New paint on the 535i and the infamous 540/0

[jbraswell]

Well, finally got the front clip on my car painted, the rock chips were intolerable and my bumpers were faded. Ended up getting the hood, fenders, and both bumpers painted for $750. Told the guy that I would buff it, but he went ahead and did it so I'm guessing there was a lot of trash. Spent all night tonight sanding out the rough spots and polished the front clip. I'm very happy with the results, especially considering the price.

Also got some pics of the 540i I picked up from a member on here. It is rough, but fixable. Still trying to find info on it as it has a weird combination of options.

Swirls after I picked the car up :o
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1268.jpg?t=1166673882

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1269.jpg?t=1166673943

After 3M/Menzerna/Blackfire
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1272.jpg?t=1166673995

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1273.jpg?t=1166674064

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1275.jpg?t=1166674090

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1286.jpg?t=1166674151

One of my kidneys flew off on the highway a couple weeks ago, so I could use a pair if someone has one lying around

[swenpro]

Shiny! Very nice, looks like water has nothing to grab onto now :)

[jbraswell]

540/0
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1277.jpg?t=1166674248

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1278.jpg?t=1166674269

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1276.jpg?t=1166674293

My favorite shot: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1279.jpg?t=1166674341

Rest of the album:
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell

[Felixdacat]

Nice looking car. Are you missing your Kidneys? Mine went bye bye when I was at a friends house. Damn Kids:p I still have the BIG VW Bus ornament from back in the terror days.;)

[brosher]

540/0 cracked me up, lol

[markus]

sp what kinda polish did u use to remove the swirls? looks good btw. nice E30 too.

[jbraswell]

3M extra cut for sand scratches (bad marring, imagine that)
Menzerna IP with yellow edge pad
blackfire SRC FP with blue edge(basically menzerna PO106FF) GREAT polish
Blackfire Wet diamond

Been working on the e30 for a while, kinda a weekend spare car me and my dad bought when I was 16. Just polished it last weekend though, gotta love single stage

[e34_Jay]

Wow the car looks 10x better, something about black cars that make them look so badass

[Zackb911]

autopia.org? :) good product combo

[jbraswell]

Yeah I'm on there. I've been using 3M for 4 years now, just getting out of the domestic stuff and am very impressed. Zaino on the way :D

[jbraswell]

Rough day today on the 540i, pulled the efan, and it was Tennessee rigged, as I expected. There was another toggle switch on lower dash panel that I hadn't really paid attention to... Ripped out the wiring, low and behold, a microswitch zip tied to the throttle stop (oh no!), this can't be what I think it is. Looked and couldn't find any further evidence in the engine bay, so I went to the trunk and sure enough... 4 holes drilled, big enough for a 5 pound bottle it looks like. I think my 540i had nitrous at one time in its sad, sad life :( No wonder the tranny went.

One a brighter note, I was able to confirm that the motor was indeed swapped, can anyone tell me how I can be sure it's an alusil motor? I have the motor # written down somewhere. I also found that all the manuals are in German, and the first 2 service entries are at German dealerships. Is it possible that this car was imported? The cluster isn't euro, and the wheels are 15's. But the Vin sticker in the door lists stock tire sizes as 235/45/17 (Pretty sure that was the size, definitely 17" though).

I cleaned the car up a little bit, but I definitely have my work cut out for me. I'll keep the updates coming. I'm transmission hunting now

[brosher]

Zip ties and NOS!:(

[Jehu]

Well, finally got the front clip on my car painted, the rock chips were intolerable and my bumpers were faded. Ended up getting the hood, fenders, and both bumpers painted for $750. Told the guy that I would buff it, but he went ahead and did it so I'm guessing there was a lot of trash. Spent all night tonight sanding out the rough spots and polished the front clip. I'm very happy with the results, especially considering the price.

Also got some pics of the 540i I picked up from a member on here. It is rough, but fixable. Still trying to find info on it as it has a weird combination of options.

Swirls after I picked the car up :o
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1268.jpg?t=1166673882

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1269.jpg?t=1166673943

After 3M/Menzerna/Blackfire
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1272.jpg?t=1166673995

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1273.jpg?t=1166674064

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1275.jpg?t=1166674090

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1286.jpg?t=1166674151

One of my kidneys flew off on the highway a couple weeks ago, so I could use a pair if someone has one lying around

Ugh. I paid $500.00 just to have the sunroof painted to fix a rusty corner and to have one of the drain plug holes remediated and a small quarter size rust spot on a rear fender fixed.I got hosed.Hope it looks as good in person as in the pictures.

[Jehu]

I just called BMW USA with the VIN and they confirmed the Alusil short block swap but there is a code stamped somewhere on the block that should be visible which indicates the type. I'm sure someone has that chart..