I'm Baccccckkkkkk!!!

[BimmerM3inGA]

Yes, it's an automatic

I haven't been able to find a good project candidate with a manual transmission. They are much rarer than I originally thought.

If my paint guy doesn't think he can manage it, please do put me in touch your guy. I also want to get some paint work done on my E36 M3. It needs to be top-notch and it's also a difficult color to match (Technoviolet). My guy can do it, but only if I do all the prep and that is not work that I enjoy.

I have the options list and does have the Sport package, but not Sport seats. That's kind of a shame, but I can live with it. It also lacks heated seats.

[Riggodeaux]

I'll recover and pm you the info on the guy at Hampton. Does nice restoration work. As all of us on the three-pedal registry know, manny tranny E53s are marvelous and hard to find!

[thrillcat]

There's a manual transmission on craigslist in my area right now...

2002 BMW X5

[thrillcat]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Oh and btw, I hope you have a machine polisher, you're going to need it to polish out that Shadowline trim, I can see the water marks and oxididation and years of neglect on the Shadlowline finish, and it is NOT an easy surface to clean up. Took me about 5-6 passes to get rid of the deep oxidiation, but a lot of that damage is etched so it may never get 100% hologram free.

What product did you use?

[BimmerM3inGA]

That looks like an awesome example! But $12K seems a bit strong for an '02. Even if it does have super-low miles.

Too bad all of my disposable income has currently been disposed of. Otherwise I might take a shot at making an offer…

[Ricky Bobby]

I just use my normal compound/pads that I use for correcting my paint.

In my case the most aggressive compound I own currently is Menzerna FG400, and the most aggressive pad I own is the Meguiars MF cutting disks. I used the 3.5" disks and a 3" backing plate on my Porter Cable 7424, took me a few passes but they are basically corrected as best as I can with this. M100 is a more aggressive compound but it doesnt finish as nice, so I'm happy for now. Let me know what your most aggressive product is, I'll let you know if you need more "bite" or not.

PM me to keep thread on point if you need help, always willing to talk detailing.

[thrillcat]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

That looks like an awesome example! But $12K seems a bit strong for an '02. Even if it does have super-low miles.

Too bad all of my disposable income has currently been disposed of. Otherwise I might take a shot at making an offer…

I hear ya.

I'm going to be following along on this thread to see what you do and the progress you make.

[edogg]

My shadowline trim had similar marks on it. Not quite as bad as yours but pretty bad.

I used some Griot's Garage clay on it: Paint Cleaning Clay Kit - Paint Cleaning Clay - Polishing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

And then some Griot's one-step sealant: One-Step Sealant, 16 Ounces - Griot's Garage

And it looks great now! All done by hand - took me about ~2 hours to do the whole car.

ETA: Interesting that the car has shadowline trim and a sport package, but not the sport seats.

[Ricky Bobby]

^^My '03 Sport Package also has regular seats. Sport Seats were a standalone option and not automatically included with Sport Package (but you must have Sport Package to select Seats)

All Sport Package and iS models have Shadowline trim, however.

[edogg]

My mistake. I thought sport seats automatically came with the sport package. Thanks for the education!