Our new to us 2015 F31 325D M Sport

[d_a_n1979]

So the cars in with Bowker BMW again unfortunately (well; fortunately TBH) as it's getting a new rocker cover; all the gubbins and a new intake manifold fitted under warranty as they found a few issues trying to trace an oil leak for me...!

My wife dropped me off at the hospital last Wednesday for a small op I was going in for and I could smell hot oil; had a quick look and low n behold; smoke coming from the rear of the rocker cover, above the DPF...

BMW Assist out that afternoon; declared there was an issue (a way to get around the airbag recall issues currently) and it went in on Thursday morning...

They diagnosed the issues Friday & parts have landed today and hopefully the car should be sorted for tomorrow/Wednesday

Thang goodness for BMW Warranty and the slickness in which Bowker have sorted this! They've both been absolutely superb so far

[d_a_n1979]

The cars back on the drive & in tip top condition... Apparently it went down well with techs there with the full M Performance brakes all round and skirt decals fitted

It came back with the printed invoice an been doing some sums via RealOEM and eBay UK today for prices and all toted up, via BMW resellers on eBay (mainly Douglas Park); the total works out at just over £1400 for parts alone

No idea what the labour rate will have been!

Anyways; it's done and all in good fettle

Thank goodness for warranty & what has, so far, been a superb experience with Bowker BMW in Preston

[CJM36]

Excellent result!

Refreshing to hear someone having a positive experience with the service dept in a main dealership.

I had to fight VW Aberdeen to cover the mirror glass for my GTI under warranty; despite it being a cheap enough part and common fault.

Car is immaculate btw!!

[d_a_n1979]

CJM36 said:

Excellent result!

Refreshing to hear someone having a positive experience with the service dept in a main dealership.

I had to fight VW Aberdeen to cover the mirror glass for my GTI under warranty; despite it being a cheap enough part and common fault.

Car is immaculate btw!!

Cheers

TBH they've been absolutely faultless and really good to deal with... They've always been good with my cars; even my E39s all had the airbag recalls there and the techs absolutely loved my Japanese import touring when I took it to them a few years back...

The cars filthy TBH but that's the benefit of silver

I'll hopefully be fit enough in a few days to give it a good wash & dry off...

The Chemical Guys banana wax spray carnuba polish has done a great job so far; it rained the other day and it beads very well

[d_a_n1979]

A quick update and will follow up with pics when it all lands

I’ve been house bound, bored & with not a lot to do since my op on 10th May and unfortunately things aren’t as good as they could be, so still having a few tests (stomach issues)

Anyways… That’s a dangerous cocktail as it means I’ve been spending £££ like it’s going outta fashion

So far I’ve bought:

- OEM BMW M Performance alcantara / CF interior trim (dash, dash vent, centre console and all 4 door handles)
- The OEM BMW CF/Alcantara gear lever surround
- The OEM CF gear lever trim & that comes with new badges and screw to fit it all
- An OEM BMW red start/stop button
- OEM BMW M Performance pedal covers inc. the dead pedal

I had ordered the M Performance chrome tail pipe trims too but unfortunately don’t fit even though the part numbers are correct as per RealOEM, so they’re getting sent back to Douglas Park BMW

Anyways; once it’s all in the garage I’ll get pics of it and when it’s all fitted too…

Need to get myself fixed first as the pedals will require footwell gymnastics and I’m not in a position to be doing that currently

[d_a_n1979]

Finally, an update. Hardly touched the car since my op on 10th May and then just had a 6 day holiday in the local hospital due to a delayed reaction to the general!

My liver reacted and created a few issues with my gallbladder; so that's now due to be whipped out

Anyways...

Ordered all this trim over the last week or so; a few bits brand new, the rest 2nd hand/used but immaculate. ALL OEM BMW, no copies/aftermarket etc

I'll fit the pedals when I'm feeling better and up for some footwell gymnastics as there's a bit of drilling to be done etc































Will update ASAP when I've fitted the pedals etc

The car also needs a clean inside & out, it's filthy!

[pmorg4]

Looks cracking Dan!

[d_a_n1979]

pmorg4 said:

Looks cracking Dan!

Cheers pal

Really happy with the finish (looks much better now I've cleaned the car inside)

The finish is superb too; much better than the cubed alu trim IMO

I've spugged all that away safely so if I ever come to sell the car; I can revert it all back to factory OEM and sell those bits on again

[pmorg4]

d_a_n1979 said:

I've spugged all that away safely so if I ever come to sell the car; I can revert it all back to factory OEM and sell those bits on again

I like the logic. It makes it a lot easier to justify the price if you know you can get a good chunk of that back when you sell the car

[d_a_n1979]

pmorg4 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

I've spugged all that away safely so if I ever come to sell the car; I can revert it all back to factory OEM and sell those bits on again

I like the logic. It makes it a lot easier to justify the price if you know you can get a good chunk of that back when you sell the car

Absolutely! Plus it's all in the original packaging which is even better, as you know it'll be safe with the couriers too...

It's all neatly boxed up and stored in the garage, amongst many other parts

[Its Just Adz]

Firstly, I hope you're recovering ok after the op. Hope to see you up and about soon.

Second, the carbon and alcantara look great!

[d_a_n1979]

Its Just Adz said:

Firstly, I hope you're recovering ok after the op. Hope to see you up and about soon.

Second, the carbon and alcantara look great!

Cheers pal... All good after the op; that's seemed to have sorted that issue. It was the last week in hospital that was unexpected and now another op looming that's took my feet out from under me, again

Soon be fixed!

Aye; it's a lovely interior now. Nothing up with the alu trim, but it's just plain really and a few pieces were marked; so it's refreshed the interior superbly

[d_a_n1979]

Finally I've managed to give the car a proper wash and wax...

Hasn't been washed since before my op on 10th May!

All fluids checked and all correct (washer fluid topped up)

It was a bit too hot, even at 6pm, so left it at that as it was knackering me out and I'm not 100% yet...

Will do tyre pressures etc tomorrow. Glass needs cleaning too...

It's first trip to Anglesey a week tomorrow. Hoping to go down via Horseshoe Pass as long as its decent weather

[d_a_n1979]

M Performance pedals fitted

Pig of a job IMO, more so if you've shovel like hands like me! Trying to get the fiddly little bolts done on the brake pedal was a mare!

[b14]

Looks great Dan - love the carbon interior. Definitely interested in doing the same to my 340i - how easy was it? I've taken apart the dash before but the gear shift area is new to me, plus the door pulls.

Also, was this an ebay purchase, one of the many offered from Lithuania? If so - how was the quality, fitment etc? Certainly looks good on the photos.

[d_a_n1979]

[redacted]

[d_a_n1979]

Exhaust trim swapped

The OEM chrome tailpipes were corroded/pitted etc and no amount of polishing will restore them

Instead of forking out c£160 for the OEM replacements I've fitted £35 Amazon black chrome specials via a reseller in Germany







Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exhaust-Tailpipes-Stainle...

Bit of WD40 and the OEM ones slide off & the new ones slide on (with the aid of a rubber mallet)

[cerb4.5lee]

I tend to prefer chrome tips Dan, but those black chrome tips do look very nice though for sure.

[d_a_n1979]

cerb4.5lee said:

I tend to prefer chrome tips Dan, but those black chrome tips do look very nice though for sure.

I sort of do as well; but as it's M Sport with the gloss trim; they stood out like a sore thumb... So that's why I went with the black chrome ones as they have that sheen to them still

[cerb4.5lee]

d_a_n1979 said:

I sort of do as well; but as it's M Sport with the gloss trim; they stood out like a sore thumb... So that's why I went with the black chrome ones as they have that sheen to them still

They look very smart Dan. I reckon they would suit my M4 as well. I really like the sheen that they have on them a lot.