Chrissyp83 Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 (edited) So guys any who have seen on my cleaning thread will know some of the background, will try and make the beginning brief and the future more in depth. So in December 2014 I decided to sell my turbo diesel Saab 93 and get something else ... I have had many BMW's but wasnt actually looking for a BMW at this particular stage (was looking at Saab 93 aero convertibles and Volvo C70 T5's) but for one reason and many others I didnt get the Saab or the Volvo. Was taking a butchers through pistonheads one Saturday afternoon when I read the advert for this many times and dismissed her, why? I dont know, overpriced too good to be true? Anyway following weekend I went and travelled the 100miles to London and purchased her. She was rougher than described, the front wings were poop and the rear wings weren't bad but would be if left, there was big lacquer peel on the roof and rear drivers door. Mechanically receipts for lots of work - rear subframe, brake pipe renewal, steering rack, polybushed lollypop bushes, gearbox service + other history for servicing wheel refurb etc + swirl flaps had apparently been removed. Well here she is when I got her home, My e46 330d SE (but also specced across Sport and M Tec) showing just 101k on the clock. The wings look ok in the pic but had been poorly repaired In the meantime I arranged for her to go to a local bodyshop owned by a friends brother. Originally there was going to be a phase 1 and that was it but I was so pleased with the work i had further work done Phase 1 Front wings replaced and rear arches refurbished Post Phase 1 Due to the work schedule at the bodyshop she didnt go back in for 7 weeks however in the meantime she decided she wanted a new inlet manifold and a new tyre - the annoying thing re the tyre was the previous owner had only put Michelin pilot Sport 3's on about 3 months before sale, so new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 to match the passenger was fitted. When the inlet manifold went I went to see the old girl whilst in the local BMW indy and I was pleased to say all the work the previous owner reckoned he did he had done - swirl flap removal, vortex filter change, EGR was clean and free moving, shame I had to have a huge bill to get to that point but good never the less. Looking a bit sorry for herself. So ive put many pics on my other couple of threads so will add sparingly here. Post phase 2 Phase 2 included full roof respray, full boot respray and due to the aforementioned lacquer peel complete drivers side respray, she also had a new windscreen. Fairly full cleaning regime for this pic - snowfoam, handwash, rinse, megs polish, harly wax, simoniz tyre black, AG trim renovator Went over the interior with Gliptone leather cleaner and then conditioner, Simoniz foaming trim cleaner, hoover So that really brings me up to where we are now Other bits I have done but do not have photo's for * Full Fluid and filter service * Hunter allignment (due to me hitting my first ever kerb) * Osram nightbreaker +110% headlight and full beam bulbs * LED side lights (recommended by Jay) * Aero wipers * LED interior lights * Carbon fibre bonnet and boot badges So whats next * Wheel refurb as a result of me meeting the kerb * Remap * Something different with the exhaust * Pipercross panel filter on next service * LED rear lights * Remove wheels and paint calipers Silver * Replace glovebox light * Replace centre console with twin cup holder * Matching carbon fibre wheel badges * UK font pressed plates Hope you like and not too bored by now! Thanks Chris Edited May 2, 2015 by Chrissyp83 MICK 330, momo, TriggerFish and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan k Posted April 23, 2015 Report Share Posted April 23, 2015 Well done mate nice motor and nice progress Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Nice progress there Mr P! Looks a lovely example! Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted April 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Thanks guys. aesthetically I want to keep her looking fairly standard, would like to freshen up the sport suspension, would also like to have the rear splitter/ bottom of bumper/ area housing rear parking sensors painted gloss black to match the factory option piano black external trim around windows etc ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven2907 Posted April 25, 2015 Report Share Posted April 25, 2015 Well done Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 So done a couple of little bits to bess over the last week new glove box light so I could finish LED interior lights, such a massive improvement. Yesterday I hit the interior - leather refed with Gliptone leather conditioner, carpets hoovered and striped, expanding foam on all plastics and STP over the top Today I hit the exterior - Traffic film remover (snow foam ran out), rinse, hand wash with AG shampoo, rinse, dried with MF towels, Farecla fine cutting compund, 2x coats of Meguiars ultimate polish, 3x coats Harly wax (each coat 15-20min curing time), AG trim renovator on all plastics including brake cooling ducts under front bumper, Simoniz tyre cleaner, autosol on exhaust. Before Quite pleased with how long the Harly wax has produced the beading the a good reflections During After wash before compound/ polish/ wax Harly wax curing All done Interior CharlE46, The Laird and jut 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jut Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 looking really good, once the rust gets into the front wings its really not worth trying to repair as its a bolt on part, like you I also just fitted new wing on my my last car and the previous "repair" just made it worse. Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDevil Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 Looks good mate what time should i bring mine over lol Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 Looks fab as usual mate Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Cheers guys, very much a work in progress, do feel the photo's are a little kind as there are a couple of holograms present but once I treat myself to a machine polisher these will be rectified however to say I am happy with the depth to the colour and the reflection shots especially as its all by hand is a huge understatement. Jut like you say originally I was looking to have the wings repaired properly but tbh it wasnt worth it and when I saw the state of them once removed so glad I went with new wings, wheels replaced or refurbed next, brakes cleaned and painted then a cheeky map! Edited May 2, 2015 by Chrissyp83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jut Posted May 2, 2015 Report Share Posted May 2, 2015 mine had gone around the lip but once removed the rust had actually spread about 2 inches above the arch all of the way round, just goes to show, I think I actually put a pic up on here as I was surprised how much of a mess it was Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-B Posted May 3, 2015 Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Looks really well cleaned, where did you get the new arches from, ebay? Cheers Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2015 Looks really well cleaned, where did you get the new arches from, ebay? Cheers Hey buddy, thanks for the compliment, in all honesty I am not sure, they were not from ebay, they were provided by a local motor factor who the bodyshop deals with for replacement panels, just not sure who. I believe ebay panels are ok in fairness as I believe Jay has used one previously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2015 (edited) Hunter allignment check today, so worth doing for anyone who hasnt! And the LED interior lights Edited May 5, 2015 by Chrissyp83 The_Judge_ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) So just back from holiday, 992miles in 7 days, Suffolk to South Devon in desperate need of a clean now but was pleased with as punch with her. BP ultimate super diesel is what I have been using for a while now instead of shell, 43.4mpg (avg speed 70.1mph which included 280ish M'way miles, 50ish miles of mixed B road speeds), return journey reverted back to my fuel of choice Shell V Power nitro diesel + Wynns formula gold diesel treatment 47.8mpg (same mix of M'way and B road, avg speed 69.3mph). Not saying for one minute the difference in economy is due to the fuel, just happy with what the old girl returned, more than the father in laws insignia SRI CDTi which is a winner. Looking very dirty overlooking Labrador Bay just above Teignmouth and Shaldon Edited May 16, 2015 by Chrissyp83 The_Judge_ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeftyDanielson Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Looks nice and clean. That above picture is abut 3 miles away from my house. Lovely spot for pictures and its a nice road with a couple nice twisty sections. Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Looks nice and clean. That above picture is abut 3 miles away from my house. Lovely spot for pictures and its a nice road with a couple nice twisty sections. Lovely thanks buddy, yeah love that road, every year I come down that way I take a pic in this car park overlooking labrador bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 The old towcar Saab 9-3 2.2tid The old vec Sri Not Labrador Bay but Dartmoor Escort Gti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted August 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) So whats happened since I was last on here ... Approx 12 weeks ago fitted LED to all internal lights and added black grill and had hunter allignment completed And fully detailed her Approx 8 weeks ago - I had the engine carbon cleaned, made a day of it and had a few of my mates over so 8 cars in total. The process essentially is a gas pumped into the engine via the air filter housing to clean the manifolds/ cylinder head/ injectors etc ... certainly made a difference to the old girl - smoother and more mpg. Approx 2 weeks ago I had the wheels refurbed by BA wheels in Norwich, painted the brake calipers blue to tie in with the blue on the MSport badge on the MV1's, new black/ grey carbon fiber center badges to tie in with boot/ bonnet, treated the arch liners to 3x coats of Autobrite cherry glaze ... Still to do 're wheels are new bolts Wheels treated to a coat of harly wax with 25mins curing time and a coat of autobrite cherry glaze, tyres treated with autobrite trim/ tyre gel Edited August 19, 2015 by Chrissyp83 rickyh147, Ashley1995 and The Laird 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley1995 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Nice progress, what's next on the list? Chrissyp83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted August 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Nice progress, what's next on the list? Well mate tbh not a whole lot this year, she is due to be machine polished and re-detailed next weekend ready for Prestige, then a couple of boring things like service the rear diff and fluid and filter service. Just purchased some winter wheels, so need to buy some wheel bags for the MV1's over winter and also 2x new winter tyres for the winter wheels, respray the rear valance/ splitter - black as its faded, back into bodyshop to refinish rear bumper as despite having working parking sensors the previous owner nicked his gate post - luckily it only removed a small amount of laquer, I still want LED rear lights, remap, stainless exhaust, remove secondary cat. Ashley1995 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyered07 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 How much was the refurb if you don't mind me asking and how was the finish. Been looking at a few places to get mine done soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted August 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 (edited) How much was the refurb if you don't mind me asking and how was the finish. Been looking at a few places to get mine done soon. I paid 200 + vat for the refurb - the finish speaks for itself absolutely flawless, would not hesitate to use them again - in fact the wife is having the wheels on the cupra redone, if you drop the wheels off the tat is 4 -5 days, if you drop car off they turn it round in a day and I think its £240 + vat. but really impressed and happy with finish. I looked at a few places and many of the main dealers inc. BMW/ Audi/ VW send their wheels there so was happy to use Edited August 20, 2015 by Chrissyp83 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 So what have I been up to since my last update. Well I have just ordered and received my BMW spec Fuchs Diff oil, ready for a diff service. I am also bidding on some LED rear lights however if I win them they wont be here in time for Prestige ...Onto today ... In preparation for Prestige the old girl received a full detail. So to take advantage of the weather was up at 6 and kicked off at 6.45am and finished around 2.30pm - popped out for a bit and did another hour or so on my return. Regime below ...Exterior - bodySnowfoam - Rinse - Handwash - Rinse - Clay - Snowfoam - Rinse - Handwash - Dry with MF towels.Cracked out the Autosmart twin headed DACoat 1 - Enrich correction polish fine cut (Autobrite)Coat 2 - Anti hologram polish (Autobrite)Applied by hand Coat 3 - Cherry glaze (Autobrite) (10mins curing time)Coat 4 - Harly Wax (20mins curing time)Coat 5 - Armorall ShieldWasnt overly happy with the finish leftCoat 6 - Cherry glaze (Autobrite)Wheels1x coat Triplewax fast wax (Harly wax and cherry glaze were added in 2 separate coats approx 2 weeks ago so this was a top up)Exhaust tips1x coat of autosolTrims and tyres Matt finish trim gel (Autobrite)Interior HooveredSimoniz xpanding foam to all plasticsSTP gloss finish on topCherry glaze (Autobrite) to all woods (25mins curing time)So onto the pics Reflection shots Love this one Messing about The_Judge_ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissyp83 Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Lots still on the cards to be done silly things like a new scuttle panel and a new drivers side fog light, respray rear bumper as previous owner nicked a post despite having fully working parking sensors and subsequently removed some laquer and a small piece of paint (not really noticeable but I know its there), respray rear splitter/ area where parking sensors are located as the black has faded to some degree ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...