What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
g3org3y said:
Looks good, nice upgrade. 
I like your numberplate.
IMVHO, the prefacelift E9X kidneys/bumper looks better than the post facelift. [/biased]
Thanks; it’s my wife’s plate.I like your numberplate.
IMVHO, the prefacelift E9X kidneys/bumper looks better than the post facelift. [/biased]
I’m not the biggest fan of the split kidneys, but quite like the bumper. At least the pre facelift cars have sensible sized wing mirrors!
pmorg4 said:
Good work, love how the first job after getting the car home is to strip the interior to give it a proper clean!
It could be worse, my E91 330i was used for carrying the previous owner's dog in the boot. Despite vigorous attempts to get rid of all the dog hair embedded into the carpeted trim around the boot I was still finding dog hairs in it when I sold it several years later. Thankfully it didn't still smell of dog by then however.
Buy an analan brush, It could be worse, my E91 330i was used for carrying the previous owner's dog in the boot. Despite vigorous attempts to get rid of all the dog hair embedded into the carpeted trim around the boot I was still finding dog hairs in it when I sold it several years later. Thankfully it didn't still smell of dog by then however.
3 dogs all cast terribly, but this just lifts the hair right out the carpet
great bit of kitMines going in for a brake fluid change and to have a dodgy ABS Sensor fixed, during which process it will get a full valet - so thought I'd do a little "pre valet" job to get started.
Warning - post contains manky exhaust pipes.
So the car is still using a little oil, so thought I'd clean up the tail pipes so I can monitor how much is being spat out the back. They haven't been touched in 14 years and 170k miles, so as you can imagine they're a bit filthy .
A quick search suggested allow wheel cleaner is a good product to start with, so I dug out the Auto Glyn stuff and a wheel brush, and very carefully got to work - I'm already in the doghouse for the amount of oil already on the drive, and no more was allowed.
So I sprayed it liberally on the exhaust pipes, agitated it with an old basin underneath, then wiped it off with a damp rag.
They sort of came out ok, however I suspect these pipes are too far gone and will need replaced at some stage.
Looks like a lot of the chrome plating has come off as no matter how hard I scrubbed it wouldn't go back to silver.
Ah well, I tried I guess.
I've got a Headlight Restoration Kit which I'll get cracking with when I get the car back, then will do all the shut lines etc, which haven't been touched in years either.
Warning - post contains manky exhaust pipes.
So the car is still using a little oil, so thought I'd clean up the tail pipes so I can monitor how much is being spat out the back. They haven't been touched in 14 years and 170k miles, so as you can imagine they're a bit filthy .
A quick search suggested allow wheel cleaner is a good product to start with, so I dug out the Auto Glyn stuff and a wheel brush, and very carefully got to work - I'm already in the doghouse for the amount of oil already on the drive, and no more was allowed.
So I sprayed it liberally on the exhaust pipes, agitated it with an old basin underneath, then wiped it off with a damp rag.
They sort of came out ok, however I suspect these pipes are too far gone and will need replaced at some stage.
Looks like a lot of the chrome plating has come off as no matter how hard I scrubbed it wouldn't go back to silver.
Ah well, I tried I guess.
I've got a Headlight Restoration Kit which I'll get cracking with when I get the car back, then will do all the shut lines etc, which haven't been touched in years either.
bodhi said:
Mines going in for a brake fluid change and to have a dodgy ABS Sensor fixed, during which process it will get a full valet - so thought I'd do a little "pre valet" job to get started.
Warning - post contains manky exhaust pipes.
So the car is still using a little oil, so thought I'd clean up the tail pipes so I can monitor how much is being spat out the back. They haven't been touched in 14 years and 170k miles, so as you can imagine they're a bit filthy .
A quick search suggested allow wheel cleaner is a good product to start with, so I dug out the Auto Glyn stuff and a wheel brush, and very carefully got to work - I'm already in the doghouse for the amount of oil already on the drive, and no more was allowed.
So I sprayed it liberally on the exhaust pipes, agitated it with an old basin underneath, then wiped it off with a damp rag.
They sort of came out ok, however I suspect these pipes are too far gone and will need replaced at some stage.
Looks like a lot of the chrome plating has come off as no matter how hard I scrubbed it wouldn't go back to silver.
Ah well, I tried I guess.
I've got a Headlight Restoration Kit which I'll get cracking with when I get the car back, then will do all the shut lines etc, which haven't been touched in years either.
That's happened on my F31; no repairing that unfortunatelyWarning - post contains manky exhaust pipes.
So the car is still using a little oil, so thought I'd clean up the tail pipes so I can monitor how much is being spat out the back. They haven't been touched in 14 years and 170k miles, so as you can imagine they're a bit filthy .
A quick search suggested allow wheel cleaner is a good product to start with, so I dug out the Auto Glyn stuff and a wheel brush, and very carefully got to work - I'm already in the doghouse for the amount of oil already on the drive, and no more was allowed.
So I sprayed it liberally on the exhaust pipes, agitated it with an old basin underneath, then wiped it off with a damp rag.
They sort of came out ok, however I suspect these pipes are too far gone and will need replaced at some stage.
Looks like a lot of the chrome plating has come off as no matter how hard I scrubbed it wouldn't go back to silver.
Ah well, I tried I guess.
I've got a Headlight Restoration Kit which I'll get cracking with when I get the car back, then will do all the shut lines etc, which haven't been touched in years either.
Tried to install the OEM BMW M Performance trims that RealOEM show fit my car; they don't! Just too big
Sent them back unfortunately...d_a_n1979 said:
That's happened on my F31; no repairing that unfortunately
Tried to install the OEM BMW M Performance trims that RealOEM show fit my car; they don't! Just too big Sent them back unfortunately...
I suspected that would be the case - one thing that was encouraging was that very little oil residue came off, and when drying it with a rag the rag was remarkably clean afterwards, so I'm less concerned about burning oil now - it also managed Heathrow and back with the oil level staying where it started, so it looks to be behaving itself. Tried to install the OEM BMW M Performance trims that RealOEM show fit my car; they don't! Just too big
Sent them back unfortunately...For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
bodhi said:
I suspected that would be the case - one thing that was encouraging was that very little oil residue came off, and when drying it with a rag the rag was remarkably clean afterwards, so I'm less concerned about burning oil now - it also managed Heathrow and back with the oil level staying where it started, so it looks to be behaving itself.
For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
Yeah, they’re easy to change. Usually brute force is required.For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
OE tips are about £40 each. Not cheap but will fit better than some eBay specials. Or….man maths; time for a new backbox,
Court_S said:
bodhi said:
I suspected that would be the case - one thing that was encouraging was that very little oil residue came off, and when drying it with a rag the rag was remarkably clean afterwards, so I'm less concerned about burning oil now - it also managed Heathrow and back with the oil level staying where it started, so it looks to be behaving itself.
For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
Yeah, they’re easy to change. Usually brute force is required.For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
OE tips are about £40 each. Not cheap but will fit better than some eBay specials. Or….man maths; time for a new backbox,
Been keeping an eye out for a 135i backbox but haven’t seen any crop up, and not sure I can quite man-maths my way into an Eisenmann one (£1k+ last I checked!).Assume you just ordered direct from a dealer? OE ones on eBay look like they’re coming in at ~£100 each.
bodhi said:
d_a_n1979 said:
That's happened on my F31; no repairing that unfortunately
Tried to install the OEM BMW M Performance trims that RealOEM show fit my car; they don't! Just too big Sent them back unfortunately...
I suspected that would be the case - one thing that was encouraging was that very little oil residue came off, and when drying it with a rag the rag was remarkably clean afterwards, so I'm less concerned about burning oil now - it also managed Heathrow and back with the oil level staying where it started, so it looks to be behaving itself. Tried to install the OEM BMW M Performance trims that RealOEM show fit my car; they don't! Just too big
Sent them back unfortunately...For now anyway
Are the tailpipes easy enough to change?
And then cleaned them best I could and tapped them back on again
I may go for these but via a BMW dealer and not LLL:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201854229744?fits=Car+M...
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Thursday 1st June 13:39
Glasgowrob said:
pmorg4 said:
Good work, love how the first job after getting the car home is to strip the interior to give it a proper clean!
It could be worse, my E91 330i was used for carrying the previous owner's dog in the boot. Despite vigorous attempts to get rid of all the dog hair embedded into the carpeted trim around the boot I was still finding dog hairs in it when I sold it several years later. Thankfully it didn't still smell of dog by then however.
Buy an analan brush, It could be worse, my E91 330i was used for carrying the previous owner's dog in the boot. Despite vigorous attempts to get rid of all the dog hair embedded into the carpeted trim around the boot I was still finding dog hairs in it when I sold it several years later. Thankfully it didn't still smell of dog by then however.
3 dogs all cast terribly, but this just lifts the hair right out the carpet
great bit of kitd_a_n1979 said:
Yup; as Sam said; they just tap off.. I sprayed mine with WD40 and then tapped them off with a small rubber hammer...
And then cleaned them best I could and tapped them back on again
I may go for these but via a BMW dealer and not LLL:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201854229744?fits=Car+M...
Looks like the Aluminium ones for the E82 are available on Amazon, of all places:And then cleaned them best I could and tapped them back on again
I may go for these but via a BMW dealer and not LLL:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201854229744?fits=Car+M...
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Thursday 1st June 13:39
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Tailp...
I'll probably still go to my local BMW dealer, but good to know they're freely available.
I took my my 5 year old 340i in for an MOT and brake fluid service, owned from new. All good, amazingly after 22k of mostly town driving my brake pads are only 30% worn and still have 4.5 mm minimum tread on all 4 tyres. The discs aren't lipped either.
No real need to get rid.
Since new I've had three issues. Fogged headlight a few months after collection, a minor softwear glitch involving the dash display going blank and the battery under the shark fin failing causing the SOS failure (diy for £50).
I'm renewing the BMW insured comprehensive warranty for £339
No real need to get rid.
Since new I've had three issues. Fogged headlight a few months after collection, a minor softwear glitch involving the dash display going blank and the battery under the shark fin failing causing the SOS failure (diy for £50).
I'm renewing the BMW insured comprehensive warranty for £339
Today:
Front door speakers taken out - Audison in
Front tweeters in - Audison (none previously)
Rear door speakers out - H/K
Rear tweeters in - Audison (none previously)
Both woofers out - Earthquake SWS-8XI in (6.5 in midbass woofers out, replaced with 8in subwoofers)
All doors and parts of floor and boot sound deadened with Dodo Mat Pro
Nextbase dash cam front and rear hard wired up
Audio system coded to HiFi
Door bolts tightened and sealed
To do:
Match Amp and DSP needs to be fitted (apparently its a complete nightmare as there is no amp in the car, so ran out of time today)
All speaker wires to be replaced with 14 gauge Oxygen free copper wire
All audio harnesses to be replaced with custom , extended ones.
Impressions:
Without the amp, clarity has become exceptional whereas the base audio system was just vile. There is less distortion at all volume levels.
Also without an amp, it sounds very underpowered, as expected. After coded to Hi-Fi for a flat EQ, There is little bass and “punch” but as mentioned clarity is exceptional. The subwoofers don’t even sound like they are there at all.
The F30 doors which normally sound to me, quite cheap for a BMW, now close with a solid, and extremely satisfying thunk without being too heavy regardless. Much less flex in the car.
All my issues will be solved with the Match amp being fitted in 2 weeks. Bring that on!
This system sounds 10x better - I can imagine with the amp in it will be around 100x better with 50W to each speaker and 160W to each sub of clean power
Front door speakers taken out - Audison in
Front tweeters in - Audison (none previously)
Rear door speakers out - H/K
Rear tweeters in - Audison (none previously)
Both woofers out - Earthquake SWS-8XI in (6.5 in midbass woofers out, replaced with 8in subwoofers)
All doors and parts of floor and boot sound deadened with Dodo Mat Pro
Nextbase dash cam front and rear hard wired up
Audio system coded to HiFi
Door bolts tightened and sealed
To do:
Match Amp and DSP needs to be fitted (apparently its a complete nightmare as there is no amp in the car, so ran out of time today)
All speaker wires to be replaced with 14 gauge Oxygen free copper wire
All audio harnesses to be replaced with custom , extended ones.
Impressions:
Without the amp, clarity has become exceptional whereas the base audio system was just vile. There is less distortion at all volume levels.
Also without an amp, it sounds very underpowered, as expected. After coded to Hi-Fi for a flat EQ, There is little bass and “punch” but as mentioned clarity is exceptional. The subwoofers don’t even sound like they are there at all.
The F30 doors which normally sound to me, quite cheap for a BMW, now close with a solid, and extremely satisfying thunk without being too heavy regardless. Much less flex in the car.
All my issues will be solved with the Match amp being fitted in 2 weeks. Bring that on!
This system sounds 10x better - I can imagine with the amp in it will be around 100x better with 50W to each speaker and 160W to each sub of clean power
Sofa said:
I’m in a similar position with mine, they’re starting to look pretty crusty and considering it’s the only visual identifier it’s not a 4-cylinder I’d quite like them to look nice. Been keeping an eye out for a 135i backbox but haven’t seen any crop up, and not sure I can quite man-maths my way into an Eisenmann one (£1k+ last I checked!).
Assume you just ordered direct from a dealer? OE ones on eBay look like they’re coming in at ~£100 each.
135i backboxes are pretty rare now; they do sound nice though. My 130i sounded good with the backbox I picked up. Been keeping an eye out for a 135i backbox but haven’t seen any crop up, and not sure I can quite man-maths my way into an Eisenmann one (£1k+ last I checked!).Assume you just ordered direct from a dealer? OE ones on eBay look like they’re coming in at ~£100 each.
I buy a lot from my local dealer and asked for a discount; they were happy to oblige and automatically add it on now. Means they’re the same price as Cotswold.
Alternatively, try Sytner Leicester and quote Matt15. That’ll give you 15%, assuming they don’t inflate they prices first!
steve_n said:
I got a quote from Sytner Leicester today using MAT15 and it only gave me a discount of 10%...
Think I'll stick with BMW Cotswold which is one of my local dealers anyway.
That’s annoying. I think the 15% can only be done if there is a certain level of stock, which I what I gathered when I asked my local Sytner if they could match it when I ordered some dark line lights. Think I'll stick with BMW Cotswold which is one of my local dealers anyway.
Court_S said:
Started cleaning up the walnut trim I bought for the 330i. It was minging and it needs a bit of a polish to remove some scratches. Looks loads better against the lemon leather though.
That's going to look really well Sam; a more classic look and it's polished up so well!I did similar in a sapphire black E39 530i Sport
Came with the alu trim which looked stupid against the beige leather etc; swapped it out for vavona; I'd polished it like you've done and fitted it all and it looked superb; suited the interior so much better!
steve_n said:
I got a quote from Sytner Leicester today using MAT15 and it only gave me a discount of 10%...
Think I'll stick with BMW Cotswold which is one of my local dealers anyway.
I found the same pal; went back to Cotswolds for some bits; the rest off eBay via Douglas Park BMWThink I'll stick with BMW Cotswold which is one of my local dealers anyway.
Well worth looking into
Plus if you use TopCashBack; it's 4% cash back with motor parts on eBay and if you've a Nectar card; points too!
I tend to avoid eBay when I can; but it's been a superb source for a lot of parts recently!
d_a_n1979 said:
That's going to look really well Sam; a more classic look and it's polished up so well!
I did similar in a sapphire black E39 530i Sport
Came with the alu trim which looked stupid against the beige leather etc; swapped it out for vavona; I'd polished it like you've done and fitted it all and it looked superb; suited the interior so much better!
The boss approves too. It’s a bit old man, but works well with the leather. I’m normally a fan of the polished trim, but it needs to be with red or black leather.I did similar in a sapphire black E39 530i Sport
Came with the alu trim which looked stupid against the beige leather etc; swapped it out for vavona; I'd polished it like you've done and fitted it all and it looked superb; suited the interior so much better!
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