[doru]

Car looks gorgeous after the detail. I need to do this once the weather smartens up.
How did you clean the engine bay? hose or power?

[eurojulien]

Looks great nick. I think I recognize the e34 m3 from r3v

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by eurojulien

Looks great nick. I think I recognize the e34 m5 from r3v

Thanks.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Originally Posted by doru

Car looks gorgeous after the detail. I need to do this once the weather smartens up.
How did you clean the engine bay? hose or power?

Thank you!

Use a very low pressure shower setting on your hose to wet it all down. Then scrub and wipe everything the best you can with soap and degreaser. It will beat down your knuckles, go slow and be methodical.

[doru]

Originally Posted by Motorsport.Nick

Thanks.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr





Thank you!

Use a very low pressure shower setting on your hose to wet it all down. Then scrub and wipe everything the best you can with soap and degreaser. It will beat down your knuckles, go slow and be methodical.

Good stuff, thanks. I always used a wet rag to clean the engine bay being afraid of water ingress where it shouldn't. I will try with the water hose, hopefully nothing will happen. It's hard to get out the schmutz from every nook and cranny in there without a proper "shower".

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by doru

Good stuff, thanks. I always used a wet rag to clean the engine bay being afraid of water ingress where it shouldn't. I will try with the water hose, hopefully nothing will happen. It's hard to get out the schmutz from every nook and cranny in there without a proper "shower".

The water is a tiny portion of the work. Scrubbing is most of the battle, which is why I said its hard on your hands! Gotta reach all the nooks & crannies.

[designguy96]

Looks great. Any tips on how to clean under the rear window hatch area without getting water in the car?

[bkwld]

Love this post! Congratulations! I wouldn't normally recommend a front lip for this beauty but perhaps something subtle? Like an Alpina lip?

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by bkwld

Love this post! Congratulations! I wouldn't normally recommend a front lip for this beauty but perhaps something subtle? Like an Alpina lip?

Ah an Alpina lip sounds perfect! I can't thank you enough! I'll send you my address for shipping.

[N52UNED]

Nice. Dig the wagons. Looks clean (no pun intended) for having 98k. Outside of performance mods ... a new set of 18" wheels would go a long way. Enjoy!

[Alonsomac]

Originally Posted by designguy96

Looks great. Any tips on how to clean under the rear window hatch area without getting water in the car?

I clean that area by hand with vinyl/rubber cleaner and a towel. Its pretty easy to clean up really, give it a shot.

This is a great thread - i need to post about mine which i've had abt 2 years now. Close to the same car too but with three pedals.

Nice find, OP.

[Motorsport.Nick]

Update: New door pull

Yummmm! Love brand new parts

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr



I didn't want to waste any time so I jumped right in! This door handle is absolutely ridiculous! Seriously! Previous owner, how in gods green earth did you live with this!?!? Its not only ugly but its insanely sticky if you touch it your hands are then plagued with sticky until you wash them.
/rant

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


drill and cut out the original handle

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Done! Only other parts required are 4 push on washers from the hardware store.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Much better.

[Motorsport.Nick]

Small update: Rolled 100,000 miles this weekend!

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


My only concern is the sunroof. We had a few temperamental moments where it seemed to get stuck, clunk and pop. I did the hold down reset which worked to get it closed but now I'm afraid to open it. I can see that its out of vertical alignment at one of the corners.

[AWSB328iM]

Originally Posted by Motorsport.Nick

Update: New door pull

Yummmm! Love brand new parts

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr



I didn't want to waste any time so I jumped right in! This door handle is absolutely ridiculous! Seriously! Previous owner, how in gods green earth did you live with this!?!? Its not only ugly but its insanely sticky if you touch it your hands are then plagued with sticky until you wash them.
/rant

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


drill and cut out the original handle

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Done! Only other parts required are 4 push on washers from the hardware store.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Much better.

How much for the door pull? My fathers car needs one.

[Indyeah]

Loving this thread. I love seeing cars being really well maintained not just modded to hell.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Motorsport.Nick

Small update: Rolled 100,000 miles this weekend!

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


My only concern is the sunroof. We had a few temperamental moments where it seemed to get stuck, clunk and pop. I did the hold down reset which worked to get it closed but now I'm afraid to open it. I can see that its out of vertical alignment at one of the corners.

Nice pic! Bummer about the pano. That's a rare issue it seems. Hopefully taking it apart,greasing and re-aligning will help. They are pretty sensitive to a correct alignment.

Replace the seal while you're in there. That part was updated and it's much quieter after replacement.

[Aspen235]

Nice wagon, I wish mine had sport seats and steering wheel with flappy paddles.

[ObsidianX]

Looks great!

Have you considered coilovers and new wheels for your next additions? I found my E90 xDrive felt like a new car with the drop and new wheels could modernize the look without going overboard.

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by AWSB328iM

How much for the door pull? My fathers car needs one.

I think the parts were about $75, I bought them from ECS.

Originally Posted by Indyeah

Loving this thread. I love seeing cars being really well maintained not just modded to hell.

Thanks. Thats kinda the plan.

Originally Posted by tlow98

Nice pic! Bummer about the pano. That's a rare issue it seems. Hopefully taking it apart,greasing and re-aligning will help. They are pretty sensitive to a correct alignment.

Replace the seal while you're in there. That part was updated and it's much quieter after replacement.

Thanks
I'll research the seal and what a re-align takes.

Originally Posted by Aspen235

Nice wagon, I wish mine had sport seats and steering wheel with flappy paddles.

Thank you! Sport was a definite requirement.

[Motorsport.Nick]

Hi Guys,

Sorry for the lack of updates. Haven't had much to share. Still loving this car! Its been totally trouble free and a joy to drive. My son has arrived and has obviously taken all of my attention from working on any of my cars. He'll be 6 months this week! Can't believe how time flies, geeez.




Semi recent updates:
New OEM battery
Oil change

In the garage and next up when the weather clears up a bit:
Set of 4 pads and rotors
Upper windshield moulding


I find myself looking at craigslist fairly often for a set of wheels, which would be a nice-to-have, unfortunately not a need-to-have since my tires are in good condition. Not sure if my wife knows that though..

[bimmergazm]

wow that leather looks really nice!! I have the same color and they are dirty too. Tomorrow i will try to clean it

[tlow98]

Love these in white.

Ever figure out the sunroof issue?

[Motorsport.Nick]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Love these in white.

Ever figure out the sunroof issue?

Sad to say that I haven't. We just havent opened it since last summer. I'm afraid of it really breaking and getting stuck open. I can say that I'm not a fan of the pano sunroof.