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Hello all!
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- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:01 pm
Hello all!
After much deliberation, I settled on a BMW Z4 (E85) for my first attempt at a project car. I say first project car, I already own a facelift E65 750i which I didn't intend as a project, and then it kinda became one out of necessity
Having found myself actually enjoying working on my own car for the first time, I decided I wanted a 2-seater convertible and being a bit of a BMW fan, the E85 was the obvious choice for me. I liked the idea of a 'lucky dip' style purchase so used Copart's online auction.
On Thursday I took delivery of my 3.0 SE in Merlot red (110k on the clock), manual with beige/cream roof (at least I believe that is the intended colour, its currently more khaki green with lashings of stray merlot).
Lots to do:
- Failed its MOT in Oct 2021 and hasn't been on the road since
- Both ABS and DSC lights on
- Roof won't open (think we all know what the culprit will be there!)
- Mismatched tyres, cracked and unroadworthy
- Headlights in awful condition
I'm pleasantly surprised by the general condition of the car though - bodywork and interior are in pretty good shape for a 19 year old car which hasn't been on the road for the last two.
I plan to do as much of the work as possible myself, and in time plan to refurb the VANOS and DISA and essentially restore the car to as pristine a condition as my skills and funds will allow. This forum is going to be such a helpful resource for me, I look forward to being part of the community!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199312116@N05/
Having found myself actually enjoying working on my own car for the first time, I decided I wanted a 2-seater convertible and being a bit of a BMW fan, the E85 was the obvious choice for me. I liked the idea of a 'lucky dip' style purchase so used Copart's online auction.
On Thursday I took delivery of my 3.0 SE in Merlot red (110k on the clock), manual with beige/cream roof (at least I believe that is the intended colour, its currently more khaki green with lashings of stray merlot).
Lots to do:
- Failed its MOT in Oct 2021 and hasn't been on the road since
- Both ABS and DSC lights on
- Roof won't open (think we all know what the culprit will be there!)
- Mismatched tyres, cracked and unroadworthy
- Headlights in awful condition
I'm pleasantly surprised by the general condition of the car though - bodywork and interior are in pretty good shape for a 19 year old car which hasn't been on the road for the last two.
I plan to do as much of the work as possible myself, and in time plan to refurb the VANOS and DISA and essentially restore the car to as pristine a condition as my skills and funds will allow. This forum is going to be such a helpful resource for me, I look forward to being part of the community!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/199312116@N05/
Last edited by Merlot Machine on Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2004 E85 3.0i Merlot Red with Beige Hood.
The daily is a 2017 F30 335d M Sport shadow edition in Glacier Silver.
The daily is a 2017 F30 335d M Sport shadow edition in Glacier Silver.
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- Senior Member
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:38 pm
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Hello all!
Welcome to the forum. That roof will be satisfying to clean if it comes up well, or suppose you could just dye it black
Now: Z4MC Titan Silver
Gone: E86 3.0Si Sport Titan Silver - M exhaust + bumper - Battery Relocated - Aero Front
E86 3.0Si Sport Silver Grey - Carbon Diffuser - Aero Kit - B/Box Mod - Storm MW V2
E85 2.5 Si Sport Titan Silver
Gone: E86 3.0Si Sport Titan Silver - M exhaust + bumper - Battery Relocated - Aero Front
E86 3.0Si Sport Silver Grey - Carbon Diffuser - Aero Kit - B/Box Mod - Storm MW V2
E85 2.5 Si Sport Titan Silver
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
- Posts: 24082
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Hello all!
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Merlot with cream leather is such a great colour combination too.
Hope you enjoy the project.
Merlot with cream leather is such a great colour combination too.
Hope you enjoy the project.
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
- 1536Z4
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1690
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:37 pm
- Location: North Shropshire
Hello all!
Welcome . All the best with your new project
Montego Blue E86 . MILV`s . Simpson Custom Manifold Race Exhaust . xHP transmission stage 3 . VT engine mounts . BC RA coilovers . H&R arbs . Adjustable rear camber arms . Ultra Racing front strut brace . Drexler LSD .
- paddy wright
- Lifer
- Posts: 7677
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:00 pm
- Location: south yorkshire
Hello all!
Welcome- was watching this one on copart so glad to see it on the forum. You have the extended leather option too which is quite are. Looks to have sagged on the a pillar though. Welcome along
Z4 2.2 sterling grey,Msport seats,retrofit cupholders,cruise,footwell lights,sound gen and mfsw,18"ellipsoids,xenons+light washers,ZHPknob,folding mirrors,3"stubby,update wheel caps,gateway300 ipod, wind deflector to keep the wife happy!
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4953
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Hello all!
Hi welcome to the forum. Nice colour and from the photos the interior looks to be in good shape
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
- TOMGREEN413
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: Fri Oct 14, 2022 5:41 pm
- Location: Somewhere in deep darkest Wales
Hello all!
Welcome
White e89 Red leather interior (But that's the wife's and don't I know it :/ )
Montego Blue Coupe manual si sport (Faster than the above....much faster
Montego Blue Coupe manual si sport (Faster than the above....much faster
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
- Posts: 15075
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 11:05 am
- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Hello all!
Welcome to the mad house.
The jobs you mention are all very well covered in here with lots of experience to draw on when you need it.
Always happy to help someone rescue a zed.
The jobs you mention are all very well covered in here with lots of experience to draw on when you need it.
Always happy to help someone rescue a zed.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 3274
- Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2019 2:10 pm
- Location: Bristol/Bath
Hello all!
Welcome…
I’ve revived quite a few Z4 roofs now, that one looks like the opportunity for a few hours fun with the potential for some brilliant before and after photo’s.
Milton sterilising tablets first to kill the Algae/mould, followed by Bilt Hamber Surfex HD to remove any stubborn dirt & stains, followed by Johnson’s baby bath (the blue bottle) to rinse everything out at the end… would be my approach with this one
Where are you based?
I’ve revived quite a few Z4 roofs now, that one looks like the opportunity for a few hours fun with the potential for some brilliant before and after photo’s.
Milton sterilising tablets first to kill the Algae/mould, followed by Bilt Hamber Surfex HD to remove any stubborn dirt & stains, followed by Johnson’s baby bath (the blue bottle) to rinse everything out at the end… would be my approach with this one
Where are you based?
Alpina Roadster S Lux no. 204 (1 of 15 uk cars in Alpina Blue)
Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i
Previous Z4’s :E89 30i, E89 20i, E85 3.0Si (X4) E85 3.0i, E86 3.0 Si, E85 2.5si, E85 2.5i
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- Newbie
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:01 pm
Hello all!
Thanks for the warm welcome chaps.
True-Blue - I'm currently in Carmarthenshire with my parents but will be moving to Devizes in the next couple of months all being well. I started trying to clean up the roof before seeing your recommendations, and I'm pretty pleased with the results for a first pass but hoping there's some more revival to be had.
I used Dr Beckmanns upholstery cleaner (two bottles of) as they have that nice little in-built soft brush attached. I then had a go with Meguiars convertible cleaner which I'm not convinced has actually had much effect on top of the Dr Beckmanns.
Do you have any suggestions for spot cleaning? Whilst the worst of it appears to be out, there are several quite stubborn dirty spots.
True-Blue - I'm currently in Carmarthenshire with my parents but will be moving to Devizes in the next couple of months all being well. I started trying to clean up the roof before seeing your recommendations, and I'm pretty pleased with the results for a first pass but hoping there's some more revival to be had.
I used Dr Beckmanns upholstery cleaner (two bottles of) as they have that nice little in-built soft brush attached. I then had a go with Meguiars convertible cleaner which I'm not convinced has actually had much effect on top of the Dr Beckmanns.
Do you have any suggestions for spot cleaning? Whilst the worst of it appears to be out, there are several quite stubborn dirty spots.
2004 E85 3.0i Merlot Red with Beige Hood.
The daily is a 2017 F30 335d M Sport shadow edition in Glacier Silver.
The daily is a 2017 F30 335d M Sport shadow edition in Glacier Silver.