New here and Planning on Joining the fun.

[1N4ttro]

Hello everyone, I have been snooping around for a little while and thinking of buying an 09 E88 6SP M/Winter/Premium/Nav with very low mileage. I have reviewed the buyers guide from this forum (Thanks a Million) and all of the items listed as concerns checked out Ok or have been replaced. Here is what I found though, while test driving noticed that there is a very subtle faint feed back from the shift knob when car is driving on 3rd gear Anyone know about this? The other thing is the soft top had some sort of white marks in some locations.

Are this signs of wear and will rip soon? Other than that the car is 100% and I love it. Thanks in advance for your response.

[Tuxedo]

can't tell from the pic what the markings are. it looks like it could be 3 things depending on conditions
1) mildew and mold
2) frost
3) salt sweat stains like on a baseball cap or ocean mist
i'd take it to an auto/marine upholstery shop in your area

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

can't tell from the pic what the markings are. it looks like it could be 3 things depending on conditions
1) mildew and mold
2) frost
3) salt sweat stains like on a baseball cap or ocean mist
i'd take it to an auto/marine upholstery shop in your area

Thanks. Good to hear that this is not signs of rips to come. How durable and reliable is the soft top on these cars? I never owned a convertible.

[Gray_Panther]

Looks like mildew. The soft tops are very durable, and to retain its durability it is always best to close the top when not driving the car.

Definitely use 303 convertible top cleaner and a soft brush to get the white marks out.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Looks like mildew. The soft tops are very durable, and to retain its durability it is always best to close the top when not driving the car.

Definitely use 303 convertible top cleaner and a soft brush to get the white marks out.

Thanks for the recommendations.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Thanks. Good to hear that this is not signs of rips to come. How durable and reliable is the soft top on these cars? I never owned a convertible.

6.5yrs old top garage kept half of that time. 45k miles my top is in very good condition. A few spots of wear it looks as if when top down might have rubbed itself together.

My top cleaning habits is use nothing but water. bird poop rinse off asap. Never soap the top in hand wash or go to a car wash except at the BMW dealer.

I have read a forum thread of issues for 1er tops many had BMW cover replacement for a known issue on some e88's even out of warranty. most likley those covered tops have all been addressed

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

6.5yrs old top garage kept half of that time. 45k miles my top is in very good condition. A few spots of wear it looks as if when top down might have rubbed itself together.

My top cleaning habits is use nothing but water. bird poop rinse off asap. Never soap the top in hand wash or go to a car wash except at the BMW dealer.

I have read a forum thread of issues for 1er tops many had BMW cover replacement for a known issue on some e88's even out of warranty. most likley those covered tops have all been addressed

Oh uh, looks like the car I am looking at is exhibiting the described symptoms. I guess I will contact my local BMW dealer to see if this is covered out of warranty. Thank you for your help.

[1N4ttro]

Anyone has any ideas/experience on the feed back from the shift knob?

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Anyone has any ideas/experience on the feed back from the shift knob?

Could use some more clarification on this, what kind of feed back? Vibration? Rattling? Sound of screaming souls?

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Could use some more clarification on this, what kind of feed back? Vibration? Rattling? Sound of screaming souls?

It is very subtle vibration, no sound. What gets me is that it is only when driving on 3rd gear and hand on shift knob.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

It is very subtle vibration, no sound. What gets me is that it is only when driving on 3rd gear and hand on shift knob.

Honestly sounds pretty normal, my gear knob isn't 100% smooth either (I pick up a minor amount of drivetrain vibrations, and I will get more once I get some harder trans bushings)

One would argue you shouldn't rest your hand on the shift knob while driving - to reduce the chance of wearing the shift fork.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

It is very subtle vibration, no sound. What gets me is that it is only when driving on 3rd gear and hand on shift knob.

I've had that before too, in both of my 135's, I don't think it's anything to be concerned with.

[1N4ttro]

Great! Thanks you guys. I thought it was a non-issue but better to hear it from people that actually own these cars.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Sound of screaming souls?

[1N4ttro]

One last thing, before I test drove the car it was cold and frosty in the low 30s. I started it cold and it started right up very well and sounded good. I let it warm up for about 15 mins while I talked and set myself up. I went for a drive of about 20mins. I got on back roads and a highway as well and noticed that the engine temperature did not go up as quick as I though it should. When I got back to the dealer the car was still not fully warm to the middle mark. Is this normal or a problem?

[DarthFader]

Yep. That's normal. If the temp is cooler than like 40 deg, mine rarely warms up to the "normal" 245 deg oil temp. More like 225-230 in winter.

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

Yep. That's normal. If the temp is cooler than like 40 deg, mine rarely warms up to the "normal" 245 deg oil temp. More like 225-230 in winter.

Cool, thanks.

[blue135]

Just in case you do not know, the temp gauge in the dash is for oil, not water and that is reflected in DarthFader's response

[1N4ttro]

Originally Posted by blue135

Just in case you do not know, the temp gauge in the dash is for oil, not water and that is reflected in DarthFader's response

Yes, I knew what he meant. That perfectly explains the delay. So I guess in this car one would have to rely on the idiot light for water temp.

[1N4ttro]

Thank you all for your help. I pulled the trigger and will pick it up end of next week
Can't wait to drive it again and like all millennials here is my list in order.
1.Matte Black Tri-Color Grill (I know, I know, Poser Boooo!) but gotta get those extra 3hp u know what I'm saying.
2.JB4 with Charge Pipe and BOV.
3.Rear Black-Line
3.Non-RFT when time comes.
5.Done

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by 1N4ttro

Thank you all for your help. I pulled the trigger and will pick it up end of next week
Can't wait to drive it again and like all millennials here is my list in order.
1.Matte Black Tri-Color Grill (I know, I know, Poser Boooo!) but gotta get those extra 3hp u know what I'm saying.
2.JB4 with Charge Pipe and BOV.
3.Rear Black-Line
3.Non-RFT when time comes.
5.Done

Au contraire, poser breath. This list is just the beginning for you, my friend.

Peace

[Esteban]

I think the ///M colors look nice on the 1er grille. Just don't slap M badges all over your car and you'll be okay.

Welcome to the club and congrats!