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BMW update .

Last weekend was a big weekend for the BMW.

Driver's door panel: I put the driver's interior door panel back on. It was hanging by one screw when I bought the car, and it finally fell off a couple weeks ago. I ordered some door panel clips, cleaned it up, and snapped things back into place.

Door brake (or door stop): I thought this needed replacing, entirely, but it turns out that a simple pin broke, and the door stop retreated into the door itself. I was able to fish it out and jerry-rig it using a big screw. I will order the true pin and actually fix it.

Shifter surround: This was the thing I spent the most time on and had the most fun with. Pics are below the shifter surround was pitted and scratched, and the little slidey-thing that goes around the shifter was broken and gone.

I took the surround out, cleaned it up, and wrapped it in carbon-fiber vinyl. And I replaced the slide and generally cleaned things up. Before-during-after pics below (late-day sun messed up the "after" picture).

[Post edited by Will Stewart at 02/10/2017 12:37PM]

Posted: 02/10/2017 at 12:03PM

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Current Thread:

BMW update . -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:03PM

You inspired me to change the oil/filter & a AT "drain & fill" on the TSX -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 4:50PM

Are you gonna do the Orange/Maroon paint job yourself or sub it out? ** -- Stork 02/10/2017 1:08PM

On a car that old, that's a do-it-yourselfer. ** -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 1:12PM

How much longer will it last after you do all those fixes? -- TurboHokie 02/10/2017 12:58PM

The sensible side would also say watch the game on tv instead of going -- coshokie 02/10/2017 2:22PM

Well, it's got 204k on the clock. People say they'll go to 300k. -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 1:11PM

Are you able to join the local BMW club with that automatic transmission? ** -- Hokie360 02/10/2017 12:16PM

No, but my wife and kids can drive it, since it's automatic. ** -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:19PM

The shifter surround is top-notch! ** -- PhotoHokieNC 02/10/2017 12:14PM

Yeah, that was fun, difficult, and made a huge difference. ** -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:17PM

Here's a full interior pic, post-shifter-surround and door panel re-install -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:04PM

Here's the door stop, jimmied with a screwdriver (later inserted screw). -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:07PM

Just got it back from the shop today, where the brakes were completely done -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:16PM

I used to have a roommate who would suddenly say "BONG!" now and then ** -- DJ Golf 02/10/2017 2:49PM

+1 for you, clever fellow. ** -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 3:15PM

If your E34 rear suspension is anything like my E24s (and E30s) -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 12:34PM

You can borrow a spring compressor tool from advanced auto -- MEHOKIE 02/10/2017 1:09PM

No spring compressor required to change the back shocks -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 4:37PM

This is what the typical "backyard mechanic" uses: -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 4:38PM

This is it in action -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 4:39PM

You might need an air gun to get the top nut off the front struts -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 4:42PM

Follow up on rear suspension (picture) -- EDGEMAN 02/10/2017 12:48PM

Struts are not that bad to do yourself. Not that good either but not bad ** -- typed by ben 02/10/2017 12:32PM

Yeah, I'm going to take some time to think about that. ** -- Will Stewart

02/10/2017 12:46PM

^ who knew he was a car guy ;^) ^ ** -- `lag 02/10/2017 12:06PM

Am also impressed. Agee's or Bill's on the Radford Road will be making him -- PhotoHokieNC 02/10/2017 12:16PM