What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[1and1]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

WTF! Well, there goes my idea of getting an M Performance steering wheel. I was planning to get one and replace the Alcantara after 2-3 years when it starts to look gross, but not if it's going to cost me as much as the wheel.

I know right?
I'd love to have an Alcantara wheel, but can't imagine owning one. My hands actually live a real life.....

[Rallysmurf]

And cleaned up all the previous owners hand scum off the wheel and signals.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Rallysmurf

And cleaned up all the previous owners hand scum off the wheel and signals.

Probably not the time you want to watch the Top Gear secondhand BMW challenge...

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Yikes!

One shop wants $1200 to install a steering wheel cover!
2nd will make/supply one for $250. But mum on installation until I take the car there to look at it. Estimate it can take upwards of 12 hours to sew.!

So, looks like I'm doing it myself, over the course of a weekend or week.
Good thing I'm not doing much driving these days.

They are out of their minds.....

Plenty of videos show you how to do it. Took me MAYBE 2 (TWO) hours one afternoon with wheel on car to replace a cover.

Piece of cake.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

They are out of their minds.....

Plenty of videos show you how to do it. Took me MAYBE 2 (TWO) hours one afternoon with wheel on car to replace a cover.

Piece of cake.

I hope you're right!
I had a heck of a time positioning it, but also didn't have the correct ID due to not following directions.
Hopefully it'll come together better once I get that rectified.
My wife is a pretty good seamstress. If I can coax her back out to the garage to get it started once more, I should be able to pull it off.
Still waiting for my bar tape from the UK at this point.

[Rallysmurf]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Probably not the time you want to watch the Top Gear secondhand BMW challenge...

Link me? I only find old ones.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

WTF! Well, there goes my idea of getting an M Performance steering wheel. I was planning to get one and replace the Alcantara after 2-3 years when it starts to look gross, but not if it's going to cost me as much as the wheel.

Originally Posted by 1and1

I know right?
I'd love to have an Alcantara wheel, but can't imagine owning one. My hands actually live a real life.....

If you're willing/able to pull the wheel and ship it, redlinegoods offers a competitive rate on installation.
I was planning DIY from the start, and don't have a wheel puller, so didn't go that route.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Rallysmurf

Link me? I only find old ones.

From about 3:00 on, it gets scary...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

From about 3:00 on, it gets scary...

Saw this on BBC America many moons ago.

John Manlove (Manlove Forensics) lol, found pubic hair and fecal matter in Richard's car.

Thanks for posting this Thunderguts. I'd forgotten how funny it was.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

I hope you're right!
I had a heck of a time positioning it, but also didn't have the correct ID due to not following directions.
Hopefully it'll come together better once I get that rectified.
My wife is a pretty good seamstress. If I can coax her back out to the garage to get it started once more, I should be able to pull it off.
Still waiting for my bar tape from the UK at this point.

A set of dental picks from harbor freight and a some hemostats will come in very handy....

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

If you're willing/able to pull the wheel and ship it, redlinegoods offers a competitive rate on installation.
I was planning DIY from the start, and don't have a wheel puller, so didn't go that route.

A wheel puller? All you need is a screwdriver, and a 17mm(?) socket.

[blue135]

Have to agree. Had no problem getting the steering wheel off on my 2008 e88. Was more scared of the airbag, but once I understood the release mechanism, it was not too difficult.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

A set of dental picks from harbor freight and a some hemostats will come in very handy....

Oh yeah! I picked up the picks in October about the time I ordered the cover.
They've already been useful.

May have hemostats kicking around here someplace. Tons of needle-nose pliers in all sizes and angles for sure.

Did you thread the needle through the holes, or under the stitches? I've seen it both ways, but the included instructions seems to imply just tugging the stitches tight.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by dtla1

A wheel puller? All you need is a screwdriver, and a 17mm(?) socket.

That sounds easy!
It isn't pressed on like they used to be?

I saw instructions re: airbag: disconnect battery for 1/2 hour in advance, and be careful.
I'll see how tough it is to do with it in place, and consider that.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

That sounds easy!
It isn't pressed on like they used to be?

I saw instructions re: airbag: disconnect battery for 1/2 hour in advance, and be careful.
I'll see how tough it is to do with it in place, and consider that.

Nope, you just use the screwdriver to remove airbag, disconnect some connectors, then use the socket to remove the bolt. I'm always careful not to mess with any of the exposed mechanism behind there.

The hardest part is figuring out the angle/right tool to get to the releases for the airbag.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Oh yeah! I picked up the picks in October about the time I ordered the cover.
They've already been useful.

May have hemostats kicking around here someplace. Tons of needle-nose pliers in all sizes and angles for sure.

Did you thread the needle through the holes, or under the stitches? I've seen it both ways, but the included instructions seems to imply just tugging the stitches tight.

It is really two parallel rows of stitches that meet in the middle.

The picks help you keep even tension on things....and every once in a while go back and retighten as you go. do 3 inches and go back to the start and re tension and balance the tension and get the cover stretched. do three more inches and go back again and re-tension. The picks work great for that since you can pull one stitch up to add tension then work the new slack out by pulling another stich 4 or 5 stiches away.

Also start at one point and do a 1/4 of the wheel then go do the other side....don't work your way all the way around in one direction. Always try to stay balanced left and right and under tension.

It is sort of a juggling act.

[Rallysmurf]

That top bolt was a bear to get.
Took off a few other hose ends to make room for hand top side. I liked working what I could up there.

Found my rack boot was off.

Changed the air and cabin filter.

Blead correctly and did my first drive of my new car!

Felt my vanos might not be functioning right.
Seems as it could have been faster. Probably the stock diff ratio. I am going to swap to the auto 3.7 next.

Came back has some drops and tightened one clamp top of pump.

Quick handling. Impressed there.

Power seat side bolsters grab my ribs!
Seats are awesome. Tilted the front up and back vertical more.

I have a Bluetooth keyboard obd2 but am wondering what app to get.

Would like some data like water and oil temp.

Also want to kill seatbelt ding.

Check out f the vanos is correct.

Suggestions?

Alex.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Rallysmurf

Suggestions?
Alex.

Your serpentine belt looks a bit warn. Change the belt and tensioner. It's not very expensive and it only takes about 45 minutes.

I thought that was your power steering reservoir. That coolant looks awful! I hope you flushed everything out.

You may have a bad ESS sensor if you feel down on power. Check for codes.

[Rallysmurf]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Your serpentine belt looks a bit warn. Change the belt and tensioner. It's not very expensive and it only takes about 45 minutes.

I thought that was your power steering reservoir. That coolant looks awful! I hope you flushed everything out.

You may have a bad ESS sensor if you feel down on power. Check for codes.

It was completely drained when changing the pump. Really didn't look that bad but I replace it with the blue.

First time ever reading a code. I have Vgate- car scanner app iOS. Cleared them out only have tire sensor and rear tail light codes.

Ran it after was cleared. Had more power seemed like. Especially over 4k. But first stop it stalled once. Started fine and idled fine. Ran again and stopped at home did a hiccup to 1300 rpm them idles fine.

About to take my first trip think I'm ok?

[Aceway]

Just noticed the previous owner put the rotors the wrong way front and rear. Ridiculous.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by Aceway

Just noticed the previous owner put the rotors the wrong way front and rear. Ridiculous.

You can't put them on the wrong way. That's just how they are. There are no left and right rotors.

[Aceway]

Originally Posted by WDE82

You can't put them on the wrong way. That's just how they are. There are no left and right rotors.

Are you sure? I looked at my other cars and the vents on the rotors are pointed the other way.