Suprgnat's '13 M-Sport 128i, a mostly visual history

[Suprgnat]

This weekend I wrapped the lower instrument cluster surround with Alcantara and flocked the center dash trim. I'm not happy with the way the center dash trim turned out, mostly because of a thin spot from clumping problems created by some "recovered" flocking media and the generally poor fit of the Genuine BMW Poplar trim piece I got off of Ebay compared to my existing High-gloss Black trim piece. I think I'll get new flocking media, a new High-Gloss Black trim piece to store, and give flocking my existing trim piece a shot.

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

This weekend I wrapped the lower instrument cluster surround with Alcantara and flocked the center dash trim. I'm not happy with the way the center dash trim turned out, mostly because of a thin spot from clumping problems created by some "recovered" flocking media and the generally poor fit of the Genuine BMW Poplar trim piece I got off of Ebay compared to my existing High-gloss Black trim piece. I think I'll get new flocking media, a new High-Gloss Black trim piece to store, and give flocking my existing trim piece a shot.

Looks good, and I'm not a fan of Alcantara. Assuming you didn't go with 1M parts to avoid the VO piping clashing with the rest of the interior?

Surprised you don't have the BMWP shift boot to match given that you already have every BMWP part under the sun.

How does the golfball knob compare to the ZHP knob? Kinda like the looks of it, fits the less-than-serious 1er attitude.

[WDE82]

Never mind the golf ball knob. What is the rid bodywork I see outside the 1er windshield?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by WDE82

Never mind the golf ball knob. What is the rid bodywork I see outside the 1er windshield?

64 Austin Healey. I decided I'm not into car restoring, so it's up for sale.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Looks good, and I'm not a fan of Alcantara. Assuming you didn't go with 1M parts to avoid the VO piping clashing with the rest of the interior?

Surprised you don't have the BMWP shift boot to match given that you already have every BMWP part under the sun.

How does the golfball knob compare to the ZHP knob? Kinda like the looks of it, fits the less-than-serious 1er attitude.

I did the flocking on the trim to match the flocking on my instrument cluster hood and used the Alcantara on the lower instrument cluster trim piece because the radius at the edge is too tight for flocking to work well. The Alcantara conforms better.

I did have the 1M instrument cluster hood but sold it. It's nothing special. More than the VO stitching, I didn't think it looked particularly well made. An afterthought.

I sold the BMWP shift boot along with the BMWP knob. Didn't like either one, and I'm not a "fan" of Alcantara either. I have exactly one piece because it seemed like the best material for the job. The flocking and Alcantara were done for glare reduction, but I think they kind of look cool, too.

I never liked the ZHP knob. I tried it for a while before switching back to the M-Sport knob. I love the golfball. Fits my hand perfectly, unlike "ergonomic" knobs that are more comfortable gripped and moved in a certain way.

[Suprgnat]

I prefer the clamps over jam nuts. I also like that the spherical bearings mean no more TTY fasteners.

The barrels are beautifully gun drilled, machined, and finished 2024 AL. The spacers and clamps are as equally well machined. I also love the stripe indicating LH thread. Nice touch.

I hit the aluminum spacers and clamps with Alodine 1201 and I swapped out the supplied SST fasteners with Ti.

[Suprgnat]

After 9 years I've added lumbar support to my manual sport seats. I shouldn't have waited so long.

[WrathOTM]

Haha, Flocking. Just wanted to type that.

Also I'm envious over your build, glad to see everything is coming along pretty nicely for you. Can I get an QRD over what the Alodine is for? And Ti fasteners?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by WrathOTM

Haha, Flocking. Just wanted to type that.

Also I'm envious over your build, glad to see everything is coming along pretty nicely for you. Can I get an QRD over what the Alodine is for? And Ti fasteners?

LOL, I wipe the suspension down with a damp cloth every now and then and the Alodine prevents oxide buildup on the surface of the aluminum making cleanup easier. It's a conversion coating that's been largely replaced by a RoHS process as it contains hexavalent chromium, but it's still available OTC and super easy to apply. It's applied mainly on airframes these days AFAIK.

Ti because it's pretty more than anything else. The fact that it's half the weight of steel and as strong as a grade 10.9 fastener is just a bonus*.

* forgot rustproof

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

LOL, I wipe the suspension down with a damp cloth every now and then and the Alodine prevents oxide buildup on the surface of the aluminum making cleanup easier. It's a conversion coating that's been largely replaced by a RoHS process as it contains hexavalent chromium, but it's still available OTC and super easy to apply. It's applied mainly on airframes these days AFAIK.

Ti because it's pretty more than anything else. The fact that it's half the weight of steel and as strong as a grade 10.9 fastener is just a bonus*.

* forgot rustproof

There is a non-hex alodine process available now. It's MIL-DTL-5541 Type 1.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by WDE82

There is a non-hex alodine process available now. It's MIL-DTL-5541 Type 1.

5541 Type I, like Alodine 1201, is a hexavalent chemical conversion coating. 5541 Type II is a clear, RoHS compliant, non-hexavalent chemical conversion coating.

I don't think Type II comes in a one pint bottle (that lasts forever) that's brush on and rinse off at home, though I've gotten touch-up pens for work.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

5541 Type I, like Alodine 1201, is a hexavalent chemical conversion coating. 5541 Type II is a clear, RoHS compliant, non-hexavalent chemical conversion coating.

I don't think Type II comes in a one pint bottle (that lasts forever) that's brush on and rinse off at home, though I've gotten touch-up pens for work.

Type I was a typo. Type II is correct for non-hex.

Almost can't believe 1 is legal anymore. After Erin Brokovich I don't want to deal with it haha.

[Suprgnat]

Added a little color for fun. A little pizzazz.

[WrathOTM]

So those little covers for the coils can be pulled apart to be painted? That's pretty cool.
Uh, that is what we are looking at with this pic right?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by WrathOTM

So those little covers for the coils can be pulled apart to be painted? That's pretty cool.
Uh, that is what we are looking at with this pic right?

Dinan ignition coils.

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Dinan ignition coils.

Good for 20whp each, right? You've gotta be in the 9s now...

On a more serious note, any noticeable difference besides lookin' pretty? Looks like they cost about the same as Delphi coils (sans FCP warranty) so they seem like a no-brainer.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Good for 20whp each, right? You've gotta be in the 9s now...

On a more serious note, any noticeable difference besides lookin' pretty? Looks like they cost about the same as Delphi coils (sans FCP warranty) so they seem like a no-brainer.

They're designed as replacements. Holly brands include both Dinan and MSD and they saw a market. At least externally they are a quality product. And red. My coils were fine so I was happy to notice no diffrrence.

[WrathOTM]

Where were the Dinan coils made? Just curious, as IIRC the bavsport were Chinese.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by WrathOTM

Where were the Dinan coils made? Just curious, as IIRC the bavsport were Chinese.

I would assume China, but there was no indication on the package. These are not relabeled Bavauto coils. I decided to get them when I found out they were made by MSD. I don't really care where their factory is.

[Suprgnat]

TPMS deactivated, FTM enabled.

[houtan]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

TPMS deactivated, FTM enabled.

What does FTM do?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by houtan

What does FTM do?

Flat Tire Monitor uses the wheel speed sensors to detect a difference in wheel speed to determine a flat. It's what the ROW got for the most part. No more sensors in wheels, far fewer weights to balance things.