What have you done with or to your M3 today?

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

How many car lengths did he beat you by?

At least 5 bruh.

[330ciprem]

Originally Posted by Megabrode

Full paint correction...

Care to explain the procedure and products that you useD?

[EJT86]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

How many car lengths did he beat you by?

“Dude, I almost had you!”

[jmeek83]

Originally Posted by Megabrode

Full paint correction...

BEAUTIFUL.

[Megabrode]

Originally Posted by 330ciprem

Care to explain the procedure and products that you useD?

As explained to me (I had the work done), the procedure was wash, clay, first buff, second buff, sealant. Products unknown. This is excellent work by a local guy in his garage, as recommended by member Theodore. And priced right, including wheel detailing, at $300. People comment now, "Wow, it looks a lot darker!" -- I assume because the spider marks, swirl marks, and light scratches are gone. The multi-color character of JB also jumps in the sunlight. Many thanks to meticulous Chad, who clearly takes pride in his work.

[EJT86]

Today reinstalled a freshly cleaned BMC filter and tried an easy fix for my stripped holes in the lower air box 😉 you cut small zip tie ends and shove them in the stripped holes and then put the screws in it works better then I expected

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Megabrode

As explained to me (I had the work done), the procedure was wash, clay, first buff, second buff, sealant. Products unknown. This is excellent work by a local guy in his garage, as recommended by member Theodore. And priced right, including wheel detailing, at $300. People comment now, "Wow, it looks a lot darker!" -- I assume because the spider marks, swirl marks, and light scratches are gone. The multi-color character of JB also jumps in the sunlight. Many thanks to meticulous Chad, who clearly takes pride in his work.

Is that price the norm? That seems awfully cheap considering what was done.

[Pedalkick]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Today reinstalled a freshly cleaned BMC filter and tried an easy fix for my stripped holes in the lower air box 😉 you cut small zip tie ends and shove them in the stripped holes and then put the screws in it works better then I expected

I did exactly the same thing when I had my air box out to lube my throttle linkage a couple of days ago.
The zip tie ends gave just the right amount of bite.
gmta

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Is that price the norm? That seems awfully cheap considering what was done.

I was actually thinking the exact opposite. That sounds like a standard detail job to me and all of those things plus full interior cleaning cost $150 in my neck of the woods. I've worked with two detail shops and one guy who owns his own business and goes directly to his clients' houses with a trailer full of gear (including a huge tank of distilled water). All were between $130-150.

Actual "paint correction" takes 1-3 days and costs more than $300.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Today reinstalled a freshly cleaned BMC filter and tried an easy fix for my stripped holes in the lower air box 😉 you cut small zip tie ends and shove them in the stripped holes and then put the screws in it works better then I expected

Originally Posted by Pedalkick

I did exactly the same thing when I had my air box out to lube my throttle linkage a couple of days ago.
The zip tie ends gave just the right amount of bite.
gmta

That's a good tip. The other option would be to use some press-fit expansion inserts. Here's a thread about using them for the cabin air filter holes:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=855681

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

How many car lengths did he beat you by?

One too many

[unknownNTT]

New steering wheel! Got it from here.

[Brownd3max]

Well, today I managed to drain and replace the rear diff oil. I used the "Fuchs" brand oil. Had to buy a 14mm hex socket first. Then I removed the carbon fiber rear diffuser the PO had installed. It was fastened on with sticky black rubbery tape(unlike the damn CF front splitters). Came off without any scratches, thankfully. Then tried to change the tranny oil(6 sp.)- BUT after removing the bottom cover under the trans, I could not find the fill plug! I'm having to work off to the side, using a mirror to locate the plugs, and just could not see it! So it's sitting on blocks, awaiting another attempt tomorrow.

[pcohen15]

Originally Posted by Megabrode

Full paint correction...

Gorgeous. This is why I don't quite understand frozen or matte paint.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Brownd3max

Well, today I managed to drain and replace the rear diff oil. I used the "Fuchs" brand oil. Had to buy a 14mm hex socket first. Then I removed the carbon fiber rear diffuser the PO had installed. It was fastened on with sticky black rubbery tape(unlike the damn CF front splitters). Came off without any scratches, thankfully. Then tried to change the tranny oil(6 sp.)- BUT after removing the bottom cover under the trans, I could not find the fill plug! I'm having to work off to the side, using a mirror to locate the plugs, and just could not see it! So it's sitting on blocks, awaiting another attempt tomorrow.

There's a DIY for it that should help:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=720669

Keep in mind you will need to activate the transmission oil pump to get all the oil out of the cooler and lines. This is the reason I ended up paying a shop to do it rather than doing it myself.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

I was actually thinking the exact opposite. That sounds like a standard detail job to me and all of those things plus full interior cleaning cost $150 in my neck of the woods. I've worked with two detail shops and one guy who owns his own business and goes directly to his clients' houses with a trailer full of gear (including a huge tank of distilled water). All were between $130-150.

Actual "paint correction" takes 1-3 days and costs more than $300.

I need to do more shopping. I'm currently looking to remove the PPF off of my car and get a paint correction done.

The latest quote I got was $400 to remove the PPF and then clay and wax the car. I'd really like to get a full paint correction done (swirl marks here and there).

Just curious, your thoughts on what this should cost? I'll hand wash my car, but anything more in depth than that and I get scared.

[Droptope93]

Originally Posted by unknownNTT

New steering wheel! Got it from here.

How the quality of the wheel. It looks really good but I didn't really go for it because I couldn't see how it looks in person.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

I need to do more shopping. I'm currently looking to remove the PPF off of my car and get a paint correction done.

The latest quote I got was $400 to remove the PPF and then clay and wax the car. I'd really like to get a full paint correction done (swirl marks here and there).

Just curious, your thoughts on what this should cost? I'll hand wash my car, but anything more in depth than that and I get scared.

My car had nasty looking old PPF when I got it too. IIRC I paid around $100 to get it removed at a tint shop. So I'd say that plus $150 for the detailing would be about right. $400 seems a little steep, especially if they're not even including a light finishing polish between clay and wax to address some of the swirls.

I've never had a full paint correction done but I think you will be happy with the results after a standard wash/clay/polish/wax job, which should cost up to $200. If you expect perfection it's going to cost you much more, and I think it's a matter of diminishing returns.

Here's a video that describes the difference between paint correction and standard detailing:

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

My car had nasty looking old PPF when I got it too. IIRC I paid around $100 to get it removed at a tint shop. So I'd say that plus $150 for the detailing would be about right. $400 seems a little steep, especially if they're not even including a light finishing polish between clay and wax to address some of the swirls.

I've never had a full paint correction done but I think you will be happy with the results after a standard wash/clay/polish/wax job, which should cost up to $200. If you expect perfection it's going to cost you much more, and I think it's a matter of diminishing returns.

Here's a video that describes the difference between paint correction and standard detailing:

Mine is actually in pretty good shape, I just really don't like it. Especially the defined line across my fenders and hood.

I say I want a paint correction, just because "that's what you do, right?". My paint is in decent enough shape, and this also isn't some big show car. I drive it. It sees rain. Heck I actually took it to work today and it is still littered with bug splats from a trip I made in it over the weekend. Perhaps I should be looking at PPF removal + $200 for the job you've mentioned to be more realistic.

Grazie mille!

[admranger]

When I last detailed my M3 exterior, it took 12 hours. Wash (including wheel barrels), clay, polish x2, isopropyl alcohol wipe to remove fillers and oils, and finally the sealant application. This was done w/a Rupes 15 polisher.

I'd pay someone $400 to do that if they used the quality products I used. It's a lot of work.

[Megabrode]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

I was actually thinking the exact opposite. That sounds like a standard detail job to me and all of those things plus full interior cleaning cost $150 in my neck of the woods. I've worked with two detail shops and one guy who owns his own business and goes directly to his clients' houses with a trailer full of gear (including a huge tank of distilled water). All were between $130-150.

Actual "paint correction" takes 1-3 days and costs more than $300.

Here's my understanding of "paint correction":

Step 1: Wash Process followed by Clay Bar.
Step 2 (if required): Wet Sanding or Leveling.
Step 3: Buffing & Polishing.
Step 4: Sealing and Waxing the Vehicle.

If I'm missing something, please let me know. In my case, Step 2 was not required, as my paint was in decent shape. I don't know how long he actually spent on the car, but he had it for two days. The result speaks for itself!

[retrojay2345]

Originally Posted by kcohen

Upgraded my shifter. I love it, but it was a pain in the ass to get the base back on.

which shifter is that? can you post link