b3 biturbo e92 074 17k sad story

[hap]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... archad=New

Anyone know previous owner this was rebadged at one point

[Bob]

Going off his forum signature, it was JohnW's at some point, but not sure how long ago.

[Bob]

Looks like it's had the CIC upgrade going off the control wheel, but the screen still looks CCC? And, has the steering wheel been retrimmed, looks too fat, but still seems to have the right stitching. The extra gauges are a cool addition.

B3 BITURBO COUPE [E92] #074 475 - Black Sapphire/Black Dakota Leather; 2008_08; £17.0k; 73k; Trade

[JohnW]

Yes I t was mine back through the 50 years anniversary when we drove round Silverstone and I p/xed it at that dealer for the M3. It looks like it hasn’t turned a wheel since then in 2016, same mileage.

It has had new BMW turbos at 70k, new water pump and the mecatronic sleeve and gearbox oil replaced. I fitted the dash gauge as per the GT3 and the thicker, retrimmed Msport wheel by Bespoke Leathering and the later I drive controller it’s plug and play for the Ccc. Refurbished wheels have the PS4s tyres. Nearly new discs and pads all round. I rebadged it.

The only thing that may need a replacement is the HPFP but it was ok when I had it.

A great car, happy memories from that time, but a sad story re the last owner

[Rav]

I have just enquired about this car with the current trade seller, whilst being tied to my desk head deep in teleconferences with the US. I hope my boss is not reading this....

What should I look out for? I will need to part ex my B3 and Boxster S to even get close to the asking price.
@JohnW - I would welcome any additional information you might have about the car.

I have never liked black cars, but this looks very nice and pretty special. Some stripes are all it needs.

[JohnW]

The only other minor issue I had was, I thought it had a bit of a rattle from the exhaust, but may have been just me, paranoid having quite a bit spent to the car.

The high pressure fuel pump seals may have suffered with the car being stood for so long, not a cheap job, but as mentioned I didn't have any long cranks to get it started when it was with me 4-5 years ago.

Dampers are original, there are not dings in panels, just the usual stone chips

I didn't mention it had had a new Securit OEM windscreen too, so the view is pretty clear from the drivers seat, hardly and shrapnel marks. The steering wheel has the LCI paddles fitted rather than the buttons, I was trying to mimic the GT3 partly with the wheel and the dash gauge.

No power fold mirrors, no front parking sensors no sunroof, but that didn't really bother me though.

Any recent service and repair works were done by the mechanic who worked for Peter Michaels BMW specialist in Bolton, including the replacement turbos (he was previously with Ian Anthony main dealer, now WIlliams), he was TUPed to Halfords when they bought the garage, so don't let that put you off, I insisted on Castrol 0W/30 oil changes every year and genuine parts from the main dealer. The engine did not lose any excessive oil at the time either, around the normal half a litre every 6 months perhaps, not even that.

I hope that's a little more for you.

[hashluck]

It has to be said this is a bloody good looking thing and so much car for the money (caveat being that is just off a quick glance and zero research on my part)

[Rav]

Thanks John. I have a call with the seller today to see if i can make the numbers work.

e92 is not my favorite shape.....F90 is where is at, but that is a step change in $$$

[hashluck]

Thanks John. I have a call with the seller today to see if i can make the numbers work.

e92 is not my favorite shape.....F90 is where is at, but that is a step change in $$$

Have to agree with you on E92, It is the curve at the lower rear edge of the doors I think spoils the lines for me. Fortunately, as with the B3 GT3, Black Sapphire hides this well. I am also fortunate that the E46 is the sweet spot for me on shape so no step change required, other than the ongoing peeling of the onion putting the bloody things right!

[JohnW]

Personal choice really

IMO I love the E92 shape, not keen on the dashboard as it’s flatter and not angled towards the driver, better than the E60 and E90 though. E46 for me tended to give a better driving visibility all round (I had a 325SE Coupe), and was equally as good looking, slightly more driver focussed.

[JohnW]

My old car turned up for sale again in Preston, it’s not travelled far recently either but the seller is now asking £20k:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115512632095 ... media=COPY

[Gee]

I fitted the dash gauge as per the GT3 and the thicker, retrimmed Msport wheel by Bespoke Leathering and the later I drive controller it’s plug and play for the Ccc.

Hi John, slightly off topic but would you mind sharing the parts required for the steering wheel and paddle swap? It's something that I would interested in doing as I'm not a huge fan of the standard set up. I was thinking about getting an M Sport wheel and having it retrimmed but I'm not sure if the paddles and wheel would be straight swap. Appreciate any input on this.

[JohnW]

The paddles are a straight swap for the buttons if they are the pre LCI all aluminium type. As is the M Sport wheel.

The post black and aluminium edged LCI paddles, as on mine (I’ve done the same on my current B3 but kept the Alpina wheel, just swapped the buttons for paddles), need to have some internal modifications.

Each paddle has a small internal circuit board. See the attached drawing. There are two small resistors on each, the resistor in parallel needs removing altogether, the resistor in series removing and it linking across on the circuit board with a short piece of wire. Quite an easy job if you can use a small soldering iron. Then the wire in pin 1 of the plug needs moving across to pin 2, this is easy with a sewing pin or similar to push down the pins locking tab and pulling it out of the back of the plug.

Hardest part is getting into each paddle enclosure as they are spring loaded. Then putting it back together without springs and bits flying everywhere!

[JohnW]

The B3 GT3 has the same paddles with alcantara finish. I’m also currently reproducing the main dash trim finisher with the ‘ALPINA’ lettering (silver in my case) lacquered and smoothed into Diamant black.

[Gee]

Thanks very much for that. The post LCI paddles sound a bit too complicated for me but I might just about manage the pre LCI one

To keep all original items in order I may just buy a pre LCI M Sport wheel c/w paddles and have it refurbished. Your current project sounds interesting. Would be interested in seeing the final result.