What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
A small (but effective 
) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:
I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went…
...and found this for £40 including delivery.
Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went…
...and found this for £40 including delivery. Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
monthefish said:
A small (but effective ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:
I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went… ...and found this for £40 including delivery.
Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
Lovely job, as the saying goes, if you want a job done….. ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went…
...and found this for £40 including delivery. Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
monthefish said:
A small (but effective ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:
I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went… ...and found this for £40 including delivery.
Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
I like that ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:I’ve always loved 4-seater cars, and if I was ever speccing a Range Rover or a Rolls Royce Phantom, I’d be very tempted to tick the 4 seater option (despite the reduced practicality).
It’s one of the (many) things I loved about the M6GC, as it is practically a 4-seater, especially when the armrest is down (which, on my car, is basically all the time).
But the one thing that annoyed me about the rear of the M6 GC when the armrest is down, is the black plastic in the cubby hole – it just stands out like a sore thumb against the otherwise plush rear area…
... so I decided to do something about it.
I thought I would just contact any car trimmer / upholsterer, send them my template and have them cut it for me, or even just buy a section of leather from them and do it myself.
I thought this would be the easy bit. I was entirely wrong.
Some companies I contacted just ignored me.
A few I contacted basically just said they weren’t interested in helping, even before talking price (I basically would have been happy to pay whatever it cost)
After contacting one firm, and being nonplussed by the response, I checked out the google reviews for his business and spotted this one:
Exactly how I felt.
A few I contacted offered to sell me a complete hide, which I thought would be very wasteful, as all I needed was piece about the size of an A4 sheet of paper.
The only place I got a decent, helpful response was from a chap called Jake at UK Hide, who, after discussing options with him, suggested I try and source a used part on eBay (but to come back to him if I couldn’t).
So off to ebay I went…
...and found this for £40 including delivery. Contacted them to check the size (to check it was big enough to cut out the patch I needed).
Along with a quick and positive reply, came an offer to buy it for £35.99! At that money, it was totally worth a punt even if it didn't work out.
I (virtually) snatched their hand off!
When it arrived, I was a bit concerned about colour match (Maybe a subtle difference between Silverstone vs Silverstone II possibly?) and it was a little grubby.
But when I put it in the car the colour match was far closer than I first thought
Also, the grain was far more prominent in the sourced part, but when put together it was hardly noticeable (especially as the cubby hole is in a recess so hides any subtle shade/texture difference)
Also, it’s basically the same contrast as the seat finisher on the back of the front seats…
So the first job was to cut out a template in paper....version 3 finally got it right – here's the final template in position…
Sourced extra thin Velcro from ebay (£12), white for the leather part, and black for the car (so that it won’t be noticeable if the leather has to be removed for the ski hatch etc). Here's the black velcro in position - almost invisible.
Next job was to clean up the part (using the colour matched leather care kit that came with the car), and then separate the leather from the part.
...and then cut out the shape from the leather using the template:
Quick colour match test now that the leather panel had been cleaned and conditioned - pretty good.
Fitted in place.
Job done.
Great job well done (albeit with some faff) 
)Had a day nerding out on the paint on my car. It’s better but still has a lot to go. I need a heavier cutting compound to make much more of an improvement.
After many hours with my new DA it’s looks pretty good.
I had time / motivation afterwards so I changed the angel eye bulbs to LED ones. Hard to get a decent photo though.
I also fitted my new plates.
Today, when I got back from my bike ride I had a look at the squeaky blower motor / fan. Little sod to get it out. The bearings seems smooth enough but I lubed the bits I could see and removed the crispy leaf trapped. Hopefully that’s sorted.
After many hours with my new DA it’s looks pretty good.
I had time / motivation afterwards so I changed the angel eye bulbs to LED ones. Hard to get a decent photo though.
I also fitted my new plates.
Today, when I got back from my bike ride I had a look at the squeaky blower motor / fan. Little sod to get it out. The bearings seems smooth enough but I lubed the bits I could see and removed the crispy leaf trapped. Hopefully that’s sorted.
Replaced all the ignition coils on the E91 330i. Was going to use them for the 630i (after the coil failure earlier this year) but felt the E91 wasn't running quite right and it's on 142k so thought worth treating it. Seems to be running better/smooth (maybe placebo!?).
Kept the old coils and put them in boxes labelled with the cylinder they came off.They might come in handy in the future right...? (Anyone else keep old bits or am I just weird!?)
As an aside, no further oil behind the oil filter cap so seems the oil cooler gasket replacement has been successful.
This is where it used to collect (not my photo):
Kept the old coils and put them in boxes labelled with the cylinder they came off.They might come in handy in the future right...? (Anyone else keep old bits or am I just weird!?)
As an aside, no further oil behind the oil filter cap so seems the oil cooler gasket replacement has been successful.
This is where it used to collect (not my photo):
g3org3y said:
Replaced all the ignition coils on the E91 330i. Was going to use them for the 630i (after the coil failure earlier this year) but felt the E91 wasn't running quite right and it's on 142k so thought worth treating it. Seems to be running better/smooth (maybe placebo!?).
Kept the old coils and put them in boxes labelled with the cylinder they came off.They might come in handy in the future right...? (Anyone else keep old bits or am I just weird!?)
As an aside, no further oil behind the oil filter cap so seems the oil cooler gasket replacement has been successful.
This is where it used to collect (not my photo):
I definitely keep any still-working parts I've replaced, could be useful as a temporary fix or to diagnose a problem. Marking them up is a step further than I go, but I have saved a pair of M54 ignition coils (PO had replaced four of the six), and I know one of them works, i just don't know which one, so I can see the logic. Kept the old coils and put them in boxes labelled with the cylinder they came off.They might come in handy in the future right...? (Anyone else keep old bits or am I just weird!?)
As an aside, no further oil behind the oil filter cap so seems the oil cooler gasket replacement has been successful.
This is where it used to collect (not my photo):
I’ve ordered some new rear shock absorber lower mounts for my e92 today. They’re to go with the new M3 subframe bushings, diff bushings and mid flexi brake pipes which I couldn’t change when I did the 4 wheel pipes earlier this year. My plan is to remove the whole subframe next weekend because I’ll have to cut the mid brake pipes (seized unions) and I’m expecting a bare knuckle fight with the subframe bushings.
Just trying to work out whether to remove the handbrake cables from the hubs or the lever.
Anybody know which is correct or easiest?
Just trying to work out whether to remove the handbrake cables from the hubs or the lever.
Anybody know which is correct or easiest?
nomis36 said:
I’ve ordered some new rear shock absorber lower mounts for my e92 today. They’re to go with the new M3 subframe bushings, diff bushings and mid flexi brake pipes which I couldn’t change when I did the 4 wheel pipes earlier this year. My plan is to remove the whole subframe next weekend because I’ll have to cut the mid brake pipes (seized unions) and I’m expecting a bare knuckle fight with the subframe bushings.
Just trying to work out whether to remove the handbrake cables from the hubs or the lever.
Anybody know which is correct or easiest?
On the E46 the cables often seize into the hubs, the E90 may be similar.Just trying to work out whether to remove the handbrake cables from the hubs or the lever.
Anybody know which is correct or easiest?
E63eeeeee... said:
I definitely keep any still-working parts I've replaced, could be useful as a temporary fix or to diagnose a problem. Marking them up is a step further than I go, but I have saved a pair of M54 ignition coils (PO had replaced four of the six), and I know one of them works, i just don't know which one, so I can see the logic.
Glad it isn't just me.Obviously if the item is completely shagged (eg suspension components) I'll probably throw them away.
Court_S said:
Took advantage of a 20% eBay discount code and ordered a Mishimoto intake pipe. Black was out of stock so I settled on blue. It’s pretty hidden so shouldn’t look too daft.
Debating if I need anything. Seems rude not to buy something given the discount. 
JakeT said:
I also sorted the oil cooler on my E91 330i. However, the last person to do it over-tightened the bolts, so they came out with the threads. I've sorted a repair otherwise, and the leak is gone for now...
Good repair! g3org3y said:
Court_S said:
Took advantage of a 20% eBay discount code and ordered a Mishimoto intake pipe. Black was out of stock so I settled on blue. It’s pretty hidden so shouldn’t look too daft.
Debating if I need anything. Seems rude not to buy something given the discount. 
monthefish said:
A small (but effective ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:
Huh, so there was no velcro-attached leather flap from factory? Thought it was there on E-series chassis at least. Talk about "back in the old days engineers made the cars, now it's all done by marketers and accountants hurr durr". ) mod I made to my M6 Gran Coupe:Ditto on the trimmers - most will make big claims about "using OEM materials" or some such, but very few actually deliver.
Quite surprised how cheaply you can get a bit of merino nowadays..
Court_S said:
Changed the white shifter bush on my 130 tonight whilst swapping the trim over. It wasn’t that bad to do and I didn’t even lose the retaining clip.
New bush in and the shifter refitted.
Has the new bush made much difference? I’ve been meaning to do this for a while but not got round to it yet. Where did you get the bush from?New bush in and the shifter refitted.
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