BMW 325i touring
Discussion
helix402 said:
I have a slimmed retrimmed wheel with an individual trim on my 335d. Matched with an M3 handbrake grip. Both matching nappa.
Was that done by Royal? I'm considering my options for the steering wheel on my E91 which is looking a bit past its best, and I think I'd like to try a slimmer grip too as the sport wheel is too much. I'd consider an SE wheel but I'm assuming it requires a new airbag and trim etc, making it more expensive than a retrim of my existing wheel.pmorg4 said:
Was that done by Royal? I'm considering my options for the steering wheel on my E91 which is looking a bit past its best, and I think I'd like to try a slimmer grip too as the sport wheel is too much. I'd consider an SE wheel but I'm assuming it requires a new airbag and trim etc, making it more expensive than a retrim of my existing wheel.
The three wheels (and trim pieces) that I'd had done were all by Royal.They do a really good job in my experience; the wheels were £180.
An SE wheel will need new trim but the airbag is the same. I fitted an SE wheel to my other half's 125i because that was what was fitted to her previous 116 and it'd been trimmed. They appear to feel a bit different to hold, I'm not sure why but it never felt as nice as the thinned down wheel in my 130i.
Royal did mine too in the same leather patterning of the stock M Sport steering wheel. The difference is that the quality of the leather appears to be far superior! I'd have to check back in 12 years to see how it were holding up in comparison to the original, which was far past its best.
In any case it is a pleasure to grip and I have no issue with the standard thickness.
In any case it is a pleasure to grip and I have no issue with the standard thickness.
pmorg4 said:
Was that done by Royal? I'm considering my options for the steering wheel on my E91 which is looking a bit past its best, and I think I'd like to try a slimmer grip too as the sport wheel is too much. I'd consider an SE wheel but I'm assuming it requires a new airbag and trim etc, making it more expensive than a retrim of my existing wheel.
Yes, Royal did it:
Had a very needed alignment at Wheelpower this morning. Since the suspension refresh, the DSC warning lights have been on due to the steering wheel being way off centre. All sorted now, codes dealt with and alignment completed. If you live in South London, they really are a very good option.
Had a poke around underneath and while it’s less ugly underneath than my ex Aberdeen Alpina B3S, It’s still showing 17 years of surface rust. Makes the shiny new bits look a bit out of place.
Had a poke around underneath and while it’s less ugly underneath than my ex Aberdeen Alpina B3S, It’s still showing 17 years of surface rust. Makes the shiny new bits look a bit out of place.
Two outstanding tasks completed at the local MOT garage today- a brake fluid and a power steering fluid change. They gave me the car back with the service reset and they’re 5 minutes away by bike, so another bike in an E91 shot (it’s my return transport when the Alpina goes to BMR as well).
Nice to have a compliment on the condition of the car- excepting the panels, which are all London spec. It’s just not worth having the work done to have them scratched again.
When it was at ETA for the suspension refresh, pulleys, coils etc they ran out of time to change the clutch pedal bushes, and annoyingly they seem to still be at ETA. So there is an outstanding job. Argh.
Will repeat this again next week when I collect the B3 from BMR
No warning lights! No service due for 31,000! Will be serviced again next May with another 3-4,000 on the clock.
This R129 has AMG split rims from the factory, it was MOT’d every year until this spring, and just sits there, paintwork getting increasingly shagged :-(
Nice to have a compliment on the condition of the car- excepting the panels, which are all London spec. It’s just not worth having the work done to have them scratched again.
When it was at ETA for the suspension refresh, pulleys, coils etc they ran out of time to change the clutch pedal bushes, and annoyingly they seem to still be at ETA. So there is an outstanding job. Argh.
Will repeat this again next week when I collect the B3 from BMR
No warning lights! No service due for 31,000! Will be serviced again next May with another 3-4,000 on the clock.
This R129 has AMG split rims from the factory, it was MOT’d every year until this spring, and just sits there, paintwork getting increasingly shagged :-(
Scrubbed the bejesus out of the plastic Dakota stuff with a decent brush and some fairy laden water. Did this for about 5 minutes before I gave up (it was hot, sorry D_a_n1979). There is a slight improvement and the seat is noticeably less shiny.
But I’ve taken some advice and ordered a gliptone kit. I have various bits from them but I’m going to give the seats a proper going over with the dye (thanks Deep Thought).
Used it to take approx a mile of packaging paper to the tip, and the front speakers have more or less packed in. We put the Alpine amp and speaker upgrade in years ago and I’m not sure if it’s the front speakers or an amp issue- driver’s door has been on and off for a while and today the passenger side has joined.
I’ve also dig out the spare lci headlights to look at splitting them and putting in the retrofitlab xenons. Only a year after I bought the kit.
But I’ve taken some advice and ordered a gliptone kit. I have various bits from them but I’m going to give the seats a proper going over with the dye (thanks Deep Thought).
Used it to take approx a mile of packaging paper to the tip, and the front speakers have more or less packed in. We put the Alpine amp and speaker upgrade in years ago and I’m not sure if it’s the front speakers or an amp issue- driver’s door has been on and off for a while and today the passenger side has joined.
I’ve also dig out the spare lci headlights to look at splitting them and putting in the retrofitlab xenons. Only a year after I bought the kit.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 12th June 19:07
RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Scrubbed the bejesus out of the plastic Dakota stuff with a decent brush and done fairy laden water. Did this for about 5 minutes before I gave up (it was hot, sorry D_a_n1979). There is a slight improvement and the seat is noticeably less shiny.
But I’ve taken some advice and ordered a gliptone kit. I have various bits from them but I’m going to give the seats a proper going over with the dye (thanks Deep Thought).
Used it to take approx a mile of packaging paper to the tip, and the front speakers have more or less packed in. We put the Alpine amp and speaker upgrade in years ago and I’m not sure if it’s the front speakers or an amp issue- driver’s door has been on and off for a while and today the passenger side has joined.
I’ve also dig out the spare lci headlights to look at splitting them and putting in the retrofitlab xenons. Only a year after I bought the kit.
Don't apologise pal; I was baking in the car and absolutely saturated once I'd done all the leather... The filth has ingrained into my hands too, disgusting!But I’ve taken some advice and ordered a gliptone kit. I have various bits from them but I’m going to give the seats a proper going over with the dye (thanks Deep Thought).
Used it to take approx a mile of packaging paper to the tip, and the front speakers have more or less packed in. We put the Alpine amp and speaker upgrade in years ago and I’m not sure if it’s the front speakers or an amp issue- driver’s door has been on and off for a while and today the passenger side has joined.
I’ve also dig out the spare lci headlights to look at splitting them and putting in the retrofitlab xenons. Only a year after I bought the kit.
I've got a pal via the 5 Forums to sort me a set of 'uprated' headlights too... He strips the OEM E39 Hella headlights right down, fits bi-xenon projectors and fits new lenses etc... They make a massive difference over the OEM xenons!
d_a_n1979 said:
Don't apologise pal; I was baking in the car and absolutely saturated once I'd done all the leather... The filth has ingrained into my hands too, disgusting!
I've got a pal via the 5 Forums to sort me a set of 'uprated' headlights too... He strips the OEM E39 Hella headlights right down, fits bi-xenon projectors and fits new lenses etc... They make a massive difference over the OEM xenons!
Ooh, that’s interesting… wonder whether he’d be interested in doing a set of E91 lights… I’ve got the full retrofitlab kit and headlights, will just need a lens refurb after… can you pm his details by any chance? I check your thread loads anyway, but will watch out for that particular upgrade!I've got a pal via the 5 Forums to sort me a set of 'uprated' headlights too... He strips the OEM E39 Hella headlights right down, fits bi-xenon projectors and fits new lenses etc... They make a massive difference over the OEM xenons!
RelentlessForwardProgress said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Don't apologise pal; I was baking in the car and absolutely saturated once I'd done all the leather... The filth has ingrained into my hands too, disgusting!
I've got a pal via the 5 Forums to sort me a set of 'uprated' headlights too... He strips the OEM E39 Hella headlights right down, fits bi-xenon projectors and fits new lenses etc... They make a massive difference over the OEM xenons!
Ooh, that’s interesting… wonder whether he’d be interested in doing a set of E91 lights… I’ve got the full retrofitlab kit and headlights, will just need a lens refurb after… can you pm his details by any chance? I check your thread loads anyway, but will watch out for that particular upgrade!I've got a pal via the 5 Forums to sort me a set of 'uprated' headlights too... He strips the OEM E39 Hella headlights right down, fits bi-xenon projectors and fits new lenses etc... They make a massive difference over the OEM xenons!
The E39 ones are sods due to how he lenses are sealed on; hence why I won't go anywhere near them
Changed the cabin air filter today with my 8 year old (it’s that level of job even in my family). She just asked if she could be a professional motorbike racer when she grows up and held the 8mm headed screws.
The incumbent filter had done its duty cycle I think it’s fair to say. Probably about 5 years and 15k miles. Vacuumed loads of bits of leaves and so on from around the area and the drains in the wings and cleaned out the inside of the air filter housing.
Wiped everything down but had no time for a proper clean, which it needs.
The incumbent filter had done its duty cycle I think it’s fair to say. Probably about 5 years and 15k miles. Vacuumed loads of bits of leaves and so on from around the area and the drains in the wings and cleaned out the inside of the air filter housing.
Wiped everything down but had no time for a proper clean, which it needs.
With the Alpina awaiting a less crusty rear axle (a suspension arm snapped, and it was no worse than the rest of the axle), the 325i is taking me and my son to Scotland and me home, this weekend.
A pretty chilled drive, we’ve stopped in Blyth before a short drive tomorrow morning and then I’ll head home. It’s been alright, comfortable and fairly economical, though not like the B3S can be.
I still think it’s a lovely looking design and it’s (this one) 17 years old now.
If I’d reset as we set off, this would have been a bit lower, fighting through London.
Only a couple of leptonnage moments and a fair bit of 50 and even 40 limits which kept it sensible.
We saw some lovely vintage and WW2 planes coming in to land at Duxford, a few nice cars and way too many properly awful numberplates. The “best” was U G0 2 PAW which is pretty special.
Car was fine, the new suspension is really planted on sweeping curves and roundabouts, but it was mostly pretty boring. Tomorrow a bit more fun.
A pretty chilled drive, we’ve stopped in Blyth before a short drive tomorrow morning and then I’ll head home. It’s been alright, comfortable and fairly economical, though not like the B3S can be.
I still think it’s a lovely looking design and it’s (this one) 17 years old now.
If I’d reset as we set off, this would have been a bit lower, fighting through London.
Only a couple of leptonnage moments and a fair bit of 50 and even 40 limits which kept it sensible.
We saw some lovely vintage and WW2 planes coming in to land at Duxford, a few nice cars and way too many properly awful numberplates. The “best” was U G0 2 PAW which is pretty special.
Car was fine, the new suspension is really planted on sweeping curves and roundabouts, but it was mostly pretty boring. Tomorrow a bit more fun.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 July 22:00
800 miles on the nose- really nice easy trip this SE London- Dunbar- SE London taxi run. Boy was happy and discovered what “Stairway to heaven” is. He just tuneed it way up and then played it again and said “do you think my guitar teacher can teach me that?”. The Alpine speaker/amp thing managed to keep it together and didn’t sound too bad.
33.6mpg on the obc, so I dunno, 32 real world? Got off of the A1 a fair bit in Northumberland. No issues with the car. An E91 without a self dismantling rear axle, that’s pretty cool in my experience!
Saw this extremely ugly new era BMW with an extremely beautiful paint- not sure if it’s verde ermes (doubtful) or san remo - more likely, it was lovely, dark, and came alive in the sun. Couldn’t make amends for the grille though!
33.6mpg on the obc, so I dunno, 32 real world? Got off of the A1 a fair bit in Northumberland. No issues with the car. An E91 without a self dismantling rear axle, that’s pretty cool in my experience!
Saw this extremely ugly new era BMW with an extremely beautiful paint- not sure if it’s verde ermes (doubtful) or san remo - more likely, it was lovely, dark, and came alive in the sun. Couldn’t make amends for the grille though!
Can only agree, Sam, nothing about them works for me. BMW seem to be doing ok but it doesn’t feel like a very sustainable business approach. The real shame is it means no lovely straight six/V8 tourings in dark green/blue/ something else available that I want to buy SH in a few years time!
Probably a Fisker or i3 next in our household and hopefully one more decent Alpina that doesn’t do my head in with touchscreens and other bulls
t.
Probably a Fisker or i3 next in our household and hopefully one more decent Alpina that doesn’t do my head in with touchscreens and other bulls
t.RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Can only agree, Sam, nothing about them works for me. BMW seem to be doing ok but it doesn’t feel like a very sustainable business approach. The real shame is it means no lovely straight six/V8 tourings in dark green/blue/ something else available that I want to buy SH in a few years time!
Probably a Fisker or i3 next in our household and hopefully one more decent Alpina that doesn’t do my head in with touchscreens and other bullst.
I guess Alpina will go down that route especially given the recent revisions to the 3 series interior which was the last hold out with actual buttons and an idrive wheel to control stuff.Probably a Fisker or i3 next in our household and hopefully one more decent Alpina that doesn’t do my head in with touchscreens and other bulls
t.Unless they’re allowed to use the pre-LCI interior.
I’m definitely a dinosaur when it comes to car interiors.
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