[Burr001]

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

No one in the above conversation is taking into account the varying DIY abilities of our members

There are guys here who genuinely astonish me (charge pipe swap in 1-2 hrs…installation of lowering springs at home…the guy here recently who did a 💯🏆💯 wrap job on his ride)

Personally, I’m more of a hack. I’ve tested myself w/ the many mods I’ve done thus far, but most of them required me texting or calling Burr001 for help w/ issues that inevitably arose. It’s crazy how many jobs he’s guided me through from 4956 miles away

Re the item in question, it’s highly unlikely that I could turn out a finished product of better quality than what’s available on Ali. I know my limitations. There are of course members here who could reupholster their entire car in a weekend without breaking a sweat

This forum needs both types of guys ☮️

DIY is always the route to go, most things are a lot easier than they’re made out to be, the only thing that kicked my ass was my springs took 13 hours straight, back story the day before that I spent 15 hours doing coilovers on my friends 2010 gti that spent most it’s life in New York so you can put two and two together let’s just say an angle grinder, torch and drill bits were our friend. Both jobs started after work and ended with the sun rising
Mine we ran in to the challenge of there was absolutely zero way my knuckle and strut would come apart the knuckle didn’t have enough downward movement so after about 7 hours of playing with that and it being 2am and ready to give up my friend said fuck this we are taking the whole knuckle off. From there took us 3 hours to complete both sides and have it back together!

Only thing I don’t see my self DIYing is building the engine I’ll let the professionals do that. Im a professional in my field of tuning but know my limitations of what I’m capable of. While I think I could do it rather not spend 8k in parts then find out I botched that job.

Also a big part that plays in to my diy obsession is where I live there isn’t a shop I trust to work on my car/no bmw shops. (I’ve heard way to many horror stories)Only shops I trust bringing my car to are CES motorsports which is 9 hours away or MLife which is 20+ hours away. Luckly I have many connections like you so helps just a call away!

[Gr8ZongB58]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

DIY is always the route to go, most things are a lot easier than they’re made out to be, the only thing that kicked my ass was my springs took 13 hours straight, back story the day before that I spent 15 hours doing coilovers on my friends 2010 gti that spent most it’s life in New York so you can put two and two together let’s just say an angle grinder, torch and drill bits were our friend. Both jobs started after work and ended with the sun rising
Mine we ran in to the challenge of there was absolutely zero way my knuckle and strut would come apart the knuckle didn’t have enough downward movement so after about 7 hours of playing with that and it being 2am and ready to give up my friend said fuck this we are taking the whole knuckle off. From there took us 3 hours to complete both sides and have it back together!

Only thing I don’t see my self DIYing is building the engine I’ll let the professionals do that. Im a professional in my field of tuning but know my limitations of what I’m capable of. While I think I could do it rather not spend 8k in parts then find out I botched that job.

Also a big part that plays in to my diy obsession is where I live there isn’t a shop I trust to work on my car/no bmw shops. (I’ve heard way to many horror stories)Only shops I trust bringing my car to are CES motorsports which is 9 hours away or MLife which is 20+ hours away. Luckly I have many connections like you so helps just a call away!

Ha! I refused to take that damn knuckle off. Pulled out the axle instead and it gave me all the room in the world to wiggle the strut out 🥴😂

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by Gr8ZongB58

Ha! I refused to take that damn knuckle off. Pulled out the axle instead and it gave me all the room in the world to wiggle the strut out 🥴😂

You’re a brave man!!!!! I hate fucking with axles. The knuckle was easy since everything else is already off you just take off the lower control arm.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Originally Posted by AshtonPJT

You’re a brave man!!!!! I hate fucking with axles. The knuckle was easy since everything else is already off you just take off the lower control arm.

I just didn't want to take of the calipers but it wasn't too bad. It's just a big'ol key when you're putting it back in.

[AshtonPJT]

Originally Posted by Gr8ZongB58

I just didn't want to take of the calipers but it wasn't too bad. It's just a big'ol key when you're putting it back in.

Calipers weren’t to bad to put back, have yet to mess with the axles on my x3 hopefully don’t have to ever. Let’s hope they can hold up to 1.5 60ft this summer

[JDsX3]

A quick pic of WhiteIce this morning just before going out for a random fun drive.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Got some crappy gas today and here is what my oil catch can thinks about it.

Been running shell 93 and e40 blend for the pass 6 months and checking my occ every 2 weeks. Got nothing but condensation in the can, no big deal. Filled up a whole tank with citgo 93 gas and ran about 280 miles and here is the sludge my engine threw up and filled my entire catch can.

Didn't get a picture of the full can but you can see what it looks like.

Take away from this, don't get crappy gas.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Alignment day after about a month sitting on MSS springs adjusted all the way down. Not much of a change as expected but for piece of mind of not eating away my tires.

[Svensken]

Originally Posted by Gr8ZongB58

Got some crappy gas today and here is what my oil catch can thinks about it.

Been running shell 93 and e40 blend for the pass 6 months and checking my occ every 2 weeks. Got nothing but condensation in the can, no big deal. Filled up a whole tank with citgo 93 gas and ran about 280 miles and here is the sludge my engine threw up and filled my entire catch can.

Didn't get a picture of the full can but you can see what it looks like.

Take away from this, don't get crappy gas.

How is it even possible to get crappy gas? Is it a common thing, or was this just a one-timer? I've never heard of it happen ever over here.

[bouchy]

Wtf is "oil catch can"?

[Gr8ZongB58]

Originally Posted by Svensken

How is it even possible to get crappy gas? Is it a common thing, or was this just a one-timer? I've never heard of it happen ever over here.

I should reiterate and say "crappy gas while tuned" but yes, gas over here is pretty bad at some places. Usually by brand and the amount of foot traffic. Stagnant gas, old tanks, no name stations, etc.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Wtf is "oil catch can"?

It literally does what it's called. There is a low side blow by hose connected from your valve cover to your intake. The can is installed in between that to catch oil blow by.

[joncoyle87]

Changed the front boomerang grills from Cirium grey to black.

[joncoyle87]

Originally Posted by RICH S202

New paddle shifters, some Alcantara trim around the headlight controls, some real carbon fiber to delete more piano black, and i wrapped the B pillars with some Tiny Bot carbon vinyl to get rid of my finger prints every time i grab the door.

Looks great. I’ve been looking for a carbon replacement for the centre console too, but it’s not as easy to find for right hand drive

[MFschwifty]

Originally Posted by Gr8ZongB58

Alignment day after about a month sitting on MSS springs adjusted all the way down. Not much of a change as expected but for piece of mind of not eating away my tires.

How long after installing new springs would you recommend getting an alignment? Just had H&Rs put on 2 weeks ago and had the alignment done immediately after.

[Gr8ZongB58]

Originally Posted by MFschwifty

How long after installing new springs would you recommend getting an alignment? Just had H&Rs put on 2 weeks ago and had the alignment done immediately after.

It really depends. Time vs driving style vs road conditions. I waited at least 2 weeks with my given conditions. Work commute, spirited drives, and even hauling a bunch of soil for yard work. I was ready by the third week but didn't have time so a full month it was.

[AshtonPJT]

I waited 2 months

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by MFschwifty

How long after installing new springs would you recommend getting an alignment? Just had H&Rs put on 2 weeks ago and had the alignment done immediately after.

A proper shop will do it right after and tell you to come back after driving about 500 -1000 miles to allow everything to settle.

[Flippco]

Got an oil change and the pano roof seal replaced. The old seal had shrunk by about 5/8”. Hopefully that solves the wind noise.

[COM40]

Hit 50k recently so decided to do spark plugs. Old plugs were still in great shape. And surprisingly were NGK instead of Champions like I expected.

Not a bad job at all, the back 2 are just a bit of a reach. Took ~90 min (including 15 min to jack the car up and remove the splashguard to retrieve the socket I dropped). It was harder than my allroad with the 2.0t but easier than the V8 on our suburban.

[harryo2b]

Originally Posted by X3_Alaska

Tinted my reflectors and put dark badges on.

Where did you get the film? Was it pre-cut or did you cut yourself?