The Bimmer Basement

[Matias]

Congratulations! Hope everything is well with the whole family.

 

[swimrr]

Congratulations from a father of 6-year old twin boys. Greatest. Thing. Ever.

 

[Mpower5266]

Well it's been a busy week. Mama is doing much better as are the little ones. We got them home and immediately started them on the path to being car nerds.





And watch nerds...




And just spent a lot of time bonding with them.



Mama let me get a little garage time the other afternoon so I cleaned the 02 and m3 up with Onr.





I cleaned them to take one of them to a porche club event this morning that a friend invited me to but I was given some freetime last night so I sat on the deck and had a little me time. Just enough bourbon to get my teeth wet, not enough to keep me from doing dad stuff. It also let me stop worrying and fall asleep so I slept pretty well and missed the PCA thing this morning.



My wife's parents offered to take the kids for a few hours this afternoon so I might be able to get the wagon washed, fingers crossed. We also plan on taking them to my parents tomorrow for a while so I can polish the e9 a little. They are sleeping better and I have more energy but I don't want to over do it.


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[qwerty18]

I'd read that book too.

Title?

 

[Mpower5266]

I'd read that book too.

Title?

T is for Turbo.


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[Arclitgold]

Nice work! Pretty sure I didn’t get any garage time until after the first few months so good job there


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[Mpower5266]

All has been well, the kiddos are even sleeping most of the night. Sadly tomorrow I have to go back to work so I didn't get as much done while I was off as I was hoping. About a week ago my wife did let me sneak out and wash the wagon while the twins were napping.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

A couple days later, her parents come over to hang out with the kids so I snuck down to the garage to put together a storage cabinet. My detailing stuff is kinda over flowing out of the current one and this will give us some space for baby stuff and random thinks like coolers.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

In the mean time, my dad has been plugging away on the E9. He got the trunk back together and installed a tool box he found that was in a little better shape than ours.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We almost have all the tools too, we are just trying to source a couple here and there.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

He is also working in getting the ac installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And since the drivers side was already wet sanded and compounded he started in the trim and mirror.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Speaking of, we took the twins over to hang out with my parents so I snuck off to the garage and finished the sanding and polishing everything except for the hood.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the finished product. Now we can start on installing the trim, lights, etc etc. After that is all on, I will give it a final polish and sealing.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Here is a quick walk around video.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[davidstutler]

Awesome work Nick! And congrats on the sleeping babies - the greatest gift anyone could have. Our oldest slept six hours at six weeks and we thought we had won the lottery.

 

[Chuck S.]

Wow! Fantastic job there Nick!

 

[Chuck S.]

Oh yeah, congrats on the Babies!!
They grow up fast!

I just had my 2 "babies" in over the weekend, one just started her first job a year ago, my other "baby" just came home for a few days.. He's a junior at Texas Tech.

Take care!

 

[M-technik-3]

E9 is looking stunning. What are future plans for it? Keeping it or selling.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-bmw-3-0cs-32/

These are fetching a fine penny these days.

 

[Mpower5266]

E9 is looking stunning. What are future plans for it? Keeping it or selling.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-bmw-3-0cs-32/

These are fetching a fine penny these days.

I think we will keep it for a while, and that one is way nicer.


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[Mpower5266]

Extra small E9 update. Sorry, but Ive been a little busy working and changing diapers.

We did get the graphics on the ac control panel.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And installed it in the car.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Installed the gas door.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And installed the antenna and started on the rubber trim.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Just waiting on the carpet and we can start buttoning up the interior, until then we will likely work on installing the trim and small pieces. Sorry for the small update, I am hoping for more soon.

 

[fouckhest]

I just spend an obscene amount of timing (at work, lol) going thru your thread from the very beginning, someone on vwvortex pointed me over this way due to some striking similarities between our houses and my current garage build.

I have to say, this has been a great read, congrats on the house, wedding, babies (human and cars)...I've really enjoyed this and its rather funny that you have spent as much time in Greenville/Greer as you have! I chuckled many pages back when you were in DT Greer and went to Pour Sports, that's my go to dive bar, their wings are top notch, honestly I wouldn't have been surprised if I was there the night you were there!

Again, very cool build, appreciate you taking the time to document all this, cant wait to see the e9 done, always loved those cars, albeit it doesn't seem to be your style, but I always liked Mike Burroughs e9 when he built it.

 

[Mpower5266]

I just spend an obscene amount of timing (at work, lol) going thru your thread from the very beginning, someone on vwvortex pointed me over this way due to some striking similarities between our houses and my current garage build.

I have to say, this has been a great read, congrats on the house, wedding, babies (human and cars)...I've really enjoyed this and its rather funny that you have spent as much time in Greenville/Greer as you have! I chuckled many pages back when you were in DT Greer and went to Pour Sports, that's my go to dive bar, their wings are top notch, honestly I wouldn't have been surprised if I was there the night you were there!

Again, very cool build, appreciate you taking the time to document all this, cant wait to see the e9 done, always loved those cars, albeit it doesn't seem to be your style, but I always liked Mike Burroughs e9 when he built it.

Thanks for the kind words. Funny you mention Mike, hes from the same little town in Tennessee that I am from. Heres a pic I took of my old 740 with Rusty. This was yeaaaaaaaaaars ago.

rust2 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Another small e9 update. We cleaned up the tail light buckets.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And test fit the lenses.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We need to get some rubber trim before we can install them but its some sort of progress.

I also got a new watch from Long Island watch.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I like it but the hands kinda bother me. I ordered a set of silver mercedes style hands and tools from Chinese ebay. I am hoping it will give it a little Rolex Explorer vibe, but I am going to keep the orange seconds hand so its still fun. I hope the lume matches. Since the kiddos were born I have started drinking less but smoking more cigars. They are probably less healthy but I have like 2-3 a week and I am not worried about driving after one. Its relaxing without side effects and I can take cool watch pics.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am hoping for more car stuff soon.

 

[fouckhest]

Thanks for the kind words. Funny you mention Mike, hes from the same little town in Tennessee that I am from. Heres a pic I took of my old 740 with Rusty. This was yeaaaaaaaaaars ago.

Oh wow, such a small world, my first magazine feature was in s3 Magazine, my car and rusty were in there together!

 

[Mpower5266]

Oh wow, such a small world, my first magazine feature was in s3 Magazine, my car and rusty were in there together!

That's awesome. I kinda lost touch with Mike when he moved to Cali. I was actually going to be in Greer tomorrow/Saturday for a big thing at the CCA and Foundation but with the twins I didnt want to leave for an overnight trip yet.

 

[fouckhest]

That's awesome. I kinda lost touch with Mike when he moved to Cali. I was actually going to be in Greer tomorrow/Saturday for a big thing at the CCA and Foundation but with the twins I didnt want to leave for an overnight trip yet.

Oh dang, when you do finally venture out hit me up! I followed you on IG, my screen name is the same.

Since I see you are a beer guy, I'd recommend checking out "The Southern Growl" great pub fare and some pretty good beers too. Would be cool too meet up for a brew

 

[Ronin22]

Thanks for the kind words. Funny you mention Mike, hes from the same little town in Tennessee that I am from. Heres a pic I took of my old 740 with Rusty. This was yeaaaaaaaaaars ago.

rust2 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

That time James Bond met euro-Mad Max

 

[Mpower5266]

Oh dang, when you do finally venture out hit me up! I followed you on IG, my screen name is the same.

Since I see you are a beer guy, I'd recommend checking out "The Southern Growl" great pub fare and some pretty good beers too. Would be cool too meet up for a brew

I have been to the Southern Growl but it was just for a beer right before closing time. I loved all the breweries in Greenville too, I could honestly move up there. I love the little downtown area. Maybe I can get a job with the CCA. haha.

 

[fouckhest]

I have been to the Southern Growl but it was just for a beer right before closing time. I loved all the breweries in Greenville too, I could honestly move up there. I love the little downtown area. Maybe I can get a job with the CCA. haha.

right, wrong or indifferent they have actually (and in my opinion unfortunately) they have started serving more beer they brew and less from the mix of breweries, but there food is fantastic so its worth going and having a beer and food, depending on when you were there, they moved into a new, pretty large building basically up the road 1/4mile'ish

Greenville is a cool town, I used to live by Paris Mtn, was great 8-10 yrs ago, but its continued to boom and getting busier and busier. I moved to Greer about 3yrs ago after I started my masters so I could run home at lunch and let my dog out at lunch on school days....honestly, I've fallen in love with Greer, they've redone the downtown, and really making it a little Greenville.

But the majority of breweries are in G'ville, if you've not checked out Birds Fly South, that is a great spot, and 8th state is very highly regarded for their beers.

(sorry for the threadjack lol)

 

[Mpower5266]

right, wrong or indifferent they have actually (and in my opinion unfortunately) they have started serving more beer they brew and less from the mix of breweries, but there food is fantastic so its worth going and having a beer and food, depending on when you were there, they moved into a new, pretty large building basically up the road 1/4mile'ish

Greenville is a cool town, I used to live by Paris Mtn, was great 8-10 yrs ago, but its continued to boom and getting busier and busier. I moved to Greer about 3yrs ago after I started my masters so I could run home at lunch and let my dog out at lunch on school days....honestly, I've fallen in love with Greer, they've redone the downtown, and really making it a little Greenville.

But the majority of breweries are in G'ville, if you've not checked out Birds Fly South, that is a great spot, and 8th state is very highly regarded for their beers.

(sorry for the threadjack lol)

Its my thread so its not a thread jack. I was actually there this time last year for the BMW Octoberfest. My wife and I skipped at the evening CCA events, they were a little older crowd and quite boring from what I heard, and went brewery hopping. I loved YeeHaw, we ended up there a couple of times. We also went to a killed mexican place on the main drag in Greenville. This is really making me want to move up there now, and I could probably get my Clemson grad wife on board. Haha.

 

[fouckhest]

Its my thread so its not a thread jack. I was actually there this time last year for the BMW Octoberfest. My wife and I skipped at the evening CCA events, they were a little older crowd and quite boring from what I heard, and went brewery hopping. I loved YeeHaw, we ended up there a couple of times. We also went to a killed mexican place on the main drag in Greenville. This is really making me want to move up there now, and I could probably get my Clemson grad wife on board. Haha.

hahah, perfect!

Not sure of your background, I work at a company that does all things fiber optics, so could help you with an "in" here, but I know folks that work at a multitude of companies around here if you guys ever get serious, oh and you could certainly find a house very similar to where you started with your to do another fun rebuild

 

[Mpower5266]

Another super small e9 update. We decided on a doing a retro sound radio. It will look like an old radio when its off but still have bluetooth and hands free. I wanted to do an old Blaupunkt or Becker but it would just be am/fm and triple the price for one that may or may not work. This is the radio we are going with.

image by Nick Wood, on Flickr

All the knob options looked off so I raided my BMW parts stash and found some spare 2002 knobs that I will modify to work.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Speaking of the interior, we cleaned up the center console and installed a new shift boot. The metal strips were pretty rough so this is actually a brushed alum wrap until we come across a clean console. Or we may just stick with this, it looks fine to me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The door handles had some pitting in the chrome so we sourced some in better shape and installed them. We also got a set of locks, ignition switch and keys. The key we had would not lock the trunk and one of the doors.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

There was a little bit of damage done to the paint during the lock install on the passenger door. I am going to try to touch it up but worse case we might have the door resprayed.

Lastly, the battery tray was cleaned and painted.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Up next will be the hood install. I have a few friends coming over this weekend to hopefully help. Then its going up on the lift. The trans is still a little whiny so we are going to pull it an look it over. After that will be installing the carpets, interior and buttoning stuff up. I hope to be able to drive it by the end of the year but if not, it wont be too much longer.

 

[davidstutler]

Looking great Nick. I have a RetroSound unit in my '72 F250 and love it. Looks period correct and has every modern amenity. The controls take some time to learn (in my case at least) but completely worth it.

Console looks awesome!

 

[Mpower5266]

Looking great Nick. I have a RetroSound unit in my '72 F250 and love it. Looks period correct and has every modern amenity. The controls take some time to learn (in my case at least) but completely worth it.

Console looks awesome!

We have one in the Wagoneer and I have been happy with it.

 

[Vette60]

A little late to the party but congrats on the twins. Love the T is for Turbo book. Gotta start them young.

The work on the e9 looks great. Really nice job on the paint.

With all the posts about Greenville, I'll have to make my way back down there. One of our largest suppliers for my job is in Cow Pens, so I have been down a few times before. Always enjoyed it. Last time, I had a tour lined up a the BMW plant but got caught up in traffic on the way and missed it. Grrr... At that time I had an '85 e30 eta so I was pretty heavy into BMW stuff. Still enjoyed my time at the Zentrum though.

 

[M-technik-3]

Nice update, damn seeing that old style radio makes me feel old as I can remember installing them in all my cars in high school, granted that was in the early 80's.

 

[A35Plt]

Hi Nick, Could you tell us more about your 740 you used to have?
The good, the Bad and the Ugly!!
They sure seem to be a lot of car for the money.

 

[Hugo L.]

Holy ****, congrats, fellow bf.c’er!

 

[Mpower5266]

Hi Nick, Could you tell us more about your 740 you used to have?
The good, the Bad and the Ugly!!
They sure seem to be a lot of car for the money.

Like any BMW of the era there will be issues. Timing chain guides, OSV, MAF, etc etc. But that being said, its one car I wish I had back for sure.

Holy ****, congrats, fellow bf.c’er!

That part of me died years ago. Haha. How all is well Hugo.

Got some small stuff done on the E9 this weekend. Lights and trim are installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

They even light up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finished restoring the truck elephant skin.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

More this week.

I also got some free time to give the wagon a bath and try out some new soap.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It worked really well. I think this will be my new soap.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We also wired the lights in the wash bay to a switch. We started by wiring a plug in the shed. Since this is on a brick wall it would be insanely hard to wire this in to its own breaker so we have this plug run down to the outdoor plug that was installed on the wall. I had two plugs installed on this wall when we did the addition so the pressure washer and the lights are on their own 20amp gfi breaker. I need to clean up the wiring, I didnt have any wire staples.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We ran that wiring through conduit and to another outdoor plug mounted in the eves of the carport. The lights plug into that outlet, and then runs down to this outdoor switch mounted on the post.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Just in time for daylight savings. Now I can make this happen at the flip of a switch.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[nicholam77]

Man that wash bay is slick. Great pics -- love the night shot!

 

[Matias]

That's a nice washing bay! Doesn't matter if it gets dark before you manage to finish washing up.

Not heard of that soap before, but seems that it's from Germany, so available in all my usual shops. Will probably give it a try, thanks for the tip.

 

[Mpower5266]

That's a nice washing bay! Doesn't matter if it gets dark before you manage to finish washing up.

Not heard of that soap before, but seems that it's from Germany, so available in all my usual shops. Will probably give it a try, thanks for the tip.

I think its new here in the states, but it seems like good stuff.

 

[zeug]

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Love your wagon, Mpower! I've always liked wagons and shooting brakes in general.

Knowing that 2019 would be the last year for the wagon in the US, I panicked a little and grabbed an F31. Searched for a while to find the options I wanted but eventually found one in St Louis. I wish the F31 had an I6 manual option though.

I was also in Germany last week and had the new G21 for a week. A few nice improvements, but generally felt like the same car.

View media item 107792
My dad still drives his old Volvo wagon from time to time.

View media item 107793
Old v New

View media item 107791

 

[Matias]

I think its new here in the states, but it seems like good stuff.

Well, wanted just to try it, but now I have a box full of products coming my way From what I read, it might not have the shaving cream thickness, but it's got very good cleaning properties. I'll test it soon.

 

[Mpower5266]

Love your wagon, Mpower! I've always liked wagons and shooting brakes in general.

Knowing that 2019 would be the last year for the wagon in the US, I panicked a little and grabbed an F31. Searched for a while to find the options I wanted but eventually found one in St Louis. I wish the F31 had an I6 manual option though.

I was also in Germany last week and had the new G21 for a week. A few nice improvements, but generally felt like the same car.

Love the wagons. My mom has an f31 and the more I drive it the more I want one. I do wish we could get a manual but the diesel might be good option for my next ride.

Well, wanted just to try it, but now I have a box full of products coming my way From what I read, it might not have the shaving cream thickness, but it's got very good cleaning properties. I'll test it soon.

Let me know what you think about the other stuff. I was happy with the soap, I might use some of their other stuff as well.

I have been sick as a dog the last week or so( its not the rona.) I have been pretty much just working, caring for the twins, and sleeping. I am on the mend so I am hoping to make some progress on cleaning the garage and a couple of cars this week. In the mean time parts have been coming in for the e9. We got the emblems and trim for the C pillar( or B pillar I guess it doesnt have a real B pillar.)

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We also got the radio in. The BMW knobs I had wouldn't work so we are using the stock knobs as of now, but we are looking for something that matches the interior a little better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Just waiting for the carpet to show up and we can start getting the interior back together. I am thinking it will be driving around the first of the year.

 

[zeug]

Love the wagons. My mom has an f31 and the more I drive it the more I want one. I do wish we could get a manual but the diesel might be good option for my next ride.

Curious to hear how you would compare the E91 to F31 having driven both. I've thought of the E91 with a manual and 6 cylinder as the drivers car and the F31 as one with all the new electronics and such.

 

[Purist]

Great work on the E9...that thing's really coming together!

How's fatherhood treating you?

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Love the wagons. My mom has an f31 and the more I drive it the more I want one. I do wish we could get a manual but the diesel might be good option for my next ride.

I've driven a tuned/deleted E90 diesel...oh my.