E92 M3 'refresher' thread

[Ratslaaf]

So seeing as the other thread kinda ran its course and I ended up getting a nice M3, I'll be noting some of the maintenance and updates to the car in this thread.

The most pressing issues at this point is:
1. Changing the Engine, Gearbox and Diff fluids. This is on its way
2. Replacing the rear bumper. This is on its way
3. Getting the 'spots of stray paint' removed from the car. Not exactly sure how I'm going to do this, but I'll start by claying the car just to get a clean base to work from. This I have already
4. Freshening up the already good interior to remove some of the wear marks. Luckily these are pretty superficial. Waiting for the Magic Erasers.
5. Getting a Mulf installed, this is on its way already.
6. Restoring the front lights. The stuff I need is here already
7. Have a real expert go over the drivetrain to make sure this is all good, looking at things like the guibo and the propshaft, etc. Any takers?
.
.
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1223431. Doing a full detail. This part bugs me as I don't think my back will play along. But it'll get rid of all the swirl marks that's all over the car.

On the wishlist
1. Get the plugs and air filters replaced
2. Get the used oil sent for analysis. Anyone can recommend someone locally that can do this? This should be a priority, but motor still sounds healthy and feels good.
3. Replace or Refurb the Mags
4. Get tyres done.
5. Strip the front of the car and clean out every last inch of that engine bay. Also, removing all the wheel and belly panels and clean these cavities properly.
6. Get a diffuser fitted at the back
7. Get a crossflow system installed.
8. Get LEDs for the Angel eyes.
9. Do a LED update on the interior
10. Get LCI taillights and change to an FRM 3 (which I have already).
11. Spray the calipers in gloss black
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.
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.
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877823. Do software on the car.

This is all I can think about for now. The idea is to bring it back to that 'just left the factory' look. I was going to give myself a time limit to get this done but decided against it. I just want to take my time and enjoy every single moment of working on this special car.

 

[moesaley]

:ttiuwp:

 

[131GAV]

yama.... hoyo...

Long list there buddy... Please share the progress...raise:

 

[Shay_shay]

No 5. Sounds like quite the task there bud lol

All the best. Keep us posted with some before and after shots

 

[Nemo]

More Pics Needed :clapper::clapper::clapper::clapper:

 

[Ratslaaf]

Hehe, thanks gents. Pics will be incoming trust me! I'm a pic nut...

Just ordered a new M badge for the back as well as the old one looked a little worse for wear. R650 fml...

Also grabbed some colour matched paint for this car and the E90. This, and some Turtle Wax scratch repair to try my hand at fixing the odd paint chip. Will try this first on another car and hone my skill a little first.

 

[ClassicB]

Nice, congrats Gert on the M3!

 

[444YYY]

You can try Wearcheck for oil analysis.. Google will help with a contact number.
Post the price of the spark plugs.. I'm curious, as they double up as knock sensors as well!

 

[Ratslaaf]

You can try Wearcheck for oil analysis.. Google will help with a contact number.

Excellent, will do.

Post the price of the spark plugs.. I'm curious, as they double up as knock sensors as well!

Oh crap, I see that's gonna suck for my wallet...

 

[GPGrobler]

Do you intend to buy all the parts from BMW, or will Goldwagen be your friend? :idea:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

V8 MPower :coolShake: looking forward to a pic or 2

 

[S65B44]

You might also want to consider throttle bodies (1 for each bank = 2) and also consider getting beefed up rod bearings from overseas. Mine just packed out, and the car is 20 days off motorplan. Fighting with BMW to get the engine replaced due to me complaining for engine knocking/ticking a week or so before my plan was over. So far they rejecting me saying that I over-revved the engine...

The above are the 2 weak spots in our s65's... and a little preventive measures goes a long way...

 

[Ratslaaf]

^^^ thanks for that. I was aware of the bearing issue, hence me wanting to take samples of the oil and get it tested. That being said, it might be a good idea replacing them anyway although I'm a little reluctant to mess with something that might not be broken.

This being said, it appears the car is using a little oil. I've done around 500km or so and its used about 300ml if I had to guess. I did drive it like an ape so I guess this is to be expected. What's your experience on oil consumption?

I wasn't aware of the throttle bodies though, I will read up about that. Thanks!

 

[S65B44]

^^^ thanks for that. I was aware of the bearing issue, hence me wanting to take samples of the oil and get it tested. That being said, it might be a good idea replacing them anyway although I'm a little reluctant to mess with something that might not be broken.

This being said, it appears the car is using a little oil. I've done around 500km or so and its used about 300ml if I had to guess. I did drive it like an ape so I guess this is to be expected. What's your experience on oil consumption?

I wasn't aware of the throttle bodies though, I will read up about that. Thanks!

Oil analysis is good, but only helps when u have a history of it so you can keep tabs on certain alloys. Doing it now for the first time won't help with detecting anything as you have no history to compare to. My bearings popped literally as I left my mechanic where we discussed cost and date to replace bearings... You cant tell when they will give, im just lucky i wasn't pushing to have rods come out the case...

I only topped up oil once on mine, they do tend to drink some..

 

[Ratslaaf]

Hmmm, I've also got no idea what oil is in the car. It might be plane Jane 5W40 and thus thinner than the recommended 10W60, thus potentially higher oil consumption. This is one thing I'm monitoring very very closely at the moment.

Anyway, an update! I know I said I'm leaving detailing till last, but the poor condition of the paint is really bugging me. So I got started with it today and got the right half of the car about done. There's still some deep scratches, so I will need a more aggressive pad on these. Currently I'm running Scholl 17 on a medium purple pad. And it turns out the car is dark blue, not black. Who would've thought hahaha

Carbon roof. A really nice difference the polishing makes when you compare left and right


Bit of a selfie there


Gloss is not too bad actually, bearing in mind the car still needs to be cleaned again and coated with some Black Fire


Oh, and not to forget the most important of all

 

[GPGrobler]

Gert, just some short questions: does Black Fire also work on white paint and metallic? Where do I buy it if it works?

Thanks

 

[Jerez]

Jerez black, unlike carbon black is a dark shade of Purple.... Take it to a service station one night and you'll see it clearly....
Also, please don't compromise on the oil.Recommended is the Castrol Edge.
Re Throttle Bodies.... I can't comment but my throttle actuators were changed at 60k kms. Are they the same thing.
The dealership changes the actuators on both banks at a cost of £1700 incl labour- I think the parts cost £1200.

Ensure disks aren't scored.
Oh, please don't do the back box conversion.... The one where you take a can opener and remove the packing and run a straight pipe through.... You're just raping the car if you do that and it sounds like you're going for an OEM clean up.


All the best with the car man

 

[Ratslaaf]

^^^ Thanks man,

I'm going for Liqui Moly GT1 10W60 on the car. Since BMW dropped Castrol I've been reluctant to use that. Personally I think LM is a superior product anyway, purely subjective of course.

Gert, just some short questions: does Black Fire also work on white paint and metallic? Where do I buy it if it works?

I'm not sure about white hey, best to ask Pravin from Crazy Detailer - that's where I bought mine.


Anyway, you guys asked for some pics and here you go. What I can tell you is that the Black Fire is just totally sick on the car. I can't get over how it just makes the car stand out and has that cool wet look to it. And greatest of all? It's a sealer so has a little more life in it than wax

And sorry for the pic bombing















There's still some deep scratches that I couldn't get out nicely. I'll give a go again when it's time again, I need more aggressive pads and I believe Pravin is getting in some good stuff this week so keep 'em peeled. I got the stray paint marks out by using some Meguire's Scratch remover and liberally rubbing over the paint marks to get them out. Worked a treat without damaging the underlying paint at all.


I should have the new rear bumper next weekend so it's going to be another fun filled couple of days as I'm going to be putting the car on tressles and in all likelyhood it's going to stay like that for a few weeks as I spend time under the car. But for now, I'm happy enough with where I'm at and don't need to feel overly ashamed of the condition of the car anymore.

 

[///Moose]

Looking sweet bud, good work on spending some time getting the paintwork right!
Btw you not helping my case here, so much want lol...

 

[Ratslaaf]

Just do eeet!!