[ChiltiCoatl89]

Aluminum Plumbing arrived with all hardware, ready to install sunday.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

Finally did a full paint correction. PO clearly liked full-touch car washes and the paint was just dull.

First step was decon, both chemical and mechanical.
I started by getting all of the bugs and grime loosened up. Gyeon Bug & Grime and Adams Strip Wash in the foam cannon.

• Iron Remover - Turtle Wax Rapid-Decon
• Contact Wash - with Adams Strip Wash (honestly can't tell if this did anything- water behavior was the same post wash)
• Clay Bar

Since the paint was hammered I did a cut and polish.

• Cutting - Lake Country microfiber cutting pad + Sonax Ultimate Cut 6+
• Polishing - Lake Country microfiber polishing pad + Sonax EX 04-06
• Machines - Bauer 21mm DA for most of the work (this is shockingly good machine for the price). An old Porter Cable 7424 with 3" pads for smaller areas.

Just starting the polishing step here:


Last I did a panel prep wipe to get ready for a coating.

• Paint - DIY Detail 3-year Graphene coating
• Headlights/Taillights - Gyeon Trim Evo

Final Results:



Overall I'm thrilled with the results and I finally can see the full depth of the Carbon Black Metallic paint. It's not perfect but it's miles better than before.

Side note- I'm not new to detailing but I haven't used paint coatings until this year. I did a ceramic coating on my wife's rig the previous week so that experience was still fresh. No high spots on that car but I did see two small spots on my car this morning. Who knows, there could be more but the light has to be just right to notice them.

Heres what they look like:


Found a trick from the DIY Detail crew (if you've gone past the 12 hr mark, <12 just reapply)- grab some light polish and a mf towel. Hand polish ever so lightly until it's done. If you are gentle enough it should not require re-coating the section. Seems to have worked perfectly (literally took a few seconds). Time will tell if that area fails early.

Just re-reading this... love it! CBM is 100% my favorite color, but would never work for me as I have to park outside.

/jealous

[s_ribs]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Just re-reading this... love it! CBM is 100% my favorite color, but would never work for me as I have to park outside.

/jealous

Thanks! It's a bummer for sure, I have to park outside too.

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

Thanks! It's a bummer for sure, I have to park outside too.

Same for mine, and I keep mine covered when possible.

[s_ribs]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

Found a trick from the DIY Detail crew (if you've gone past the 12 hr mark, <12 just reapply)- grab some light polish and a mf towel. Hand polish ever so lightly until it's done. If you are gentle enough it should not require re-coating the section. Seems to have worked perfectly (literally took a few seconds). Time will tell if that area fails early.

Quick follow up. I washed the car this morning and the high spots I lightly hand polished (seriously light, like 3 seconds worth) completely removed the coating. It makes sense based on what I've read about coatings so I'm not really surprised, other than the DIY Detail guys said it would be just fine. Guess you can't trust everyone. Had some coating left so I reapplied that section.

[ctcarbonari]

Got the windshield replaced.

Ironically, the large chip that recently happened didn't bother me nearly as much as the tiny 1/8" imperfection, barely noticable but located dead center between my eyes when looking forward. Been staring at that thing for the past 3 years!

Plikington Glass, rain sensor replaced, $50 deductible & no fight with the insurance company over not using aftermarket material. Feels like a "win".

[zener]

Not for the 5, but past week I have been trying to figure out ptcan comm issues on my 7. Tried few ptcan modules that I had extra and rest I just unplugged to see if it fixes the issue with no luck. Also checked all usually places where water gets to on e65 and did not find any corrosion. I ordered sgm pretty much right away when ptcan started to fail. Today it arrived and installed it and looks promising that it was failed sgm. Still need code the module tomorrow.

Video of how mess it was sometimes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ZC...w?usp=drivesdk

[Conserve]

It wasn't today but this weekend removed phone charger/ adapter thingy. Little a bit cutting with Dremel and JB weld looks good to me. To replace whole storage is $170 now knowing that it was only $70 not long ago.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Conserve

It wasn't today but this weekend removed phone charger/ adapter thingy. Little a bit cutting with Dremel and JB weld looks good to me. To replace whole storage is $170 now knowing that it was only $70 not long ago.

Looks great!

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Finally, Did the spark plugs, Added the Dinan coil packs, new CCV, (I destroyed the very brittle old one) and Valvetronic motor flange, new tensioner and pulley (Reused belt because belt was too long and I also had an additional pulley which was not used as well.) VTT Crankguard Installed, still have plenty more coming up, just happy I got this done.

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by ChiltiCoatl89

Finally, Did the spark plugs, Added the Dinan coil packs, new CCV, (I destroyed the very brittle old one) and Valvetronic motor flange, new tensioner and pulley (Reused belt because belt was too long and I also had an additional pulley which was not used as well.) VTT Crankguard Installed, still have plenty more coming up, just happy I got this done.

I like that bungie cord on the wiring harness! Even after its broken loose that thing is a PITA to navigate around for #5 & #6 plugs.

How smoothly did the crank seal guard install go? (it's on my soon-to-do list along with belt/tensioner/pulley)

Congrats! Looks like a successful DIY day!!!

[ChiltiCoatl89]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

I like that bungie cord on the wiring harness! Even after its broken loose that thing is a PITA to navigate around for #5 & #6 plugs.

How smoothly did the crank seal guard install go? (it's on my soon-to-do list along with belt/tensioner/pulley)

Congrats! Looks like a successful DIY day!!!

Actually it went very smooth!, I bought new crankpulley bolts from FCP euro at around 10 a pop, followed the torque specs at 20ft/lbs for the crank guard bolts and then the torque spec and sequence of the crank pulley bolts. even with the radiator fan removed, from above, you cannot see them, without a inspection mirror, at first it seemed difficult, then I just touch and feel and didn't take too long. I feel good for long travel seriously and the old Tensioner pulley was bouncing around pretty good, that went very smooth as well.

[ChiltiCoatl89]

The part that requires the most patience, I will say, is small plastic connections, be patient, and be prepared for the plastic to break. (Well known for our vehicles) otherwise, it was very fun. knowing how sensors also disconnect and reconnect will save a lot of time and perhaps prevent a mishap.

[NikMN]

Part time ocd kicked in

[ChiltiCoatl89]

lol Mines like that too. picking tool will get those corners cleaned up.

[NikMN]

Originally Posted by ChiltiCoatl89

lol Mines like that too. picking tool will get those corners cleaned up.

It's not really dirt but white plastic disenchanted

[NikMN]

Was getting o2 codes. Hopefully this will fix it.

[Conserve]

Originally Posted by NikMN

Part time ocd kicked in

I am sure you will stop loosing washer fluid. This ain't OCD. It is just right thing do.

[Conserve]

Must love the "HOT VEE"

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by NikMN

Part time ocd kicked in

I had to replace my cap/flapper as it wasn't sealing any more and fluid was coming out (splashing, evaporating, IDK???). This might be a BMW cost cutting move.

[dimaka_77]

Installed the RW Carbon F10 Performance Style carbon fiber splitter on my 2016 BMW 550i M-Sport. The fitment was decent, but I had a small 2-3mm gap near the fog lights. I used some black silicone to fill it in, and it worked out perfectly. Now the splitter looks seamless, and it really enhances the aggressive look of the front end. Super happy with how it turned out!

Check out the photos below!

[NikMN]

After 8 years of TX sun windshield cowl was past due. Replaced no name wipers with Bosch ones while in there