The Bimmer Basement

[M Pete]

I LOVE the valve cover key-holder! So slick.

+1,000,000

I think I have an extra S54 cover laying in the parts attic. #inspired

 

[thetastelingers]

Yeah, that's slick

 

[M-technik-3]

Valve cover looks great, what did you use to finish that? It has neat shading along the seams.

 

[Mpower5266]

Valve cover looks great, what did you use to finish that? It has neat shading along the seams.

Thank everyone. I just polished it a few years ago, nothing special.

 

[Mpower5266]

Got my wheel back yesterday with a fresh tire on it. I gave it a quick clean and got it ready to reinstall this afternoon.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also ordered a bumper lip for the wagon. I thought it would kinda dress up the front end and cover some scratches I have on the bottom of the bumper, but as soon as I opened the box I knew it wouldnt work. There were rough unfinished edges all across the front of the lip.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Not up to my standards, and if they wont take it back its going in the "round file cabinet" as seen in the photo. Its just a big floppy rubber squeegee. I think Im just going to get an m sport or paint my factory bumper.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Anyway, enough complaining. My dad and I worked on the pressure washer cabinet last night.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its coming together nicely. I need to paint the inside, take my pressure washer setup apart and hopefully get it all plumbed this weekend.

 

[Mpower5266]

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. I have spent mine working. I started the weekend painting the inside of the washbay shed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

That was Saturday, and I let it dry over night. Early Sunday my dad came over to help do some plumbing.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The bucket filler, and my water delivery system.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I then installed a 2x6 to mount the reel to, and painted it and the plumbing while my dad shortened the electrical cord on my pressure washer.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Once all that dried, I moved everything into the shed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Since I grabbed the wrong glue for the CPVC I had to wait 24 hours before running water through it. Rather than wash last night I drank beer and watched the race with my buddy while everything dried.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I woke up early this morning to wash and..... leaks. The piping was fine, it just leaked anywhere I had metal threads in pvc so I did some taping.

I taped up this fitting, but the hose itself leaked so I had to cut the end off and clamp a new end on.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Ok with that leak fixed, I turned the water back on and there was a leak on my bucket filler.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I taped that a little better, turned the water back on and let it sit for a few minutes. I didn't see any more leaks so I pulled the wagon in for a wash.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I have a better bucket filler hose coming from Obsessed Garage but this will work for now.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

While washing I figured out the best spot for my wand holder and mounted it. It was so nice to not have to worry about the car drying while I did something else.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the finished product. I am so excited about this. I really have to thank my dad for all the help planning and swinging a hammer. Up next, exterior paint, roofing, and hopefully lighting soon.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[a_thiel24]

By race do you mean NASCAR race? I'm a huge Jeff Gordon and now Chase Elliott fan and that was a tough one to swallow.

 

[Mpower5266]

By race do you mean NASCAR race? I'm a huge Jeff Gordon and now Chase Elliott fan and that was a tough one to swallow.

Yep. I’m not a huge nascar fan but I’m happy to have racing to watch. What was the deal with Elliot pitting at the end? Was it a mistake or did they tell him to pit?


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[a_thiel24]

Yep. I’m not a huge nascar fan but I’m happy to have racing to watch. What was the deal with Elliot pitting at the end? Was it a mistake or did they tell him to pit?


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From what I understand, that was the pit call. And a bad one at that. But they'll be back there on Wednesday to give it another go.

 

[wannabelikemike]

Great job with the shed, the overhead cabinet really sets it off.

 

[dubber]

As mentioned on your IG super envious. Well planned and executed!

 

[Mpower5266]

Thanks guys. I cant wait to get the shed buttoned up, painted and start working on the lighting.

 

[Purist]

Looks awesome, Nick! Great work and kudos to you and your father!

 

[Mpower5266]

I spent a lot time in the wash bay this weekend. I cleaned the wagon and my wife's Tahoe Saturday. While I was finishing up Saturday, I noticed that I had an audience.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It was pretty neat, it just kinda hung out and watched me and then eventually flew up to a tree. Sunday I put the trim up on the side of the washbay shed. Just need to paint and work on the roof now.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Shortly after that, Usps dropped off my bucket filler hose that I ordered from Obsessed Garage. It is the perfect length.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Since I wanted to try out my bucket filler I pulled the M3 in for a wash. Its so nice to have everything clean.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

Since it’s going to rain for the next few days, I put some paint on the pressure washer shed.





I’m hoping to get the roof and some trim up in the next few days and the lights soon.


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[Mpower5266]

I had a pretty simple weekend. Friday grabbed some dinner and drinks with friends and ended up at another friends house that he just bought. He asked me to check out the garage and wanted some advice. One thing lead ti another and we are doing a full build out on his garage. I cant wait to get started on it. Saturday my wife and I had to run some errands so I got the M3 out for the first time in a while. It was nice to stretch its legs, but I need to do some work on it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday morning my wife and I wanted to grab something for breakfast so we hopped in the 02 and ran over to the town of Senoia. If you are a fan of walking dead the set for Alexandria is there and the main street is Woodbury. We grabbed an amazing breakfast and drove around for a little bit. I have a feeling in a few months random morning trips like this will involve calling the grandparents over to babysit. I am trying to do this as often as I can, while I still can.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We got home and my dad came over to help me put the finishing touches on the wash bay shed. We put some alum trim around the edge of the roof and used some galv steel for the roof. I also put another coat of paint on it. I think it came out great.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I did a video tour of the wash bay and how it works. It is on my youtube page and my instagram, both are @mpower5266 if you are interested.

I ended the weekend on the deck. I had a few german brews, a pretzel and hung out with the cars, and my wife of course.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am hoping to get started on the wash bay lighting soon and my buddies garage. I'm not sure if I am going to cover my friends build on here but I will likely have something on my Insta and maybe my youtube so give me a follow.

 

[TX4runner]

You should cover it here as well. I follow your Insta, so see it there, but understand it's more work to repeat everywhere.

 

[Mpower5266]

You should cover it here as well. I follow your Insta, so see it there, but understand it's more work to repeat everywhere.

I might but just kinda weird since its not my garage.

 

[XJSuperman]

I vote new thread, but again, its not yours so just tell your buddy we want him on here!

 

[Mpower5266]

I vote new thread, but again, its not yours so just tell your buddy we want him on here!

Ill ask him, hes kinda private and very security oriented. Hes changing the whole alarm system in the house because the old owners, which were in their 70's might still have access. Haha.

 

[XJSuperman]

Well nobody wants a senior that forgot they moved to crawl into bed with them at night and scare the living heck out of you.

 

[M Pete]

Didn't see the Dinan on the back before. Do you have the supercharger in there?

 

[Mpower5266]

Didn't see the Dinan on the back before. Do you have the supercharger in there?

Its just an S1, no supercharger. It was sold new with intake, exhaust, suspension, strut bars, throttle body, etc etc. It even has a Dinan serial number.

So not garage related, well kinda actually, I found my grandfathers watch. Saturday I went to help my dad put a new water heater in and we had to move some boxes to get to it. We were putting the boxes back, which happened to be full of stuff my parents took out of my grandparents house after my grandmother passed away a few years ago. We were looking at all the stuff talking about my grandfather and great grandfather(which my daughter is named after) and my dad wanted to show me some photos. He opened up my grandfathers old bureau desk and I saw a familiar name, Breitling. There was a near mint condition owners manual for a Breitling chronograph. We didnt find the watch but my dad said he would look. Yesterday while I was at work he sent a pic asking if this was it?

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I had never heard of Wakmann, so I put it in google and was delighted. They were basically the US importer for several high end watches and to avoid tariffs they re-branded a few. This watch is basically a Breitling 9122, everything is the same except the dial says Wakmann.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am so happy to have it. It keeps great time and will be my go to dress watch. I have a leather band coming, and I will probably wear it a few days before sending it to my buddies watch guy for a service. I cant wait to see what it looks like on something other than the 80's drug store band.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I know this has been a nerdy post but I am a watch nerd.

 

[rbkool]

Awesome watch and thanks for sharing - might be nerdy, but right in my wheelhouse as well

 

[nicholam77]

That's a killer watch. It will look so good on a leather strap. I knew of Wakmann for their vintage chronographs but didn't know they were mostly re-branded. What's the diameter? It has great aesthetics on its own but being a family watch I'm sure it will be very special.

 

[Mpower5266]

That's a killer watch. It will look so good on a leather strap. I knew of Wakmann for their vintage chronographs but didn't know they were mostly re-branded. What's the diameter? It has great aesthetics on its own but being a family watch I'm sure it will be very special.

Its 36mm but it wears bigger. One of the strap options will be here tonight so Ill try it on that later. It seems to wear fine on my arm.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its certainly smaller than what I normally wear. Speaking of watches, I have had this old Tissot Seastar 1000 for years, but I stopped wearing it because the bezel paint was chipping. All the parts are NLA and they arent worth much so I got some paint stripper out and made it into a "yacht master."

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

I have started ordering some of the lighting supplies for the wash bay. I wanted something small to put in the shed, and I came across these little 2 foot leds. They came in a two pack so I put one up above my workbench.





I hope to have all the stuff for the wash bay lights In this week and maybe up by next weekend.

As usual I gave the wagon a bath.



And took it to run some errands, I stopped for a little photo shoot too.

I am also kinda reorganizing the garage a little and doing some painting to repair where the pressure washer was mounted. More on that this week.


Edit: Not to overload this with watches but I did get the leather band on the Wakmann. Much better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr
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[Arclitgold]

Looks awesome. Your garage sure shaped up in a hurry!


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[A35Plt]

Make sure you get a firm price before you have that watch serviced. Sometimes the service bill is far more than what the watch is worth.

 

[Mpower5266]

Make sure you get a firm price before you have that watch serviced. Sometimes the service bill is far more than what the watch is worth.

Yeah the first guy I spoke with about it said his minimum is $450 but he would need to open it to see if it needs more. It keeps perfect time and I don't plan on wearing it too often so I think I risk not getting it serviced right away.

I got the wash bay lights in last night. I did a quick test run with one by plugging it into an extension cord and having my wife snap a pic while I held it up on a ladder out of frame... while wearing Crocs. OSHA would be proud.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

6 of these is going to be awesome. I cant want to do a night wash.

 

[XJSuperman]

You might be the only person I know of who gets truly excited about a car wash. We all like a clean vehicle, but few of us enjoy the process. I expected the lights to go 90degrees from where you showed it. But I think your move will be better. 6 should be plenty, judging by your pic.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I am so happy to have it. It keeps great time and will be my go to dress watch. I have a leather band coming, and I will probably wear it a few days before sending it to my buddies watch guy for a service. I cant wait to see what it looks like on something other than the 80's drug store band.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I know this has been a nerdy post but I am a watch nerd.

Sweet! Good call on sending it in for service. What's inside, Valjoux 7733?

In a similar score, my wife and I recently went over to her dad's place to help him with his new riding mower. It's a little 30" Craftsman rear-engine, and the oil drain plug is a reversed square drive...an outie, not an innie. So I took an assortment of tools over and found a 13mm 12-point socket that fit well, and left it along with a ratchet, extension, and 10mm socket for his little snowblower.

At one point, he wandered into the house, and asked me if I had a "stopwatch." Thinking he meant a normal stopwatch, I said no...then he handed me a worn Heuer chronograph. It's from their 'budget line' of the late '70s, so it doesn't have a name like the Camaro, Monaco, etc. But it's still legit, and uses a Valjoux 7734, which adds a date feature over your presumed 7733. Like yours, started right up and was keeping excellent time.

Apparently a friend of his traveled to Switzerland in '79 or '80, so FIL told him to bring back a watch, any old watch. I like his choice.

It's chrome plated and is slightly pitted and worn down to the copper plating in one spot, so I'm tempted to have it cleaned up and rhodium plated as well as serviced. Crystal's scratched to hell, hopefully it'll polish out. I love the '70s styling!

 

[Mpower5266]

You might be the only person I know of who gets truly excited about a car wash. We all like a clean vehicle, but few of us enjoy the process. I expected the lights to go 90degrees from where you showed it. But I think your move will be better. 6 should be plenty, judging by your pic.

Its my moment of zen. I just enjoy the time to think and end up with a clean car at the end of the process.

Sweet! Good call on sending it in for service. What's inside, Valjoux 7733?

In a similar score, my wife and I recently went over to her dad's place to help him with his new riding mower. It's a little 30" Craftsman rear-engine, and the oil drain plug is a reversed square drive...an outie, not an innie. So I took an assortment of tools over and found a 13mm 12-point socket that fit well, and left it along with a ratchet, extension, and 10mm socket for his little snowblower.

At one point, he wandered into the house, and asked me if I had a "stopwatch." Thinking he meant a normal stopwatch, I said no...then he handed me a worn Heuer chronograph. It's from their 'budget line' of the late '70s, so it doesn't have a name like the Camaro, Monaco, etc. But it's still legit, and uses a Valjoux 7734, which adds a date feature over your presumed 7733. Like yours, started right up and was keeping excellent time.

Apparently a friend of his traveled to Switzerland in '79 or '80, so FIL told him to bring back a watch, any old watch. I like his choice.

It's chrome plated and is slightly pitted and worn down to the copper plating in one spot, so I'm tempted to have it cleaned up and rhodium plated as well as serviced. Crystal's scratched to hell, hopefully it'll polish out. I love the '70s styling!

Correct it is a 7733. I have decided to hold off on the service, but I am going to talk to another guy this weekend. The Heuer is awesome, I would love to find something like that.

 

[joelb]

Just binged your thread. Awesome stuff man. Really happy you didn't give up on the stripes dealing with those paint issues because the finished product is awesome.

Love the addition of the carport too... it's giving me some ideas.

 

[Mpower5266]

Just binged your thread. Awesome stuff man. Really happy you didn't give up on the stripes dealing with those paint issues because the finished product is awesome.

Love the addition of the carport too... it's giving me some ideas.

Thanks for stopping by, I cant believe you made it through all my rambling. Haha.

 

[Mpower5266]

I had a big weekend. I ordered some oil and parts for the M3, its going to get some attention finally. I think the filter housing gasket or the oil pan is leaking. My plan is to change out the filter housing first since its cheap and easy and monitor it from there.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also took Friday off work. I got up to early to start the egg and throw a brisket flat on. That pretty much smoked all day so in the mean time, I got an actual haircut. It was amazing. The brisket came out pretty good too.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also roughed in the lights while the brisket was smoking.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then Friday night, I waited until it was almost dark and pulled the wagon in for a wash. I have everything run on an extension cord so I could move the lights if need be but I am very happy with them. I will work on getting them hardwired in soon and mounting a switch.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I even put a little light in the shed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

A few years ago, I watched a video of some guy washing his car in his home wash bay on youtube. It was Matt with Obsessed Garage, and I was inspired to build a bay of my own. I cant believe I actually did it. Its so awesome. The m3 needs a wash and its supposed to rain tonight, I might wash it in the bay just because I can. Haha.

The rest of the weekend I pretty much chilled out. Ran some errands Saturday morning, picked up some bourbon to try, and took my father in law to the shooting range for Fathers day. I shot my old colt for the first time in a while, and after cleaning it I did a quick little photo shoot with it, it went right back in the safe before I took a sip of bourbon.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday we got up early and went to an actual call meet. I was so busy catching up with old friends that I didn't snap any pics. It was so nice to look at cars that arent mine, and to see people I havent seen in a while. I also got my first fathers day gift ever. I think the twins wanted to make me aware that I am going to need a lot of coffee since "they" got me these awesome mugs.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am hoping the next few weeks are busy and I will have some steady updates. I need to do the work on the M3, the wagon is having some issues and I have to pull the manifold back off, finishing the wiring in the wash bay and (fingers cross) the e9 might be back soon.

 

[thetastelingers]

I have a couple of those Tampa Nugget cigar boxes. My grandfather used to smoke them when he was alive.
Can't see one without being reminded of him.

 

[Arclitgold]

Nice update!! That wash bay is awesome. Are you going to pull in the products in the winter? I have to imagine that they won’t like the cold


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[Mpower5266]

Nice update!! That wash bay is awesome. Are you going to pull in the products in the winter? I have to imagine that they won’t like the cold


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I may. It really doesnt get too terribly cold down here. I have also though about putting a small ceramic heater in shed or insulating the cabinet as well. I have until like December to figure it out. Haha.

Small E9 update. We picked up some wheel center caps for the factory 14" wheels.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Naturally I had to clean them. I started with polishing the metal. Quick wipe with IPA and then a hand polish with Nuvite "C" and "S." Here is a little before and after.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then I moved on to the roundels. Started with a hand compound. Before.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After compound, before a hand polish with Sonax.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the finished product after one last IPA wipe down and sealed with Jescar Powerlock. I could have sanded them and machined polished to get a little better finish but I think this is good enough.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[BruceH]

I've had good watch work done by Jin's in Roswell. Not your side of town. FWIW a CLA for $450 isn't a high price.