You have read my mind. And i recall BMW did offer discounted maintenance on older cars like my E53, but i'm not aware if that still applies?
I bought the E70 as a "knockabout and not precious", unfussy car for a place where cars are very much secondary. The relocation plans took another hit last week, so are once again on hold pending some clarification.
And I think, having spent far to much money bringing the E70 up to par i wouldnt want to sell it either, but one must go, though maybe not immediately.
Just today on both cars, i fitted the panels inside the armrest box that include the factory 12v socket as well as the AUX-USB connections. Cable was run along the console, behind trim of course, to tap off of the original 12v socket wiring. A budget job having spent about £30 total for all the bits n pieces, including the correct T plugs for the 12v sockets.
Quite a rewarding task
The actual expenditure was £34.26. I did use some in stock connectors valued only in pence. And the reason for this was more connection options. The front 12v socket powers a phone charging mat so it's lost to anything else. I have an iPod connected in the armrest box so not much facility to charge anything else like a tablet while on the move. And i hate leads trailing everywhere, like from the rear 12v socket. But i am of course only justifying my own efforts
