Sk8fe's Build

[Sk8fe]

That is a good point. I will be keeping the stock chrome side markers.

[Sk8fe]

The shop that is performing the work for me recently got a new machine. He enters the info and the computer generates a CAD like rendering and bends the tubing automatically. Pretty cool!

[ShocknAwe]

Awesome. Bet he's charging a pretty penny though, tech isn't cheap!

[Sk8fe]

I have a long standing good business relationship with Nate at NateDog Creations. He hooks me up when and where he can, but for sure the credit cards will melt when this round of work is done. But I have high standards and expectations and Nate delivers. I can't wait when it is all done and I can take delivery and drive it.

[Sk8fe]

Of course then there is the next round of work and issues I need to tackle, but small steps. Trying to get it all taken care of and dialed in so I can shake it down at the track this fall (register for an event or two this October).

[PARTS@STBMW]

Well done!

[frenzy757]

NICE

[Fidiman]

Love your roof, man

[Sk8fe]

Thanks. Yeah, glad I did it. It is an extremely light weight high quality piece from RevoZport.

Someone had asked earlier in my build thread whether it would preserve the OEM mounts for a roof rack and although when the car gets back from paint and reassembled I'll verify, but I spoke to Nate at the shop about it and he said it would.

Only "problem" is the cost of the roof itself is only the "tip of the iceberg" when factoring in labor to complete the installation. Then there is the cost of getting the non-sunroof headliner and of course BMW used different overhead light "consoles" so you cannot reuse the rear ones. Ugh! They're killing me.

BUT, given the overall weight savings (since I never used the sunroof anyway) and the better handling it will produce by lowering the center of gravity, money well spent IMO...

[Fidiman]

In addition, I heard you have to buy another rear glass when you change your roof, did you have to do that ?

[Sk8fe]

That is what I was told as well and so I purchased a new rear glass; however, Nate at the shop had a pro glass installer remove all of the glass and that person said that the rear glass was reusable (result of their careful handy work), and asked if I wanted to reuse it. Since I have to travel for work all of the time (and don't have time to go through the hassle of trying to return it) and since I already had the new glass I said not to bother and to install the new rear glass when it comes time. I already needed to replace the front glass from years of tracking my 1 and it being sandblasted and stone chipped from Porsches dropping a wheel tracking out and pelting my car! Those cats are all probably thinking, "yeah! saved it!"; but in reality, there is always a price to pay for exceeding the track limits. If they don't pay it then someone else (the car directly behind them) does.

So my advise to anyone looking to do this mod would be to hold off on purchasing new rear glass until after the existing one is removed and go from there. Although, I don't think new rear glass was *that* expensive, so you may just want to do it regardless like I am doing.

[TWMPerformance]

This build is incredibly thorough. Had lots of fun browsing this thread.

- Renato

[Sk8fe]

Closeup of rear fenders rolled with rear wheels/tires under full compression

[Sk8fe]

This round of work is nearing completion and my whip is getting ready for paint. Then flatbed towed to paint shop for two weeks for them to do their thing and then back to Nate's shop for final assembly.

Man! I cannot wait!...

[ShocknAwe]

Happy for you bud!

[DTR]

man this has come a long way from the "selling her" stage. kudos!

[Sk8fe]

Yeah, it sure has - thanks.

In the past 3 years I haven't even put 2000 miles on it. 2.5 years ago my work situation changed and I have to travel every week since. Prior to this I used to register for 8 to 10 track events a year; for the past two years that dropped significantly to only registering for 1 track event (3-day weekend) a year. I'm not even sure I'll make one event this year, but that is not due to work, but obviously due to this undertaking and transformation. That reduced track schedule combined with the stress of traveling for work, not being home (missing the wife & kids) and when I am home having very little free time to do anything let alone enjoy my 1, so thought I'd put it up for sale and use that money plus some more that I had saved up for a downpayment on a 2015 Stingray Z06 with Z07 package, but I had too much into my 1 already and wasn't willing to "give it away" (I mean I knew I was going to loose money but some of the low-ball tire-kicker offers were quite insulting honestly) I decided f-it and to push all my chips into the center of the table and go ALL IN to complete my dream 1-Series car. And so here we are...

After this round of work there are still some issues I need to resolve and tackle next, but small steps and all things in time.

[135TX]

What color are you going with?

[Sk8fe]

I did think about changing the color, but the quotes I got from local paint shops came in the 9 to 11 grand range, which was more than I wanted to spend. Even to keep it the stock Space Grey Metallic color it will cost me slightly over half that! But, generally I think when it comes to paint, you get what you pay for, so I didn't want to do all this work only to skimp on paint. With this type of project, paint is equally as important to making or breaking the project, so SGM it will be.

[Sk8fe]

Car is at the paint shop now - YES!

[alexc93]

Any updates?

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Sk8fe

I did think about changing the color, but the quotes I got from local paint shops came in the 9 to 11 grand range, which was more than I wanted to spend. Even to keep it the stock Space Grey Metallic color it will cost me slightly over half that! But, generally I think when it comes to paint, you get what you pay for, so I didn't want to do all this work only to skimp on paint. With this type of project, paint is equally as important to making or breaking the project, so SGM it will be.

you made the right choice - don't skimp on paint.