[Macphisto]

This isn't the actual port. Just a stop on its way to the actual port - Port Hueneme.

[hoppy6698]

After applying M Sport colors, they didn't seem to pop as much as I had thought.

Any thoughts on fully coloring the grille slats?

http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+f30+Front+Gr...r-28521700.htm

Thinking about having the colors made to spec and hand painting the full slat for a little more pop on an EB.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by mybostonjack

This isn't the actual port. Just a stop on its way to the actual port - Port Hueneme.

Noooo! You're killing me! I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that :P

[Macphisto]

Port Hueneme is in Oxnard - north of Los Angeles. Chula Vista is south of San Diego. It should be quick.

[pdubb]

The wait will be wellllllllll worth it.

[DanG]

The grill looks nice.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by DanG

The grill looks nice.

Thanks, I assume you mean the one with the strips, not the full slats painted.

And good news, the boat is at the right port!

[Gate7]

Post pics as soon as you get it

[hoppy6698]

Well, the day is here ... almost :P Picking her up tomorrow, taking a nice SLR for some dealer shots before getting underway. Will post tomorrow night!

[hoppy6698]

Finally home!

M235i
Estoril Blue / Black Leather
Technology Package
Premium Package
Heated Seats
Moonroof Delete
MP LSD (port installed)
All Weather floor mats (dealer apology)

$2800 off of MSRP thanks to USAA buying service.





First mod - Added Escort 9500ix Radar
Second mod - Hard wire Radar
Third mod - Install MP black grilles

[Cal]

Congrats hoppy! Another thumbs up on the LSD!!

[hoppy6698]

And so, the build continues, modestly ... over time :P

Day 2 at home:
MP Black kidney grilles with M sport colors (vinyl stickers)
Mirrortap install for radar (Escort 9500ix)

The kidney install went as explained in a few threads here. Work time: 30 mins (solo). And take heed on the thin arm warning - bumper will give enough room for a thin arm, but my forearm came out pretty close to cut on some of the bumper lower pressure.



Second job: Mirrortap install, as explained by Abirmaher DIY here (thanks!):
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showt...ight=mirrortap
Work time: 15 mins. This one went very easy, and I probably wasted a few minutes trying to figure out the optimal position for the radar after the install :P

Driver Side view:


Passenger side:


From the Driver seat:


Not bad for about an hour of work. Lost one torx screw bit (my fault) when using a non-magnetic driver to hold the bit. Fell way down to the floor pan somewhere. May retrieve it one day or just let it fall out on its own.

Thanks guys for all the DIY help!

[Gate7]

Very nice!

[hoppy6698]

Day 10: BMS Spacer install. 10mm front, 12mm rears.

Side by side of before (left) and after (right):


Found some corrosion under the rear caps, both left and right side. Had to clean that up first. Oddly, the fronts were very clean. Not sure what was wrong with the rears to have so much build up in 10 days since arrival.


Spacers installed after copper anti seize applied.


And driver side after both installed. Not a huge difference, but I feel like they look more like they should have from BMW.


Thanks to BMS tuning for the set and free hanger!

[F80_M]

Originally Posted by hoppy6698

Day 10: BMS Spacer install. 10mm front, 12mm rears.

Side by side of before (left) and after (right):


Found some corrosion under the rear caps, both left and right side. Had to clean that up first. Oddly, the fronts were very clean. Not sure what was wrong with the rears to have so much build up in 10 days since arrival.


Spacers installed after copper anti seize applied.


And driver side after both installed. Not a huge difference, but I feel like they look more like they should have from BMW.


Thanks to BMS tuning for the set and free hanger!

Any shots from the front?

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by YOLO89

Any shots from the front?

Waiting for better weather and a nice location. Maybe next week, but I won't have a before shot.

[hoppy6698]

Great discount from the team at Polished Image Detailing in Tacoma (25% off services) and I now have a scheduled date for XPEL wrap (entire front up to the doors) and UK Quartz coating. All just in time for Christmas! Will try to post pics after the install, should be spectacular and protect her from the winter nasty stuff!

And forgot to mention, swapped out the PSS set for Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3s. I now have PSS set for sale (only 120 miles on them) and a set of OEM grilles (took them out the hard way, so no scratches or cuts on them).

[jeremicium]

Congrats. Car looks great. Is that first pic of the car on McChord by any chance?

A shame not to keep the PSS, such a good tire.

[hoppy6698]

Originally Posted by jeremicium

Congrats. Car looks great. Is that first pic of the car on McChord by any chance?

A shame not to keep the PSS, such a good tire.

Close! JBLM BK. Had to stop for a bite before running to the office.

[hoppy6698]

And so, another weekend, another project and modification!

First, not so hard - BMW CCA coasters for drinks ($35), time: 10 seconds.



But back to the one that required work - wrapping the mirror caps in CF vinyl. I preface this with the fact that I have never tried this. After watching a few youtube videos and looking at prices, decided to give it a go and maybe learn a new skill with my boys.
Vinyl CF, 60"x24" - $25 ebay
Heat Gun - $20
Exacto knife - $5



The first pic is of the passenger mirror and our first attempt. Note the obvious overheat and extra pulling we did to get it to fit.



Not ideal, but we learned from it and moved to the driver side. This time, we approached it differently, attacking the front side first then moving to the top and corners last. MUCH better result.



Then we decided to re-attack the passenger side to bring it up to the new standard



Final shots on the car:







Altogether, maybe 1.5 hours of work or so. Good bonding/learning time with my eldest son (my youngest got bored quickly when he noted it was actual work :P).

Next up (this week): XPEL front end wrap (bumper, headlights, hood, all the way to the doors. Then UK Quartz coating over the entire car and wheels.

[rmhumr]

nice work. I'm starting to get motivated to do my own. Keep it up, and would love to see full car shots.

[mikeyymonster]

Any tips on removing the mirror covers?