WANTED Looking for a sorted E86 3.0si.

[Meds]

Hi guys/gals.
I've started my search for an E86.
I'm in Cambridgeshire but willing to travel sensibly for the right car.

Wish list:
Late car, under 70k with history/documentation.
Cared for, enthusiast owned.
Manual.
Ideally a bright or contrasting interior.
Parking sensors.
Non i-drive.
Xenons.
Nothing too heavily modified.
Ideally the usual pinch points sorted (water pump, gaskets etc)

I'm keeping my eye on the usual outlets but I'd much prefer to buy from a known owner. I'm in no hurry, so if you're not wanting to sell right away, I'll happily wait around until the time is right.

Thanks people.

[True-Blue]

The Montego E86 in the classified fits most of your criteria and, personally, I think you’d be a bit mad not to at least consider it. Plenty of traceable forum history for this car.

Something like a twin exit Eisenmann exhaust really isn’t going to devalue the car, as I genuinely don’t think they are going to be massively Collectable classics that sky rocket in value.

70k miles is reducing your potential market dramatically, and as soon as you start driving it you’ve breached the 70k threshold anyway.

[Mr Tidy]

Firstly welcome to the forum.

As True-Blue has said it isn't worth getting too hung up on mileage, condition and history are far more important. Bear in mind that all E86s are now 15 to 17 years old and the UK only got 2,289 manual ones, so there aren't going to be to many that have done less than 70K!

Although this one has only done 49K:- viewtopic.php?t=140871

But the Montego Blue one here:- viewtopic.php?t=143591 has done 76K but it's £4,500 cheaper!

On that basis putting 27,000 miles on the first one could potentially lose you £4,500.

I foolishly sold my first E86 on 62K and my second on 91K and I really didn't notice any difference in their performance, and I collected the 2nd only 2 days after the 1st was collected. My 330i has the same engine and it's still performing brilliantly after 122K.

But obviously it's your choice so good luck finding one - they are great cars.

[Zedebee]

And don’t worry about i-drive, no E86 has it.

[Meds]

I'm not hung up on miles at all.
Being a serial BMW owner for the last 20 years, and an N52 130i owner for around 15, I know that condition and maintenance are key, rather than miles.
But, if I can find a low miler, I'd be very happy.

That Silver is fantastic, but I think sold.
The Blue, lovely. I'm slightly put off by the wheels and stereo change taking it away from OEM. I think it's worth investigating, though.

[Meds]

And don’t worry about i-drive, no E86 has it.

Ahh. Fantastic..!
I didn't know that.

[Pondrew]

I'm in Cambridgeshire but willing to travel sensibly.

Good idea. You don't want to be travelling any other manner IMHO!

[Meds]

I'm in Cambridgeshire but willing to travel sensibly.

Good idea. You don't want to be travelling any other manner IMHO!

I see exactly what you did there. Thanks for the chuckle.

[Mr Tidy]

I'm not hung up on miles at all.
Being a serial BMW owner for the last 20 years, and an N52 130i owner for around 15, I know that condition and maintenance are key, rather than miles.
But, if I can find a low miler, I'd be very happy.

That Silver is fantastic, but I think sold.
The Blue, lovely. I'm slightly put off by the wheels and stereo change taking it away from OEM. I think it's worth investigating, though.

OK, fair enough.

When I bought my MC I knew I didn't have the budget for a low miler so I didn't mind 76K, knowing that putting some miles on wouldn't affect it's value that much.

Here's another Montego Blue one that I did see a few times when the previous owner had it and it was stunning. Looked OE but had some lovely mods including an LSD, but mileage might put you off! viewtopic.php?t=143312

[True-Blue]

I'm not hung up on miles at all.
Being a serial BMW owner for the last 20 years, and an N52 130i owner for around 15, I know that condition and maintenance are key, rather than miles.
But, if I can find a low miler, I'd be very happy.

That Silver is fantastic, but I think sold.
The Blue, lovely. I'm slightly put off by the wheels and stereo change taking it away from OEM. I think it's worth investigating, though.

Stereo easy to swap, the wheels would sell no problem if you wanted to go back to 107’s (108’s are a PITA) - but they are genuine BMW style 230’s by BBS and they were in fantastic condition when I sold them… if I was looking for an E86 I’d definitely be trying to view this car