BMW CCA Concourse D'Elegance 2017 Strategy to WIN

[NoVAphotog]

So, I'm entering Scarlett in her true calling of car related events this season...a concourse car show.

She's too pretty to be a track car, the nut behind the wheel barely drives her hard enough to justify his mods, VA is the worst state for driving aggressively/fun, she sits her ass in the garage looking pretty 90% of the time, the list goes on...

I mean, I may be looking at her through Imola colored glasses but I think she can bring the fire...

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That said.

Has anyone here "competed" in one of these and won? What do they look at in terms of changes/additions? E.g. could I leave the tint and/or the BMW Performance strut brace?

Here is the link to the show details. It seems relatively straight forward.

http://forum.nccbmwcca.org/showthread.php?12001-05-07-2017-34th-Annual-Deutsche-Marque-Concours-d-Elegance-Vienna-VA

Car class:

Modern 2000s - E46 3 Series, E39 5 Series, E38 7 Series, 6,Z4 and Z8

Strategy:

Complete full detail. 1-stage correction of paint, shouldn't need much more than polish. Menzerna Power Lock sealant? Open to suggestions for others. Opti-coat, etc.

Back to black plastic trim pieces (at least rear bumper ones)

Leatherique seats again.

Engine bay detail/303 dressing. Will be opting into engine bay judging since can basically eat off of it already BEFORE prepping for this.

Pull wheels and clean wheel-wells/etc.

Fix curb rash on front 135's (or not needed as long as wheels are clean?)

PDR a couple of the dents (or is this not necessary for a concourse event?)

Make sure the license plate is straight.

Any help/suggestions are appreciated. Will update the post on progress/results. It's only $30 to register so worst case Ontario it'll still be a fun time and hopefully get some feedback on what to improve for other shows/next year.

[NoVAphotog]

hold #MSGA

[san]

Guy won something like this before the reunion last year I think...


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[Vas]

To give the girl the shine she deserves, look into a wax instead of a sealant or coating. Those are for more long term protection vs a wax which has a shorter life span but provides more gloss/shine. Do a simple buff job and then wax the car.

My personal favorite wax that is super easy to use, does not cost alot and gives good results is Adam's Buttery Wax.

As far as faded trim/plastic, you can use a Mr.Clean sponge ( just be careful not to hit any paint ) and then top it off with something that will make it pop. I used the back to black before but prefer something in an aerosol can like the Adams in & out spray. Spray on, wipe off and leaves no residue even on painted panels or windows.

Good luck.

[derbo]

IDK the rules, but good luck!

[John in VA]

Has anyone here "competed" in one of these and won? What do they look at in terms of changes/additions? E.g. could I leave the tint and/or the BMW Performance strut brace?

Here is the link to the show details. It seems relatively straight forward.

http://forum.nccbmwcca.org/showthread.php?12001-05-07-2017-34th-Annual-Deutsche-Marque-Concours-d-Elegance-Vienna-VA

Car class:

Modern 2000s - E46 3 Series, E39 5 Series, E38 7 Series, 6,Z4 and Z8

Strategy:

Complete full detail. 1-stage correction of paint, shouldn't need much more than polish. Menzerna Power Lock sealant? Open to suggestions for others. Opti-coat, etc.

Back to black plastic trim pieces (at least rear bumper ones)

Leatherique seats again.

Engine bay detail/303 dressing. Will be opting into engine bay judging since can basically eat off of it already BEFORE prepping for this.

Pull wheels and clean wheel-wells/etc.

Fix curb rash on front 135's (or not needed as long as wheels are clean?)

PDR a couple of the dents (or is this not necessary for a concourse event?)

Make sure the license plate is straight.

Any help/suggestions are appreciated. Will update the post on progress/results. It's only $30 to register so worst case Ontario it'll still be a fun time and hopefully get some feedback on what to improve for other shows/next year.

I'm the chairman /chief judge of this event, so if you want to send me a donation... ;)
The cars are judged for cleanliness & condition vs. originality. Exterior, interior, engine compartment & storage compartment will all be considered. It helps to have someone else take a look at your car after preparation - you'd be amazed at what entrants overlook/ignore.
As far as your list:
- Trim pieces should be black if they were originally.
- Treating the seats is fine, but it's the wrinkles or color loss that will be noted vs. suppleness. Clean out the trough between seat & thigh extension.
- All the nooks & crannies of the engine compartment, firewall, inner wheel wells.
- Wheels, too, are judged on cleanliness/condition, so clean outer & inner surfaces/barrels. You might lose a point or two for curb rash, so whatever your budget will allow. Re: tires - I prefer a matte finish.
- Exterior paint & body are obvious. A door ding might ding your score, but how far are you willing to go?!
- Floor mats will be removed, so take care of the carpeting. Same with the trunk - clean it all, as well as your spare.

I'll attach an example of the judging'score sheet. When you register for the event I will send the rules & current score sheet. Good luck!

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[BMWCurves]

Very cool, Daniel! Your car's pretty damn clean as it is, so going over it with a fine tooth comb should really do it well.

[johnrando]

Idk but good luck. I think BP placed in a clean car contest.

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[Cadeez]

As far as faded trim/plastic, you can use a Mr.Clean sponge ( just be careful not to hit any paint ) and then top it off with something that will make it pop. I used the back to black before but prefer something in an aerosol can like the Adams in & out spray. Spray on, wipe off and leaves no residue even on painted panels or windows.

Adam's In & Out spray is my go to, love that stuff, just picked up a 3 pack actually. And it even has a nice baby powder smell :)

Also, your car is freakin gorgeous, get out and drive that gem man!

[KevinC]

Needs stock 135's and that hideous license plate frame mount would have to go - I think these side-saddle tow hook mounts look atrocious and about 1000x worse than just sucking it up and bolting it to the bumper front & center where it belongs.

Bottom line - to compete in an event like this, you want to look bone stock, especially on an older car like this, which has special cosmetics from the factory. Deviating from stock takes away from what makes the car what it is. Fine for using as your daily driver, not so good on show day.

[Lorenzo]

Best of luck Daniel! I'll be there and rooting for you! My friend Jon Estrella (Au2bahn) won with his ZHP some years ago.


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[John in VA]

Daniel,
The E39 M5s that show up for this event will be stiff competition in your class. Get busy!

[NoVAphotog]

Needs stock 135's and that hideous license plate frame mount would have to go - I think these side-saddle tow hook mounts look atrocious and about 1000x worse than just sucking it up and bolting it to the bumper front & center where it belongs.

Bottom line - to compete in an event like this, you want to look bone stock, especially on an older car like this, which has special cosmetics from the factory. Deviating from stock takes away from what makes the car what it is. Fine for using as your daily driver, not so good on show day.

Apex's haven't been on the car for awhile. Other than the tint and Bilstein suspension which can be raised up the 10-15mm it's "lowered" - she's cosmetically stock.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170224/e62ef71aa62fbc14bd43b9b9ff8c7882.jpg

The stock buck tooth front mount looks atrocious. I'll just pull the front plate the day of the event. Virginia requires a front plate otherwise the correct answer is no plate "belongs" on the front. :rofl

Thanks for the critique. Should have used that recent pic above in OP.

[NoVAphotog]

Adam's In & Out spray is my go to, love that stuff, just picked up a 3 pack actually. And it even has a nice baby powder smell :)

Also, your car is freakin gorgeous, get out and drive that gem man!

Thanks man! Adam's has some good stuff. Will look into it.

And I know...it's a shame most of our driving around here looks like this...why I bought my battle tank 4runner.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170224/30d2203bfbae6d61a8b581a4a9284423.jpg

[NoVAphotog]

Daniel,
The E39 M5s that show up for this event will be stiff competition in your class. Get busy!

Thanks so much for the advice, John!! If this weather keeps up around here I have no excuse!

[NoVAphotog]

Idk but good luck. I think BP placed in a clean car contest.

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Yeah, I think so too, I'm waiting for his input and Guy's.

[John in VA]

Thanks so much for the advice, John!! If this weather keeps up around here I have no excuse!

Knock out the items on the score sheet that I attached earlier regarding the trunk, engine compartment and 3/4s of the interior, and then you'll just have the exterior to work on that final weekend. The show is on Sunday, so you'll have Fri PM until Sun AM to get it right!

[John in VA]

Registration for the concours is open!
Link - http://msreg.com/DMC2017

[BMWCurves]

Car getting prepped for this?

[NoVAphotog]

Car getting prepped for this?

Yes. I've done some interior stuff but will be going to dads tomorrow to start exterior. Then leaving it in garage and working on it during the week. Will take it out next Sunday and drive to show.

Keeping it simple. Wash, clay and/or nanoskin, polish and seal and/or wax.

[ELCID86]

Good luck. I wish I could be there.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - anonymous E46 fanatic

[AZBP2]

She truly beautiful. Congrats!

[Lorenzo]

Yes. I've done some interior stuff but will be going to dads tomorrow to start exterior. Then leaving it in garage and working on it during the week. Will take it out next Sunday and drive to show.

Keeping it simple. Wash, clay and/or nanoskin, polish and seal and/or wax.

I'll be there!


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[NoVAphotog]

Making progress. Washed/clayed and ready for polish today after work.

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[BMWCurves]

I see you're already wearing the proper Concours d'Elégance attire.

[John in VA]

I see you're already wearing the proper Concours d'Elégance attire.

That could get you some extra points with some of the judges!

[johnrando]

Scary. :)

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[John in VA]

A guy with an E46 M3 CSL Individual registered today. Will be curious to see this!

[NoVAphotog]

Wish her luck...

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[BMWCurves]

Good luck! She looked great yesterday

[RUS_ZHP]

Wish her luck...

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Good luck!!! Your car looks beautiful

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[holyc0w]

Good luck

It looks minty fresh.

[johnrando]

GL!

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[NoVAphotog]

So didn't win but had a wonderful day. Lots of great conversation about the ZHP and BMWs. Met some awesome people and had great weather.

Did very well all things considered. The engine bay and wheels/tires were biggest kickers. Not because they were dirty but because they weren't prepped for someone to be operated on... :rolleyes

Otherwise 8s-9.5s across exterior/interior/trunk. Very pleased with that.

Big thanks to Will/BMWCurves for coming by and helping out. Wouldn't have gotten her anywhere near what she was without help.

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[fredo]

Your car looks very sharp. Congrats on a job well done !

[BMWCurves]

She looked great after I left and I'm sure even better when you finished for the night. Those shots make her look gorgeous.

Never. Let. Her. Go.

[3ZHPGUY]

Daniel, I feel so lame for not catching this!

Looks like you did pretty good! I've done extreme detail for shows and always come out disappointed. No mater how much time I put into the detail, someone's always has something that's a garage queen that beats me out.

When I was in Ohio, there was a all German show that I attended but, never placed as good as I should have. A 4 Door Bimmer just doesn't have the pull.

Shows are fun, but, I know I will never fair as well as I should. Heck, with all of the coffee n cars I attend, I rarely get captured in the house photographs photo shoot.

A few notes about my detail;

On the black plastic detail, I use McGuire's interior detailer cleaner. I spray it on a microfiber towel and wipe all the black stuff with it. After my machine polish and wax with Griot's complete compound and Best of Show wax, I use their Speed Shine on the appropriate micro to finish it off.


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[ELCID86]

That's guys handwriting is worse than mine!

[Vas]

That's guys handwriting is worse than mine!

I can't even read more then half of it.

[holyc0w]

That's a weird L on Exterior Section 3 :shifty

[///Mvious]

Looks amazing...great experience none the less...any pics of the E46 M3 CSL Individual?