[ferizzo]

Got new shoes and gave a wash.

[spielnicht]

Finished up everything successfully and on-time. Have to admit, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought even though I usually love working on cars. Doesn't matter, it's all done and I never have to deal with most of these items ever again.

Luckily no oil leaks in the hot-vee so that saved me time and money. Did see the upper oil pan leak for myself and it's going to the dealer in May for that. Can't find an indy-shop that I can trust and the cost difference for the piece of mind is just not worth it.

Also, hate to be "that guy" but I'm returning the ESCO jack stands (which are super nice). Spending a whole week under the car jacking it up and down and still with little space to do much, I've decided to just pay a little more and get a QuickJack lift (thank you Costco for carrying it).

Originally Posted by spielnicht

And so it begins. It's up and out of commission for next 2 weeks to get the following finally done during my free time in between work and family.

Working backwards and up:

• Rear Diff Bushing Replacement
• Rear Diff Fluid
• Transmission Filter/Fluid
• Front Diff Fluid
• Thrust Arms (right & left)
• Front Discs and Pads
• Coolant Flush
• [Infamous] Turbo Coolant Lines
• Inspect Turbo Oil Lines (Change if necessary)
• Coolant Fill

[CallaWolf]

After doing a ton of work on suspension, now misfiring on cylinder #4. Misfires under heavy load. Swapped coils, still in #4. I don't see any oil but on this valve cover, the valve cover doesn't seem to be attached to the spark plug wells like in previous generations? The new valve cover from months ago, coils didn't even need to be removed. But I'll start a thread with that newb question so not to mess up this one.

[550bye]

Oil change and oil cooler add.

[550bye]

German tags and German N63 badge and meth kit turned on finally, waiting for my wrap appointment now.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by 550bye

German tags and German N63 badge and meth kit turned on finally, waiting for my wrap appointment now.

You running straight meth in the tank? That's a bit spicy lol

[550bye]

Originally Posted by Unspec

You running straight meth in the tank? That's a bit spicy lol

Haha, no not at this time, I'm running a blend right now. I wish I had the balls to run it at 100% so I mix it with distilled water.

[dzz]

F90 retrofit front bumper is finally on.

[AZ535i]

Looks amazing!

[dzz]

Originally Posted by AZBMW535i

Looks amazing!

Thank you! Initialy I wanted to transfer fog lights but it looks so much better without them

[spielnicht]

Finally, the last bit of chrome is eliminated from the car. Had some extra paint from last year and Amazon had accidentally shipped me an extra can of 2K clear coat (can't return it either), figured I'd just buy the right primer and go to town on the door handle chrome trim pieces. As far as I know this is a similar process that IND takes on the fender chrome pieces, but I'm sure they do it better.

And yes I know that wrapping them or plasti-dipping is far easier and requires no removal, but I'm all for the OEM+ look and this looks better to me.


The Process

Removing the trim without damaging it was much easier than some made it out to be. Just take a heat gun and make a couple of passes to soften the tape underneath and then use a strong metal wedge (prey tool) to slowly pull out, starting at the point closest to the front of the car.




I then took some 150 grit sandpaper and scuffed the chrome.






The trick to painting over chrome is to use a 2K Epoxy Primer. Laid down 3 coats and then wet-sanded it with 400 grit sandpaper.




4 light base coats.




3 coats of 2K Clear and you're done.




I'm gonna let them completely cure for 72 hours before I put them back on the car. The only snag to this entire project is not being able to find super thin 3M double sided tape. The regular tape is just too thick and will make the trim stick out (already tried it before I started painting). Since they never have to come off ever again, I'm just gonna glue them on with a strong epoxy. I'll post more pics in a couple of days when I get to that part.

Oh yes, I lied about these being the last of the chrome on the car. I still have the 550i letters on the trunk lid but I did order a black version to take care of that.

[Bmwfan55]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Finally, the last bit of chrome is eliminated from the car. Had some extra paint from last year and Amazon had accidentally shipped me an extra can of 2K clear coat (can't return it either), figured I'd just buy the right primer and go to town on the door handle chrome trim pieces. As far as I know this is a similar process that IND takes on the fender chrome pieces, but I'm sure they do it better.

And yes I know that wrapping them or plasti-dipping is far easier and requires no removal, but I'm all for the OEM+ look and this looks better to me.


The Process

Removing the trim without damaging it was much easier than some made it out to be. Just take a heat gun and make a couple of passes to soften the tape underneath and then use a strong metal wedge (prey tool) to slowly pull out, starting at the point closest to the front of the car.




I then took some 150 grit sandpaper and scuffed the chrome.






The trick to painting over chrome is to use a 2K Epoxy Primer. Laid down 3 coats and then wet-sanded it with 400 grit sandpaper.




4 light base coats.




3 coats of 2K Clear and you're done.




I'm gonna let them completely cure for 72 hours before I put them back on the car. The only snag to this entire project is not being able to find super thin 3M double sided tape. The regular tape is just too thick and will make the trim stick out (already tried it before I started painting). Since they never have to come off ever again, I'm just gonna glue them on with a strong epoxy. I'll post more pics in a couple of days when I get to that part.

Oh yes, I lied about these being the last of the chrome on the car. I still have the 550i letters on the trunk lid but I did order a black version to take care of that.

Debadge it, looks cleaner IMO

[Sylverlee]

Nice. I use the same mask when applying 2k Clear

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Sylverlee

Nice. I use the same mask when applying 2k Clear

I'd use it for all the Karen's out there...

[Unspec]

Retrofitting comfort seats, but there's pretty much no used door switches for veneto beige. So it's either a $100 switch per door ($200 total YIKES) to color match, or go with black and pay $35 for the pair.

Opinions? I feel that it's definitely a bit worse than color matching, but is it $165 worse...

[ramman434]

Love the door inserts! I thought I found a seller on eBay that had advertised direct replacements. Ended up being BS. They weren't long enough by 2" and were too thin. On top of that, 3 of the 4 were different sizes anyways.

Needless to say I got my $$ back

[Hoa]

Black should be fine. It matches the driver assistance buttons below your headlight switches.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Hoa

Black should be fine. It matches the driver assistance buttons below your headlight switches.

Agreed. That, and the buttons are black. If it bothers you that much you could always by a matching upholstery spray and paint it.

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by Hoa

Black should be fine. It matches the driver assistance buttons below your headlight switches.

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Agreed. That, and the buttons are black. If it bothers you that much you could always by a matching upholstery spray and paint it.

Thanks guys!

[spielnicht]

Handles removed, trim pieces glued from the inside, handles reinstalled, and all done. Love how they turned out and had fun doing it.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Handles removed, trim pieces glued from the inside, handles reinstalled, and all done. Love how they turned out and had fun doing it.

[ramman434]

Finally got a much needed wash yesterday…then between me letting the dogs out at 4am and getting up at 7, it rained. Now it's gorgeous out…ugh thanks Florida!!