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BMW E36 M3 Evolution GTii Journal

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mboon View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2014 at 10:28pm
Cheers guys. Sadly she is far away from concours condition. She is a nice clean usable car :-)
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pbraden View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pbraden Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2014 at 6:34pm
Originally posted by mboon mboon wrote:

Cheers guys. Sadly she is far away from concours condition. She is a nice clean usable car :-)


That's no excuse, mine is a daily drive and I managed to achieve second in my first concours attempt. And I am sure that Dave uses his car every day!!

A car in your condition would win a trophy!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 6:31pm
WARNING... PIC HEAVEY!

So walking home from work Thursday the weather looked nice, so took a gamble and went to get the M3. Got it home, loaded the family in and headed off for Weymouth/Portland in Dorset.

Car was faultless again, parked her up and off to the beach we went.

Couldnt help but take a photo of her parked next to the mundaine stuff we have on the roads now


20140605_192043_edit by mboon, on Flickr

Just looks so cool in my eyes

Anyway we got some chips and headed up behind Porltand Prison where you can find this view!!


20140605_202247 by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_202516 by mboon, on Flickr

We moved on to Portland Bill Lighthouse which is always nice. Weather was spot on!


20140605_203904 by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_203917 by mboon, on Flickr

And on the way home I seen this sunset! Decided I had to get a photo of the car in there somewhere. Such a lovely evening


20140605_211638_edit by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211643_edit by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211649_edit by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211657_edit by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211713 by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211725 by mboon, on Flickr


20140605_211749 by mboon, on Flickr

So ended up taking the car to work Friday and out after for a blast. Ended up parking behind this


20140606_073501_edit by mboon, on Flickr

Old and Older


20140606_073531 by mboon, on Flickr

And today I popped into Haynes Motor Museum as something was on. Lots of police presence and some cracking kit they have to play with


20140608_115801 by mboon, on Flickr

And this!!! Which is used by my local police. Gone have the days of getting away :(


20140608_115637 by mboon, on Flickr

Noticed this in the carpark as well


20140608_115352 by mboon, on Flickr

Had a quick clean over the engine bay today, still need to get the M Power cover painted.


20140607_183905 by mboon, on Flickr

Cheers

Mark
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 7:30pm
My opinion of the GTii.

As some will know, this is my third E36 M3.

I started off in a 3.0 Saloon in Cosmos Black. I was 19 at the time of purchase, the car had full BMW history and 95,000 on the clock.
My second was a E36 M3 Evolution Convertible in Estoril Blue and black leather. I was 26 when I bought this car. This car was a one owner Full BMW history with 107,000 on the clock.
And my current E36 M3 Evolution GTii with 115,000 on the clock. 30 years old when purchased.

I had so much control of the saloon, kicking the arse out and holding it was easy, you could put it anywhere you wanted. The chassie was perfect. No nanny in the 3.0 so spinning the wheels up in the lower gears was easy. Biggest downside to the car was no 6th gear and the bus like stearing wheel. I really did love this one, if I could have it back now in the condition I sold it in, I would. Would I have another 3.0 after the Evo? I think if I could find a black on black with a healthy engine then yes.. or a GT.

After covering 200 miles in the GTii over the last couple weekends I do think it is a better handling car than the other two, front end just stays where you want it and enough power to kick the arse out if you want it. Suspension is just the right mix of handling and comfort. The vadars, although look stunning really do not hold you in the seat that well... that said they are very comfortable and being full electric is a nice touch.
Biggest downer is that bloody nanny again. I honestly thing my third gear pulls better than 2nd :( When third is select the car really takes off but you are approaching 100mph in third and that is license loosing territory.

The convertible was the only one I didnt want to ring its neck, getting that roof down and listening to that straight 6 engine purr was lovely. Scuttle shack was the biggest issue but avoiding big pot holes would keep this down to a minimum. Car was faultless in my ownership and the mechanics showed it was a one owner full BMW service history car. Handling not as good as the other two but considering no roof it was more than capable of pushing through the country lanes.

The biggest issue with all of them. The slow stearing rack. I would love to have a quicker rack in this GT but trying to keep her OEM.

I am happy with the GT and the more I drive her, the quicker she feels. I am getting used to the engine and the revs needed to get her going.

Would I buy them all again... Yes I would, if I could have them all I think I would. All great cars with different positives and negatives.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote philyg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2014 at 4:02pm
Amazing Detail on the polishing and whatnot... I have so much work to do.... Trying to nibble away at the copious amounts of information about the decent and correct car cleaning/polishing and whatnot. Thanks for your post. It has helped me get one step closer to actually buying decent cleaning material.

What I think.. Confused ... I am looking for is to buff up the paintwork to hide some minimal scratches and then polish it up. Would they be the correct steps to take?
Feel free to tell me to go and look in another thread but I just read all of this with so much joy that I had to post something here. Beautiful sunset pictures btw....

Phil


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jun 2014 at 10:33pm
Hi Phil,

I used megs cutting compound to try flat the paint a little and remove some swirl marks. BMW paint is very hard so takes alot of elbow grease.

I followed that up with some megs polish ( two coats) and then megs wax. The polish and wax fills the swirl marks well but soon somes back. Polish it once every other month and it should stay looking good. I am no expert but feel free to ask questions

cheers

Mark
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2014 at 4:21pm
UPDATE:

I decided I would clean the washer bottle and fit to the car no thanks to the mice.

This is what it was like before


20140614_145243 by mboon, on Flickr


20140614_145248 by mboon, on Flickr

And after a bit of elbow grease


20140614_150243 by mboon, on Flickr


20140614_150248 by mboon, on Flickr

Time to fit it back on the car


20140614_151853 by mboon, on Flickr


20140614_151859 by mboon, on Flickr

And as per bloody usual, nothing goes straight forward... Wrong connector on the sensor... Any ideas how to get around this? Can I replace just the sensor on the washer bottle or is it another washer bottle needed?


20140614_151930 by mboon, on Flickr

Replacing the actual pipework was alot easier than I thought it was going to be. Just removed the pipework from the washer jets and gently pulled it out, pushed the new one back in which was easy and plugged it in. Had to use a couple cable ties to hold the cables up where the under bonnet cover would of have been.

Not put any water in it yet, making sure the connectors are 100% dry before I try that.

Just one a couple more things under the bonnet and we are done.

Can anyone tell me if this is supposed to have a bolt in?

This is the left hand side of the vanos


20140614_152005 by mboon, on Flickr

Getting there now


20140614_152249 by mboon, on Flickr


20140614_152254 by mboon, on Flickr
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davebrindlee36m3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2014 at 4:45pm
Looks like a vanos bolt is missing to me.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jun 2014 at 5:43pm
I would say a bolt is missing too looking at the cleanliness of the hole on the vanos & the seal / gasket doesn't look like it's fitted properly.

I have been following this thread from the start & it as been a pleasure reading & viewing the photos. Keep up the good work.

Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 9:03pm
UPDATE:

OK been working hard on cars this weekend/week. Our 330i Sport had an alternator fail, so replaced that, noticed the Oil filter housing gasket pissing oil so replaced that, replaced the power stearing cap o ring and checked the car over.

After doing all of that in one evening, I get a phone call the day after from my mum telling me her alternator had failed on her E39!!! So removed that and waiting for the parts to arrive.

So between this I have managed to do a couple little bits to the GT.

I started with ordering

5 x vanos cover bolts
3 x o rings for the power stearing caps (One for our E46, the GT and my mums E39)

I fitted the washer bottle and found the sensor was incorrect, removed the old one from the old washer bottle

Removing the old one


20140618_185843 by mboon, on Flickr

Replacing with the new one


20140618_185911 by mboon, on Flickr

And the sign I wanted...


20140618_190358 by mboon, on Flickr

So that clears any errors on the check control.

Next up was the vanos bolt, sadly this has snapped off in the housing. It has snapped quiet far out so should be able to remove the casing and get a pair of plyers on the end of the bolt and turn it out.

Pics of the vanos bolts (I expected these to be bigger, and the o rings)


20140618_183855 by mboon, on Flickr


20140618_183825 by mboon, on Flickr

A cheeky little MPG shot... ;)


20140618_190352 by mboon, on Flickr

My little girl riding shot gun with me


20140618_190443 by mboon, on Flickr

Brave with these seats as well haha

And a couple shots of our BMWs being worked on :)


20140618_190519 by mboon, on Flickr


20140618_190509 by mboon, on Flickr


20140618_190457 by mboon, on Flickr

And at last, I have got all the spare parts and cleaning stuff out of the boot :)


20140614_163714 by mboon, on Flickr

I have still got to fit the power stearing cap o ring to stop that from leaking and clean the area.

Car needs a clean now as has been used a bit more because the Mrs car broke down. Cleaned and going back in the garage :)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pbraden Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 2014 at 7:08pm
Keep the pics coming, the car is looking good!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 2014 at 4:56pm
UPDATE:

OK one of the things that was not working... and that list is getting much smaller now, was the sunroof.

I cleaned the car and was in a "tinkering mood" so pulled the panel down on the sunroof motor cover and found the switch was not plugged in. Something in my head said text the previous owner and ask if this has been disconnected for a reason but in the end just went for it :(


20140620_114109 by mboon, on Flickr

So plugged in, ignition on and pressed the buttom. Sunroof opened fine, closed fine, tilted fine. I thought this is spot on, must of just worked itself loose!! Wrong. Openeded it again and it clicked just before it fully closed, tilted the sunroof again and it opened about 1/2 an inch and stopped. Motor was still spinning but had come loose and clicking. I put the allan key in just to make sure and turned, nothing moved. Thought the cable had snapped or something and it was a sunroof out job.

Old motor


20140620_114113 by mboon, on Flickr

I removed the old motor and found my problem


20140620_123502 by mboon, on Flickr

This should be on the spindle


20140620_123512 by mboon, on Flickr

And should sit in the hole on the left and spin the cables to make the sunroof move


20140620_123506 by mboon, on Flickr

So I thought I would try the scrap yard as I wanted the car to be secure incase I wanted to use it... on the way to the scrap yard, this happened


20140620_135938 by mboon, on Flickr

Admittedly I was hardly accelerating and reset when in motion but when I got back it was still around 36mpg which was nice. This Evo is more economical than our 330i.

So found my part in a touring which had a E46 on its roof :( and paid £10 :) Happy days! I also found a E38 (I think) 728i with 4 pot Brembo calipers on... anyone know if these will fit straight on the E36 M3? They looked really big! I liked.

Got home and fitted the part on the off chance it still worked (Expected to remove the cog and put onto my motor) and low and behold, it worked!

Plugged it all back in and bolted to position and made sure I was closing the roof just in case and it worked spot on :) I opened it right up and closed again and it made the clunk/metal on metal sound again about an inch before closing so left it closed and disconnected the button again, might just replace the cartridge at some point. It is not a priority at the moment.

New/old part fitted


20140620_141833 by mboon, on Flickr

And it opened


20140620_114059 by mboon, on Flickr

And a couple from up above


20140620_161607 by mboon, on Flickr


20140620_161625 by mboon, on Flickr

Thanks

Mark
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 1:29pm
Having serious thoughts of selling this car. Anyone got a decent spec 2010 plus 318d M Sport with a good spec (xenons, black leather, Nav) they want to swop?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pbraden Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 2:26pm
Why the sudden change of heart?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 9:03pm
We have 6.2 litres of engine on our drive.
550bhp
never reved either over 5000rpm

I really do not use power anymore, I drive our work van harder than our cars.

I want something cheaper to run that looks smart and eats miles so we can drive to europe for holidays and around the UK without busting the banks.

I dont really want to put to many miles on the GTii and worried about the spoilers being stolen when parked up (expensive to replace)

Still mulling it over at the moment.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davebrindlee36m3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 9:09pm
How many miles and how many owners ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 9:12pm
Just under 114,000 and I am the 6th owner. Been stored for around 5 years with not much use
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 2014 at 10:56pm
Been out at 10.30 polishing the car


IMG_0366 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_0357 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_0355 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_0356 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_0358 by mboon, on Flickr
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pbraden Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 8:28am
I understand the issue as regards the mileage, as I use my Alpina every day to work etc, but in only live 7 miles from work. Sometimes a change is good, what about a six cylinder diesel, which still gives power and a reasonable mpg.

I am considering selling my e30, 325i, but I then wonder will I regret selling?....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 3:07pm
As we all know the car had been keyed in previous ownership and this has been driving me crazy. If I end up keeping the car I think it will get a full respray and new rubbers/seals etc.

So the scratch started off like this across the passanger front wing, door and rear quater. Down to the metal and I polished the car which has put white residue into the mark and made it look even worse.

Went to Halfrauds and found some of this stuff.


20140622_122400 by mboon, on Flickr



20140622_122404 by mboon, on Flickr

Some photos of the key mark


20140622_122448 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_122455 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_123119 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_123124 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_123146 by mboon, on Flickr

This was the first stage, putting the lipstick wax into the key mark


20140622_122814 by mboon, on Flickr

And this was after a filled the marks and used the red polish over the top

Front wing


20140622_123742 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_124134 by mboon, on Flickr

Door


20140622_124147 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_124141 by mboon, on Flickr

Rear quater


20140622_124202 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_124158 by mboon, on Flickr

Overall


20140622_124216 by mboon, on Flickr


20140622_124232 by mboon, on Flickr

Not bad for a tenner
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 4:03pm
I have used that colour magic many years ago on my Renault 5 gt turbo but luckily for me it was black so I didn't have to take too much care on the rubbers & other exterior trim, as it does colour these if you aren't careful.

Does cover those scratches very good though when used with the wax lipstick.

Regards
Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 4:06pm
I have only used it on the scratch. Not polished the whole panel as that was waxed last night. I am happy with the results. Takes your eye away from it
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 4:11pm
It does look good
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jun 2014 at 6:22pm
Cheers. Love the old school 90s/80s turbo hot hatches :-)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2014 at 5:22pm
Update:


Been away for a week and come back to a flat battery. Had a feeling it was on its last legs and it didnt charge enough to turn her over. So purchased a new one





Upgraded to the S4 as it was better all round.


Old





New





Started and took for a run.


Also took these photos for a guy who wanted to compare.





Cheers


Mark

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cabrio Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2014 at 6:05pm
You coming along to the GT display we are working on at Gaydon in 2015 - 20 years since E36 GT
E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers
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First I have heard of it. If I can, I will. Keep me posted
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E30 Register joint coordinator - Competition Secretary - Contact name Neil for PM and Email - cabrio_e30@yahoo.co.uk - be aware addicted to E numbers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jul 2014 at 12:07pm
So my passenger door stopped working from the inside and out. The door was locked and pulling the internal handle would lift the lock button but it would not stay up and the door would not open.

This means the door cannot be opened... great fun!

This was down to a lock actuator which had gone faulty causing the door to stay double locked so could not be opened with this attached. Removing the actuator means you can use the door again but no central locking or double locking will work. You have to unlock and lock the door from the inside. But tgis means you can get the thing open again


Anyway, start by removing the door card.

there are two hex screws holding the door card in place. Remove the two little covers near the internal handle and undo the screws.

if yours is a GT like mine or has the optiinal side airbags remeber to remove the Airbag badge next to the airbag flap and remove the extra screw. A small screw driver to prize this badge off works.

once these have been removed its time to get physical.

I started by getting my fingers under the front bottom part of the door card and giving a sharp pull, you will hear the clips either break or pull out.

gently work your way around the door card until the whole bottom and sides pull away from the door. 

Now you need to pull the top of the door card out towards you. 9/10 times you will pull the glue on the top of the door card and leave the brackets attached to the car. You can glue these back on.

remove any speaker cables etc (GT2 has the extra HK setup so remove all before pulling away) now the door card should pull out gently. Set this to one side

next up is the plastic membrain that keeps the damp etc out. Do your best to pull this away without wripping. Not.easy as the glue is very strong. Do this around the lock mechanism.

Now you should see the lock and mech, its a pain to see etc but doable.  The part we need to change is the lock actuator. This is a black box with one cable coming out. Leave the cable attached and push the actuator up away from the lock. It should just push up with a few clcicks and eventually come away. Pull this out of the door and gently remove the cable (push the cable grip down and this should release)

Once this is off the door should now unlock and open.

replace with a new item and put back together.

these are some photos of mine in progress


Removing the door card





Whats behind the door card. Remove the left hand side of the door membrane





This is where the actuator sits (it has been removed in this photo)





The wiring loom that plugs into the actuator





And the actuator itself





And the end product. A door that actually opens again!!!





Now on the hunt for an actuator. Waiting for prices to come back.


Hope this helps someone, was a dick trying to get the door card off with expensive limited edition seats in the way. But certainly a DIY

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mboon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 1:32pm
Well its been a while.


I have done nothing but drive the car. Probably put a good 600 miles on her recently with not a single wash.


As you can imagine, its pretty horrible!!


So thought I would give it a quick clean last night before I took it out on another long run


Before

















After




















The car has been faultless. Averaging 26MPG as well. Pulls hard and well but also shuts up when you put her in 6th and hit the motorways. It really is a credit to BMW just how good these cars are.

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