der Mumienwagen; E91 330i Touring
Discussion
W00DY said:
Fantastic looking car in those colours and on those wheels and I'm sure you'll only make it nicer.
If it were mineI'd have to get some wood trim instead of the slightly cold looking silver.
It’s on the list! The silver was often spec’d with lemon interior but it looks wrong. There’s a set of walnut trim on eBay that I have my eye on.If it were mineI'd have to get some wood trim instead of the slightly cold looking silver.
Phase two of the deep clean took place today.
First up was replacing the rear boot badge. I took it off last night thinking it works be a quick job, but at some point in the car’s life someone decided to bin off the grommets for the world’s biggest blob of Tiger Seal. Joy. This meant another trip to Sytner to pick some up.
New badge fitted very quickly.
I then started the chemical decontamination using Tax X then Bilt Hamber Korrosol. Lots of stuff for them to react with.
The car was then rinsed down, snowfoamed and washed again.
Once dry I attacked the paint with the clay bar which removed a lot of crap.
The paint is covered in swirls and light scratches.
Looking better after the first hit with the DA.
I taped up some of the big panels for some contrast shots. The polished bits still need work but I need a heavy cutting compound to improve it more, which I didn’t have to hand.
After polishing with a medium compound with a heavy pad and a finishing compound and pad, I applied a coat of Fusso Wax. Whilst that was flashing off, I got distracted and stuck a smilie on.
The rear spoiler looked s
te. Washing it had made the damage worse.
I’d attacked the spoiler I bought yesterday with the DA. It’s got a few deep scratches but is better than the old one, so it was time to pop that on. BMW very helpfully used three different fixings to secure the spoiler. wkers.
It took a few attempts to refit the damn thing, partly user error and partly because the push rivets for the new one were bigger than the old ones. Third time lucky and all that. It looks loads better than the old one. The final fit needs finessing a bit but I want to replace the cover for the electronics under the spoiler because it’s cracked. I’ll get the fit better then.
After pissing around with the spoiler, I topped the Fusso Coat with Kiwami Extreme, dressed the tyres and cleaned the glass. It looks pretty good for now but I reckon I can do better with the deeper swirls and scratches. Overcast conditions are more flattering for….this car is technically ginger because bright sunshine is not it’s friend!
I’ve booked the car in for a pair of Good Year Asymmetric 6’s to be fitted on Friday afternoon because the rears are rubbish.
I’ll hopefully get the headlights swapped over this weekend.
I’m taking it to Holyhead tomorrow, so that’ll be a good opportunity to get to know it better.
First up was replacing the rear boot badge. I took it off last night thinking it works be a quick job, but at some point in the car’s life someone decided to bin off the grommets for the world’s biggest blob of Tiger Seal. Joy. This meant another trip to Sytner to pick some up.
New badge fitted very quickly.
I then started the chemical decontamination using Tax X then Bilt Hamber Korrosol. Lots of stuff for them to react with.
The car was then rinsed down, snowfoamed and washed again.
Once dry I attacked the paint with the clay bar which removed a lot of crap.
The paint is covered in swirls and light scratches.
Looking better after the first hit with the DA.
I taped up some of the big panels for some contrast shots. The polished bits still need work but I need a heavy cutting compound to improve it more, which I didn’t have to hand.
After polishing with a medium compound with a heavy pad and a finishing compound and pad, I applied a coat of Fusso Wax. Whilst that was flashing off, I got distracted and stuck a smilie on.
The rear spoiler looked s
te. Washing it had made the damage worse.I’d attacked the spoiler I bought yesterday with the DA. It’s got a few deep scratches but is better than the old one, so it was time to pop that on. BMW very helpfully used three different fixings to secure the spoiler. w
kers.It took a few attempts to refit the damn thing, partly user error and partly because the push rivets for the new one were bigger than the old ones. Third time lucky and all that. It looks loads better than the old one. The final fit needs finessing a bit but I want to replace the cover for the electronics under the spoiler because it’s cracked. I’ll get the fit better then.
After pissing around with the spoiler, I topped the Fusso Coat with Kiwami Extreme, dressed the tyres and cleaned the glass. It looks pretty good for now but I reckon I can do better with the deeper swirls and scratches. Overcast conditions are more flattering for….this car is technically ginger because bright sunshine is not it’s friend!
I’ve booked the car in for a pair of Good Year Asymmetric 6’s to be fitted on Friday afternoon because the rears are rubbish.
I’ll hopefully get the headlights swapped over this weekend.
I’m taking it to Holyhead tomorrow, so that’ll be a good opportunity to get to know it better.
cerb4.5lee said:
As you know Sam I absolutely love LMB, and your contrasting shots there just prove to me why for definite! 
Brilliant stuff, and your car ownership threads never fail to deliver for sure I reckon.
Thanks Lee, it’s certainly getting there. Looking forward to getting the LCI headlights fitted this weekend with angel eyes. That’ll freshen the front end up nicely I reckon. Brilliant stuff, and your car ownership threads never fail to deliver for sure I reckon.
helix402 said:
Looking good. The colour is similar to the old E46 Topaz Blue. It was nightmare for swirl marks. It felt like you’d make swirls just by looking at it!
Thanks. LMB and Carbon Black are two of my favourite colours but they’re absolute sods for showing up every imperfection
This looks ok for a 17 year old car that’s covered 159k.
Jhonno said:
Great work with the paint! I love seeing the contrast shots because it makes you realise how scratched it was! It changes the colour too. Those 216 wheels are a favourite of mine too, a set would look great on my E46! 
There’s still more work to do but it looks way better than it did. The 216’s are one of my favourite wheel designs too.
pmorg4 said:
The car is looking fantastic in those pictures, it didn't take you long to sort it out! Once the dark lines are on it will be spot on.
I'll be interested to see how you get on with sorting out the lacquer peel on the bumper. I have a few nasty stone chips on my bonnet that have led to lacquer flaking, which I need to get sorted at some point. Mine has a BMW Individual paint colour and I wonder if the lacquer is softer or thinner as the paint on my previous E91 330i was spotless despite higher miles. Either that or it's another example of cost cutting on LCI models.
Thanks. It was never going to be slow especially going from what was a pretty tidy little 125i. I had to get cracking. I'll be interested to see how you get on with sorting out the lacquer peel on the bumper. I have a few nasty stone chips on my bonnet that have led to lacquer flaking, which I need to get sorted at some point. Mine has a BMW Individual paint colour and I wonder if the lacquer is softer or thinner as the paint on my previous E91 330i was spotless despite higher miles. Either that or it's another example of cost cutting on LCI models.
helix402 said:
Looking good. The colour is similar to the old E46 Topaz Blue. It was nightmare for swirl marks. It felt like you’d make swirls just by looking at it!
I had a Topaz Blue E46 330Ci coupe and I thought that colour hid dirt very well! The greater problem (as with all E46s) was constantly chasing rust bubbles that kept appearing in various places, including one on the A-pillar Edited by pmorg4 on Wednesday 24th May 10:15
The dark lines should be here in a couple of weeks. Can’t wait to get them fitted.
I’ll just get the while bumper painted. It’s pretty rough but it’s done 159k and the front of these is quite buff and square.
ScottJB said:
Good work so far.
I’d personally LCI convert the rear end and possibly the front end too as they really look a lot better if a keeper but appreciate everyone is different.
I’ve changed 3 x E91 tailgates and reckon you can do it in about 2hrs once you’ve done it once. It usually ends up costing nothing either or very little.
For those considering it (not necessarily the OP - it’s his car after all). Easiest way is to buy a complete rear tailgate in the right colour. You can usually pick up a complete tailgate for circa £150 on ebay. Then the outer lights.
Fit that whole and you’re left with a non LCI tailgate (fairly difficult to sell whole). However, diversity module usually goes £80-100, washer motor £30-40, wiper spindle £20ish.
The work to swap is straightforward and I’m just a lowly DIY’er.
Remove trims on rear of tailgate, disconnect everything (tailgate lights/lock/number plate lights etc), spoiler off and disconnect diversity module, pull all car looms back through tailgate (bung on right hand side under trim), undo tailgate bolts and remove whole de-loomed tailgate. Get the replacement tailgate trims and spoiler off, fit to car, feed car loom back to where everything needs to go. Trims back on. Good to go. You will also need to repin the rear lights (adaptor cables not necessary).
Front end would needs bonnet, lights, bumper. You’re already a 3rd of the way there. LCI Bonnet in right colour can usually be found for less £100. Most expensive bit is the M Sport bumper but you’d have the old one to balance the cost a bit.
The rear end will be changed if the corrosion gets such worse, but only then especially as I’ve ordered a set of dark lines which look loads better than the stock lights.I’d personally LCI convert the rear end and possibly the front end too as they really look a lot better if a keeper but appreciate everyone is different.
I’ve changed 3 x E91 tailgates and reckon you can do it in about 2hrs once you’ve done it once. It usually ends up costing nothing either or very little.
For those considering it (not necessarily the OP - it’s his car after all). Easiest way is to buy a complete rear tailgate in the right colour. You can usually pick up a complete tailgate for circa £150 on ebay. Then the outer lights.
Fit that whole and you’re left with a non LCI tailgate (fairly difficult to sell whole). However, diversity module usually goes £80-100, washer motor £30-40, wiper spindle £20ish.
The work to swap is straightforward and I’m just a lowly DIY’er.
Remove trims on rear of tailgate, disconnect everything (tailgate lights/lock/number plate lights etc), spoiler off and disconnect diversity module, pull all car looms back through tailgate (bung on right hand side under trim), undo tailgate bolts and remove whole de-loomed tailgate. Get the replacement tailgate trims and spoiler off, fit to car, feed car loom back to where everything needs to go. Trims back on. Good to go. You will also need to repin the rear lights (adaptor cables not necessary).
Front end would needs bonnet, lights, bumper. You’re already a 3rd of the way there. LCI Bonnet in right colour can usually be found for less £100. Most expensive bit is the M Sport bumper but you’d have the old one to balance the cost a bit.
I doubt very much they front end will get swapped, although the later grille is loads better. I think the LCI headlights with angel eyes and some white bulbs will freshen it up a bit further.
I took the car to Holyhead today as I figured that would be a good way to get to know it (or be left stranded at the side of the road ).
I did 350 miles give or take and averaged 30.7mpg across dual carriageway cruising, stationary traffic, enjoying the B roads and just going with the flow. That was pretty good for an old touring and was better than I ever managed in my 130i with the same engine.
I stopped on the way home to take a few pictures of it.
I stopped on the way home to have a stroll around the Hafna Mines.
Thoughts so far?
I’m pleased it to be fair, it’s brisk enough, not too bad on fuel, comfortable, quiet (especially compared to my 335i) and seems like a good car overall.
Things I did notice;
Future plans;
I want to refresh the suspension including bushes, but I think it’ll be too much to do at once myself so I’ll do springs, dampers and immediate fittings his year before replacing arms and bushes in the spring (I have the bushes already having bought them for my 130i and never fitted them).
). I did 350 miles give or take and averaged 30.7mpg across dual carriageway cruising, stationary traffic, enjoying the B roads and just going with the flow. That was pretty good for an old touring and was better than I ever managed in my 130i with the same engine.
I stopped on the way home to take a few pictures of it.
I stopped on the way home to have a stroll around the Hafna Mines.
Thoughts so far?
I’m pleased it to be fair, it’s brisk enough, not too bad on fuel, comfortable, quiet (especially compared to my 335i) and seems like a good car overall.
Things I did notice;
- the suspension needs a refresh which isn’t surprising after 159k because it feels a bit loose / floaty at times
- I'm not entirely convinced that the A/C is totally happy. It cools the car but there are a few odd whiring noises when you turn the car off. This happens for a few seconds after is shut off. It doesn’t do this if you switch the A/C off first
- it gets very hot inside when left in the sun. I’m guessing because there is quite a lot of glass. My other half original wanted a subtle tint an I said no, but I’m reconsidering after tidy.
- a slight vibration under braking. There is no lip on the discs, but the bell housings are very rusty so front discs and pads could be on the cards soon as well.
- the drivers side wiper doesn’t sit quite right (it’s not quite level), so I’ll see if I can pop that off.
Future plans;
I want to refresh the suspension including bushes, but I think it’ll be too much to do at once myself so I’ll do springs, dampers and immediate fittings his year before replacing arms and bushes in the spring (I have the bushes already having bought them for my 130i and never fitted them).
- I’m going to replace a few bits of suspension that won’t upset the alignment in the next few weeks - rear dampers, top and bottom mounts, front and rear drop links.
- fit a set of Eibach springs, front dampers and then get it aligned.
- replace all arms and rear bushes in the spring and get it aligned at String Theory as per my 335i.
- CDV removal, M3 gearbox mounts, change the oil in the gearbox and diff plus fit a new white shifter bush and Z3 shifter (this will happen in the next couple of weeks).
- oil service is getting closer, but I’ll do it now as I have the oil in the garage and will do the pollen filter as well.
- fit the Mishimoto intake pipe I saved from the 125i in drop in a Pipercross air filter that I have (this weekend).
- fit the LCI headlights with decent bulbs (again, this weekend)
- the rear wiper is rubbish so needs replacing
- it needs more noise, so I’ll look into an intake / exhaust.
- the engine bay needs cleaning to make leak spotting easier!
- paint the brake callipers and possibly replace the front discs and pads.
CB 987 said:
I had LCI headlights on my pre-LCI and it did freshen the front up. Mine had darklines too, but I came very close to doing the boot conversion too, but ended up selling it.
I won’t mention my LMB LCI 335i that you should have bought….
Looking forward to seeing some updates with this one.
I won’t mention my LMB LCI 335i that you should have bought….
Looking forward to seeing some updates with this one. re the 335i.I’m in the process of cleaning and polishing the headlights up ready for fitting this weekend. Should smarten the front end up a tad.
d_a_n1979 said:
Cracking pics Sam and a good day for it too!
Sounds like a good shakedown too... Just what it needed I'd say...
I know it's thrown up those niggles, but at least it's nothing major / sinister etc...
Great day for blasting down the A55 to the other side of Anglesey too... We'll be there in 4 weeks. Got a house in Beaumaris for the week
Yeah, it’s nothing that really concerns me too much. It’s an old car so it’ll need a bit of love and TLC to get it back to its best. The suspension refresh will definitely help, even just the partial one this side of Christmas.Sounds like a good shakedown too... Just what it needed I'd say...
I know it's thrown up those niggles, but at least it's nothing major / sinister etc...
Great day for blasting down the A55 to the other side of Anglesey too... We'll be there in 4 weeks. Got a house in Beaumaris for the week
I like they A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Bethedsa. When it’s clear, it flows nicely.
The A/C system is leaking (a lot). It’s gone from icy cold on Monday day to spitting out warm air this afternoon.
I’ve booked a local, mobile A/C guy who gets great reviews to come out and look at it in a week or so’s time. Luckily most of the trips will be short ones for the foreseeable. They suspect that it’s either the condenser that’s leaking or a pipe. I’m hoping it’s the former because it’ll be easy to replace than a pipe buried deep in the engine bay.
Luckily, my other half really likes the car so it’s forgiven.
I’ve booked a local, mobile A/C guy who gets great reviews to come out and look at it in a week or so’s time. Luckily most of the trips will be short ones for the foreseeable. They suspect that it’s either the condenser that’s leaking or a pipe. I’m hoping it’s the former because it’ll be easy to replace than a pipe buried deep in the engine bay.
Luckily, my other half really likes the car so it’s forgiven.
I managed to tick off a few jobs this evening.
First up, I fitted the Mishimoto intake pipe and Pipercross air filter.
The car also had these delightful lock pins.
These are now in the bin where they belong and have been replaced with OE ones which were a complete arse to fit.
I replaced the rear hatch lock trim that I broke getting the winter wheels out. The replacement trim was hideously expensive for what it is.
I also fitted interior LED bulbs.
I’m in the process of sanding and polishing the replacement headlights ready for sealing tomorrow and fitting Saturday.
First up, I fitted the Mishimoto intake pipe and Pipercross air filter.
The car also had these delightful lock pins.
These are now in the bin where they belong and have been replaced with OE ones which were a complete arse to fit.
I replaced the rear hatch lock trim that I broke getting the winter wheels out. The replacement trim was hideously expensive for what it is.
I also fitted interior LED bulbs.
I’m in the process of sanding and polishing the replacement headlights ready for sealing tomorrow and fitting Saturday.
MDifficult said:
Absolute stunner! I wish there was a ‘chefs kiss’ emoji.
Appreciate its early days.. but if you ever think about selling it (after doing all the work on it) I’m putting my hand up early!
Thanks, I’m getting there with it. It’s going to be a busy summer just sorting little bits out. Took a while with the 125i to sort the stilly bits out. Appreciate its early days.. but if you ever think about selling it (after doing all the work on it) I’m putting my hand up early!
I think brigs may stick around for a while (famous last words).
Gad-Westy said:
I’m missing that but if trim on my boot latch. Dare I ask £?
It’s £46 full price which seems a lot for a flappy but if plastic. I asked my local Sytner to match the Matt Armstrong discount via their Leicester branch so paid £36. A few bits have gone up in the last year; the alcantara wheel trim has gone from £55 to £76 and the cubby £13 to £18.
RS Grant said:
I'm a real E91 lover. This one looks like a good base and a great colour combo!! 
Thanks, other than the A/C issue I’m pleased with it. Looking at RealOEM there are only three pipes that could be leaking but they’re long and most likely a complete pain in the arse to get at. buy_cheap_pay_later said:
I admire your patience and tenacity. I’d happily spend hours under one of mine with some spanners, but if I could get away with never cleaning any of them again, inside or out, I’d be a happy man
The car looks amazing. So much better for your attention.
Thanks, I do normally enjoy it but this time I did start to wonder if I’d bitten off too much! It was rancid and still needs a bit more titivation. It’ll get there though. The car looks amazing. So much better for your attention.
Tom4398cc said:
Congratulations Sam and Mrs Sam on a cracking car. I’m really chuffed that you’ve got one the same colour as the saloon you had before. And you’ve got a manual!!!!
Very best of luck with it.
Cheers Tom. Very best of luck with it.
Luckily it’s gone down well despite the lack of A/C. I’ve got plenty to do over the next few weeks.
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