Meds 3.0si Coupe - Update: Rear panel paint

[1536Z4]

I've no idea if it needs a clear coat, or not.?
Or if a soft paint brush will apply it well enough?

I sprayed mine so not sure how they will come out using a brush but as usual make sure the paint is warm . I sprayed some clearcoat over them .

Always liked the look of those calipers

[Meds]

I've no idea if it needs a clear coat, or not.?
Or if a soft paint brush will apply it well enough?

I sprayed mine so not sure how they will come out using a brush but as usual make sure the paint is warm . I sprayed some clearcoat over them .

Always liked the look of those calipers

I decided against using the tin of Montego and ordered some rattle cans of paint and clear.
A task for the weekend.

[Meds]

Yesterday, I finished the fish tank (fog light) removal:


And whilst I was in the spray paint mood, I did the engine bay braces, too. The factory matte black paint was starting to flake and look crusty, why not eh,?:


Racer boy, I know.
I draw the line at the crash bars behind the grill, though. No way are they going blue, yellow or red.!

[1536Z4]

I draw the line at the crash bars behind the grill, though. No way are they going blue, yellow or red.!

Did mine black

Good to get the fog lights blanks done and the braces look good

[Meds]

Did mine black

Yes, mine went dark rain cloud grey (because I had the metal paint left over from my garage door).

[Mr Tidy]

Did mine black
Yes, mine went dark rain cloud grey (because I had the metal paint left over from my garage door).

Well mine are red, to match the brake calipers. Done by a previous owner, but I like them that way!

Your car looks much better without the cloudy foglights.

[Meds]

Did mine black
Yes, mine went dark rain cloud grey (because I had the metal paint left over from my garage door).

Well mine are red, to match the brake calipers. Done by a previous owner, but I like them that way!

Your car looks much better without the cloudy foglights.

Yes, thankyou Sir Tidy.
The fog light delete does look quite sleek.
After I drilled holes in them, they actually looked pretty good and sparkly to be fair. I'm 50/50 at this point to keep them or put the fogs back in.

Regarding the painted crash bars.. I've just never been a fan. They seem to be poplular on cars that also wear 4D number plates, multiple M badges and those M coloured grills.
But.... there's obviously many exceptions to this broad generalisation and can look nice on a well done, classy car.

I finally ordered the custom brackets to fit the quite frankly, ridiculously huge front calipers. That's everything on the shopping list sorted.
They're coming from Germany, so a few weeks ai guess.

[Mr Tidy]

Definitely a cleaner look to the front without the foglights. To be fair I've always thought the pre-facelift front looked better too.

Front 090422.jpg (134.15 KiB) Viewed 427 times

I think the red bars look good with the red calipers but I don't have 4D plates - although I do have some M badges.

[1536Z4]

(because I had the metal paint left over from my garage door

Lucky you didnt find some of the wifes used nail polish lying about

[Meds]

I think the red bars look good with the red calipers but I don't have 4D plates - although I do have some M badges.

You're very much allowed badges.

[True-Blue]

These bad boys are nearing install I'm waiting on the custom calliper brackets, then I can get busy.


They'll look epic behind the dark grey 261m wheels.
They're the Brembo 6 pot BMW Performance option on the E9x 3 and E8x 1 series that I kept from my previous install. Also the standard offering on the 135i coupe before they moved to 4 pots.
A very popular upgrade with the E46 M3 guys.

I picked them up years ago from a guy who had them on his track Mini. Prior to that they used on 2x 130i track cars, so, needless to say, they were wrecked. A full strip down, 2 stuck/corroded pistons, 12 new pistons and seals, a professional refurb, new decals and also a helicoil thread install.
I have an emotional attachment to these.

Very nice indeed

[Meds]

The leaky oil cooler gasket was addressed today.

My lord, it was a mess under there. The engine only has 77k, but based on the gunk, this has been leaking for a while.
It's unkown at this point if the filter housing gasket needs doing, too. All the gunk seemed to blend into 1 big mess so I'll assess in a few months now it's a bit cleaner under there.

I wasnt expecting quite so much coolant and oil to escape, despite me removing the filter and allowing all the oil to drain back.
My efforts of a large old rag and carboard over the auxilary belt were futile and loads of oil dripped onto the belt and pulleys beneath.
I'll get the belt replaced next week while she's in for the front BBK.

[Meds]

The BBK is finally on and working well.
These look fantastic under the grey wheels. I've yet to properly drive them but initial impressions are good so far.



A new auxilary belt, tensioner and idle pully have been installed, too. Nice.
Whilst my mechanic was under there, he was able to do a full check and reported no leaks from the new cooler gasket, the existing filter housing gaskets, vanos seals, head gasket, rocker cover and sump gasket. Sweeeeet.

[R17SKO]

The BBK is finally on and working well.
These look fantastic under the grey wheels. I've yet to properly drive them but initial impressions are good so far.

They look stunning James!!



A new auxilary belt, tensioner and idle pully have been installed, too. Nice.
Whilst my mechanic was under there, he was able to do a full check and reported no leaks from the new cooler gasket, the existing filter housing gaskets, vanos seals, head gasket, rocker cover and sump gasket. Sweeeeet.

[1536Z4]

The BBK is finally on and working well.

Very nice . Good to know everything else is ok too .