What have you done to your BMW today?

[MightyBadger]

The engine light that came on after I slightly overfilled the coolant stayed on for a day then went out on its own and has not come back on, result. Went for a blast down the coastal twisties today and all is good, it drove lovely and smooth as usual and made a lovely noise whilst doing so. Love my shed, might even take it to the Wadebridge wheels event

[Huff]

Washed the old e39 535 properly.

Filled tank with the good stuff.

...then took it out for to exercise the ringing-singing top-1/4 of the rev range...

[MightyBadger]

Huff said:

Washed the old e39 535 properly.

Filled tank with the good stuff.

...then took it out for to exercise the ringing-singing top-1/4 of the rev range...

Would love a 535, I have a lowly e39 530i but she still sings.

Let me know if you ever sell it

[Court_S]

I picked up my newly painted style 261’s from the powdercoaters on Saturday. The colour is a bit bolder than I was hoping for and I did have a bit of an ‘oh st’ moment. They’re probably a bit controversial, but I’m actually happy with how they turned out (dons flameproof suit….).

[McGee_22]

Court_S said:

I picked up my newly painted style 261’s from the powdercoaters on Saturday. The colour is a bit bolder than I was hoping for and I did have a bit of an ‘oh st’ moment. They’re probably a bit controversial, but I’m actually happy with how they turned out (dons flameproof suit….).

Looks fantastic against the car colour - well done.

[sortedcossie]

TBH That shade looks spot on against the dark blue. It's not too "gold".

[Court_S]

Cheers chaps.

[MightyBadger]

Court_S said:

I picked up my newly painted style 261’s from the powdercoaters on Saturday. The colour is a bit bolder than I was hoping for and I did have a bit of an ‘oh st’ moment. They’re probably a bit controversial, but I’m actually happy with how they turned out (dons flameproof suit….).

They and the car look great, really suit it and look purposeful - win win.

[MightyBadger]

After giving the barge a clean I'm pondering getting amber indicators

As she is now


Would like these

[d_a_n1979]

MightyBadger said:

After giving the barge a clean I'm pondering getting amber indicators

As she is now


Would like these

Yup; they'd really suit your SE

But it's a full headlight swap over - which in the long scheme of things isn't bad as at the age your headlights are at now; not cheap, but if the cars a keeper, well worth while upgrade IMO

Left: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353926035?epid=24860...

Right:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353925193?epid=24918...

You could get some OEM BMW xenon ballasts too and retrofit xenons into them using these adapters:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311628606707?itmmeta=01...

[MightyBadger]

d_a_n1979 said:

Yup; they'd really suit your SE

But it's a full headlight swap over - which in the long scheme of things isn't bad as at the age your headlights are at now; not cheap, but if the cars a keeper, well worth while upgrade IMO

Left: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353926035?epid=24860...

Right:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353925193?epid=24918...

You could get some OEM BMW xenon ballasts too and retrofit xenons into them using these adapters:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311628606707?itmmeta=01...

Yes I think she is a keeper......but bloody hell they aint cheap are they! Might be cheaper to buy and old wrecker with those lights. Having said that with a good polish my ones will come up good and might find someone who wants the clear ones and is up for swapping. Or I could just save for the ones you posted, I have a feeling a new clutch might take priority though.

Cheers for the links mate, eye opening (watering)

Those Hellas do look absolutely lovely though.

[d_a_n1979]

MightyBadger said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Yup; they'd really suit your SE

But it's a full headlight swap over - which in the long scheme of things isn't bad as at the age your headlights are at now; not cheap, but if the cars a keeper, well worth while upgrade IMO

Left: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353926035?epid=24860...

Right:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164353925193?epid=24918...

You could get some OEM BMW xenon ballasts too and retrofit xenons into them using these adapters:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311628606707?itmmeta=01...

Yes I think she is a keeper......but bloody hell they aint cheap are they! Might be cheaper to buy and old wrecker with those lights. Having said that with a good polish my ones will come up good and might find someone who wants the clear ones and is up for swapping. Or I could just save for the ones you posted, I have a feeling a new clutch might take priority though.

Cheers for the links mate, eye opening (watering)

Those Hellas do look absolutely lovely though.

Agree; they're not cheap, but they are worth it as they really lift the front end of the car

The issue with the Hella headlights at the age they're at now; is that the reflector surfaces fail and there's no restoring that. You could get someone to fully upgrade the lights with all new projectors and xenons etc - but it'll be about the same price as brand new ones

The upgraded projectors are excellent and generally have a much better light scatter/cut off etc - but it'd mean a few weeks without the car

I fitted all new Hella headlights to my Jap import E39 touring back in mid 2019 as the originals had failed adjusters but the lenses were cloudy and I didn't want the faff of having to send them off to be fixed etc



They cost me £511 for the pair from ECP at that time; I was lucky to get them at that price TBH

[meddler]

Oil and oil filter change, new spark plugs, new air filters, new boot struts and greased boot hinges for the E91 325i. Either it’s running 10% smoother or I’m feeling the placebo effect.

Also swapped the knackered rear tyres (Potenza Sports that only lasted 22k miles) for Asymmetric 6s. Noticeable reduction in road noise, even with half-worn Potenza Sports on the front.

Looking forward to next month’s blast to the Dordogne.

[meddler]

Court_S said:

I picked up my newly painted style 261’s from the powdercoaters on Saturday. The colour is a bit bolder than I was hoping for and I did have a bit of an ‘oh st’ moment. They’re probably a bit controversial, but I’m actually happy with how they turned out (dons flameproof suit….).

Absolutely love these. Maybe not for a Touring but great for a Z4 in that colour

[helix402]

meddler said:

Oil and oil filter change, new spark plugs, new air filters, new boot struts and greased boot hinges for the E91 325i. Either it’s running 10% smoother or I’m feeling the placebo effect.

Also swapped the knackered rear tyres (Potenza Sports that only lasted 22k miles) for Asymmetric 6s. Noticeable reduction in road noise, even with half-worn Potenza Sports on the front.

Looking forward to next month’s blast to the Dordogne.

Only 22k, that’s good! My 335d rear tyres last 14-16k (Eagle F1s/Sport Contact 5s)

[d_a_n1979]

meddler said:

Oil and oil filter change, new spark plugs, new air filters, new boot struts and greased boot hinges for the E91 325i. Either it’s running 10% smoother or I’m feeling the placebo effect.

Also swapped the knackered rear tyres (Potenza Sports that only lasted 22k miles) for Asymmetric 6s. Noticeable reduction in road noise, even with half-worn Potenza Sports on the front.

Looking forward to next month’s blast to the Dordogne.

Every BMW I've done an oil & filter change in (spark plugs in petrols) have always run smoother afterwards. I do think it's a noticeable difference etc

Sounds like it's well set up for your France run

[meddler]

helix402 said:

Only 22k, that’s good! My 335d rear tyres last 14-16k (Eagle F1s/Sport Contact 5s)

Wow, that seems like low mileage! Are you doing daily burnouts?

I was getting 30k+ before the Potenza Sports. Maybe I should drive faster.

[meddler]

d_a_n1979 said:

Every BMW I've done an oil & filter change in (spark plugs in petrols) have always run smoother afterwards. I do think it's a noticeable difference etc

Sounds like it's well set up for your France run

Maybe it’s not just placebo effect then…

I waited 20k to change the spark plugs this time, will cut that to 10k. The old ones were all looking good for their age though, which is always a relief.

[helix402]

meddler said:

Wow, that seems like low mileage! Are you doing daily burnouts?

I was getting 30k+ before the Potenza Sports. Maybe I should drive faster.

No burnouts! I think the torque is the major factor.

[MissChief]

Bought some bits and bobs this week. Four new alloy centre caps, genuine BMW ones and a new driver side door seal as I keep catching it when I'm getting in and out and it's now pulling away because I'm fat. £88 for the door seal!

Also now looking at alloy refurbishment and getting the car detailed and then a ceramic coating. Aside from the obvious cost difference they offer 2, 3, 5 and 7 year coatings but I'm wary of spending the extra for the longer coatings. Has anyone had it done or have experience in applying it that can advise?