Replacing gear selection cover

After year of changing gears, the old gear selection cover was all worn out.  It's hard to see which gear you selected.

After reading the forum, it seem like an easy job to do.  The catch was to play extra attention while pulling out the shift knob.  There would be a chance shift knob hitting your face.  Yes, the shift knob "hit my" face while pulling it out.  I shifted to D, turned off the ignition, pulled the shift knob.  Used a flat head screw to pop the plate.  Removed 2 connectors.

It's an easy job, just need to be careful.  Now, I can clearly see whic gear I am in.

Money spent: $ 43.95

Total expense: $ 7446.74

Wheel alignment

After alignment, the steering wheel can finally stay on the center.  What a difference...  The car tended to want to go to right.

Got to the tire shop around 7:30am....got out around 8:45am. 

Money spent: $49.99

Total expense: $7402.79

Black Grill!!

Make the beater look so mean.....  Got the part from ebay.  There were some extra tabs around the edge.  We just couldn't install the grill with those tabs on.  Finally, we decided to break those off.  The grill slided right in.

Money spent:  $39.97

Total expense: $7352.80

New BMW badges

No more sorry looking BMW badges.  I replaced both front and rear badges.  Needed to pull out the old rubber pieces.  Finally, a true 15 minutes job.  A flat head screw driver can do the job.

Money spent:  $57.70

Totoal expense: $7312.83

Finally....beater is back!

After a long 7.5 weeks, beater was finally back.  New m3 bumper, black top, matte black B pillar.  The door was also fixed. 

Overall, the job is ok.  I think they didn't use any clear coat.  Maybe the car needs more polish.  Considering amount of work they put into it, $2500 is a good price.

Money spent: $2500

Total expense: $7255.13

Super strong adhesive

Probably the best adhesive I have used.  Some clamp structures behind the door panel fell off.  I tried JB weld on two of them.  The result is great.

Wishlist

Don't know when I can get it.......according to current rate, it will be another 2 years.

Car is still in the shop

Still in the shop.  Overall paint job was done.  Front and rear bumpers were installed.  Then..... what's the problem?  That stupid driver side door stop hindge is the problem.  This shop didn't find the part.

Cross my fingers, really hope I can get this car this week.