E46 330ci Sport - Polish a turd?
Discussion
I'm at a bit of a crossroads with my car: I took it to get cleaned yesterday and while it does look nice and sparkly it's really highlighted the amount of scratches and scrapes I have all over it. There are also a number of other issues that need fixing but when I consider the list I'm thinking to myself: "is it worth the bother?" Mechanically the car is sound and has given me little trouble in the 4 odd years of ownership so it has value but it just looks a bit pony.
Here is the list of jobs that I could do:
1. Scratches/scrapes: All have appeared mysteriously at various corners and a couple of the panels. I suspect they have occurred in our car park which is very tight and is frequented by vans who happily ram cars when they manoeuvre around. It was also keyed across several panels whilst sat in the car park (yes, it's a lovely place)
2. Front wheels badly need a refurb.
3. Drivers seat bolster has worn through (alcantara)
4. Drivers side front indicator is loose and steamed up suggesting the need for replacement
5. Carbon effect trim inside is a bit scratched up.
6. Needs new BMW badge for the bonnet.
7. Cigarette lighter has stopped working
Can anyone offer any advice or tips on dealing with any of the above? I'm particularly keen to here about any experiences with mobile scratch repair companies.
Here is the list of jobs that I could do:
1. Scratches/scrapes: All have appeared mysteriously at various corners and a couple of the panels. I suspect they have occurred in our car park which is very tight and is frequented by vans who happily ram cars when they manoeuvre around. It was also keyed across several panels whilst sat in the car park (yes, it's a lovely place)
2. Front wheels badly need a refurb.
3. Drivers seat bolster has worn through (alcantara)
4. Drivers side front indicator is loose and steamed up suggesting the need for replacement
5. Carbon effect trim inside is a bit scratched up.
6. Needs new BMW badge for the bonnet.
7. Cigarette lighter has stopped working
Can anyone offer any advice or tips on dealing with any of the above? I'm particularly keen to here about any experiences with mobile scratch repair companies.
When you put it like that I guess it's easily sorted! Some responses:
Polish - can you recommend somthing to take out minor/light scratches? I've tried various T-Cut type polishes in the past but never felt they did anything. Is a pro detail similar to something that a company like chips away would do?
I checked the fuse for the cigarette lighter and it appears to be OK - may need further investigation.
Searched for a BMW badge on ebay but none showed up - perhaps I'm searching for the wrong thing?
Going to order a new indicator as indeed, they are pretty cheap on ebay.
Polish - can you recommend somthing to take out minor/light scratches? I've tried various T-Cut type polishes in the past but never felt they did anything. Is a pro detail similar to something that a company like chips away would do?
I checked the fuse for the cigarette lighter and it appears to be OK - may need further investigation.
Searched for a BMW badge on ebay but none showed up - perhaps I'm searching for the wrong thing?
Going to order a new indicator as indeed, they are pretty cheap on ebay.
Matt_N said:
BMW roundel should bring up some results. Get the right size and off you go.
The carbon cube trim can be touched up quite easily with a black dry wipe marker, seriously! Or a light coat of black spray paint. It comes off really easily.
Sorted, thank you - picked one up for a fiver. I was searching for E46 bonnet badge...The carbon cube trim can be touched up quite easily with a black dry wipe marker, seriously! Or a light coat of black spray paint. It comes off really easily.
jayemm89 said:
If you like the car, take the advice others have given and repair the things that niggle you on the cheap. I applied some vinyl wrap to a few bits of my interior which annoyed me and it improved it considerably.
They're still great cars.
I do recall seeing somewhere that you can get them wrapped in the same carbon trim - may investigate that again as they are really scratched up on the door handles.They're still great cars.
s m said:
The cigarette lighter is probably down to phone chargers - remove the fuse/battery and bend the tabs inside back carefully. Often get similar if phone charger works but lighter doesn't -
Going to go and check this today, I only ever use it for phone chargers so it probably is this. thank you
another question that perhaps someone could help me with:
Seeing as my bolster has ripped through, it's got me thinking - perhaps I could replace the interior with a set of leathers as there seem to be quite a few full sets kicking around on ebay. Has anyone done an interior switch before? Is it something that can be done at home or is more technical than that.
Seeing as my bolster has ripped through, it's got me thinking - perhaps I could replace the interior with a set of leathers as there seem to be quite a few full sets kicking around on ebay. Has anyone done an interior switch before? Is it something that can be done at home or is more technical than that.
daemon said:
An interior swap to leather would be a good idea. However a repair is easier and cheap these days.
Its unusual for a 330Ci not to have leather? I take it its Alcantara?
Yes, it's the cloth/alcantara combo - I think this was standard but often upgraded. It was the only I saw at the time with these seats and I must admit, it was the only thing I wasn't sure about when I picked this car. As it happens, it's actually quite nice but the alcantara sections are prone to bobbling and wearing though, like mine have.Its unusual for a 330Ci not to have leather? I take it its Alcantara?
I'm going to look into the cost of a repair vs. a whole interior swap. I saw some on ebay earlier for around £300 including shipping which didn't seem too bad, although if I have to factor in an install job it could take the cost to around £500.
RanchoGrande said:
s m said:
The cigarette lighter is probably down to phone chargers - remove the fuse/battery and bend the tabs inside back carefully. Often get similar if phone charger works but lighter doesn't -
Going to go and check this today, I only ever use it for phone chargers so it probably is this. thank you
jayemm89 said:
Excellent, thank you I got the new indicator yesterday to replace the loose/steamed up one and it transpires there are 2 types of indicator fitments: 1 is a clip in type the other is screwed in. Apparently they changed the fitting in 2001 although it's not commonly known until you go to change the indicator.
I didn't know this so I ended up with the clip in type despite the ebay seller claiming that the part would fit E46 coupes up until 2003. Anyway, I'm now trying to find one which is the screw in type but all the ebay sellers which have them only seem to use a stock image of the indicator which does not show the rear fitting. I'm a little reluctant to keep on ordering them on the off chance I'll get sent the correct type! I've messaged a few to see if they can tell me what fittings they are so hopefully I'll get the right one soon.
In the meantime, I just have a bare bulb dangling out the front as the old one has totally fallen out now - it's a great look.
I didn't know this so I ended up with the clip in type despite the ebay seller claiming that the part would fit E46 coupes up until 2003. Anyway, I'm now trying to find one which is the screw in type but all the ebay sellers which have them only seem to use a stock image of the indicator which does not show the rear fitting. I'm a little reluctant to keep on ordering them on the off chance I'll get sent the correct type! I've messaged a few to see if they can tell me what fittings they are so hopefully I'll get the right one soon.
In the meantime, I just have a bare bulb dangling out the front as the old one has totally fallen out now - it's a great look.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff