The practical E9* thread

Em135eye · 07-08-2010, 04:21 PM

Much talk about 24" rims, lowering, chipping, fitting "Performance" door handles, M Sport cup holders, etc, etc.

What about a thread for the practical side of our E9*s?

Done a bit of camping recently and while a damp grassy campsite is a danger zone for any E9*, it generally made a great practical vehicle:

Decent stereo for sounds
Glovebox torch very handy
Interior and puddle lighting very handy
The dog happily slept in the boot
Plenty of space
Can sit "in" (well on the bumper lip) the boot if it rains.
Two 12v sockets handy for mobile charging
Multiple storage options useful for tying stuff down, carrying bottles of booze and separating bits and bobs (I think I have an extended storage pack or something)

And for surfing:

Plenty of room for the boards
Heaters kick in quickly
Gets me there fast
Doesn't break down
Easy to fit roofrack if lots of boards needed
Split tailgate very handy

Any other "practical" stories from our less testosterone fuelled members?!

MB London · 07-08-2010, 04:29 PM

This thread would be like tuning into top gear only to find clarkson doing a review on a VW lupo. I much prefer watching top
Gear when they are testing super cars

PJJ · 07-08-2010, 04:36 PM

I'm off to Silverstone camping in my new to me E91 this weekend so I'm glad to hear your positive views.

However I think the cabin storage for a bigish car is shockingly bad. The glove box is tiny considering the size of the dash and the door pockets are next to useless.

pjs · 07-08-2010, 04:41 PM

Red bull chiller under armrest
Screw in holes for my thule roof bars/bike rack/roof box
Split fold rear seats
4 x cupholders
Stopwatch
RFT's

Thats it.

PhilL · 07-08-2010, 05:12 PM

Heated seats are a godsend after chilly days in the great outdoors.

There's something most satisfying about leaving boy-racers for dead with a car full of stuff and bikes on the roof

zltm089 · 07-08-2010, 07:35 PM

I've got rear seats!

Em135eye · 07-09-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB London

This thread would be like tuning into top gear only to find clarkson doing a review on a VW lupo. I much prefer watching top
Gear when they are testing super cars

I suggest you stick to the M Sport indicator stalk threads then...

ghosty · 07-09-2010, 03:01 AM

my cars practicle enough, 4 comfy seats and a huge boot. the boot is not much off the saloon i last had so plenty of room for kids stuff and bags etc. more than enough for a long weekend/week away. also loving the split fold seats (as standard!) had to use them already

the car could do with a few more storage places up front though

MB London · 07-09-2010, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335diesel

I suggest you stick to the M Sport indicator stalk threads then...

I guess I should, It’s a photo finish but I make that just slightly more interesting then ‘very handy glove box torches’

Em135eye · 07-09-2010, 03:29 AM

So then MB, why don't you have a Cayman S, a 370Z, a Z4 35is, an SL AMG, a Caterham or one of many other truly focussed drivers cars?

ed335d · 07-09-2010, 04:15 AM

Wipe clean leather for those 'embarrassing spillages'

RagingKileak · 07-09-2010, 04:44 AM

I find my 135 especially annoying because whilst it has many practical things, it lacks for some almost no brainers - like a proper cup holder.

There is one of a sort below the arm rest in the centre console, but it is absolute bobbins and makes the armrest unusable. Also because the armrest hides the USB interface, when I plug my iPod in and try to have a drink, there is a general clutter of armrest up, cables and drink all over the central console.

BMW = FAIL.

Matt

Em135eye · 07-09-2010, 04:50 AM

135i is quite dinky though!

I just like having a car that will carry all I need in comfort then blast off troublesome reps/chavs without breaking a sweat.

The leather is handy ed - especially with a baby!

Built in rear sunblinds are also a superb options when you have kids - a lot of people forget to spec them. We were lucky that the used one we bought already had them - every highish spec car should have them.

doughboy · 07-09-2010, 05:00 AM

335...

Great thread IMO.

+1 on the rear door roller blinds (and sun glass). Our little girl and any passengers love em, forget the Twin Turbo 306 BHP, just look at my freeking roller blinds!!!

Leccy ones will defo be on my next car!

+1 on the lack of well shaped cabin storage, but if I wanted great storage I should have bought a Focus S Max, compomises have to be made...

BTW If you have the extended storage pack, have you used your rear bumper / loading protector built into the underfloor storage lid?

Great for laying out the over the bumper on the beach or camping to protect the bumper from little nicks or scratches from endless stuff coming in and out of the boot.

....and keeps clean trousers away from the grubby bumper when loading in Winter.

I bought the BMW fitted soft boot liner tray too, brilliant, just get home from trips and chuck out all the sand / mud / detritous in one go. Stops stuff sliding around and keeps the carpet perfect for sell on time..

RagingKileak · 07-09-2010, 05:13 AM

Plenty of room for a cuprest if they had only thought for more than 8 seconds about it!

Matt

Em135eye · 07-09-2010, 05:14 AM

Dough - I bought a full boot liner (tough canvas) with a bumper protector. Totally waterproof and leaves the boot sand and dog hair free. Not BMW but it fits very well.

Will check to see if I have that built in one...

Not handy for us with our super obedient dog who stays put but the built in dog guard net thing is great too (part of the boot cover thing - that weighs a tonne).

Comments on mine are similar too - never mind the engine, it's always the brown leather, the big sunroof and the blinds!

toxicnerve · 07-09-2010, 05:21 AM

I see our surfing friend is still completely and utterly in love with his motor!!

Jon D · 07-09-2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilL

There's something most satisfying about leaving boy-racers for dead with a car full of stuff and bikes on the roof

Just discovered that particular joy for myself - good fun isn't it?

PhilL · 07-09-2010, 05:27 AM

The cupholders annoy me as I can't get a decent size water bottle in them - the door pockets in the Mk5 Golf I had before were shaped so you could get a bigger bottle in them; a neat little design feature IMO.

E902717 · 07-09-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxicnerve

I see our surfing friend is still completely and utterly in love with his motor!!

I know, he would love it even more if it was a M-sport

toxicnerve · 07-09-2010, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilL

The cupholders annoy me as I can't get a decent size water bottle in them

This is so true. The cup holders in the E92 are too shallow for another other than a regular can (330ml) or a small coffee cup. Anything taller has a tendancy to want to fall over.

Em135eye · 07-09-2010, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E902717

I know, he would love it even more if it was a M-sport

Ooooh noooo I wouldn't. Front spoiler would now be lying at the bottom of my drive and the wheels would have broken by now

What's wrong with liking our car? Isn't that fairly normal? Can't think of any other car that looks fairly sleeperish, is practical yet goes like the clappers and handles well. That's why I like it a lot.

07-08-2010, 04:21 PM	#1
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	*The practical E9 thread** Much talk about 24" rims, lowering, chipping, fitting "Performance" door handles, M Sport cup holders, etc, etc. What about a thread for the practical side of our E9s? Done a bit of camping recently and while a damp grassy campsite is a danger zone for any E9, it generally made a great practical vehicle: Decent stereo for sounds Glovebox torch very handy Interior and puddle lighting very handy The dog happily slept in the boot Plenty of space Can sit "in" (well on the bumper lip) the boot if it rains. Two 12v sockets handy for mobile charging Multiple storage options useful for tying stuff down, carrying bottles of booze and separating bits and bobs (I think I have an extended storage pack or something) And for surfing: Plenty of room for the boards Heaters kick in quickly Gets me there fast Doesn't break down Easy to fit roofrack if lots of boards needed Split tailgate very handy Any other "practical" stories from our less testosterone fuelled members?!
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07-08-2010, 04:29 PM	#2
MB London Come as you are 136 Rep 1,404 Posts Drives: M4 SSll Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	This thread would be like tuning into top gear only to find clarkson doing a review on a VW lupo. I much prefer watching top Gear when they are testing super cars
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07-08-2010, 04:36 PM	#3
PJJ Enlisted Member 1 Rep 37 Posts Drives: F31 330D Join Date: May 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I'm off to Silverstone camping in my new to me E91 this weekend so I'm glad to hear your positive views. However I think the cabin storage for a bigish car is shockingly bad. The glove box is tiny considering the size of the dash and the door pockets are next to useless.
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07-08-2010, 04:41 PM	#4
pjs Colonel 274 Rep 2,774 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NORTH iTrader: (1)	Red bull chiller under armrest Screw in holes for my thule roof bars/bike rack/roof box Split fold rear seats 4 x cupholders Stopwatch RFT's Thats it.
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07-08-2010, 05:12 PM	#5
PhilL Captain 62 Rep 629 Posts Drives: M2, F15 X5 4.0d Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Middle Lands iTrader: (0)	Heated seats are a godsend after chilly days in the great outdoors. There's something most satisfying about leaving boy-racers for dead with a car full of stuff and bikes on the roof
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07-08-2010, 07:35 PM	#6
zltm089 Banned 244 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	I've got rear seats!
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07-09-2010, 03:01 AM	#8
ghosty Lieutenant 13 Rep 497 Posts Drives: e92 335d se Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Essex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335d SE [0.00]	my cars practicle enough, 4 comfy seats and a huge boot. the boot is not much off the saloon i last had so plenty of room for kids stuff and bags etc. more than enough for a long weekend/week away. also loving the split fold seats (as standard!) had to use them already the car could do with a few more storage places up front though
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07-09-2010, 03:29 AM	#10
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	So then MB, why don't you have a Cayman S, a 370Z, a Z4 35is, an SL AMG, a Caterham or one of many other truly focussed drivers cars?
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07-09-2010, 04:15 AM	#11
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Wipe clean leather for those 'embarrassing spillages' __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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07-09-2010, 04:44 AM	#12
RagingKileak Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	I find my 135 especially annoying because whilst it has many practical things, it lacks for some almost no brainers - like a proper cup holder. There is one of a sort below the arm rest in the centre console, but it is absolute bobbins and makes the armrest unusable. Also because the armrest hides the USB interface, when I plug my iPod in and try to have a drink, there is a general clutter of armrest up, cables and drink all over the central console. BMW = FAIL. Matt
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07-09-2010, 04:50 AM	#13
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	135i is quite dinky though! I just like having a car that will carry all I need in comfort then blast off troublesome reps/chavs without breaking a sweat. The leather is handy ed - especially with a baby! Built in rear sunblinds are also a superb options when you have kids - a lot of people forget to spec them. We were lucky that the used one we bought already had them - every highish spec car should have them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2010, 05:00 AM	#14
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,972 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	335... Great thread IMO. +1 on the rear door roller blinds (and sun glass). Our little girl and any passengers love em, forget the Twin Turbo 306 BHP, just look at my freeking roller blinds!!! Leccy ones will defo be on my next car! +1 on the lack of well shaped cabin storage, but if I wanted great storage I should have bought a Focus S Max, compomises have to be made... BTW If you have the extended storage pack, have you used your rear bumper / loading protector built into the underfloor storage lid? Great for laying out the over the bumper on the beach or camping to protect the bumper from little nicks or scratches from endless stuff coming in and out of the boot. ....and keeps clean trousers away from the grubby bumper when loading in Winter. I bought the BMW fitted soft boot liner tray too, brilliant, just get home from trips and chuck out all the sand / mud / detritous in one go. Stops stuff sliding around and keeps the carpet perfect for sell on time.. Last edited by doughboy; 07-09-2010 at 05:12 AM..
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07-09-2010, 05:13 AM	#15
RagingKileak Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,655 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (2)	Plenty of room for a cuprest if they had only thought for more than 8 seconds about it! Matt
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07-09-2010, 05:14 AM	#16
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Dough - I bought a full boot liner (tough canvas) with a bumper protector. Totally waterproof and leaves the boot sand and dog hair free. Not BMW but it fits very well. Will check to see if I have that built in one... Not handy for us with our super obedient dog who stays put but the built in dog guard net thing is great too (part of the boot cover thing - that weighs a tonne). Comments on mine are similar too - never mind the engine, it's always the brown leather, the big sunroof and the blinds!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-09-2010, 05:21 AM	#17
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	I see our surfing friend is still completely and utterly in love with his motor!!
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07-09-2010, 05:27 AM	#19
PhilL Captain 62 Rep 629 Posts Drives: M2, F15 X5 4.0d Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Middle Lands iTrader: (0)	The cupholders annoy me as I can't get a decent size water bottle in them - the door pockets in the Mk5 Golf I had before were shaped so you could get a bigger bottle in them; a neat little design feature IMO.
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