What have you done to your BMW today?

[E-numbers]

A pair of new PS4S rears for the B3, an oil service, brake fluid change and a new MOT with no advisories. The only thing I actually did to it today, myself, was to change a second coil for a new one (Bosch) and order 4 more. And then wish I’d held off and ordered a B58 coil kit for it instead.
More detail in my reader’s cars thread.

[Mark-BMW-E30-318is]

[Fitted carbon Door Cards to replace the aluminium sheet that I think looks better in 60s and early 70s Cars. I just need to flock the dash now!

url]|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/183590/202603216023723[/url]

[danb79]

In and out clean of the F31; used my new Nilfisk vac - it's bloody brilliant!

[meddler]

danb79 said:

In and out clean of the F31; used my new Nilfisk vac - it's bloody brilliant!

I’ve been meaning to invest in a proper car vac. What model is this one? And will it tackle the outrageous mess created by two young kids?? Ta v much!

[danb79]

meddler said:

danb79 said:

In and out clean of the F31; used my new Nilfisk vac - it's bloody brilliant!

I ve been meaning to invest in a proper car vac. What model is this one? And will it tackle the outrageous mess created by two young kids?? Ta v much!

Seeing as it sucked the snot out of my nose as soon as I turned it on, I'd say yes, absolutely

It's the Nilfisk Multi II 30L: https://shop.nilfisk.com/en-en/products/multi-ii-3...

[MightyBadger]

danb79 said:

Yup; agree. Looked well; drove superbly too (very impressed with those Hankooks for the 2 weeks I had them)

It's now in Ireland with it's new owner and he's very happy with it; his 3 lads love it

Awesome mate, that's great to hear. I hope it serves them well and brings good memories.

[Pizzaeatingking]

Took mine out on a little sunset V8 group drive to C&M last night



Off to give them a much needed wash in a minute

[MightyBadger]

Mark-BMW-E30-318is said:

[Fitted carbon Door Cards to replace the aluminium sheet that I think looks better in 60s and early 70s Cars. I just need to flock the dash now!

url]|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/183590/202603216023723[/url]

Coming together nicely there, looking good.

[CoolC]

Made a start on the "spring list"

Headlight polishing first, to remove some yellowing.



So front end stripped. Headlights out and polished with 400, 800, 1500 W&D and then some UV resistant clear coat. I'll put some pictures up when it's all back together. I'm happy with the outcome, but not 100%



It's still all stripped down as I still need to sort the plastic splash panels each lower corner. Looks like the previous owner must have parked over a kerb often, as the underside of the bumper is scratched to hell and all these plastics are broken.

The corner splash pieces are unobtainium now, so with some thin plastic sheets on the way, lots of glue and rivets I'll have to patch them up best I can.

[n_const]

The E36 has been ignored the last few months and is sat on the drive looking sad. Its a bit crusty on the rear arch so decided to bite the bullet and spend some money on it. Rear quarter panel ordered from Valcas Garage.



Rear shocks seem tired, do i go coilovers or replacement shocks and springs ?

[Mr Tidy]

n_const said:

Rear shocks seem tired, do i go coilovers or replacement shocks and springs ?

Coil-overs will cost more than shocks and springs, but are only really a variable height lowering spring unless you spend thousands on ones with adjustable rebound and compression like KWv3s based on my experience of non-adjustable H & R coil-overs that my car came with!

[danb79]

n_const said:

The E36 has been ignored the last few months and is sat on the drive looking sad. Its a bit crusty on the rear arch so decided to bite the bullet and spend some money on it. Rear quarter panel ordered from Valcas Garage.



Rear shocks seem tired, do i go coilovers or replacement shocks and springs ?

Shocks and springs (flor example Bilstein B8s with Eibach pro-kit springs) + all new spring perches, bump stops/dust boots, top mounts etc will have the car driving and handling brilliantly, more so the Eibach springs as they're progressive, so OE compliant when driving normally, and will stiffen up when you push on etc...

But they don't always give a car an even ride height all round and for some, like me, that can be quite annoying...

The likes of the Bilstein B14 coilovers are an excellent option. They're not much more than that lot above; possibly cheaper! But they're made for the specific car; they'll offer a full even ride height all round as they're adjustable, but they're fixed-rate damping, so they're more a 'fit n forget' coilovers once the ride heights been dialled in.

They're not meant to go silly-low, just lower - but they're excellent coilovers; firmer than OE but not stupidly - and will really improve ride and handling

As an example on a previous E81 130i LE; I went from Bilstein B4 shocks with Eibach pro-kit springs:



To Bilstein B14 coilovers (as part of a FULL suspension overhaul):

[danb79]

Due to my Dad having a fall 4 weeks ago and breaking his left tibia (tibial plateau fracture); he's had to have it plated and pinned (both sides); unfortunately more susceptible to bad breaks due to the cancer drugs he's on...

I'm moving in with my folks from tomorrow as my Mum cannot manage on her own when Dad get's home from hospital (even though I've got my own health issues, I'm still a lot stronger and more capable etc); so I'll be helping with Dad, so Mum doesn't knacker herself. And my wife will work from home still; but be in the office when she needs; so the cats are her responsibility haha (I'll nip back to do the gardens and other stuff)

But this means I've now got command of HMS RoadTank (aka 71 plate X3 xDrive)

Dad can't even put weight on his left leg for another 12 weeks; never mind drive etc - so I'm going to be using that for the time being

Got it home this afternoon and set about cleaning it inside (durty bugger) - it's had an in-depth vac; all surfaces wiped down, OE BMW all season mats deep-cleaned with citrus pre-cleaner as an APC and then all the leather cleaned with Dr Leather wipes, inc steering wheel

It's forecast to pee it down for the next week or so here, also temps are set to drop; so I'll leave the exterior deep-clean until it dries up etc

[Pizzaeatingking]

danb79 said:

Due to my Dad having a fall 4 weeks ago and breaking his left tibia (tibial plateau fracture); he's had to have it plated and pinned (both sides); unfortunately more susceptible to bad breaks due to the cancer drugs he's on...

I'm moving in with my folks from tomorrow as my Mum cannot manage on her own when Dad get's home from hospital (even though I've got my own health issues, I'm still a lot stronger and more capable etc); so I'll be helping with Dad, so Mum doesn't knacker herself. And my wife will work from home still; but be in the office when she needs; so the cats are her responsibility haha (I'll nip back to do the gardens and other stuff)

But this means I've now got command of HMS RoadTank (aka 71 plate X3 xDrive)

Dad can't even put weight on his left leg for another 12 weeks; never mind drive etc - so I'm going to be using that for the time being

Got it home this afternoon and set about cleaning it inside (durty bugger) - it's had an in-depth vac; all surfaces wiped down, OE BMW all season mats deep-cleaned with citrus pre-cleaner as an APC and then all the leather cleaned with Dr Leather wipes, inc steering wheel

It's forecast to pee it down for the next week or so here, also temps are set to drop; so I'll leave the exterior deep-clean until it dries up etc

Ahhh, hope you're old man is back on his feet asap! The X3 will be nice though, maybe once you're done I'll send the M3 up to you for a weekend.

[danb79]

Pizzaeatingking said:

danb79 said:

Due to my Dad having a fall 4 weeks ago and breaking his left tibia (tibial plateau fracture); he's had to have it plated and pinned (both sides); unfortunately more susceptible to bad breaks due to the cancer drugs he's on...

I'm moving in with my folks from tomorrow as my Mum cannot manage on her own when Dad get's home from hospital (even though I've got my own health issues, I'm still a lot stronger and more capable etc); so I'll be helping with Dad, so Mum doesn't knacker herself. And my wife will work from home still; but be in the office when she needs; so the cats are her responsibility haha (I'll nip back to do the gardens and other stuff)

But this means I've now got command of HMS RoadTank (aka 71 plate X3 xDrive)

Dad can't even put weight on his left leg for another 12 weeks; never mind drive etc - so I'm going to be using that for the time being

Got it home this afternoon and set about cleaning it inside (durty bugger) - it's had an in-depth vac; all surfaces wiped down, OE BMW all season mats deep-cleaned with citrus pre-cleaner as an APC and then all the leather cleaned with Dr Leather wipes, inc steering wheel

It's forecast to pee it down for the next week or so here, also temps are set to drop; so I'll leave the exterior deep-clean until it dries up etc

Ahhh, hope you're old man is back on his feet asap! The X3 will be nice though, maybe once you're done I'll send the M3 up to you for a weekend.

Cheers pal - we hope so to, but this is going to be a fairly drawn out process. 12 weeks before he can load-bear on that leg and then lots of physio etc - they start to adjust the dial on the cradle he has on it a week today; fingers crossed they can get his knee moving more freely ASAP!

And send the M3 up any day; I'll need to take it for a spin to get it properly dirty first

[n_const]

Thanks for the replies both.

H&R have a good rep ? Found a good deal on shocks and springs :

https://www.hrsprings.co.uk/products/h-r-suspensio...

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/h-and-r/15745127

So many different combinations. Definitely decided on lowering springs, but stock shocks i.e Meyle/sachs/kyb. Then you have all the bilstein B4/6/8 shocks. Its frying my brain

Edited by n_const on Wednesday 25th March 12:33

[McGee_22]

My E39 finds yet another way to fail - wiper mechanism this time.

[danb79]

n_const said:

Thanks for the replies both.

H&R have a good rep ? Found a good deal on shocks and springs :

https://www.hrsprings.co.uk/products/h-r-suspensio...

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/h-and-r/15745127

So many different combinations. Definitely decided on lowering springs, but stock shocks i.e Meyle/sachs/kyb. Then you have all the bilstein B4/6/8 shocks. Its frying my brain

Edited by n_const on Wednesday 25th March 12:33

IMO H&R are too firm for the UK roads; Eibach pro-kit springs are much better

I'd go with Bilstein B4 or B8 shocks for them personally - B4s will be more factory compliant and offer you smoother/comfier ride; B8s will offer you a firmer ride and much sharper handling, but won't be as smooth

[Mark-BMW-E30-318is]

danb79 said:

IMO H&R are too firm for the UK roads; Eibach pro-kit springs are much better

I'd go with Bilstein B4 or B8 shocks for them personally - B4s will be more factory compliant and offer you smoother/comfier ride; B8s will offer you a firmer ride and much sharper handling, but won't be as smooth

B8's and Eibach were what I had an an E46 325ti Compact and they were great along lanes here in Cornwall.

[NomadicTurbo]

Lost a wing mirror on my F11 dodging a van coming round the corner.

Housing, electrics and mirror all smashed.

Where's the best place to purchase a replacement?

How much work is involved with replacing the whole wing mirror?

It's electronic but doesn't have heating