Sport 4's going on each corner.
Also got a little adaptor cable for my iphone to plug in a 3.5mm jack and power cable from the cigarette socket so can charge and play music off my phone via the aux at the same time. Nice job done. Have a bluetooth plug in unit for the back of the head unit on the way, will try that out also.
Just ordering up some service parts, plugs, filters, oil im still trying to work out (weird how few sites give any advice on oil, even on here!) usually useful sites like Opie Oils dont have any recommended oil for the 3.0si coupe, nothing in the owners manual either. Im guessing some generic 5w30 will do.
Bought some matte black grilles for the front, nice easy job to pop the old ones out and replace. Black on black looks so much better.
I have a problem with the rear parking sensors. Checked all the sensors they all 'tick' so ordered a module which arrives tomorrow, spent today pulling out all the boot trim which is a pain the backside.
Also tomorrow heading to the tyre shop for some new boots, get rid of the awful run flats which have no place on a performance car. Michelin Pilot Sport 4's going on each corner.
Also got a little adaptor cable for my iphone to plug in a 3.5mm jack and power cable from the cigarette socket so can charge and play music off my phone via the aux at the same time. Nice job done. Have a bluetooth plug in unit for the back of the head unit on the way, will try that out also.
Just ordering up some service parts, plugs, filters, oil im still trying to work out (weird how few sites give any advice on oil, even on here!) usually useful sites like Opie Oils dont have any recommended oil for the 3.0si coupe, nothing in the owners manual either. Im guessing some generic 5w30 will do.
coldel said:
BMW used to use Castrol Edge oil but my Indy told me a few years ago they swapped to Shell. Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W30 is fully synthetic and meets BMW LL04 specification.
But there are plenty of other oils that comply with BMW LL04 - it should say so on the container if it does. My local Tesco stock one of their own brand ones that claims to, but I stuck to Shell for topping up my 3.0Si and 330i because that is what the Indy put in them.
Will probably get the car serviced with my brother next weekend. Thanks for the tip on LL04 that really helps, loads more options I can see now including a decent deal on Millers on Opie.
In the meantime, as a car cleaning nut, got out the DA and did a very quick few hours. Gyeon Bathe+ shampoo, Scholl Concepts G20 with the machine polisher, finished up with Bilt Hamber Double Speed wax. Results came out better than I expected.
In the meantime, as a car cleaning nut, got out the DA and did a very quick few hours. Gyeon Bathe+ shampoo, Scholl Concepts G20 with the machine polisher, finished up with Bilt Hamber Double Speed wax. Results came out better than I expected.
Ah thats you!
I have added one of those £20 bluetooth dongles to the back of the head unit and it works a treat. Absolute pain in the backside getting those vents out though when you realise one of the top tabs is bent and unreachable! Still I got my music working now, it could do with some base though, not sure thats possible on the standard basic head unit?
Michelins are on, what a difference they make, wow, sooooo much better. No idea why anyone would use run flats on these cars it sucks all the sportiness out of them.
I also did something for fun, put little black triangles on the blue triangles on the BMW logo, I really like it!
I have added one of those £20 bluetooth dongles to the back of the head unit and it works a treat. Absolute pain in the backside getting those vents out though when you realise one of the top tabs is bent and unreachable! Still I got my music working now, it could do with some base though, not sure thats possible on the standard basic head unit?
Michelins are on, what a difference they make, wow, sooooo much better. No idea why anyone would use run flats on these cars it sucks all the sportiness out of them.
I also did something for fun, put little black triangles on the blue triangles on the BMW logo, I really like it!
Did a couple of jobs on the car over the weekend.
Finally shifted the OEM gear knob and put a ZHP one in its place, great little mod and certainly makes a difference. Although I am keen to get the clutch delay valve out as I am sure it is making shifting a more arduous exercise than it should be.
Also fitted a set of Precision spacers and new bolts. ebay had a voucher deal 20% off so snapped them up. Transforms the look of the car I am really happy with it. 12mm front 15mm back, am sat on 108 wheels.
Before
After
...and yes it was Esso 99 Supreme that went in - all the Shells had run out in the area because of Easter weekend fill ups!
Finally shifted the OEM gear knob and put a ZHP one in its place, great little mod and certainly makes a difference. Although I am keen to get the clutch delay valve out as I am sure it is making shifting a more arduous exercise than it should be.
Also fitted a set of Precision spacers and new bolts. ebay had a voucher deal 20% off so snapped them up. Transforms the look of the car I am really happy with it. 12mm front 15mm back, am sat on 108 wheels.
Before
After
...and yes it was Esso 99 Supreme that went in - all the Shells had run out in the area because of Easter weekend fill ups!
It sounds like you are getting your car how you want it.
A ZHP is a definite improvement. My previous Coupe got one of those as well as CDV removal and fresh gearbox fluid and it drove much better afterwards - I'm just not sure which mod made the biggest difference!
A ZHP is a definite improvement. My previous Coupe got one of those as well as CDV removal and fresh gearbox fluid and it drove much better afterwards - I'm just not sure which mod made the biggest difference!
:roll: