What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[Vas]

Bummer, Vas. What happened?

This reminded me of Sreten (M539 restoratios) story: he was test driving one of his projects and crashed.

The owner was following the vehicle in front too closely. I'm almost done fixing it back up.

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[JohnnyGraphic]

I pulled my M3 into my garage today at centre stage to spend the next few days giving this car lots of love. I began detailing my car fixing the numerous detailing mistake put on my car by a shop that installed my carbon fiber roof panel last fall before I moved to Florida. I'm just getting to a point where I can finally begin putting in the time to give a proper paint correction detailing my cars starting with my M3


I have missed using this random orbital buffer . . .

I had to clay the surface then put in two passes of compound using my buffer to get the paint surface looking right. I then used a good paint sealer to protect the paint surface before adding a few coats of good carnuba wax.


I finished one panel with several more to finish. The paint surface here is velvety smooth as it should be.


EDIT: 7 March - I got my driver's side fully paint corrected detailed and it looks perfect once again. The previous guy who "attempted" to detail my car left a few blemishes on my paint that I now have to correct. The panels I worked on are velvety smooth to the touch and are protected with a few coats of Pinnacle Souverign carnuba wax.




It is nice to have a garage where I have adequate space on either side to do quality work on my car

Looking great!!! Good job on that paint, sure makes a difference when you get the paint prepped for whatever wax/sealant you use. Sure is satisfying to see the fruits of your labors! Good to see that the Pinnacle Souverain wax is still around. It was what I used to use when I would detail my ZHP. I constantly get comments to this day that it looks much younger than it really is. After back surgery, those days of detailing are over. Now, I am happy getting a ceramic spray on after I do a wash.

I just put in an order with FCP Euro for some inside the trunk bulbs and new Genuine BMW kidney grills. I bought cheap URO brand kidney grills the last time and they broke!!! Argh! No warranty as I bought it from another online retailer. I should have those by the end of the week.

[cakM3]

Looking great!!! Good job on that paint, sure makes a difference when you get the paint prepped for whatever wax/sealant you use. Sure is satisfying to see the fruits of your labors! Good to see that the Pinnacle Souverain wax is still around. It was what I used to use when I would detail my ZHP. I constantly get comments to this day that it looks much younger than it really is. After back surgery, those days of detailing are over. Now, I am happy getting a ceramic spray on after I do a wash.

I just put in an order with FCP Euro for some inside the trunk bulbs and new Genuine BMW kidney grills. I bought cheap URO brand kidney grills the last time and they broke!!! Argh! No warranty as I bought it from another online retailer. I should have those by the end of the week.

Thanks! Regarding the back, I can totally relate to this as I have my own back issues. I still detail but not as often as I used to because of my back issues. Still, there is no substitute for quality detailing and this requires bending over to look over the work you're putting into detailing the car as you know. The other alternative is shelling out $$$$ to have a professional detailer to properly detail your ride. I will eventually get my M3 ceramic coated just because it is getting harder to detail as the years go by . . . sucks getting old . . .

[wstr75]

My one year old battery died a few weeks ago. I charged it up and the car did fine until the battery died again. I recharged the battery and listened to the fan after turning the car off and subsequently heard fan operation and louver control type sounds. Following a one fuse at a time procedure starting and then turning off the car, I determined the Final Stage Resistor (FSR) was the problem. I replaced the FSR on my ZHP today. It was the original FSR as it had a 02/2004 manufacturing date on its label. Replacing the FSR is a mutha of a job. Not so much for any complexity, rather it is hell on an arthritic old guy like me to do the contortions needed for this replacement job. The videos show the mechanic popping off and later popping on the louver rod into the white swivel fitting on the servo motor arm. They must have some fantastic thumb strength for popping the rod back onto the white swivel fitting. Getting it off is relatively easy as you can tilt the servo motor until the rod pops out of the swivel fitting. Getting it back on was another story. I found putting a big bag of potting soil on the ground alongside the car at the rocker sill was a helpful aid. Depending on what was being addressed, I either kneeled on the bag for elevation & knee comfort while I learned into the car or I sat on the bag as I reached into the compartment where the FSR is located. My shoulders are a bit too wide for flipping upside down and working in this particular area and thus I was reaching across the passenger footwell to do most of the actions. Taking the two (2) T-15 Torx screws out of the servo motor housing and then later reinstalling those hard to reach screws is not exactly an easy walk in the park. Once you have the servo motor screwed back in place the rest of the components go back together quickly.

I probably could do this job again in half the time should the FSR need replacing again. Alleve and Celebrex are now kicking in to take away the contortion induced pain.

[BADCLOWN]

Haven’t ordered any parts for the ZHP in over a year, finally decided to have a case of the fuck its and ordered blue tint euro side mirror glass. Mine started to get that wavy liquid deterioration on the bottoms a while back. Looks like a pretty easy install whenever they show up

[JohnnyGraphic]

Replacing the front kidney grills with Genuine BMW parts this afternoon. Replaced the two interior trunk lights. I know the old ones were burnt out, but the new ones aren't coming on. Probably a fuse or a wire chafing problem(!). My trunk won't release from either my remote or from the button inside the car, only way is to use the key (THANK GOODNESS FOR OLD TECH!).

[John in VA]

Replacing the front kidney grills with Genuine BMW parts this afternoon. Replaced the two interior trunk lights. I know the old ones were burnt out, but the new ones aren't coming on. Probably a fuse or a wire chafing problem(!). My trunk won't release from either my remote or from the button inside the car, only way is to use the key (THANK GOODNESS FOR OLD TECH!).

https://www.schmiedmann.com/ sells a replacement "elephant trunk" wiring kit.

[Aeternalis]

Installed the shift knob that I got from Vas. I'll be reinstalling the M3 cluster (with correct mileage!) after USPS delivers it.

[BADCLOWN]

I really like that, looks great

[JohnnyGraphic]

Put about 80 miles of spirited driving today. Felt good. First drive in over 6 months. Took a few trips to redline, mostly on the freeway. No twisties or tight turns. Just wanted to exercise the engine and get the fluids flowing.


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