Newbie says hello and asks the odd question

[Mr Sideways]

I bought my 3.0 Si a week ago. A couple of hundred miles complete, so hopefully moving through that initial worry period with any "new" car of a certain age - is there something horribly wrong I didn't spot...

So far so good. I am enjoying a return to BMWs after a few Chevy V8s and MX5s. I still think a small block chevy is a truly great motor, but I am really loving this one.

Lots of useful stuff on here, I've spend a few hours hunting through...

I do have the odd question if anybody can help.

- AUX in . All works fine, and then 1 to 10 minutes later ...it doesn't - AUX disappears and it's only radio or CD (lucky I've dug out my old Best of Whitesnake). Unplug ebay's finest bluetooth thingy and AUX is back for a while! Any ideas, try another bluetooth dongle? I have the great retro audio/GPS is that makes a difference.

- Tyres - I am on runflats and I really would like to save my spine by getting rid of them. Unlike most, I don't want 25inch wheels - I like a bit of side wall myself, as it makes break-away more gentle. Can I fit higher profile rubber, or even (shock horror) go for smaller wheels? If 205/70 x15 was good enough for a v12 XJS, why do I need more :rofl: (currently 255 /35 & 225/40 x18).

- The "door shut" plate is missing from the drivers side - anybody breaking a car, who might care for the odd crisp note in exchange for one?

- Roof mounted cubby is held shut with bluetack - is it a peculiar part to the e86 or was it fitted to other more common cars?

A few jobs to do in the future. Flush the G/Box oil, brake fluid. Do I replace the water pump (80k miles)?

Clearly I need to track down a nokia 6310, to clip into the armrest thingy - how cool is that

 

[northwalesrob]

Can't help with any of the questions but :

That car is filthy. Which means it's driven. Excellent !

 

[Mr Tidy]

Welcome to the forum from a serial E86 owner.

When I had an issue with the Aux-in I got a new cable for buttons that solved the problem so that might be a good starting point. FWIW my Whitesnake choice is still 1987.

You will need at least 17" wheels to clear your front brakes, so maybe V12 XJSs weren't known for their braking performance!

The roof-mounted cubby above the mirror is a glasses holder, or in reality a sunglasses ejector, and seems to be unique to the E86. A new one is apparently £200+ from BMW. Which may explain the blu-tack.

The water pump on my first E86 died at 60K miles, but the original was working fine on my second one after 91K miles so their life seems pretty random. Whether you replace as a preventative measure may depend on how much of a hassle a dead one would be as they overheat in less than a mile them go into limp mode.

I needed a new one in my E91 325i with the same N52 engine at 135K miles, but have no idea if that was the original!

 

[buzyg]

Welcome on board. Is that just sideways or sideways through a hedge? :wink:

 

[Mr Sideways]

Can't help with any of the questions but :

That car is filthy. Which means it's driven. Excellent !

The trouble with washing a car, is that only a few months later - you need to do it again :headbang:

Nothing like a good layer of Dirt to protect the paint - maybe....

 

[Mr Tidy]

Black isn't the best colour for hiding dirt either!

Silver Grey works better. :wink: