Bill's Alpine White project

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.....

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

Nice. Looking forward to more pics.

Looking forward to more images

I'm totally into this! Awesome, Bill!

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.

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.

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!

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

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Originally Posted by 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!

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Those freaking hex bolts. Drove me crazy.

Mystic blue car was sold. I actually wanted and tried to back out of sale (when I initially saw how much work this car needed) but didn't want to re-neg on the buyer.

I was very resourceful in obtaining a local donor car with the natural brown interior. The sand beige interior was deeply cleaned and reconditioned (rear seats replaced) and reinstalled into said donor car. Ended up being uber expensive and many more hours than I would have liked to have spent. But in the end, the Alpine White is now properly mated with Natural Brown!

Be sure to post updated pictures Bill :thumbsup

I agree with Charlie.

Will do, just need to button up the last few pieces - picking up a clip, a couple torx screws and a few expanding rivets tonight. Will get her cleaned and take some pics!

Question for the people:

I'd prefer to leave the hood insulation on. I have opened and closed multiple times, and it does not appear to be affecting the strut bar, or vice versa.

Can anyone chime in on whether either will get damaged?

Good question. I hadn't even considered it. I know the hood insulation is frustrating from a OCD fitment perspective. Some here have removed without issue.

I left mine on and it hasn't made a single mark on the strut brace. Of course, if it starts to sag that might be another story. But if yours is in good shape, you'll be fine.

Good looking car btw... :thumbsup


iPhone 5S. Tapatalk Pro. BOOM

Bill, unless the hood insulation is trimmed IAW the Performance Strut brace installation procedure, there is a good chance in time the hood insulation will scratch the surface of the strut bar where it comes into contact with.

Over time this light rubbing will show on the surface finish of the strut bar...

I hadn't noticed any issues w/my hood insulation and the strut bar. My insulation is not really sagging, but it's not tight up there either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cakM3

Bill, unless the hood insulation is trimmed IAW the Performance Strut brace installation procedure, there is a good chance in time the hood insulation will scratch the surface of the strut bar where it comes into contact with.

Over time this light rubbing will show on the surface finish of the strut bar...

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I do see that in the install instructions they recommend trimming it.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/image...AAAElFTkSuQmCC

Thoughts on doing something like this vice the insulation? http://forum.secondskinaudio.com/ind...in-damplifier/

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Originally Posted by ELCID86

Thoughts on doing something like this vice the insulation? http://forum.secondskinaudio.com/ind...in-damplifier/

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They offer a hood kit http://store.secondskinaudio.com/hood-kit/

I know JP, at one time, offered to help out the "family" by trying to set up a buy for an interesting hood insulation and it would have been cheaper than this kit....from what I remember, it actually looked to be an awesome solution to the crappy OEM hood insulation we now have....

I am still interested in that aircraft material insulation that JP was trying to offer. I think the deal fell through though.

I had the BMWP bar on with a drooping insulation and I never had any scratches on my old bar when I sold it a year later.

Just remember the BMW insulation is designed to smother an engine fire should that occur. Now, I'm not sure how many people expect an engine fire but not sure that an aftermarket insulation could do that.

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Originally Posted by johnrando

Just remember the BMW insulation is designed to smother an engine fire should that occur. Now, I'm not sure how many people expect an engine fire but not sure that an aftermarket insulation could do that.

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The one JP was looking at was an Aircraft insulation that was design to smother as well if I recall. Its material was meant to smother fires too.

I pulled my insulation out completely, as it was saggy. The car sounds a bit better without it ;)

Trouble is, BMW only primed the surface behind the insulation but didn't paint it--so it's not the prettiest sight but with AW, it might not stand out at all. It doesn't bother me one bit though.

I've seen trimmed OEM insulations and they have this "tampered with" look. But I suspect that over time, if not trimmed, the BMW Performance lettering might start to fade.

All interesting feedback. Thanks guys. I'd prefer to leave it. With the fear of scratching the beautiful work of art, maybe I'll install some of the 3M clear bra material on the top end of it

Bill

Great idea.

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Originally Posted by illirep

All interesting feedback. Thanks guys. I'd prefer to leave it. With the fear of scratching the beautiful work of art, maybe I'll install some of the 3M clear bra material on the top end of it

Bill

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That right there is the solution. Hopefully the material will stand up to the heat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lanister

I pulled my insulation out completely, as it was saggy. The car sounds a bit better without it ;)

Trouble is, BMW only primed the surface behind the insulation but didn't paint it--so it's not the prettiest sight but with AW, it might not stand out at all. It doesn't bother me one bit though.

I've seen trimmed OEM insulations and they have this "tampered with" look. But I suspect that over time, if not trimmed, the BMW Performance lettering might start to fade.

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No problem.

I got a paint matched spray can and took care of it.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...344d132303.jpg

^ nice. Does that work for scratches on exterior as well...lol?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by illirep

^ nice. Does that work for scratches on exterior as well...lol?

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I wish! I have two long ones (~3-4").

Quote:

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Originally Posted by illirep

^ nice. Does that work for scratches on exterior as well...lol?

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Sure, but you'd have to sand/prep/clear, and there would be no blending/fading per se.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Project update
1/13/13: new upper shadowline door trim installed, sure looks nice when new, although very expensive at $230 per side.
1/14/13: going in for new cooling system tonight (radiator, expansion tank, water pump, hoses, and all the misc. additional parts)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by illirep

1/14/13: going in for new cooling system tonight (radiator, expansion tank, water pump, hoses, and all the misc. additional parts)

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Good deal. I so need to do this.....again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by illirep

Project update
1/13/13: new upper shadowline door trim installed, sure looks nice when new, although very expensive at $230 per side.

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I need to do this. Was the install simple?

Questions on your performance mods, specifically the strut bar, intake and throttle body.

Are they worth it? Is there a noticeable improvement?

I'll add my impressions if you don't mind and Bill can update his.
- strut bar: good engine bling, MAYBE I could tell it's slightly stiffer, which for a vert is never bad. It is supposed to help prevent mushrooming. Verdict - no true descernible impact, but I'd buy it again at a good price.
- Perf Intake: Slightly adds more oomph, growl, but not much. Good engine bling, esp. when combined with strut bar. Verdict - at a good price, I'd buy it again. Not a big performance increase, but it helps.
- Dinan Throttle Body: Unfortunately I installed mine at the same time I changed multiple things, VANOS, DISA, etc. so I can't tell. The engine does perform better, but it's a combo of things. Verdict: no idea. I hear people say at mid to high revs the engine seems to flow better. I'd get mine again as I'm working with the "every little thing done correctly would help some" plan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vas

I need to do this. Was the install simple?

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The install was extremely simple. There are 15 clips per side. The clips are secured to the body, then you snap the trim onto them.

1) Pry the old trim off with a plastic trim removal tool. Be careful so as not to bend it (they do have a used value to a non-zhp owner), or scratch the car with it.
2) It is strongly recommended that you replace the clips as they dry out over time and can crack very easily during the removal or re-install processes. Remove old clips with needle nose pliers. I found that grabbing them, twisting them 45 degrees, then pulling was best.
3) Clean off area with microfiber cloth.
4) Insert new clips. You need to put the teeth in, then push pin in to secure the clip to the body.
5) Snap on new trim, starting at the first clip at the front of the car and moving to the back.
Done!

First side took me 35 minutes as I was going slow and being super careful. Second side took me 15 minutes.

Expensive at $220 per side including clips, but totally worth it if your trim is oxidized, chipped, faded, scratched, etc.

I agree with everything John said.

-No real difference noted on strut bar. Perhaps if you tracked the car before and after, you'd feel it. Definitely looks pretty. Should never depreciate, so it's not a 'sunk cost' if you will.

-Intake - I think there is a slight impact on the butt dyno. You can certainly hear it on a stand alone basis. Sounds VERY nice. I added this and the exhaust together. I think they really compliment each other nice both in modest torque appeal and audible pleasure!

-Dinan throttle body was the first mod to go in. I felt that the acceleration was noticeably improved. I would expect an even greater impact here with a tune. Dinan likes to sell this with their stage 2 tune. I'd prefer the flexibility of a non-vin locked tune (such as the conforti shark injector) so I can move it to another car or sell it if I don't like it. That is why I did not go with Dinan's tune. So I can report back if/or once I get the shark tune.

Hope that helps.

Bill