What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
d_a_n1979 said:
I thought about getting rubber ones too; but the carpet ones soak up the moisture better etc and seeing as I keep my car very clean, I'm happy to re-use the old mats over winter and keep the velour OEM ones in spotless condition (if I still have the car that is)!
Understandable. We have a couple of pine trees on the property, so we get a load of pine needles everywhere during winter, and they’re a massive pain to get out of the carpet mats. I’ll still use them in nicer weather mind.helix402 said:
I have a E91 which came with gen BMW rubber mats. I’ve bought a set of gen BMW velour ones, fitted them all round but put the rubber ones on top in the back.
Makes sense Helix. I’ve also got the velour ones but I’ve also started renting a storage space on a farm which will lead to lots of mud during the winter months. Either the rubber ones will go on top or replace the velour ones during winter.Whilst replacing another injector, I paused to ponder why the brake servo space was full of water again.
One site had suggested pulling the grommet out completely rather than half heartedly jab it with a screwdriver (which had been my previous method)
Upon extracting it, it was clear why the screwdriver method was inadequate, and probably did more harm than good!
You can see the grommet goes down quite far, and was packed with condensed crud.
To clean it properly would need a length of wire I think, or a really small bottle brush, or an airline perhaps.
Unfortunately the paint around the grommet has started to flake and the metal has surface rust, so I just sprayed a load of acf50 all around it, and will sort it out "later".
One site had suggested pulling the grommet out completely rather than half heartedly jab it with a screwdriver (which had been my previous method)
Upon extracting it, it was clear why the screwdriver method was inadequate, and probably did more harm than good!
You can see the grommet goes down quite far, and was packed with condensed crud.
To clean it properly would need a length of wire I think, or a really small bottle brush, or an airline perhaps.
Unfortunately the paint around the grommet has started to flake and the metal has surface rust, so I just sprayed a load of acf50 all around it, and will sort it out "later".
Tested out the OE BMW wireless headphones I got from eBay for the X5's RES. They work great!
I bought the ones that were specific to the RES. Anyone know whether any other wireless headphones (BMW or otherwise) will work with this system?
I bought the ones that were specific to the RES. Anyone know whether any other wireless headphones (BMW or otherwise) will work with this system?
d_a_n1979 said:
g3org3y said:
Deep Thought said:
Waynester said:
Ordered some 20” Veemann VC7 alloys from BM Autosport & Eibach springs for the 630i.. Bit bored with the oe 218 style alloys and ‘rally car’ arch gaps.. 
Any pics yet?Thinking of changing the alloys on my 630i. Needs two new rear tyres soon. Runflats all round so want to replace them all. Alloys could do with a refurb. By the time i do all that i'm well on the way to the price of a new set of rims anyway (man maths running rampant!)
Looking for inspiration!
Like a th'ole in th'ead
Ah, Schnitzers. Had 20 inch Type 5s on my 2007 535d M Sport when new. Thought they were amazing at the time. Havent aged well at all - pic from when i had it
I quite like the look of these...
https://www.bmautosport.co.uk/showroom/product_inf...
20 inch with deep rear concave.
But concerned it could all go either drug dealer look or bat mobile.
https://www.bmautosport.co.uk/showroom/product_inf...
20 inch with deep rear concave.
But concerned it could all go either drug dealer look or bat mobile.
Court_S said:
They’ll look better then any ACS wheels….sorry to those who like them, but I’m not a fan.
I think the 6 is quite hard to find wheels for. The M6 style look good if you do that mind reps.
Agreed. Its a bit of a funny one because pretty much any car i've owned previously theres been a set of rims that i really loved so i just went and got those. eg - the CSLs on the Z4C and the 224ms (Z4M rim).I think the 6 is quite hard to find wheels for. The M6 style look good if you do that mind reps.
Not finding that with the 6 series. Though maybe i've the "go to" rim already on it.
Might just look at getting them powder coated over the winter at some point
Upgraded my dashboard screen, then couldn't stop bolting things on.
I've lived with the 6.5in "schmales" screen on my M235i ever since I had it. After a trip in a 3-series with the wider 8.8in "breites" screen, I went looking into whether a warranty-voiding upgrade was possible. Turns out that while F2X breites screens (9292245) are quite hard to find and more expensive, F3X screens (9292248) are also compatible, and they're a lot cheaper. So I got myself a new screen and started pulling the dashboard to bits.
Original 'schmales' screen:
Heater controls and vents come off with a bit of force, then it's just a couple of torx screws and the (stubborn) LVDS cable to get the screen free:
Old vs. new:
Up and running (after the necessary coding):
The system adapts to work with the new ratio and resolution. As far as the car's concerned, it's always had this screen:
Really pleased with how easy it was to change this over, but I wanted to make the screen more useful as well as nicer to look at, so looked into Android intregration. There are Andream MMI boxes specifically intended for this type of head unit (NBT), which provide CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone screen mirroring. Another trip to Ebay and a wait for shipping, until a box arrived from something with GmbH at the end of the name - time to rip the dash off again.
A bit more surgery required this time - the front of the head unit, the heater controls, and the cowl for lighting up the centre console all had to come off:
Bags of room underneath for the new box to sit and lose all the cables:
Bit fretful at this point:
Looks more complicated than it is - quadlock passthrough, USB/camera connectors, and LVDS passthrough are all that's needed for basic operation. You can also route cables to use the OEM mic and fit a WiFi antenna, but I will be using the cable and BT for now, so left those out, which made it easier to lose the rest of the cables:
Very relieved to see this screen:
All working - paired with the phone without a problem, provides Google Maps, Spotify, Waze, various messaging apps, and I'm sure there's more available for Android Auto that I haven't found yet:
By far the nicest thing about this is how seamless the integration is once everything is paired and set up - the Andream box remembers what state it was left in, and unlocking the car is enough to make the phone connect to the box. Once you switch on the ignition, it's straight into the last state of Android Auto while the phone stays in my pocket without even needing to be unlocked. Steering wheel controls are integrated so the voice query button now lets you set a Google Maps route, and the track skip/navigation buttons allow you to change music or navigate the interface. It's all really slick and I couldn't be happier
I've lived with the 6.5in "schmales" screen on my M235i ever since I had it. After a trip in a 3-series with the wider 8.8in "breites" screen, I went looking into whether a warranty-voiding upgrade was possible. Turns out that while F2X breites screens (9292245) are quite hard to find and more expensive, F3X screens (9292248) are also compatible, and they're a lot cheaper. So I got myself a new screen and started pulling the dashboard to bits.
Original 'schmales' screen:
Heater controls and vents come off with a bit of force, then it's just a couple of torx screws and the (stubborn) LVDS cable to get the screen free:
Old vs. new:
Up and running (after the necessary coding):
The system adapts to work with the new ratio and resolution. As far as the car's concerned, it's always had this screen:
Really pleased with how easy it was to change this over, but I wanted to make the screen more useful as well as nicer to look at, so looked into Android intregration. There are Andream MMI boxes specifically intended for this type of head unit (NBT), which provide CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone screen mirroring. Another trip to Ebay and a wait for shipping, until a box arrived from something with GmbH at the end of the name - time to rip the dash off again.
A bit more surgery required this time - the front of the head unit, the heater controls, and the cowl for lighting up the centre console all had to come off:
Bags of room underneath for the new box to sit and lose all the cables:
Bit fretful at this point:
Looks more complicated than it is - quadlock passthrough, USB/camera connectors, and LVDS passthrough are all that's needed for basic operation. You can also route cables to use the OEM mic and fit a WiFi antenna, but I will be using the cable and BT for now, so left those out, which made it easier to lose the rest of the cables:
Very relieved to see this screen:
All working - paired with the phone without a problem, provides Google Maps, Spotify, Waze, various messaging apps, and I'm sure there's more available for Android Auto that I haven't found yet:
By far the nicest thing about this is how seamless the integration is once everything is paired and set up - the Andream box remembers what state it was left in, and unlocking the car is enough to make the phone connect to the box. Once you switch on the ignition, it's straight into the last state of Android Auto while the phone stays in my pocket without even needing to be unlocked. Steering wheel controls are integrated so the voice query button now lets you set a Google Maps route, and the track skip/navigation buttons allow you to change music or navigate the interface. It's all really slick and I couldn't be happier
That’s a nice upgrade. I hate the small screens, especially the earlier ones with the inserts either side.
Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Court_S said:
That’s a nice upgrade. I hate the small screens, especially the earlier ones with the inserts either side.
Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Makes sense, you wouldn't want its fur to get wet. Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Deep Thought said:
Waynester said:
Ordered some 20” Veemann VC7 alloys from BM Autosport & Eibach springs for the 630i.. Bit bored with the oe 218 style alloys and ‘rally car’ arch gaps..
Any pics yet?Thinking of changing the alloys on my 630i. Needs two new rear tyres soon. Runflats all round so want to replace them all. Alloys could do with a refurb. By the time i do all that i'm well on the way to the price of a new set of rims anyway (man maths running rampant!)
Looking for inspiration!
As for wheel choice.. it took me quite a while to decide as I quite agree, I think the style 218 alloys look great. I decided on 20” multi spokes as that should work with the 6 shape…hopefully. Time will tell.
Once I have them fitted I will upload some pics.
g3org3y said:
Court_S said:
That’s a nice upgrade. I hate the small screens, especially the earlier ones with the inserts either side.
Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Makes sense, you wouldn't want its fur to get wet. Dropped my car off at the body shop today for a rear bumper repair/ paint. They’re painting the diffuser too; dark shadow metallic like the later cars in gloss rather than the crappy satin finish from factory.
We’re off this week and it was nice to enjoy her 125i with the roof down in some actual sun. Have that a quick was because it was hanging after the downpour we drove home from Sheffield in last night. She’s pulled rank as well and wants to use her cat for the trip to the Elan Valley on Friday (weather dependent).
Waynester said:
Wheels have indeed arrived.. but I have ordered some Eibach pro-kit 25/20mm springs as well to reduce the arch gap, and as yet, still not delivered. I am itching to fit the wheels, but remaining patient so they can be fitted at the same time
As for wheel choice.. it took me quite a while to decide as I quite agree, I think the style 218 alloys look great. I decided on 20” multi spokes as that should work with the 6 shape…hopefully. Time will tell.
Once I have them fitted I will upload some pics.
Brilliant, cheers. Those look really good. Will you go for BMW centre caps on those? As for wheel choice.. it took me quite a while to decide as I quite agree, I think the style 218 alloys look great. I decided on 20” multi spokes as that should work with the 6 shape…hopefully. Time will tell.
Once I have them fitted I will upload some pics.
I went for BC coilovers for mine as my rear shocks in particular were on their way out, so it made sense (man maths at its best) just to do the whole lot at once. My original plan was just to do the springs.
Looking forward to the finished pics
g3org3y said:
Waynester said:
I have added these BMW door/puddle lights.. my wife pointed out they look ‘a bit chav’ but, for now.. I like them
I'm generally not one to agree with wives but... but, for now.. I like them Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 24th August 15:29
Waynester said:
g3org3y said:
Waynester said:
I have added these BMW door/puddle lights.. my wife pointed out they look ‘a bit chav’ but, for now.. I like them
I'm generally not one to agree with wives but... but, for now.. I like them Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 24th August 15:29
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