What have you done to your BMW today?

[christhreadgill]

“Fixed” the usual E91 boot latch trim problem with a 3D printed aftermarket item.

[5s Alive]

preacherman said:

Had a terrible run of luck with the Beemer recently, topped off today with an absolute twonk overtaking a line of traffic at warp speed to turn right and swiping my nose as I was creeping out of a side turn between the traffic. Needless to say they didn't stop.

Whilst I'm living in London the car will remain a 6 footer so I'm looking for DIY ideas to cover up the majority of the damage; it doesn't need to be perfect. I don't have a mechanical polisher and limited bodywork skills.



I was wondering if I could press this touch up kit into more extreme uses but interested in any other suggestions. Thanks.

Chipex Kit

I think you're likely to get more responses on the bodywork/detailing technical forum. It would help if you could clean the area properly and post more pictures, both close up and from slightly further away.

Paint alone won't make an even half reasonable job of that, you'll need some plastic filler - and a new headlight washer cover? Shouldn't be too difficult to mask off and rattle can the area once done - under cover or when completely windless (and warmer!) outside. A little light sanding/blending of the basecoat followed by clearcoat (assuming metallic) and it should look ok from a distance. I wouldn't bother with a chip kit for that kind of damage.

[Jakg]

preacherman said:

I was wondering if I could press this touch up kit into more extreme uses but interested in any other suggestions. Thanks.

I've used the chipex kit and was impressed... for chips. I wouldn't recommend it for that repair (disclaimer - I suck at bodywork!)

I'd sand to take the edges off, filler if required and then get some rattle cans.

I always struggle blending it into the rest of the panel though.

[danb79]

Cleaned the touring; it was beigey-grey

Mine will get done tomorrow or Tuesday; my body's had enough for today...

[preacherman]

5s Alive said:

I think you're likely to get more responses on the bodywork/detailing technical forum. It would help if you could clean the area properly and post more pictures, both close up and from slightly further away.

Paint alone won't make an even half reasonable job of that, you'll need some plastic filler - and a new headlight washer cover? Shouldn't be too difficult to mask off and rattle can the area once done - under cover or when completely windless (and warmer!) outside. A little light sanding/blending of the basecoat followed by clearcoat (assuming metallic) and it should look ok from a distance. I wouldn't bother with a chip kit for that kind of damage.

Jakg said:

I've used the chipex kit and was impressed... for chips. I wouldn't recommend it for that repair (disclaimer - I suck at bodywork!)

I'd sand to take the edges off, filler if required and then get some rattle cans.

I always struggle blending it into the rest of the panel though.

Thanks both, I figured that might be the right direction but hoped for something that didn’t rely on craftsmanship! I have a new headlight washer cap on the way and will wait for things to warm up before attempting (and maybe reposting on the bodywork sub for more tips).

It can only look better than it does now….right??

[Dannbodge]

Bought a new battery at the weekend as mine keeps dropping voltage.

Turned it on this morning to drive to weork and got a "drivetrain error - drive moderately" warning message, so need to investigate that.

[danb79]

Dannbodge said:

Bought a new battery at the weekend as mine keeps dropping voltage.

Turned it on this morning to drive to weork and got a "drivetrain error - drive moderately" warning message, so need to investigate that.

Did you trickle charge it before you fitted it?

Which car too; does it need to be registered (like for like replacement), or have you changed specs, in which it needs to be coded and then registered?

[robbiekhan]

Weekend road trip to grab a tea and lunch in Weymouth:



Of course you gotta hear the ITBs sing:

https://i.imgur.com/DAvRprB.mp4

[Dannbodge]

danb79 said:

Did you trickle charge it before you fitted it?

Which car too; does it need to be registered (like for like replacement), or have you changed specs, in which it needs to be coded and then registered?

Not got the new battery yet, but wasn't planning on charging it. It comes today and I won't get a chance to fit till friday, so might put it on charge for a couple of days (I have an AGM compatible smart charger too)

Same spec as currently fitted, and yes it does need registering.
I will be checking the coding once it's fitted as well, just to make sure it's okay.
I've got ISTA+ so none of that is a problem.

It's currently got a halfords battery on, so will be interesting to see if that one was registered when it was fitted.

[cerb4.5lee]

g3org3y said:

Took the X5 to work today, handle playing silly buggers again. Put hot water on it and it defrosted in a couple of mins. Have put lithium grease in the latch and deep in the handle so hopefully will be better next time.

Lots of nasty ice/slush at the bottom of the road, at last a chance for the Cross Climates to do their thing!

Also opportunity for 'true luxury' on the way to work.

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

[danb79]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

Loved it in my E65 and F01 7'ers; miss it in the F31. That's why I got the steering wheel redone in alcantara, it's warm then and not cold like leather can be in the winter

[Dannbodge]

Just scanned the car.
133B04 and 133E10, both relate to valvetronic.

Possibly due to the battery being low, but repair is potentially new valvetronic motor and possibly eccentric shaft (£300 for motor, £750 for the shaft)

Valve cover comes off, so would need a new gasket too.

[g3org3y]

cerb4.5lee said:

g3org3y said:

Took the X5 to work today, handle playing silly buggers again. Put hot water on it and it defrosted in a couple of mins. Have put lithium grease in the latch and deep in the handle so hopefully will be better next time.

Lots of nasty ice/slush at the bottom of the road, at last a chance for the Cross Climates to do their thing!

Also opportunity for 'true luxury' on the way to work.

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

It's a nice enough feature. Neither my 330i/630i or Z4 have it, only the wife's X5. She suffers with Raynaud's so appreciates it even more.

Heated seats however for me are now essential on any car I buy in the future. And you know you're getting old when you put them on even when it's not cold because "it helps with my sore back".

[Deep Thought]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

Wife's G29 Z4 has it. I really like it. It wouldnt be a deal breaker if i was looking at a car, but its a nice to have.

[Pica-Pica]

Deep Thought said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

Wife's G29 Z4 has it. I really like it. It wouldnt be a deal breaker if i was looking at a car, but its a nice to have.

Heated steering wheels are OK, but it’s the back of my hands that stay cold. Also, if you are likely to be wearing gloves outside the car, you can wear them inside. I remember working in Sweden, and back then Volvo controls, switches, and pedals, were big enough to be able to drive wearing snow gloves and boots.

[DogTheQCarHunter]

Hi All

Does anyone know of a BMW auto electrician who might be willing to take on the task of making me some new wiring looms so I can retrofit a set of M5 active seats into my e61 550i Touring??

Someone recommended Cartronics in Byfleet but I'm based in Bristol and that really is a trek for me and I really don't like the M25

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[Deep Thought]

Pica-Pica said:

Deep Thought said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I've never actually had a car yet with a heated steering wheel(I've hired a few with it though), but I would really like one though. One of life's little luxuries I reckon.

Wife's G29 Z4 has it. I really like it. It wouldnt be a deal breaker if i was looking at a car, but its a nice to have.

Heated steering wheels are OK, but it’s the back of my hands that stay cold. Also, if you are likely to be wearing gloves outside the car, you can wear them inside. I remember working in Sweden, and back then Volvo controls, switches, and pedals, were big enough to be able to drive wearing snow gloves and boots.

Yes, as i said, its a nice to have (for me) if buying a used car. Not something i'd pay to spec new or i'd refuse a used that it didnt have it over.

[Court_S]

christhreadgill said:

“Fixed” the usual E91 boot latch trim problem with a 3D printed aftermarket item.

I was very unpleasantly surprised at how expensive that bit of trim was from a dealer although not nearly has expensive as the boot floor handle for our car with the thick floor and boot net hooks in it.

[danb79]

Washed it; absolutely filthy... Scrubs up ok

[Mabozza]

changed front grills on the E36 from gloss black

and reverted back to standard