With the end of 2015, most of the mods I had planned for the car had been complete bar a few items that I needed to get going on.
To recap, the mods in mind when I started the journey with the car:
Mono Black & White emblems/roundels - Done
Full set of clear/white lights (indicators, side markers and rear tail lights) - Done
Business front loader - Done
Angel eyes - Done
Retrofit xenons - Pending
Full branch & free flow exhaust system - Pending
A software remap - Pending
On to the updates for 2016...
March 2016: Doing research into the system and the service provider I wanted, meant that this mod was on hold for quite a while... I wanted a system that was not overly loud but still noticeably different compared to stock, without the dreaded drone that plagues the e46's. My aim here was simply to allow the car to breathe better given the original cats (manifold and centre exhaust) were still in place.
I finally decided to go for a full Viper system, unfortunately by the time I had decided, the Viper system was no longer offered in Durban. No matter, all this meant was I had to plan a trip to Johannesburg to have this done. :YesNo:
Made the arrangements ahead of time with Abel and finally decided on a date. Given that I was making my way from Durban to have this done, Abel offered me a very competitive price on the total system.. Branches into dual 57" piping, into dual 50" piping and finished off with tail pieces that weren't too far a departure from stock:
Having had the system on for a year now, I am completely happy with the choice I made. The car sounds amazing on cold start and once the idle settles, it is louder than stock. The overall tone on the car is deeper and when you mash the loud pedal, the car really does scream as the revs climb. Coming off the power just right, results in meeting the Rice Krispies' mascots, Snap, Crackle and Pop :blowheart:
April 2016: On my way back home, I decided to stop by Mo@AutoXcessorize to purchase a set of OE BMW rubber mats to replace the Stingray ones I had purchased upon acquiring the car. Whilst I was there, I decided to upgrade all of the globes to Philips Diamond Vision bulbs as I wasn't sure when the xenon retrofit would be completed. I was surprised with the colour and output from the bulbs, so much so that I still haven't got around to fitting the xenons.
I wanted to do the angel eyes as well but Mo didn't have stock at the time and so I was on my way back to Durban. Pretty chuffed with the figure on my way down:
I wasn't sure if I should go LED or CCFL for the angel eyes.. I wanted the continuous effect of the CCFL and the LED rings on offer at the time didn't offer this. After speaking to Irshaad from Jabsport, I decided to go for the CCFL rings on his recommendation and glad with the choice:
May 2016: As May is the Birthday month for BMWFanatics, it was customary for a KZN event and we headed down to the South Coast as a crew for breakfast, at the Waffle House in Ramsgate. With some spirited but law-abiding driving :rollsmile:, we made our way to the designated park off area and proceeded to take pictures of the cars. Here are a few of mine:
So apart from the necessary maintenance, the only preventative maintenance done worth noting was the propshaft guibo being replaced and the diff oil being changed along with seals. The other fluids had been changed at other points along the journey.
October 2016: I had just found out that I would be heading to the UK for a 6 month work assignment in November and needed to figure out what to do with the car. I decided that the car would be put up out of use for the period in my garage. In order not to stress the car's suspension and create bald spots on the tyres, I opted to use jack stands and a car cover, to protect the car from the Gecko's wrath :skit:
Before putting the car up, it was clayed and polished, so the paint wouldn't get scratched when putting the cover on and to ensure some form of protection whilst the car was parked off. The fuel tank was brimmed and the car's battery disconnected before the cover went on:
Those were the last images of the car I had for the 6 months that would follow whilst I was away from home. Suffice to say, I missed my car every day, especially since I didn't do much driving in London itself. Public transport there really is something else.. :clapper:
Whilst in the UK, I decided to add a few more items to the mod list even though the original list wasn't quite complete :rollsmile:
+1: Set of rims - Pending
+2: Install a sub - Pending
+3: Full LED upgrade (Interior and Exterior) - Pending
+4: Gloss black exterior trim (kidney grills and window trim) - Pending
+5: Change to full Mtech I lower bumper pieces - Pending
That wraps up my 2016 with the car and now to finish the updates for 2017... :ty:
