"BrokenMostWeeks" (brokenmostweeks)
11/05/2020 at 09:50 • Filed to: simple fixes, m3
8
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"BrokenMostWeeks" (brokenmostweeks)
11/05/2020 at 09:50 • Filed to: simple fixes, m3 | 8
| 34 |
Much 90s. Such boxiness. Wow.
One thing that has bothered me since I bought the M3 has been the headlights. USA-market E36 M3s got the shaft, only getting crappy plastic headlamps as opposed to the Euro-spec glass units that are baller AF, as the youths would say.
I always thought I would just buy the glass units, and since this car was a track rat in its previous life, the plastic units were absolutely trashed. Yet for the last three years of ownership, I just... left them.
Before- Faux French yellow lights. Except they don’t actually help you see.
Looking at the car, I’ve always been disgusted with the faux-French yellow look (that’s what I told myself to feel better). But after driving the M3 to work last week, and then all over the western part of NC to visit my Dad and just rediscover how fun this car is, nighttime driving got *sketchy*.
!!!CAPTION ERROR: MAY BE MULTI-LINE OR CONTAIN LINK!!!
I fixed that yesterday.
A whopping hour of my time and $30 for a Meguiar’s polishing kit, and this abused car looks so much better I genuinely can’t stop looking at it out the window.
Such a simple fix...
Dad and I may have different tastes in cars... but his are just as enjoyable to drive.
Death_To_Rev_Hang
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 09:55 |
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Ebay Motors much?
Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 09:57 |
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Definitely . Headlights are such a small thing but clearing them up makes such a difference.
Here’s what I was dealing with this year and how much better it ended up.
It’s especially noticeable in headlight units with lots of black accents on the inside of the lens like in your BMW and my Cruze.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 09:59 |
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Exactly!
The black accents really contrast a lot more when the whole thing is cleaned up.
The Cruze really cleaned up well!
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 10:15 |
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You would not believe the difference it made. I’m a sucker for black detailing inside headlamp lenses for some reason and I love the way the lines are continued past the membrane of the lens in the Cruze. Except it looks like crap when the sun stops by to say hello.
I’ve also always liked the almost tinted effect the black areas on the inside of those BMWs created. Though glass units would still be cool. At least it will look better and be more functional until you can pony up for them.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 10:20 |
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I agree completely- I’ll take black-detailed headlights almost every time over all-chrome units. They create a depth and contrast that is just cool, no matter the car.
I’ve never paid attention to the headlight design on the Cruze much, but that’s actually a really good looking unit. Good design with the accents.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 10:32 |
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Yeah, like when you have a silver car with silver headlamps and chrome trim there’s just no contrast. Especially when the plastic is dulled by the sun.
I like how the lines created by the headlight recess continue into the actual unit itself. It has, like you said, a surprising amount of depth. It’s a better looking car than people give it credit for but I think the usual silver makes it look too generic. Autumn Metallic for life!
Not quite as good looking as your E36 M3 though. That design has aged so well.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 10:43 |
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That’s a pretty excellent looking Cruze all-around though! Good choice on the color- I’m so used to seeing beat-up silver and white
ones around that a nice one in a real color is awesome.
Thank you! I think the E46 gen will always look modern and clean, but the E36 will always have a more old-school German look and feel to me.
Jb boin
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 10:44 |
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Why don’t you do some veritable modification en phares jaunes Français !
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 10:57 |
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It’s hard to photograph but the color is a deep dark orangish red with a very bright bronze metallic flake. It gives it a very dynamic appearance.
But the best part is the interior. I couldn’t have asked for it better. Beautiful two tone tan on black cloth with comfortable seats, bluetooth, more space than you would expect, and no fluff (I dislike power seats). Red with tan/black interior is just such a classy combo. I wonder why anyone bought these in boring combos when even this base model can be configured so well.
And other options:
white leather
Saddle color
Red cloth
Tri tone brown
Why can’t we have this much variety in colors anymore? Sorry, I’m going on a little bit but I just really like this car. I mean you could get all black everything but why?
The E36 will always be a very classy ride. It really bridges the gap between classic and modern. Plus they’re very good cars to drive, or so I’ve heard. It’s got a lot of old school cues but with some modern sleekness.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Jb boin
11/05/2020 at 11:10 |
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Not gonna lie... I kinda like the inner lights (high beams) yellowed, but I don’t think I could go full French.
Partially because this car will never have fogs again haha
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 11:12 |
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I really dig the interior on that car... I despise monotone black or gray interiors, and all of those options look way better.
You picked a good spec!
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 11:15 |
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I don't think I could have speced it more to my liking if it had bought the car new myself. Which makes it surprising that it was the cheapest one available 2 years ago despite being in far better than average condition. It was a repo. . . . . after 6 years of original ownership!?!? There's a story there.
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Jb boin
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 11:15 |
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Good choice :)
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Jb boin
11/05/2020 at 11:19 |
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Now THAT is delicious.
I’ll definitely do the Euro corners and tails (eventually, they’re backordered), but that looks excellent with the highs French’d
feather-throttle-not-hair
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 11:42 |
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Wow, 100 percent agree on manufacturers offering more interior color options. Also, the exterior color is pretty great on your Cruze
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feather-throttle-not-hair
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 11:45 |
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Huge difference. My god, the e36 m3 is so good looking! Favorite looking bmw of my lifetime I think. Yeah, other designs look more aggressive (e30 m3 fender flares) or more beautiful (Z8) but the E36 remains one of the most fundamentally “correct” designs I’ve ever seen. People usually lean towards the e46, and I don’t necessarily blame them as it’s also a looker, but for me, E36 is the one.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> feather-throttle-not-hair
11/05/2020 at 11:55 |
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There are at least 6 interior options that I know of including all black. The choice of interior colors is good ! I really wish such variety would come back. If you have a choice at all it, it seems like it is basically just all black or two tone black and white.
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feather-throttle-not-hair
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 12:03 |
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Yup. Nothing has a sense of humor these days it feels like. Car design in general has lost its sense of whimsy. I’m not saying I need everything to be a PT cruiser or anything, I’m just sick of the “100 percent serious at all times” design hole we seem to have fallen in. And interior color lack of choice is one of the worst symptoms.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> feather-throttle-not-hair
11/05/2020 at 12:08 |
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So basically everything is a Toyota CHR instead of a Hyundai Kona. Definitely.
I really don’t like all black or gray interiors but all tan is acceptable. Just for goodness sakes lighten up, automakers! No one is going to think less of you because your compact isn’t trying to look like an expensive executive car. WHIMSY FOR ALL!
wbizarre - OEM fetishist
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 12:43 |
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Super excellent. I’ve switched to glass units on both of my E36's. Does the Meguiars kit have UV sealant? I always wondered how long the buffing lasts until they’re cloudy again, though for 30 bucks it’s still good value to do it even every few years.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
11/05/2020 at 12:47 |
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I’ve not had any problems with yellowing again and it has been nearly a year on both of the vehicles I did. And I had to take off a lot of material so there isn’t any factory coating left. Seems to work well.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> Jb boin
11/05/2020 at 12:47 |
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Maybe not with the orange indicator housings though. Would look better with clear.
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feather-throttle-not-hair
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
11/05/2020 at 13:11 |
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Looked at your interior on a bigger screen (was on my phone earlier) and I like it even more now. The two tone looks sportier/racier on the bigger screen.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> wbizarre - OEM fetishist
11/05/2020 at 13:19 |
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It does come with sealant, which was something I specifically sought out, along with a drill buffing attachment.
Both are surprisingly absent from most kits, but I found it makes a good difference.
Outside, the finish is absolutely perfect, although the inside does have an extremely slight yellowish haze, as if the inside coating has burnt or just decayed over the years. Can’t tell unless you’re literally polishing the lights though.
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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> feather-throttle-not-hair
11/05/2020 at 13:24 |
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Most definitely. It feels upscale and conservatively sporty. Kind of a European feel, maybe even German. I thought Opel only did work on the drivetrain but maybe they had some input on the interior. Because Daewoo isn’t known for their interiors.
Also, the center stack is not too cluttered with buttons and isn’t distractingly full of features. It’s a nice driver focused interior with intuitive controls.
Plus I like the way the cloth seats feel and support me. They’re designed for narrower built people and fit me very well. Much better materials all around than even in many more expensive cars. It FEELS as nice as it looks.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> feather-throttle-not-hair
11/05/2020 at 13:27 |
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Your thoughts are ones I echo often...
The Z8 may be the prettiest BMW design in my opinion, but there are a lot of good ones. It’s a shame their modern designs have gotten so busy- I doubt they’ll age well as compared to the old stuff.
E30s are cool, but I just never fell in love with them, although the flares of the M3 are so rad. I like the E46’s subtle flares, hood bump, and fender vents- clean and classy, but you can tell it’s the special one in the lineup.
I wish the E36 M3s had just a *little* something different about them that makes them stand out vs the base 3ers, but I can’t complain. The design hits the sweet spot of old and new BMW for me, with enough stern Germanic style and clean lines to let it age gracefully.
Driving dynamics? Tough to say, as this car has ALL the suspension, and nearly NONE of the interior/weight, but I find this to be, by far, the most engaging car I’ve driven yet. I’d love to have an E46 with the same mods to see how it compares, but the monies...
Thanks for the compliment!
12and35
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 14:01 |
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That’s all well and good... Is that a real Daytona, lol. Also, Hello fellow North Carolinian!
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BrokenMostWeeks
> 12and35
11/05/2020 at 15:13 |
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Hello there!
Close... it’s a Plymouth Suberbird, but yes it’s a real one. 440+6 that we’ve had nearly 30yr now
Just got it put together last year
Jewish Stig
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/05/2020 at 21:33 |
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With all due respect, your BMW is nice and all,
But that yellow monster you guys are hiding is way more interesting.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> Jewish Stig
11/05/2020 at 22:29 |
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Hahaha I wondered if people would know what that thing is
Perhaps I’ll do a post on it soon. We’ve got a dozen or so old Mopars (and a few trans ams, shhhhh), each with a story of some sort.
The yellow bird (sometimes I wish it were a RUF), we’ve had for almost 30yr, but has never run until last year. 440 6 barrel motor.
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12and35
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/06/2020 at 00:25 |
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That’s sweet. From a bit of the pic...don’t look like it’s got stock mufflers on it. Also, hello from Raleigh! And I used to have a Bimmer myself. When it comes to classic cars I am a Corvette guy cause my mom told me all about them. I can look at a classic Corvette and tell you all about it and b arely look at it, lol
DasWauto
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/06/2020 at 08:14 |
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Nice work and a great looking car. I did the same fix, likely with the same kit, on my 128i last week and while mine weren’t as bad to begin with the difference is amazing. I can actually see at night now, though that’s helped by the fact that I switched out all the bulbs for brighter ones while I was at it.
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BrokenMostWeeks
> DasWauto
11/06/2020 at 20:42 |
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Why thank you!
I haven’t driven it yet, but I’ll take it to work tomorrow night to see if there’s much of a difference.
What bulbs did you end up with in the 128? I need all the upgrades haha
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DasWauto
> BrokenMostWeeks
11/06/2020 at 21:54 |
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I thought about doing LED bulbs in the halogen housings but I just went for some Phillips H7s for the low beams and Sylvanias (Silverstars maybe) H7s for the highs. Both advertised brighter than standard output and I’m pleased so far.