BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf

Notloudenuf said:
Next came the bondo to try and smooth everything out
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How was it working with the bondo? I know people typically recommend Rage Gold. I need to pick up some body filler for when I plan to blend my tweeter pods into the A-pillars, I don't need a lot (basically enough to fill in and blend around the pod to the pillar) so spending $20 on Bondo is more appealing than $60 on Rage Gold, especially as most likely 75% of it will end up in the trash.


 
It really wasn’t that difficult. You mix it together and spread it on with something like a putty knife. I may have mixed mine hot because it started to set up fast. That worked in my favor though because I could use my gloved hands to smooth it out before it got completely hardened, and then I sanded it once it was fully cured.
 
I added some texture with this spray paint I had in the shop. The plastic has a light sand texture to it and this does too
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a few coats of flat black to match
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and in the car they go
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Houston we have a problem
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Test fit people. Oh who do I need to lecture on here you all know what to do. I did NOT test fit and this is what it got me. The sail panel fit behind the door panel and I didn't take that into account. In addition, I tried to force them back into the mounting holes in the door and broke the top tab. I think I can salvage them by shaving off the bottom "wedge" portion that fits behind the door panel. I ordered another set of sails just in case or to replace them if I ever need it back to stock.
 
naiku said:
How was it working with the bondo? I know people typically recommend Rage Gold. I need to pick up some body filler for when I plan to blend my tweeter pods into the A-pillars, I don't need a lot (basically enough to fill in and blend around the pod to the pillar) so spending $20 on Bondo is more appealing than $60 on Rage Gold, especially as most likely 75% of it will end up in the trash.
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Personal experience is that Rage is so much easier to work with, sand and shape over Bondo... If you're considering it, just pull the trigger and get the Rage Gold
 
I ordered a spare set of sail panels off of ebay. I used them to see where I'd need to trim off the bottom of my pods so they fit.
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Used a dremel with a cut off wheel
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They fit much better. Still tweaking the upper mounting point. The piece must have warped when it cured.
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Cutaway said:
Personal experience is that Rage is so much easier to work with, sand and shape over Bondo... If you're considering it, just pull the trigger and get the Rage Gold
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Too late...

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Honestly, I think if I were doing a bigger job then I would have gotten the Rage Gold. As is, I already had the tweeter pods, but just wanted to blend them into the pillars, so ended up using the spot putty which seems to be working out well.
 
The car needs paint. I like the color but 22 years of road rash has done a number on the exterior. A few scrapes and dings here and there too.
An option I'm considering is vinyl wrap. I understand that wrap is somewhat temporary (2-3 year life) and really needs good smooth body surfaces to look its best.
I love the matte look of some of these wraps though.
I like this one the best so far
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Pretty sure that is this color https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZL9KM3/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A10111992WJRYRFBZH9IS&th=1

What do you all think?
 
Looks a lot like Laguna Seca Blue, but just matte.

AKA .... do it.

And, if you are wrapping this yourself, (not sure if you are, but since you found the vinyl on Amazon) then damn. I tip my hat to you.
 
naiku said:
Looks a lot like Laguna Seca Blue, but just matte.

AKA .... do it.

And, if you are wrapping this yourself, (not sure if you are, but since you found the vinyl on Amazon) then damn. I tip my hat to you.
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Yeah it does look like that. I like that factory color so must be why :)

I don't know if I'll be wrapping myself because...yeah....but I'm shopping around.
 
Went to a pick a part yesterday and got some black grills, several sedan tweeter pods, and the factory flashlight. I was happy to find one
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The sedan tweeter pods look promising. Will take some modification...
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That's the coupe sail panel cover next to the rubber sound deadener that is behind the sedan tweeter cover. Looks close
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The quest to eliminate dash lights has taken a step forward. I was able to borrow a code reader and see the OBDII codes. I needed a new thermostat (which I had) and a fuel tank breather valve. Still have ABS lights because this reader can't read those codes. Oh well, some other time.
I was really after eliminating the oil leak(s) I fixed the oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil dipstick tube o-ring, new motor mounts, new belts, I think that's it.
Here she is in her natural habitat.
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Success
 
If wouldn't take you very much effort to be as organized as me.....because I'm not that organized. Pick a spot for your stuff and make sure it ends up in that spot after you use it.
Thanks for the kind words.
 
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