Advice needed on buying a 2000 BMW 330I steptronic

[msm]

MSM, I can see flaws in your paintwork, even from the photos... But if you are happy, then what does it matter?

You're entitled to your opinion :thumb:

I just can't stand the standard E46 wood trim, but some guys love it.

 

[moranor@axis]

i can see some ripples in the flat areas on the gear surround, but im way to much of a perfectionist...
i got some piano black trim. it had some small scratches in it but i just had to fix them... ive been working on them for over a month now and they still not as good as i want them...

I have now decided to skin them in carbon because it will be less work than me trying to get the trim to the finish i will be happy with... with me it has to be perfect or i may as well not bother... i often wish i was not like this

 

[P1000]

i can see some ripples in the flat areas on the gear surround, but im way to much of a perfectionist...
i got some piano black trim. it had some small scratches in it but i just had to fix them... ive been working on them for over a month now and they still not as good as i want them...

I have now decided to skin them in carbon because it will be less work than me trying to get the trim to the finish i will be happy with... with me it has to be perfect or i may as well not bother... i often wish i was not like this

Noooo! Don't ruin OEM black trim with that vinyl junk. Rather fix them up properly, it is easy if you have the right recipe and tools. And they should have nice and thick clearcoat on them.

Start with 2000grit wet sanding paper
then go to 3000grit all the scratches should be out, else start with step 1 again.
then get a good polish like menzerna SIP and apply it with a rotary polisher
(I would mount the polisher and take the trim in my hand) give it a good polish until the SIP looks like a thin coat of vaseline.
then it should be perfect, depending on how hard the clearcoat is.
if you think it can be better, go with a second polish with menzerna final finish.

 

[moranor@axis]

no im not using vinyl its real carbon... i know i could get it right if i worked more on it but i dont think its worth my time... the problem is i have to wait for the right conditions to put the clear on then sand then more clear on the right day again its just taking too long... i think i have one piece that im happy with and that's the one that goes above the light switch

im going to do a carbon skin on them now got one mould ready just sorting out my vacuum pump system then im ready to go... 1st one will be plane carbon, but the second batch im going to try pigment the carbon so its darker because i feel it will look better in the cabin than the normal carbon...

 

[P1000]

In that case, go ahead. But it is also going to be a lot of hard work to get perfect. My advice is: spend a lot of time getting the mould absolutely perfect!

 

[Bayn46]

On a fuel consumption note. I'm testing usage on my 330i manual and am currently getting 10l/100km (driven about 250km so far) and this is from driving at a relatively chilled pace. That being said I do open it up every now and then, need to enjoy the power

But yea, what you get out of it is in your hands/foot.

 

[P1000]

Actually, the steptronic is quite a bit heavier than the manual on the juice, especially if you drive in the city... That torque converter eats a lot of petrol just sitting at the robots, pumping ATF.

 

[e46 guy]

yeah 318i is not that much different on consumption from a 330i, and also steptronic is not that much of a problem depending on the year model of the car, i always say go with your gut, if something doesn't feel right leave it. something else is bound to come along.

 

[Yusuf Compact Ti]

I think it looks cool when can I send my car around ...Oh I decided im taking it ..i tried for R90k no luck I looked around a bit as well ...I dont think im going to find one with that km any time soon ...its in really good nick ..... PLUS i cant really talk much when it comes to elling cars for over retail pric.I am in the process of selling my Honda Ballade VTEC for R70k its 135kw on a B16 motor .... absoultey destroys the 330i right through the gears .... Only problem is its a jap car so it feels like it was built at "toys r us"

 

[Phoenix]

I think it looks cool when can I send my car around ...Oh I decided im taking it ..i tried for R90k no luck I looked around a bit as well ...I dont think im going to find one with that km any time soon ...its in really good nick ..... PLUS i cant really talk much when it comes to elling cars for over retail pric.I am in the process of selling my Honda Ballade VTEC for R70k its 135kw on a B16 motor .... absoultey destroys the 330i right through the gears .... Only problem is its a jap car so it feels like it was built at "toys r us"

That doesn't sound right.....a 330i should kill a vtec. especially in the higher gears......

 

[P1000]

Not when vtec kicks in, yo!

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I think it looks cool when can I send my car around ...Oh I decided im taking it ..i tried for R90k no luck I looked around a bit as well ...I dont think im going to find one with that km any time soon ...its in really good nick ..... PLUS i cant really talk much when it comes to elling cars for over retail pric.I am in the process of selling my Honda Ballade VTEC for R70k its 135kw on a B16 motor .... absoultey destroys the 330i right through the gears .... Only problem is its a jap car so it feels like it was built at "toys r us"

That doesn't sound right.....a 330i should kill a vtec. especially in the higher gears......

Power to weight, gearing etc. What happens on paper does not always happen on the black stuff. The 330 will have longer legs and should come pass on top end.

 

[moranor@axis]

In that case, go ahead. But it is also going to be a lot of hard work to get perfect. My advice is: spend a lot of time getting the mould absolutely perfect!

damn right do the work once then the rest are easy to clean up

 

[JustNN]

I think it looks cool when can I send my car around ...Oh I decided im taking it ..i tried for R90k no luck I looked around a bit as well ...I dont think im going to find one with that km any time soon ...its in really good nick ..... PLUS i cant really talk much when it comes to elling cars for over retail pric.I am in the process of selling my Honda Ballade VTEC for R70k its 135kw on a B16 motor .... absoultey destroys the 330i right through the gears .... Only problem is its a jap car so it feels like it was built at "toys r us"

That doesn't sound right.....a 330i should kill a vtec. especially in the higher gears......

i raced a few(modded) and they pretty quick of the line but once in third/forth i say bye bye:wave:

 

[Sankekur]

That is because you vanos kicked in, yo

 

[JustNN]

That is because you vanos kicked in, yo

:spit: :spit:

 

[Bayn46]

That is because you vanos kicked in, yo

:thumbsup:

 

[speeddemon]

I think it looks cool when can I send my car around ...Oh I decided im taking it ..i tried for R90k no luck I looked around a bit as well ...I dont think im going to find one with that km any time soon ...its in really good nick ..... PLUS i cant really talk much when it comes to elling cars for over retail pric.I am in the process of selling my Honda Ballade VTEC for R70k its 135kw on a B16 motor .... absoultey destroys the 330i right through the gears .... Only problem is its a jap car so it feels like it was built at "toys r us"

:shocked::shocked: u racing the wrong 330i's