[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by TX Coupe

Congrats. The long wait is finally over. I guess you don't need pics anymore since you have the real thing now. Sorry I couldn't get them to you. Have fun tomorrow giving her a good bath.

What are you using for your new car prep? Zaino? Klasse? Look forward to your after pictures.

Also, Love the rims.

Thanks Buddy, I can't tell you how much I LOVE THESE RIMS!!!! They fit the car awesome. I have a variety of stuff I picked up after reading the detailing forum for several months. Klasse AIO, Poorboys wheel sealant, several different Zaino products Z10 for the leather - Z5, Z6, Z7, Aerospace 303, Aerospace Fabric Protector, clay bar and lube, two brand new 5-gallon wash buckets and two sheepskin wash mits, and a ton of microfiber waffle and other microfiber towels and applicators. I got everything at Detailed Image, Autopia, and Zaino online, except the huge orange 5-gallon wash buckets which I got at Home Depot.

Basically, I am following Picus's new car prep sticky posted here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41760

Here's a pic of my supplies:

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by ecgiinla

dude, AM-azing! congrats! so happy for you!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! It was SOOOOOO worth the wait!!!

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Ok, so this is the first ive seen of this thread. My car is supposed to be on a ship and on the way to California. How and where did you guys get all this detailed info about what ship your car was on and where it was? I would really like to know all of this about my car.

fragadellic:
On a side note, did you choose to take your car home that way? Or does your dealer not prep the car at all? Just wondering?

Definitive

Well it starts with getting your production number, one way or another. I got mine from the dealer when I ordered my car. A week or so later, your car appears on the BMWUSA website in the Owner's Circle. A while later you get your VIN. You call the 1-800# a couple times a day to check your status, and when it finally goes into production you freak out. It took about a month from order date to starting production for me. The car is built in about a week, then is put on a train to the port Bremerhaven in Germany. It sits at the port for a while (mine was about a week). Hopefully you are lucky enough to be put on a Willenius Wilhelmsen ship which generally reports position as they cross the ocean. You check the WW website for your VIN number and find out what ship you're on. Then you track the ship using sailwx.info and AISLive to keep an eye on it. Then it hits Port Hueneme and goes to the VPC Vehicle Processing Center. My car was at the VPC last Tuesday and was released to the trucking company last Saturday. Because of the holiday weekend, a lot of trucks didn't move out on normal schedule, so I took delivery today.

Yes, I specifically asked my dealer to perform only the mechanical inspection and install my new wheels. Black paint is extremely susceptible to improper prep and washing techniques, and sometimes results in swirls which are generally only visible on black cars. I am sure my dealer would have done a good job, but this car is special to me. I want to make sure the car is prepped to my rediculous standards, so I am doing it myself! I asked them to leave all stickers, plastic in the interior, emblem covers, essentially everything on the car that came on it when it shipped.

Let me know if you have any questions!

[Definitive]

Yea I have a question... HOW DID YOU FIND OUT WHAT SHIP IT WAS ON???

Sorry for the caps. I know about all the other stuff. My car went into prod 3 days after I ordered it. It was done 4 days later. and then was awaiting the ship... I haven called in 5 days. Will they give you the ship info when you call the 800#. If so that is great! I didnt know if you had another way to find this info out.

On the other note... I noticed that handprint and across your hood... You couldent have been very happy about that!!!

Definitive

[DDTAN]

Originally Posted by fragadellic

Hey everybody,

Here are the photos I just took.

Great car!
Congratulations!

[speedgod]

Originally Posted by fragadellic

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! It was SOOOOOO worth the wait!!!

Congrats bro!!!! Glad to see pics of your car

Your detail shop looks similair to mine also. I can't wait to see it all cleaned up.
I will post some interior pics tomorrow as I can finish doing a better job detailing.

Also sorry to hear about you also getting hosed on the aero lip .


SG

[Definitive]

Ok, so it looks like I am on MAERSK WIND, or MADAME BUTTERFLY worst case. The BMW site now says en transport and I know it is a few days behind, so I am hoping it is on the MAERSK WIND!!! So now to figure out how to track the ship!!!



Origin Port Departure Destination Port Arrival Vessel Voyage Transit(Days)

BREMERHAVEN 01/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 25/06/2007 MAERSK WIND ED722-MWI 24
BREMERHAVEN 08/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 02/07/2007 MADAME BUTTERFLY ED723-MBU 24
BREMERHAVEN 15/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 09/07/2007 TASCO ED724-TCO 24
BREMERHAVEN 22/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 16/07/2007 MANON ED725-MAN 24
BREMERHAVEN 29/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 23/07/2007 ISOLDE ED726-ISO 24
BREMERHAVEN 06/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 30/07/2007 TRISTAN ED727-TST 24
BREMERHAVEN 13/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 06/08/2007 TARIFA ED728-TFA 24
BREMERHAVEN 20/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 13/08/2007 CARMEN ED729-CAR 24
BREMERHAVEN 27/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 20/08/2007 TITUS ED730-TIT 24


Definitive

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Yea I have a question... HOW DID YOU FIND OUT WHAT SHIP IT WAS ON???

Sorry for the caps. I know about all the other stuff. My car went into prod 3 days after I ordered it. It was done 4 days later. and then was awaiting the ship... I haven called in 5 days. Will they give you the ship info when you call the 800#. If so that is great! I didnt know if you had another way to find this info out.

On the other note... I noticed that handprint and across your hood... You couldent have been very happy about that!!!

Definitive

Yeah, I saw that handprint, but I won't be upset as long as I don't see it after the wash and exterior detail tomorrow. I have a feeling it will be fine.

Your CA will know what ship your car is on, but you will find out sooner by checking the Owner's Circle for your VIN. Then you go to the shipping company's website and keep checking to see if your vehicle was loaded onto a ship. There isn't any other way to find out that I know of (other than bugging your CA every day).

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Ok, so it looks like I am on MAERSK WIND, or MADAME BUTTERFLY worst case. The BMW site now says en transport and I know it is a few days behind, so I am hoping it is on the MAERSK WIND!!! So now to figure out how to track the ship!!!



Origin Port Departure Destination Port Arrival Vessel Voyage Transit(Days)

BREMERHAVEN 01/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 25/06/2007 MAERSK WIND ED722-MWI 24
BREMERHAVEN 08/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 02/07/2007 MADAME BUTTERFLY ED723-MBU 24
BREMERHAVEN 15/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 09/07/2007 TASCO ED724-TCO 24
BREMERHAVEN 22/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 16/07/2007 MANON ED725-MAN 24
BREMERHAVEN 29/06/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 23/07/2007 ISOLDE ED726-ISO 24
BREMERHAVEN 06/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 30/07/2007 TRISTAN ED727-TST 24
BREMERHAVEN 13/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 06/08/2007 TARIFA ED728-TFA 24
BREMERHAVEN 20/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 13/08/2007 CARMEN ED729-CAR 24
BREMERHAVEN 27/07/2007 PORT HUENEME, CA 20/08/2007 TITUS ED730-TIT 24


Definitive

Hey, there's Carmen again! LOL!!

Well if you get onto a WW ship that reports to sailwx.info, you'll be a happy camper. You can try to get the free 2 week AISLive account which shows the ship location when it's near one of the ports covered by their receivers (most major ones). If you get a NYKLine ship or WW ship that isn't reporting, it will make the 21 day journey seem like forever...

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by speedgod

Congrats bro!!!! Glad to see pics of your car

Your detail shop looks similair to mine also. I can't wait to see it all cleaned up.
I will post some interior pics tomorrow as I can finish doing a better job detailing.

Also sorry to hear about you also getting hosed on the aero lip .


SG

Thanks!!

I just finished the interior. Claying the inside surface of the windows did make a big difference for me. I went over all the plastic, rubber, dash etc with 303 and then conditioned all the leather with Z10. They look awesome. The carpets and floor mats are drying with the Scotchguard-type stuff on them overnight.

My dealer agreed to match the price of the lip from an online BMW dealer ($355) and paint it for $130, so with tax it's about $20 more than I was going to pay through Industry Distribution. I'm pretty happy with that. And actually they said they would have the part in a couple of days, and likely painted next week. I should have it by the end of next week or so.

I keep walking out into the garage to check the car out. I love this car!

[snohman]

Frag!!!
Finally!!!

I'm glad to see you finally got it!!
Your detailing stuff looks a lot like mine ( all black cars previously for me!)

I just flew in this evening and man what a trip it was.

if anybody is hesitant or skeptical of the European Delivery experience, do not be! It was an amazing trip, even for my wife, who was skeptical until the day we picked up! Here is ours...

1. our car at the Intercontinental Hotel Berchtesgaden, Germany
2. at the CDG Paris Airport Dropoff point
3. My wife and "her" car
4. the odometer at the beginning of the trip...
5. and at dropoff
6. No Comment

[Definitive]

Hey Frag, Does your name have anything to do with Salt Water Aquariums?

Just wondering...

Definitive

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Hey Frag, Does your name have anything to do with Salt Water Aquariums?

Just wondering...

Definitive

Nope! It has to do with computer gaming...which ironically I don't have time for anymore!

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by snohman

Frag!!!
Finally!!!

I'm glad to see you finally got it!!
Your detailing stuff looks a lot like mine ( all black cars previously for me!)

I just flew in this evening and man what a trip it was.

if anybody is hesitant or skeptical of the European Delivery experience, do not be! It was an amazing trip, even for my wife, who was skeptical until the day we picked up! Here is ours...

1. our car at the Intercontinental Hotel Berchtesgaden, Germany
2. at the CDG Paris Airport Dropoff point
3. My wife and "her" car
4. the odometer at the beginning of the trip...
5. and at dropoff
6. No Comment

HOLY CRAP DUDE you were really moving!!! That is totally cool. Car looks AWESOME!!! Yeah, I bet she gets to drive that car a lot...NOT!!!!

My car had 3 miles on it when I picked it up, so you were ahead of me!

It looks fantastic. Post more pics if you have time! Love the European scenery!!!

Funny that your cars were all black previously, mine were all white!!! (ok, except for my '77 Trans Am which was black...)

[snohman]

Originally Posted by fragadellic

HOLY CRAP DUDE you were really moving!!! That is totally cool. Car looks AWESOME!!! Yeah, I bet she gets to drive that car a lot...NOT!!!!

My car had 3 miles on it when I picked it up, so you were ahead of me!

It looks fantastic. Post more pics if you have time! Love the European scenery!!!

Funny that your cars were all black previously, mine were all white!!! (ok, except for my '77 Trans Am which was black...)

LOL! I'll post more when i go through the 600 some odd pictures. I have a business trip I need to take off for in a few hours, so when i get back.
If you have time, check out my post on bimmerfest...I put up a little write up over there w/ a few more pics....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=209086

Yeah i think my wife is already sensing the fact I had way too much fun driving this car even though it was an Automatic. We were really moving on the German autobahn. The car is amazingly stable at those speeds...it doesn't even bat an eye. The wife even admitted not even being the least bit scared going that fast....and of course it's always nice when people move out of your way in the left lane. Driving in Europe was a pleasure except through the streets of Paris!! I'll see if I can post more from my Hotel tonight!

[MyE93]

Got my car late the other night. Haven't been able to get pictures yet because my hubby's out of town and has the digital. Tried a few with my cell but they look like crap. I'll try to get some up this weekend!

What a fun, fun car to drive though. Picked her up with only 8 miles on it. Still have under a 100. Stupid work stuff... Alas, today is Friday so I only need to make it thorugh 8 more hours then I have an entire fun filled driving weekend ahead of me.

Congrats to everyone for making it through the wait! Frag, SpeedGod, Snohman....Cars look awesome. Waiting for some pics of Frag's after the detail though...

Snohman...hope you had a great B-day! Couldn'ta been too bad I reckon!

[ecgiinla]

Picked It Up Last Nite!!! Will Post Pictures When The Sun Comes Up!

[fragadellic]

Originally Posted by ecgiinla

Picked It Up Last Nite!!! Will Post Pictures When The Sun Comes Up!

Schweet!!!!! Can't wait to see it!!!!!

[fragadellic]

Hey you guys, where are you? Did you get your cars? Where are the pics?

Also for any of you doing the reflector delete mod, taking the wheel off makes it a lot easier. I got a low-profile aluminum jack from Harbor Freight, and a friend at work made a couple of jack adapters from 3" round aluminum stock that fit the jack points on the car.

Also, dont use a small flat-blade screwdriver and twist. find something else to pry gently with. And make sure you get the reflector nice and hot with a hair dryer..

[MyE93]

Originally Posted by fragadellic

Hey you guys, where are you? Did you get your cars? Where are the pics?

Also for any of you doing the reflector delete mod, taking the wheel off makes it a lot easier. I got a low-profile aluminum jack from Harbor Freight, and a friend at work made a couple of jack adapters from 3" round aluminum stock that fit the jack points on the car.

Also, dont use a small flat-blade screwdriver and twist. find something else to pry gently with. And make sure you get the reflector nice and hot with a hair dryer..

I'm still here. I posted earlier today. I got my car and it's flippin' awesome! I'll have pictures posted this weekend after my hubby gets back with our digital.

Enjoying the ride?

[ecgiinla]

frag -- im scared to do this reflect mod on my own. am i lame to pay a trusted auto mechanic to do it for me?

[snohman]

Originally Posted by fragadellic

Hey you guys, where are you? Did you get your cars? Where are the pics?

Also for any of you doing the reflector delete mod, taking the wheel off makes it a lot easier. I got a low-profile aluminum jack from Harbor Freight, and a friend at work made a couple of jack adapters from 3" round aluminum stock that fit the jack points on the car.

Also, dont use a small flat-blade screwdriver and twist. find something else to pry gently with. And make sure you get the reflector nice and hot with a hair dryer..

Hey Frag,
Thanks for the tips!!

Hey would your friend be willing to make me an adapter as well if I sent a little cash your way? I'd imagine that would come in real handy...