Parking this here. My new to me E85 2.2i, things I'm doing, things I need help with.

R

rich1068

Member
 Sheffield
Firstly, thank you for the welcome in the New Members section. Rather than continuing with that I thought it would be a good idea to have just one thread where I can post up what I'm doing and hopefully pick your brains. Sound OK?

So, 2005 E85 2.2i, manual, a smidge under 60k miles, no extras apart from the fancy Style 108 wheels, decent nick, loads of history. This is my list so far but I'm sure that will get longer. Items are in no particular order

  • Surprised to find that the standard Business stereo can handle MP3s. Let's fire up the CD burner like it's 1995 😁
  • Tyres definitely need replacing. Not only are they run-flats but they're older than one or two of my children. Seen some Kumhos. I like Kumhos.
  • Reams of paperwork came with the car but probably like most on here I want to reset for peace of mind. I think an Inspection II is in order as, for example, I've seen no mention of spark plugs being changed. They might have been, I don't know. But I'll get everything done regardless.
  • Headlights and bulbs. I've sorted the headlight lenses today with a Cerakote kit I already had. They look 100% better. And the previous owner bought some Osram Nightbreakers and left them in the boot so I'll probably pop those in.
  • That bloody driver's door rattle plus the fact I can't open the driver's door from the outside 😡😡😡
  • Wind deflector. I see the OEM one is still available but any other recommendations?
  • Cup holder. While I disapprove of liquids in any car I think it would be handy. Again, I see the OEM one is still available. But open to suggestions on that too.
That's about it for now so any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
 
I fitted a set of Kumho Ecsta tyres to my Z4 in 2021 and they were fine. Although when I needed new rear tyres ahead of a trip to Scotland last May my tyre place couldn't get Kumho in time so I went with Hankook Ventus instead and they seemed even better in the wet, which Scotland obviously was at times!

I haven't tried them but I've read positive feedback about Osram Nightbreaker bulbs.

The door lock is operated by a Bowden cable which stretches and is probably why you can't open your driver's door from outside. You'll need to have the door card off to investigate so might be able to identify what is rattling.

aliexpress cup-holders are way cheaper than BMW ones.
 
Mr Tidy said:
The door lock is operated by a Bowden cable which stretches and is probably why you can't open your driver's door from outside. You'll need to have the door card off to investigate so might be able to identify what is rattling.
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👍

Door card will be coming off in the next few days because it's driving me nuts.
 
The tyres on mine were 11 years old when I got it, the difference it made to the way the car drove when I put some Toyo Proxes Sport on was night and day!

The tyre place had a job getting the old tyres off the rims, they had gone that hard!

Since then, I've spent the last 3 years adding all the options that the car was missing. These things can become addictive!
 
Mr Tidy said:
I fitted a set of Kumho Ecsta tyres to my Z4 in 2021 and they were fine. Although when I needed new rear tyres ahead of a trip to Scotland last May my tyre place couldn't get Kumho in time so I went with Hankook Ventus instead and they seemed even better in the wet, which Scotland obviously was at times!
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Kumho Ecstas (PS72s) are very good tyres, despite the 'snobbery' around tyres on car forums (not just this one). They are a little soft so don't last very well but are 20% cheaper than the 'big brands'. I've just changed the fronts on my wife's 330bhp/500nm Focus (yes it's been mapped slightly) to Kumho Ecsta PS72S from the OEM Pirelli Rosso Corsas (which are ridiculous for a road car). No noticeable difference in grip (considering it is FWD) and half the cost of the Pirellis.

BTW Audi fit Hankook Ventus to many of their new cars. My A4 with 19" wheels have Hankooks on.
 
rich1068 said:
👍

Door card will be coming off in the next few days because it's driving me nuts.
Click to expand...
If the door card has been off before, chances are someone has shredded the membrane and your car is no longer waterproof (have you had a proper feel under the carpets?). Maybe worth getting the membranes replaced while you are in there. It’s a satisfying job and costs about £50 per side direct from BMW. I like to use butyl rope per OEM, but others prefer to use a sealant. Also budget for a few door card clips (the yellow ones from memory) as you will break a couple.
 
Zedebee said:
If the door card has been off before, chances are someone has shredded the membrane and your car is no longer waterproof (have you had a proper feel under the carpets?). Maybe worth getting the membranes replaced while you are in there. It’s a satisfying job and costs about £50 per side direct from BMW. I like to use butyl rope per OEM, but others prefer to use a sealant. Also budget for a few door card clips (the yellow ones from memory) as you will break a couple.
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I'll keep all that in mind. Thank you.

Something else minor that I thought of. Getting some more Gtechniq Permanent Trim Restorer for the plastics around the mirrors and various other spots. I've used it before, mainly on Saabs, it if you're not familiar it really is very good.

Also, I thought why the hell not and booked in at Sytner Sheffield for an Inspection II service. Fresh start and at £479.22 because it's an older vehicle I didn't think that was too bad. My days of getting cars up on ramps and crawling underneath are pretty much over. Let someone else do it. Chesterfield and Doncaster are running the same promotion but were quite a chunk more.

No doubt they'll also give me a list of other "issues" as long as my arm because that's what dealers do 🙄
 
I found the invoice related to replacing the roof motor. Not relocated by the looks of it. Regular garage so maybe they didn't know it was a thing. 2017 and 20k miles ago so probably worth another check.

Roof motor invoice.jpeg
 
Mr Tidy said:
The door lock is operated by a Bowden cable which stretches and is probably why you can't open your driver's door from outside. You'll need to have the door card off to investigate so might be able to identify what is rattling.
Click to expand...

Zedebee said:
If the door card has been off before, chances are someone has shredded the membrane and your car is no longer waterproof (have you had a proper feel under the carpets?). Maybe worth getting the membranes replaced while you are in there. It’s a satisfying job and costs about £50 per side direct from BMW. I like to use butyl rope per OEM, but others prefer to use a sealant. Also budget for a few door card clips (the yellow ones from memory) as you will break a couple.
Click to expand...

Definitely been off before. I noticed the silver trim on the pull handle was loose and on removal there's a couple of tangs missing and one or two non-standard screws.
 
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