Thought I'd start a bit of a project thread for my new daily which is an E90 318d, because as always I can't help but tinker with bits and bobs as I'm never happy to just keep a car standard now am I? (anyone following my "Frankenstein's creation" project thread will know)
I know this site (unfortunately) is not what it used to be in terms of numbers and people actually engaging in posts, so this will be more of a way of me keeping up with what I've done to her. I've always loved going back through my E30 project thread and seeing the highs and lows and the progress I've made over the years.
Before this I had a VW golf and was so bored of it, I've never really been a VW man so was always on the hunt for a decent BMW. After looking at numerous high mileage overpriced bmw's I found one that was actually worth the money!
It was taken in by a trader as a part ex so he was eager to get rid on the cheap.
The good parts:
- Recently had clutch and flywheel replaced exceeding £1000 in costs
- Recently had brake discs and pads all round replaced / engine serviced - part service history
- Full leather interior in excellent condition
- Exterior bodywork very good condition for its age
- No MOT as it had a cracked windscreen
- ABS light on
- Tyres worn all round but fronts basically bald
- No idrive - Not exactly a bad point but I've always said a modern BMW without Idrive is pointless (just my personal preference)
So he had it up for £995 as he told me from the get go - was a part ex he has no intention of getting it ready for resale due to the age and vehicle will not make him much money. The interior was not filthy but not exactly clean which anyone on here will know how OCD I am with my cars so I wasn't too fussed as I would give it a good going over anyway.
So I offered him £800 (as you do) and a week later it was on my driveway
So I got to work giving it a nice clean up inside and out.
Fixed the little bits that needed doing like these common E90 sticky handles
Gave the engine bay some love and while I was there replaced the crankcase breather hose which was perished af
Also noticed the common problem on these - the vibration damper perishing and thought I'd do some preventative maintenance before it goes so replaced this and the belt tensioner because the old one was looking tired.
Gave it a full service including Fuel filter, Nothing was really very dirty but I service all cars I buy no matter if its just been serviced or not.
Started righting those MOT failures.
The old ABS sensor touching the drive shaft ring issue. So got a new sensor on it with a washer to stop it happening again.
Warning light now off and ABS working as it should.
Got those tyres ordered up and took them to my mates workshop so I could fit and balance them using his machine.
Got back and started on cleaning up the wheels - when I say the brake dust was baked on I'm not exaggerating!
Nothing a bit of devils juice wheel cleaner and a LOT of scrubbing couldn't cure
Also replaced the centre badges.
Got to work on the body and I have never seen this much Tar on a car before - it literally felt and sounded like I was running my fingers across sandpaper.
Normal washing wasn't touching it so I had to get some paint safe fallout remover:
Took a fair few passes of using that - rinsing then repeating - Then I clay'd and mopped it and the end result wasn't bad at all..
So now she was sitting pretty so the day came for my windscreen replacement and MOT.
Passed with a couple of advisories for a rear number plate and rear shocks not damping very well, so of course I replaced the rear plate and ordered up some genuine Sachs Msport shocks.
[/url]Oh, and after the MOT i took it to one of my mates for a bit of lets say, freshening up
Just a stage 1 remap and deleted the EGR which made the world of difference, it feels much more responsive and the fuel economy has been improved too.
Now she was taxed and tested, running good, looking good. But not in all areas. . . Like i said earlier about the Idrive..I was looking online for a while when this complete retrofit kit turned up for an amazing price (compared to buying everything separately which would have costed way more than I would have wanted to spend )
So it arrived and I got to work
Before
During
After
Also fitted one of these android auto units so I can have the OEM idrive interface and with the press of a button have android auto etc.
How she sits today
Side by side
and thats basically where I am with her at the moment, enjoying having a BMW as a daily again.
Next on my list of a bit of preventative measures is the dreaded N47 timing chain, I havent got any history of it being replaced and its just passed 160k miles so its definitely due..
Only thing I'm now contemplating is whether to get INA or Febi bilstein . . oh and I need an engine crane again as I gave away my old one..
