M135i - new car clean
Discussion
The good weather over the last few days has allowed me to not only start but also finish the detail on the new car.
Was going to pay to have it corrected (even though I'm reasonably competent with my Flex) but on arrival there was a pleasant surprise in that there was little in the way of correction needed (one of the advantages of getting the car from a dealer who know me).
Products used (in approximate order of work done)
Paintwork
EZ Car Care - Artic Meltdown foam
Autobrite Purple Rain
Migliore Ultimo clay towel
CarPro Essence
CarPro CQUK
CarPro Reload
Wheels
Auto Finesse Imperial
Gyeon Q2 Rim
Gyeon Q2M Cure
Valet Pro Classic tyre dressing
Exhaust
Auto Finesse Mercury
Nasiol Metalcoat
Wheelarches
303 Protectant
Nasiol Metalcoat
Glass
Autobrite Crystal
Angelwax H2GO
Interior
Gyeon Q2 Leathercoat
GTechniq C6 Matte Dash
Autofinesse Rag Top protector (mats / carpets)
Pretty happy with the result. Only issue I had was with some streaking of the CQUK this morning - think the paint was a little too warm when applied so stripped affected areas back and reapplied - can't see the join.
Two and a half days of work but hoping this should keep everything relatively low maintenance for the next few months.
Only change made to date is swapping over to the 335i tailpipe trims to replace the pretty dire standard tips
Was going to pay to have it corrected (even though I'm reasonably competent with my Flex) but on arrival there was a pleasant surprise in that there was little in the way of correction needed (one of the advantages of getting the car from a dealer who know me).
Products used (in approximate order of work done)
Paintwork
EZ Car Care - Artic Meltdown foam
Autobrite Purple Rain
Migliore Ultimo clay towel
CarPro Essence
CarPro CQUK
CarPro Reload
Wheels
Auto Finesse Imperial
Gyeon Q2 Rim
Gyeon Q2M Cure
Valet Pro Classic tyre dressing
Exhaust
Auto Finesse Mercury
Nasiol Metalcoat
Wheelarches
303 Protectant
Nasiol Metalcoat
Glass
Autobrite Crystal
Angelwax H2GO
Interior
Gyeon Q2 Leathercoat
GTechniq C6 Matte Dash
Autofinesse Rag Top protector (mats / carpets)
Pretty happy with the result. Only issue I had was with some streaking of the CQUK this morning - think the paint was a little too warm when applied so stripped affected areas back and reapplied - can't see the join.
Two and a half days of work but hoping this should keep everything relatively low maintenance for the next few months.
Only change made to date is swapping over to the 335i tailpipe trims to replace the pretty dire standard tips
Was awake nice and early this morning, that combined with some sunshine and no household chores so me grab my camera and get some driving and reasonable car pics taken.
Done just over 500 miles and is starting to loosen up nicely, quickly compiling a lists of likes and dislikes:
Likes: - the engine is sublime, smooth but with a real kick, relieved as this was one of the main reasons for choosing this over the cars on the list. Business nav is better than I expected and as I no longer plough up and down the motorways is more than up to the job for me. The seats are extremely good
Dislikes: - tyre noise is intrusive but as I'm not doing big miles its certainly bearable. Stupid design flaw sees water dropping on to the rear seat as soon as a rear door is opened and its raining - not being a rear seat passenger this is not a problem for me buts its not ideal. Biggest issue is the initial floatiness when travelling at above 8/10 pace, taking a little getting used to
Summary so far - as a compact A road blaster its great but much less well suited to B roads, perhaps a set of Eibachs would sort out the floatiness
Done just over 500 miles and is starting to loosen up nicely, quickly compiling a lists of likes and dislikes:
Likes: - the engine is sublime, smooth but with a real kick, relieved as this was one of the main reasons for choosing this over the cars on the list. Business nav is better than I expected and as I no longer plough up and down the motorways is more than up to the job for me. The seats are extremely good
Dislikes: - tyre noise is intrusive but as I'm not doing big miles its certainly bearable. Stupid design flaw sees water dropping on to the rear seat as soon as a rear door is opened and its raining - not being a rear seat passenger this is not a problem for me buts its not ideal. Biggest issue is the initial floatiness when travelling at above 8/10 pace, taking a little getting used to
Summary so far - as a compact A road blaster its great but much less well suited to B roads, perhaps a set of Eibachs would sort out the floatiness
Edited by Andy665 on Sunday 26th June 20:26
Decided to have a day in Llandudno today with the family- as the M135i has done 2000 miles and is fully loosened up so rather than go A55, boring dual carriageway it was A5, decent combination of speed and fun.
The way back I decided to take the chance to really put the car through its paces and found some truly amazing roads.
I have driven the EVO Triangle many times and these roads are even more fun and more challenging
A470 out of Conwy to Llanwrst, B5427 to Nebo, B5113 to Pentrefoelas, few miles on A5 then right on to B4501 to Fran-goch, left on to A4212 to Bala, B4391 to Penybontfawr, then B4396 to Knockin and A5 just south of Oswestry.
About 110 miles home of which about half must have been B roads and mostly clear of traffic.
Real bonding session with the car, was worked very hard and never faltered, definitely needs concentration to extract the best out of it but RWD is so much more fun than FWD, would my second choice car (Golf R) been quicker - quite possibly but I doubt it would have left me with the same sense of satisfaction of me actually driving the car rather than it sorting everything out for me
Today has made me realise just what a misunderstood car the M135i is - it definitely does not flatter you like a lot of cars, you have to drive it and understand it - then it starts to deliver - its a very analogue car in a digital age and all the better for it in my opinion
Still feel that its over sprung and underdamped but I'm learning to live with that, in gear acceleration is relentless, brakes are superb and its nice dealing with oversteer rather than safe but dull understeer
The way back I decided to take the chance to really put the car through its paces and found some truly amazing roads.
I have driven the EVO Triangle many times and these roads are even more fun and more challenging
A470 out of Conwy to Llanwrst, B5427 to Nebo, B5113 to Pentrefoelas, few miles on A5 then right on to B4501 to Fran-goch, left on to A4212 to Bala, B4391 to Penybontfawr, then B4396 to Knockin and A5 just south of Oswestry.
About 110 miles home of which about half must have been B roads and mostly clear of traffic.
Real bonding session with the car, was worked very hard and never faltered, definitely needs concentration to extract the best out of it but RWD is so much more fun than FWD, would my second choice car (Golf R) been quicker - quite possibly but I doubt it would have left me with the same sense of satisfaction of me actually driving the car rather than it sorting everything out for me
Today has made me realise just what a misunderstood car the M135i is - it definitely does not flatter you like a lot of cars, you have to drive it and understand it - then it starts to deliver - its a very analogue car in a digital age and all the better for it in my opinion
Still feel that its over sprung and underdamped but I'm learning to live with that, in gear acceleration is relentless, brakes are superb and its nice dealing with oversteer rather than safe but dull understeer
Edited by Andy665 on Saturday 24th September 21:20
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