My 120i !

[GJA003]

So following JHS130 i thought i would update on my 120i since my first introduction thread.

Not much happened since July while i was in school other then passing my P's on my birthday and getting to know the car more. Since finishing school i have got around to crossing a few things off my list and completed the following.
1. Install BMW Alpine System
2. Change Exterior Bulbs to Xenon White style
3. Service Gearbox and Diff
4. Restore the Calipers to an OEM Silver finish
5. Change all indicator bulbs to Chrome
6. Restore horrible gutter rash
7. Clutch Stop


Unfortunately i don't have any real photos from most things i carried out as i didn't have quality camera for a while.

Here is some shots:

On the pit at a friends house.


Old Diff oil.

New Diff oil vs the old Diff oil.

New Gearbox oil vs the old.

Couple rim shots:




As always things are always on the to do list and i have quite the list to go.
The next major thing that will be happening is a general engine service and a major detail that im going to undertake my self.

From servicing the Diff and Gearbox the car feels completely different a lot smoother easier and enjoyable to drive now. Also haven't been able to finish the front rims thanks to wurth no being able to get the paint for a good 3-4 months now. (If anyone has two 8.5" 208M Rims i wouldn't mind buying them)

That's enough talk was just a little bored today and thought i would update.

[dontask]

nice work man, esp clearing out the diff fluid. =)

[xcharles1]

Great work my friend! Keep it up.

[JHS130]

Did you end up needing more D4 ATF? Notice any difference?

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by JHS130

Did you end up needing more D4 ATF? Notice any difference?

Nope didn't need more the two quarts still have some left too. From servicing the Diff and Gearbox i have felt a massive change in the car. Feels to be easier to drive and a lot more smoother too. Hopefully do the engine service this week.

Also decided im no longer going to replace my tyres with RFT again so need to sell the lot i bought and find some LCI 208M Rear rims.

Did you feel much change after doing the spark plugs as well ?

[Rob32R]

Great work mate. Good to see some maintenance going on in a photo.

[GJA003]

Little update:



Some new stuff for 120i for Christmas.
Stock 130i Exhaust
Bilstein shocks (Painted black more photo's to come once fully finished)
Bird's racing springs

Still waiting for wurth paint to get that wheel silver in, and also thinking of adding spark plugs and coolant to my engine service list.

[Giveway74]

Where did you order the shocks from? Where they from Birds as well?

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by Giveway74

Where did you order the shocks from? Where they from Birds as well?

Bought it off my uncle who had a 130i i believe it's all from here.

[lovesacdc]

Nice work dude. I admire your commitment to getting your car where you want it. The 1 series are pretty cool cars. I believe they are worth it!

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by lovesacdc

Nice work dude. I admire your commitment to getting your car where you want it. The 1 series are pretty cool cars. I believe they are worth it!

Thanks Yeah i get a bit of shit for driving a hatchback and a 1 series but i really enjoy working on it and driving it. After i finish the front rims and the major service work it's onto learning how to restore the body and interior. Trying to bring it back to show room condition just the previous owners have done an awesome job in ruining it. Interior restoration is almost done just need to order some Glipton leather treatment stuff and some other little bits.

[GJA003]

Another update so the shocks are now done ready to be installed couple photos.

Ready for more paint.

Finished result.


Made the Bilstein sticker up in photoshop to scale. Looking for a place to make them up so it's 100% factory looking.


Spoke to wurth and can not get that wheel paint until early march
Good thing is that the engine service is happening this week and the suspension should be going in soon just need some more time off for that hopefully get a nice ride height drop too.

[Mechz]

Originally Posted by GJA003

Thanks Yeah i get a bit of shit for driving a hatchback and a 1 series but i really enjoy working on it and driving it. ..........

If anyone gives you shit just ask them to show you a better rear wheel drive hatchback.

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by Mechz

If anyone gives you shit just ask them to show you a better rear wheel drive hatchback.

There great little cars wish i had the money for a 130i.

Serviced it today much needed. With the crappy past owners and bmw's 25,000km intervals it defs needed to be done correctly. Also bought Rain-X Headlight restoring kit today and it works a treat they look like new might have some photos of before and after.

[GJA003]

Newest mod completed is the addition of an OEM E90 Shark Fin well worth the hassle. The write up i followed was a little plane and didn't really give enough detail. Anyone looking to undertake this mod the nut is a 22mm. I would also suggest that you will need very small torx bits and it's an effort to get the nut back on. End of the day its done now.

Before:


After:

[GJA003]

Oh and finally got some Wurth Silver so should be finishing the restoration of the 208's soon. Then onto crossing more things of the to do list.

[VMA-1511]

Originally Posted by GJA003

Newest mod completed is the addition of an OEM E90 Shark Fin well worth the hassle. The write up i followed was a little plan and didn't really give enough detail. Anyone looking to undertake this mod the nut is a 22mm. I would also suggest that you will need very small torx bits and it's an effort to get the nut back on. End of the day its done now.

Before:


After:

Nice dude, It's a small difference that only enthusiasts will notice but keep the photo's coming

[GJA003]

Finally found someone print the stickers for me. ViralVinyls printed my template i made up very happy with the cost and quality.



Fitted to the shocks completed the Factory look that i was after.



Goal is to have the following done for the below Melbourne event even though im not entering as i cant find the wheels in specs i want yet.

-Major Detail
-Install Bilstein Shocks
-Install Bird's racing Springs
-Install New shock top mounts
-Finish the Style 208's
-CDV delete
-Tint windows legal darkest (By Savet as recommended)
-Wheel Alignment.
-Realign Front & Rear bumpers thanks to the previous owners.

Event below-

Facebook link: Here

Also can anyone recommend a good brake pad and fluid brand need to do them soon too.

[120mSport]

Can't believe you "getting shit" for driving a hatchback.

People that criticise 1 series cars as if they were hyundais or Mazda 3s or golfs just have no clue. There is NO more balanced small car than the e87 especially in msport guise.

People just don't realize just how great they are and it is frustrating. If you give them a drive the they will understand.

And you know what? I have both a 120msport and a 130msport and to be honest, apart from the straight line speed of the 130, I almost could say I enjoy the 120 more ... Just saying this so you don't have too much 130i envy - don't!

Can't put my finger on why I love the 120i at least as much as he 130 - it just feels more nimble! But it might be all in my head!

[GJA003]

Originally Posted by 120mSport

Can't believe you "getting shit" for driving a hatchback.

People that criticise 1 series cars as if they were hyundais or Mazda 3s or golfs just have no clue. There is NO more balanced small car than the e87 especially in msport guise.

People just don't realize just how great they are and it is frustrating. If you give them a drive the they will understand.

And you know what? I have both a 120msport and a 130msport and to be honest, apart from the straight line speed of the 130, I almost could say I enjoy the 120 more ... Just saying this so you don't have too much 130i envy - don't!

Can't put my finger on why I love the 120i at least as much as he 130 - it just feels more nimble! But it might be all in my head!

Yeah they have no idea about cars it doesn't really bother me i enjoy working on it doing everything my self. Like you said once taking them for a drive they have a different view on it. Surprised how well it handles from a go karting background it really does hold to the road when pushing it. The N46 is actually quite surprising in a manual. It still does everything an enthusiast wants to enjoy it. Realistically i would love to have the 130i mainly for more power able to attend more track meets ect. But it was all i could afford for a first car. It's been a terrific learning curve working on it my self. All preparation for my next two cars

[VMA-1511]

Originally Posted by GJA003

Yeah they have no idea about cars it doesn't really bother me i enjoy working on it doing everything my self. Like you said once taking them for a drive they have a different view on it. Surprised how well it handles from a go karting background it really does hold to the road when pushing it. The N46 is actually quite surprising in a manual. It still does everything an enthusiast wants to enjoy it. Realistically i would love to have the 130i mainly for more power able to attend more track meets ect. But it was all i could afford for a first car. It's been a terrific learning curve working on it my self. All preparation for my next two cars

well said

[GJA003]

Not sure how many people actually read this, thread but anyways here is an update. The last two weeks i have been at it trying to prepare my car. Suspension is in still needs a wheel alignment badly. Wheel's are done just need to order some M Badges. Still yet to detail the damn thing but im getting there.

Out came the old M-Sport stuff-

Compare new to old front shocks-

Front springs-

Rear shocks-

Rear Springs-


The B1 Sports brings don't actually lower the ride height. Even though the front spring is 50mm shorter it hasn't lowered it. As i want to go lower i'll be looking towards the H&R springs in the future.

Now onto the wheels. I forgot silly enough to take before photos but they were horrible worse then the rears. Gutter rash right around and peeling paint.

After sanding identifying more imperfections-

Repaired Lips-


After high fill primer normal primer-


Finished result-



Then i got thinking when i decide to change to non RFT ill need a jack for long trips. I picked up a mini jack off an uncle who was clearing the garage out and thanks to sharkatron also bought the BMS jack pad.

Resulted in making this-


After all the effort of drilling to secure the jack pad i forgot one thing. Will it even fit under the car Answer was no So i got the grinder out !

Resulted in-


Still just a tad to high if someone lifts just under the arch it works but had enough for tonight.

How the jack pads mounted-


Hopefully move onto detailing next and then looking to try squeeze some performance out of it (Headers,Cat delete,resonator delete,BMW performance exhaust list goes on)

Also got my windows tinted by Savet very pleased with the service and cost haven't bothered with photos.

Whats left on the goals list:
-Major Detail
-CDV delete
-Wheel Alignment.
-Realign Front & Rear bumpers