I've owned this car for nearly 7 years, and I can hardly bear to let it go, but it has recently lost its garage slot to a skyline GT-R and is not getting the use it deserves. It had a decent amount of money spent on it last summer for a trip to the nurburgring, at which it performed absolutely faultlessly. We all know that a standard iS isn't a very fast car, but the way it handles on the track and road makes for a very pleasurable driving experience. Before the trip I fitted:
Brand new fuel tank and Bosch fuel pump
New clutch (LUK)
Pair of good used wings as the originals were starting to rust
New front discs (Mintex)
New front pads (Pagid)
[rears have loads of meat left on them]
Pair of rear tyres (Proxes T1-R)
New blue temp sender (car runs at about a quarter on the gauge when rolling along, by all accounts this isn't a worry)
Previously to this it's had:
Brand new radiator, coolant flushed and replaced (blue)
New alternator and battery
Lowered 60/60 on lowering springs and dampers. It has had a few different suspension setups and the current one rides and handles extremely well in my opinion
Brand new sump and baffle fitted by BMW after damaged was caused by an airport parking company. As they admitted liabilty I made sure it was done properly, and the underside was inspected to ensure no other damage was done.
ITG panel filter in standard airbox
Custom made exhaust. When I bought the car it had the twin backbox bodged on to a rotting standard system. I had this remade in a slightly larger diameter from the middle box back. Please note the exhaust is quite loud but is still in perfect condition. I think it sounds really good but it may be too noisy for some. I've done a lot of long journeys in the car and it's not all that bad on the motorway (either that or it's deafened me).
Kenwood stereo with aux in, connected to blaupunkt in-window aerial, as the boot mounted aerial has been deleted and smoothed over.
Hartge 15" wheels. They are in very good original condition and I have the centre caps, just prefer the look without them. Front tyres are Toyo Proxes 4 with loads of tread. There's a set on eBay in pretty bad condition without tyres for £850, which of course proves absolutely nothing apart from the fact that there are some chancers out there. They are light, strong rims and run straight and true. This car even lacks the built in BMW wobble at any speed, which is unusual in my experience.
There are probably loads more bits I've missed, but the car has wanted for nothing mechanically in my ownership. I will get some more detailed photos tomorrow to try and show the bodywork in more detail.
In the photo above a small rust patch is visible. It is just a surface scab and is the only bit on the car. Scuttle, inner wings, sills, jacking points, around the sunroof etc are all excellent. I know this car inside out and have never found any cause for concern. That said, the paint and body condition isn't perfect, with bits here and there that could be improved.
Inside, the front seat bases both have small splits in them, so would need recovering to make perfect. The dash is unusual in being crack-free, however. Car will come with a tech 1 wheel (in need of re stitching) and leather Momo gearknob.
I will be truly gutted to see this car go, but it's not getting nearly enough use. It has been the most endearing and fun to drive car I've ever owner, as well as being one of the most economical, averaging 39mpg day to day (I found this hard to believe at first but that's what it gets. The shell is solid if a tiny bit scruffy in places, and the engine is perfect, using or losing absolutely no oil or water. There are shinier ones out there but I am confident this one drives at least as well, if not better than the shiniest. Open to sensible offers, but no swaps please, I need the driveway space!
Thanks for looking. Better photos to follow
Brand new fuel tank and Bosch fuel pump
New clutch (LUK)
Pair of good used wings as the originals were starting to rust
New front discs (Mintex)
New front pads (Pagid)
[rears have loads of meat left on them]
Pair of rear tyres (Proxes T1-R)
New blue temp sender (car runs at about a quarter on the gauge when rolling along, by all accounts this isn't a worry)
Previously to this it's had:
Brand new radiator, coolant flushed and replaced (blue)
New alternator and battery
Lowered 60/60 on lowering springs and dampers. It has had a few different suspension setups and the current one rides and handles extremely well in my opinion
Brand new sump and baffle fitted by BMW after damaged was caused by an airport parking company. As they admitted liabilty I made sure it was done properly, and the underside was inspected to ensure no other damage was done.
ITG panel filter in standard airbox
Custom made exhaust. When I bought the car it had the twin backbox bodged on to a rotting standard system. I had this remade in a slightly larger diameter from the middle box back. Please note the exhaust is quite loud but is still in perfect condition. I think it sounds really good but it may be too noisy for some. I've done a lot of long journeys in the car and it's not all that bad on the motorway (either that or it's deafened me).
Kenwood stereo with aux in, connected to blaupunkt in-window aerial, as the boot mounted aerial has been deleted and smoothed over.
Hartge 15" wheels. They are in very good original condition and I have the centre caps, just prefer the look without them. Front tyres are Toyo Proxes 4 with loads of tread. There's a set on eBay in pretty bad condition without tyres for £850, which of course proves absolutely nothing apart from the fact that there are some chancers out there. They are light, strong rims and run straight and true. This car even lacks the built in BMW wobble at any speed, which is unusual in my experience.
There are probably loads more bits I've missed, but the car has wanted for nothing mechanically in my ownership. I will get some more detailed photos tomorrow to try and show the bodywork in more detail.
In the photo above a small rust patch is visible. It is just a surface scab and is the only bit on the car. Scuttle, inner wings, sills, jacking points, around the sunroof etc are all excellent. I know this car inside out and have never found any cause for concern. That said, the paint and body condition isn't perfect, with bits here and there that could be improved.
Inside, the front seat bases both have small splits in them, so would need recovering to make perfect. The dash is unusual in being crack-free, however. Car will come with a tech 1 wheel (in need of re stitching) and leather Momo gearknob.
I will be truly gutted to see this car go, but it's not getting nearly enough use. It has been the most endearing and fun to drive car I've ever owner, as well as being one of the most economical, averaging 39mpg day to day (I found this hard to believe at first but that's what it gets. The shell is solid if a tiny bit scruffy in places, and the engine is perfect, using or losing absolutely no oil or water. There are shinier ones out there but I am confident this one drives at least as well, if not better than the shiniest. Open to sensible offers, but no swaps please, I need the driveway space!
Thanks for looking. Better photos to follow
