[C320]

Originally Posted by Pterois20

Thanks all! The car was cheap, but it was neglected for 6 years at least and the number of hours that I've spent on it is insane.

Congrats, it's really looking well now. As they say, all the hard work pays off!

As well as saving money, there's a huge sense of satisfaction bringing things back upto standard. It's a shame how some cars are neglected, but I guess that's because many people treat them as a utility item, or run them on a budget!

I bought a clay bar a while back but still haven't gotten round to using it yet. I must watch some YouTube videos!

[Pterois20]

Originally Posted by C320

I bought a clay bar a while back but still haven't gotten round to using it yet. I must watch some YouTube videos!

I will try to make a video, it leaves the surface smooth like the first day.

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Clay bars are great the key is to get it nice and warm and worked with your hands before you start & then work a panel at a time keep the bar well lubricated and keep checking it so when there's dirt on/in it you fold it over to keep it clean.

[gasman82]

Not sure where your located in the West Midlands but there is a BMW breakers in Brierley hill West Midlands
Maro BMW spares ltd.

[Pterois20]

Next week I will cut and polish the car to remove most of the marks, scratches, etc.

So, I've decided to do dismantle the front bumper and do a detailing cleaning of the engine bay:






One of the mirror's indicator is not working and I took a look....



A total mess


But look now:



Stunning LED dynamic indicators from Amazon. Plug and play, easy to install and looks amazing
https://amzn.to/3jMHdFa


Changing the kidneys left a big gap, and I was thinking about protecting the gap with an aluminium mesh:



Mesh, or not mesh...that's the question

[bishbosh]

Mesh looks too busy imo.

[Pterois20]

Originally Posted by B58_f32

i think there's mesh bmw sell that fits somewhere behind to protect the radiators
think it has the same purpose as what you are trying to do and looks different

I will take a look

[RENT-A-GOAT]

Looks like your V Braces have taken some weathering too they look great wrapped which is a cheap fix there are a few threads on here how to do it.

But with the front off like that it wouldn't take much more to whip them out and get them powder coated.

[sunjas]

Is that red paint overspray on the top of each headlight unit?

[Pterois20]

Originally Posted by RENT-A-GOAT

Looks like your V Braces have taken some weathering too they look great wrapped which is a cheap fix there are a few threads on here how to do it.

But with the front off like that it wouldn't take much more to whip them out and get them powder coated.

I'm going to wrap them in yellow and see how it looks; if I like it, I will remove it and get it powder coated in yellow. Next option will be red.

Originally Posted by sunjas

Is that red paint overspray on the top of each headlight unit?

The w***** that "repainted" the front didn't know the technology of the masking tape, or even how to clean before the repaint.

I've dismantled the fog lights, polished them and remove all the paint; unfortunately, the smallest grit I have was 1500 and I couldn't remove the big chips, 750 and 1000 grit sandpaper will arrive next week. Due to the number of impacts, I may wrap it with a clear film. I've also removed the paint from the headlights as well.

I will cut and polish the front bumper and try to cover/minimize the errors but I won't put much effort in it, I may change the front bumper for the M3

[Techno 9000]

Try this as an alternative to placing mesh on the kidney grilles.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23898471

The mesh is still available on the link two years on. No issues with mine in that time.

[Pterois20]

Originally Posted by Techno 9000

Try this as an alternative to placing mesh on the kidney grilles.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=23898471

The mesh is still available on the link two years on. No issues with mine in that time.

That looks great, thanks! I will probably replace the radiator after Christmas with the 3rd lockdown hahaha and before summer, then, I will probably fit that radiator protection.

[Pterois20]

Inspecting the headlights, I've found that the cracks in the headlights are from inside. I thought I could polish the headlights but the damage inside makes the whole process more complex.

I was thinking about retrofit Xenon, but I'm still getting familiar with the cabling. Has anyone tried lamps like these BMW 3 Series F30 / F31 Performance Projector Headlights - White LED Angel Eyes & Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

[BIFCAIDS]

You started off so well, then I saw the grills, grills 2.0 and the dynamic indicators, yikes!

I wish you luck with turning this around but unless you plan on driving 2ft from a gritter all winter you're not going to need protection behind the grills.

I'd have stuck with the standard chrome (ties in with the wheels), then Alpina style front and rear lip and finish it off with some Eibach springs or something. Very classy looking.

[Pterois20]

Originally Posted by BIFCAIDS

You started off so well, then I saw the grills, grills 2.0 and the dynamic indicators, yikes!

I wish you luck with turning this around but unless you plan on driving 2ft from a gritter all winter you're not going to need protection behind the grills.

I'd have stuck with the standard chrome (ties in with the wheels), then Alpina style front and rear lip and finish it off with some Eibach springs or something. Very classy looking.

I'm not much into chrome and I want to give it a more sporty look.

The reason behind the protection is that I miss 1/3 of the radiator, and I think that it is due the stones on the roads.

Today I've dismantled the air intake silencer and the air intake, pipe and give them a proper clean. with APC. Tomorrow or Monday I will receive the distribution belt (or fan belt), I don't know when was last changed and makes a squeaky noise.

Also a bizarre discovery. When I bought the car, I went to BMW Sytner (Coventry) to service the car and do some repairs. I have discovered that they didn't change the air intake filter when the should according to what I booked. They also broke something that caused misfire (they said a high-pressure line). 2 errors....bizarre