BMW X5 3.0D - Final Update - Charcoal is completed!

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Psymon69

Guest
shame man the poor thing peed himself in fear when he saw the hamman.:rollsmile: ya it was away at mech for last week but this week its back in all its glory! just sad it has to stand in the sun the whole day.
 

Legacy

///Member
Epicly awesome work so far! You should hire Rick as a full time consultant for these projects :praise:


BTW what Genesis vacuum did you use for those carpets? I've been needing a good vacuum for ages and still haven't got round to getting one.
 

Smartiesman

///Member
Awesome work guys...the previous owner needs to be :flyfun: again and :flyfun:
You guys really brought back the glory of that X5. Wheeler Dealers SA
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Thanks guys, Rick will certainly become more involved as his work is simply outstanding.

Quick Update | Charcoal (The cars name) has just been collected for its respray

Car should be complete by the end of this week. :thumbs:
 

Henry330i

Active member
Epic work.

:thumbs::thumbs:

Not to sure if I missed it but was this car bought and now being sorted by new owner.

Or is a trade-in and now being sorted to be sold.

:fencelook:
 
M

Mike1

Guest
BMW X5 3.0D Update | The return of Charcoal

Charcoal (the car) has returned from his respray. :thumbs:

A total of two days work, and wow this car is looking epic again! Dont believe me? Take a look below:

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With all the major repairwork done there are just a few bits and bobs we still need to sort out.

I give this a week and we will be ready to go. :thumbs:

Mike​
 

Karthik

New member
Thats just completely mind blowing , wow , what I really wanna know is how much it costs to redo the interior ? And I always thought theres no way of getting that new look back unless you buy brand new seats , etc , but woWWW
 
M

Mike1

Guest
BMW 3.0D Build Thread | Charcoal gets a new look | Anthracite Mag Wheels Fitted

Finally, the day I was waiting for arrived -Fitting the new wheels to Charcoal!

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I took the car through to Dunlop Fitment Centre in Montague Gardens, all four wheels carefully placed in the boot with blankets protecting the cream interior from getting dirty all over again (look away Rick). :biglol:

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Front wheel off and being fitted with the new wheels:

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Left side next, what a huge difference!

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With the job complete for a whopping R50.00 (So glad I didnt have to do this myself as those old mag wheels are extremely heavy) I drove around the corner to take a few pictures:

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This just goes to prove that wheels can either make or break a car. The difference these wheels have made to the look of this car are absolutely mammoth.

The car looks sportier and of course feels so much better to drive.

I think I may be starting to fall in love with this car. :inlove:

Mike
 

SKYF

Member
Your work never fails to impress me:bravo:
I love detailing cars although im not in your league, i find it very calming and relaxing.The best thing about detailing is after you done,you and the rest of the world can stand back and praise your hard work.

Good quality work like yours is very hard to find, once again great work. Keep it up:thumbs:
 
M

Mike1

Guest
BMW X5 3.0D | Charcoal gets stopped

Well not literally, but its stoppers are needing an inspection.

From day one the X5 has been complaining about "Check brake linings", flashing the DSC Error (It currently has no DSC whatsoever) and the brake light on the clocks is permanently lit.

The pads and discs look fine, there is a light shudder under breaking but even under normal breaking the ABS sometimes freaks out a bit.

This morning I dropped the car off at my favoured mechanic for him to diagnose the problem and quote to fix it.

My mechanic reckons the sensors are due a replacement...? If this is true then I am going to be very happy. :joy:

We await his recommendations.

Mike​
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Charcoal is fixed | Project almost complete | Update

Charcoal is back, and he is in great shape!

As suspected, we replaced both wheels sensors solving the "Check Break Linings" Warning, replaced the bulbs and fitted new wipers.

We also ordered a new set of carpets for Charcoal, front and back as well as boot carpet in Black. I opted for the black as its easier to maintain and I reckon the contrast between the Black Headliner and cream leather will make a great combo. Also included, we chose to have the BMW Logo embroided on the front carpets just to add that little touch.

Also ordered is a new PDC mount for the rear and a new towbar cover.

Furthermore, Charcoal also had its aircon regassed as well as alignment done today.

All that is left is for the parts and carpets to arrive and detail to finish this beauty off.

Mike​
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Charcoal gets detailed | Project drawing to a close | Final Updates

With Charcoal, our BMW X5 3.0D running like a dream it was time to finish up with the last of the exterior and interior, put on the final touches and get the car delivered to the Showroom.

I started with the X5 after giving it a quick clean.

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Although a new paint job, there was still a lot of sanding marks and heavy swirling from the panelshop that did the work. This however is not a major problem as the entire car was being detailed anyway.

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The paint was also extremely dry, having been polished with a very heavy compound at the panel shop and not waxed or conditioned using a sealant or glaze.

So of course, once I gave it a thorough polish (two passes per panel) with some Chemical Guys No.1 Polish (refining polish) the results were mind blowing.

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Here are a few 50/50's for you to compare.

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The car outside under direct sunlight to check the paintwork for remaining swirls or imperfections.

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I then decided to glaze the car using Chemical Guys EZ Creme (Love this product) followed by two layers of Collonite Wax.

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The engine bay was dressed and the wheels, arches and all plastics were dressed as well.

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Coming up, we add the final touches to Charcoal, do a Photoshoot and deliver the car to its new home.

Mike
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Charcoal | Adding the final touches | BMW X5 3.0D

I firmly believe that it is the final touches which make all the difference to a vehicle. Its those small things you dont usually notice, and probably never will which give the car that complete feeling.

First off, I decided that new wipers were needed allround. What a massive difference this made!

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Then this arrived at my house... My highly inquisitive dog watching the parcel closely.

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And look what was inside!

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We decided to add that little extra by having the BMW stitched into the carpet. I think it finished them off really well.

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At the same time, I swung by BMW SMG and collected the new Tow Bar Cover and a new PDC Mount which they fitted whilst I waited.

Happy, it was time for a final photoshoot before delivery coming up next!

Mike
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Project Charcoal | BMW X5 3.0D | Completed

With many weeks of work, effort and patience Charcoal, our project X5 is finally completed.

To celebrate we took him for a quick photoshoot to show you guys the huge improvement carried out over the last month.

I am a bit sad to see this car go, I thoroughly enjoyed working on it but now it is ready to make someone else very happy. :joy:

So here goes!

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Thank you to those who have followed this thread and given great feedback on the project.

The car is now for sale at a local showroom and I know that this car will give its new owner many years of pleasure.

Mike Stafford
Owner @ Definitive Services
[email protected]

Vehicle Detailing | Performance | Tuning | Repair



 

L~C~G

Active member
That is an epic job you did! Wow!!! :biglol:

If I may ask, where do you get the dye for the seats from? My E46 has the same colour interior and my seats look bad too. I need to replace two panels on the drivers side but other than that the leather is not damaged.

I have a place at my factory to spray and prep but I would not know where to start looking for the dye.
 
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