New Project Car: '14 F02 B7 LWB in Estoril Blue II Metallic

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by addy27

Proper winter tires on this daily..gotta get rid of them fast

New tires are on the list....and so are upgraded air intakes. 😁

[bk_mike]

I think this needs a G11 front caliper retrofit

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by bk_mike

I think this needs a G11 front caliper retrofit

bk_mike, I've been looking at my options.

The G11/G12 750 front calipers support the F02 B7's disc size of 374x36, but I've found no data that states that the G11/G12 front caliper will sit w/o shims to center to the F02 B7's brake disc.

The F02 B7's caliper is stamped with "60/36/374".
The G12 750's caliper is stamped with "4x40/374/36" (pre-LCI and LCI have different caliper numbers)

...where the first number is the cylinder size, so not too worried about that number....it's the offset of the brake caliper relative to the brake disc.

The G12 B7 calipers and discs are larger at 395x36 and better looking, and since I already own this set, I could check to see if it will fit on the F02 B7....

Oh the options.

[bk_mike]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

bk_mike, I've been looking at my options.

The G11/G12 750 front calipers support the F02 B7's disc size of 374x36, but I've found no data that states that the G11/G12 front caliper will sit w/o shims to center to the F02 B7's brake disc.

The F02 B7's caliper is stamped with "60/36/374".
The G12 750's caliper is stamped with "4x40/374/36" (pre-LCI and LCI have different caliper numbers)

...where the first number is the cylinder size, so not too worried about that number....it's the offset of the brake caliper relative to the brake disc.

The G12 B7 calipers and discs are larger at 395x36 and better looking, and since I already own this set, I could check to see if it will fit on the F02 B7....
Oh the options.

Yep you would need the 4mm shims to center the G11 750 calipers. I have the OEM B7 setup you have on your F02 on my F10. It bolts right up but even cleaned and painted its not as pretty as the G11. I have a G11 setup I might swap on, or maybe I will sell it, not decided yet.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by bk_mike

Yep you would need the 4mm shims to center the G11 750 calipers. I have the OEM B7 setup you have on your F02 on my F10. It bolts right up but even cleaned and painted its not as pretty as the G11. I have a G11 setup I might swap on, or maybe I will sell it, not decided yet.

bk_mike, I was seriously thinking about picking these up from BlackM750i for $300 (awesome price), but not sure what to do with the engraved "BMW" marks on it.....but they are 4 piston calipers....still deciding.

[bk_mike]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

bk_mike, I was seriously thinking about picking these up from BlackM750i for $300 (awesome price), but not sure what to do with the engraved "BMW" marks on it.....but they are 4 piston calipers....still deciding.

On the set I have the BMW wasn't engraved as much as not coated in the same way as the rest of the caliper. When scuffing up for paint I was able to easily remove it.

[M_Bimmer]

Forgot to take a picture prior to starting the re-dye of the Driver's seat, left bolster, so had to use the Seller's picture.

Ordered dye from Europe, and it is dead on match, and it is the perfect consistency, not too thick and not too thin.

I will have to take the whole seat out this Summer and spray the whole seat (will use an air brush), which I expect, will turn out awesome.

The rest of the vehicle is almost perfect.

[M_Bimmer]

Wasn't a fan of the brown wood handle grabs (photo #1), so I ended up returning them, and picking up gloss black (photo #2) handle grabs, which I think matches MUCH better....either of them beat the all plastic handle grabs that were originally installed from the factory.

The wood handle grabs are my favorite interior MOD.

The Alpina front bumper lettering contrast is my favorite exterior MOD.

If anyone cares, the F01/F02 handle grabs are secured to the roof with screws, while those in the F10 and newer vehicles, the handle grabs are clipped in. So for example, you can add G12 wooden handle grabs in an F10, which I already did

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Wasn't a fan of the brown wood handle grabs (photo #1), so I ended up returning them, and picking up gloss black (photo #2) handle grabs, which I think matches MUCH better....either of them beat the all plastic handle grabs that were originally installed from the factory.

The wood handle grabs are my favorite interior MOD.

The Alpina front bumper lettering contrast is my favorite exterior MOD.

If anyone cares, the F01/F02 handle grabs are secured to the roof with screws, while those in the F10 and newer vehicles, the handle grabs are clipped in. So for example, you can add G12 wooden handle grabs in an F10, which I already did

...and will be buying new handle grabs for the G07 XB7, which came with all plastic handle grabs. Since Alpina mrytle wood will be impossible to get on handle grabs, I'll have to buy new from the Dealership ($1400 for all 4).

[BlackM750i]

Originally Posted by bk_mike

On the set I have the BMW wasn't engraved as much as not coated in the same way as the rest of the caliper. When scuffing up for paint I was able to easily remove it.

The BMW isn't engraved. It's smooth to the touch and not embossed. Also as if it is painted on.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by BlackM750i

The BMW isn't engraved. It's smooth to the touch and not embossed. Also as if it is painted on.

BlackM750i, what did you upgrade your brake calipers to? (I'm assuming the calipers you are selling are from your G12 750...which is a great looking car)

[BlackM750i]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

BlackM750i, what did you upgrade your brake calipers to? (I'm assuming the calipers you are selling are from your G12 750...which is a great looking car)

Thank you and that's correct, I went with the M Performance 395mm calipers.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by BlackM750i

Thank you and that's correct, I went with the M Performance 395mm calipers.

OK. You've convinced me to try and put the larger G12 Alpina Brake calipers on the F02 B7. Maybe I'll just trade them out...my wife will never know (She drives the G12 B7).....

[M_Bimmer]

With a normal "soap-and-water" wash of the interior rim of the wheel yielded what is shown in the first picture. 85K miles does NOT wash off.

Using nothing more than a micro fiber cloth, Bar Keepers Friend in the spray bottle (not the abrasive version) and a little elbow grease, yielded what is shown in the 2nd picture...

Did only the fronts while I changed the front brake pads.

I know not many really care about such an obscure place on their car, but don't you agree it looks really, really good?

[M_Bimmer]

Brake parts are taking their time to ship, so decided to to paint correct.

[addy27]

puuurrrrrrtttyyyyyyyyy... what a gorgeous car!!

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

Front contrast decal installed on the front spoiler.....yes, the bumper is very dirty, but the raised lettering area is cleaned.

Exterior paint correction is next weekend, after brakes are done......

Unfortunately, this car sits outside 24/7 as a daily driver.

Where did you get the decal from? I have an E65 B7, I'd like to put that decal on mine but from what I remember it's only available with the full deko stripe set.

[M_Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Where did you get the decal from? I have an E65 B7, I'd like to put that decal on mine but from what I remember it's only available with the full deko stripe set.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30380618655...Bk9SR9bA_c_aYw

If you plan to go this route, plan to purchase several, and be ready for one or more of the letters to not be "exactly" registered to the raised letter on the front splitter.

Depending on your vehicle use, weather exposure, etc, these may not hold up as long as you'd expect.

I personally will be looking for a more permanent solution at some juncture for both my F02 B7 and my pre-LCI G12 B7, and maybe adapting what comes on the LCI G12 B7 and the XB7.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

If you plan to go this route, plan to purchase several, and be ready for one or more of the letters to not be "exactly" registered to the raised letter on the front splitter.

Depending on your vehicle use, weather exposure, etc, these may not hold up as long as you'd expect.

I personally will be looking for a more permanent solution at some juncture for both my F02 B7 and my pre-LCI G12 B7, and maybe adapting what comes on the LCI G12 B7 and the XB7.

Perfect, thank you! My B7 spends most of its time in the garage so I'm not worried about longevity. Your B7 looks incredible, nice work

[BlackM750i]

Originally Posted by M_Bimmer

With a normal "soap-and-water" wash of the interior rim of the wheel yielded what is shown in the first picture. 85K miles does NOT wash off.

Using nothing more than a micro fiber cloth, Bar Keepers Friend in the spray bottle (not the abrasive version) and a little elbow grease, yielded what is shown in the 2nd picture...

Did only the fronts while I changed the front brake pads.

I know not many really care about such an obscure place on their car, but don't you agree it looks really, really good?

Nice, I definitely care! I clean the inside of my wheels every time I wash my car. Believe it or not, it makes a difference in how the wheels look when you're moving; the reflections of the clean inner wheel barrel as the wheels rotate, especially with painted calipers when it's sunny outside. The trifecta is clean wheels, clean inner barrels, and clean calipers. I can't see it but other people can when they admire our fine cars

it's probably much easier when you have wheels with a lot of space between the spokes because you can reach inside and clean it and don't have to remove the wheels.