Quick update: got the rear bumper trim replaced. I've also cleaned up the front bumper trim, but still have a couple more little things to do before I post pics of the front.
Rear bumper trim was cracked and faded. So is the paint, but I at least wanted to get new trim on there for now:
With the bumper off, the bumper shocks were looking pretty nasty. Do most people usually replace these? I can't tell if they are seized or just old and dirty. They sure are expensive though:
The short term solution was to hit everything with a wire wheel and a few coats of spray paint to provide at least a little protection:
Everything all cleaned up and back together with new bumper trim:
Looking much better - I just need to deal with the super-faded paint, but that's a topic for another day (and maybe another thread). I still go back and forth on how much paint work I should be doing.
Now that it's getting hot in AZ, it's somewhat ironically the time to start doing major mechanical work. My plan is to do a complete refresh of the running gear, front and rear. Here are all the parts I'm planning to order - I have a few questions below, but am I missing anything major?
Suspension:
-TC Kline E30 Sporting Suspension Kit (Koni SAs, H&R sports, Buna rear shock mounts) - already ordered
-Front suspension components (Lemforder control arms, FCABs, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings and end links) - is there any major difference between Lemforder and Genuine BMW? The BMW parts are way more expensive.
-Meyle front strut mounts - same question here vs Genuine BMW
-Lemforder rear trailing arm bushings - do I need to replace anything else in the rear?
Brakes:
-Rotors / set screws
-Pads - still deciding on compound, but I'm leaning toward something slightly more aggressive than OEM (maybe Hawk HP+)
-Stainless lines
-Caliper rebuild kits
-Should I order new caliper pin guides? How do I tell which brakes I have? Some of the parts seem to be for ATE brakes only.
-Pad sensors
Wheel hubs/bearings:
-Rear bearings - 90% sure these are shot because I keep finding grease on the inside of my rear wheels, and I can hear a slight noise
-Front - these seem fine, but should I just replace them while I'm in there?
-Should I be buying OEM or Genuine BMW for these parts? Another big price difference here...
I'm also ordering all new intake hoses and boots per my post above, since they are all cracked and nasty.
Rear bumper trim was cracked and faded. So is the paint, but I at least wanted to get new trim on there for now:
With the bumper off, the bumper shocks were looking pretty nasty. Do most people usually replace these? I can't tell if they are seized or just old and dirty. They sure are expensive though:
The short term solution was to hit everything with a wire wheel and a few coats of spray paint to provide at least a little protection:
Everything all cleaned up and back together with new bumper trim:
Looking much better - I just need to deal with the super-faded paint, but that's a topic for another day (and maybe another thread). I still go back and forth on how much paint work I should be doing.
Now that it's getting hot in AZ, it's somewhat ironically the time to start doing major mechanical work. My plan is to do a complete refresh of the running gear, front and rear. Here are all the parts I'm planning to order - I have a few questions below, but am I missing anything major?
Suspension:
-TC Kline E30 Sporting Suspension Kit (Koni SAs, H&R sports, Buna rear shock mounts) - already ordered
-Front suspension components (Lemforder control arms, FCABs, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings and end links) - is there any major difference between Lemforder and Genuine BMW? The BMW parts are way more expensive.
-Meyle front strut mounts - same question here vs Genuine BMW
-Lemforder rear trailing arm bushings - do I need to replace anything else in the rear?
Brakes:
-Rotors / set screws
-Pads - still deciding on compound, but I'm leaning toward something slightly more aggressive than OEM (maybe Hawk HP+)
-Stainless lines
-Caliper rebuild kits
-Should I order new caliper pin guides? How do I tell which brakes I have? Some of the parts seem to be for ATE brakes only.
-Pad sensors
Wheel hubs/bearings:
-Rear bearings - 90% sure these are shot because I keep finding grease on the inside of my rear wheels, and I can hear a slight noise
-Front - these seem fine, but should I just replace them while I'm in there?
-Should I be buying OEM or Genuine BMW for these parts? Another big price difference here...
I'm also ordering all new intake hoses and boots per my post above, since they are all cracked and nasty.
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