What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
g3org3y said:
Thanks for the link. It's the products more than anything that I'm interested in, there are a lot of options. It also seems that some products are suited for certain manufacturers depending on how hard or soft the paint is.
125i is looking good. Makes me think I should get the Z4 out at some point, but 1) Lazy 2) Only 2 seats (although one could argue the latter is a perfect reason to leave wife at home and just go out with my son
)
I’ve always had good results with Menzerna polishes. I usually start with a medium cut polish (2200 in their range) with something like a Hexlogic green pad before moving on to a finishing polish (3500) on a finishing pad.125i is looking good. Makes me think I should get the Z4 out at some point, but 1) Lazy 2) Only 2 seats (although one could argue the latter is a perfect reason to leave wife at home and just go out with my son
)However I’ve recently bought some Scholl Concepts S20 which is a one stage compound which seems pretty good with a Flex purple pad. It’s obviously much quicker than the Menzerna products that I’d usually use.
The above is all based on my experience with BMW’s which tend to have hard paint. It is a bit of a minefield when you head down the rabbit hole though!
You definitely need to get the Z4 out….just choose the person you like the most or go solo to be fair
Court_S said:
I’ve always had good results with Menzerna polishes. I usually start with a medium cut polish (2200 in their range) with something like a Hexlogic green pad before moving on to a finishing polish (3500) on a finishing pad.
However I’ve recently bought some Scholl Concepts S20 which is a one stage compound which seems pretty good with a Flex purple pad. It’s obviously much quicker than the Menzerna products that I’d usually use.
The above is all based on my experience with BMW’s which tend to have hard paint. It is a bit of a minefield when you head down the rabbit hole though!
Thanks for the advice. Yes..looks like it could get complicated/expensive! Weather is looking nice today, may wash the 630i.However I’ve recently bought some Scholl Concepts S20 which is a one stage compound which seems pretty good with a Flex purple pad. It’s obviously much quicker than the Menzerna products that I’d usually use.
The above is all based on my experience with BMW’s which tend to have hard paint. It is a bit of a minefield when you head down the rabbit hole though!
Court_S said:
You definitely need to get the Z4 out….just choose the person you like the most or go solo to be fair
Alone again.Naturally.
As an aside, finally done a Readers' Rides thread for the X5.
Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 29th August 07:43
g3org3y said:
Court_S said:
I’ve always had good results with Menzerna polishes. I usually start with a medium cut polish (2200 in their range) with something like a Hexlogic green pad before moving on to a finishing polish (3500) on a finishing pad.
However I’ve recently bought some Scholl Concepts S20 which is a one stage compound which seems pretty good with a Flex purple pad. It’s obviously much quicker than the Menzerna products that I’d usually use.
The above is all based on my experience with BMW’s which tend to have hard paint. It is a bit of a minefield when you head down the rabbit hole though!
Thanks for the advice. Yes..looks like it could get complicated/expensive! Weather is looking nice today, may wash the 630i.However I’ve recently bought some Scholl Concepts S20 which is a one stage compound which seems pretty good with a Flex purple pad. It’s obviously much quicker than the Menzerna products that I’d usually use.
The above is all based on my experience with BMW’s which tend to have hard paint. It is a bit of a minefield when you head down the rabbit hole though!
I started with some Autoglym SRP and before I knew it I was onto clay bars and then DA’s etc. I quite enjoy the process though.Hey G3org3y
Ever thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
Ever thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
Ian Geary said:
Hey G3org3y
Ever thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
sEver thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
t 
could have been worse as you say, could have cracked the sump! I’ve got one of the big Halfords jacks which has a decent cushioned Jack pad and is ideal for the bmw jacking pads, especially the front center one. My E92 is very low so I have to drive the front wheels onto 4 thick planks of wood, 2 either side, to get a Jack under it but those Halfords jacks are excellent. nomis36 said:
Ian Geary said:
Hey G3org3y
Ever thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
sEver thought this thread should be renamed "what has your BMW done to you today?"
Routine jacking up, front beam jack pad decides it wants more from life, and leaves part way through (now in front of rear tyre)
My wooden pad splits, and the car slips off, punching a hole through the under tray
Still, could have been worse. Tbh it was my bit of wood that caused the slip I think, but a new longer reach jack will be on order, along with a new jack pad.
t could have been worse as you say, could have cracked the sump! I’ve got one of the big Halfords jacks which has a decent cushioned Jack pad and is ideal for the bmw jacking pads, especially the front center one. My E92 is very low so I have to drive the front wheels onto 4 thick planks of wood, 2 either side, to get a Jack under it but those Halfords jacks are excellent. As nomis says, could have been worse, both for car and yourself! Glad you're ok!Following an incident with my E91 almost falling on me (normal jack, gravel drive, mostly my fault tbh) I use one of these now:
Got my first week off to myself since the before times, the e34 currently looks like this:
Struggling with some rusty bolts on the anti roll bar drop links to try to cure a clunk over speed bumps. Done the oil and filters, going to change the fuel filter, coolant, replace a door lock and some seals, treat and repaint the rusty door (again) and possibly replace a wing. My first time doing most of it so a lotta learning happening.
Also got a roughish idle as well so will hopefully get to the bottom of that, did valve clearances a few weeks ago and cleaned the idle control valve which has made it better but not cured, and added a funny drone at about 2-3000 rpm now, then normal if higher than that that. Looking for a better solution than driving everywhere at 3000+ rpm but this seems to be impossible to google.
Struggling with some rusty bolts on the anti roll bar drop links to try to cure a clunk over speed bumps. Done the oil and filters, going to change the fuel filter, coolant, replace a door lock and some seals, treat and repaint the rusty door (again) and possibly replace a wing. My first time doing most of it so a lotta learning happening.
Also got a roughish idle as well so will hopefully get to the bottom of that, did valve clearances a few weeks ago and cleaned the idle control valve which has made it better but not cured, and added a funny drone at about 2-3000 rpm now, then normal if higher than that that. Looking for a better solution than driving everywhere at 3000+ rpm but this seems to be impossible to google.
nblr said:
Got my first week off to myself since the before times, the e34 currently looks like this:
Struggling with some rusty bolts on the anti roll bar drop links to try to cure a clunk over speed bumps. Done the oil and filters, going to change the fuel filter, coolant, replace a door lock and some seals, treat and repaint the rusty door (again) and possibly replace a wing. My first time doing most of it so a lotta learning happening.
Also got a roughish idle as well so will hopefully get to the bottom of that, did valve clearances a few weeks ago and cleaned the idle control valve which has made it better but not cured, and added a funny drone at about 2-3000 rpm now, then normal if higher than that that. Looking for a better solution than driving everywhere at 3000+ rpm but this seems to be impossible to google.
My funny drone from about 1900 revs in the 330Ci was caused by the butterfly valve in the exhaust being seized 3/4 shut. No idea if you've even got one, but if you're checking it should move with your finger. It took a lot of really awkward effort and several types of penetrating spray to force it 90% open, which has fixed the noise. If I'm going to fix it properly I'm either going to need some magic spray, or to take either the exhaust or the bumper off. Struggling with some rusty bolts on the anti roll bar drop links to try to cure a clunk over speed bumps. Done the oil and filters, going to change the fuel filter, coolant, replace a door lock and some seals, treat and repaint the rusty door (again) and possibly replace a wing. My first time doing most of it so a lotta learning happening.
Also got a roughish idle as well so will hopefully get to the bottom of that, did valve clearances a few weeks ago and cleaned the idle control valve which has made it better but not cured, and added a funny drone at about 2-3000 rpm now, then normal if higher than that that. Looking for a better solution than driving everywhere at 3000+ rpm but this seems to be impossible to google.
Oh, and I had an excellent find when I was doing my ICV which was to make sure you lubricate it, normal engine oil being the suggested lube, makes it quieter and apparently stops it seizing up again for a while.
Court_S said:
Also removed the A pillar trims in my other half’s 125 to try and resolve some squeak and rattle issues by adding loads of anti rattle tape. Fingers crossed it’ll quieten down now,
I asked my other half if there was an improvement with the rattles / creaks from the a pillars and the response was……‘was it rattling?’ 
Looks like I need to drive it again to see if it’s any better.
g3org3y said:
Super_G said:
Ordered a soft indoors cover. Put her in the garage as going away for a bit.
Out of interest which did you buy? Might get one for the Z4.https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/indoor-car-...
Cheaper than the official BMW cover and very high quality.
Edited by Super_G on Wednesday 1st September 15:38
Super_G said:
g3org3y said:
Super_G said:
Ordered a soft indoors cover. Put her in the garage as going away for a bit.
Out of interest which did you buy? Might get one for the Z4.https://www.classicadditions.com/en-GB/indoor-car-...
Cheaper than the official BMW cover and very high quality.
Edited by Super_G on Wednesday 1st September 15:38
My fiddling with the A pillars on her 125i has paid off; no more creaks and rattles from them. Just need to do something about they windows which rattle a wee bit over poor surfaces.
Ordered a set of camber plates for my 130i from a chap who makes them on BabyBMW. Once these turn up, I’ll get my M3 LCA’s fitted and have the car aligned.
Ordered a set of camber plates for my 130i from a chap who makes them on BabyBMW. Once these turn up, I’ll get my M3 LCA’s fitted and have the car aligned.
Realised just how wonky it is at the back.
The rear tyre on the driver's side has always looked quite close to the wheelarch - in fact both sides do, but coming back from the supermarket with shopping in the boot and the roof down I could hear rubbing, and realised that the rear left has two fingers of clearance, the rear right has basically none.
At first I was thinking broken spring, but after looking at some photos realised it passed its last MOT like that, and a bit of reading suggested that they all do that sir. I've not noticed rubbing before so I think the combination of battery on the right, heavy driver on the right, shopping mostly on the right in the boot, and roof down (so weight further back) was enough to make it rub.
I've ordered a thicker spring end cap, and until then will remember to load it from the left.
The rear tyre on the driver's side has always looked quite close to the wheelarch - in fact both sides do, but coming back from the supermarket with shopping in the boot and the roof down I could hear rubbing, and realised that the rear left has two fingers of clearance, the rear right has basically none.
At first I was thinking broken spring, but after looking at some photos realised it passed its last MOT like that, and a bit of reading suggested that they all do that sir. I've not noticed rubbing before so I think the combination of battery on the right, heavy driver on the right, shopping mostly on the right in the boot, and roof down (so weight further back) was enough to make it rub.
I've ordered a thicker spring end cap, and until then will remember to load it from the left.
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