Hi all,
I've owned my E86 si (pictures attached below) since April 2018 and am pretty much still in love with it although there have been a few niggles along the way which I guess most of which are to be expected. I will have a go at fixing certain parts myself but am a bit stuck (or at least I think so) by not having a ramp or pit too do the big jobs..or the time! but I do enjoy having a go.
Whats been replaced so far;
Engine: 1 Vanos solenoid (home job), large disa valve (home job), (I was trying to eliminate the engine stalling on it's own when returning to idle, the disa was broken bit didnt sort the it but the solenoid did), oil cooler gasket, oil filter gasket, water header tank.
I also flushed the engine with STP and changed the oil and filter for Total 0w-30. I noticed better fuel economy and more power after this so I'm not sure what the dealer I bought it from had done with it as they said they serviced it before I bought it??
Drivetrain: Diff oil replaced (This was because I would hear a kind of tinkling/chirping/hard to explain noise that I noticed wasn't engine speed dependent but did seem to be linked to being on or off the throttle and would also go away or return with steering input. It was quite random. The indy garage I took it too said the old oil looked fine but this did solve the problem!
Suspension: Front ARB bushes replaced, driver side rear spring replaced (did this myself, nice and easy. Only drama was actually getting the correct spring, motor factors seem to get it wrong so I went genuine BMW in the end)
Miscellaneous: Took the windscreen wiper motor out and cleaned the contact surface from the excess grease that had been put in which did allow the wipers to return to park. Hallelujah! Finally, just this afternoon I replaced the trim clips from the boot trim panels as many of these were broken and so the trim would rattle over bumps etc.
What are the plans;
I would love to retrofit cruise control which is actually how I ended up on the forum and thanks already to the guys who have helped me with that . I have just ordered a headlight restoration kit as the driver side is quite yellow. The front bumper needs quite a bit of paint and body work. I think the wheels could do with a refurb/repaint but I cant decide what might look nice, I like the idea of gun metal grey but not sure it will work with the body colour?. Finally, a little controversial perhaps but I think as well as cruise control the interior experience would benefit alot from something like apple carplay so I'm looking at installing a single din aftermarket radio. I am worried it'll look completely bolt on though!
Anyway, in a nutshell thats why I'm here and I cant believe I didnt join sooner, it seems like such a great forum.
I've owned my E86 si (pictures attached below) since April 2018 and am pretty much still in love with it although there have been a few niggles along the way which I guess most of which are to be expected. I will have a go at fixing certain parts myself but am a bit stuck (or at least I think so) by not having a ramp or pit too do the big jobs..or the time! but I do enjoy having a go.
Whats been replaced so far;
Engine: 1 Vanos solenoid (home job), large disa valve (home job), (I was trying to eliminate the engine stalling on it's own when returning to idle, the disa was broken bit didnt sort the it but the solenoid did), oil cooler gasket, oil filter gasket, water header tank.
I also flushed the engine with STP and changed the oil and filter for Total 0w-30. I noticed better fuel economy and more power after this so I'm not sure what the dealer I bought it from had done with it as they said they serviced it before I bought it??
Drivetrain: Diff oil replaced (This was because I would hear a kind of tinkling/chirping/hard to explain noise that I noticed wasn't engine speed dependent but did seem to be linked to being on or off the throttle and would also go away or return with steering input. It was quite random. The indy garage I took it too said the old oil looked fine but this did solve the problem!
Suspension: Front ARB bushes replaced, driver side rear spring replaced (did this myself, nice and easy. Only drama was actually getting the correct spring, motor factors seem to get it wrong so I went genuine BMW in the end)
Miscellaneous: Took the windscreen wiper motor out and cleaned the contact surface from the excess grease that had been put in which did allow the wipers to return to park. Hallelujah! Finally, just this afternoon I replaced the trim clips from the boot trim panels as many of these were broken and so the trim would rattle over bumps etc.
What are the plans;
I would love to retrofit cruise control which is actually how I ended up on the forum and thanks already to the guys who have helped me with that
. I have just ordered a headlight restoration kit as the driver side is quite yellow. The front bumper needs quite a bit of paint and body work. I think the wheels could do with a refurb/repaint but I cant decide what might look nice, I like the idea of gun metal grey but not sure it will work with the body colour?. Finally, a little controversial perhaps but I think as well as cruise control the interior experience would benefit alot from something like apple carplay so I'm looking at installing a single din aftermarket radio. I am worried it'll look completely bolt on though!Anyway, in a nutshell thats why I'm here and I cant believe I didnt join sooner, it seems like such a great forum.
fronts appear aftermarket as definitely lower than Msport would be
