Lude Generation

I bought this 1994 2.3i auto with 4WS unseen through auto trader for £950 in August 2014. I bought it to use it for my daily 80 mile commute involving motorways and urban roads. I didn't expect a lot of it and if it lasted a year then I would have thought it money well spent.

On buying it I removed what was left of an old phone install and replaced the leaking power steering pump and had the rusty wheelarches done. I put in new FLI speakers and a Pioneer MVH-X560BT head unit with bluetooth, iPod etc.

After 2 1/2 years and 40,000 miles I'm still using it for my daily drive and I've really bonded with it. Due to wear, faults or corrosion the rear drop links, tie rods, track rod ends, brake pads and disks, exhaust, fuel pump relay, spoiler, sunroof, PAS pipes and cooler and fog lights have been replaced. The clear coat on the rear numberplate holder was going so I had that resprayed and replaced the number plates with the pre 2001 style. Headlights and side lights now all have upgraded bulbs. For the winter I'm running a spare set of wheels with Falken Eurowinters, in summer I've been using Bridgestone Potenzas.

Now after some back problems I've been looking at the ergonomics. I had the driver's seat resprung and adjusted the pedal height as best I can. The lack of reach adjustment on the steering wheel is still a problem and will mean moving away from stock to get it in the right position for me. The original wheels will probably be refurbed this winter and I might even replace the windscreen.

Now if only I can get 250,000 miles out of it!

Anyhow, here's as it is today.

Very nice and clean.. You sure are looking after it, good work keep it up

Fair play looks in great nick well done, keep it up

I spy a 5G sunroof!! Looks superb throughout, so nice to see an original 4G in such amazing condition!

She looks amazing! 250,000 mile eh? well I'm half way there and at our current rate of miles being added each year, I'll be long dead before my car dies....

Thanks for the encouragement.

@Metalhead Well spotted! I doubt there's a solid 4g sunroof for sale in the U.K. I bought two, both looked ok but once you got under the rubber they weren't repairable. Personally I would have preferred a metal one

@Kordafish I'm on 160k so given my current annual mileage I'll be there in less than six years. I drive through Herts every day on the A41 and M25. Maybe see you one day

This year I'm planning to fit a momo steering wheel (to bring it within reach) refurb the original wheels, fit a new windscreen and repaint the wiper arms.

With all that the thing that still bugs me on a daily basis is the missing handbrake "seal" in the centre console

Tusker, when the weather turns better then maybe we could meet up with our cars, I see you have an Ace cafe sticker does this mean you attend meets there? Maybe we could organise a get together for anyone who is interested

Korda: Sounds like a plan I used to get down the Ace regularly when I was active on the BMW scene, still drop in from time to time as it's just down the road from where I work in Barnet.

Nice one tusker. Lude looks great and that's some great work you have done there, top marks...I would be up for an ace cafe meet, been past it several times but never actuallu been there for a meet.

Ok great, sounds like a few Ludes may be able to meet up as well, I will check out Ace Cafe's website to see if they are planning on doing a Jap day. If not then we could suggest our own date and see who turns up.....