Mr. Roboto
Well-known member
Awesome! Things are coming along well, so excited for what this next chapter will bring for you.
I'll be waiting for the pics of the clean XJ
I'll be waiting for the pics of the clean XJ
Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT From a "double" to a DOUBLE
- Thread starter Purist
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
Couple business updates and then an M3 update.
On the business front, I've now got AIR!!!
Oh and I've got a small leak (landlord already dispatched someone to fix it):
Leak is coming from here:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/51911313827_510c609bcf_b.jpg" width="576" height="1024" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With the slightly warmer temps, all the snow on the roof melted and the tiny leak became a little bigger:
My temporary workspace:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/51916640855_f73bf00404_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As for the M3, I spoiled her a bit and got her some new bling:
Karbonius Carbon Fiber Strut Bar, which is basically an improved BMW Performance Strut Bar and will match may CSL airbox beautifully:
Over the next few days, my plan is to remove the CSL box so I can swap back to a non-CSL dipstick and plug up one hole in the back of the box that I forgot about that may be contributing to an occasional CEL. While I'm in there, I'm also going to swap out the 5 remaining ignition coils. I'll also slap the "M Power" decal on the box and reinstall everything while I wait out the last few weeks of "winter" before driving season is upon us.
Then this old girl is heading straight to entICED Garage for a thorough, dry ice detail!!!!
Side note, anyone else pick up GT7 recently???
On the business front, I've now got AIR!!!
Oh and I've got a small leak (landlord already dispatched someone to fix it):
Leak is coming from here:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/51911313827_510c609bcf_b.jpg" width="576" height="1024" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With the slightly warmer temps, all the snow on the roof melted and the tiny leak became a little bigger:
My temporary workspace:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/51916640855_f73bf00404_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As for the M3, I spoiled her a bit and got her some new bling:
Karbonius Carbon Fiber Strut Bar, which is basically an improved BMW Performance Strut Bar and will match may CSL airbox beautifully:
Over the next few days, my plan is to remove the CSL box so I can swap back to a non-CSL dipstick and plug up one hole in the back of the box that I forgot about that may be contributing to an occasional CEL. While I'm in there, I'm also going to swap out the 5 remaining ignition coils. I'll also slap the "M Power" decal on the box and reinstall everything while I wait out the last few weeks of "winter" before driving season is upon us.
Then this old girl is heading straight to entICED Garage for a thorough, dry ice detail!!!!
Side note, anyone else pick up GT7 recently???
Mr. Roboto
Well-known member
Awesome! Looks like one serious setup. What else do you need to do before you can start shooting ice? Also, another fine piece of CF for you. Will look great on there. Do you ever plan on tracking your car? I’m sure it would perform great with all the mods you’ve done!
No GT7 for me, since it’s not coming to PC. I did pick up forza horizon when it released, but have barely touched it still struggling hard at night with the baby, so no gaming time for me.
No GT7 for me, since it’s not coming to PC. I did pick up forza horizon when it released, but have barely touched it
still struggling hard at night with the baby, so no gaming time for me.Nothing...just need ice!! Oh and to figure out how to use the dry ice machine without any guidance. I trained with it in Florida back in the fall, but it was already setup for me so all I had to do was grab the gun and start shooting. But I'm a pretty techy savvy/intuitive guy, so I think I'll be just fine!Awesome! Looks like one serious setup. What else do you need to do before you can start shooting ice? Also, another fine piece of CF for you. Will look great on there. Do you ever plan on tracking your car? I’m sure it would perform great with all the mods you’ve done!
No GT7 for me, since it’s not coming to PC. I did pick up forza horizon when it released, but have barely touched it
And yes, Karbonius makes the most gorgeous CF parts for BMWs. I don't think I'll ever do any ******** tracking with my M3, but I could foresee some light duty work, like auto-x and HPDE.
Forza Horizon 5 is insane, as well!!! Sorry to hear about the night struggles with the little one ...I get it...it's not easy. Best of luck, my friend!!! And we still need to get together for drinks when it warms up. I'll be in Portsmouth next weekend with the wife, sister and brother-in-law for a few nights. Staying at Wentworth by the Sea.
Mr. Roboto
Well-known member
Thats great! I have no doubt you’ll get it figured out, you’ve come this far hahaha.
And for sure, we will absolutely make drinks happen! Looking forward to it, after all these years haha.
And have a great time in Portsmouth! We love it up there. One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is shoot up on a nice day, grab lunch outside, and walk around downtown and down by the water.
And for sure, we will absolutely make drinks happen! Looking forward to it, after all these years haha.
And have a great time in Portsmouth! We love it up there. One of my favorite things to do on a Sunday afternoon is shoot up on a nice day, grab lunch outside, and walk around downtown and down by the water.
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Indeed I did! I'll eventually figure out the best workflows to be as efficient as possible, but I figured it out fairly quickly yesterday.
And also had some unexpected, exciting news. Got my first client vehicle dropped off to me:
Spent a good chunk of the day practicing on my GX470:
Before
After
Before
After
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Nice to see, what results look like. Yeah I can only imagine the dust.
ricketycricket
Well-known member
I have been logging in each day hoping to see an update on your progress. I was glad to finally see one today! Looks like you are getting everything dialed in. Containing that dirt seems like an insurmountable task though! Seems like the best you could so is isolate it to a smaller space instead of having it ALL over the shop. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Need to get some sort of curtain/enclosure in place ASAP. My poor compressor doesn't like sucking up all this dirty air.
Exactly...need to contain the dirt/dust to where the vehicle is being cleaned and minimize it from getting everywhere else around the shop. I've got some ideas...just need to make it happen.
Thanks for the support and kind words!
TX4runner
Well-known member
Nice to see you're up and running. Ya, you can see all the debris in that last photo of the MB. Good luck with the containment project and the business!
Thank you, sir!
Home garage update. Spent some time yesterday giving the garage a spring cleaning, of sorts, as well as some reorganization.
Took everything down that I had stored above the upper cabinets and wiped everything down. Relocated my e46 M3 OEM parts that I’ve removed since ownership from the garage to the basement.
Took everything down that I had stored above the upper cabinets and wiped everything down. Relocated my e46 M3 OEM parts that I’ve removed since ownership from the garage to the basement.
And I finally mounted my new Karbonius strut bar, which involved flipping the positive terminal located in the engine bay (battery is in the trunk) to allow for proper fitment. Also swapped in new coils for cylinders 2-6, removed the CSL dipstick and went back to a non-CSL version, and mounted the ‘M Power’ decal on the intake.
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm familiar with the process you are using and understand the mess. In industry we would use pvc pipe and cheap tarps or vizquueen. I wonder if a cheap clear plastic disposable car cover would keep most of the mess at bay.
Good luck on the new venture.
Good luck on the new venture.
Mr. Roboto
Well-known member
I think you just need to set up a Dexter kill room around that lift and you'll be all set! haha.
Looking good all around man, at home and at the shop. All that CF sure does look spicy, too
Looking good all around man, at home and at the shop. All that CF sure does look spicy, too
I've considered that but think I'll probably opt for industrial curtains hung from threaded rod and clamps from the ceiling. I think that'll be my best bet and not super cost prohibitive, either.
Thank you!
I think you just need to set up a Dexter kill room around that lift and you'll be all set! haha.
Looking good all around man, at home and at the shop. All that CF sure does look spicy, too
Now you're talking!!As always, thanks for the kind words, bud!
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Just gave you crosslink over to bimmerpost. some guys looking into cleaning. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1913992
Thank you, sir!
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Not a problem, Small Business need all the support they can garner. I hope it helps.
Although I have yet to get her up on the lift for a full undercarriage cleaning, I spent a few minutes last week spot cleaning the M3 with dry ice. Did the wheels, gas filler and a few spots in the engine bay:
BEFORE
AFTER
On Sunday, a buddy and I rode down to the first Audrain Museum Cars and Coffee of the season at Fort Adams in Newport,RI:
And after a nearly 3 month wait, a little more carbon fiber arrived for the engine bay. I was convinced it was going to be destroyed based on the condition of the box...alas, it was not:
BEFORE
AFTER
And one last thing...an awesome birthday gift from my sister:
BEFORE
AFTER
On Sunday, a buddy and I rode down to the first Audrain Museum Cars and Coffee of the season at Fort Adams in Newport,RI:
And after a nearly 3 month wait, a little more carbon fiber arrived for the engine bay. I was convinced it was going to be destroyed based on the condition of the box...alas, it was not:
BEFORE
AFTER
And one last thing...an awesome birthday gift from my sister:
Had some fun last week with my shop neighbor's race car, removing sound deadening from his interior:
Also, this was dropped off yesterday morning for a full undercarriage cleaning (15k mile, all original....FOR SALE!!!):
And yesterday afternoon, got the M3 dyno-tuned to help address a sporadic check engine light/fuel bank code I'd been receiving since getting the car tuned after installing the Karbonius intake.
So I had my laptop plugged into the OBDII port, while my tuner was remote connected to the laptop from his location (California, I believe). Was my first ever experience at a dyno...pretty happy with the numbers she put down considering she's 17 years old and only modifications are the intake and the muffler/rear section:
And now for the fun stuff.....noises:
Man, 6 individual throttle bodies + the Karbonius intake sound utterly amazing!!!!
Also, this was dropped off yesterday morning for a full undercarriage cleaning (15k mile, all original....FOR SALE!!!):
And yesterday afternoon, got the M3 dyno-tuned to help address a sporadic check engine light/fuel bank code I'd been receiving since getting the car tuned after installing the Karbonius intake.
So I had my laptop plugged into the OBDII port, while my tuner was remote connected to the laptop from his location (California, I believe). Was my first ever experience at a dyno...pretty happy with the numbers she put down considering she's 17 years old and only modifications are the intake and the muffler/rear section:
And now for the fun stuff.....noises:
Man, 6 individual throttle bodies + the Karbonius intake sound utterly amazing!!!!
I just couldn't take it anymore...the Lexus is simply not for me (it's for SALE, if anyone wants it!). Picked this up (the photos are crappy, sorry in advance) last week and plan to turn it into a cool, little dad wagon. Lower it, new wheels, gloss black grilles, and it'll look great!
More rollers of the E46 M3:
Look closely below and you can see my awkward side glance at the photographer!
Killer video that a cousin of mine shot for the business (same guy who shot the rollers of my M3);
I've been trying to find more excuses to drive the M3 whenever possible. Having the boys at an age where I can plop them into booster seats makes this so much easier, and it helps that they love being in that car. Took a 1/2 day and brought my youngest to the playground last Monday when my mom was sick with bronchitis and unable to watch him like she usually does on Mondays. So, we took the M3 out:
Thought this was a decent shot since you could also make out the vanity plate:
My oldest son playing "mechanic" the other day:
These were in the showroom when I was filling out paperwork for the E91:
Got a new toy from Obsessed Garage and can't wait to try it out on the wagon:
Picked this up off eBay recently....#twinning:
And a few shots from the wash I gave the M3 Saturday evening (wagon peeking out):
And yesterday morning, we took a family drive to breakfast in the, you guessed it, M3. We ate outside and had a great view:
(excuse the missing lens...my son's glasses broke, but he thought he looked like a pirate, so he kept them on):
More rollers of the E46 M3:
Look closely below and you can see my awkward side glance at the photographer!
Killer video that a cousin of mine shot for the business (same guy who shot the rollers of my M3);
I've been trying to find more excuses to drive the M3 whenever possible. Having the boys at an age where I can plop them into booster seats makes this so much easier, and it helps that they love being in that car. Took a 1/2 day and brought my youngest to the playground last Monday when my mom was sick with bronchitis and unable to watch him like she usually does on Mondays. So, we took the M3 out:
Thought this was a decent shot since you could also make out the vanity plate:
My oldest son playing "mechanic" the other day:
These were in the showroom when I was filling out paperwork for the E91:
Got a new toy from Obsessed Garage and can't wait to try it out on the wagon:
Picked this up off eBay recently....#twinning:
And a few shots from the wash I gave the M3 Saturday evening (wagon peeking out):
And yesterday morning, we took a family drive to breakfast in the, you guessed it, M3. We ate outside and had a great view:
(excuse the missing lens...my son's glasses broke, but he thought he looked like a pirate, so he kept them on):
M-technik-3
Well-known member
That last shot is great...reminds me of my grand daughter, she would have done something like that.
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Some shop updates:
Took a new approach and stole this idea from another dry ice provider...using painters drop cloths (canvas) to take the brunt of the dirt-catching duties, rather than constantly dirty up my concrete floors. They're cheap enough so I can keep these in place until they get really dirty, then toss them in the dumpster and replace them with fresh ones. Rinse and repeat:
Top coat was put down in the parking lot at the shop at the end of May, and the parking spaces were striped and numbered:
In terms of business, had some cool developments. A local Porsche/McLaren mechanic dropped off a motor from an air-cooled Porsche to get cleaned up while it was out of the car:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52103874608_a90b49d671_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Then, my shop neighbor talked one of his customers into getting his Ferrari Mondial cleaned up a bit in preparation for some custom exhaust work:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52109043042_73bea4ed38_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52110308289_7f332e4da6_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52109044492_deefc9a608_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Had this Alfa Spider in for an engine bay detail early last month:
BEFORE
AFTER
Had a bunch of ice left over, so I got to cleaning. A client had dropped off a set of euro taillights for his E36 M3 that were pretty gunked up. They cleaned up very well and the dry ice brought the gaskets back to new:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52136779133_e18bb81b23_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As far as personal cars go....on the E91, I ditched the chrome grilles in favor of some gloss black:
Also replaced the busted center bumper grille:
More to come...
Took a new approach and stole this idea from another dry ice provider...using painters drop cloths (canvas) to take the brunt of the dirt-catching duties, rather than constantly dirty up my concrete floors. They're cheap enough so I can keep these in place until they get really dirty, then toss them in the dumpster and replace them with fresh ones. Rinse and repeat:
Top coat was put down in the parking lot at the shop at the end of May, and the parking spaces were striped and numbered:
In terms of business, had some cool developments. A local Porsche/McLaren mechanic dropped off a motor from an air-cooled Porsche to get cleaned up while it was out of the car:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52103874608_a90b49d671_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Then, my shop neighbor talked one of his customers into getting his Ferrari Mondial cleaned up a bit in preparation for some custom exhaust work:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52109043042_73bea4ed38_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52110308289_7f332e4da6_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52109044492_deefc9a608_c.jpg" width="450" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Had this Alfa Spider in for an engine bay detail early last month:
BEFORE
AFTER
Had a bunch of ice left over, so I got to cleaning. A client had dropped off a set of euro taillights for his E36 M3 that were pretty gunked up. They cleaned up very well and the dry ice brought the gaskets back to new:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href=" " title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52136779133_e18bb81b23_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As far as personal cars go....on the E91, I ditched the chrome grilles in favor of some gloss black:
Also replaced the busted center bumper grille:
More to come...
Still catching up...late June updates here.
Car covered in pollen and in need of a wash:
Said wash:
Swapped out the old man spec tan leather boots (the ebrake boot was ripped) in the wagon for some alcantara options:
Another M3 wash...decided to take a few time lapse videos:
Cousin's wedding calls for M-Tech watch band over my normal sport band:
Hit up a recent BMW CCA Cars & Coffee with my buddy Chris and his E93 M3:
Upgraded the wagon a bit:
Not a bad, little daily...but boy do I miss my M340i:
Lawn was looking pretty good after a recent cut:
Took my wife to Newport,RI for her birthday recently, along with my sister-in-law and some friends. Happened to spot my first Rivian in real life:
Cheers!
Car covered in pollen and in need of a wash:
Said wash:
Swapped out the old man spec tan leather boots (the ebrake boot was ripped) in the wagon for some alcantara options:
Another M3 wash...decided to take a few time lapse videos:
Cousin's wedding calls for M-Tech watch band over my normal sport band:
Hit up a recent BMW CCA Cars & Coffee with my buddy Chris and his E93 M3:
Upgraded the wagon a bit:
Not a bad, little daily...but boy do I miss my M340i:
Lawn was looking pretty good after a recent cut:
Took my wife to Newport,RI for her birthday recently, along with my sister-in-law and some friends. Happened to spot my first Rivian in real life:
Cheers!
M-technik-3
Well-known member
Nice updates. no pics from enticed gtg?
Those should be up a little later this morning!
entICED Garage Cars & Coffee
July 24, 2022
I didn't take many photos the day of (too busy w/ introductions and chatting up individuals), but here are photos from myself and others who shared them with me:
A buddy of mine took this photo and photoshopped my logo onto the door. I actually sort of want to do this now:
Even with the crazy heat (temps were in the mid 90s, real feel was probably around 100 degrees), we had a great turnout. I'd say we had between 40-50 cars throughout the morning. Gave away a free engine bay dry ice detail. And hopefully drummed up some business.
Thinking of hosting another general (non-BMW Car Club) Cars & Coffee at the end of the summer.
July 24, 2022
I didn't take many photos the day of (too busy w/ introductions and chatting up individuals), but here are photos from myself and others who shared them with me:
A buddy of mine took this photo and photoshopped my logo onto the door. I actually sort of want to do this now:
Even with the crazy heat (temps were in the mid 90s, real feel was probably around 100 degrees), we had a great turnout. I'd say we had between 40-50 cars throughout the morning. Gave away a free engine bay dry ice detail. And hopefully drummed up some business.
Thinking of hosting another general (non-BMW Car Club) Cars & Coffee at the end of the summer.
M-technik-3
Well-known member
If your bored this weekend there is a Lemon's race at Thompson, I will be assisting/crewing for buddy's team.
Don't think I ever mentioned it here, but we finally gave my wife an upgrade over her 2013 WK2 Grand Cherokee Limited:
2019 BMW X5, same motor (B58) as my prior M340i had, which is a very fun, potent motor, even on this heavier vehicle. She is taking much better care of it than she did her Grand Cherokee:
Driving the X5 really makes me miss my M340i....
And now, a random photo dump from the last few months
As for the M3, how **** is this engine bay with all that carbon fiber goodness?!
I had some play money burning a hole in my pocket and finally pulled the trigger on something I've wanted to do since buying the car. Swapping out the worn black OEM armrest for an OEM Imola Red armrest. It's the little things that really make a difference:
A few days after this, my oldest asked if he could "play" mechanic with his Power Wheels Ford Raptor. Of course, kid!
Took the wife and boys out for breakfast. Donuts for the kids, and had to snap this photo while waiting:
At the coffee/bagel food truck, we had a nice view during breakfast:
Got another cool reflection shot of my car after leaving my barber:
Got the lawn dialed in for my oldest son's 7th birthday party, since the weather was looking promising enough for us to hold it outside. You never know with New England:
Also grabbed this nifty little item from etsy. An Ego leaf blower turbo clip, so that I can give my overworked thumb a break when drying my cars and blowing leaves/grass. Highly recommend this. It's cheap, but feels solid-enough:
I don't know about any of you, but I'm going to win the Obsessed Garage M2CS (not really):
Gave the M3 a much overdue wash last week:
And brought it the shop last Friday for some dry ice cleaning, finally:
After some partial cleaning...can you spot the differences?:
2019 BMW X5, same motor (B58) as my prior M340i had, which is a very fun, potent motor, even on this heavier vehicle. She is taking much better care of it than she did her Grand Cherokee:
Driving the X5 really makes me miss my M340i....
And now, a random photo dump from the last few months
As for the M3, how **** is this engine bay with all that carbon fiber goodness?!
I had some play money burning a hole in my pocket and finally pulled the trigger on something I've wanted to do since buying the car. Swapping out the worn black OEM armrest for an OEM Imola Red armrest. It's the little things that really make a difference:
A few days after this, my oldest asked if he could "play" mechanic with his Power Wheels Ford Raptor. Of course, kid!
Took the wife and boys out for breakfast. Donuts for the kids, and had to snap this photo while waiting:
At the coffee/bagel food truck, we had a nice view during breakfast:
Got another cool reflection shot of my car after leaving my barber:
Got the lawn dialed in for my oldest son's 7th birthday party, since the weather was looking promising enough for us to hold it outside. You never know with New England:
Also grabbed this nifty little item from etsy. An Ego leaf blower turbo clip, so that I can give my overworked thumb a break when drying my cars and blowing leaves/grass. Highly recommend this. It's cheap, but feels solid-enough:
I don't know about any of you, but I'm going to win the Obsessed Garage M2CS (not really):
Gave the M3 a much overdue wash last week:
And brought it the shop last Friday for some dry ice cleaning, finally:
After some partial cleaning...can you spot the differences?:
Had some logistical issues getting my next client vehicle in, so as to not waste the dry ice I had on hand, I brought my M3 back in to finish cleaning the undercarriage.
And while the car was in the shop, I took advantage of the lift to remount the carbon fiber front lip. So glad it's finally back on....love this look:
Also took my oldest son to an Audrain Museum Cars & Coffee event last weekend in Newport,RI. He loves car shows and it's great dad/son bonding time!
My buddies E93 M3:
And while the car was in the shop, I took advantage of the lift to remount the carbon fiber front lip. So glad it's finally back on....love this look:
Also took my oldest son to an Audrain Museum Cars & Coffee event last weekend in Newport,RI. He loves car shows and it's great dad/son bonding time!
My buddies E93 M3:
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Hey folks...so, quite a lot has changed over the last few months. Not going to get into specifics and bore you all, but working my day job Mon-Wed, then doing dry ice Thursday and Friday (and weekends, when needed), along with a wife who has a demanding job and 2 young kids, one who rides the bus and one who goes to daycare, was proving to be too much of a strain on myself and my family. So starting in the fall, I performed some much needed soul searching and came to the realization that the dry ice game isn't for me. There certainly is money to be made there, but what I needed was the comfort and flexibility that goes with working from home full time, allowing me to be there for my wife and children.
So with that said, entICED Garage is no more! Wouldn't change a thing...learned so much, both about myself and about starting and running a business. But the timing wasn't right, so I'm back to my day job full time and with a newfound perspective, I'm much happier than I was before!
OK, enough of that. Mid-November is about when I put the M3 away for the winter. Looking back over the maintenance spreadsheet I keep for the car, I drove it roughly 3k miles this past season, which I'm very happy about. I would look for any excuse to take it out, especially now that my boys are old enough to use booster seats and love going for rides in the car. So she got her final wash of the season and was then parked in the garage under the OEM Noah cover:
A few days later, I gave the wagon a much needed wash. She cleans up rather nicely, but still desperately needs a paint correction:
On 11/27/22, the 4 of us visited the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport,RI to catch a glimpse of their "Youngtimers" exhibit. Basically, 80s/90s Gran Turismo ****!!
More to come tomorrow...hope you all had wonderful Holidays and Happy New Year!
So with that said, entICED Garage is no more! Wouldn't change a thing...learned so much, both about myself and about starting and running a business. But the timing wasn't right, so I'm back to my day job full time and with a newfound perspective, I'm much happier than I was before!
OK, enough of that. Mid-November is about when I put the M3 away for the winter. Looking back over the maintenance spreadsheet I keep for the car, I drove it roughly 3k miles this past season, which I'm very happy about. I would look for any excuse to take it out, especially now that my boys are old enough to use booster seats and love going for rides in the car. So she got her final wash of the season and was then parked in the garage under the OEM Noah cover:
A few days later, I gave the wagon a much needed wash. She cleans up rather nicely, but still desperately needs a paint correction:
On 11/27/22, the 4 of us visited the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport,RI to catch a glimpse of their "Youngtimers" exhibit. Basically, 80s/90s Gran Turismo ****!!
More to come tomorrow...hope you all had wonderful Holidays and Happy New Year!
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice cars. Too new for me lol 
. I’m curious does Massachusetts bother you about not having a front plate? I know here in Virginia I know people who have had tickets mailed to them for failure to display a front tag. The red light cameras are snitches here lol.
Cool museum for sure too. I love classics.
. I’m curious does Massachusetts bother you about not having a front plate? I know here in Virginia I know people who have had tickets mailed to them for failure to display a front tag. The red light cameras are snitches here lol. Cool museum for sure too. I love classics.
In the roughly 10 or so years I've driven cars without a front plate, I think I was only pulled over once for that issue. That said, I probably just jinxed myself and will be getting pulled over today for that reason. Ha!Nice cars. Too new for me lol
Cool museum for sure too. I love classics.
OK, next update. Because I sold all the equipment from the business, I was ready for a new daily driver. No more old, stinky daily drivers for me. I wasn't sure which car I'd like to get and was all over the place (I really wanted another M340i, but prices are crazy right now), so I ended up writing into the Everyday Driver Car Debate Podcast (one of the few I listen to) for their input. Much to my surprise, they debated my situation in episode 747 (if anyone wants to listen to that episode, here's the link:
Based on their suggestion, and the fact that I found the new generation of the car quite handsome, I settled on a new Civic Si. Due to the scarcity of this specific model and the markups many dealers were charging, I had to shop around quite a bit and call MANY dealerships. What limited my options even more was that I was interested in only the Aegean Blue color. The Honda dealer near me was marking up the Si $10k...that's right, $10,000.....for a CIVIC. Many dealers were marking up the Si either $5k or $10, which I refused to pay.
After a few weeks (in mid-November), I ended up finding a dealership in PA who was only marking up the vehicle $3500, and was expecting an Aegean Blue Si in mid-December. It ended up arriving on 12/12/22...photos from my salesman:
Fast forward a bit and as luck would have it, I was SUPPOSED to fly out 12/20/22 to drive the car back home, but ended up getting COVID just 4 days prior. And to say it kicked my *** would be an understatement. I was bedridden for basically 3 days. So we (my buddy with the E93 M3 tagged along for the road trip) pushed back our flight to 12/27/22.
Rather than drive straight through from PA to MA, we wanted to make a bit of a road trip out of it, so I had made a list of restaurants and breweries along our route to stop at. This was a cool spot with a great name, Bolero Snort in NJ:
To recap the trip, I woke up at 3am on the 27th of December, and pulled into my driveway at around 9:30pm that night with the car. LONG day, but well worth it. And scored just under 39mpg, to boot.
Had some unseasonably warm days at the end of last week, so I took the time to get the car dialed in and protected for winter:
Wife caught me taking some photos of the car...busted!
As for the wagon, that is in the process of being sold and should be picked up by a BMW enthusiast from NH sometime this week/weekend. Think that about catches you up to where we are at. Oh, I'm supposed to be picking up a decent set of Style 67 wheels for the M3 (see below) as a backup/spare set of wheels. They aren't perfect, but they're also really not bad, and I'm getting them for a crazy low price and will eventually have them professionally refinished. Hoping that happens on Saturday, as we are traveling to my sister's house in northern MA and the wheels are only 30 minutes from her house, in NH. The dude even agreed to meet me halfway, so just a 15 min shot from my sister's house.
So the engine bay on the Si was a bit too naked for me. I added these plastic surrounds, as well as the boy racer engine cover (still not sure how I feel about this):
BEFORE
AFTER
Check out this excellent beading on the Si's paint:
My 7 year old and I started this over the weekend. Can't wait to see the finished product:
And my wife got me this Hot Wheels display shelf as a Christmas gift. Finally got around to hanging it and displaying a few of my vehicles:
BEFORE
AFTER
Check out this excellent beading on the Si's paint:
My 7 year old and I started this over the weekend. Can't wait to see the finished product:
And my wife got me this Hot Wheels display shelf as a Christmas gift. Finally got around to hanging it and displaying a few of my vehicles:
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