Beauty is in the details... (56k beware)

[ck_taft325is]

Is the black carpet a dye job, aftermarket kit or were you lucky in sourcing a true OEM black carpet? :)

Ha, I wish I had sourced some true OEM black carpet! I picked the carpet up (Charcoal grey) from a local e30 M3 owner. It was very nearly black to begin with. I hit it with the carpet/vinyl paint (4 cans). I can't tell much difference in the way it felt before and after.

[ck_taft325is]

You have front 16X9 on the way right?

I thought I did. I've had a few issues sourcing them for less than $600 without rubber. I paid $1,100 for these with practically new rubber (5000 miles). Can't wait though since Rob is making me 8mm spacers for the 16x9 centrebore (64mm) Borbet's. When I do finally find some 16x9's for the front, I figure 8mm pushed out on the pulled/rolled fenders will look just about right.

[Aptyp]

That's a lot of details coming together very nicely.

[Wishno87]

You have front 16X9 on the way right?

[cramer]

Is the black carpet a dye job, aftermarket kit or were you lucky in sourcing a true OEM black carpet? :)

[kamotors]

looks clean.

[E-Thirty]

Any shots of the car from a greater distance?

[raleigh29]

Where did you get the Tech 2 steering wheel from?

[HarryPotter]

Ya that'll happen. I'd run them till they are dead. No reason to waste a set of rubber.

[ck_taft325is]

Wheels came with REALLY fresh rubber for a great deal. I figure I'll run 'em until they get to 60% and then replace with some thicker rubber. To be honest though, they look very, very good in person. For some reason pictures always seem to make them look ridiculously tiny.

[HarryPotter]

Looks great man. Definitely need some more rubber on those wheels.

I just got rid of that same exact wheel. Oh how I miss it.

[ck_taft325is]

Here's a few updated pictures of what's been keeping me busy these past few weeks. The list includes a freshly leather wrapped //M stitched M-Tech II steering wheel, Clyne's leather cup holders (one of the best products out there for fit, finish and over all usability), black carpet, black leather door cards and seat swap out from the tan vinyl seats, all red light smoked tails, new "IS" lip (of all things, last one was stolen) w/new clips all around to thwart the would-be thieves in Washington, fresh oil pan and gasket and a fully functioning 6 button OBC from Mr. Jean.

Rear end:



I like how they turned out. Still need a good polish out but I had no rollers until I finished. So they got the 1 day treatment. Duplicolor Metalcast Red with 3 coats of clear. I'll update once I polish them out a bit for that last little shine.

Exterior:






How low the front sits on H&R Race with 15mm Drop hats (RichardKeith's amazing product):



Really made the front end sit nicer with the staggered Borbet Type A's. Still need a bit more rubber though. Next time I buy tires I'll more than likely go 215-225/45 (or 50 if they fit)/16. Here's a close up of 'em:




A small detail of the bodywork:


It turned out pretty good for having ZERO bodyworking tools at hand. A lot of pulling with the fingers and gentle banging on the valance with a ball point hammer. Amazing what you can do with some elbow grease and a little (or a lot) of patience.

Here's the updated interior:









For those looking to go black seats/carpet with tan door cards, this is a before shot when I had tan door cards/black sports up front.
Before:

After:



Over all I'm feeling very, very good with the progress. For a daily drivers it nearly "there" ;) Still to come are 8mm spacers all around to see if "flush" looks a bit better. I'd love to trace down 2 more 16x9 Borbet Type A's before I re-finish 'em all. I have flat caps, but have decided not to run them until I refinish due to a lack of color matching between the fresh(er) looking center caps to the faded wheels themselves.

Thanks for checking it out.