Going for a bit of a cosmetic refresh.

[Simon B]

Hi all

I have been a member on here since 2007 when I was first looking to buy a B3S convertible. At the time this forum was invaluable for buying advice and further advice once I had bought it. I have been on several other forums for cars, motorhomes, even Raleigh Choppers (which I haven't managed to get a pass for yet) and I have to say that while they are all useful there is always a lot of negativity and moaning on all of them. This is the only forum where I have never really seen that over the years so credit to all who operate it and participate

13 years on and we still have the B3S and while I have never really contributed much to the forum I thought I would put something on about my experience of ownership, which any new potential owners might find helpful (or maybe not). I am also planning on giving the old girl a bit of a refresh so will be looking for expert advice and input as always.

We bought number 71 in Jan 2007. It was 3 years old and had 29000 miles on it. Officially it is my wifes daily driver. At the time we just had our son who was 5. Almost 14 years later and having just clocked 70000 miles we still have her, my son is at University (and has his own car) and his sister is 11. The B3S is the only car she has ever known her mum to have.

In the time we have owned her she has been a dream to own and maintain. Other than the obvious tyres, brakes, service, oil changes etc, the only thing that we have spent money on is having the VANOS done. I came here for advice on that and there are plenty of good threads explaining why you need washers made of unobtaniam which are £20 each. I have also worked out that depreciation has been something in the region of £10,000 over 14 years so a little over £700 a year. Better than the £15000 a year it depreciated each year before I bought it.

So it seems only fair after 14 years of bargain motoring (I dont count fuel cost obviously) to give her a bit of a refresh. Here is my list
which I would welcome peoples thoughts on.

There is some slight blistering on the front wheel arches. Not visible to the naked eye but its there. I have a good guy who can do this for
me but the question is do we try and remove the rust and keep the original panels or go all out and replace the wings with OEM ones. I am
confident in the guys ability to do it either way but have a psychological issue with taking off the original parts versus "you will never get rid of
rust"

The wheels could do with another refurb and I want to do those properly. I have seen the thread that Charles put on about the company
in Oxford and that is exactly what I want. Is there anyone nearer to me (Lincolnshire) who can do as good a job or should I just take them
there? I will then replace the centre badges again at the same time.

The Champagne leather is in good condition but seems to have darkened a little over the years when you look back over old photos. I am
planning to take the seats out and clean/restore them in the house with something. I dont know what yet.

The centre console down the middle of the two front seats which leads through to the back has always been a little scratched from the
previous owners kids. Only a little bit but it has always bothered me so I am planning to replace that whole piece while the seats are out.

I think that is all for now and as always I welcome any words of wisdom on any of this. I will also post updates of progress if its any interest to anyone who may be looking to do some similar jobs in the future. I know I have found many useful things on here in the past so will put something on in the hope it might be useful to someone

[D3orbust]

For the darkened seats try Pears soap with a leather brush and then wiped off with a damp microfiber, they’ll come out like new.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/ ... er.177729/

[hap]

I had mine done by frears wheels in Scunthorpe top job, been done few years, daily use and only slight bubbling showing

https://www.facebook.com/frearswheels/

Interior I’m getting mine tidied up by a bespoke upholsterer in Scunthorpe early next year, nothing heavy, deep clean,touch in seat bolster, nicks on handbrake,few little scuffs and the steering wheel Being brought back to life. Will feed back once done

[ScooBeeFive]

That's a fantastic story Simon - I love stuff like this. Good luck getting the refresh items sorted, sure there will be some great advice on the way.

[davettf2]

A plus also for Pears soap, works a treat and so much better value than what the auto shops sell.

Cheers and enjoy the refurb.
Dave

[Charles]

From one "daily driver" B3S owner to another, welcome back

Bubbling on the front wheel arches is a standard E46 issue which affects all cars eventually. I replaced both wings with OEM new ones (so no fitment issues) and made sure the arches were properly coated to prevent recurrence. Non-OEM is a false economy in my book as the biggest cost is the painting and not the parts.

Watch out for the rear arches too - both at the lower leading edge and also just above where the rear bumper hanger bracket is located against the arch. These will go eventually - as they do in any E46. If they are looking OK then make sure the inner lip of the arch is clear of detritus which is how water gets trapped and the rusting begins.

[Simon B]

Thanks chaps

The pears soap sounds interesting, definitely going to try that, and the wheel refurb from frears also looks good.

Good to hear you have done the wing change Charles. That makes me feel better about it. I am going to go down the OEM replacement route I think.

How many miles have you got on yours now? It must say something about them that we keep them this long. Although I wouldn’t be allowed to sell it if I wanted to. As the good lady says “What would I replace it with if I sold it”

That’s why I am doing the refresh. She can drive it for another 14 years then

[Charles]

“What would I replace it with if I sold it”

My thoughts entirely

I'm up to 348,000 miles since new in March 2003 and have just completed a major engine rebuild that should give me the same again!

[Simon B]

Wow

[DogWagen]

Hi Simon, Glad to hear you still have the B3s

It would be worth asking Dan at Woods Motors where he got his B3 3.2 Cab wheels refurbished. I have feeling it could be the same place that he put me onto in Heckington when I need to tidy-up a set of alloys. As opposed to powder coating, they use paint - the rationale is they can repair minor damage much more easily. Price and quality-wise they were very good - the wheels off my 335d which still look decent after 2 years daily driving.

Hope that helps,

Mike

[Simon B]

[/quote]

That's a fantastic story Simon - I love stuff like this. Good luck getting the refresh items sorted, sure there will be some great advice on the way.

Thanks ScooBee

Have you still got the Porsche?

I had a 997 C2S a couple of years ago. Loved it and achieved a childhood dream by owning one.

[Simon B]

Hi Simon, Glad to hear you still have the B3s

It would be worth asking Dan at Woods Motors where he got his B3 3.2 Cab wheels refurbished. I have feeling it could be the same place that he put me onto in Heckington when I need to tidy-up a set of alloys. As opposed to powder coating, they use paint - the rationale is they can repair minor damage much more easily. Price and quality-wise they were very good - the wheels off my 335d which still look decent after 2 years daily driving.

Hope that helps,

Mike

Thanks Mike

I will do that. It’s actually going to Colin Woods for an oil service in a couple of weeks before I have the wings done so I will ask him. I didn’t realise he had an Alpina

[DogWagen]

Thanks Mike

I will do that. It’s actually going to Colin Woods for an oil service in a couple of weeks before I have the wings done so I will ask him. I didn’t realise he had an Alpina

Its being rebuilt when time allows - nice colour and interior. Have a peek in the bay next to the showroom....

[Simon B]

I will do that.

Feel a bit bad now because my wife reminded him today when she booked it in that “ It isn’t like all BMW’s it might need different parts”. He politely said “yes that’s ok I understand Alpina’s are different”

Hey ho it’s good to know that he has one

[Fast3000]

Nice to hear of the ownership experience and another b3s being looked after.