1000 mile update:
Loving this car so far, going to be difficult to keep the miles down below 5k/year as I'd intended.
It feel quick everywhere and pretty ballistic if you really give it some, handles really well and the build quality is a step up from my 130i.
And of course it looks the absolute bollox, wheel arches and thuggishness still surprise me when I see it on the drive
Few things I've done so far to make it "mine".
1. Milltek cat-back, non-resonated exhaust. Sounds fantastic, kind of a cross between an E46 M3 and an M Performance back box 130i. Milltek don't do slash cut pipes which I'd have preferred (might look into having them changed in the future) but sound, quality and ease of fitment made it 1st choice.
Quick sound clip here (not many rpm's though) at 2:11
2. M Performace pedals, full set of rubber mats.
3. Knocked the guts out of CDV, as expected not the massive improvement some would have you believe.
4. Full set of fresh MPS4S tyres
5. OEM Front discs + Textar pads all round (my favourite for the road) all round. Previous owner had stored the car for a couple of years so discs were badly corroded and pad material had rusted onto discs - pads had lumps missing out of them. Fluid change and bleed.
6. DIY paint "correction". Not as good as a pro job but happy with the results. Just wish it was easier to keep paint clean and scratch free.
7. Annoying squeaks in drivers A pillar and center arm rest cured with felt tape and silicone lube.
Still to do:
1. Engine oil/filter, Diff oil, Gearbox oil and power steering fluid flush/change - one of which is due but I'm an over-maintainer.
2. Gearshift is lovely but I'd like a shorter throw. Looking into improvising a short shift lever using OEM bits.
3. OCD means wheels could probably use a refurb but I'll do that over winter when not using it so much.
4. Continue replacing rusty/broken fasteners, fixings etc as I find them.