Bought a '93 318is (pics after my detailing job)

[Stinger]

Well I bought a '93 318is for my 'winter' car. That's if I get to keep it. My wife is not entirely onboard with this purchase but she agreed I could do it with one condition. I was also looking for a car for her brother. If he wants the car, than he gets it. If he doesn't than I get it.

Now with that condition I should've just kept the car filthy, parked it under a tree and fed the birds a lot. But I'm a detailing nut and just had to see how this car would look after using my Flex random orbital polisher and my crazy cabinet of detailing products.

About the car purchase: I bought from the 3rd owner. Had the car checked out and no issues (as of this second.) The car is a 5 speed and has 182k miles on it and I have all the records, at least the ones the owner gave me. One of the things I really liked hearing from the prior owner was how they replaced the leather on the driver's seat a couple years ago because it was heavily worn. Now that's someone who takes care of their cars.

Here are the results of my detailing...

[jryguyi]

Looks great. The interior is in great shape :thumbup:

[Danstrolie]

Send all the stuff you used and a how to manual to...

Daniel Baird
Ashgrove Avenue
Aberdeen
Scotland.

Cheers

[tds036]

Very nice. Your brother-in-law would have to be a fool if he doesn't want it now.:(

[Stinger]

Send all the stuff you used and a how to manual to...


Here are the steps I did (same steps I do to my 335i at the beginning and end of summer):

Apply and remove Zaino Glass Polish on windows
Wash car with Zaino car wash
Dry and then clay bar with lubricant for clay
Wash car again with Zaino car wash
Dry
Apply Menzerna Intensive Polish with Flex random orbital polisher, spread polish on 1 setting and then polish area at setting 4.5 on Flex
Remove, doesn't have to be perfect
Apply Menzerna Micro Polish with Flex random orbital polisher, spread polish on 1 setting and then polish area at setting 4.5 on Flex
Remove, has to be perfect.
Apply Zaino Z-2 PRO Car Polish with micro fiber pad, let it set for half hour or longer
Remove
Apply Zaino Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal
Remove
Apply Zaino Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal
Remove

Links and more details at: http://e93fanatic.blogspot.com/2008/05/some-serious-auto-detailing-with-fellow.html

[sillycar]

nice ride

i drove my 94 325is through the winter, with winter tires it handles perfectly. it could use a little more clearance for unplowed entrances to shopping malls but it'll go through 3 feet of snow no problem and stop on a dime

[amrrashad]

Very nice car Stinger,

Wish I could find the time to get my car detailed the way you did :S

tds036 is right you know, you've now made it very hard for your brother-in-law to pass

Nevertheless, excellent work! :)

[Soviet1942]

How long did it take you to do that process on cleaning your car? It looks great. And these parts you can get like at a Autozone?

[Stinger]

How long did it take you to do that process on cleaning your car? It looks great. And these parts you can get like at a Autozone?

The exterior took me a good 2 1/2 hours. Interior probably a 1 1/2 hours. So, it's a big job but doable in one afternoon or what I did two separate evenings after work.

Regarding the "parts" at Autozone. No. But you could use lesser versions by Meguiar's (they make decent products) and still get close. What I use (listed above) you can get through places like

http://www.autogeek.net

http://www.zainostore.com

http://www.pakshak.com/

Just note that if you get the detailing bug, it will run a good ~$300-$500 if you do the whole random orbital polisher thing and top line products. But I love it and really it takes the look of your paint and interior trim to a whole new level.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments on the detailing. I had a lot of fun doing it, even if I am risking losing the car to my brother in-law. I just had to see how sweet this car could look after a nice detail.

[ace2666]

I just got the bug...



...can't wait to get everything to start!