Well not technically a Newbie but.............

Argyll Andy

Lifer
Argyll & Bute
........ a new to me car.

Picked up a lovey 2014 Valencia Orange 35iS. FBMWSH, BMW AUC car, 42k miles and with all of the toys I wanted and the Design Pure Traction option which gives it the Alacantara and orange seats and extended leather on the doors and dash. I also got it ceramic coated by the dealer.

Gave it a clean this morning so was able to take some pictures

It’s got the 677 stereo and Professional Nav system.

I liked my 23i but recently found myself in the fortunate position to have a reasonably substantial budget and this beauty came up. I was sorry to see the 23i go.

My first observations are by feck it’s quick, overtaking is done effortlessly. I love the DCT and the flappy paddles, absolutely seamless. The steering feel is much better than the 23i. The stereo and sound system is amazing and makes me realise how poor quality the previous one was. The leather is much softer to the touch. The adaptive suspension will take a bit of getting used to but I don’t dislike it. I’ve felt a bit of weight transfer cornering hard today but then realise that I’m doing at least 20 mph more than normal so some of it can be attributed to that. Fuel consumption is better than the 23i. Spirited driving in it was 21.5 ish the 35i was 24.7 over the same route but at a quicker pace. Insurance was only another £57 for the year.

Plans at the moment are change the salmon relays, install a SmartTop and change the wheels and tyres. Currently it’s sitting on 326’s & RFT’s - going on are the 276’s with MPS4’s that I bought but didn’t get round to fitting to the 23i. It’s got a Whippy which may stay but got a stubby in the wings incase it’s needed.

I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone on the forum who have provided me loads of information and knowledge to get to the position where I could feel comfortable and knowledgeable enough to do due diligence and buy a car like this. I’ve gone from a complete newbie about a year ago making tentative enquires about buying a £3-£4K E85 to purchasing the E89 of my dreams.

We’re heading off to the Highlands this weekend and taking in Skye, Inverness and part of the NC500 to familiarise ourselves and enjoy our new Zed.

Oh, I don’t know if I mentioned it, but by feck it’s fast :driving:

Andy
 

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Very nice.
I have to say the interior was one of the things that pulled me in to mine too. Fed up with boring blacks and greys.
One of the best bits about the VO on that is the fact the door mirrors are body colour. Never could work out why they went for silver on most of the others. My opinion only of course, but it made them look like cheap add-ons.
Enjoy your trip, an excellent way to bond with your new Z.
 
Big Bad Boris said:
Fantastic looking car my friend ! Is it fast, you didn’t say :rofl:

I have this image in my head of him blasting around the NC500, only to have an Atacama Yellow E89 with a boot spoiler come nipping past him in the twisty bits. :poke: :wink:
 
enuff_zed said:
Big Bad Boris said:
Fantastic looking car my friend ! Is it fast, you didn’t say :rofl:

I have this image in my head of him blasting around the NC500, only to have an Atacama Yellow E89 with a boot spoiler come nipping past him in the twisty bits. :poke: :wink:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I will not be entering into that conversation........... except I’ll catch him again on the straights :poke: :wink:
 
Silverstar said:
As I mentioned before, it's gorgeous. I do like that interior!

enuff_zed said:
I have to say the interior was one of the things that pulled me in to mine too

Thanks, it was high on my list of must haves to break up the dark interior when they’re all black.
 
Andy, as my old gran from Greenock would mutter when shown anything that she was slightly jealous off "curse yer guts!".. enjoy, hope the weather stays good for your cruise around the highlands :thumbsup:
 
Zed Baron said:
Andy, as my old gran from Greenock would mutter when shown anything that she was slightly jealous off "curse yer guts!".. enjoy, hope the weather stays good for your cruise around the highlands :thumbsup:

I will take them as cursed then :rofl:

Will do, the weather’s looking good so far :driving:
 
clarker63 said:
Argyll Andy said:
........ a new to me car.

trying to keep up with me Andy? lol!

and you need to change the avatar... :rofl:

Rob, let’s get this straight, you are 100% getting the blame here :rofl: I think it’s even got the same mileage as yours when you got it. :oops:

Showing me round yours and more importantly starting it up when I was picking the 23i up was fatal, I knew I’d get one at some point just didn’t think I’d be able to this quickly

Yes the avatar will be getting changed shortly :thumbsup:
 
Wheels changed, RFT’s off and MPS4’S on :thumbsup:

Immediately noticed it’s quieter
 

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mr.tourette said:
What a nice motor.... Top bombing there highlander 😁

Cheers, this is why I was hanging off the remap etc for the 23i. I knew it’d be going just didn’t realise so quickly :oops:
 
Nictrix said:
Looks great Andy and it looks like you will have cracking weather all weekend :driving:

Thanks mate, it’s looking good at the moment for the weather.

You have a good one too :thumbsup:
 
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