What did you do to your car today?

RWD_6MT_Wagon · 10-12-2021, 11:06 PM

Installed an Active Autowerke header. Praying that I got the hard to reach flange bolts tight enough. Enjoying my new modest power gain and CEL.

PhaseP · 10-13-2021, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordbmw

No, there is no access panel on my car. May be your car but not mine.

Interesting, sedan vs coupe difference turns out.

Sedan wheel liner with access panel for headlight bulbs:

Coupe wheel liner without access panel for headlight bulbs:

I heard other cars that require bumper to be taken down for headlight bulb removal, it was a Cadillac if my memory is correct.

lordbmw · 10-13-2021, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaseP

Interesting, sedan vs coupe difference turns out.

Sedan wheel liner with access panel for headlight bulbs:

Coupe wheel liner without access panel for headlight bulbs:

I heard other cars that require bumper to be taken down for headlight bulb removal, it was a Cadillac if my memory is correct.

Yup. Coupe here. Wonder why they did that? Cost savings?

Hoody007 · 10-13-2021, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordbmw

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaseP

Interesting, sedan vs coupe difference turns out.

Sedan wheel liner with access panel for headlight bulbs:

Coupe wheel liner without access panel for headlight bulbs:

I heard other cars that require bumper to be taken down for headlight bulb removal, it was a Cadillac if my memory is correct.

Yup. Coupe here. Wonder why they did that? Cost savings?

Could be that all coupes come with xenons standard. The access port for the sedans doesn't line up with cars equipped with xenon's, only halogens. The fender liner (or the bumper, which is actually easier) must still be removed to replace the xenon bulb.

E92_William · 10-13-2021, 11:54 AM

Decided I need to find the short in the wiring in my adaptive headlights, can't be driving without them turning.. took the bumper off and headlight off and started messing with the internal wiring.. what a massive mess this is. However I think I've found what the issue is. The power and ground wires for the motor are touching behind the adaptive headlight module connector because of the insulation coming off. This connector can't be removed because BMW so I will figure out some roadkill way of doing so

Gregrobin · 10-13-2021, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_R

took me forever to find one in Saddle Braun. Good work.

Where'd you find yours?

Hoody007 · 10-13-2021, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E92_William

Decided I need to find the short in the wiring in my adaptive headlights, can't be driving without them turning.. took the bumper off and headlight off and started messing with the internal wiring.. what a massive mess this is. However I think I've found what the issue is. The power and ground wires for the motor are touching behind the adaptive headlight module connector because of the insulation coming off. This connector can't be removed because BMW so I will figure out some roadkill way of doing so

Oof. Went though that with my 330Ci as well - it was a facelift coupe with adaptive xenons and the wiring similarity disintegrated.

You should be able to take a small flathead screwdriver and disassemble the connector and run new wires. I'm pretty sure there's a wiring repair kit available from BMW as well.

nsjames · 10-13-2021, 04:53 PM

trailer wiring installed.
I couldn't bear to see t taps every time I opened the storage compartment, so cut and splice it was.
I tapped the cargo area power socket for power.
I never use it anyway and it's a heavy duty switched power source. Convenient factory ground right next to it. Stashed the box against the body behind the ampbracket. Ran all the wires behind it so I can still pull the amp without messing with trailer wires.

profeshunal.

colorado.e9x · 10-13-2021, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsjames

trailer wiring installed.
I couldn't bear to see t taps every time I opened the storage compartment, so cut and splice it was.
I tapped the cargo area power socket for power.
I never use it anyway and it's a heavy duty switched power source. Convenient factory ground right next to it. Stashed the box against the body behind the ampbracket. Ran all the wires behind it so I can still pull the amp without messing with trailer wires.

profeshunal.

I was thinking of retrofitting a cargo area power supply.. Hmm. Might have to connect it directly to the battery. I also want to do a trailer hitch in the future, what kit did you use?

Mister_R · 10-13-2021, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister_R

took me forever to find one in Saddle Braun. Good work.

Where'd you find yours?

eBay...I set email and push alerts for certain things and caught it for $165 shipped, brand new in OE box and all from Arizona.

nsjames · 10-13-2021, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

I was thinking of retrofitting a cargo area power supply.. Hmm. Might have to connect it directly to the battery. I also want to do a trailer hitch in the future, what kit did you use?

it's a tekonsha modulite HD.
works. didn't make the FRM mad. 14V at the trailer light plug.
the hitch is a curt and I got the bumper unbolted today and I'll get it installed tomorrow.

fazm · 10-13-2021, 10:20 PM

I love this discussion. I'm leaning toward doing the stealth hitch soon. We'll likely need a utility trailer for next summer's Colorado trip.

This car is so full of projects!

Rivers · 10-13-2021, 10:43 PM

Put the split armrest on today, man do I regret not getting this sooner.

fazm · 10-13-2021, 11:01 PM

I enjoy mine, but I don't really use it in city driving. I drove ~700 miles this past weekend and loved it, however.

JonOhh · 10-14-2021, 12:36 PM

Left the parking lights on for six hours while I was out on a date. Got back to where we met up and...well, it wasn't a good feeling when we pulled into the parking lot and I could see the halos from 500ft away.

Thankfully, fired right up, although it took a bit longer for the starter to turn it over the first turn. Pretty impressive.

4 Doors · 10-14-2021, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonOhh

Left the parking lights on for six hours while I was out on a date. Got back to where we met up and...well, it wasn't a good feeling when we pulled into the parking lot and I could see the halos from 500ft away.

Thankfully, fired right up, although it took a bit longer for the starter to turn it over the first turn. Pretty impressive.

Maybe she/he thought you had pretty angel eyes

Gregrobin · 10-14-2021, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

Maybe she/he thought you had pretty angel eyes

Who cares about your lights/battery, tell us about the date ;-)

Gregrobin · 10-14-2021, 03:46 PM

Finished painting the rear calipers

JonOhh · 10-14-2021, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Who cares about your lights/battery, tell us about the date ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

Maybe she/he thought you had pretty angel eyes

Thanks to the Lux V7s+ prelci headlights, there was a bit of "damn that's sexy" mixed with the dread of potentially making an absolutely awful first impression by needing to be jump started. Whatever. He thought they looked good. It could have been a lot worse... surely the car would shut off power to everything before draining so much that it'd need to be jumped...right?

And it went well, thanks for asking.

Gregrobin · 10-14-2021, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonOhh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Who cares about your lights/battery, tell us about the date ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

Maybe she/he thought you had pretty angel eyes

Thanks to the Lux V7s+ prelci headlights, there was a bit of "damn that's sexy" mixed with the dread of potentially making an absolutely awful first impression by needing to be jump started. Whatever. He thought they looked good. It could have been a lot worse... surely the car would shut off power to everything before draining so much that it'd need to be jumped...right?

And it went well, thanks for asking.

Good to hear. I met a girl once about an hour from my house for a first date. The date went very well. Back at my car the battery was dead and the car would not turn over. She was driving away but luckily she had jumper cables. And let's just say fortunately the date did not end at that point, it continued...

nsjames · 10-14-2021, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonOhh

Thanks to the Lux V7s+ prelci headlights, there was a bit of "damn that's sexy" mixed with the dread of potentially making an absolutely awful first impression by needing to be jump started. Whatever. He thought they looked good. It could have been a lot worse... surely the car would shut off power to everything before draining so much that it'd need to be jumped...right?

And it went well, thanks for asking.

the car will indeed disconnect the battery if the voltage gets too low.
Happens all the time when I leave the hatch open for hours.
You have to reset your clock.

Don't buy a curt hitch.
It did not bolt on and I am currently less than impressed with curt customer service.
oh, and if I want a replacement I have to wait another 90 days because apparently they made one on 9/28 this year, two months after I ordered it.

nsjames · 10-14-2021, 05:26 PM

So I get the bumper off the car today. kind of a PITA but not the worst thing. Those little tabs on the quarters bring the suck.
I offer the hitch up to the car and the passenger side slides right on, the drivers side doesn't.
Closer investigation shows that the holes on the driver's side are indeed too close together. Some measurements from the car show the driver's side of the hitch to be lower. The bottom hole is nearly a 1/4" too high. So then I called Curt. They were less than enthusiastic about helping, basically wanted me to send them a bunch of photos and they'd get back to me. Thanks, it's not like I've got my car disassembled or anything. Was cagey about telling me if they even had a replacement, they don't. So even if they decide to exchange this one I'm going to have to ship it back to them on my dime and then wait another 90 days for a replacement.
I ordered this thing july 7 from summit and it's production date was 9/28.
So I said fuck that and I cut it up until it fit, which sucked because it's a 5/16 piece of plate, but whatever, i got metal working tools.
I had to draw the bottom piece up into the subframe with the bolt as it's bent at slightly the wrong angle as well.
The trim diagram for the bumper fascia piece was also incorrect.
Spend the money on the stealth hitch.
it's installed, but it was a bunch of fuckery and I'm not happy about it.

I did get everything under there covered liberally in fluid film after I washed it.

10-12-2021, 11:06 PM	#18855
RWD_6MT_Wagon New Member 3 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Touring Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	Installed an Active Autowerke header. Praying that I got the hard to reach flange bolts tight enough. Enjoying my new modest power gain and CEL.
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10-13-2021, 11:54 AM	#18859
E92_William Captain 1470 Rep 900 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 328xi Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Decided I need to find the short in the wiring in my adaptive headlights, can't be driving without them turning.. took the bumper off and headlight off and started messing with the internal wiring.. what a massive mess this is. However I think I've found what the issue is. The power and ground wires for the motor are touching behind the adaptive headlight module connector because of the insulation coming off. This connector can't be removed because BMW so I will figure out some roadkill way of doing so Attached Images __________________ Airplane Mechanic BMW Masochist
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10-13-2021, 04:53 PM	#18862
nsjames Brigadier General 2466 Rep 4,328 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	trailer wiring installed. I couldn't bear to see t taps every time I opened the storage compartment, so cut and splice it was. I tapped the cargo area power socket for power. I never use it anyway and it's a heavy duty switched power source. Convenient factory ground right next to it. Stashed the box against the body behind the ampbracket. Ran all the wires behind it so I can still pull the amp without messing with trailer wires. profeshunal. Attached Images
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10-13-2021, 10:20 PM	#18866
fazm First Lieutenant 630 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW E91 xDrive Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (2)	I love this discussion. I'm leaning toward doing the stealth hitch soon. We'll likely need a utility trailer for next summer's Colorado trip. This car is so full of projects!
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10-13-2021, 10:43 PM	#18867
Rivers Old Man 248 Rep 131 Posts Drives: DGM 335xi Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi E90 [0.00]	Put the split armrest on today, man do I regret not getting this sooner.
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10-13-2021, 11:01 PM	#18868
fazm First Lieutenant 630 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW E91 xDrive Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (2)	I enjoy mine, but I don't really use it in city driving. I drove ~700 miles this past weekend and loved it, however. Last edited by fazm; 10-14-2021 at 12:53 AM..
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10-14-2021, 12:36 PM	#18869
JonOhh Captain 686 Rep 736 Posts Drives: 06' 330i Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [10.00] 2013 Fiat 500c Abarth [0.00] 1985 Fiat/Bertone X1/9 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	Left the parking lights on for six hours while I was out on a date. Got back to where we met up and...well, it wasn't a good feeling when we pulled into the parking lot and I could see the halos from 500ft away. Thankfully, fired right up, although it took a bit longer for the starter to turn it over the first turn. Pretty impressive.
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10-14-2021, 03:46 PM	#18872
Gregrobin Captain 592 Rep 603 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 335i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Vir ginny ya iTrader: (0)	Finished painting the rear calipers Attached Images __________________ VRSF Performance Intake Kit / XS Power Charge Pipe V2 / ARM 5" Intercooler FMIC / MHD Stage 2 V10 / FTP N54 PCV Valve / VRSF 3" Catless Downpipes / xHP Stage 1
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10-14-2021, 05:26 PM	#18876
nsjames Brigadier General 2466 Rep 4,328 Posts Drives: 08 328xi Touring Join Date: May 2017 Location: ohio iTrader: (0)	So I get the bumper off the car today. kind of a PITA but not the worst thing. Those little tabs on the quarters bring the suck. I offer the hitch up to the car and the passenger side slides right on, the drivers side doesn't. Closer investigation shows that the holes on the driver's side are indeed too close together. Some measurements from the car show the driver's side of the hitch to be lower. The bottom hole is nearly a 1/4" too high. So then I called Curt. They were less than enthusiastic about helping, basically wanted me to send them a bunch of photos and they'd get back to me. Thanks, it's not like I've got my car disassembled or anything. Was cagey about telling me if they even had a replacement, they don't. So even if they decide to exchange this one I'm going to have to ship it back to them on my dime and then wait another 90 days for a replacement. I ordered this thing july 7 from summit and it's production date was 9/28. So I said fuck that and I cut it up until it fit, which sucked because it's a 5/16 piece of plate, but whatever, i got metal working tools. I had to draw the bottom piece up into the subframe with the bolt as it's bent at slightly the wrong angle as well. The trim diagram for the bumper fascia piece was also incorrect. Spend the money on the stealth hitch. it's installed, but it was a bunch of fuckery and I'm not happy about it. I did get everything under there covered liberally in fluid film after I washed it. Attached Images
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