VO18i - #34

[RickyBobby]

Thought I better get a progress thread up for #34 before it goes

Another unintended purchase but I'd not seen a Valencia Orange car in person before and I liked the look of the interior which is part of the Pure Traction Design package so I thought what the hell and put my money down.

According to the BMW literature Valencia Orange was introduced as an exterior colour option for the 2014 MY and the Pure Traction Design package replaced the Pure Impulse Design package that had previously been available with an Atacama Yellow exterior.

The car is an SDrive 18i that was produced in January 2015 and had done just under 69,000 miles when I collected it.

List of jobs:

SmartTop fitted - Jan 26
New wiper blades - Jan 26
3D printed cup holder installed - Jan 26

 

[RickyBobby]

Obviously I had had a good luck under the boot floor when I picked up the car but I always like to strip out the boot lining on the E89's to check for any water ingress and make sure the rear light grommets are fitted correctly.

So having stripped out the lining and removed and refitted the rear lights I decided to fit the SmartTop module I'd removed from my previous E89 and also bagged up the roof motor as per forum best practice.

The rear light units were both the originals dated November & December 2014 but didn't show any signs of water ingress or failed LED's.

The salmon relays were also the orignals, date stamped 1435, so I will be ordering replacements from Sytner and getting them swapped out.

 

[RickyBobby]

Based on the service history supplied with the car the wipers had previously been replaced in 2022 so I decided to install new wipers and fit the 3D printed cup holder I'd removed from my previous E89.

 

[RickyBobby]

Removed both sill covers to check for any broken clips - all clips intact so just cleaned underneath and refitted.

 

[RickyBobby]

Removed both seats to give the interior carpet a good clean and remove any debris dropped by the previous owner - netted myself £3.55 & 1 euro from under the drivers seat and £1 from under the passenger seat.

Had better financial results from previous exercises but it's the thought that counts

 

[RickyBobby]

Bought some specialist Alcantara cleaner so thought I'd give it a go on the door cards - it sprays on to the fabric brush like a mouse so you can work it in before removing it with a microfibre cloth.

Not transformational but happy enough with the results and at least I know it's been done.

 

[Z Victor 1]

??? Update ?

 

[RickyBobby]

Being a facelift model the car already benefits from Bluetooth telephone connectivity without need of the obsolete phone holder and because it doesn't have the storage compartment package (493) option there are no annoying cupholders under the armrest.

As a result it has a very useable storage area under the armrest and all I need to fit for Bluetooth music is a cheap USB / AUX adapter - in addition I always find the ashtray compartment on the E89's serves as the perfect phone holder without need of any vent or dash based clip on or stick on adapters

 

[Paul Rice]

Has 33 gone now?

 

[RickyBobby]

Has 33 gone now?

No the Elf is still here but on a SORN after it's MOT last week.

 

[bombur]

I think this looks your best E89 yet?

 

[AleNod]

You Sir, are a Legend. Herself would not let me get away with what you do - Respect !

 

[AntStark]

How much is it ?

 

[RickyBobby]

How much is it ?

Just remember you are only ever one offer away from another car

 

[AntStark]

Just remember you are only ever one offer away from another car

That was actually a genuine question

 

[RickyBobby]

Managed to get the first wash on the car this morning so thought I'd take a video of the SmartTOP in operation - wheels look tatty but they are off for a refurb next week

View: https://youtu.be/29E6mdzRZjo?si=sE5-Betr8JQsfhqA

 

[RickyBobby]

Well I've had a few E89's with 2 and some with 1 but this one has 3 so I thought I better number them.

Appreciate I could have used different keyrings but I dont like anything hanging off the E89 fob as it has a tendancy to catch your knee.

The weird thing was when I put the numbers on I noticed one of the fobs has its own battery - the type you get with comfort access which this car doesnt have.

Anyway the other two keys look newer and are the standard type (no battery) so the idea behind the numbering is that I can rotate usage on a monthly basis to keep them all charged.

Tested them all beforehand to make sure they all work and each removable key operates the barrel. It wouldn't be the first time I've had a fob with a removable key that doesn't operate the barrel.

Yes I know all very boring - has it stopped raining yet

 

[Pond]

Anyway the other two keys look newer and are the standard type (no battery) so the idea behind the numbering is that I can rotate usage on a monthly basis to keep them all charged.

May be prudent for you to rotate them on an hourly basis......you won't have the car in a month!

 

[AntStark]

‘Comfort access’.. ..is that BMW speak for keyless entry ?

 

[RickyBobby]

May be prudent for you to rotate them on an hourly basis......you won't have the car in a month!

I walked straight in to that one - good point