Sufs' 330d M Sport w/ SMG Paddleshift retrofit but otherwise generally falling apart body ....

[DEVIL 666]

looks better now.

[Bamse]

Great, more jobs to do on the car

Edited April 8, 2015 by Bamse

[Bamse]

Didn't fancy the red needles then?

[The_Judge_]

Didn't fancy the red needles then?

Nah, thought it might look a bit naff

[Bamse]

I know what you mean. There is often a fine line with mods. The thing is, that line is in different places depending on the person doing the mods (M badges etc)

[The_Judge_]

Wife has been nagging about the dark grey respray I did on my seats (and I left the car very messy last time) so I've put everything back to normal and tidied up oversprays/mistakes from last time. First time I've had the seats out too, found a few fag ends, peanuts and 21p. For some reason ONE bolt doesn't want to go back in ... too knackered to investigate.

Sorry for the smudgy photos, I kinda got paint on my phone camera lens ...

Edited December 30, 2017 by The_Judge_

[TriggerFish]

I had that bolt problem on both my front seats - it'll go in some of the way, but not fully. A thick washer has fixed it for me as it's gone in far enough to allow full seat travel, and it's not fallen out yet!

[The_Judge_]

I had that bolt problem on both my front seats - it'll go in some of the way, but not fully. A thick washer has fixed it for me as it's gone in far enough to allow full seat travel, and it's not fallen out yet!

I tried different bolts and they all fail, something wrong in the bolt hole it seems. Unfortunately I can't get it low enough for the seat to slide freely, problems ...

Anyway, found evidence the drivers seat has been out before, someone cable tied all the electrics instead of using the existing clips already in the seat.

Edited April 12, 2015 by The_judge aka Suf

[The_Judge_]

So future plans for the car:

• Interior
  • New Floor Mats - http://www.simplycarmats.co.uk/
  • LED Interior Bulbs
  • Plasti Black Restore centre console dash
  • Respray rear parcel shelf
  • Amp and upgrade speakers
  • Sell seats and add retrofit heated
  • Fix front passenger side window (probably frayed cable)
  • Add E39 control to steering wheel for gear control or Paddles/SMG wheel for flappy paddles - http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/54773-alternative-to-paddle-shift-e39-steering-column-eclectic-adjuster/
• Exterior
  • Get the dent on drivers wheel arch fixed
  • Fix bad touch ups on drivers door from previous owner
  • Proper Wash, Clay, Clean, Polish etc - http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/59001-first-detail/
  • Try a pyky fix with filler/spray on the alloys -
  • Spray calipers silver - http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/6447-what-colour-calipers/?p=866136
  • Replace discs/pads, look into braided brake lines, flush replace brake fluid
  • Look into uprated suspension
  • Polyflex on rear bushes
  • Replace mirror glass on both sides
  • Fix the stupid sticky out bonnet catch
• Engine bay
  • Remove snapped bolts on EGR
  • Remove and clean washer bottle/filters
  • Update gearbox software et. al
  • Replace belts

Urgh, sometimes I wonder why I don't just sell it ..... or maybe this forum is giving me too many ideas .. !

Edited April 12, 2015 by The_judge aka Suf

[The_Judge_]

I had that bolt problem on both my front seats - it'll go in some of the way, but not fully. A thick washer has fixed it for me as it's gone in far enough to allow full seat travel, and it's not fallen out yet!

Turns out this is a common problem after some googling, a lot of people re cut the threads in the bolt hole. I bought a pack of washers and 45 mm length M10 bolts from screwfix for a couple of quid, problem solved Cept I have to use a 17mm socket for that bolt now ... can I live with the lack of uniformity !

[Shabaza]

Hey Suf,

You could do a budget solution for paddle shift.
Its kind of barry but there is no other paddleshift retrofit for the e31 so I want to do the following:

[The_Judge_]

Interesting ... seems simple, I already have a multi-function steering wheel though, so I don't have his luxury of free connections. Anyway, still some inspiration there! Thanks Shabaza

[The_Judge_]

I had planned on changing my front discs today, but then decided I'd paint the calipers instead and do the disks over the weekend giving the paint time to set properly. Please note - this is a totally pikey job:

Also, it gave me an excuse to try my new drill adapter bit, before tightening with a Torque Wrench:

Edited December 30, 2017 by The_Judge_

[TriggerFish]

Please note - this is a totally pikey job:

That's the Suf spirit! That's some impressive overspray too - good job you're changing those disks!

[The_Judge_]

Please note - this is a totally pikey job:

That's the Suf spirit! That's some impressive overspray too - good job you're changing those disks!

Well knowing I was changing them, I was very liberal with spray ..... !

Edited May 1, 2015 by The_judge aka Suf

[TriggerFish]

Makes sense. Might be worth removing the retaining clip/spring and giving them another quick spray so there's not an unpainted section underneath?

[The_Judge_]

Makes sense. Might be worth removing the retaining clip/spring and giving them another quick spray so there's not an unpainted section underneath?

I guess I could do this when I change the discs? It will make me fee better because I'm pretty sure I will be cursing and swearing for 20 minutes after snapping the disc retaining bolt knowing me ....

[TriggerFish]

Could do. Just put some newspaper or something behind it to keep the strut/hub clean. Spray some WD40 or something on it now so it can free off overnight? (Just don't be as liberal as you were with the paint!)

[The_Judge_]

So, had a pretty sh8t weekend. On Saturday I tried to remove my front brake discs - the drivers side was rusted solid and wouldn't budge off. Anyway, in doing this job I proved my incompetence by snapping both bolts on the caliper by overtightening when i put the caliper back.

Then today, I erected my temp rain cover from Argos and tried to drill out the bolts. They didn't shift, managed to drill right through the bolts but the they are still stuck in the threads of the carrier. Oh well, hunt for new carriers tomorrow, or try and enjoy one day of the extended weekend ..!

Gave up, put it all back together

Edited December 30, 2017 by The_Judge_

[DazRave]

Bad times. I tries to change over my rear discs yday while also under a gazebo... I Gave up after realising how tight the back bolts of the calipers were... Was way too scared to snap them and have nothing available to fix!

Good luck sorting it out buddy!

[Mr Xen]

So, had a pretty sh8t weekend. On Saturday I tried to remove my front brake discs - the drivers side was rusted solid and wouldn't budge off. Anyway, in doing this job I proved my incompetence by snapping both bolts on the caliper by overtightening when i put the caliper back.

Then today, I erected my temp rain cover from Argos and tried to drill out the bolts. They didn't shift, managed to drill right through the bolts but the they are still stuck in the threads of the carrier. Oh well, hunt for new carriers tomorrow, or try and enjoy one day of the extended weekend ..!

Gave up, put it all back together

I would say heli coil normally ...

But on brakes is not a good idea, good luck tomorrow

[The_Judge_]

Thanks DazRave - New/(second hand) carrier seems to be the only choice now!

Edited May 3, 2015 by The_judge aka Suf

[The_Judge_]

Pete - BTW - the Cobalt drill bits are much better than the regular ones: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000R9Z5CM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

But as you advised, best technique is very slow drilling - with these bits:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-HSS-Center-Spotting-Drill-Bits-Tool-Center-Combined-Countersink-kit-High-Speed-/350925512809

Chewed through it all!

[The_Judge_]

Just got back from a business trip. While I was away, my trusted mechanic fixed my brake f*ck up, he drilled out the snapped bolts and installed my Meyle Platinum discs

Also, got a present from Jay in the post

Edited December 30, 2017 by The_Judge_

[Bamse]

I do like that badge.

Painted my calipers today. Something else you've inspired me to do.