[rich1068]

Originally Posted by B33M3R

Hey Rich

See if you can beat me for car washing sadness? From start to finish...

Wheels

Jet wash with water only to loosen brake dust then apply Very Cherry wheel cleaner with foam bottle, leave to soak then wash off.
Hand wash wheels and tire walls with Megs Gold Class and lambswool mit and rinse.

Body

Jet wash with light pressure to remove surface grit.
Snow Foam entire car with Foam Lance, including wheels, wheel arches and under skirts etc. Leave for five minutes and jet wash off.
Hand wash each panel with lambs wool mit using two bucket method with grit guards and Megs Gold Class.
Once each panels clean and free from grit wash again from top to bottom using Megs and mit keeping car wet all over whilst doing so, allowing it to sheet. Once done immediately dry with drying towel.

Voila, clean, shiny and no water marks or blisters!

Most I've done polishing wise is Megs Quick Detailer for now but I have been meaning to apply some Dodo Juice Wax I've had sitting since Christmas. Perhaps I'll have a go this weekend?

I've also got a Das Pro with range of Mezuma Polishes sat in the garage as well but I've not actually got any swirls yet. Considering been washing it once a week since the beginning of January thats quite impressive!

Saying that I have just picked up a small etch mark from some bird muck that was only on there for a couple of hours, perhaps I'll give it a go removing it with the Das. By the way, watch bird muck, don't know what this one had eaten but I suspect it had holiday'd at Fukishima.

In regards to the Xenon's I've had them on my Saab for several years but the BMW' is in a different league. On top of the steering round bends and High Beam Assist the Full Beam is Xenon as well. It's crazy. The Mrs was driving behind me the other night and held them on, it was like I was being abducted by Aliens. They are extremely bright!

Will check to see if my centre caps line up ASAP, don't want to let the side down!

Quite a post Mr B33M3R. But you didn't use a leaf blower to get the drips off did you?

[B33M3R]

Hadn't thought of that!

[goldn]

nice ride!

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by rich1068

Quite a post Mr B33M3R. But you didn't use a leaf blower to get the drips off did you?

I tried that once, more trouble than it was worth!

[rich1068]

TBH there was one lying about, I tried it on the wheels and it was a bit shit and my mate used it on his A4 and promptly scratched his wing with the nozzle thing. I thought 'bollocks to that' and didn't bother. Don't tell B33M3R that though. He'll have spent a happy hour down at B&Q looking at leaf blowers

Trying not to get too anal/DTW, drips are always a PITA but I've yet to find where they come from on this car. The usual suspects are under the headlights, numberplates and the wing mirrors. But 30 seconds with some folded tissue paper sorts these out. Anyway, it's going to get another wash tomorrow because we had a thunder storm yesterday and all the trees on our road are dropping their blossom.

Oh and tyre noise was mentioned. I haven't noticed. Nothing excessive anyway. I also think averaging 38mpg on a new, tight engine is pretty good

[B33M3R]

In all seriousness, I don't think I'm that bad??

My last car was a Met Black Golf Gti and I used the full range of Autoglym products, sponges and bucket etc. I could never get a decent finish, it was always left covered in water marks and streaks. I even bought and used a Calafornian Water Blade once, OMG! they should be illegal to sell. May as well have dried it with a brillo pad.

I can really recommend the Meg's Gold Class shampoo, it leaves a fantastic finish and as long as you keep the car wet with water sheeting rather than spraying, then pad it dry with a propper drying towel it leaves a water mark free finish. They only water drips I tend to get are out of the mirrors and lower corner of the front doors.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by B33M3R

In all seriousness, I don't think I'm that bad??

Nah. We've all been there. Especially with black cars. If it wasn't for a three year old and another on the way I'd probably be doing the same. As it is I have to keep things quick and easy but stop short of calling at Ivan's Hand Jobs.

I'm guessing you have hard water where you are which must make things difficult. Soft water where I am in Sheffield so no spots and no streaks but you're doing the right thing with Gold Class. I've been out of this sort of thing for a while but look up the NXT, it might sheet better than the Gold Class and may help with the hard water problem ie sheeting rather than beading.

If you have a hard water problem and really want to go one step further then look into a water filter. You'll have seen them I'm sure, about 2-3 feet long that fit inline with your hose, a clear perspex tube filled with blue coloured crystals. They do actually work but it's a pricey option. A little tip is to buy them from somewhere that sells janitorial/window cleaning supplies rather than car detailing suppliers as they seem to really mark them up. Drop me a line if you want a price from one of my suppliers.

[Em135eye]

Got very soft water here but I still need to dry the BM (black) off after each wash or it looks cack.

[rich1068]

Don't get me wrong, you still have to dry the car. But I've seen pictures of cars in hard water areas where the spots are virtually etched on after a few minutes. We're lucky with the water we have.

[Em135eye]

I see - lived in the Docklands for a year with a black R32 Golf. That was VERY hard to keep looking clean.

Much better here but still needs a good drying, especially with a black car.

[dirtydarthdub]

So.......hows it going with the new toy? Anything to report/review?

[rich1068]

Well...

The car continues to impress. Even though it's still tight it has plenty of go and is averaging 36.x mpg. That's 250 miles, 90% driving around town. Not bad at all I think. Especially since I'm still 'learning' how to drive it.

I'm really pleased with the spec even though I've been reading the handbook on and off since last Thursday. (I finally found out how to lock the doors without using the key ) The iDrive/nav/phone set up is superb and perfectly intuitive. And I've mentioned it before but I find the audio quality to be fine. At least as good as any standard factory fit system I've had before.

I can't post too much right now because I'm in the office but if you're thinking of going for one of these, with the right options I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[rich1068]

Just had confirmation from Munich. My car is now sentient.

[dirtydarthdub]

Sentient? Is this an apps thing or something? Or does are we talking some Herbie stuff here that isn't mentioned in the brochures because I would rather opt out of that.

[philreid]

Has there ever been more reflective paintwork?!

Looks nice!

[rich1068]

Thanks Phil

Originally Posted by dirtydarthdub

Sentient? Is this an apps thing or something? Or does are we talking some Herbie stuff here that isn't mentioned in the brochures because I would rather opt out of that.

It's the log in and password from BMW for the Connected Drive thing. Now all the communication related stuff is fully enabled on the car. Just had a little play with sending maps but seemed a bit flakey. Maybe it was me. I'll try again in a bit.

And talking of apps, with the log in and password I thought I'd give 'My BMW Remote' a try too. I think I can live without it.

[xenon]

Gorgeous car

Makes me even more desparate to take delivery of mine. Darn these bank holidays...

[hmi1750]

Love the spec on that car... with a 330d engine, and those seats, I would love one.

[gavp]

Originally Posted by rich1068

It's the log in and password from BMW for the Connected Drive thing. Now all the communication related stuff is fully enabled on the car. Just had a little play with sending maps but seemed a bit flakey. Maybe it was me. I'll try again in a bit.

And talking of apps, with the log in and password I thought I'd give 'My BMW Remote' a try too. I think I can live without it.

Use the iPhone app all the time, usually quicker than any search in the car.

Don't think have used the website since the app came out.

Nice ride in the right e91 colour IMO

[rich1068]

Love the spec on that car... with a 330d engine, and those seats, I would love one.

TBH I would have loved one of the bigger engines but the numbers just didn't add up. Plus I do like the Sport Plus spec. However, this 320d is the most 'petrol like' engine I've driven. Or to put it another way, the other diesels I've had were dogs compared to the BMW unit.

Use the iPhone app all the time, usually quicker than any search in the car.

Don't think have used the website since the app came out.

Nice ride in the right e91 colour IMO

Well I've now got to grips with sending maps from the BMW site and Google Maps. Very clever. And it was me being thick. As far as the apps are concerned it appears I can't do very much. I've found out that 6NF was missed off my order. I only have 6FL. Oh well...

[Dizzle]

Love it, though I am biased.

[Statler]

Originally Posted by rich1068

<snip>Plus I do like the Sport Plus spec. However, this 320d is the most 'petrol like' engine I've driven. Or to put it another way, the other diesels I've had were dogs compared to the BMW unit.<snip>

Yes, it beats the pants off the Saab 1.9TiD even with the Hirsh upgrade... remember!

How've you been?

Love the car

S.