Category Archives: DIY

DIY

Adding a Gun Rack to Your BMW: 5 Points to Remember

Whether you’re an avid hunter, or just getting started on your hunting journey, a gun rack in your vehicle can be a valuable tool. These racks keep your firearms accessible while ensuring that they’re secure throughout your trip. 

If you’re thinking about adding a gun rack to your BMW, here are a few things that you should remember. 

1. Understand the Legality 

It’s important to understand the legality of using a mounted gun rack in your vehicle. In most cases, gun racks are legal but you may run into some state-specific caveats. In California, for example, you can only store your rifle or shotgun in a mounted rack if it’s unloaded. 

Everything else has to be both unloaded and stored in a locked container, defeating the purpose of the gun rack. If you bring home an AR-15, it too has to be carried unloaded and in a locked container. AR-15s have other regulations to consider, so it’s important to take a holistic view of things if you’re planning to make a joint purchase of a rack and firearm. 

In Florida, it’s only legal to carry a gun in your car as long as it’s in plain sight unless you have a concealed carry permit. Take the time to study the firearm carry and transportation laws in your state to ensure that it is legal to use a gun rack before you start drilling holes in your BMW.

2. Measure Twice, Drill Once

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when you’re installing any aftermarket equipment on your vehicle is to measure more frequently. 

When you’re working on a carpentry project, the old rule of thumb is to measure twice before you cut once. In this case, you’ll likely be doing more drilling than cutting, but you still want to measure twice to ensure that your installation is even and secure. 

You will be drilling into steel or aluminum, depending on the year and model of your BMW. This is necessary to anchor the gun rack. Make sure you use bits designed specifically for drilling into metal. That way, you’ll have a clean hole to work with and you don’t need to worry about damaging your tools in the process. 

3. Choose the Right Rack

As with most gun accessories, there are so many options to choose from that you may find yourself overwhelmed. Unless you’re planning to stick with one gun for the entire life of your vehicle, it’s not a good idea to purchase a rack that only fits a single model. Instead, opt for a gun rack that will fit in your BMW and will be flexible enough to fit any firearm that you want to carry with you. 

If you are planning on bringing home your first gun, but want to have somewhere to transport it, a flexible rack is going to be your best choice. Say you want to buy a larger gun for hunting or home defense. Having a gun rack that only fits handguns won’t do you much good, will it?

4. Hang Your Gun 

Once your rack is installed, the last thing you need to do is hang your gun to ensure that it’s secure and won’t be in your way while you’re driving. Do this before you start moving, if only because the last thing you want to worry about while you’re tooling down the highway is your gun falling out of the rack. 

If you are going to leave your gun in your vehicle while you’re not driving, it’s a good idea to invest in a rack that offers a locking mechanism as well. It will make removing the firearm more challenging if you have to do so in a hurry, but it will prevent casual thieves from making off with your expensive toys. 

5. Show Off Safely

A few decades ago, you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a gun rack hanging in the back of a truck or the back window of a car. While it wasn’t the best option — especially if you consider the kind of damage extended exposure to sunlight can do to stocks and leather accessories — it was useful for anyone who spent a lot of time out hunting or needed a secure way to transport their guns. 

Today, with changes in legislation, you won’t see them as often but they are still valuable tools for anyone who spends a lot of time transporting their rifles or shotguns. 

Before you break out your tools and start shopping for a rack for your BMW, make sure it’s legal to transport your guns that way in your state. 

Audio, DIY

Upgrading Your Bimmer’s Stereo System: Everything You Need to Know

BMW’s tend to come with a pretty epic sound system already — with modern entries upgrading to a full blown infotainment system — but if you’re driving an older model, you might find yourself stuck with an out of date cassette deck or worse. 

Thankfully, you can upgrade your stereo system with a bit of knowledge and elbow grease. Here is everything you need to know about upgrading your Bimmer’s stereo system.

Assess Your Current System 

First, take a step back and figure out what soundsystem you currently have. For older models, that could mean figuring out whether that’s a dusty old cassette deck or an 8-track player in your dash. For newer models, starting in the mid-to-late 2000s, there are a number of different sound systems and speaker/subwoofer configurations that you might have to work with. 

The Base Stereo System was used in 2010 and 2011 models, especially in the E70 X5, E82 Coupe, E92 Coupe, and E90 sedan. This system did include two under seat speakers in addition to the two door and two rear speakers, but did not include any tweeters or amps.

The HIFi system appeared in a great variety of models from 2006 to 2011 and included four speakers, two under seat speakers, two 25mm tweeters and a 180W six-channel amp. 

The best of the best, at least for the 2000s and 2010s, was the Premium Sound system. It included everything from the HiFi system, as well as a number of 100mm midrange spread out throughout the vehicle. It also used fiber optic cable. 

Decide On Your Replacement

Next, before you start taking things apart, you need to decide on your replacement. Are you planning on replacing just the radio in the center console or are you doing a full rebuild, replacing the speakers, tweeters, amps and subwoofers with something a little more in line with this decade?

The state of your current sound system will also help you determine what gets replaced. The speakers might still work but after 15 or 20 years, they may also be losing significant sound quality. Take the time to test out your system and see what still works — and more importantly, what works well — to help you choose the best replacements. BMW even has you covered, with their playlist of the best songs for testing out automotive sound systems. 

Remove the Current Soundsystem

Next, before you can start installing your new system, you need to remove the stuff that’s already there. That includes the radio, and any speakers or other accessories that you’re planning to replace. 

The exact steps for removing your radio and sound system components will vary depending on the exact year, make and model of your Bimmer. Consider picking up a manual for your specific car or the equipment that you’re planning to install. 

Make sure you keep track of where each wire goes so things don’t get crossed on the install. Keep your smartphone handy and take pictures of each piece before you remove it so you can keep track of where everything is supposed to go.

When to Ask For Help

Stereo and sound system installation are a fun weekend project and installing it yourself gives you an unrivaled sense of independence and the joy of a job well done. Unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for the DIY life, especially when it comes to automotive electronics. This isn’t anything to be ashamed of. You don’t want to end up with your sound system wired to your headlights — this we know from experience — and you want something that will provide you with the best auditory experience possible. 

If you’re not 100% confident in your ability to install a stereo system or disassemble and reassemble door panels to replace speakers and subwoofers, it’s a good idea to let the professionals handle it. There are plenty of little things that can go wrong, from a dead speaker to a short-circuited wire setting your trunk on fire. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. 

Enjoy Your New Sound System

Now, all that’s left to do is jump in, hook up your phone or iPod and crank up your favorite tunes. There’s literally nothing better than being able to rock out to your favorite songs when you’re barreling down the highway. It doesn’t matter whether you’re heading to work, the grocery store, or a big party or concert — a good soundtrack makes everything better. 

Whether you’re updating your stereo yourself or letting a professional do the hard work for you, enjoy your new sound system and rock out while you make your way to your next destination. 

Car Care, DIY

Removing Surface Rust From Your Bimmer

The name BMW is synonymous with power and performance. For more than 100 years, the brand has been engineering a certain feel into its cars, making them an absolute pleasure to drive. Whether you own a BMW for the torque, leather seats or status symbol, you know the journey is more important than the destination.

As expensive and luxurious as BMWs are, they’re still susceptible to rust — just like any other car. Sadly, the more you enjoy your Bimmer and expose it to the elements, the more likely it is to rust. Paint and galvanized steel can offer some protection, but after about 70 years, your vehicle will inevitably develop some rust. When it does, you’ll want to know how to remove it and restore your beloved Bimmer to its former glory.

Gather Your Supplies

Before you can begin working on your BMW, you must first gather your supplies. Take inventory of the tools and gear you have already. Then, make a list for your visit to the local hardware store. The last thing you want is to make multiple trips.

The tools you’ll need will depend on the type of rust you’re dealing with. For instance, you might need a grinding tool if you’re trying to remove scale rust. However, surface rust on your vehicle’s top layer may only require some light sanding.

  • A sander and sandpaper
  • Painter’s tape
  • Plastic sheeting
  • A hand scraper
  • Grinding tool

However, if you want to repaint the area and make your car look good as new, you’ll also need:

  • Primer
  • Paint
  • A microfiber cloth
  • Polish and buffer
  • Wax

Reference the manufacturer’s paint code before purchasing paint and use a spray gun to apply an even layer of color on larger areas. A rollerball applicator may work better on small scratches and touch-up work.

Mask Off and Prep the Area

If you’ve done work on your Bimmer before, you’ve probably experienced masking her off. The process is relatively straightforward. However, it’s a crucial step — especially if you plan to paint after removing the rust.

First, clean your ride with soap and water, paying special attention to the rusty spots. Then, wipe the car down with wax and grease remover to get rid of silicones and oils and ensure the tape sticks. Next, backmask your BMW using your tape and plastic sheeting. Be sure to lay all the tape flat to prevent paint bleeding or unnecessary scuffs from sanding.

Scrape, Sand and Feather

Once you’ve prepped and masked the area, you can begin sanding or grinding away the rust. Wet-dry sandpaper, which contains silicon carbide, is a tougher abrasive than other papers and is best for rust removal. It’s available in 80 to 1,000 grit, but you probably won’t need anything finer than 320. Typically, 80 to 100 grit is appropriate for pipes. However, your car’s exterior may require up to 220.

Crack off blistering paint with your hand scraper and sand through all rust until you hit bare metal. Use a finer grit sandpaper to feather the edges. Then, use 220-grit paper to go over the entire area. Remove leftover dust with a tack rag and use body filler if you’ve created a noticeable dent in your car. Let it dry and apply a prep solvent. Once it’s dry, you can finish the job with primer and paint.

Penetrating Rust

While surface rust is pretty easy to remove, penetrating rust is not. This type of rust creates holes in the metal that you can’t simply sand down or eliminate. Thus, if your Bimmer has reached this more advanced stage in the rusting process, you may need to ask for help. In most cases, you’ll have to replace entire portions of your BMW and, unless you’ve worked in a body shop, it’s best to leave this kind of work to a professional.

Of course, if the entire car has turned into a rust bucket, it may be best to bid your old gal goodbye and invest in a new ride. Shed a tear or two for your reliable M1, bow your head for a moment of silence, and go pick out your new BMW X5 or 3 Series. The smell of fresh leather and the feel of that sleek new steering wheel are sure to put a smile back on your face in no time.

An Ounce of Prevention

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more you care for your vehicle and proactively prevent rust, the longer it will last. More importantly, you won’t have to worry about removing rust spots in the future.

Stop rust before it even forms by applying inhibitors and keeping your vehicle clean by sending it through the car wash regularly. Treat paint chips and scratches immediately and keep salt and other debris off your undercarriage, especially during the winter. With a little loving care, your Bimmer should last for many years to come.