My M3 Progress report so far... Lots of cleaning/improvement
Discussion
Hi all,
as you know I got another M3 so thought it was time to keep tabs on her by using this as a progress report.
Anyway, this is when we bought the car.
As you can see she was in need of some love.
The car is a 1 owner (I am the second on the log book) which has all but the last service from BMW. Mechanicly the car is as sound as they come. Pulls hard, sounds lovely. It does have some vanos growl when coming down but not that bothered about this as she is still pulling really well.
So after the purchase we thought the diff went, so she ended up like this 40 miles down the road from where I collect it
as you can imagine I was pissed right off. Long story short the car had the wrong diff oil, so after some expensive E46 M3 diff oil was put in she stopped making the grinding and juddering noise and ever since has been silent. I was very happy with this result.
So this is the car after we got her back from the garage and a quick once over.
I knew the car would clean up nice but noticed a few bits which need some attention.
These for a start
The car was parked in a lockup for a fair few months and it had pigeons flying around and no one took the bird droppings of the paint work
I have been told this will come out with some compound cutter which is on my list of things to do
So the list of things I needed to replace and have been are...
new lighter
new front indicator drivers side
bulbs
number plates (amazing how these can really brighten the front and back up)
The car was put straight on the road and used, nothing else reared its ugly head so I was happy with that.
I did have this in the front which was put down as a signal booster for a car kit. It was old so I was not interested in this. Removed it.
After a couple months of hassle free driving I get a phone call from the Mrs.
"I put the roof down and it has stopped halfway through...."
I explained how to put it down/up using the over ride and get her home. I get home and find the motor was not engaged correctly so pushed this back in firmly and tried the roof, all was well until the screen started coming out... bloody big rip in the screen.. I was not happy.
So after a few naughty words I make good of the situation and knew it needed a replacement as it was scratched badly etc.
I cleaned the car before she went down and took some snaps.
This is what the screen now looks like, the single best thing I have done on the car
I also had the roof realigned and some belts replaced, this now means the roof closes on the button and I do not have to help it down
a few months into ownership my Mrs tells me she is pregnant. Well a 4 seater car and the third child on the way ment changes.
I ummed and ahhhhed about changing or selling etc but couldnt do it.
So ended up buying this car for the kids and the whole saftey thing and kept the M3 for my weekend driving and fun.
330i Sport
The M3 was taken off the road when the tax ran out as it was a couple months before the new born would arrive so would put her back on the road in the summer.
Well I didnt last that long, three months I think and I cracked, so put her down for a MOT, she failed on the rear brake pipes so I had all 4 replaced while they was there.
Everything else seemed fine and she was back on the road again, taxed, insured and off we went.
I gave the car a quick clean again and took some pics.
The leather was in pretty good condition but just seemed a bit dried out so got some G11 Conditioner from Gripton and gave the seats a once over.
Before
After
I liked the results, got some glipton cleaner just arrived so will be going over all the leather soon.
Another annoying thing I wanted to resolve was my bottom engine cover/splash gaurd was hanging off, I tried a quick fix but the bracket on the passanger side arch was shot so bought a new one and fixings from BMW.
No photos of fitting just the finished results
Took it for a drive and it no longer catchs on the speed bumps and when I put the car on full lock. Another quick and relativly easy fix. Happy with this one.
That is pretty much how the car sits at the moment.
Want to get some paintwork sorted, dull bits and new paint needed so that is on my list.
Got to give the roof another good clean, been advised to use some baby cleaner (cannot remember exactly what it is) but been told it will give results so cannot wait for that.
Just getting the car clean now ready for (if I can make it) the calander shoot in the South West
I forgot, I have also taken all the wheels off and replaced the rondell centre caps and cleaned all the arches out and the backs of the alloys. I try do this a couple times a year to prevent too much mud building up and rotting the arches out.
as you know I got another M3 so thought it was time to keep tabs on her by using this as a progress report.
Anyway, this is when we bought the car.
As you can see she was in need of some love.
The car is a 1 owner (I am the second on the log book) which has all but the last service from BMW. Mechanicly the car is as sound as they come. Pulls hard, sounds lovely. It does have some vanos growl when coming down but not that bothered about this as she is still pulling really well.
So after the purchase we thought the diff went, so she ended up like this 40 miles down the road from where I collect it
as you can imagine I was pissed right off. Long story short the car had the wrong diff oil, so after some expensive E46 M3 diff oil was put in she stopped making the grinding and juddering noise and ever since has been silent. I was very happy with this result.
So this is the car after we got her back from the garage and a quick once over.
I knew the car would clean up nice but noticed a few bits which need some attention.
These for a start
The car was parked in a lockup for a fair few months and it had pigeons flying around and no one took the bird droppings of the paint work
I have been told this will come out with some compound cutter which is on my list of things to doSo the list of things I needed to replace and have been are...
new lighter
new front indicator drivers side
bulbs
number plates (amazing how these can really brighten the front and back up)
The car was put straight on the road and used, nothing else reared its ugly head so I was happy with that.
I did have this in the front which was put down as a signal booster for a car kit. It was old so I was not interested in this. Removed it.
After a couple months of hassle free driving I get a phone call from the Mrs.
"I put the roof down and it has stopped halfway through...."
I explained how to put it down/up using the over ride and get her home. I get home and find the motor was not engaged correctly so pushed this back in firmly and tried the roof, all was well until the screen started coming out... bloody big rip in the screen.. I was not happy.
So after a few naughty words I make good of the situation and knew it needed a replacement as it was scratched badly etc.
I cleaned the car before she went down and took some snaps.
This is what the screen now looks like, the single best thing I have done on the car
I also had the roof realigned and some belts replaced, this now means the roof closes on the button and I do not have to help it down
a few months into ownership my Mrs tells me she is pregnant. Well a 4 seater car and the third child on the way ment changes.
I ummed and ahhhhed about changing or selling etc but couldnt do it.
So ended up buying this car for the kids and the whole saftey thing and kept the M3 for my weekend driving and fun.
330i Sport
The M3 was taken off the road when the tax ran out as it was a couple months before the new born would arrive so would put her back on the road in the summer.
Well I didnt last that long, three months I think and I cracked, so put her down for a MOT, she failed on the rear brake pipes so I had all 4 replaced while they was there.
Everything else seemed fine and she was back on the road again, taxed, insured and off we went.
I gave the car a quick clean again and took some pics.
The leather was in pretty good condition but just seemed a bit dried out so got some G11 Conditioner from Gripton and gave the seats a once over.
Before
After
I liked the results, got some glipton cleaner just arrived so will be going over all the leather soon.
Another annoying thing I wanted to resolve was my bottom engine cover/splash gaurd was hanging off, I tried a quick fix but the bracket on the passanger side arch was shot so bought a new one and fixings from BMW.
No photos of fitting just the finished results
Took it for a drive and it no longer catchs on the speed bumps and when I put the car on full lock. Another quick and relativly easy fix. Happy with this one.
That is pretty much how the car sits at the moment.
Want to get some paintwork sorted, dull bits and new paint needed so that is on my list.
Got to give the roof another good clean, been advised to use some baby cleaner (cannot remember exactly what it is) but been told it will give results so cannot wait for that.
Just getting the car clean now ready for (if I can make it) the calander shoot in the South West
I forgot, I have also taken all the wheels off and replaced the rondell centre caps and cleaned all the arches out and the backs of the alloys. I try do this a couple times a year to prevent too much mud building up and rotting the arches out.
Update:
So the otherday I ordered some Glipton Leather cleaner and conditioner. So I started with the stearing wheel as it needed doing and with 111,000 on the clock was overdue.
Before
During
After
Conditioned
Next I thought I would put another coat of conditioner on the front seats as they seem to dry out quicker.
Few snaps of this after, nothing special just look a bit dull and feels nice and suppel.
Also did the gear knob, handbrake handle and both gaitors.
One thing I have wanted to sort out since I had the car was some stains on the paintwork. I posted up a while back asking for advice and I think it was Bruno who said to get this stuff.
So I bought some terry cloths and started with this.. Now I was not expecting much as the stains have been on for a fare amount of time but was amazed with the results.
This is before
After
I went around the car and tried to buff some scratches out but most are too deep so just removed all the stains I could and cleaned some hard to get at places.
One place on the convertibles is where the roof meets the top of the windscreen, loads of rubber and crap stuck to this part and although not really noticed certain looks loads better.
After
So after that we are making the car better, slowly but we are getting there.
I have walked around the car and noticed the paintwork needs some work, loads of scratches which seem too deep to buff out and dull spots.
The car looks good around 5 meters away but once you get close you can see the imperfections in the paintwork.
I have noticed this
This is a photo of the paintwork on the rear quater panel above the trim that goes across the sides.
And this is under the trim
As you can see it is dull and not as shiney as the above, any ideas if there is anything I can do to get this back up together? or is a spray job the only option?
I need the rear bumper sprayed as the last owner managed to scuff both corners and it will not buff out
So that is my update. Managed to get a couple hours away for the car which I was amazed with as we have just had a baby She is getting most of my time from now on.
All comments welcome as always.
So the otherday I ordered some Glipton Leather cleaner and conditioner. So I started with the stearing wheel as it needed doing and with 111,000 on the clock was overdue.
Before
During
After
Conditioned
Next I thought I would put another coat of conditioner on the front seats as they seem to dry out quicker.
Few snaps of this after, nothing special just look a bit dull and feels nice and suppel.
Also did the gear knob, handbrake handle and both gaitors.
One thing I have wanted to sort out since I had the car was some stains on the paintwork. I posted up a while back asking for advice and I think it was Bruno who said to get this stuff.
So I bought some terry cloths and started with this.. Now I was not expecting much as the stains have been on for a fare amount of time but was amazed with the results.
This is before
After
I went around the car and tried to buff some scratches out but most are too deep so just removed all the stains I could and cleaned some hard to get at places.
One place on the convertibles is where the roof meets the top of the windscreen, loads of rubber and crap stuck to this part and although not really noticed certain looks loads better.
After
So after that we are making the car better, slowly but we are getting there.
I have walked around the car and noticed the paintwork needs some work, loads of scratches which seem too deep to buff out and dull spots.
The car looks good around 5 meters away but once you get close you can see the imperfections in the paintwork.
I have noticed this
This is a photo of the paintwork on the rear quater panel above the trim that goes across the sides.
And this is under the trim
As you can see it is dull and not as shiney as the above, any ideas if there is anything I can do to get this back up together? or is a spray job the only option?
I need the rear bumper sprayed as the last owner managed to scuff both corners and it will not buff out
So that is my update. Managed to get a couple hours away for the car which I was amazed with as we have just had a baby
She is getting most of my time from now on.All comments welcome as always.
When you say the scratches are too deep have you considered getting a DA and machine polishing them or are they really that deep?
You might be surprised what a DA and a cutting compound can take out. I had mine done professionally and it looked like the car had been resprayed. Most of my scratches were swirl marks from what was probably a machine wash but around the handles there were a lot of scratches that are gone completely.
Lovely looking car, shows what a lot of TLC can achieve!
You might be surprised what a DA and a cutting compound can take out. I had mine done professionally and it looked like the car had been resprayed. Most of my scratches were swirl marks from what was probably a machine wash but around the handles there were a lot of scratches that are gone completely.
Lovely looking car, shows what a lot of TLC can achieve!
Hi, this might sound really stupid but is it not more dull below the strip anyway because of like a stone chip protection?
And i would seriously consider taking the caar to a proper detailer and getting them to have a look at the scratches etc at least before i considered having paint work done.
P.S good photos and keep up the work
And i would seriously consider taking the caar to a proper detailer and getting them to have a look at the scratches etc at least before i considered having paint work done.
P.S good photos and keep up the work
Update:
OK so I wanted to remove the wheels and get the backs cleaned out, only took a few photos of this as it is all the same. Not come up the best but plenty good enough for the mechanic to look at when he next gets under there.
Also fitted the rear rondells as never got around to it.
While I was around this area we had a mudflap not sitting right on the rear, so removed the top bolt and cleaned out (amazed how much dirt was behind this) and fitted it back in, not perfect as we are missing a clip but looks loads better again.
I was not happy with the roof on the car as it was only cleaned 1.5 weeks ago and it was starting to look poor again, I looked close and noticed lots of dandy lion seads all over which was not helping things, so got a stiff hand brush, turned out to be the dust pan brush and went over the roof. I have to say, this has really helped it. I could see the dirt and dust coming off and also any hairs and fluff.
Pics of it from a distance where it looks respectable.
But up close it is still not the best.
I have this stuff growning on the car and it is starting to get on my tits. I have used Autoglym roof cleaner and scrubbed but still not coming off. Any ideas?
Also can anyone tell me what rear suspension model these are?
Bilstein ........?????
OK so I wanted to remove the wheels and get the backs cleaned out, only took a few photos of this as it is all the same. Not come up the best but plenty good enough for the mechanic to look at when he next gets under there.
Also fitted the rear rondells as never got around to it.
While I was around this area we had a mudflap not sitting right on the rear, so removed the top bolt and cleaned out (amazed how much dirt was behind this) and fitted it back in, not perfect as we are missing a clip but looks loads better again.
I was not happy with the roof on the car as it was only cleaned 1.5 weeks ago and it was starting to look poor again, I looked close and noticed lots of dandy lion seads all over which was not helping things, so got a stiff hand brush, turned out to be the dust pan brush and went over the roof. I have to say, this has really helped it. I could see the dirt and dust coming off and also any hairs and fluff.
Pics of it from a distance where it looks respectable.
But up close it is still not the best.
I have this stuff growning on the car and it is starting to get on my tits. I have used Autoglym roof cleaner and scrubbed but still not coming off. Any ideas?
Also can anyone tell me what rear suspension model these are?
Bilstein ........?????
mboon said:
Cheers Cossy, love the name, Cosworth owner? I used to own a Escort and loved every minute of it. Will be getting another as soon as I get a long term contract. More updates coming.
Hi there MBOON. yea used to have a G plate 2wd, bit premature with the name was goin for 400 bhp, got to 350 which was quite easy bu tthe got offered a lovely 4x4 saff, bloke said he d hold it i sold mine quite quickly but the bloke sold the 4x4 so i got all grown up and bought a house and ive bought a diesel fiesta zetecs 59 plate this year, but thats my plan also i want an escort, lovely looking M3 by the way and im enjoying reading your updates to RE: Your suspension.
Looks like you've got aftermarket Bilstein dampers fitted to the rear. Part No: F4-BE5-2453-H0
From the pictures, it looks like your front dampers are still OEM. I'm not sure how much this will affect the handling.(Depends on the damping rate of the Bilsteins compared to OEM)
The matching front Bilsteins would be parts numbers F4-VE3-A585-H0 and F4-VE3-A586-H0. (Left and Right respectively)
Looks like you've got aftermarket Bilstein dampers fitted to the rear. Part No: F4-BE5-2453-H0
From the pictures, it looks like your front dampers are still OEM. I'm not sure how much this will affect the handling.(Depends on the damping rate of the Bilsteins compared to OEM)
The matching front Bilsteins would be parts numbers F4-VE3-A585-H0 and F4-VE3-A586-H0. (Left and Right respectively)
richtea78 said:
When you say the scratches are too deep have you considered getting a DA and machine polishing them or are they really that deep?
You might be surprised what a DA and a cutting compound can take out.
What is a DA? I have a couple of scratches on my Evo that I'd like to have removed.You might be surprised what a DA and a cutting compound can take out.
mboon said:
Cheers Paul, I have been told the Rears are the B6 which apparently is the best non adjusting shocks you can get for them?
The fronts are oem and all springs are OEM as well. When the fronts need replacing I will put in the B6 for the front.
thanks for the info.
The Bilstein B6 are very good dampers. In fact, I fitted a set all round when I had my e36 M3 coupe.The fronts are oem and all springs are OEM as well. When the fronts need replacing I will put in the B6 for the front.
thanks for the info.
One thing that did happen was the front ride height actually increased when I fitted them. It was actually quite noticeable. I was using standard springs.
If I did it again I would consider matching them with slightly lower springs.
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