I felt quite guilty for owning a car that I loved but constantly day dreaming of having a Coupe. It got to the point I started looking constantly on AutoTrader and enabling the day dreaming, then I started getting insurance quotes as I thought the quotes for a 23yo would knock me right back into reality... But, no... It turns out it's almost the same price to insure an E86 with exhaust/suspension/brakes declared as mods than it was to insure my E85 2.5i (exhaust mod declared). My mind was made, I started actively looking for one, and now, a couple of weeks later, I own what once was a very shabby looking E86 whose owner just didn't care about cleaning and caring for the interior of the car -- but never neglected the car mechanically, so it came with great service history.
I intend on posting the things I've been doing to this car on this thread, some of which I'll be posting today. But first of all, a shot to introduce her:
Things done to the car so far (chronological order):
- ZHP knob installed
- Changed wheels to my refurb'ed 108s wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5s
- Changed kidney grills for OEM black ones w/ chrome surround
- M-Sport seats restored + full interior detail
- Fixed ash tray lid & door card
- Gave fog lights a light refurb and installed LEDs
- Full engine detail
- Lambda sensor (Bank 2 Sensor 2) replaced
- CDV Delete
- Grom BT-3 installed
- Static short number plate installed (these are removable for shows)
- Headlights sanded & polished with AutoGlym's Headlight Restoration Kit
- Bi-Xenon projectors removed from headlights and cleaned
- Calipers painted in Graphite Grey
- M-TEC Drilled Discs and Greenstuff pads installed
- Interior cable management w/ QC3.0
- Replaced starter motor
- De-badge
- Change Valvetronic Motor's gasket due to an oil leak
- Inspection 2/Full service
- Bilsteins B4s w/ Eibach Pro Kit Installed - No longer in the car.
- Eibach Pro Spacers (12 fronts, 15 rears)
- Exhaust mod
- 4-wheel alignment (CSL geo)
- Morimoto Mini 5 Bi-Xenon Projectors customised for OEM-like fitment and installed
- Replaced boot and front bumper badge
- New Centre Storage flap from BMW installed
- Steering Wheel Trim restored
- Royal Steering Wheel Re-trim and custom gaiter installed
- Changed exhaust tips
- Oil Filter Housing and Oil Cooler gaskets replaced
- Ultralight 3-Point Strutbrace installed
- BC Coilovers Installed
- Adjustable Rear Camber Arms and RTAB Limiters installed
- Wavetrac ATB LSD installed
- Front wishbones and steering arms changed (Meyle HD)
- Sump Gasket Changed
- Sound deadening inside doors and around speakers
- aFe Intake
- Re-modded Exhaust
- EBC YellowStuff pads installed w/ new front drilled discs
- All done.
- ESS Supercharger