My Dream Car Quest - Restoration/Detail/MegaPhotoShoot
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Even though I owned and still own cars that are more expensive, faster, and beautiful, M Coupe has always been a dream car for me. Its unique blend of characteristics creates a certain charisma, and simply had to have one! Last month my dream became a reality when I picked up my Coupe in Chicago (see this thread about the trip: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...p;#entry915035).
Even though the car was in really good shape, it was far from being perfect. Maybe neglected is a bit of a strong word, but certainly not cared for. it was rough in places, and had few mods that I was not happy with, so as soon as I got it home, I started planning a "come back".
Here is a couple of pictures of the car as it was before I started the restoration:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/01.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/02.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/03.jpg)
I started by stripping every possible panel in the interior and cleaning them up, steaming the carpets, replacing panels and all clips, rivets, bolts, etc.
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/04.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/05.jpg)
As I assembled it back together, I insulated all rattling panels with various bits of insulation:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/07.jpg)
When I was done with the trunk I had done the following to it:
-Removed CD Changed and installed iPod Hookup in its place
-Insulation in trim, hatch panel
-Replaced all broken clips and nuts with OEM BMW
-Replaced missing bits and pieces (covers, straps, tools)
-Replaced trim panels over the rear shocks
-New Subwoofer grille
-Steamcleaned about a bucket of dog (or cat?) hair :-)
When I was done with the trunk, it looked like this:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/13.jpg)
Then I moved to the interior - lots of little bits and pieces had to be fixed there.
-Added missing shifter surround clips
-Replaced broken footrest panel
-Replaced several missing trim-caps
-Fixed rheostat and loose wiring in the shifter boot
-Put in original rearview mirror, and added missing set of trim caps
-Fixed the glovebox, replaced missing latch frame
-Removed glovebox bolster, replaced all trim-caps
-Fixed broken clips on the pass. door panel
-Fixed pass side tweeters (unglued from panel)
-Realigned door panel and trim
-Replaced missing Airbag clip
-Replaced broken hazard lights trim
-Reset Airbag light that popped while moving the seat
-Cleaned underseat connectors
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/06.jpg)
Leather seats were cleaned, conditioned, then re-dyed (spot re-dye) and sealed with sealer. They are nice and supple once again....
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe012.jpg)
Once interior and trunk was perfect, I moved on to the exterior of the beast. First of all, took it to a carwash, and spent 3 hours of cleaning years of caked dirt from the undercarriage and engine bay:
Even though the car was in really good shape, it was far from being perfect. Maybe neglected is a bit of a strong word, but certainly not cared for. it was rough in places, and had few mods that I was not happy with, so as soon as I got it home, I started planning a "come back".
Here is a couple of pictures of the car as it was before I started the restoration:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/01.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/02.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/03.jpg)
I started by stripping every possible panel in the interior and cleaning them up, steaming the carpets, replacing panels and all clips, rivets, bolts, etc.
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/04.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/05.jpg)
As I assembled it back together, I insulated all rattling panels with various bits of insulation:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/07.jpg)
When I was done with the trunk I had done the following to it:
-Removed CD Changed and installed iPod Hookup in its place
-Insulation in trim, hatch panel
-Replaced all broken clips and nuts with OEM BMW
-Replaced missing bits and pieces (covers, straps, tools)
-Replaced trim panels over the rear shocks
-New Subwoofer grille
-Steamcleaned about a bucket of dog (or cat?) hair :-)
When I was done with the trunk, it looked like this:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/13.jpg)
Then I moved to the interior - lots of little bits and pieces had to be fixed there.
-Added missing shifter surround clips
-Replaced broken footrest panel
-Replaced several missing trim-caps
-Fixed rheostat and loose wiring in the shifter boot
-Put in original rearview mirror, and added missing set of trim caps
-Fixed the glovebox, replaced missing latch frame
-Removed glovebox bolster, replaced all trim-caps
-Fixed broken clips on the pass. door panel
-Fixed pass side tweeters (unglued from panel)
-Realigned door panel and trim
-Replaced missing Airbag clip
-Replaced broken hazard lights trim
-Reset Airbag light that popped while moving the seat
-Cleaned underseat connectors
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/06.jpg)
Leather seats were cleaned, conditioned, then re-dyed (spot re-dye) and sealed with sealer. They are nice and supple once again....
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe012.jpg)
Once interior and trunk was perfect, I moved on to the exterior of the beast. First of all, took it to a carwash, and spent 3 hours of cleaning years of caked dirt from the undercarriage and engine bay:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/08.jpg)
#2
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By the time it was all cleaned up (revealed mostly good paint which was good thing!), new set of perfectly restored Roadstars with brand new tires (Sumitomo HTR Z III) showed up:
-New wheels with new OEM M badges
-New tires with new stem valves/caps
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/09.jpg)
Once on new wheels, I fixed few other little things:
-New OEM M badge for the hatch
-Replaced two speed nuts in hte license place holder
-Replaced one burned-out plate bulb
-Re-aligned rear spoiler and replaced one sliding nut inside
-Put fender guards on
-20% Tint all around
-Replaced black kidney grilles with OEM chrome
-Took out small hood dent
-Put new wiper and new wiper blades
-Replaced smashed rear brake ducts (aeroducts)
-Replaced missing rubber gas flap stopper
-Removed paint from the gills/polished the chrome
Once all mechanical and cosmetic issues were fixed, all was left is to clean it and make it beautiful!
-Dressed up engine bay
-Clayed the paint! (I have never seen so much stuff in the paint. I guess few Chicago winters are showing here!):
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/11.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/10.jpg)
-Rubber seals were conditioned with Gummi Pfledge
-Paint was polished, cleaned, corrected with orbital buffer, and sealed with wax:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/12.jpg)
Finally, the monster was back!
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/14.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/15.jpg)
And finally, today was a beautiful day, so I took my camera (Nikon D40x with 18-200VR lens), tripod, filters, and took some proper pics of the car!
-New wheels with new OEM M badges
-New tires with new stem valves/caps
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/09.jpg)
Once on new wheels, I fixed few other little things:
-New OEM M badge for the hatch
-Replaced two speed nuts in hte license place holder
-Replaced one burned-out plate bulb
-Re-aligned rear spoiler and replaced one sliding nut inside
-Put fender guards on
-20% Tint all around
-Replaced black kidney grilles with OEM chrome
-Took out small hood dent
-Put new wiper and new wiper blades
-Replaced smashed rear brake ducts (aeroducts)
-Replaced missing rubber gas flap stopper
-Removed paint from the gills/polished the chrome
Once all mechanical and cosmetic issues were fixed, all was left is to clean it and make it beautiful!
-Dressed up engine bay
-Clayed the paint! (I have never seen so much stuff in the paint. I guess few Chicago winters are showing here!):
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/11.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/10.jpg)
-Rubber seals were conditioned with Gummi Pfledge
-Paint was polished, cleaned, corrected with orbital buffer, and sealed with wax:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/12.jpg)
Finally, the monster was back!
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/14.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/15.jpg)
And finally, today was a beautiful day, so I took my camera (Nikon D40x with 18-200VR lens), tripod, filters, and took some proper pics of the car!
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And finally, at an old parking lot:
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe034.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe035.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe037.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe038.jpg)
Went a bit crazy with the pix, I know.
Sorry for the overload. Hope you enjoyed this little car comeback to its full glory.
Thanks,
Alex
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe034.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe035.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe037.jpg)
![](https://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr168/italianhorses/MCoupe/Photoshoot/coupe038.jpg)
Went a bit crazy with the pix, I know.
Sorry for the overload. Hope you enjoyed this little car comeback to its full glory.
Thanks,
Alex
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My Ride: I have a 2007 Black Sapphire BMW 530i with SMG. It has the auburn interior, has PDC, Sports Package, Premium Package, rear automatic sunshades with manual side sunshades, 35% black tint, Upgraded angeleyes from Angelibrights, and Logic 7 Sound System
Model Year: 2007
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Love the car man...great restoration!
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Thanks guys.
Wow, cool. S52 or S54? Pix?
Originally Posted by e6t' post='929049' date='Jun 30 2009, 08:29 PM
Sweet.
There is a silver one in my parking garage that I am enamored with.
There is a silver one in my parking garage that I am enamored with.