Mark 178 Report post Posted February 25, 2008 Since buying my car in July 2007 I have kept a photo record of most things I've improved on it. Many of these are floating around in different threads, but I thought I'd collate them all into one thread. Here's what I've done so far... - Picking up car from dealer First wash and German Plates installed Panasonic ipod headunit installed - LCD display colour-matched to interior gauges. iPod installed in glovebox M-Tech side mouldings installed Progress pic of exterior M3-style rear diffuser installed DEPO clear-light kit installed Front end respray (bonnet, nosepanel, bumper) & facelift kidneys and nosepanel Coming shortly: M3 Mirrors! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30plz 1 Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Mmm Nice car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted February 26, 2008 Nice work Mark I think the car reflects your dedication to it - everything looks really tidy Keep us installed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bimmer boy 21 Report post Posted February 27, 2008 That looks really nice man, Its awesome to see people who take such care and attention to detail on their cars, it really shows. The FL grills make such a difference. I'll look forward to seeing more progress. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cale 36 Report post Posted February 27, 2008 Great work, looks fantastic. You should be very proud. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PBOY23 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2008 lookin good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
international 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 Just curious...you keen on changing that steering wheel? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 Just curious...you keen on changing that steering wheel? I'm trying to keep everything original as possible (bar era-specific cosmetic enhancements), so I'll be keeping it I think! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 One more for fun... I love this shot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickSilver 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 looks fantastic! well done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drifty325i 0 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 Lookingbloody good as usual! I noticed that paint was really nice in the sun the other day, very rich and deep in colour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bimmer boy 21 Report post Posted February 28, 2008 I'm trying to keep everything original as possible (bar era-specific cosmetic enhancements), so I'll be keeping it I think! I belive the same thing, BMW's look better with era specific modifications or OEM add on bits of a higher or better spec version. Hence why mine is pretty much stock bar the europlate which isnt really era specific but they looks damn good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pommy 33 Report post Posted March 14, 2008 looks very clean and sharp , like someone said its good to see all the hard work pay off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 17, 2008 UPDATE: Went to Hokitika for the Wildfoods festival last weekend and just as I pulled into the camp site the car died and wouldn't start again. Turned out it was the fuel pump. Picked the car up yesterday (have been driving a POS rental Corolla for a week) and the bill was nearly $1100!!! (incl. rental car costs) Thankfully my mechanical warranty covered most of that, so I was left to pay just $250. So, after that little debachle funds are a bit tight. I'm getting the M3 mirrors painted for free through work, so they'll hopefully be on the car just after Easter! Have also added an OEM leather handbrake handle, better OEM rear speakers, replaced the door sill trim on the passengers side which was cracked and got the good old Kiwi shoe polish onto the worn parts of the leather seats. Also, thanks for all the positive comments everyone, it's very encouraging and I'll put more pics up soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted March 18, 2008 When you shoe polish your seats does the car smell really badly of shoe polish? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 18, 2008 When you shoe polish your seats does the car smell really badly of shoe polish? No, not really... I only did small patches where the leather was wearing. I'd imagine it would smell like school shoes on the first day of term if I did the whole seat! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bimmer boy 21 Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Hey Mark have you tried Shoe cream? Its like the shoe polish only it doesnt go shiny and it softens the leather really well and the colour lasts for months and doesnt streak I use it in my car a lot, and only smells like shoes for a day or two haha makes a big defference, you can look up my work I did on my leathers somewhere on here if you search Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 New photos from today.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve R 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 looks good mate, how much did the face lift nose panel and grills set you back? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OLLIE 26 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 looking very very nice - i love the colour and the wheels Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braeden320 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Very nice - It is an absolute credit to you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 looks good mate, how much did the face lift nose panel and grills set you back? Nose panel new from BMW was $200. Grilles I got off trademe for $50. Painting was $150. So all up about 400 bucks. I'd imagine you could save a lot of money by finding a used nose panel in the same colour as your car... I tried this route, but there aren't a lot of Boston green cars about unfortunately! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve R 0 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 hopefully insurance will facelift my car for me when it gets repaired. whats the quality like on the trade me grills? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 hopefully insurance will facelift my car for me when it gets repaired. whats the quality like on the trade me grills? They're genuine BMW grilles, just got them second hand on Trademe. Definitely ask the insurance company to facelift it.... it's the same price for the pre-facelift panel so they shouldn't have a problem with it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted March 21, 2008 Looks very nice Mark, you know I've never been a fan of green but pictures like yours change my mind. Loving the reflections... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
