[no_exit]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

Geez....y'all know I AM talking about my car, right?

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

Are you planning on debagding your car? I know lots do for that "clean" look. I was particularly amused by the guy who was looking to buy a 330i badge for his 325i. DEbadging is one thing...REbadging is completely another. The thread that guy started was a flamefest to say the least, but why in the world did he not see that coming?

I am not quite sure why debadging has become quite the sore spot among the general e90post-ers. Particularly if you have the lesser 325i. Well, I was orginally planning to debadge the car down the road but after having planned for the 330 chrome trims to be installed, I just didn't want my car to have the negative stigma of being a 330 wannabe, eventhough I am fully aware of my rights to do with her as I please. In the end, I though it might be more unique to leave the badging in place (eventhough I prefer the clean european look) combined with the chrome trim/upgraded wheels and try to 'sell' her off as a Euro-look/spec 325i instead (clear headlights withstanding)

I think the cargo organizer is a must-have for food-to-go runs. Although some posters have finagled a similar set up with rubbermaid products and bungee ropes.

Wrt european options, BMW does offer some priority one options upon special request. For e.g. in the outgoing e46 3er, it was possible to order sport seats as a stand alone option and in the current e60 one can specify anthracite headliners, ventilated seats and nasca leather. Unfortunately it seems priority one options are not available to e90s yet...I took a chance and asked the CA to look into option code 520 and the 441 factory delete but no go

[KL2DC]

Speaking of...you guys do name and talk to your cars right?

[Carguy1965]

I was thinking 12 mm spacers. Ive got the sport package so I do have the bigger wheels and tires on there. I think they are the same size as the 330? But I may be wrong. Whats the Zaino stuff. Ive got boatloads of detail stuff, and spend half the average weekend cleaning on my truck or the old 65, but Im not familiar with Zaino. If its what she needs though she will get it..

[gdnyc]

Originally Posted by Carguy1965

I was thinking 12 mm spacers. Ive got the sport package so I do have the bigger wheels and tires on there. I think they are the same size as the 330? But I may be wrong. Whats the Zaino stuff. Ive got boatloads of detail stuff, and spend half the average weekend cleaning on my truck or the old 65, but Im not familiar with Zaino. If its what she needs though she will get it..

Very easy synthetic wax to work with. The initial setup is annoying, but well worth it. Check out their website
www.zainobros.com

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I am not quite sure why debadging has become quite the sore spot among the general e90post-ers. Particularly if you have the lesser 325i. Well, I was orginally planning to debadge the car down the road but after having planned for the 330 chrome trims to be installed, I just didn't want my car to have the negative stigma of being a 330 wannabe, eventhough I am fully aware of my rights to do with her as I please. In the end, I though it might be more unique to leave the badging in place (eventhough I prefer the clean european look) combined with the chrome trim/upgraded wheels and try to 'sell' her off as a Euro-look/spec 325i instead (clear headlights withstanding)

Well...I didn't get the impression DEbadging was looked down upon so much...certainly not as much as REbadging is. Neither did I know the euro crowd had an option to delete the badge when ordering, nor that the clean look is more prevelant <sp> over there. That might at least explain why some over hear debadge, and would at least make those who do fit into a more legitimate crowd. I never looked at it one way or another... Now...REbadging...I can see perfectly why someone doing that would get flamed. The guy I mentioned before had a 325i, and wanted to rebadge it to a 330i...like there's something embarrassing about owning the less powerful, sister.

I think the cargo organizer is a must-have for food-to-go runs. Although some posters have finagled a similar set up with rubbermaid products and bungee ropes.

I put that on my list of options to discuss with my CA when we get down to some "freebies." Thanks for the suggestion.

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by Carguy1965

I was thinking 12 mm spacers. Ive got the sport package so I do have the bigger wheels and tires on there. I think they are the same size as the 330? But I may be wrong. Whats the Zaino stuff. Ive got boatloads of detail stuff, and spend half the average weekend cleaning on my truck or the old 65, but Im not familiar with Zaino. If its what she needs though she will get it..

I'm leaning towards the 15mm. That would give me a net offset of 22...very close to what the M-series setup displays (from what I gather from some in the know).

As for your tire size...you're going to be sporting the 17" variety...the 330 has 18". I'm not sure what your stock offset is, but the 12mm spacers will certainly give it a beefier, more "assertive" look in the rear...IMO more like it should have been to begin with. The stock setup just looks too tucked in around the rear where I am concerned.

[KL2DC]

Carguy1965: Your ZSP-equipped 325i is running on Type 161 (Front: 17x8 ET34 225/45 R17) (Rear: 17x8.5 ET37 255/40 R17) Staggered set-up ... but you'd probably know this, because an informed bunch, we are!!

FYI the Don Juan left port Charleston on 03/01 at 18:30 with a load of Z4s and X5s ... somewhere out there a new set of ship trackers await her arrival ...

Really nice to see folks gravitating back to this thread...can't say this enough.

[KL2DC]

Fletcher: yeah that rebadging thread was funny ... I suspect the original poster was just flaming ...

De-badging is really not a big deal, I don't think owners who do it are trying out for misrepresentation. A 325 is hardly the bottom rung on the e90 ladder (its a runner up in the BMW world 6-cylinder range actually).

My father owned an e30 316 coupe years ago ... read: 1.6 4cyl 3er ... putting into perspective.

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by Carguy1965

Whats the Zaino stuff. Ive got boatloads of detail stuff, and spend half the average weekend cleaning on my truck or the old 65, but Im not familiar with Zaino. If its what she needs though she will get it..

As Mr. K eluded...it's a synthetic "wax" (paint sealant is more accurate) that is more durable, and longer lasting than the standard carnuba waxes.

In a nutshell, great look, protects your vehicle 4-6 months, and lessens "in-between" maintenance...requiring washing, drying, and detail spray only. It's my opinion, one spends far less time over the long haul with Zaino than with wax (certainly true for one like myself who waxes often). The downside to it is the cure time for each coat, making it a long process, but the actual "wax on, wax off" process is a bit easier than wax; however, Zaino now has a ZFX-suffixed product that, when added to the regular Zaino sealants, eliminates/speeds up the cure times, making the whole process more like waxing alone. Less time curing means less "time" required to "wax" the car...no waiting for anything to cure. Multiple (3) coats are recommended for a deeper initial shine, so it does take some time and effort nonetheless.

Honestly...with the ZFX added to their sealant, the whole process isn't much different than waxing in general...at least not when you do it as thoroughly as I do. And...given how often I tend to wax a vehicle...the idea of following up the Zaino with detail spray (exclusively) appeals to me. Wash, dry, spray, wipe on, wipe off.

Like you...a weekend buffer by trade...and anal as one can be about keeping my car's exterior in tip-top shape. I too hadn't heard of Zaino...being content with the look of wax, and never really researching the subject, but I hit this board, and learned about the durability and shine of the synthetic sealers. Did my research, considered my usual detailing tendencies, and realized that whatever "toil" I might have to endure to establish the synthetic...in the long run it would be far easier to maintain. My .02!

Geez, I "talk" a lot, don't I?

[Carguy1965]

Gentlemen.. I just sort of got the call from my CA, Per BMW my car is set to arrive at the dealer on 3-9. Next thurs am.. Not as fast as I would have liked. He did say that mine was going to move the whole way by truck, and would not travel by rail. May have something to do with the shorter distance. Also said they frequently arrive a day ahead of when BMW says, and he would for sure call me the second it arrives. I will keep you posted if I get any better info..

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by gdnyc

Very easy synthetic wax to work with. The initial setup is annoying, but well worth it. Check out their website
www.zainobros.com

Might also try reading through the Detailing Thread on this board too. Lots of terrific information and insights.

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by Carguy1965

Gentlemen.. I just sort of got the call from my CA, Per BMW my car is set to arrive at the dealer on 3-9. Next thurs am.. Not as fast as I would have liked. He did say that mine was going to move the whole way by truck, and would not travel by rail. May have something to do with the shorter distance. Also said they frequently arrive a day ahead of when BMW says, and he would for sure call me the second it arrives. I will keep you posted if I get any better info..

Thursday is the ONLY day next week when I would have to delay my pickup, because I have commitments...but it's right in the thick of when my car might be delivered. Hmmm....what time does my dealership close???

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Speaking of...you guys do name and talk to your cars right?

You know...I've never actually named any vehicle I've ever owned. I know guys who do, but while I refer to my cars in the typical "she" fashion, "she" has always remained anonymous...like a secret mistress!

[KL2DC]

Carguy1965: Congrats!! wow Th 03/09 ... thats quite long considering your location ... I reckon I would have to push my expected date of delivery a few days back ... I'll check with the CA today. Any issues with in-transit damage factoring in your delivery date?

Aren't all our cars transported out by trucks ex SC VPC/VDC?

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

You know...I've never actually named any vehicle I've ever owned. I know guys who do, but while I refer to my cars in the typical "she" fashion, "she" has always remained anonymous...like a secret mistress!

All my cars (incl the wifey's) have names. I don't really give them names, rather they (in time) whisper their names to me...very subtly Like the horse whisperer only with cars ...

Oh the nice men with the white coats are here .... brb

[Carguy1965]

To my knowledge no damage issues, but Im sure they would not volunteer such info.. He seemed to indicate some of them moved by rail.. I will be looking into the Zaino for sure. Does it work with detail mist.. Thats my normal method right now. Wax every so often wash and detail mist in between. I use synthetic oil, might as well use synthetic wax too.

[KL2DC]

Actually the in-transit damage report is no big deal (unless you absolutely don't want to know ) Its as accessible and freely volunteered as all the information we've been badgering our CAs for. The VPCs do a good job in touching up the cars. I read somewhere a good number of cars coming in need some sort of attention (usually small, minute things - not worth mentioning/fussing) ...

... on second thought, maybe I don't want to know as well...ignorance is bliss

[Scrooge4277]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

Wow, you're fully loaded! Congrats! I didn't get the ZPP, because there were only a couple of smaller items included in it that I would even consider...homelink being one of them. The rest...didn't really care one way or the other, but that's why they make optional packages!

Yeah, sure...I can head towards Wilmette, and we can setup some pics with various scenes in the background, including the temple...perhaps even capture Lake Michigan nearby. Mind if I bring my girlfriend along? She'd make a great addition to my pics. All I ask is that we wait only long enough for my spacers to arrive...a week or so after I take delivery. Cool with you?

Sounds good to me. I'm actually going to be out of town from the 16th to the 23rd or so (how's that for poor timing?). The following week would be perfect though.

[Scrooge4277]

Originally Posted by fletcher969

I saw in another thread where one loses an auxillary power outlet when the sunglass holder replaces the ashtray. Is this correct, and if so, what other power adapter outlets does the E90 have?

Yeah, you lose the cigarette lighter next to the ashtray. You still have another one in the arm rest and i think one or two more on the rear console. The only thing i've really ever used my outlets for was my garmin system, but i have the idrive in this car so i won't be needing that. That, and i'm really anal about keeping my sunglasses protected when they're not on my face.

[b311lee]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Carguy1965: Congrats!! wow Th 03/09 ... thats quite long considering your location ... I reckon I would have to push my expected date of delivery a few days back ... I'll check with the CA today. Any issues with in-transit damage factoring in your delivery date?

Aren't all our cars transported out by trucks ex SC VPC/VDC?

hey KL2: Let us know what your CA says, mine told me 2 days ago that it had a port of arival on the 4th....which doesnt make too much sense, he then said from there to the dealer is a "couple" of days. I dunno about you guys but when i think of couple i think like 3 or 4, I highly doubt that is the case. It would be really nice to be able to get it the 11th tho! ::knock on wood::

[fletcher969]

Originally Posted by Carguy1965

To my knowledge no damage issues, but Im sure they would not volunteer such info.. He seemed to indicate some of them moved by rail.. I will be looking into the Zaino for sure. Does it work with detail mist.. Thats my normal method right now. Wax every so often wash and detail mist in between. I use synthetic oil, might as well use synthetic wax too.

You might check with the Detail Thread concerning your particular detail spray, but I know Zaino has their own detail spray they recommend (of course). The main concern is whether or not your current spray will strip the paint sealant or not. If it won't, and you're happy with the results, then you can probably continue to use it. I purchased the Zaino kit with the spray included, so I'll have to see if I should continue to use my McGuire's detail spray or not.