[KevinM]

Well, I brought my car to my trusted shop last week for a few things.

1. Aux install. Since I now have a Beats music subscription, this went to a "must-have" status. To maintain the stock appearance of my car, I wanted a stealth install. I also like the the aux jack location on my M coupe, as you cannot see it. The shop mounted the jack in the cubby hole under the armrest - perfect! So cool to be able to stream whatever music I want.

2. Driver's door creak. As documented by many threads on the board, this is a common problem and it had finally affected me. After reading numerous threads, I dutifully applied the appropriate expensive proprietary German lubricant to the door seals, and cleaned/sealed all of the painted areas of the door jams. Still the doors creaked. So I asked my shop to replace the door seals. The owner asked if the noise went away if the driver's door window was lowered 1 mm. This actually did make the noise go away. So the shop just cleaned the window seals (not the door seals) and the noise went completely away (cost: $0).

3. I had my leather person clean and condition the leather while it was at the shop.

I threw a coat of Zaino on today as well. Every time I even think of selling the car, I have a day like today. What a car. I guess when I buy my next car (tentatively an F80 M3 next year) the SUV will have to stay outside!

P.S. The wine photo is old but I could not resist. Great Syrah blend. Apologies for the messy garage - we just purchased a home for my in-laws and are still moving them in...this board has given me inspiration for a garage update that I hope to undertake this year!

 

[aazeez1975]

Amazing, I have the exact color combination. How did you manage to keep the leather soooo clean? was it re-dyed at some point?

 

[KevinM]

Amazing, I have the exact color combination. How did you manage to keep the leather soooo clean? was it re-dyed at some point?

When I bought the car Dec 2004 it was in perfect shape except the door-side driver's side bolster had some wear after 20K miles from the previous owner. I tried to dye it a few times and then gave up and had the bolster leather replaced. The rest of the leather was perfect, so I just clean it three times a year and have done the whole Leatherique-type deal twice over the past 10 years. When the driver's seat is really deep-cleaned, you can see a few whitish cracks on the seat cushion - I have those touched up about once per year.

Oh, the other "secret" is getting in and out of the car carefully!

 

[fmcfad01]

Fine taste in vehicles...I have the M5 and a z3 m coupe!

 

[OC e39r]

thanks for keeping the car clean.. extra clean
thanks for keeping your wood trim

 

[DisBeAliG]

Lookin' mighty sharp!

 

[blackxs]

Looks like Catalina Foothills area? I used to live there, loved the view. Car looks gorgeous. Nice garage too with the Z4M. Best of both worlds, highway cruiser and a nimble car fun to toss around

 

[pizzaman09]

Wow, your interior is identical to mine. I like it a lot. You have done an awesome job with the leather.

 

[newoldschool]

What was required for the aux plug?

 

[ApexMaster]

Superb color combination. I wish my steering wheel was in the shape yours is. Also seeing this makes me wish I had gone with caramel interior with my Sterling Gray...

Actually - I wish the E39's came with Cinnamon like the E46 M3's did.

Sterling + Cinnamon would be rad.

 

[AllesklarBMW]

Kevin, please discuss your exhaust. It looks stock but chrome dipped?
Uber clean ride d00d.
Zaino ftw.

 

[KevinM]

Fine taste in vehicles...I have the M5 and a z3 m coupe!

Sweet, I see you have an S54 variant as well - very rare. Post up some pictures!

thanks for keeping the car clean.. extra clean
thanks for keeping your wood trim

Thanks. I wanted the sterling gray/caramel combination and of course it only came with wood. I've grown to appreciate it - it just seems "right" for this combination.

Looks like Catalina Foothills area? I used to live there, loved the view. Car looks gorgeous. Nice garage too with the Z4M. Best of both worlds, highway cruiser and a nimble car fun to toss around

Thanks! Yes, Catalina Foothills - I love the view too.

What was required for the aux plug?

For the easiest install, you need a BM53 radio modules (production dates 9/2002 and newer). Then it is a question of just wiring the aux cable in in and putting the jack where you want it. There are ways to do with with earlier radios (http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...12-aux-input-added-my-pre-2003-m5-iphone.html) but I didn't explore as I have the later radio.

Superb color combination. I wish my steering wheel was in the shape yours is. Also seeing this makes me wish I had gone with caramel interior with my Sterling Gray...

Actually - I wish the E39's came with Cinnamon like the E46 M3's did.

Sterling + Cinnamon would be rad.

Agreed - cinnamon interiors are fantastic! Some of the individual options on the F8X M3/M4 are similar; I hope BMW will make one of them a regular option (or bring back cinnamon!).

Kevin, please discuss your exhaust. It looks stock but chrome dipped?
Uber clean ride d00d.
Zaino ftw.

No, completely stock. But VERY clean.

Agree about Zaino - and I've lost count of how many products I've tried...

 

[KevinM]

I wish my steering wheel was in the shape yours is. Also seeing this makes me wish I had gone with caramel interior with my Sterling Gray...

Forgot to address this. My buddy (the owner of the shop I take the car to) gave me a new steering wheel as a Christmas gift 2 years ago. He had been making noises that I should replace mine, but I thought not. Yes, it was a (tiny) bit shiny from 10+ years of use but in excellent shape. Well, after I put the new one on i regretted not doing it sooner. The steering wheel is our main interface with the car, and I had forgotten what the wheel felt like when I picked the car up years ago. If you are on the fence, do it!!

 

[ApexMaster]

Forgot to address this. My buddy (the owner of the shop I take the car to) gave me a new steering wheel as a Christmas gift 2 years ago. He had been making noises that I should replace mine, but I thought not. Yes, it was a (tiny) bit shiny from 10+ years of use but in excellent shape. Well, after I put the new one on i regretted not doing it sooner. The steering wheel is our main interface with the car, and I had forgotten what the wheel felt like when I picked the car up years ago. If you are on the fence, do it!!

I'm debating an Alcantara wheel from Colby Wheel E39-46 M Sport Steering Wheel

I'm nervous about the wear that material can exhibit. I do think it would be a really nice experience, though, and the price is right!

 

[mgdmb]

Looks like Catalina Foothills area? I used to live there, loved the view. Car looks gorgeous. Nice garage too with the Z4M. Best of both worlds, highway cruiser and a nimble car fun to toss around

Used to live there, too. Miss it a lot, thinking there's a winter home there in the future...

Great pics, love the color combo!

 

[KevinM]

Actually - I wish the E39's came with Cinnamon like the E46 M3's did.

Sterling + Cinnamon would be rad.

Below are the BMW Individual leather colors I'm considering for the F80 M3: Amaro Brown and Gold Brown. Hopefully by the time I order next year one of them will be a standard color (currently an extra $2300).

I'm debating an Alcantara wheel from Colby Wheel E39-46 M Sport Steering Wheel

I'm nervous about the wear that material can exhibit. I do think it would be a really nice experience, though, and the price is right!

Looks good. The alcantara will wear where you put your hands, so either consider it a "patina" or plan on recovering it in a few years. Feels so good though...

Used to live there, too. Miss it a lot, thinking there's a winter home there in the future...

Great pics, love the color combo!

Thanks, great place for a winter home!