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View Full Version : Jersey Graphite- a novella by Kayger12



kayger12
02-03-2011, 02:31 PM
So I came from an '03 325i auto. Researched ZHPs for a while and always kept my eye out in what became a weekly ritual of autotrader and cars.com searches.

Found this ride at a dealership in Mechanicsburg, PA. Car looked great from the pictures, had 45K miles and a CPO warranty until 9/11. I reached out for a sales rep and spent several days negotiating via email and finally decided that we were close enough to warrant the 3+ hour drive to see her.

I took her for a test drive and distant-parking-lot-PPI of well over an hour. Car was immaculate and I was on the hook.

A long round of negotiating left us $500 apart. I am a stubborn prick, so I walked.

While sitting in my 'ol 325 preparing to drive 300 miles back home without the ZHP, my wife talks me into giving it one more go.

We walk back in and I throw myself on the mercy and good will of the sales guy (who, mind you, was bending me over on the deal regardless of the $500).

Long story long, he gives the $500, and I leave paying a premium price but somehow feeling good because of the $500 (sign of a great salesman).

Picture of her on the lot with my old 325.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2010-11-18_14-19-32_431.jpg

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2010-11-18_14-19-52_193.jpg

Last picture I have before the mods started.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/IMG_4601_edited-2.jpg

So, got her home and had an oil change kit from Tischer on the way. Immediately changed her oil and started with some minor cosmetic changes.

First up was getting rid of the amber bumper reflectors. Ordered up some clears-- much cleaner look.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-25_16-53-24_641.jpg

Next up was to get rid of the long neck shift knob and replace it with a ZHP knob. Also ordered up some aluminum pedals and all weather mats from Bav Auto.

Old knob and pedals
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2010-11-20_12-35-17_609.jpg

New shift knob, pedals, mats
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2010-12-04_15-04-21_64.jpg

After that, I added some CF grills from Bimmian.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-04_22-18-10_465.jpg

I then paused to have a beer..........


















http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2010-12-06_16-53-18_590.jpg

Next up was the difficult personal decision of losing the Bavarian blue and going with cf roundels. The PO had put a cf roundel on the steering wheel, and I absolutely loved how it worked with the interior. She also came with a cf rear bumper diffuser, so I decided to roll the dice and ordered cf grills, cf trunk/hood roundels, cf center cap roundels, and cf splitters.

I ended up not liking the way the splitters looked on my ride, so I passed those along to the most generous member of the ZHP community that I know-- DW.

The cf roundels were a thing of beauty and worked wonderfully with the Sparkling Graphite paint.

CF roundels
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-04_22-53-11_323.jpg

CF grills and hood roundel
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-06_07-47-09_931.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-06_07-47-01_834.jpg

CF wheel center cap
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-25_16-52-20_258.jpg

Next up was the clutch stop mod and much debated BMW Performance Intake.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-25_21-43-12_65.jpg

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-01-29_15-06-00_305.jpg


2/10/11-- Added some 35% tint all the way around.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/IMG_5192_edited-3.jpg

Also added the BMW Performance CF Strut Brace
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-10_18-35-07_704.jpg

2/16/11-- Added an aspherical mirror to the drivers side. Makes a huge difference, so I ordered up one for the passenger side.
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2537/1861/31340930063_large.jpg

2/19/11-- Front bumper painted and front license plate deleted.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/IMG_5216_edited-3.jpg

2/22/11-- Updated the nav system to firmware version 32.2. Review of the firmware update here. (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1295-E46-MKIV-Navigation-Firware-Update-Version-32.2)
Also got a new welcome screen.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-22_16-47-39_381.jpg

2/25/11-- Installed the Homelink setup today. DIY here.
(http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1391-E46-Homelink-DIY)

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-25_18-17-28_285.jpg

2/26/11-- Passenger side euro-mirror added.

3/16ish/11-- LED interior lights from Khoalty added. I'll have to get some pics.

4/30/11-- Received my CF valve cover and fuel rail. Gonna be exchanging due to some finishing issues.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-04-30_16-40-01_590.jpg

12/11/11-- Some new pics of the second set of CF valve and fuel rail covers.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-12-09_15-08-46_449.jpg

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-12-09_15-08-21_114.jpg

Also finally got around to the CDV delete.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-12-10_13-18-08_764.jpg

12/11 ///M valve stem covers thanks to my SS!
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-12-09_15-50-47_126.jpg

...and yes-- I now realize that my center caps are not aligned with my ///M stickers. That will be squared away in the near future. Never noticed before.

I think that's really it for Jersey Graphite. No other mods in the future that I can foresee.

Thinking about going back to the stock roundels in the spring...

3/31/12

Well, after much thought, a little indecisiveness, and one trip to the ER, Jersey Graphite is back to blue and white roundels. I miss the CF already, so I don't know if this will be permanent. She'll stay this way through the summer, though, and we'll see how things go before winter gets here next year.

Pic placeholder

Next up, I rolled the dice on some shadowline kidney grills with the piano black finish. Again, I'm not sure about this. I liked the CF grills because they were not nearly as common as the matte or gloss blacks. Gonna let this one percolate as well and see how I feel about them after the summer.

Pic placeholder

My other mod will remain undisclosed for now, as the part(s) I ordered didn't quite work on my car. Still working on a solution...

And finally, I'm still waiting for the arrival of the CF sheets that I ordered so that I can make CF covers for the drug bin and EC box bin.

Stay tuned...

pyreguy
02-03-2011, 02:42 PM
Awesome! I'm glad I got to see all those pictures of your car. Its just about perfect.

Marcus-SanDiego
02-03-2011, 02:50 PM
Awesome car, Keith. Also, I have heard that your car is fast (faster than it should be). Sounds like you might have a pegasus. Nice!

Your write up reminded me that I forgot to mention that I have the BMW performance intake and strut brace. Going to edit now. Thanks!

mr hish
02-03-2011, 02:50 PM
nice i like it alot btw did u install the sports brake discs?

Mtnman
02-03-2011, 02:55 PM
I like it. I think mine will have more Pauses in it though..lol. Great Write up. the stories behind the cars are awesome.

kayger12
02-03-2011, 02:58 PM
Thanks everyone.

Hish- the rotors were put on by the previous owner. Certainly happy to have them on there!

danewilson77
02-03-2011, 03:14 PM
Well done my friend. Well done.

mr hish
02-03-2011, 03:16 PM
hehe well good for you then.

mimalmo
02-03-2011, 07:05 PM
Nice. Cars always look best when there's a "theme" going on and you definitely have one going with the CF parts. Well done.

kayger12
02-05-2011, 11:12 AM
Thanks again, gents.

Performance strut bar ordered!

gr330zhp
02-10-2011, 12:59 PM
Great car! I really like the color combo and normally I'm not a huge fan of the coupe/cabrio face/headlights, but yours looks PERFECT!

How much of a difference does the clutch stop make??

jvr826
02-10-2011, 06:22 PM
I just ordered upgraded firmware for the Nav which will give me a different welcome screen when I open the door.


I hope you didn't pay for this...

http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/16739-navtweak.html

xoutpost, formerly X5world, pioneered reverse engineering the MKIV navigation software and also created a tool... NavTweak... which allows those bold enough to mess around with it themselves. I have put my own splash screen on mine and changed some of the text on the Tone menu. Rather than fader, mine says "sub blend" because I once had my sub connected to the rear channels of my system and used the fader to adjust the volume.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=69706&d=1141348967

If you (or anyone else) want to mess around with this I can look in my archives and find the files you need. It's quite easy to do and you can also get rid of the Accept screen forever by going back a version, then installing a newer one. I've done this on my MKIV and previous MKIII.

Oh, and you have great taste in cars!

kayger12
02-10-2011, 06:29 PM
I hope you didn't pay for this...

http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/navigation-system/16739-navtweak.html

xoutpost, formerly X5world, pioneered reverse engineering the MKIV navigation software and also created a tool... NavTweak... which allows those bold enough to mess around with it themselves. I have put my own splash screen on mine and changed some of the text on the Tone menu. Rather than fader, mine says "sub blend" because I once had my sub connected to the rear channels of my system and used the fader to adjust the volume.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=69706&d=1141348967

If you (or anyone else) want to mess around with this I can look in my archives and find the files you need. It's quite easy to do and you can also get rid of the Accept screen forever by going back a version, then installing a newer one. I've done this on my MKIV and previous MKIII.

Oh, and you have great taste in cars!

Appreciate the info, Jeff. I payed for the latest version of the firmware for the Mark IV. Picked it up from these guys: http://www.bmwnav.net/

I will definitely dig around xoutpost and educate myself, though.

jvr826
02-10-2011, 07:12 PM
Oh well, not too bad, $50. It used to be available thru download sites and at x5world. There hasn't been an update in quite some time. I think Version 31 was the last one a couple years ago... that's what I'm running with perspective view unlocked.

kayger12
02-10-2011, 07:18 PM
Great car! I really like the color combo and normally I'm not a huge fan of the coupe/cabrio face/headlights, but yours looks PERFECT!

How much of a difference does the clutch stop make??

Thanks, bro.

I think the clutch stop makes a noticeable difference. My shifts are quicker and more accurate. Definitely would not want to go back to the way it was before.

kayger12
02-10-2011, 07:19 PM
Original project post updated.

gr330zhp
02-10-2011, 09:10 PM
Thanks, bro.

I think the clutch stop makes a noticeable difference. My shifts are quicker and more accurate. Definitely would not want to go back to the way it was before.

Hmmm I might have to do this. I did CDV a while back, now its time for this haha.

kayger12
02-11-2011, 03:31 AM
You know, you just reminded me I need to do that as well.

I have to go with the Zechausen CDV to be safe with the CPO...

jvr826
02-11-2011, 06:50 AM
Just ditch it... I'd bet a dollar the dealer doesn't even know what a CDV is or where to look for it.

jjcools
02-11-2011, 07:32 AM
Plus you can always say you bought it like that, PO must have done it...

danewilson77
02-11-2011, 08:19 AM
Plus you can always say you bought it like that, PO must have done it...

That would be dishonest though...

az3579
02-11-2011, 08:44 AM
It doesn't matter what you tell them, because there is no way that the removal of the CDV would cause any transmission damage whatsoever if you know how to drive a car with a stick and third pedal.
I seriously doubt Keith has that problem. Anything bad you can do to the car as a result of not having a CDV can be done even with it installed, so it should not cause any warranty problems.

I say just get a gutted one to keep it looking OEM (I like it clean like that) and move on with your life. lol

Kudos
02-14-2011, 02:08 PM
I have a comment, on your picture of both cars side by side, it looks as if the non zhp looks more aggresive in terms of the grills. Are they different on the pre and post face lift so much so that they look more aggresive on the pre?

kayger12
02-14-2011, 03:12 PM
I definitely can see what you describe. The 325i was a 2003 and post-face lift so it can't be that. Maybe a coupe/sedan thing?

I'll have to check it out.

MasterC17
02-14-2011, 05:16 PM
I have a comment, on your picture of both cars side by side, it looks as if the non zhp looks more aggresive in terms of the grills. Are they different on the pre and post face lift so much so that they look more aggresive on the pre?

They're definitely different at least. The 325 grills may appear more aggressive because they are black.

kayger12
02-16-2011, 06:23 PM
Added an aspherical mirror to the driver's side for T&E.

Main post updated...

danewilson77
02-16-2011, 06:49 PM
You can literally see a car that is almost right next to you in your mirror. It takes practice though.

kayger12
02-16-2011, 06:51 PM
You can literally see a car that is almost right next to you in your mirror. It takes practice though.

Driving her up to work tomorrow so I can drop her off at the body shop after work.

Definitely looking forward to seeing how it is on the highway.

kayger12
02-19-2011, 06:17 PM
First post updated.

danewilson77
02-19-2011, 06:20 PM
Damn that looks clean. Keith...do you ever plan to do reflector delete?

http://www.khoalty.com/bmw-e46/exterior-14/painted-bumper-reflectors

kayger12
02-19-2011, 06:32 PM
Thanks, DW.

Thought about the reflector delete. I hated the ambers on my car, but I don't mind the clears. Prolly stick with them for a while.

danewilson77
02-19-2011, 07:07 PM
Copy. Concur.

kayger12
02-20-2011, 05:10 AM
Just ordered up a Homelink unit from Tischer.

I just don't feel right if I go more than 24 hours without spending some kind of money on my car.

danewilson77
02-20-2011, 05:20 AM
Just ordered up a Homelink unit from Tischer.

I just don't feel right if I go more than 24 hours without spending some kind of money on my car.

Yeah....I was the same way. It will pass a lil bit...

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Mtnman
02-20-2011, 06:16 AM
Or you'll just run out of money.......:)

kayger12
02-20-2011, 06:29 AM
Or you'll just run out of money.......:)

There's always Top Ramen ;)

kayger12
02-20-2011, 10:18 AM
Dr. Colorchip--- Ordered!

pyreguy
02-20-2011, 10:33 AM
I like the clear reflectors too. Better than a color matched cover IMHO


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

Dotpage
02-20-2011, 12:48 PM
OP, did you actually noticed any difference with the BMW performance intake?

kayger12
02-20-2011, 01:27 PM
TBO, not really, Dot. my wife believes the car is now a little louder higher up in the rev range.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?801-BMW-Performance-Intake-Install-DIY&p=17106#post17106

Did find some interesting info confirming a 6+ hp increase here http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=507315&highlight=BMW+performance+intake

Mtnman
02-20-2011, 01:36 PM
How your gas mileage Keith? Still up, or was it an anomaly?

kayger12
02-20-2011, 01:58 PM
How your gas mileage Keith? Still up, or was it an anomaly?

Still up I believe. Be driving over the in-laws for dinner on about 30.

I'll give you the updated numbers.

kayger12
02-20-2011, 06:10 PM
26.3, David. Still up.

Dotpage
02-20-2011, 06:15 PM
with all the little fixes and changes I have been making, I can't ever get to fill up my tank w/o having to disconnect the battery... And since I don't have the dashboard computer, IO can't calculate my mileage.. I think there is a hack for that even if you don't have the computer, but it only shows current consumption, right?

kayger12
02-20-2011, 06:22 PM
I believe so. 4.o and 4.1 on the hidden obd functions.

az3579
02-20-2011, 07:35 PM
Keith,
Do you think your increased gas mileage is just a sign of a fresh air filter in the new intake?
This is commonly overlooked...


I need to replace mine. Took it out yesterday and gave the housing a shake; particles came flying out. Eww.

kayger12
02-20-2011, 07:41 PM
Keith,
Do you think your increased gas mileage is just a sign of a fresh air filter in the new intake?
This is commonly overlooked...


I need to replace mine. Took it out yesterday and gave the housing a shake; particles came flying out. Eww.

Nah- replaced the air filter the first few days after I bought her.

I've been doing a lot of highway driving lately, so I'm expecting it to settle back down into the mid 25 range.

az3579
02-20-2011, 07:43 PM
Nah- replaced the air filter the first few days after I bought her.

I've been doing a lot of highway driving lately, so I'm expecting it to settle back down into the mid 25 range.


I'm thinking of doing this mod in conjunction with a catback. I'm just wary of spending money to not get much gain, that's why I'm asking.

kayger12
02-20-2011, 07:45 PM
I'm thinking of doing this mod in conjunction with a catback. I'm just wary of spending money to not get much gain, that's why I'm asking.

It is a lot of money for around 6 horses and maybe a little better mileage.

Tough call if you have other stuff you want to do.

az3579
02-20-2011, 07:47 PM
It is a lot of money for around 6 horses and maybe a little better mileage.

Tough call if you have other stuff you want to do.


The intake is mostly planned for fuel economy, though I won't complain if it'll help me get a little more power on on the course, either.

Dotpage
02-21-2011, 06:06 AM
I am convinced, few ponnies ans better milege plus visual and exhaust tone. It is a winning combo in my book..

kayger12
02-21-2011, 06:27 AM
I think you'll like it, Dot. And as Marcus pointed out to me, these things were originally selling for $1,000. Who knows how much longer they're going to be available at under $300 before they're sold out.

kayger12
02-22-2011, 02:26 PM
Updated the Nav firmware. First post updated.

kayger12
02-26-2011, 06:04 AM
Homelink installed. First post updated.

danewilson77
02-26-2011, 06:41 AM
Looks awesome Keith.

Dotpage
02-26-2011, 09:50 AM
Decided to try a Magnaflow Muffler + K&N drop in, also got DME updated to a 2010 vs.(it was running original 2002 DME). Car is behaving and sounding a lot better already. Will get the perf. Intake just in case, they are a bargain at 300 alright, and this way I'll have a "plan B". :)

kayger12
02-26-2011, 09:52 AM
Great plan, Dot. If nothing else, you'll be able to unload that Perf Intake down the road when they're all sold out and no one can get them anywhere.

kayger12
04-08-2011, 09:04 PM
Updated for LED interiors that I installed a few weeks ago and forgot to update.

kayger12
04-30-2011, 07:15 PM
Updated for my CF bling.

Marcus-SanDiego
04-30-2011, 07:17 PM
I like the new bling, KG. Can't wait til it's perfect.

lilcdkey
07-20-2011, 03:09 PM
This thread needs an update :shifty

static667
07-20-2011, 05:49 PM
This thread needs an update :shifty

Indeed it does.

kayger12
07-22-2011, 05:44 AM
Haha-- I was just digging out from well over 100 threads (after a long work week with very little time for the site) when I stumbled on this. Put a smile on my face. Thanks, gents.

I am waiting to hear from Nachos on the new valve cover and fuel rail that he's wrapping for me to replace the original ones that I wasn't happy with.

I'm hoping to have them in the next week or two.

Other than that, she's where I want her for now.

Next change will probably be exhaust and headers, but I'm not in a hurry to jump on that just yet.

We'll see, though. DW is always putting ideas in my head...

danewilson77
07-22-2011, 05:50 AM
Bump for KG

kayger12
10-01-2011, 12:43 PM
Felt a little different driving her today. Why, you ask?

As of today, she's officially off CPO warranty.

Issues are all mine now.

Got a vcg, vanos, and sunroof cassette out of BMWNA over the past 10 months. Not bad.

Here's to preventative maintenance...

Frankavelli
10-02-2011, 08:32 AM
How do you do in NJ with the tint on the front windows? I had them on my Acura and was harassed quite a bit, so opted to take them off.

What kind of mileage do you have posted on the ZHP as of now? The subtle touches you've done really set the color off nicely!

kayger12
10-02-2011, 09:36 AM
Thanks for the kind words.

I opted for the lighter tint so that I wouldn't get stopped. So far, I haven't been pulled over once since getting the tint put on. I said from the start that if it resulted in me getting stopped a lot, I would just take it off but so far, so good.

She has 58k on her right now. Had 45k when I bought her last November.

johnrando
10-02-2011, 12:07 PM
Felt a little different driving her today. Why, you ask?

As of today, she's officially off CPO warranty.

Issues are all mine now.

Got a vcg, vanos, and sunroof cassette out of BMWNA over the past 10 months. Not bad.

Here's to preventative maintenance...

So, no CPO and no more extended CPO coverage? I think my "extended" CPO coverage ends this or next month. $50 deductible but repairs are done. Hope the preventative maintenance pays off for you!

AProudSailor
10-05-2011, 07:43 AM
What year are your Sparkling Graphite rides, if you don't mind me asking?

kayger12
10-07-2011, 02:42 AM
What year are your Sparkling Graphite rides, if you don't mind me asking?

2005

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

kayger12
10-15-2011, 05:16 AM
Thinking about going back to Bavarian Blue roundels and center caps after the winter.

Kind of missing them...

zhpnsnv
10-15-2011, 06:13 AM
Do it!

danewilson77
10-15-2011, 07:14 AM
Thinking about going back to Bavarian Blue roundels and center caps after the winter.

Kind of missing them...

Lol...I did too. There's something about the blue.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

kayger12
12-11-2011, 05:42 PM
Bump for my baby.

Updated for new CF engine bling pics and CDV delete.

Hermes
12-12-2011, 12:05 AM
Keith, I love your car. Sparkling Graphite Metallic was actually the color I was looking for when I bought mine but the rest is now history.

I think I found your next mod...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/Holly-daze%20Autocross/CFhandle.jpg

kayger12
12-20-2011, 05:42 AM
Thanks, JP.

I've seen those before-- I like.

Are they custom, or commercially available?

kayger12
12-20-2011, 05:45 AM
Updated original with Secret Santa goodness.

kayger12
03-28-2012, 04:37 PM
Time to revive this thread.

It's been about a year since I made any changes to Jersey Graphite, and... well... spring is the season of change.

Sooooo-- stay tuned.

Package from ECS arrived today.

Packages from Khoalty and Bimmian arriving on Friday.

Modifications will be made Saturday with a Sunday unveiling in the cards.

Most of you know me by now. Subtle is the name of the game with me, so there will be nothing Earth-shattering.

But she will definitely look different... :santa1

danewilson77
03-28-2012, 05:51 PM
Time to revive this thread.

It's been about a year since I made any changes to Jersey Graphite, and... well... spring is the season of change.

Sooooo-- stay tuned.

Package from ECS arrived today.

Packages from Khoalty and Bimmian arriving on Friday.

Modifications will be made Saturday with a Sunday unveiling in the cards.

Most of you know me by now. Subtle is the name of the game with me, so there will be nothing Earth-shattering.

But she will definitely look different... :santa1

#excited

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

gr330zhp
03-28-2012, 08:46 PM
Pumped to see!

Keith, your ZHP is one of my favs on here, love Sparkling Graphite too

HTC Merge

Hornung418
03-28-2012, 09:35 PM
I know CF stuff is going to be accessorized...I'm guessing that an M3 dead pedal is in the list.

I'm going to place my order for one right now. I've got $70 in credit at Turner and it's been there since late 2010...wanted to save it for sway bars, but they're too much for what I've got right now. Need instant gratification!!! LOL

In for pics this weekend!

kayger12
03-29-2012, 03:40 AM
Pumped to see!

Keith, your ZHP is one of my favs on here, love Sparkling Graphite too

HTC Merge

Thanks!


I know CF stuff is going to be accessorized...I'm guessing that an M3 dead pedal is in the list.

I'm going to place my order for one right now. I've got $70 in credit at Turner and it's been there since late 2010...wanted to save it for sway bars, but they're too much for what I've got right now. Need instant gratification!!! LOL

In for pics this weekend!

The drug bin and EC box bin CF covers will definitely be part of the project, but I don't know if the material will be delivered in time for me to get it done this weekend.

And thanks to the PO of my car (who remains unknown) she already has the M dead pedal. :rockon

kayger12
03-30-2012, 11:13 AM
So, did you ever have one of those days where your tire that you've previously removed and thought was secure starts to roll while you're jacking up the back of the car- so you let go of the jack handle and turn really quickly to grab the tire before it tips over- and then the jack handle springs up just as you're spinning past it and blasts you in the mouth, and then you have to go to the ER and get stitched up (after you chew on a gauze pad for an hour while you finish removing, cleaning, and re installing the rest of your tires?

Yeah, me too.

Sent from the Southern Ocean Medical Center emergency room via my outdated Droid X

danewilson77
03-30-2012, 11:45 AM
Damn KG.....you ok? That sucks. Glad you're ok.....but in retrospect....is kinda of funny.

kayger12
03-30-2012, 12:19 PM
Oh, trust me. It was funny. Two stitches, man style (no lidocaine).

I'm back home and working on the car.

Only me, lol.

Jon D
03-30-2012, 12:31 PM
Whenever I'm working on the boat it seems it makes sure I don't forget who's in charge. I call them boat bites... seems like you have the same relationship going on with your car.. bummer... some of them really hurt...

kayger12
03-30-2012, 12:40 PM
Life is about the stories, I suppose.

This will be an entertaining one.

Seriously-- I'm just glad I didn't lose a tooth. I hit it that hard...

At the end of the day, I can say with confidence that my Style 135 was worth two stitches.

zhpnsnv
03-30-2012, 12:52 PM
Crap! One time my e30 fell off the jack but luckily I had a wheel under the brake which saved my legs.

Can't wait to see the changes. And glad you got away with only a few stitches.

kayger12
03-30-2012, 01:04 PM
Thanks, my friend. The jack injury story is just for my Mafia family.

Everyone else is going to get the, "I got in a vicious fight with an armed felon," story. :biggrin

Oli77
03-30-2012, 01:15 PM
Dang! you could have thrown your back out at the same time and landed backwards on your head too.

Glad your OK boss.

kayger12
03-30-2012, 02:32 PM
Lol, you said it, Oli.

Thanks, sir.

kayger12
03-31-2012, 04:39 AM
Well, after much thought, a little indecisiveness, and one trip to the ER, Jersey Graphite is back to blue and white roundels. I miss the CF already, so I don't know if this will be permanent. She'll stay this way through the summer, though, and we'll see how things go before winter gets here next year.

Pic placeholder

Next up, I rolled the dice on some shadowline kidney grills with the piano black finish. Again, I'm not sure about this. I liked the CF grills because they were not nearly as common as the matte or gloss blacks. Gonna let this one percolate as well and see how I feel about them after the summer.

Pic placeholder

My other mod will remain undisclosed for now, as the part(s) I ordered didn't quite work on my car. Still working on a solution...

And finally, I'm still waiting for the arrival of the CF sheets that I ordered so that I can make CF covers for the drug bin and EC box bin.

If the rain stops, I'll grab some pics later today.

Let me know what you think about the CF black/silver vs standard blue/white for the roundels. Feedback on the kidneys is appreciated as well.

Thanks!

Oli77
03-31-2012, 06:16 AM
I like blue and white but that's because I have never seen (in person) CF black/sliver (so I am no help).

zhpnsnv
03-31-2012, 06:56 PM
I support the move to classic roundels and black grilles.

danewilson77
04-01-2012, 06:37 AM
+1

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

cakM3
04-01-2012, 07:54 AM
Keith,

Follow your heart on this one. Although you can't go wrong by going with the blue/white roundels, I feel changing the color of the roundel adds to the distinctiveness of the car. :thumbsup

Hornung418
04-01-2012, 08:49 AM
I'm currently rocking Blue and Silver CF roundels. the rear is slightly crooked, but I don't mind it as it looks quite badass :)

johnrando
04-01-2012, 07:29 PM
Really looking forward to the pics Keith. And, glad you're ok with that jack. I'm still thinking about the drug bin covers as it's not cheap. Let me know how yours goes and looks when you're done.

gr330zhp
04-02-2012, 06:56 AM
In for pics!

I personally really like the blue/white roundels! When I bought my ZHP, the only thing I didn't like about it was that it had red/white roundels on the wheels, swapped em out next day.



HTC Merge

kayger12
04-02-2012, 09:08 AM
Thanks, gents.

The weather didn't cooperate for pics this weekend, so I'll get on it this week.

danewilson77
04-02-2012, 10:18 AM
Thanks, gents.

The weather didn't cooperate for pics this weekend, so I'll get on it this week.

:mob

WOLFN8TR
04-02-2012, 10:43 AM
The Black/White look really good on the Sparkling Graphite Metallic. I have them on my rims and the steering wheel. You can kinda see them in my sig photo. I've gotten alot of compliments on them, people say it blends better, looks custom. Check it out!
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee438/WOLFN8TR/BMW/IMG_6854-1.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee438/WOLFN8TR/BMW/IMG_6855-1.jpg

328ioc
04-19-2012, 07:36 AM
Hey Keith,

Any update on the CF drug bin and EC bin covers?

danewilson77
04-19-2012, 07:42 AM
Hey Keith,

Any update on the CF drug bin and EC bin covers?

And rotor data....

:foottap

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

kayger12
04-19-2012, 03:47 PM
Hehe-- no rotor data.

The drug bin is a little challenging because of the pattern that has to be cut.

I did a test cut on a piece of thin plastic and didn't like the fit. Haven't had time to give it another go.

Once I get the right template, it will be easy. The trim rubber I bought from Home Depot will work well.

Hoping to get back at it this weekend.

BRGcoopahS
04-21-2012, 07:09 AM
Thats funny, mechanicsburg is where my father got his sparkling graphite ZHP. We also traveled pretty damn far to get it lol.

kayger12
04-21-2012, 11:33 AM
^ Small world.

I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

johnrando
04-27-2012, 08:35 AM
Maybe an update this weekend on the covers Keith? No pressure or anything. :biggrin

kayger12
04-27-2012, 08:46 AM
I know, right? Every time I intend to push it to the front burner, something else comes up. :facepalm

We'll see how things line up this weekend.

johnrando
04-27-2012, 08:55 AM
I know, right? Every time I intend to push it to the front burner, something else comes up. :facepalm

We'll see how things line up this weekend.

I should talk. I've got a huge backlog now... I know the feeling.

johnrando
01-15-2013, 06:31 PM
Hey Keith. Now that you're getting your head back above water (probably figuratively and literally), were you going to give the c/f drug bin covers a shot or is that a dead project? If dead, I'll buy the stuff from you and give it a go.

kayger12
01-15-2013, 06:38 PM
Hey Keith. Now that you're getting your head back above water (probably figuratively and literally), were you going to give the c/f drug bin covers a shot or is that a dead project? If dead, I'll buy the stuff from you and give it a go.

Funny you should mention. Was just looking at the CF sheet in the garage.

Still on the agenda.

Lineup for the ZHP is vanos rebuild, disa rebuild, and brake fluid flush. Once that's out of the way, I can tackle the bin.

Had the vanos and disa ready go this past weekend, but then Mrs Kayger decided she wanted to go to NYC.

Now with the cold weather getting here it's most likely waiting till spring.

Mtnman
01-15-2013, 06:44 PM
Now with the cold weather getting here it's most likely waiting till spring after i buy Jons ESS ZHP.

Fixed

johnrando
01-15-2013, 06:44 PM
Cool, thanks. I've still got vanos and disa on my list too.

kayger12
01-15-2013, 08:09 PM
Fixed

Lol. It's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

Sent from my kick-A Galaxy S3