Neil's Roadster
- Thread starter NeilP
- Start date
Thanks for the feedback everyone...decided to ditch the daisies for 108's and while I was at it, I got a little carried away and painted the car black!
IMG_3023 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Picked it up today. Made the journey back from Canvy Island to North West London with the top down the whole time. I think I'm going to need so get some sun cream first thing tomorrow!
It's been bought as the daily hack...but for how long that will last is anyone's guess! I do need to get an aux setup fitted asap though and give the audio some attention. It's in need of an upgrade asap!
IMG_3023 by Neil Patel, on FlickrPicked it up today. Made the journey back from Canvy Island to North West London with the top down the whole time. I think I'm going to need so get some sun cream first thing tomorrow!
It's been bought as the daily hack...but for how long that will last is anyone's guess! I do need to get an aux setup fitted asap though and give the audio some attention. It's in need of an upgrade asap!
srhutch said:Nice daily hack
Thanks!
Bing said:Yep, well done
I love seeing these coupé die-hards buying roadsters and disguising them as their 'second car'... And in Taz's case then SORNing the coupé
Still, and always will be a coupé die-hard. Just taking advantage of depreciation on roadsters...you know, because they're not worth as much as coupés.
JINGLE said:
Yes, lots. Trying to be sensible with it all though and do it in stages.
Beedub said:
Coupés all the way! Your car is the exception to that. :lol:
Jonny essex said:
Completely agree, and yes Jonny! My old e46 330ci has nothing on this e85!
Usa
Started to give the engine bay some tlc (as it was filthy).
Removed the disa valve and it's in awful shape. The flap moves freely and the pin is loose.
Time to go bug the lovely people at Sprie Watford I think!
Edit: To any DISA experts, is it worth repairing (can it even be repaired) or is a new valve the way forward? As said, the flap can move freely thus not allowing me to test how effectively it works.
Removed the disa valve and it's in awful shape. The flap moves freely and the pin is loose.
Time to go bug the lovely people at Sprie Watford I think!
Edit: To any DISA experts, is it worth repairing (can it even be repaired) or is a new valve the way forward? As said, the flap can move freely thus not allowing me to test how effectively it works.
Nice looking Roadster buddy. If you can avoid modding it!!
I would just replace the DISA
I would just replace the DISA
NeilP said:Wow, you all couldn't even make it a full 24 hours before asking for pictures.
Well you can have one. Enjoy!
New Car! by Neil Patel, on Flickr
That's not got the M sport suspension has it? Looks like an SE to me & needs lowering asap!
Regards
Right, time to get stuck in.
IMG_3025 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
10mm spacers went on. Looks a little better.
Then a bit of a clean. Not a full on correction just yet (though the car desperately needs it). Just a bit of a tidy up.
Started with the engine bay.
IMG_3029 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3034 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Also found a surprise in the air box. Explains why it had that induction kit sort of sound. Well those lifetime filters are not all that lifetime as you can see. The rubber seal had broken away.
Didn't want to put it back in the car so dug out the K&N one I found in my e46 (clearly I attract cars whose previous owners enjoyed buying snake oil!) as a temporary measure until my new oem paper filter is delivered.
IMG_3054 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Then set about removing what I could. Plastic covers and washer bottle Also removed the filters in the washer reservoir as they were filled with crud.
IMG_3035 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3048 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Washed that separately. First with some APC and agitated with a brush.
IMG_3041 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Rinsed and then hit a second time This time foamed with a degreaser as the APC didn't quite get everything.
IMG_3042 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Plastics were then dried and then given a coat of trim protector.
IMG_3040 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Then worked on the bay itself. More APC doing work.
IMG_3058 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Radiator cover was also removed and some love given there as well.
IMG_3060 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
All the APC everywhere resulted in some mucky front wings. Gave the car a quick clean...
The soft top had some green on it as well as spots all over. APC, degreaser and a brush had to be brought out again.
IMG_3062 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3066 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3075 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Which resulted in this. Pretty happy with the car so far!
IMG_3086 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
I then set about removing the Nokia Bluetooth car kit and fitted my own in that is wired to the AUX connector.
A new DISA valve was also ordered up as well as service parts (cabin, oil, and air filters, as well as new oil and spark plugs).
IMG_3025 by Neil Patel, on Flickr10mm spacers went on. Looks a little better.
Then a bit of a clean. Not a full on correction just yet (though the car desperately needs it). Just a bit of a tidy up.
Started with the engine bay.
IMG_3029 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3034 by Neil Patel, on FlickrAlso found a surprise in the air box. Explains why it had that induction kit sort of sound. Well those lifetime filters are not all that lifetime as you can see. The rubber seal had broken away.
Didn't want to put it back in the car so dug out the K&N one I found in my e46 (clearly I attract cars whose previous owners enjoyed buying snake oil!) as a temporary measure until my new oem paper filter is delivered.
IMG_3054 by Neil Patel, on FlickrThen set about removing what I could. Plastic covers and washer bottle Also removed the filters in the washer reservoir as they were filled with crud.
IMG_3035 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3048 by Neil Patel, on FlickrWashed that separately. First with some APC and agitated with a brush.
IMG_3041 by Neil Patel, on FlickrRinsed and then hit a second time This time foamed with a degreaser as the APC didn't quite get everything.
IMG_3042 by Neil Patel, on FlickrPlastics were then dried and then given a coat of trim protector.
IMG_3040 by Neil Patel, on FlickrThen worked on the bay itself. More APC doing work.
IMG_3058 by Neil Patel, on FlickrRadiator cover was also removed and some love given there as well.
IMG_3060 by Neil Patel, on FlickrAll the APC everywhere resulted in some mucky front wings. Gave the car a quick clean...
The soft top had some green on it as well as spots all over. APC, degreaser and a brush had to be brought out again.
IMG_3062 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3066 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3075 by Neil Patel, on FlickrWhich resulted in this. Pretty happy with the car so far!
IMG_3086 by Neil Patel, on FlickrI then set about removing the Nokia Bluetooth car kit and fitted my own in that is wired to the AUX connector.
A new DISA valve was also ordered up as well as service parts (cabin, oil, and air filters, as well as new oil and spark plugs).
Good work Neil I serviced a zed today. A friends 2.0l I really enjoyed driving it. You can thrash the ass off it legally 
:lol:
:lol:More progress with the car. Before that, I can understand why people like them so much! Brilliantly fun to drive (though my heart still lies with my coupe!)
IMG_3158 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
First thing that needed to be done was to swap out the broken DISA valve. It made sense to just pick up a new one rather than looking to repair the old one. Slightly more of an expensive option but thankfully there were no issues!
IMG_3140 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Next came some earth upgrades. The battery negative to chassis was upgrades with 2 additional straps to ensure a nice solid connection. Along with that, I swapped out the battery which the car had come with for a BMW branded one which had a higher capacity and crank. The reasoning behind this would be to help with those cold winter mornings!
IMG_3122 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3123 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Next came the engine earth. It's often done to ensure that not only does the alternator have a better earthing point but the spark plugs will also benefit. I had to build my own cable to keep it at the right length.
Started with some wire I had laying about as well as some terminals. In an ideal world the thicker the better but this 4 gauge will suffice.
IMG_3102 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Next the connectors were crimped on. To ensure a solid connection they were then filled with solder.
IMG_3111 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
The strap is then covered up to protect it and is ready to be fitted.
IMG_3116 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
After all that, came a service. Cabin, air and oil filters were changed along with the spark plugs and oil. Coupled with the new DISA valve and cleaning the throttle body, the car is running very nicely!
IMG_3124 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
So glad to see the other side of that K&N!
IMG_3126 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Leaves and such fell out when changing the cabin filter which was pretty grubby!
IMG_3135 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3131 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
Next came the spark plugs.
IMG_3128 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
The oil on the threads of the old plug are from the leaking rocker cover gasket, again something I had planned on changing anyway!
IMG_3129 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3130 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
As you can see from the old oil filter, it was all in desperate need of a change!
IMG_3156 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3154 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
IMG_3155 by Neil Patel, on Flickr
With that all sorted, the next step is going to be looking at the brakes. New fluid, discs, pads, and hoses are on the cards as well as putting in some ducting to help increase the duty cycle and keep temperatures down.
I still need to also get around to giving the car a full clean (clay, compound, wax, and protect the fabric roof!) It would be nice to have some more good weather though!
IMG_3158 by Neil Patel, on FlickrFirst thing that needed to be done was to swap out the broken DISA valve. It made sense to just pick up a new one rather than looking to repair the old one. Slightly more of an expensive option but thankfully there were no issues!
IMG_3140 by Neil Patel, on FlickrNext came some earth upgrades. The battery negative to chassis was upgrades with 2 additional straps to ensure a nice solid connection. Along with that, I swapped out the battery which the car had come with for a BMW branded one which had a higher capacity and crank. The reasoning behind this would be to help with those cold winter mornings!
IMG_3122 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3123 by Neil Patel, on FlickrNext came the engine earth. It's often done to ensure that not only does the alternator have a better earthing point but the spark plugs will also benefit. I had to build my own cable to keep it at the right length.
Started with some wire I had laying about as well as some terminals. In an ideal world the thicker the better but this 4 gauge will suffice.
IMG_3102 by Neil Patel, on FlickrNext the connectors were crimped on. To ensure a solid connection they were then filled with solder.
IMG_3111 by Neil Patel, on FlickrThe strap is then covered up to protect it and is ready to be fitted.
IMG_3116 by Neil Patel, on FlickrAfter all that, came a service. Cabin, air and oil filters were changed along with the spark plugs and oil. Coupled with the new DISA valve and cleaning the throttle body, the car is running very nicely!
IMG_3124 by Neil Patel, on FlickrSo glad to see the other side of that K&N!
IMG_3126 by Neil Patel, on FlickrLeaves and such fell out when changing the cabin filter which was pretty grubby!
IMG_3135 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3131 by Neil Patel, on FlickrNext came the spark plugs.
IMG_3128 by Neil Patel, on FlickrThe oil on the threads of the old plug are from the leaking rocker cover gasket, again something I had planned on changing anyway!
IMG_3129 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3130 by Neil Patel, on FlickrAs you can see from the old oil filter, it was all in desperate need of a change!
IMG_3156 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3154 by Neil Patel, on FlickrIMG_3155 by Neil Patel, on FlickrWith that all sorted, the next step is going to be looking at the brakes. New fluid, discs, pads, and hoses are on the cards as well as putting in some ducting to help increase the duty cycle and keep temperatures down.
I still need to also get around to giving the car a full clean (clay, compound, wax, and protect the fabric roof!) It would be nice to have some more good weather though!