E39 540i Manual project

[Spanky]

Sheesh - bro sounds like he was super over that business. Pity you got pulled into whatever he was dealing with.

If it's any consolation, the car looks great in the pics.

 

[gavsadler]

Glad you got it back, and based on the circumstances, you got it back in a fairly decent condition and state of completion.

Looking forward to seeing the old girl all put back together and in regular use again...

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I am just happy she is back home. Pity about the job only being at 80% of satisfaction. I know you will get her back to her former glorious self soon. Good luck with the restoration Benji

 

[Dbn540i]

No way Benji. 😳

 

[Benji]

I have maybe painted the paint job with a negative brush, I am notoriously hard to please, so my 80% happy is probably 99% for many other people. With a bit of work, maybe a touch of PDR and a full paint correction, I think I will get to 95% happy...

 

[sash]

Its stories like this that just lead me to believe that there just arent any service oriented business that are fully committed to the services they provide. I believe I am also one of those very hard to please people and recently have been finding myself have to compromise more and more.... I dont like it....
I am glad that you managed to get it back and it is at a point where it still gives you motivation to work on it. Looking forward to the end product.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Its stories like this that just lead me to believe that there just arent any service oriented business that are fully committed to the services they provide. I believe I am also one of those very hard to please people and recently have been finding myself have to compromise more and more.... I dont like it....
I am glad that you managed to get it back and it is at a point where it still gives you motivation to work on it. Looking forward to the end product.

This is very true. My cousin send his car in for a small job, bumper replacement and a few odds and ends. This was last year June. It went back twice to the first panel shop. Eventually his broker and insurance told him to take the car while they arrange with another shop. Car went in a month ago. They called and said the car is done and it was delivered while he was away. Its since been send back. This is now a well known shop who didn't fit back the new grill and splash tray claiming it never came but their parts guy phoned the very dealership my cousin works at asking for clips to fit the very panel they claimed never came. When he went to speak to the manager the panel was lying in their storage room full of dust.

 

[Benji]

Its stories like this that just lead me to believe that there just arent any service oriented business that are fully committed to the services they provide. I believe I am also one of those very hard to please people and recently have been finding myself have to compromise more and more.... I dont like it....
I am glad that you managed to get it back and it is at a point where it still gives you motivation to work on it. Looking forward to the end product.

I couldn't agree more. I'm finding it almost impossible to find anyone (builder, electrician, plumber, mechanic, website developer, accountant etc) who takes any pride in their work. The job is done when it is "good enough" and you get labeled as difficult or unreasonable when you expect something to be perfect.

These service providers make me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. Am I the problem? Am I being unreasonable when I expect my floor tiles to all be perfectly square? Am I being militant when I dont accept wall plaster to be visible under paint? Do I have some disability when I reject skew paint masking lines or overspray? Do I have unrealistic expectations? Why then, when I do the job myself, I get it perfect?

The guy at the paint job told me verbatim they are respraying my whole car so I must not expect the paint to be perfect like a new car with obvious evidence that it was resprayed. I am still trying to process this.

Not to get too philosophical here, but I believe there are 2 main culprits:

1. Nobody has money, so service providers are competing on cost when then should be competing on quality. This is a race to the bottom.
2. Due to our economic state, a vast majority of South Africans take whatever job they can find and end up in jobs they dont like and have no interest in. It is extremely hard to take pride in a job you dont care for

 

[Spanky]

I couldn't agree more. I'm finding it almost impossible to find anyone (builder, electrician, plumber, mechanic, website developer, accountant etc) who takes any pride in their work. The job is done when it is "good enough" and you get labeled as difficult or unreasonable when you expect something to be perfect.

These service providers make me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. Am I the problem? Am I being unreasonable when I expect my floor tiles to all be perfectly square? Am I being militant when I dont accept wall plaster to be visible under paint? Do I have some disability when I reject skew paint masking lines or overspray? Do I have unrealistic expectations? Why then, when I do the job myself, I get it perfect?

The guy at the paint job told me verbatim they are respraying my whole car so I must not expect the paint to be perfect like a new car with obvious evidence that it was resprayed. I am still trying to process this.

Not to get too philosophical here, but I believe there are 2 main culprits:

1. Nobody has money, so service providers are competing on cost when then should be competing on quality. This is a race to the bottom.
2. Due to our economic state, a vast majority of South Africans take whatever job they can find and end up in jobs they dont like and have no interest in. It is extremely hard to take pride in a job you dont care for

Same shortfall in expectations experienced by myself. I think we're wired for near-perfection, but I don't think we're unreasonable.

Spot on with your root cause analysis too, IMO.

 

[ecKARd]

Off topic: what make and model lift is that in the last picture?

 

[FISAACS]

I couldn't agree more. I'm finding it almost impossible to find anyone (builder, electrician, plumber, mechanic, website developer, accountant etc) who takes any pride in their work. The job is done when it is "good enough" and you get labeled as difficult or unreasonable when you expect something to be perfect.

These service providers make me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. Am I the problem? Am I being unreasonable when I expect my floor tiles to all be perfectly square? Am I being militant when I dont accept wall plaster to be visible under paint? Do I have some disability when I reject skew paint masking lines or overspray? Do I have unrealistic expectations? Why then, when I do the job myself, I get it perfect?

The guy at the paint job told me verbatim they are respraying my whole car so I must not expect the paint to be perfect like a new car with obvious evidence that it was resprayed. I am still trying to process this.

Not to get too philosophical here, but I believe there are 2 main culprits:

1. Nobody has money, so service providers are competing on cost when then should be competing on quality. This is a race to the bottom.
2. Due to our economic state, a vast majority of South Africans take whatever job they can find and end up in jobs they dont like and have no interest in. It is extremely hard to take pride in a job you dont care for

The counter argument is that the guys/companies who actually care about the quality of their products/services

I couldn't agree more. I'm finding it almost impossible to find anyone (builder, electrician, plumber, mechanic, website developer, accountant etc) who takes any pride in their work. The job is done when it is "good enough" and you get labeled as difficult or unreasonable when you expect something to be perfect.

These service providers make me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. Am I the problem? Am I being unreasonable when I expect my floor tiles to all be perfectly square? Am I being militant when I dont accept wall plaster to be visible under paint? Do I have some disability when I reject skew paint masking lines or overspray? Do I have unrealistic expectations? Why then, when I do the job myself, I get it perfect?

The guy at the paint job told me verbatim they are respraying my whole car so I must not expect the paint to be perfect like a new car with obvious evidence that it was resprayed. I am still trying to process this.

Not to get too philosophical here, but I believe there are 2 main culprits:

1. Nobody has money, so service providers are competing on cost when then should be competing on quality. This is a race to the bottom.
2. Due to our economic state, a vast majority of South Africans take whatever job they can find and end up in jobs they dont like and have no interest in. It is extremely hard to take pride in a job you dont care for

The sad part/counter argument is that excellent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic service providers get abused by customers who expect services at the same rates and time lines as these shitty "service" providers.

When we come across a great service provider who meets/exceeds our expectations let's do right by them and not dictate how much they should charge for their time and expertise.

Many a con artist, some call them service providers, have figured out that price seems to be the deciding factor for many a consumer. They'll then offer a service which they really can't provide, at a relatively reasonable price and that's how they keep getting customers.

If we come across artisans let's spread the news so that such individuals can remain in business and continue providing the services which they are passionate about.

 

[sash]

I couldn't agree more. I'm finding it almost impossible to find anyone (builder, electrician, plumber, mechanic, website developer, accountant etc) who takes any pride in their work. The job is done when it is "good enough" and you get labeled as difficult or unreasonable when you expect something to be perfect.

These service providers make me feel like I am going crazy sometimes. Am I the problem? Am I being unreasonable when I expect my floor tiles to all be perfectly square? Am I being militant when I dont accept wall plaster to be visible under paint? Do I have some disability when I reject skew paint masking lines or overspray? Do I have unrealistic expectations? Why then, when I do the job myself, I get it perfect?

The guy at the paint job told me verbatim they are respraying my whole car so I must not expect the paint to be perfect like a new car with obvious evidence that it was resprayed. I am still trying to process this.

Not to get too philosophical here, but I believe there are 2 main culprits:

1. Nobody has money, so service providers are competing on cost when then should be competing on quality. This is a race to the bottom.
2. Due to our economic state, a vast majority of South Africans take whatever job they can find and end up in jobs they dont like and have no interest in. It is extremely hard to take pride in a job you dont care for

100% agree. I am willing to pay for the experience and skill, but I also experience and skill to be better than my own

 

[Benji]

The counter argument is that the guys/companies who actually care about the quality of their products/services

The sad part/counter argument is that excellent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic service providers get abused by customers who expect services at the same rates and time lines as these shitty "service" providers.

When we come across a great service provider who meets/exceeds our expectations let's do right by them and not dictate how much they should charge for their time and expertise.

Many a con artist, some call them service providers, have figured out that price seems to be the deciding factor for many a consumer. They'll then offer a service which they really can't provide, at a relatively reasonable price and that's how they keep getting customers.

If we come across artisans let's spread the news so that such individuals can remain in business and continue providing the services which they are passionate about.

Agreed, the first sign of a good service provider is one who insists on working with an open cheque book lol. The irony here is I specifically told the paint shop owner that I am anal and OCD and I want a perfect job and he must please adjust his quote for this if need be. He did not, insisting he only does top quality work.

Anyway, slowly making progress when a get a couple hours free in the evenings. Door handle recess with overspray:


And afterwards:


Am I wasting my time with these things? Yes. Does it help me sleep better at night? No. 🤷‍♂️ But it would be rude not to spend the extra 5min while everything is open and accessible. I am meticulously sanding off overspray where I can and polishing the paint lines in the door jambs to be almost invisible.

 

[Benji]

Off topic: what make and model lift is that in the last picture?

It is an old Ravaglioli lift from the 60s using a 3 phase motor and worm gear to lift the car. Its a bit rubbish as it is designed for cars with 1960s ground clearance, so I have to jack up the cars a bit to get the lift under them. I have been meaning to build a wooden ramp/structure around the lift, but this is pretty far down the priority list for now; it works, it was dirt cheap and didnt require serious concrete foundations. Win

 

[Dbn540i]

There are a few very good service providers left across all spheres in the service industry.

Benji, as you know my Indy in the Durban was my go-to guy for many years. He as well, has fallen off the wagon, crappy service, forgetfulness. Going with the times, maybe?

I needed my Jetta serviced by my VW Indy, i am still waiting for him to call me back, it been 2 months! Yes, I managed to use another indy to get the job done.

Recently I did some tidying up at home, new paving ETC. By the second day I realized, I had to take a week's leave just to make sure the paving guy does his job correctly. This was a reputable company. On day 4 I gave him the boot.

Coupled with some tidying up at home, the BC had to take care of some resultant damage at home due to a burst geyser.
The contractor that was awarded, firstly tried to not do a like for ceiling in my bathroom, then they 'underquoted' on the cupboard and wanted me to accept something that didn't fit in with the design of the bathroom. Thereafter the wrong door was fitted to the bathroom. This coming from a service provider that had come out and quoted, prior to being awarded the job from the BC.

In the end they thought the end user will accept their short comings. I was having none of it.

My sister did some major renovations at home. Fast forward a year later, she in busy with underpinning the foundation as the contractor who it did originally, cut corners on the foundation even after supplying an engineer's certificate. He is not owning up to his mistake even after a new engineer has pointed it out after assessing the foundation. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

Are we being too fussy or anal for sticking to our guns in getting the end result that we desire. No!
If a service was quoted for, we must make sure we get what we paid for if not people will away all the time and things will fall to S&*T.

 

[Lungs033]

Drivers seat before:
View attachment 16932

And after application of the Colourlock leather refresh products, custom mixed to match the original factory leather:

View attachment 16933
Lovely.

Hi Benji, do you have the exact product list?, I have the same interior and would like to give this a shot

 

[Benji]

There are a few very good service providers left across all spheres in the service industry.

Benji, as you know my Indy in the Durban was my go-to guy for many years. He as well, has fallen off the wagon, crappy service, forgetfulness. Going with the times, maybe?

I needed my Jetta serviced by my VW Indy, i am still waiting for him to call me back, it been 2 months! Yes, I managed to use another indy to get the job done.

Recently I did some tidying up at home, new paving ETC. By the second day I realized, I had to take a week's leave just to make sure the paving guy does his job correctly. This was a reputable company. On day 4 I gave him the boot.

Coupled with some tidying up at home, the BC had to take care of some resultant damage at home due to a burst geyser.
The contractor that was awarded, firstly tried to not do a like for ceiling in my bathroom, then they 'underquoted' on the cupboard and wanted me to accept something that didn't fit in with the design of the bathroom. Thereafter the wrong door was fitted to the bathroom. This coming from a service provider that had come out and quoted, prior to being awarded the job from the BC.

In the end they thought the end user will accept their short comings. I was having none of it.

My sister did some major renovations at home. Fast forward a year later, she in busy with underpinning the foundation as the contractor who it did originally, cut corners on the foundation even after supplying an engineer's certificate. He is not owning up to his mistake even after a new engineer has pointed it out after assessing the foundation. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

Are we being too fussy or anal for sticking to our guns in getting the end result that we desire. No!
If a service was quoted for, we must make sure we get what we paid for if not people will away all the time and things will fall to S&*T.

Sorry I missed this...I'd love to hear a story of a contractor actually doing a decent job we had our thatch lapa redone and had to replace the vertical poles. Each pole is leaning and the contractor insisted my eyes are deceiving me...the mind boggles

Hi Benji, do you have the exact product list?, I have the same interior and would like to give this a shot

You need to send them a sample of your leather so they can colour match a dye for you. You will need a small bottle of mild leather cleaner, cleaning spirits, ONE SMALL bottle of dye and a small bottle of leather treatment. Dont let the guy sell you the big 1L bottles, it is waaaay too much for an interior. Ask me how I know 👀 Duane is in PE 083 6five3 4zero88

 

[Benji]

I have not really made much progress on this car, I have borderline lost interest at this point. The reassembly process has revealed things I am not happy about, so the car has gone back in to the paint shop TWICE. It is currently there now, the new owners have been surprisingly great and have fixed the issues free of charge. The passenger door handle had some paint polished off it, the drivers fender had some fish eyes (I tried to flat them out, but went thru the clearcoat) and the front bumper had some weird burn marks and glitter anomalies. They are fixing all this for me at no cost which is great.

I have in the meanwhile decided that the whole car needs to be block sanded and repolished. In trying to get the paint blemishes out, I ended up with some panels being nice and smooth while other panels had the typical orange peel. When did I become such a masochist? Wet sanding in winter is not a fun past time, so I'll start on the suspension work as soon as I get the car back.

I am "almost" finished, there is some light at the end of the tunnel:

• Flat and polish whole car
• Reassemble lights, bumpers, rubbers, door panels etc
• Remove exhaust, diff, prop, gearbox, rear subframe
• Rebuild entire suspension including subframe bushes
• Reseal and install new 3.15 diff
• Reseal gearbox and replace lock pins and detents
• Rebuild driveshaft
• Refresh brakes front and rear

Not a very bright light, one has to admit

 

[Spanky]

You may need JWST to detect those couple of photons 😅

 

[Benji]

Time flies when you do nothing...guess who is finally home and in an acceptable state. There were issues with the bonnet where the paint was sinking or cracking. Turns out the shop simply primed and painted the bonnet which had previously been repainted twice. The first paint layer was of very poor quality with many cracks. Bonnet was taken back to the metal and done properly. Most South African matriculants cant count up to the high numbers of paint layers that were eventually on the bonnet!



Also, I spent yet more money on this car by buying a few M5 parts...the other M5 parts are all mechanical...