The Bimmer Basement

[M-technik-3]

There's a 900hp 335d wagon running around the east coast. Shame BMW didn't feel we wanted one.

 

[Mpower5266]

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.

I wish my e91 was a manual but it is RWD at least. You are correct the E91 is more of a drivers car but the F31 is still very nice. The F31 would be a little nicer with the kids since it is a little bigger. Ideally I would want an F11 wagon but we didnt get them.

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

How's fatherhood treating you?

We are really hoping to have the E9 on the road in the next month or so, just waiting on some parts. The kids are great and they are already sleeping better. I cant wait for them to be a little more online but they have started smiling and reacting to stuff.

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

Yeah I have heard they are awesome. Id love to swap mine but it would ruin it as a daily.

I didn't do a whole lot this weekend in the shop. But it ended up being a fairly good weekend. Friday I went and helped my buddy take the roof off his new ride so he could clean the windows in it. This thing is mint. It only has like 14k miles.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday I went to a small local cars and coffee and then met my wife and some other friends for lunch. The grandparents took the kids for a few hours so we ended up having some drinks and walked around down town enjoying the weather.

Sunday I finally got some time in the wash bay. I gave the wagon a bath first and then gave the M3 its first wash in months. I am still loving this Koch soap. It really is good stuff.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

This thing really does clean up nice. I may need to drive it a little this week.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am hoping some e9 parts are going to show up this week and we can start making some more progress. I really cant wait to get that out to some shows.

 

[eljay]

Shiny!
I can't wait to restore order to my garage and wash the cars again before the snowflakes start.

 

[Mpower5266]

Sort post, but massive update. We got the hood installed and 98% of the way aligned. We just have to mess with one of the mounts a little to raise it up a hair on the passenger side.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Bonus shot with its younger brother. I left the M3 at the shop so I could drive the Wagoneer for a couple days.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Speaking of the Jeep, this makes the Monday morning commute a little more tolerable.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Balor]

I have the 556A red and love it

 

[Mpower5266]

I have the 556A red and love it

I just got it last week. Part of me thinks I should have gone for the red second hand but I love the watch. Maybe Ill get a 556I in red. haha.

 

[Mpower5266]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I pretty much sat around the house until it was time to go eat. I did get a little cleaning done in the garage but no pics. I also helped my dad with a couple super small things on the e9.

Small update but the carpet should be in today. We hooked up the radio and it comes on.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It also made the antenna come up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that we positioned the car on the lift. It didnt need to be on the lift but it did make it easier to adust the hood and start installing the turn signals.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Again the carpet should be here today, and hopefully installed over the next few days. Once that is in, we can assemble the center console, get the ac installed and tested and then put the interior back together. After that it will just be wheels, trim, bumper, headlights, cleaning etc etc. I hope to test drive it around the first of the year.

 

[PileDriver]

Nick,

I just spent the last week reading your thread from beginning to end. I enjoyed every minute of it!

I'm definitely going to need to get familiar with OG detailing products/techniques. My three frequently-used vehicles are all white (car, truck, and motorcycle).



I think I'm just a few years older than you, but I'm at nearly the opposite end of the spectrum. My oldest is 20 and it's great having another car buddy around. (I started very early in the marriage/parenting phase). He also just bought a motorcycle a few months ago, so I've got mixed feelings on that one.



Anywho... like others have said, you have a great thread and we are all excited to see the latest project get buttoned up and driving soon. ...also, I need to get a DSLR!

Cheers!

 

[Mpower5266]

Nick,

I just spent the last week reading your thread from beginning to end. I enjoyed every minute of it!

I'm definitely going to need to get familiar with OG detailing products/techniques. My three frequently-used vehicles are all white (car, truck, and motorcycle).



I think I'm just a few years older than you, but I'm at nearly the opposite end of the spectrum. My oldest is 20 and it's great having another car buddy around. (I started very early in the marriage/parenting phase). He also just bought a motorcycle a few months ago, so I've got mixed feelings on that one.



Anywho... like others have said, you have a great thread and we are all excited to see the latest project get buttoned up and driving soon. ...also, I need to get a DSLR!

Cheers!

Wow, thanks for reading through the thread. I am always humbled when someone takes the time to look at my incoherent ramblings. Haha

Didnt do too much on the car this weekend. The carpet came in so it is laying on the shop floor to flatten out, I forgot to grab a pic. We did get the fake autozone stick on grills installed. HAHA.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After posting the photo above on an E9 group, I was notified that these are supposed to have black vinyl behind them so they are likely coming off.

We did install one of the wheels but noticed the lug nuts are wrong, so new lugs are on order.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

So much better than the gold ones. Anyway I am hoping for more this week, and I am trying to take Friday off work to get some stuff done on the car.

I spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with the wife and kiddos. We did get our tree Friday evening. I decided to leave it on the Wagoneer for cars and coffee Sunday morning. I have a very understanding wife...

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[eljay]

Amazing work. I envy body skills. I really wish I could do decent body work in my garage. That would help immensely in my restoration project.

 

[M-technik-3]

Digging that watch but I'd be giving it to my son for his 25Th Birthday which is two days after Christmas... Poor kid. Me, I'm a simple Citizen Eco Drive small face with date. Hope you had a great holiday with the family.

 

[Mpower5266]

Amazing work. I envy body skills. I really wish I could do decent body work in my garage. That would help immensely in my restoration project.

We did not do the body work. We started to and then realized it was best left to the pros. Haha

 

[nicholam77]

That Sinn is sharp! Xmas tree looks great on the jeep

 

[eljay]

We did not do the body work. We started to and then realized it was best left to the pros. Haha

Ha! I completely understand. I once attempted to cover a spot with spray paint and it looked horrible despite the prep. I think I need more practice, but buying proper tools is not cheap, so in the end it's not worth for an occasional fix I find.

 

[Mpower5266]

Small updates on the E9 as usual. I feel like this will be the norm until its done, all the really big stuff is down and we are just buttoning stuff up now. We started putting the carpets in this weekend by gluing down all the trim bits.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The center section isnt glued down yet in this photo, it was just a test fit. I like the color, I cant wait to see what it looks like with the seats installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I am worried about the steering wheel looking a little rough and out of place with the interior refreshed, I may have to find a nardi for it.

I also popped one of the center caps on the wheel just to see how its going to look. MUUUUUUCH better than the gold thangs.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also ended up trading my LongIsland watch that I picked up a few months ago to a friends for a Benchmade Proper folding knife and a Spiderco Techno 1 that I am probably going to sell. I think this is a great little EDC kit now, less scary than a big flipper knife that I used to carry at work.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

Another super small update.

Got it buttoned up around the tunnel.

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And the passenger side laid out. We may use Velcro to hold this in rather than gluing it.

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Its getting really close to the finish line.

Got a few more pics since posting this.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And some new shoes.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

Just checking in with yall. I really haven't been in the garage too much and believe it or not, I haven't washed a car in like 2 weeks. Its really not the twins, its been pretty cold and rainy and there always seems to something like dinner with friends or a football game to watch. But I do have some e9 updates, but they are small.

We got started on the AC and center console install.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Finally found a thermostat that would work after ordering like 6 of them. Apparently this is just a universal part but it was tough finding one with the correct tube and shaft diameter.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And cleaned the steering wheel wrap. Sadly my dad said he would order a Nardi if I couldn't get it clean. Of course it cleaned right up. Here is a before shot.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And some 50/50s of it clean.

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Not perfect but it will work until we get a Nardi.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We are also digging into the XJ Wagoneer. We were getting it ready to put up for sale again and noticed the AC doesn't work, strange all the AC work we are doing in Dec. Here it is with the dash almost all the way out.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also got another new watch!!!!!!

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Ok, I have a friend that wants to sell it and wants me to buy it so he is letting me borrow it. I am absolutely in love with it but I just don't think I can spend that much money on a watch. Griggs seems to like it though.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And finally, I ended the weekend with a little cruise in the 02. I had to run out to my parents house to work on the e9 a little, so I took the long way. I cant wait to fix some stuff on this car when the e9 is done.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Ronin22]

* Replace "hello" with "Nardi".

 

[TX4runner]

I'm a believer that cars talk to each other. All of our cars also seem to have very similar issues at the same time also.

 

[Mpower5266]

Mega small E9 update. I didnt like the idea of the antenna being up anytime the radio was on, so my dad and I wired in a little switch.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its in the little panel under the steering wheel and installed where the oem rear fog light switch would go. Basically we would always leave it off and if we wanted the radio on, give it a click to put the antenna up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Wired in the radio.

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And did a test fit of the side panels.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

As you can see in the above photo there is a little damage in the drivers side panel near the AC vents. We are hoping we can clean this up a little.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Stay tuned. More updates soon.

 

[Purist]

Good call on adding that switch. Man I can’t wait to see this car all buttoned up!


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[Mpower5266]

Good call on adding that switch. Man I can’t wait to see this car all buttoned up!


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You and me both. I really want to drive it but I think when its done we are going to get my 944 going again.

 

[Purist]

You and me both. I really want to drive it but I think when its done we are going to get my 944 going again.

Hell yes!!!! Resurrect that thing, for sure!


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[Arclitgold]

Hell yes!!!! Resurrect that thing, for sure!


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+1


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[Mpower5266]

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. I had a rare 3.5 day weekend but I spent most of it hauling the kiddos to my parents or the in-laws for various meals. I did get a few minutes to do some car stuff. We got the E9 center console damage patched. Basically we just cut out the damaged part and glued in a new piece.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

This is a short term fix. Eventually we will pull it and have an upholstery shop repair it properly, but I think it looks pretty good for now.

by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I got my first Christmas gift from the twins, they nailed it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And they met Santa. Long story but my dad has this Santa suit and he acted like he didn't want to do it for a few minutes, but I could tell he was extremely excited. Haha

by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I took the 02 out for a drive.

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My buddy is storing his SL out at the hangar so I swapped it out with the 02 and brought it to my house. He wanted me to drive it a little and see if I feel anything wrong, and the top hydraulics have a leak so we are going to work on that next week. I really enjoyed driving this thing, I may have to get one.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday I got the tool that I was missing to do the movement swap in my old seiko, so I got ready to put that in.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It did not go well. I messed up and pressed the hour hand on while the movement was in the holder. It slipped pushed the plastic ring around the movement up and broke the gear for the date wheel. I have another movement on the way. I am really about done with watch modding. Haha.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I was frustrated so I gave the wagon a much needed wash.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I hope to have some more e9 updates and I will document the work on the SL. I hope to get the e9 moved over to my house in the next week or two to finish the detail as well.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

It did not go well. I messed up and pressed the hour hand on while the movement was in the holder. It slipped pushed the plastic ring around the movement up and broke the gear for the date wheel. I have another movement on the way. I am really about done with watch modding. Haha.

WTF?! I can assure you the NH won't look good as a skeleton watch.

Oh well, 'tis the beauty of those Seikos, another movement's $40 or less.

 

[Mpower5266]

WTF?! I can assure you the NH won't look good as a skeleton watch.

Oh well, 'tis the beauty of those Seikos, another movement's $40 or less.

Yea, got the day wheel swapped and swapped the black case holder in and clamped it in the movement holder. That is where I messed up, because when I pushed down the black case ring stayed in place and the movement did not, that lifted the date wheel up and snapped the gear. Oh well, Ill try again next week when the movement shows up. I just call it a "Stupid Tax" and just move on.

 

[Mpower5266]

Work is slow, so here is another small update. Shifter install. First we installed the rubber boot, which was torn and of course no longer available. We glued it back together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Once dry, it was installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that, the fresh leather boot was installed.

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And buttoned it up with the knob.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Super small update I know but work is dead this week and I have a lot of free time at my desk. Haha

 

[Arclitgold]

Wow looks gorgeous! Cant wait to see it all buttoned up!


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[M-technik-3]

Nice update, great to see Santa having a fun photo op.

 

[Mpower5266]

This is like eating an elephant at this point. Just small bites until its done. Center console is complete, and the window switches are installed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We also found a little sticker to put over the digital display so the radio looks a little more period correct when off.

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It covers the read out a little when its on, but Im just going to use bluetooth so it doesnt really bother me.

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"Small bites..."

 

[madison069]

Updates look good! As you said, one bite at a time till all of the elephant is gone!

 

[Mpower5266]

Hey, long time no chat. Haha. So far this year has been crazy. I started off with a call from work on Sunday the 3rd, the girl that sits next to me in the office has the rona. I had to go get a test, that was thankfully negative on that Monday. On the same day my dog had to have a minor surgery. And then back to work. I did get the Seiko back together with the upgraded movement, it was pretty easy once I figured out what I was doing wrong. I celebrated with a cigar.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Not much has happened on the E9. We have been waiting on parts and my dad has had some medical stuff(hes fine just kinda run down so I'm kinda avoiding him I don't want to get him sick.) We did get a new old stock emblem for the trunk.

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And found some knobs for the radio that look more "BMW."

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday I helped a buddy of mine work on his SL. It had a hydraulic leak from the lock cylinders on the top of the windshield so I helped him install new ones. Im not a Mercedes guy but this was a pretty simple job.

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Simple but messy.

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This is such a good looking car. I am worried that I will have one in the next year or so..

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I also picked up this coffee mug this weekend... typical Jaaaag.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

Man kids take up a lot of your time.... Sorry there haven't been a ton of updates lately. I have been pretty busy and my dad has been working on the AC in the XJ Wagoneer, which requires the dash to be removed. We did finally get the E9 up on the lift to start fitting the headlights and work on some stuff underneath. This is a super small update but an important one.

My dad started by inspecting all the fenders and only found a small bit of surface rust in the drivers front. It looks worse in the photo then it does in real life. It will be encapsulated and touched up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

When we started this project, we didn't want a full resto. The plan was to fix it up enough to drive it and maybe flip it for a nicer one later on. It ended up being easier to fully repaint, but we were still scared of the rockers. They have a cover on them, that we decided to leave on when we painted it(I wish we didnt) because if we found rust it would have made for a much bigger project. Well the covers did need to be repainted, the screws holding it in were rusty, and the car might go back to the body shop for some touch ups.... so we pulled them. It was a miracle.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Just a couple spots of surface rust, but no rot. I need to buy some lottery tickets. This will be treated and touched up, and not seen once the covers are installed. More soon.

 

[M-technik-3]

You sure do, Dad and you dodged a potential nightmare, glad it was not.

 

[BruceH]

This is such a good looking car. I am worried that I will have one in the next year or so..

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Nick, if you really want to acquire one I know of a bargain to be had here in North GA. Excellent body. Can be had for very little. Current owner and wife have had it for 30 years. They want it gone. I'm going to send you a FB friend request and we can go back and forth via PM there.

 

[Arclitgold]

Yahoo updates!

Yeah the kids tend to do that. Mine is 2 and a half and I’m only just starting to get some free time, but he’s also been a needy one.


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[WordMan]

On the R129 Mercedes; great cars, but...

Mercedes decided the Plastic GM used for interior parts was not brittle enough, so they developed a special, super brittle plastic which breaks when you simply think about trying to remove it. The make this plastic even better, anything made of it is 100 times as expensive as the GM piece would be.

 

[M-technik-3]

Aren't the wiring harnesses biodegradable as well?

 

[WordMan]

Aren't the wiring harnesses biodegradable as well?

Pre facelift or something, if I remember correctly. Later cars are good.