What have you done to your BMW today?
Discussion
Deep Thought said:
Whats the bay way to keep an Alcantara steering wheel? I've the M Performance one in my M2 and want to keep it looking at its best.
I just gave mine a little clean in the sink. Gentle rubbing with the toothbrush I believe is the general advice given. I didn't use any special cleaners but you can get them. Mine has fairly new covering so not too bad and quite fluffy before cleaning. But it did have some mould growing out of it from the winter period condensation. Still wet in this pic.
Deep Thought said:
Whats the bay way to keep an Alcantara steering wheel? I've the M Performance one in my M2 and want to keep it looking at its best.
I bought a dedicated alacantara cleaner that I’d use monthly with a soft microfibre. I’d just use plain water on a cloth as part of my weekly clean. cerb4.5lee said:
rottenegg said:
Took advantage of BMW_Direct's 15% off promotion on ebay and grabbed a pair of genuine exhaust trims.
Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
Nice! I love shiny exhaust tips big time. Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
What I like most about pristine diesel tips is it proves to the wider public that they are not dirty engines
Pre OPF, petrol DI engines had far sootier exhausts than any EU6 diesel car 
rottenegg said:
Took advantage of BMW_Direct's 15% off promotion on ebay and grabbed a pair of genuine exhaust trims.
Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
Blingity Bling... Grab your cheque book cover and pen... Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
God I'm old haha
They look well, little jobs like that always lift the end you're working on etc.. Like new kidney grilles up front etc
Deep Thought said:
Court_S said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Yeah; you drive a lot more than I do pal; alcantara is great and easy to keep clean as long as you look after it. Just feels better in the hands IMO
What about an 'alf n 'alf from RSW
Some nice nappa leather feels good, especially with the perforated leather.What about an 'alf n 'alf from RSW
My alcantara wheels wore well because I’m a detailing nerd, I just fancy a change having had four alcantara wheels.
Comes up like new
If I've been training and using chalk, I make sure I've washed my hands too!
d_a_n1979 said:
rottenegg said:
Took advantage of BMW_Direct's 15% off promotion on ebay and grabbed a pair of genuine exhaust trims.
Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
Blingity Bling... Grab your cheque book cover and pen... Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
God I'm old haha
They look well, little jobs like that always lift the end you're working on etc.. Like new kidney grilles up front etc
Ordinarily not something I'd bother with, but with 15% off, why not. And as you say, the difference fresh parts make to the overall aesthetics is huge!
Tips normally £63.50 each, but got the pair for £107 delivered. I bought some cheap copies off Amazon a while back and threw them in the bin immediately after they flopped onto the exhaust pipes too loosely and just looked cheap. Can't beat OEM.
LCI black and chrome kidneys normally £73 each, but grabbed a pair for £124. It wasn't until I swapped them out that I realised just how tarnished and stone chipped to death the original ones were.
rottenegg said:
d_a_n1979 said:
rottenegg said:
Took advantage of BMW_Direct's 15% off promotion on ebay and grabbed a pair of genuine exhaust trims.
Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
Blingity Bling... Grab your cheque book cover and pen... Took all of 2 minutes 13 seconds to bash the old ones off and push the new ones on.
Much better
God I'm old haha
They look well, little jobs like that always lift the end you're working on etc.. Like new kidney grilles up front etc
Ordinarily not something I'd bother with, but with 15% off, why not. And as you say, the difference fresh parts make to the overall aesthetics is huge!
Tips normally £63.50 each, but got the pair for £107 delivered. I bought some cheap copies off Amazon a while back and threw them in the bin immediately after they flopped onto the exhaust pipes too loosely and just looked cheap. Can't beat OEM.
LCI black and chrome kidneys normally £73 each, but grabbed a pair for £124. It wasn't until I swapped them out that I realised just how tarnished and stone chipped to death the original ones were.
I wasn't sure I wanted to spend £110 for new OEM tips when I ordered them and glad I didn't TBH as they stand out too much being chrome
But deffo agree with OEM kidney grilles; BMW or not at all IMO - no aftermarket ones fit as well IMO
Same with interior mats!
d_a_n1979 said:
If I've been training and using chalk, I make sure I've washed my hands too!
I believe the natural oils from your skin attack the Alcantara. Chalk might prevent that.Initially I always washed my hands before driving that car. Occasional use only. Then I found some Alcantara type gloves I bought from USA 10 years ago. Under Armer. Can't seem to find them for sale here. Possibly for use when shooting guns. I bought them in a shop full of guns.
I keep the gloves in the car so I can always wear them. I then put them on before touching the wheel. Side note - also stops me messing with my phone when I'm driving. Yes - very OCD.
When I leave the gym it's never without a shower. You don't know what dirty F'ers have been touching the equipment. Free hot water too. I've not a had a shower at home since the gym reopened after Covid.
Finally got to the bottom of the running issues on my Z4 after changing the CCV. This little sucker wasn’t plugged in properly (it’s an absolute bugger to get back in place)
It also turns out that it needs the sound generator box to be plugged in to run properly
I celebrated by giving the old girl a clean.
It also turns out that it needs the sound generator box to be plugged in to run properly
I celebrated by giving the old girl a clean.
Court_S said:
Finally got to the bottom of the running issues on my Z4 after changing the CCV. This little sucker wasn’t plugged in properly (it’s an absolute bugger to get back in place)
It also turns out that it needs the sound generator box to be plugged in to run properly
I celebrated by giving the old girl a clean.
Glad you got it fixed Sam It also turns out that it needs the sound generator box to be plugged in to run properly
I celebrated by giving the old girl a clean.
ATM said:
I just gave mine a little clean in the sink. Gentle rubbing with the toothbrush I believe is the general advice given. I didn't use any special cleaners but you can get them. Mine has fairly new covering so not too bad and quite fluffy before cleaning. But it did have some mould growing out of it from the winter period condensation. Still wet in this pic.
Court_S said:
I bought a dedicated alacantara cleaner that I’d use monthly with a soft microfibre. I’d just use plain water on a cloth as part of my weekly clean.
Thanks both for the info. I'll start a regular cleaning regime. Prevention is better than cure.Its this one with the Alcantara hand grips. Did the Carbon and Alcantara gear knob and surround also, so a bit there to keep right too.
Caught a train up to London and collected a rare old saloon, in the shape of an almost rust free E36. There are a couple of small cosmetic scabs and the jacking points were repaired a few years back but, as far as E36's go, it's in remarkably good shape. The mileage is also very low at just 45k or thereabouts and some years it cpvered literally a mile between tests. Given how little it's actually been used, it definitely benefited from an Italian tune up today and by the time we reached home 253 miles later, it was running and driving without fault. The interior is in amazing condition and despite the smokers pack, it's never actually been smoked in.
Best of all though, it's a super rare 318is saloon so has a 1,9 twin cam, M sport suspension, M sport steering wheel etc.
Oh and does anyone know how I can find out the radio code for a BMW Business RDS radio cassette?
Best of all though, it's a super rare 318is saloon so has a 1,9 twin cam, M sport suspension, M sport steering wheel etc.
Oh and does anyone know how I can find out the radio code for a BMW Business RDS radio cassette?
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