[tomwh85]

we need more members

[Calluhan]

So I've finally got a chance to get some pics of the respray up. Been very busy out of the country with work - not happy!

I initially got the bonnet, front bumper and both wings and mirror caps done but I wasn't happy with the blend so struck a deal to have both entire sides rubbed down and re-sprayed.

The results are below - what do you think?











Personally, I'm EXTREMELY happy with the results. The paint shop's attention to detail was very surprising and the finish is excellent all over. I hunted for an hour yesterday to find a hint of overspray but couldn't find anything.

[Calluhan]

I have also been on the lookout for a DAB +G module to add to my Dension unit. Found one on ebay for £60 ish, it plugs straight into the Dension unit:









I had read bad reports about the windscreen mounted antennae so bought a stick antenna that sits on rear parcel shelf - I have very dark factory rear tints so you don't notice it from outside.

Very happy with the results and sound quality is excellent.

[old grey steve]

Originally Posted by Calluhan

I have also been on the lookout for a DAB +G module to add to my Dension unit. Found one on ebay for £60 ish, it plugs straight into the Dension unit:









I had read bad reports about the windscreen mounted antennae so bought a stick antenna that sits on rear parcel shelf - I have very dark factory rear tints so you don't notice it from outside.

Very happy with the results and sound quality is excellent.

Simple fix for the problem plus you got yhr DAB for a song by the look at it too...

Not a radio fan TBH but DAB is the way forward of course and reception of the rear screen units never been A1 anyway

[Ess]

Looks very smart indeed!

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by old grey steve

Simple fix for the problem plus you got yhr DAB for a song by the look at it too...

Not a radio fan TBH but DAB is the way forward of course and reception of the rear screen units never been A1 anyway

I can't justify spending 80 quid on a DAB shark fin so its a workable solution that's un-noticeable from outside

I'm not a big radio fan either but I do like a bit of absolute radio 80's and 90's which is the only reason I got the DAB. Plus the sound quality seems much better than FM.

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by Ess

Looks very smart indeed!

Thanks mate - wheels next!

[Calluhan]

Time for another update. I've been busy getting ISTA - D (Rheingold) up and running on my laptop (what a long involved process it is!) It still isn't quite right as I don't seem to have 'Activities' functionality yet for some reason.....

Anyway, a quick check of the error memory showed glow plugs 1, 2 and 5 were open circuit. I thought this was almost certainly the controller dying but I thought I'd spend a couple of hours replacing the glow plugs first whilst I await the controller from ebay (72 quid for an oem BERU one)

First up - inlet manifold off:



This is actually very easy to do once you've done it a few times - it's just a pain cos it takes ages getting everything out of the way first!

Then caps off the glow plugs and a good soak with this:



I was expecting them to be stuck so let them bathe in the releasing fluid for a while. However, the plugs came out fine with a deep 10mm socket.



They seemed in reasonable nick:



Old and new:



So, everything buttoned back up and a fault memory clear and check and....... still the same fault!

Oh well, I'm happy there are now new glow plugs in place, hopefully the controller will arrive tomorrow and I can do it all again.

On a side note, on the way back from picking the plugs up from ECP I called into my BMW dealers to see if they had stock of the controller. The parts dept. lad came bounding out gleefully exclaiming they had one in stock and it was ONLY £125.08..............!!! I politely asked him to put it back on the shelf

['V']

Looking good mate. Nice to see the dension going strong and a great addition to the unit

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by 'V'

Looking good mate. Nice to see the dension going strong and a great addition to the unit

Thanks Andy. Loving the Dension especially with the DAB radio mate. You still got your motor with the BBS's? Going to black vinyl my roof in the spring like yours.

['V']

Yeah still got it.
Doing a full vinyl wrap at the moment and the BBS reps have had a refurb.
Contemplating a m3 look front bumper instead of the aero lip, not sure yet.
Missing the dension tho, never got round to doing the CIC - will do one day.

You gonna do the roof yourself? Might do mine again in a matt or satin black - I'll see what it looks like when I finish the rest of the body

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by 'V'

Yeah still got it.
Doing a full vinyl wrap at the moment and the BBS reps have had a refurb.
Contemplating a m3 look front bumper instead of the aero lip, not sure yet.
Missing the dension tho, never got round to doing the CIC - will do one day.

You gonna do the roof yourself? Might do mine again in a matt or satin black - I'll see what it looks like when I finish the rest of the body

Wow - looking forward to seeing that - you doing the wrap yourself?

I'm now thinking about getting it sprayed metallic black as I've found such an excellent bodyshop

[Calluhan]

Well up with the lark this morning to get the glow plug controller replaced.

Ordered from here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1210531289...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Not the cheapest oem part on ebay at £72.49 but it arrived next day and is a massive saving over the BMW boxed part which is EXACTLY the same - £125.08!!!!

So, usual stuff first - getting the inlet manifold off. I timed myself this morning, took me 22 minutes this time - dead easy once you know how!

So then to get to the controller - bloody nightmare

This is it's location once removed - notice you have to take off the coolant feed to the block. Maybe half a litre of fluid comes out.

Then its a case of undoing the 2 10mm nuts holding the controller. I struggled at first for access then undid the clips to the rigid vacuum pipe that runs in front of it - gave me more room but still tight.

Once the controller is free - ift up to the extent of the wiring harness (not much play!!) and then undo the two plugs. The large plug on the right needs squeezing to release. I squeezed with all my might but had to resort to using a set of large jawed pliers to squeeze the tabs - this worked a treat.

The plug on the left needs a small pry tool inserted behind the clips to come free.

Then you're left with this:



The old controller:



Then just a case of cleaning mating surfaces of block coolant pipe, reconnecting and then topping up with distilled water - going to do a coolant change soon so this will suffice till then.

Then methodically buttoning everything back together.

A check of INPA showed faults stored for glow plugs 1, 2 and 5 but now not currently present So fault memory cleared.

Sorted.

As usual, nothing really difficult doing this - I encourage you all to have a go it will save you a LOT in labour costs and you simply need to invest in a few standard tools.

['V']

Originally Posted by Calluhan

Wow - looking forward to seeing that - you doing the wrap yourself?

I'm now thinking about getting it sprayed metallic black as I've found such an excellent bodyshop

Yep - can't resist a DIY.
Was also considering painting the roof by I'll stick with a wrap for now.

Good going with all he fixes you've been doin - cracking work!
Car is looking minty mint!
Now you need to find yourself a set of BBS wheels

[marklemac]

I can't see the latest pics in this thread, there is a no-entry sign instead ? The aerial is the last pic I can see.

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by marklemac

I can't see the latest pics in this thread, there is a no-entry sign instead ? The aerial is the last pic I can see.

I see what you mean. I can see them myself on my own devices but not on others. It looks like the change to Google pic hosting has stopped embedding links for new pictures. I'll sort it.

Edit: Latest pictures now hosted on tinypic so hopefully ok now?

[marklemac]

perfect, thanks

[holmefield]

I changed my glow plug control unit awhile ago, what a Bas___d it was to do...

I've still got 2 glow plug alarms present so looks like i'll have to change them to....

[Calluhan]

Originally Posted by holmefield

I changed my glow plug control unit awhile ago, what a Bas___d it was to do...

I've still got 2 glow plug alarms present so looks like i'll have to change them to....

Yeah it's a tricky one. I just resigned myself to doing the controller and the plugs - seems in my case the plugs may have been fine. They all seemed original so the plugs and controller have lasted 8 years and 150000 miles so can't complain.

[Ess]

Cool write ups!!

[Calluhan]

Look what I got today :-)

[Calluhan]

This was the picture I saw that made my mind up to go for the F10 M5 Reps:



Trouble is I'm currently 3500 miles away so relying on my Mrs to send me pics. She even sorted out tyre fitting for me bless her!