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

[bnace10]

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Loving it! Curious why you never tracked down the source of the leak? Sounds like valve cover seal.

How many miles on your 2.slow?

Never tracked it down because I was a broke high schooler, to a broke college kid, and now being a broke adult with a BMW that take up all my money.

It's definitely not the valve cover. It's either the oil pan gasket, vacuum pump (if it even has one), or the RMS. It's leaking somewhere around the "back" where it mounts up to the transmission. It's just the Auto-4 trans.

It just rolled 164,000 yesterday.

All original everything, but it's definitely had better days. Hood and roof are completely oxidized to the point it feels like a chalkboard. Rear bumper is pealing clearcoat like drunk guy who fell asleep on the beach. Interior is starting to fall apart (door card fabric, glove box latch broken, center console lid no longer attached, etc.).

It's my baby though, I get choked up when I even think about getting rid of it. Way too many memories attached to it to ever get rid of it. I'm keeping it forever unless it gets totaled or the engine/trans dies.

[taslaughtery]

K9Leader Are these from cocomats[dot]com? Do they come with the velco pieces like the stock floor mats to keep them in place? I like the look and my original mats are completely shot.

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Hmm, maybe it's time to go old school and get some Cocomats?

[Afam28]

Turbos arrived!

[Papa Popov]

The wood grain trim in my car is really getting old, so I've been paroosing fleabay's assortment of trims. Not a fan of the glacier aluminum, but the titanium (actually plastic, lmao) and brushed aluminum trims have caught my eye. Anyone have any experience with these? I'm a big fan of the brushed aluminum, but apparently it doesn't hold up too well.

Also considering wrapping my current trim, but I'd definitely get a shop to do it so it'd end up costing as much as a new set. I also want the real thing if I'm gonna go through the trouble of pulling the center console.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by taslaughtery

K9Leader Are these from cocomats[dot]com? Do they come with the velco pieces like the stock floor mats to keep them in place? I like the look and my original mats are completely shot.

Yes, these are "The" Cocomats. They do have the velcro. I am really pleased with them. On my E82, I ordered cocomats from a different manufacturer because they were less expensive. They are okay but I wish I had gone with Cocomats-dot-com.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

The wood grain trim in my car is really getting old, so I've been paroosing fleabay's assortment of trims. Not a fan of the glacier aluminum, but the titanium (actually plastic, lmao) and brushed aluminum trims have caught my eye. Anyone have any experience with these? I'm a big fan of the brushed aluminum, but apparently it doesn't hold up too well.

Also considering wrapping my current trim, but I'd definitely get a shop to do it so it'd end up costing as much as a new set. I also want the real thing if I'm gonna go through the trouble of pulling the center console.

On my E91, I tried wrapping my trim and did it several times but could never quite get the inside and outside corners quite right. Then I bought a second wood set to try painting but my DIY paint skills were disappointing. Finally, bit the bullet and got a brushed aluminum set. They are a little beat up - they scratch easily. The one on the driver's door gets really beat up from wristwatches, keys, seatbelt buckle. Mine has a noticeable scratch in a prominent spot on the main dash piece. But, they are okay for a daily driver and a modernizing upgrade over the wood trim.

On the E82, I did wrap the dash piece and the two door handles - much easier than the trim on the E91.
E91:


E82:

[K9Leader]

Pulled the right side off this afternoon. Hoping to get the new one on, the rears done, and the subframe inserts in this weekend. The old one doesn't look nearly as dirty as when I started - most of the crud came off on my hands while getting it out.

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

On my E91, I tried wrapping my trim and did it several times but could never quite get the inside and outside corners quite right. Then I bought a second wood set to try painting but my DIY paint skills were disappointing. Finally, bit the bullet and got a brushed aluminum set. They are a little beat up - they scratch easily. The one on the driver's door gets really beat up from wristwatches, keys, seatbelt buckle. Mine has a noticeable scratch in a prominent spot on the main dash piece. But, they are okay for a daily driver and a modernizing upgrade over the wood trim.

On the E82, I did wrap the dash piece and the two door handles - much easier than the trim on the E91.
E91:


E82:

How difficult was it to get the ashtray trim off? Did you have to pull the entire center console or is there a workaround?

[parameter416]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Yes, these are "The" Cocomats. They do have the velcro. I am really pleased with them. On my E82, I ordered cocomats from a different manufacturer because they were less expensive. They are okay but I wish I had gone with Cocomats-dot-com.

Another vote for the real Cocomats. They really lift the interior. I even got one for the trunk.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

I decided to take my mind off the shitfest that was F1 this weekend and finish correcting/detailing my car. Not bad for 12-year-old paint. One of these days I'll have the hood repainted to get rid of all the rock chips.

Same. I never did PPF so I figure no point now. Since I've decided I'll probably keep the car forever I'm thinking strategy is maintain as much as possible but just leave PPF out for now and repaint when it gets bad enough. Paint correction, polish and ceramic coating before I suppose.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Same. I never did PPF so I figure no point now. Since I've decided I'll probably keep the car forever I'm thinking strategy is maintain as much as possible but just leave PPF out for now and repaint when it gets bad enough. Paint correction, polish and ceramic coating before I suppose.

I opted for the same. I had the front end repainted and rebuilt after hitting a deer. At that time, I inquired about getting PPF since I'm starting fresh. The cost to do PPF floored me. I could have the front end repainted again for less than the PPF. I figure since I have quite a bit of miles on my car and the paint is no longer original, there's no point in preserving it to the level of using PPF. I did get the a ceramic coating and got clear PPF done over the headlights.

[Thunderguts]

Came home to a package at my doorstep. I got the UCP installed last night, but haven't had a chance to drive it yet. I'll definitely be taking a spin tonight.

Installation was pretty easy considering working under the dash is never fun. I'm amazed just how much play there was in the stock pedal with 88k on it. It wobbled at least 5 mm in any direction. The UCP is ridiculously solid. I was surprised to learn that there was no helper spring on the 128i clutch pedal. At first I thought the previous owner removed it but RealOEM confirmed that it never had a helper spring. Only the 135i gets the spring.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Came home to a package at my doorstep. I got the UCP installed last night, but haven't had a chance to drive it yet. I'll definitely be taking a spin tonight.

Installation was pretty easy considering working under the dash is never fun. I'm amazed just how much play there was in the stock pedal with 88k on it. It wobbled at least 5 mm in any direction. The UCP is ridiculously solid. I was surprised to learn that there was no helper spring on the 128i clutch pedal. At first I thought the previous owner removed it but RealOEM confirmed that it never had a helper spring. Only the 135i gets the spring.

Surprised to learn there’s no spring. That was definitely the hardest part of the install on mine! (135i.) Do love the UCP. Enjoy.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Surprised to learn there’s no spring. That was definitely the hardest part of the install on mine! (135i.) Do love the UCP. Enjoy.

Indeed. It's much easier to install on the 128i without the spring. Obviously BMW felt the 128i clutch is light enough not to need a helper spring. I never thought it felt heavy.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I opted for the same. I had the front end repainted and rebuilt after hitting a deer. At that time, I inquired about getting PPF since I'm starting fresh. The cost to do PPF floored me. I could have the front end repainted again for less than the PPF. I figure since I have quite a bit of miles on my car and the paint is no longer original, there's no point in preserving it to the level of using PPF. I did get the a ceramic coating and got clear PPF done over the headlights.

How does the repaint look and how much did it cost if you don't mind my asking? Especially compared to existing paint, does it show as very different?

I keep hearing different things on cost of a good quality repaint. Would be good to baseline it against all these cosmetic maintenance services one can opt for.

Last thought is this car is only worth anything to me at this point so I'm the only person to please. Any money spent isn't money that will be recouped later realistically.

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

How difficult was it to get the ashtray trim off? Did you have to pull the entire center console or is there a workaround?

Neither my E91 nor the E82 have the ashtrays, just the open storage cubbies so I can't help you on that. On the E91, the center console trim comes off pretty easily. I have not attempted it on the E82 - I decided not to wrap that trim as the pattern I used is pretty busy and just doing the dash and door handles was enough. I'm leaving the console trim as is, gloss black.

[tjswarbrick]

Ordered Black/Blue CocoMats, and 225/40 + 255/35 ExtremeContact Sports.
Tires go on end of next week; mats are about a month out.
Looking forward to the freshening up.

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

How difficult was it to get the ashtray trim off? Did you have to pull the entire center console or is there a workaround?

I believe the entire center console needs to be pulled…
Correct me if I'm wrong…
But that's what I had to do when I changed out all my trim pieces to piano black!

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by Afam28

I believe the entire center console needs to be pulled…
Correct me if I'm wrong…
But that's what I had to do when I changed out all my trim pieces to piano black!

Based off of what I've seen, I'm almost certain you're right. I also have the smoker's package which makes the trim nearly impossible without removing the console. Think I'm just gonna put up with the poplar wood trim for a while...

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Based off of what I've seen, I'm almost certain you're right. I also have the smoker's package which makes the trim nearly impossible without removing the console. Think I'm just gonna put up with the poplar wood trim for a while...

It's not a tough job…
I followed a YouTube vid and was able to get the job done in 30 mins…

[Papa Popov]

Originally Posted by Afam28

It's not a tough job…
I followed a YouTube vid and was able to get the job done in 30 mins…

Gonna go out on a limb here and say its like the VCG - looks godawful at first, but ultimately ends up just being a PIA that wasn't nearly as bad as I initially thought it was gonna be.

Just did the VCG, OFHG, 3SIM, starter, and all kinds of other fun stuff while I was in there. Gonna take a while for me to want to do some serious wrenching on this thing again, lol.

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by Papa Popov

Gonna go out on a limb here and say its like the VCG - looks godawful at first, but ultimately ends up just being a PIA that wasn't nearly as bad as I initially thought it was gonna be.

Just did the VCG, OFHG, 3SIM, starter, and all kinds of other fun stuff while I was in there. Gonna take a while for me to want to do some serious wrenching on this thing again, lol.

Lol!