What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
You've done an absolutely cracking job with those Dan. 

Cheers Lee 



It’s in with my pals on 07th Jan to get them fitted and then it can stay as is until Spring when I’ll get the suspension fully overhauled

Olivergt said:
JakeT said:
Absolutely, I can’t disagree on the medicinal purposes of dailying and old BMW. In the last 9 years I’ve put around 165,000 miles on old BMWs as my daily, and it’s been great. I could save some pennies by running around in something else, but the misery it would inflict would be far more costly.
Absolutely agree, I don't use mine as a daily, but it definitely feels better when it's used regularly.It hadn't been used much when I bought it, but after a week and a 1000 miles in Scotland it felt much better. Hopefully get it out for a run this weekend if it's dry.
Someone was asking on YT how best to layup a car for the winter and the response was, don't! Much better to use it a little on dry days rather than leave it for months.

Before that I tried a minimalist approach with a low mileage 1996 Mazda 323f 1.5i for the low Road Tax and other running costs - it lasted just 6 months!
More faffing with the car…
Drivers side from wheel off; wheel arch liner out; replaced the headlight washer nozzles (absolute faff, should have took the bumper off but I didn’t want to be defeated) haha
Once you can see it; you just undo the 2 8mm bolts; but getting to them is faffy and it’s not a job if you’ve shovel like hands like me!
Anyways; done. No more leaks


Halo light bulbs replaced with Oscar’s H8 Nightbreakers whilst I was at it
Drivers side from wheel off; wheel arch liner out; replaced the headlight washer nozzles (absolute faff, should have took the bumper off but I didn’t want to be defeated) haha
Once you can see it; you just undo the 2 8mm bolts; but getting to them is faffy and it’s not a job if you’ve shovel like hands like me!
Anyways; done. No more leaks



Halo light bulbs replaced with Oscar’s H8 Nightbreakers whilst I was at it
After replacing a rear caliper with a refurb (thanks danb79 for the recommendation) and adding discs and pads to the deal, I was able to make it to Christmas plans this week. Except that first I had to roll over a screw and pierce a brand new PS4. It was 3 days old, how's that for luck!
That bad news was tempered by the arrival of a retrimmed steering wheel from Royal Steering Wheels. What a delight that is; makes the car feel much newer. Very happy with their service and quality of work.
That bad news was tempered by the arrival of a retrimmed steering wheel from Royal Steering Wheels. What a delight that is; makes the car feel much newer. Very happy with their service and quality of work.
Has the afternoon to myself after a heavy few days socialising - original plan was to play some golf but my course was shut due to fog - so decided the give the 125i a bit of a deep clean.
Before picture from a distance suggested it wasn't too bad:

But on closer inspection it was a bit grim - probably best look away now if clean cars are your thing...


Clearly showing the signs of being left out and driven in all weathers. So go to work - despite not really doing washing my own car I did manage to get some Auto Glym stuff out the shed from the last time I thought about cleaning it (2021), and found some shampoo and wheel cleaner.
Did a proper job for once, including all door/boot/bonnet shuts, and the fuel filler which was as grim as you would expect after 15 years and 178k miles.

Came out pretty well for an old hector - didn't get a chance to polish as ran out of light, so that and the interior will have to wait for another day.


Also gave me a chance to look at the bodywork up close, and after the mileage it's a bit of a mixed bag. Bonnet and front bumper are covered in stone chips and will ideally need replaced, but other than a couple of bits of surface rust where a stone's hit it, it isn't looking too bad at all.
Hopefully replacing the Civic in the background this year and it's replacement will take over the bulk of transportation duties, which will allow me to gradually bring the 125i up the scratch as well.
Before picture from a distance suggested it wasn't too bad:
But on closer inspection it was a bit grim - probably best look away now if clean cars are your thing...
Clearly showing the signs of being left out and driven in all weathers. So go to work - despite not really doing washing my own car I did manage to get some Auto Glym stuff out the shed from the last time I thought about cleaning it (2021), and found some shampoo and wheel cleaner.
Did a proper job for once, including all door/boot/bonnet shuts, and the fuel filler which was as grim as you would expect after 15 years and 178k miles.
Came out pretty well for an old hector - didn't get a chance to polish as ran out of light, so that and the interior will have to wait for another day.
Also gave me a chance to look at the bodywork up close, and after the mileage it's a bit of a mixed bag. Bonnet and front bumper are covered in stone chips and will ideally need replaced, but other than a couple of bits of surface rust where a stone's hit it, it isn't looking too bad at all.
Hopefully replacing the Civic in the background this year and it's replacement will take over the bulk of transportation duties, which will allow me to gradually bring the 125i up the scratch as well.
bodhi said:
Has the afternoon to myself after a heavy few days socialising - original plan was to play some golf but my course was shut due to fog - so decided the give the 125i a bit of a deep clean.
Before picture from a distance suggested it wasn't too bad:

But on closer inspection it was a bit grim - probably best look away now if clean cars are your thing...


Clearly showing the signs of being left out and driven in all weathers. So go to work - despite not really doing washing my own car I did manage to get some Auto Glym stuff out the shed from the last time I thought about cleaning it (2021), and found some shampoo and wheel cleaner.
Did a proper job for once, including all door/boot/bonnet shuts, and the fuel filler which was as grim as you would expect after 15 years and 178k miles.

Came out pretty well for an old hector - didn't get a chance to polish as ran out of light, so that and the interior will have to wait for another day.


Also gave me a chance to look at the bodywork up close, and after the mileage it's a bit of a mixed bag. Bonnet and front bumper are covered in stone chips and will ideally need replaced, but other than a couple of bits of surface rust where a stone's hit it, it isn't looking too bad at all.
Hopefully replacing the Civic in the background this year and it's replacement will take over the bulk of transportation duties, which will allow me to gradually bring the 125i up the scratch as well.
Looks to have cleaned up pretty well. Before picture from a distance suggested it wasn't too bad:
But on closer inspection it was a bit grim - probably best look away now if clean cars are your thing...
Clearly showing the signs of being left out and driven in all weathers. So go to work - despite not really doing washing my own car I did manage to get some Auto Glym stuff out the shed from the last time I thought about cleaning it (2021), and found some shampoo and wheel cleaner.
Did a proper job for once, including all door/boot/bonnet shuts, and the fuel filler which was as grim as you would expect after 15 years and 178k miles.
Came out pretty well for an old hector - didn't get a chance to polish as ran out of light, so that and the interior will have to wait for another day.
Also gave me a chance to look at the bodywork up close, and after the mileage it's a bit of a mixed bag. Bonnet and front bumper are covered in stone chips and will ideally need replaced, but other than a couple of bits of surface rust where a stone's hit it, it isn't looking too bad at all.
Hopefully replacing the Civic in the background this year and it's replacement will take over the bulk of transportation duties, which will allow me to gradually bring the 125i up the scratch as well.

Few little bits done to the 125i recently: 

Very tired old centre caps replaced. Thought I’d give some AliExpress ones a punt, the fit isn’t quite as good as OEM ones but not bad for a fiver and still a vast improvement.


Rebadged it, again thought I’d give AliExpress a go at 1/10th the price of a genuine item. I took the badge off not long after I bought it as it had clearly been replaced at some point and was in totally the wrong place, but recently went off the look- think it looks much nicer with the badge back on.

New plates to replace the very tired pressed metal ones I got the car with- the front one was dented which I thought was just from 20k+ miles of rocks and stones being kicked up, but the front has obviously had a clout as the bumper behind was also dented- happily the plate totally covers this.
(Yes, it is ever so slightly wonky in the photo, now rectified)
I’ve also got all the bits to upgrade the front brakes to 130i spec as the discs need doing anyway, so it’ll get booked in for that and some other bits (diff seals and reluctor rings!) in the new year. Similar to Bodhi’s the bodywork is a bit of a mixed bag, as you can see in the last photo the 97k miles are clearly visible in the number of stone chips- there’s a scrape I need to get sorted thanks to someone who couldn’t parallel park (or leave a note) so I may look at getting a more comprehensive respray done at the same time. Then it should be all sorted for a planned trip to the ‘ring in May.
Very tired old centre caps replaced. Thought I’d give some AliExpress ones a punt, the fit isn’t quite as good as OEM ones but not bad for a fiver and still a vast improvement.
Rebadged it, again thought I’d give AliExpress a go at 1/10th the price of a genuine item. I took the badge off not long after I bought it as it had clearly been replaced at some point and was in totally the wrong place, but recently went off the look- think it looks much nicer with the badge back on.
New plates to replace the very tired pressed metal ones I got the car with- the front one was dented which I thought was just from 20k+ miles of rocks and stones being kicked up, but the front has obviously had a clout as the bumper behind was also dented- happily the plate totally covers this.

I’ve also got all the bits to upgrade the front brakes to 130i spec as the discs need doing anyway, so it’ll get booked in for that and some other bits (diff seals and reluctor rings!) in the new year. Similar to Bodhi’s the bodywork is a bit of a mixed bag, as you can see in the last photo the 97k miles are clearly visible in the number of stone chips- there’s a scrape I need to get sorted thanks to someone who couldn’t parallel park (or leave a note) so I may look at getting a more comprehensive respray done at the same time. Then it should be all sorted for a planned trip to the ‘ring in May.

Edited by Sofa on Friday 27th December 18:15
After 4 weeks or so of it not moving I started it this week and was greeted by a low battery warning. Not hugely surprised so I picked up a charger/maintainer. It was a pain to hook up because I have a Panda in the garage so I can't get in the house side of the garage. This means I had to plug it in, shut the garage door and move the car close enough to connect the charger.
It's sorted now though, bonnet shut fine and it was showing less than 25% charge once connected so certainly needed it. I just need to remember to disconnect it before driving off in it next time I take it out!

It's sorted now though, bonnet shut fine and it was showing less than 25% charge once connected so certainly needed it. I just need to remember to disconnect it before driving off in it next time I take it out!

Full in-depth clean today, inside and out; just timed it well with the 2.5 hours were had with no rain/mizzle 
Full hoover inside and wiped down everywhere
Exterior got a full AG Polar Blast snow foam; wheels cleaned with various brushes and tyres scrubbed; rinsed, AG Polar Wash applied, hand-washed, rinsed. Last of my AG Polar Seal applied, rinsed, towel dried. Glass cleaned with Gtechniq glass cleaner; wheels quickly waxed with Chemical Guys Blazin' Banana carnuba spray wax and buffed, tyres treated with AGs Instant Tyre Dressing
It's up the drive now as won't be used for a good week or so; I'll stick it on trickle next week
The beading looks superb in the security light on the drive haha

Full hoover inside and wiped down everywhere
Exterior got a full AG Polar Blast snow foam; wheels cleaned with various brushes and tyres scrubbed; rinsed, AG Polar Wash applied, hand-washed, rinsed. Last of my AG Polar Seal applied, rinsed, towel dried. Glass cleaned with Gtechniq glass cleaner; wheels quickly waxed with Chemical Guys Blazin' Banana carnuba spray wax and buffed, tyres treated with AGs Instant Tyre Dressing
It's up the drive now as won't be used for a good week or so; I'll stick it on trickle next week
The beading looks superb in the security light on the drive haha

After months have passed, I've finally managed to get my retrofit reverse camera installation working on my G31.
This was far from simple - installing the camera, running the loom to the fuseboard in the rear, ground and then to the BDC at the front. Made extra complicated by the retrofit instructions from BMW being incorrect and having to splice wires on one of the pins on the BDC module, with a little help from friends.
I had it coding by changing the VO and it works.

This was far from simple - installing the camera, running the loom to the fuseboard in the rear, ground and then to the BDC at the front. Made extra complicated by the retrofit instructions from BMW being incorrect and having to splice wires on one of the pins on the BDC module, with a little help from friends.
I had it coding by changing the VO and it works.
Last week, after a trip down to Kent, I filled from almost empty with a tank-full of BP Ultimate diesel (a long time since I have used it). The car seemed sluggish, and confused about when to change gear for a while (335d auto). Now having come back and down to a quarter-full, the car seems decidedly perky. I don’t know if that was the long trip it needed, or the BP Ultimate diesel. It certainly seemed suitably refreshed (almost 60k miles, never any DPF issues). I may treat it to BP Ultimate periodically. Any views? I know the cetane value is supposed to be higher (though not declared as such).
I 've not owned a diesel myself but the Premium diesels from (BP, Shell, likely others) are made via 'gas-to-liquid' refining- and this makes them very clean & consistent.
So could be a combination of yes, decent long run + cleaner injectors after it.
NB My Dad has long found similar with his XF 3litre, so runs it on the better stuff at the advice of his indy - & had fewer EGR niggles as a result.
So could be a combination of yes, decent long run + cleaner injectors after it.
NB My Dad has long found similar with his XF 3litre, so runs it on the better stuff at the advice of his indy - & had fewer EGR niggles as a result.
Pica-Pica said:
Last week, after a trip down to Kent, I filled from almost empty with a tank-full of BP Ultimate diesel (a long time since I have used it). The car seemed sluggish, and confused about when to change gear for a while (335d auto). Now having come back and down to a quarter-full, the car seems decidedly perky. I don’t know if that was the long trip it needed, or the BP Ultimate diesel. It certainly seemed suitably refreshed (almost 60k miles, never any DPF issues). I may treat it to BP Ultimate periodically. Any views? I know the cetane value is supposed to be higher (though not declared as such).
We run 2 in 4 tanks (usually) of Shell VPower diesel and it keeps the engine running sweet. Its smoother now than it has been more so as the wife's using it daily and that's doing it good as well
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