Estoril S50 Journal

[137699]

So time for me to start my own journal to track how this car progresses with me....

This S50 was owned by a number of previous forum members before finding its way into my possession via a Lotus dealer in Henley on Thames.

A few photos of it as it was at the point of purchase...






Chosen for it's colour & spec - Estoril blue paint, blue/black interior & Cruise control were "must have's". HK & Sunroof were "desirable.

This car has all the above & being able to trace it's history via this forum was a very added bonus.

I plan to make full use of this car - so it needs to work not only as a piece of automotive history, but also as a daily driver - cruise, Bluetooth, phone & cup holders etc., all very much required.

Things I have initially resolved to address:
- Reinstate the chrome
- Reinstate the estroil "ears" on the steering wheel
- Get the wheels back to silver (possibly high-gloss chrome powdercoat finish)
- Address the MOT advisiories
- Sort the non-functioning Bluetooth on the sony headunit, and look to replace with original BMW radio or something more period
- Install an armrest
- Get a boot carpet so my dog doesn't mess it up too much!
- Install a Brodit phone holder
- Get a spare wheel
- Get it through bodyshop to sort beginnings of rust on sill covers & tailgate
- Get the clutch hose upgrade
- Get some suspension upgrades sorted
- Upgrade the headlamps to "facelift" spec & install some stronger bulbs
- Repair damage to driver's side door card (or replace)
- Repair wobby passenger side wing mirror glass.
- Replace a missing headlamp washer nozzle
- Replace the "slow" clock with a voltmeter
- Hard wire a dashcam

Am umming & ahhing about whether to replace the gearknob with an original BMW illuminated one, but I quite like the chrome one fitted so that may stay.

A few updates to add in the next posts - will try to keep this up to date.

[137699]

So first jobs - to start reinstating the chrome. Found that the side vents had been crudely painted - no prep had been done so the paint just chipped off:




Some of the clips are broken but they seem to stay put so hopefully will not need to be replaced.

However the front grills needed to be replaced as the black ones were cheap copy grills - so the original design were sourced from ebay and reinstated.



Already starting to look a lot nicer


Managed to sort the non-functioning Bluetooth on the stereo - the AMP-REM wire had not been connected so that was easy to fix - the stereo will still have to go at some point - it sounds pretty decent and seems to make the HK audio sing nicely, but just looks out of place and lights up the wrong colour.

A brand new genuine BMW spare wheel also sorted - and bonus, the jack & wheel brace fits in the little mouldings beneath the boot cover!
I've ordered a cover for the wheel and it slots in on the boot floor like a glove!



A few other bits on order & I'm hopefully about to book in with Munich legends for some of the oily bits to be addressed, so more to come soon!

[Dave P]

Grills / chrome look much better

[137699]

Another job ticked off the list - armrest from LeatherZ in the US. Can't say I'm impressed with the quality of the base part, particularly given the cost - feels like pretty thin vacuum moulded plastic and the way it fits with two self tapping screws doesn't make for a "solid German feel" but still, I'm happy enough with it and at least now have somewhere to rest my elbow, better storage, and a bonus cup holder!




In other news - it's booked in with Munich Legends for 16th March to get some of the oily bits sorted.

[137699]

The spare wheel cover has just arrived - has Velcro on one side to hold it to the carpet. Fits like a glove!

[137699]

Phone holder done.

[c_w]

Couple of older style headunits

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/c...dam-bluetooth/

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/c...sqr-46-dab-bt/

[137699]

Originally Posted by c_w

Couple of older style headunits

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/c...dam-bluetooth/

https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/c...sqr-46-dab-bt/

Thanks I’d already clocked the Blaupunkt unit but the Bosch might be a good option, though I’m half tempted to get an original BMW system and use one of the aftermarket Bluetooth modules.

[urquattrogus]

If it were me I'd be trying to use an OEM head unit adapted for bluetooth, or just a separate bluetooth system.

I think the stock head unit is an integral part of the way the dash looks, the BMW business radio has brilliantly clear and simple lines with simple controls and works surprisingly well.

All in my opinion of course, and this is from someone who has fitted plenty of aftermarket over the years :)

[Dave P]

Originally Posted by urquattrogus

If it were me I'd be trying to use an OEM head unit adapted for bluetooth, or just a separate bluetooth system.

I think the stock head unit is an integral part of the way the dash looks, the BMW business radio has brilliantly clear and simple lines with simple controls and works surprisingly well.

All in my opinion of course, and this is from someone who has fitted plenty of aftermarket over the years :)

I agree, the original radios are the only ones that look correct