BMW X5 4.8 Litre Hamann - Final Update - Project Complete!

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Mike1

Guest
Welcome to the future of specialist vehicle maintenance.

Definitive Detailing has in the last 3 months grown beyond belief, creating partnerships with premium businesses and offering service beyond what many fanatics are used to.

With our new partnerships (more news on this soon) we can truly offer the best not only in terms of vehicle detailing but also in vehicle repair.

This brings me to the build thread for the Promotec BMW X5 4.8 Litre Hamann.

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The owner of Promotec, a BMW fanatic handed the car over to us to prepare it for sale. This meant fixing any issues with the car as well as preparing it physically to be in the best condition for its new owner.

BMW X5 Hamann | Project Info/Overview

Although in extremely good condition the Hamann is in need of some minor attention. Starting with the biggest problem on the list:

Hamann Kit & BMW Park Sensors Collide:

For some unknown reason the original panelshop that fitted the Hamann Kit decided to place (these are glued on) both front arches over the BMW Factory Fitted Parking Sensors.

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Naturally this means that the parking sensors are in a constant panic rendering them completely useless. Initially we hoped to have BMW simply disconnect the two sensors, however this cannot be done. It’s all or nothing in this case.

I was hoping we cut out the area around the sensor and mold the kit around it; this is not viable due to the 45 degree sensors used which would not solve the problem.

The solution is to relocate the sensor slightly inwards, fill the existing hole and respray. Ina at Brightons Panel and Spray will be doing the job for us and I look forward to seeing her team tackle this problem.

Hamann Kit - Damage and Repair

The Hamann kit fitted to the Promotec X5 has since November 2010 taken a couple of knocks and bangs in its stride.

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The first two (there is more I didn’t photograph) will be smoothed and resprayed.

These two repairs will be slightly more technical:

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Due to the inactivity of the sensors accidents are sure to happen. In this case a slight knock to the rear bumper will need to be smoothed, filled and resprayed with us re-attaching the parking sensor which is completely loose.

The rear spoiler, which was attacked by a Guinea Fowl (which destroyed it) has also arrived and has already primed to be sprayed and fitted.

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The company that did this spray job deserves to be shot. The front bumper's sprayjob is excessively wavey with a very poor finish. I feel that under showroom lighting (even with a numberplate on) this finish will ruin the beautiful finish of the Hamann - We will be tackling this and hoping to reduce the poor finish.

Dents, Dings and Scratches

Even the most pedantic of car owners simply cannot avoid the day to day war path that is the car park at your local mall.

Dirk, our dent pusher noted several small dents throughout the car. He says he will be removing them shortly.

Keeping the beast at bay - Engine Maintenance

With just over 90 000km on the clock it is time for the Hamann to have a thorough service whilst still under Motorplan.

We have booked the Hamann in for Monday and Tuesday next week (9th to 10th Jan) for the following:

Oil Service
New Pads/Discs
New Brake Fluid
New Air Filter
New Cabin Filter
Balancing and Alignment
Replace Cigarette Lighter (Broken)
Do Quality Check on X5

The car is booked in at SMG; I am looking forward to seeing the result of the service.

BMW Hamann | Time Line

The Hamann will be collected from SMG on Tuesday and taken through to Ina to quote on re-locating the sensors.

If we are happy with the quote she will continue with the job and from there the car will return to Dent Magic Express who will expertly repair and spray the remainder of the car with the spoiler being fitted at Ina to put an end to the repair work.

I hope to have this completed over the next three weeks, however once I have discussed it with my team a realistic time can be given - The owner of the car however wants the car to be done right and has given us quite a lot of time.

Finishing off - It’s all in the detail

The final process in this project will be delivered by Definitive Detailing.

We will be spending three days on the Hamann attempting to get 100% correction on the Oxford Green paintwork. The detail will include a thorough cleanse of the interior and engine bay finishing with the car being sealed and delivered to its new home until it is sold.

Other small details will be things like the eyelids, replacing the peeling adhesive as well as replacing the worn numberplace holder on the back and having Hamann plates made for the Showroom.

Definitive Detailing hopes you will follow the build thread whilst we update you of our progress on the Hamann. Although a simple project it is reaching the high level of quality that we are known for that will take time.

Thank you for reading our thread and I am excited to hear some feedback from my fellow fanatics.

For more information on our services or for assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Michael Stafford (Owner of Definitive Detailing)
www.definitivedetailing.co.za
[email protected]
083 377 0500​
 

Raybimmer

New member
Detailed thread but a lot of questions arise . How does the present driver keep scratching the front lip ? When the Hamann kit was fitted did the PDC not complain and piss off the driver ?
This is a lot of work to correct bad workmanship on a good vehicle , this makes your blood boil that it was accepted like that .
Good luck Mike , thanks for the good pics .
 
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Mike1

Guest
Raybimmer

The owner is a member on this forum and a huge BMW Fanatic so whilst there are questions we need to ask them in a positive manner so we dont cause any offence to anyone.

I feel the issue (and this is why the car has been handed over to us) is that the owner trusted a well known panelshop to do the work and was let down.

Initially said panelshop were going to solve the issues, however the owner decided to rather leave the car with us and spare himself the trouble.

I am truly shocked that they didnt notice the PDC sensors being in the way, and what I assumed was a simple fix turned out an issue as the arches are held on with an extremely strong adhesive which will break the kit if removed hence our idea to rather move the sensors.

There is always a tale behind these things and if the owner wishes to share it then he is welcome to, I dont feel it is my place to explain for another companies shoddy work.

As for the other dings, scratches etc these things happen. I work with cars all day and most cars have battle scars. Its a manly thing. :rollsmile:

We will solve the problem and make a customer happy. :thumbs:

Mike
 
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Psymon69

Guest
im really going to make a point of trying to come visit you at the shop. should be really interesting. that car is so good looking it deserves all this TLC thru and thru! till what time would you be working on the car when you start?
 
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Mike1

Guest
Hi Hi

The whole project is a bit all over the place, with work happening here and there.

We wont do any spray work until the sensors are relocated. So I suspect Dent Magic will start with spray work earliest next week but that depends on how long we have to wait for Ina to book the car in at Brightons.

I will gladly invite fanatics the day before we physically start with the car and you guys can spend some time at the premises and take a look at how the team does it as I will be there supervising.

Of course, my detailing continues daily so unless I am un-booked then I wont be there.

I will let you guys know closer to the time and you welcome to pop in and visit. :thumbs:

Mike

 

Raybimmer

New member
@Mike sorry if the comments sounded negative ,they were intended as " wow how did this happen to a bm " , more in a shocked way , not in a negative way .

 

Henry330i

Active member
Good luck with the project Mike and team, but as stated above I wonder how a front bumper gets scratched over and over. We all tend to bump them at least once but then you learn from that and take more care when parking.

Not intended to upset any one just wondering.

Any case I will be following this thread with interest.
 
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Rolf

Guest
Guys... its my car.... and if I can give ONE ADVICE: NEVER EVER give your car to visiting family from overseas

For the roof spoiler.... this happened to me on the way to the Worcester breakfast run when a stupid Guinea Fauwl nearly hit the windscreen at 170kim/h but couldn't avoid the roof spoiler taking it completely out.
It broke off a 45cm part in the middle when it hit the spoiler not fitting between the roof spoiler and the windsplitter on rear window.
 
M

Mike1

Guest
BMW X5 Hamann | Update

I booked the Hamann in for a service today at SMG and dropped the car off last Saturday.

Rolf, the owner got a call today saying the car will be ready for 1pm today. :thumbs:

I am extremely impressed, and they gave the car a really good clean too and fixed everything I asked them to look at.

The Hamann parked in my driveway after I collected it from Rolf earlier this evening:

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The plan for tomorrow | Gathering quotes

Tomorrow morning I will be taking the Hamann through to Ina at Brightons to quote on the sensor re-location followed by returning to Dent Magic Tygervalley to finalise the quote for the spot repairs and dent removals.

I will also go on the hunt for the adhesive tape used on the "Eye Brows" so that we can replace them.

A productive day ahead for Definitive Detailing & Valet!
 
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Rolf

Guest
Mike forget the "tape"
The Wicket Eye shades need to be glued on with Elch P1 glue or something equivalent to that!

If nothing is available then windscreen glue would be the last option!
 

herr bmw

///Member
looks like this is going back to its former glory.good luck mike and team

lucky the bird hit the spoiler,at 170 it might have ended up on your lap,but then you could have had it for supper:rollsmile:

dont worry,also keep scraping the underneath of my bumper,espesially after driving the navara for acouple of weeks
 

e46monk3y

Events Organiser
WOW! Awesome job guys! This X5 is too mean! What color is that and please post up some interior shots too. :praise:
 
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Rolf

Guest
Its Deep Green Metalic... a standard BMW colour
Mirrors, kidneys and wicked eye shades as well as small bits and pieces all colour coded in same colour.

 
M

Mike1

Guest
BMW X5 Hamann | Update (10/01/12)

Today was D-Day in terms of gathering the final quotes on the Hamann.

I began by visiting Ina and her husband Mike at Brighton's in Brackenfell so they could take a closer look at the front bumper with the original plan being to remove the entire front bumper and both front arches to get access to the sensors.

Thankfully, after taking a very close look Ina noticed that the lower half of the bumper can be removed from the top, not only saving time but also lowering the cost.

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From there I popped down the road to Dyno-Tech a Tuning Company which I have enjoyed a few Dyno Days at to begin arranging a *Cough* Promotec / Definitive Detailing *Cough* Dyno Day for mid Feb.

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Finally, with the temperatures peaking at about 33.5 degrees Celsius on the Hamann's OBC I finished off at Dent Magic Express Tyger-Valley to prep Andre on what he needed to spray and to minimize the time taken to complete the job.

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I will receive the final quotes and figures by tomorrow afternoon (if all goes to plan and a glass of water doesn't intervene) and then Rolf can authorize the go ahead if he is happy. :thumbs:

A quick question to the modders out there! Keep the Kidney Grills in the current green or go gloss black? Rolf will shoot me (Ducks behind couch) but I am curious as it would be a quick freebie from Dent Magic and I think it will look epic. :fencelook:

:=):​
 
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Psymon69

Guest
i quite like it green. how about a quick photoshop to compare?
 
M

Mike1

Guest
Will do a photoshop tomorrow, a bit knackered right now.

I had three people today tell me it would look great in black... Hence the question. :fencelook:

 
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Psymon69

Guest
still cant believe how cool the dent magic shop looks, it was such a $hithole before, its a great place to take pics.
 
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