Bill's Alpine White project

[illirep]

My latest project is a 2004 Alpine White sedan. I bought the car with 84k miles from Florida. She arrived with a sand beige interior that wasn't up to par condition wise. Other than that, the car showed very well, with a few minor bruises here and there. And as in the case with almost every used German sports sedan, maintenance is always needed, preventative and / or past due!

I have owned many ZHP's in all forms, mostly sedans, but did have a coupe and a convertible. This, however, is my first, and only Alpine White iteration that I've owned. I've wanted an Alpine White ZHP since 2005, but when they occasionally hit the market over the years, I was either not a position to buy or didn't like the price.

With that said, let the journey begin.....

[illirep]

Date Mileage Description
08/21/04 5 In-service date
03/04/05 9,593 Wiper blades replaced
11/09/05 14,216 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
11/05/07 27,901 Belts replaced
11/05/07 27,901 Brake fluid flush
11/05/07 27,901 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
11/05/07 27,901 Wiper blades replaced
11/12/07 27,951 A pillar trim replaced
02/16/09 35,901 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
02/16/09 35,901 Wiper blades replaced
02/16/09 35,901 Wiper fluid pump replaced
04/27/09 37,227 Themostat replaced
04/27/09 37,227 Washer fluid level senser replaced
10/01/09 41,707 Brake fluid flush
10/01/09 41,707 Inspection I service (oil and filter, visual inspection of various components)
04/19/10 46,864 Rear brakes replaced
04/19/10 46,864 Valve cover gasket replaced
08/21/10 50,950 CPO / extended maintenance plan expired
09/08/10 51,213 Wiper fluid pump replaced
12/23/11 66,115 E46 tail light recall campain performed
05/30/13 83,900 Oil and filter service
05/30/13 83,900 Both front window regulators replaced
12/27/13 84,300 Battery replaced, OEM
12/27/13 84,300 New A and C pillars
12/27/13 84,300 New center HVAC vent installed
12/27/13 84,300 New rear deck panel installed
12/27/13 84,300 New rear H/K speaker covers installed
12/27/13 84,300 New front grills installed, OEM 325i - chrome outer ring / black slats
12/28/13 84,324 New air filter installed
12/28/13 84,324 Oil filter housing gasket / vanos lines replaced, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 Oil and filter service
12/28/13 84,324 Starter replaced, OEM Bosch
12/28/13 84,324 Replaced disa valve replaced, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 New alternator belt, OEM BMW
12/28/13 84,324 Right pork-chop replaced, OEM BMW
01/11/14 84,408 Windshield cowl replaced
01/11/14 84,408 Gloss black shadowline exterior trim replaced
01/16/14 84,440 Complete cooling system update (radiator, water pump, hoses, expansion tank, etc.)
01/16/14 84,440 Sprint booster installed
02/15/14 85,200 Replaced all 4 135's with very good condition used set
02/15/14 85,200 New Goodyear Eagle AS sports all around
03/31/14 86,708 Alcantara interior conversion
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced headliner with a perfect condition used one due to sagging
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced grab handles, sun visors and sunroof shade
03/31/14 86,708 New upper and lower B pilliars
03/31/14 86,708 New front and rear door sills
03/31/14 86,708 New center console and rear ash tray delete / storage compartment
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced all four door weather moldings
03/31/14 86,708 Replaced both front vapor barriers from sloppy regulator replacement job
04/10/14 87,103 New M Dead pedal
04/10/14 87,103 Homeline installed
04/10/14 87,103 V1 Hardwired
04/10/14 87,103 New Dice silverline duo installed
04/10/14 87,103 New F30 Msport (zhp knob) and leather boot retrofit
04/10/14 87,103 BMW performance alcantara hand brake and boot

[johnrando]

Nice. Looking forward to more pics.

[Vas]

Looking forward to more images

[PirateZHP]

I'm totally into this! Awesome, Bill!

[Pip]

I can't imagine doing the interior swap multiple times. I know you've done it a few times (although maybe not as extensive with carpet and dash swaps). My back would be shot and I'd be on bed rest for a week.

[cakM3]

Sean, replacing the dash is not as hard as you think. Only one phillips screw and 4 nuts, that's it. After that you can just pull out the dash once you take out the A-pillar covers. It's the crawling around inside that gets to you after awhile.

[illirep]

Agreed Charlie.

The swap is surprisingly very easy and straight forward. There are few 'annoying' but not necessarily complicated areas, at least in my opinion:

-the hex bolts that secure the A pillars are angled toward the windshield. I have a flexible dewalt bit receiver that helps, but the bolts are easy to strip so I always take extra caution on them.

-the C pillars and accompanying reading lamps are a bit challenging to remove without breaking the clips on either

-the glove box always causes me grief when reinstalling it. It is sort of heavy and difficult to align when bending / reaching from outside the car, with two hard to reach screws

Other than that, it is fairly straight forward, and totally worth it!

[alexandre]

Sweet! Where did you source the NB interior ? Do you still have the mystic blue beauty ?

[Avetiso]

Agreed Charlie.

The swap is surprisingly very easy and straight forward. There are few 'annoying' but not necessarily complicated areas, at least in my opinion:

-the hex bolts that secure the A pillars are angled toward the windshield. I have a flexible dewalt bit receiver that helps, but the bolts are easy to strip so I always take extra caution on them.

-the C pillars and accompanying reading lamps are a bit challenging to remove without breaking the clips on either

-the glove box always causes me grief when reinstalling it. It is sort of heavy and difficult to align when bending / reaching from outside the car, with two hard to reach screws

Other than that, it is fairly straight forward, and totally worth it!

Those freaking hex bolts. Drove me crazy.