BMW 330ci

[Stefan.]

Regret it now ? I did look at yours tbh. But distance was too far.

Thanks.

i missed having a hot hatch and to save for a house deposit but the build quality from the 330ci to a 172 is shocking tbh lol forgot how bad it is...

 

[Brad Smith]

Oo fair enough. I've never tried one. But the build quality in my little 1.2 clio was terrible compared to this. Could never imagine to go back to it.

 

[Brad Smith]

So today was the turn of painting the callipers and giving all the wheels a full clean. And the arches and dress them. Wheels were basically bonded on ! Could undo the bolts or when I got one set of the wheel was then stuck. Was terrible !! Had to pop to the local tyre place to use the gun on them. After that they were ok. But the wheels were still bonded on. So once off. I pressure washed the arches and cleaned them then dressed them with AG, rubbed the hub and back of the wheel with a wire brush. Then cleaned all the back of the wheel with AG wheel clean and iron x. Came up ok but highlighted the wheel corrosion and bad paint jobs. Clean tyres to remove previous tyre gel. Then protected them with just AG super resin and extra protection. Only thing I thought to use. As haven't got any actual wheel wax. But tbh they never came up great well the backs. Just highlighted how bad they was. Maybe changed wheels or a full acid dip. Fronts came up nice. Hopefully be easier to clean.

Onto callipers, rubbed them down with a wire brush and cleaned them. Then painted them with black hammerite. Also gave the nuts a coat of satin paint as was sick of rusty bolts. If I did change or get them painted I would get new bolts hopefully polarised.

Pretty pleased with the results.

Back calliper before:

After:

Front:

 

[Brad Smith]

Picked up my new Radio and fitted it this weekend. Really please, looks much better than the kenwood, sold that on eBay so that was money towards this.

Does everything sat Nav, bluetooth, freeview, DVD, iPod,USB etc.

Also got some fresh plates and stuck them on with sticky pads not screws. Also a new front badge as previous was pretty warn.

Just need to get silver visions to finish the front end.

Thanks.

 

[Philip.]

Looks tidy mate!
Screen looks good too.

 

[Brad Smith]

Thank you. Very pleased with screen

 

[AdDaMan]

Ah so you went for one then! Awesome aren't they. Did you get a rear view too?

 

[Brad Smith]

Yeah had to have one. Didn't like the fact the screen didn't fill the whole space. And no I never in the end, couldn't be bothered to fit it...

Do you know how to get the freeview to work. I can't find any channels ?

 

[AdDaMan]

You need to add a tuner that's why lol

 

[Jon.G]

Which unit is that you've gone for?

I saw a couple of days ago that Dynavin have brought out the N6, which had me tempted until I saw the price.

 

[Brad Smith]

The eonon mate.

And yeah the price is expensive on those. Although they look good !

 

[Brad Smith]

Gave the car a machine polish and added a few layers of AG HD wax. Pics below:

Comments welcome.

Thanks.

 

[roberto.]

Looks great mate! Best colour and a nice spec too.

Im on the look out for one now and it seems impossible to find a well specced one.

 

[Brad Smith]

Thanks mate! Yeah looked for this colour and for a decent spec.

Yeah think you have to compromise with a few things. Important things is service history. Then you have to compromise on spec and mileage.

 

[Pete Nov]

Certainly know how to look after your cars.

The small mods & changes look absolutely fantastic! Great work.

 

[Brad Smith]

Thank you mate. I do try

Do the little bits first and then hopefully
Move onto the bigger stuff. Want to maybe change the steering wheel like in my compact. And get some csl wheels.

 

[Wick]

Really like this!

 

[Brad Smith]

Thanks mate. Me too aha.

 

[roberto.]

Thanks mate! Yeah looked for this colour and for a decent spec.

Yeah think you have to compromise with a few things. Important things is service history. Then you have to compromise on spec and mileage.

Yeah that seems to be the only option. There are only two for sale that have caught my attention but seem overpriced at 5k. How much did you fork out for this? PM me if you'd prefer.

 

[_Tom]

Spot on 46 330ci tbh. Everything I'd want with one. I keep looking at 330cd's..

 

[Brad Smith]

Thank you how do they sound ? Only thing that would put me off the 330cd.

 

[_Tom]

Meaty. Not like your normal diesel that's for sure. I did look at a 300bhp cd but it was Auto so only a matter of time before that goes bang.

 

[Brad Smith]

Oo that's good then. I personally wouldn't want an auto. But the 300bhp sounds appealing ha.

 

[v16daf]

Hi,

Nice updates on the car, recently bought one myself in the same colour with 78,000 on the clock. Lovely daily drive. Only mine is an auto, tbh I was worried about it being an auto, but in fact I find it very good.

Can I ask how you did the carbon cube restore on the handles as mine have gone poor.

Also liking the cup holders!!

 

[Brad Smith]

Thanks mate.

You not got a thread up ?

Oh fair enough I just prefer the drive with a manual feel more connected with the gear changes. Long as your happy that's all that matters.

Yeah I just taped all around the and sprayed some satin black spray on lightly just enough to cover up the marks at first then just out a couple of coats on.

Yeah I had sliding trays before, didn't like the look as much as the cup holders.

 

[v16daf]

Thanks mate.

You not got a thread up ?

Oh fair enough I just prefer the drive with a manual feel more connected with the gear changes. Long as your happy that's all that matters.

Yeah I just taped all around the and sprayed some satin black spray on lightly just enough to cover up the marks at first then just out a couple of coats on.

Yeah I had sliding trays before, didn't like the look as much as the cup holders.

No I haven't made a thread yet, been occupying my time with a barn conversion. Doing the majority myself in the evenings and weekends, so car time is very low at the moment.

Brilliant cars aren't they!

I'm thinking of getting cup holders now after seeing yours

Might seem thick here but how did you keep the carbon effect with using satin black?

 

[v16daf]

Photo the night I bought her

 

[Brad Smith]

Oh mind a barn conversion sounds more interesting.

It really is a great car, great all rounder. Couldn't be more happy with it.

Just spray over them lightly and the effect stays on. I was worried about this at first too

 

[v16daf]

Oh mind a barn conversion sounds more interesting.

It really is a great car, great all rounder. Couldn't be more happy with it.

Just spray over them lightly and the effect stays on. I was worried about this at first too

The job you've done looks great any way! So I'll give it a go.
I'll keep an eye on your thread, progress is excellent!

 

[Brad Smith]

Barn conversion looks awesome!! I would love to do one of those. Always love the look of them.

Car also looks great mate. Done any changes ?

 

[v16daf]

Barn conversion looks awesome!! I would love to do one of those. Always love the look of them.

Car also looks great mate. Done any changes ?

I can't wait to finish it! Should be in before Xmas if all goes well. Then I'll need to sort the outside out.

No changes to the car, it has SC schnizer mirrors if I pronounce that correct? Quite like the look of them.

Gave it an oil change plus filters after I bought it. Plan to keep it looking OEM really. The bodywork is in excellent condition. Previous owner looked after it well

 

[Brad Smith]

Ordered some gliptone today for the seats as fed up of them looking shiny. Want them back to matt looking new and smelling new .

Also thinking of ordering a steering wheel the same as in the compact ! As I loved that wheel and believe the current one spoils the interior.

Wheel I would have :

Also car was beading nicely from the detail a week ago:

Thanks

 

[Brad Smith]

Ooppss wheel has been ordered ha. Same spec as the compact one.

 

[yourcodenameisnick]

This thread made me but one of these!

Hopefully will be insuring myself on it tomorrow then selling the Clio.

 

[Brad Smith]

That's good mate. You won't be disappointed !

 

[Brad Smith]

Absolutely love it !! Such an improvement to the interior. So pleased with it, and so pleased I got it done !

Managed to sort it really quick which shocked me as on the last one it took forever !

Will get some pics in the day tomorrow.

 

[roberto.]

That wheels looks fantastic!

Where did you order from?

 

[yourcodenameisnick]

Is it a wheel from a compact? Where's the best place for parts on these on the t'internet? And any decent forums around?

 

[Brad Smith]

That wheels looks fantastic!

Where did you order from?

Thanks. I'm very happy with it ! And Jack from royal steering wheels. Great service and amazing quality.

 

[Brad Smith]

Is it a wheel from a compact? Where's the best place for parts on these on the t'internet? And any decent forums around?

No it's the same wheel just re trimmed, and then you send your old one off back to him. And I use eBay really. And as for forums E46 Zone is ok.