M3AN

Oh, do standard license plates always 'live' with a car even if they've been superseded? I had always assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that standard plates went back into the pool if they were ever replaced.

Fixed the electric tilt/lift function on the driver's seat in the 130, happy with that because it only cost me time.

Sorted the electric tilt and lift on the driver's seat today, that was a bit of a mission. It didn't take me long to get the seat out but I spent about 2 hours trying to disassemble it until I worked out that I could use an e9x seat DIY (couldn't find a suitable one for the e8x). Then 30 mins later I was into it. Lucky I had cricket to listen to. It turns out that some tiny and weak contacts had folded back under themselves and weren't touching the required electrical contacts. I carefully bent them back out and down so they'd provide positive pressure... couldn't test until the seat was mostly reassembled and back in, so fingers crossed. It worked! I promptly set the seat and the memory so I don't need to dick around with that switch too often, I'm pretty sure they'll fold back under again if it's used much. If it does die again at least I know what module to replace.

The 'condensed' option in streams (e.g. unread content) doesn't work, the feed stays on 'Expanded' which means very little gets on the screen. Have there been any software updates or changes since Christmas? Edit: and the share post option has gone... or been moved to somewhere I can't find (it used to be next to the report post link). Cheers.

It appears as if the angel eyes have these in them based on bulb markings: https://www.luxangeleyes.com/products/lux-h8-189 Which is good, they're unlikely to start a fire. Cree panels to boot. They're very, very bright (edit: I can't take a pic from front on). When you unlock the car at night, with the lights on auto, it looks like a cruise ship at party stations on a dark ocean. How to address the crazing on the lenses? Is that on the inside or out? LED puddle lights alone are quite nice, lights on manual... Lights on auto ?... Crazy ? LED's...

Size (scale)? Material? Vehicle?

Avin USA 10.25" Android Display It's been an interesting experience, initially I was not really impressed, even disappointed however that impression is slowly improving. The install was simple enough after disassembling the dash. You'll need a cutting tool (e.g. Dremel) to do the dash, the knife they provided is entirely inadequate. I needed to cut out ~2 cm2 of hard plastic. It squeaks but I think I've isolated that to the actual screen/cradle interface (hard plastic on hard plastic) and have a potential fix in mind. There are no instructions and the supplied kit apparently changes/updates regularly so you might get bits and connections you don't expect, and you might also get parts you don't need to use. I got both. There are no instructions, expect to have to work it out yourself. Their support is (so far) exceptional. I've been in email communication since Christmas and have had all replies within 24h and some within minutes. Mostly the support has been helpful and accurate. I've needed to trim a plastic plug (easy enough) and they sent me a 2GB unit instead of a 4GB unit... they've offered to replace it, let's see how that goes. The screen is exceptional, really, really good. It's clear, bright and responsive, I'm impressed and I didn't think I would be. Startup is fast enough (<20s) and you can have it start instantly in 'original car mode' whilst Android loads in the background if you prefer. The OS/Launcher experience is fine, there are a few good skins and getting to Android apps is simple enough. It comes with the Play Store etc, you just need to log in. It has a default digital dashboard which is pretty but it adds no real value. I can connect to the home WiFi and download offline Google maps and with these, navigation is a dream on this widescreen. Mine came with an external speaker (not pictured/mentioned on their site) that outputs navigation instructions so the main speakers maintain their feed. Initially this didn't work for me but now it does... ? ...it creates terrible static on AM radio though (Radio Sport) when it speaks. You can choose your own navigation app. Bluetooth is less impressive... the connection seems flaky and there's an intolerable amount of lag - to the point where you believe the command hasn't gone through. This could be a firmware or memory problem so I'll reserve judgement but I certainly can't rely on it for calls atm so I don't connect it. The default apps are fine but with them alone I doubt I'd get enough value out of the screen and that's where the Android market comes in. I grabbed a terminal emulator first for reboots because for the life of me I couldn't/can't find a reboot option. I got the WiFi adaptor for the Torque app and set up a default set of gauges for that. I can see more potential in more market apps.

Those wheels are so wrong, they look like they should be on an X5 (or larger). Just check that the airbag light works (comes on and extinguishes as expected) because that's a non-3 series steering wheel (5er) as far as I can tell (it's not the normal 3er 4-spoke).

Somebody should grab this, it's a tidy looking, well optioned car for a reasonable price.

More observations; The rear plate and puddle lights (door handles) are LED's, I don't think they came like that (in 2008 anyway). Angel eyes have been upgraded to (very bright) white LED's also, looks heaps better than stock. Interior LED lighting set is on the way from eBay so everything matches. The stubby aerial is actually aftermarket and has a carbon fibre tube... looks naff up close, will replace with stock. A few hundred km's over the last few days and I'm still smitten, everyone should own one of these at least once. Some comments on the Avin once I've recovered from NYE...

Frivolous for sure... but hey, it's the festive season... And yes, I'm sure 99% of people will ask if I "won" it...

I don't think the 335i ones work, apparently you need the M3 ones... and the M3 ones don't work in the 335i. It would be great if they were all plug and play, they have such similar functions.

Yeah, I've seen that (although can't find it immediately) but I've got something else up my sleeve to see how it turns out before I try that.

It stands to become the current price benchmark, despite being a convertible. It's got an amazing logbook of work for the distance travelled. Great colour.

Yeah, and most cars with paddles, ever. It's not even worth debating.

As you wish. I want conventional paddle shifters.

I'm pretty impressed with the load space too. Even though it's marginally smaller than my e36(s) it's actually possible to get 5 wheels with mounted tyres in easy, space to spare. That's a nightmare in the coupes without using the passenger seat and even then still a PITA! Took it out to some semi-rural roads for a spirited drive today and enjoyed every moment of it. I need proper paddle shifters and I can't just reprogramme my brain to adapt to these crazy ones. At the moment I'll do something stupid if I reach for them in a pinch.

Thanks. ? It's an Avin USA 10.25" system... installation was a bitch, two afternoons... but I sort-of expected that. Disassembling, and then reassembling the dash and glovebox took most of that time. First impressions soon.

With enough notice Kayne will do the whole car on a lift but that's not going to work if you need it done now. Outputs are easy enough to DIY, depends where the leak is really, they rarely all need replacing at the same time but worth doing 3 if you're doing 1.

It's watching you... Not sure, but it isn't factory. Is that a little picture of a sun? Does it turn on some aftermarket daylight running lights? You may need to play with light switches to see. Perhaps some "cool" under car LED strips? Just a guess.

Make sure you use a high-temp clear. ?

The chances of them getting anywhere near 250*C on a street car are about zero. The calipers will get super hot only once the rotors are almost glowing and then you stop the car so the calipers act as a heat sink. It's highly unlikely your rotors will glow before you crash. And if they do, follow proper cool down procedure and your calipers will be fine. I do think that your stickers will peal off though because of heat cycles, road crap and washing. As soon as a corner lifts they'll remove themselves quickly. If you spray a clear coat over the top though they'll last a lot longer. Edit: I must say that the calipers do look good so props on that front.

Nice @gjm, a 3/4" set is a must-have IMHO although I'm amazed you found one with a 46mm socket in it!

Man those 3 doors look good don't they? I very much like those wheels are they 17's or 18's? And are you running 245's all around? Edit: GLWS.

I've ordered some black ones, they'll be here in the new year. I haven't decided what to do with the carbon fibre ones but sure, if I'm going to discard them I'll tap you on the shoulder so-to-speak. ?