[Philm001]

Hello all,

This isn't restoration in the sense of taking a non working BMW and bringing it back. I have a 2004 X3 BMW 3.0i that I want to basically give it a new breath of life. It runs great. Just fixed an issue with the transfer case actuator motor. I upgraded all of the interior lights to LEDs. Now I can actually use the lights to see. I would like to feel like I have a new/modern car (even though it is a 2004, I think that there is still room for me to modify it a bit). Things on my hit list:

1) Replace back BMW emblem (the cover thing fell off)
2) Replace back wiper arm (I broken it while installing a new blade plus it was missing the cover for that nut)
3) Replace side markers - These are not broken but they show their age, would rather replace them to clean them
4) Clean head lamps
5) Replace the i in the 3.0 i letters on driver side (it fell off one day)
6) Replace the trunk release mechanism (the exterior release in the back when you want to open the trunk from the outside. The lights don't work and the rubber piece literally disintegrated exposing the electrical switches which caused them to fail. I can only open the trunk with the key fob)
7) Update headlamps to LEDs/HID (Still working on this one, I am def going to update the fog lights to LEDs
8) Update all exterior lights to LEDs

For all of my action items, I have everything purchased or partially completed/installed. Excpet the head light one, still working on that. The HID with adaptive control headlamp assembly literally costs an arm and a leg. I am thinking to buy a car on Co-part, strip it for what I want and then sell it for a profit (LOL jking)

But as I was driving around, I noticed that a lot of BMWs have the XDrive emblem on the car. I know that my BMW does have XDrive, I am considering getting an XDrive emblem and attaching it to mine.

I am also considering to "restore" the paint. Now, there is no visible rust on the car or any visible damage to the paint. Very happy about that. But there is a shine to newer cars that I am thinking that I would like to restore to mine.

So to summarize, I am looking for feedback on these:

1) How do I restore the paint's shine it had or to make it shine like the newer cars?

2) Did the XDrive emblem come on my BMW? If so where would it go? If not, I am thinking of a spot that would make sense on the trunk in-line with the X3 emblem.

3) Also has anyone had any experience with dash kit overlays? The BMW has an upgrade to swap out some parts of the dash with other materials (I think one option was aluminum) I am considering in the future to get a brushed aluminum dash kit overlay to "hide" it's age and it make it look nicer on the inside. I think that Rvinyl makes one for the model

[BlkGS]

I think the Xdrive branding came out several years after your car came out. Maybe debuting with the 2ns gen X5?

About your paint...

Get ready to do a lot of reading and learning. In a very very abbreviated version, your paint likely has decades worth of micro (and probably some macro) scratches. To bring back the shine, you'll need to polish it out. The condition of the paint will determine how aggressive you will need to go. I would recommend buying a dual action (NOT rotary) polisher at harbor freight, and buy a series of buffing pads there. They also sell some decent polish. You'll also want to order some clear bars and likely iron remover on Amazon to really get the paint prepped. Once you've put the (significant) time in to polish the car up, protect it with a product of your choice. If you've gone through the work of fully prepping it, I would ceramic cost it to make upkeep easier

There's lots of great videos about think.ike from autogeek.net had a great series called detailing 101 or something like that. Watch and learn as much as you can so you can understand what you're going to need to do.

[Philm001]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I think the Xdrive branding came out several years after your car came out. Maybe debuting with the 2ns gen X5?

About your paint...

Get ready to do a lot of reading and learning. In a very very abbreviated version, your paint likely has decades worth of micro (and probably some macro) scratches. To bring back the shine, you'll need to polish it out. The condition of the paint will determine how aggressive you will need to go. I would recommend buying a dual action (NOT rotary) polisher at harbor freight, and buy a series of buffing pads there. They also sell some decent polish. You'll also want to order some clear bars and likely iron remover on Amazon to really get the paint prepped. Once you've put the (significant) time in to polish the car up, protect it with a product of your choice. If you've gone through the work of fully prepping it, I would ceramic cost it to make upkeep easier

There's lots of great videos about think.ike from autogeek.net had a great series called detailing 101 or something like that. Watch and learn as much as you can so you can understand what you're going to need to do.

Hello

thank you for your feedback. Can you recommend some youtube videos to get started, I would like to start to learn more. I think that this is an excellent opportunity to learn about more advanced car care/maintance compared to just getting an oil change every once in awhile.

For the XDrive, I know what you mean. I say this becuase from this link here:
https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes...%20X3_2004.pdf

this is clearly and ad for the 04 X3. If you scroll down to page 9 under "Handling, ride, braking", it says "xDrive all-wheel-drive-system" (attaching a pic)

So it looks like that branding did exist but IDK when they started putting it on the cars themselves.

[tcphoto]

My definition of "restore" is to bring it back to the original condition, you are describing maintenance and replacing worn or broke items. As far as paint is concerned, I would wash, compound, polish and apply ceramic coating on the paint, wheels and lights. A basic detailing kit with supplies will cost about $350-$400 and will let you keep the paint looking good for a few years.

[MaxVO2]

Originally Posted by Philm001

Hello all,


4) Clean head lamps


I am also considering to "restore" the paint. Now, there is no visible rust on the car or any visible damage to the paint. Very happy about that. But there is a shine to newer cars that I am thinking that I would like to restore to mine.

So to summarize, I am looking for feedback on these:

1) How do I restore the paint's shine it had or to make it shine like the newer cars?

3) Also has anyone had any experience with dash kit overlays? The BMW has an upgrade to swap out some parts of the dash with other materials (I think one option was aluminum) I am considering in the future to get a brushed aluminum dash kit overlay to "hide" it's age and it make it look nicer on the inside. I think that Rvinyl makes one for the model

****Congrats on your new car. If your headlamps are sun damaged they can be restored to look like new with a decent kit. I used the 3M kit on several cars and it is easy to use and as long as you follow directions, and have a half way decent drill to put the polishing pads on - the results will make the headlamps look like new. I think I paid $15 for the kit on sale.

Restoring the paints shine will require some polishes, perhaps compounds, good wax, and a decent rotary or orbital buffer with lots of pads and a decent amount of time and patience depending upon the damage to the paint and its condition. Look up some YouTube and other videos on the subject, shop around a bit for a decent new or used buffer, pads, etc.. some of the compounds, waxes, etc.. and get it done.

You would be amazed at how much better you can make a somewhat neglected paint job on a vehicle look with some attention to detail, decent chemicals/compounds and some time and effort.

It takes some practice and care to restore areas around seams or corners etc.. especially if using cutting "compounds" that are designed to carefully remove damaged surface to the fresher healthier surface underneath. Best to work slowly and use less or much less abrasive polishes versus too much. Work slowly and perhaps one section at a time before moving on. It takes experience. Some blemishes or damage cannot be removed but many many can with some experience and patience.

There are tons of different types of polishers, buffers - corded, cordless, etc.. One can spend a fortune on this... Some *are* better than others and it will depend on your budget etc.. as to what to get. Don't get too hung up on spending a small fortune on one or several.. Someone with decent experience in detailing can use a less expensive adjustable speed random orbital with good pads and chemicals and do a much better job than someone with a super expensive kit but bad technique, etc.. So much is dependent on technique vs necessarily having the most expensive of everything or the "best". It really won't make as much of a difference than a decent feel for polishing and waxing/paint remediation vs using super expensive chemicals, etc..

No question do your research on this before starting and have everything ready. Amazon sells a bunch of pads and other needed materials like microfiber towels, etc.. which can save you a bunch of money. Some areas will have to be done by hand with some polishes, towels, pads, etc... unless you have multiple sized buffers, etc...

Anyway, sometime less is more and decent technique and attention to detail goes a *very* long way.

Good luck!

[Philm001]

Originally Posted by MaxVO2

****Congrats on your new car. If your headlamps are sun damaged they can be restored to look like new with a decent kit. I used the 3M kit on several cars and it is easy to use and as long as you follow directions, and have a half way decent drill to put the polishing pads on - the results will make the headlamps look like new. I think I paid $15 for the kit on sale.

Restoring the paints shine will require some polishes, perhaps compounds, good wax, and a decent rotary or orbital buffer with lots of pads and a decent amount of time and patience depending upon the damage to the paint and its condition. Look up some YouTube and other videos on the subject, shop around a bit for a decent new or used buffer, pads, etc.. some of the compounds, waxes, etc.. and get it done.

You would be amazed at how much better you can make a somewhat neglected paint job on a vehicle look with some attention to detail, decent chemicals/compounds and some time and effort.

It takes some practice and care to restore areas around seams or corners etc.. especially if using cutting "compounds" that are designed to carefully remove damaged surface to the fresher healthier surface underneath. Best to work slowly and use less or much less abrasive polishes versus too much. Work slowly and perhaps one section at a time before moving on. It takes experience. Some blemishes or damage cannot be removed but many many can with some experience and patience.

There are tons of different types of polishers, buffers - corded, cordless, etc.. One can spend a fortune on this... Some *are* better than others and it will depend on your budget etc.. as to what to get. Don't get too hung up on spending a small fortune on one or several.. Someone with decent experience in detailing can use a less expensive adjustable speed random orbital with good pads and chemicals and do a much better job than someone with a super expensive kit but bad technique, etc.. So much is dependent on technique vs necessarily having the most expensive of everything or the "best". It really won't make as much of a difference than a decent feel for polishing and waxing/paint remediation vs using super expensive chemicals, etc..

No question do your research on this before starting and have everything ready. Amazon sells a bunch of pads and other needed materials like microfiber towels, etc.. which can save you a bunch of money. Some areas will have to be done by hand with some polishes, towels, pads, etc... unless you have multiple sized buffers, etc...

Anyway, sometime less is more and decent technique and attention to detail goes a *very* long way.

Good luck!

Hey, that is exactly the kit that I already bought. I can't do anything about it because it is winter right now. But once things warm up, I am going to start the restoration. Unless I can find a HID headlight assembly at a reasonable cost.

I did find this video series which seems helpful but there seems to be a few items that are not very DIY friendly. For example, access to spot-free water..........

But I learned a few more techniques on interior detailing. For example, using an air gun