Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 (edited) Thought id share with you my progress. I started with this 325ci Msport manual coupe, black with black leather, electric memory seats, 60k on the clock, 2 owners and no accidents. I got it a full service including brake fluid, gearbox oil and diff oil (no oil is "lifetime oil" as BMW claim). I also replace the radiator as it was warped. I also did the water pump, expansion tank and the aux belt all with BMW OEM parts. I gave it a good old 3 stage clean/polish/wax with meguires. Then again with the solid gold class wax. I have to do this with any new car i buy! I also fitted matt black kidney grilles and got a light smoke tint all round to take the green-ness out of the glass. I fitted 15mm spacers all round which gave the car a nice stance even on standard msport springs. There was no rubbing what so ever from standard tyre sizes. I also fitted 6000K HIDs and LED rear lights to freshen it up. Also 330ci speedo rings And a Eonon Satnav/DVD. Then s**t was about to get real! I had a few deliverys... Edited April 5, 2014 by Webby alan53 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 (edited) I then had the HSD coilovers fitted along with the Powerflex bushes and wow what a difference! It handles like a race car! But is very harsh on speed humps and pot hole ridden roads! Here is how it looks And here is a comparison next to a msport saloon. And i would like to point out that its important to get your wheels re-alligned once you have suspension work done! I then was on the lookout for a set of wheels! I wanted a genuine BBS set with wider rears and a big of dish. I searched ebay for a set and being very fussy i took 6 months to find a set! And i found these... BBS 2 piece splits with a nice 9J rear! But to fit them i needed to get the arches rolled! So i did! Took it to ArchEnemies So i sent the wheels off to DC Bodyworx in basildon and for £200 they sprayed the centres and polished the whole barrel! From this To this The centres are hyper silver and the barrels are bare polished alloy! So ill have to keep on top of the cleaning and polishing! I even took each bolt out and polished them individually! I then bought a set if 4 pressed alloy BMW centre caps from BMW. I tightened the bolts correctly to a torque setting of 22lbs /ft. So i removed the spacers all round and fitted a set of 4 new Falkens all round. I had to fit a slight stretch on the rear as there was no way a 255 tyre was fitting under them arches even with a roll! I gave them a final polish and 4 coats of wax! And here is the result! I still need to get some decent shots of the car! Hope you like! All opinions welcome! Thanks Edited April 5, 2014 by Webby mneth1986, rickeh, Naj and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Looking good fella. Style 42's seem to be getting popular. I been after a set for ages and when I finally get some it seems quite a few of us have done the same. Mine slightly different as they are Z3 fitment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mneth1986 Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 That does look very smart, nice tasteful mods. Love the wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Looks very smart Webby Where you buy the HSDs from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Thanks guys! Proffitt i got the HSDs from Driftworks.co.uk They are so well built and go pretty low! I run the 4 softest setting all round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Does anyone know what car the BBS 744/745 or style 42 (i didnt know this name for them) originally came on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEVIL 666 Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Well done mate,nice car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Thanks guys! Proffitt i got the HSDs from Driftworks.co.uk They are so well built and go pretty low! I run the 4 softest setting all round! Thanks, although they are all out of stock! What's next on the list of mods Webby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Tbh i have done everything i have wanted to do! I grew up wanting a low black 2 door BMW with big shinny expensive wheels with a dish! And this is it! The only thing i would consider is a back box or cat back to finish it off! Other than that I'm looking at the 6 series but am saving for a mortgage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted April 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 But them HSDs are brilliant! The feel and handling they give on the road is amazing! So much grip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0B Posted April 5, 2014 Report Share Posted April 5, 2014 Does anyone know what car the BBS 744/745 or style 42 (i didnt know this name for them) originally came on? 18's were only fitted as standard on the E39 and E38's Webby 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Looks nice mate like the drop and the 42s look good on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) I haven't updated this thread in a while so here goes... After adjusting the HSDs I broke a drop link so replaced them with OEM Edited September 20, 2014 by Webby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I also treated her to a set of Gold/Black BBS centre caps. On the wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) I spotted a oil leak! Dropping oil onto the manifold and smoking up under the bonnet. A closer look I've never taken a engine to bits before but wow! Such engineering! The old Valve Cover Gasket (VCG) didn't show much signs of wear but it was defo leaking along the exhaust side of the engine. I fitted the new gasket and used RTV silicone on the weak spots to ensure a nice tight seal. Whilst under the bonnet I checked the lower intake boot and this is how she looked So I ordered a new one! Put her all back together and only had 1 hiccup! I broke the brittle CCV pipe. So I've ordered the whole CCV separator and pipes and will replace them when they arrive! Edited September 20, 2014 by Webby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I reset the throttle and took the car for a blast and wow! She pulls like a train! So much more torque in the lower rev range! There is honestly no need to shift down even when at any speed and in any gear! Will hopefully achieve a little better MPG too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naj Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looks great! I've read a lot about the powerflex stuff... Shame I know nothing about it, what it does, and where to start haha. Glad to see you've done everything properly, would love to buy a car owned by you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddybrown23 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I've got a leak in exactly the same place, been meaning to have a go at replacing the gasket. Was it a long/difficult job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looks great! I've read a lot about the powerflex stuff... Shame I know nothing about it, what it does, and where to start haha. Glad to see you've done everything properly, would love to buy a car owned by you. I keep telling myself I won't spend no more money on her but after 5 years of ownership I replace any part that's going, gone or due to go at that age/mileage and I replace it with the best or better than OEM part! Always been the same! Powerflex you can't go wrong! It's slightly stiffer/tougher than OEM but has a lifetime warranty and for that reason alone it's worth it! They also make the car feel a lot tougher and durable when on rough roads, pothole and speed humps. And yeah the next keeper is onto a winner for sure! I'd love to buy a car from me! Haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) I've got a leak in exactly the same place, been meaning to have a go at replacing the gasket. Was it a long/difficult job? Not as hard as it looks pal, honestly give it a shot! There are some brilliant guides online that literally list each task including every screw etc! The part was £33 from ECP and a fiver for RTV sealant! If your not sure about doing it sort me a drink a drink and I'll do it for you one Sunday! I'm only in eastlondon! Edited September 20, 2014 by Webby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naj Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looks great! I've read a lot about the powerflex stuff... Shame I know nothing about it, what it does, and where to start haha. Glad to see you've done everything properly, would love to buy a car owned by you. I keep telling myself I won't spend no more money on her but after 5 years of ownership I replace any part that's going, gone or due to go at that age/mileage and I replace it with the best or better than OEM part! Always been the same! Powerflex you can't go wrong! It's slightly stiffer/tougher than OEM but has a lifetime warranty and for that reason alone it's worth it! They also make the car feel a lot tougher and durable when on rough roads, pothole and speed humps. And yeah the next keeper is onto a winner for sure! I'd love to buy a car from me! Haha Haha. Kudos to you mate. Yeah with Powerflex, I wouldn't know where to start or what to buy. I wonder if they do a E46 coupe kit that I can just buy haha, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddybrown23 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 (edited) I've got a leak in exactly the same place, been meaning to have a go at replacing the gasket. Was it a long/difficult job?Not as hard as it looks pal, honestly give it a shot! There are some brilliant guides online that literally list each task including every screw etc! The part was £33 from ECP and a fiver for RTV sealant! If your not sure about doing it sort me a drink a drink and I'll do it for you one Sunday! I'm only in eastlondon! Nice one mate, if I chicken out I might take you up on that offer! Edited September 20, 2014 by Paddybrown23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looks great! I've read a lot about the powerflex stuff... Shame I know nothing about it, what it does, and where to start haha. Glad to see you've done everything properly, would love to buy a car owned by you. I keep telling myself I won't spend no more money on her but after 5 years of ownership I replace any part that's going, gone or due to go at that age/mileage and I replace it with the best or better than OEM part! Always been the same! Powerflex you can't go wrong! It's slightly stiffer/tougher than OEM but has a lifetime warranty and for that reason alone it's worth it! They also make the car feel a lot tougher and durable when on rough roads, pothole and speed humps. And yeah the next keeper is onto a winner for sure! I'd love to buy a car from me! Haha Haha. Kudos to you mate. Yeah with Powerflex, I wouldn't know where to start or what to buy. I wonder if they do a E46 coupe kit that I can just buy haha, There is a seller on eBay that does this but it's cheaper to buy them all separately and chances are the kit would have the wrong bushes for ARBs. Measure your Anti roll bars front and rear with a tape, the size is stamped on the ARB itself front and back but can be hard to locate. The front wishbone bushes are 66mm unless it's a VERY early model (first year of production). The rear wishbones are one size IIRC. The rear subframe are all one size! If you need more help give me a shout! Naj 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted September 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Also I've got a new set of Differential bushes waiting to be fitted! Went for Meyle HD bushes in the end as they were so cheap from eBay and I struggled to find power-flex ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
