Interior Upgrade On My "Cheap" Straight-Six BMW E46 325i Touring - Project Cologne: Part 5

In this episode of throwing money at my daily, guest upholsterer shows you how to repair leather seats, restitching the broken seam and fixing damaged bolster. I then set about tearing down the interior for the two-tone conversion and retrofit wiring for the power seats. Also, I hit my melon 4 times in this one.
Felix, Fahrzeugsattlerei-FLK - www.sattlerei-flk.de/
Felix's Instagram - / fahrzeugsattlerei_flk
You can now support me on Patreon! - / m539restorations
T-Shirts, hoodies & mugs - teespring.com/stores/m539-res...
Part 1 - • How much BMW E46 can y...
Part 2 - • Fixing up a Straight-S...
Part 3 - • Getting Project Cologn...
Part 4 - • Rejuvenating a Neglect...
Liqui Moly 5W40 oil - amzn.to/3iT8s0H
Sound deadening - amzn.to/3eWcxjX
Cockpit Cleaner - amzn.to/36Gye5N
All-purpose cleaner - amzn.to/3iBPPhh
Cockpit care - amzn.to/3lnGfQY
BMW E46 Floor Mats - amzn.to/3nsCGe3
Hazet suction gun - amzn.to/32DCMqT
Smoke machine - amzn.to/2E7WwJA
Flare wrench for brake lines - amzn.to/3avLaeB
Fantastic working lamp - amzn.to/3hijHjf
Pick & hook set - amzn.to/318LbCh
Compression tester - amzn.to/3ay3ofm
Vice soft jaw - amzn.to/31570T0
Butyl for door panels, headlights - amzn.to/2PZRbqn
Wheel cleaner - amzn.to/2EcqWKy
Hobby knife - amzn.to/3ay1Geb
Magnetic Retrieval Tool - amzn.to/3iT3AJf
Spring compressor - amzn.to/3eXHN0B
Fabric spray - amzn.to/3jAvHxP
Drill brush attachments - amzn.to/2ZWqxVe
Find Liqui Moly oil and additives for your car - www.liqui-moly.com/en/service...
My 4-post lift by Twin Busch - www.twinbusch.de/product_info...
Instagram: / m539_restorations
Email: [e-mail]

[@GreatStraightSix]

I‘m very happy that you like my leather work. Very nice video! Your e46 is a really special daily driver!

[@eeooKKK]

Da schick ich doch gleich mal meine E36 Sitzpolster hin 😁

[@missedapproachmark]

Can you re-upholster a steeringwheel? (For a Volvo C70 🤫)

[@gebhardt2]

Just get a passenger bottom seat cushion and put it on the driver side. Lot cheaper and easier and nicer in the end.

[@WashburnD10]

What excellent work you have done. This requires a very high skill level to do this. Brilliant!

[@camarocharger8180]

You did an amazing job sir, the process required skills and the end result was perfect. 🙂👍 Loved watching that. ✌️

[@OaksCU1]

It's so nice to see someone take care of a regular E46, it's not just the M3 that deserves attention.

[@audiofiil]

Yes, somehow its extra satisfying.

[@houseofno]

The zhp and iS models are pretty special cars too.

[@DankMistaPanda]

YES, I have a BMW ZHP manual and it’s spectacular. My dad daily’d it for 14 years and he just passed it on to me as my first car. It’s such an amazing car, the ZHP is a super fun car that’s on the same chassis as the M3 along with everything else on the car being souped up, including the engine getting an extra 10 HP. Spectacular car and really reliable if you treat it right.

[@oresthse4668]

You are very right man i also oen an e46

[@benkse2010]

He is really making me want one of these dream 3 series wagons! Ahhh if only they were as cheap in the US as they are in Germany. A good one like he bought with similar miles is roughly 9thousand plus USD.

[@funonutube100]

Not many people would have the balls to tear the whole interior and dash apart like that...AMAZING!!! Another excellent video from one of the best channels on KZbin!!! RESPECT!!!!

[@promerops]

I certainly wouldn't!

[@williamlbl]

Did not even think it was an option 😮

[@paulleggett9735]

i want to change my carper i watched this video i no longer want to change my carpet

[@BigBeardBuilds]

I was going to comment 'what a monstrous amount of work for a change of carpet' but this said it all.

[@markusstrobl1067]

They really made it difficult on newer cars. I changed the carpet on my 1971 Corvette as well as my 1975 Camaro and it was sooo easy.

[@ckmorawski]

but inside, you still want it

[@paulleggett9735]

I have an e39 5 Series.. The work required just to change radio makes me want to just use a Bluetooth speaker on the parcel shelf

[@tokenfire111]

I had one, too, don't remember it being too difficult with the right adapter cable. I used a plastic adapter, carefully cut out the bottom to keep the original MID BC and put a BT Sony in the top. Worked really well with one of these www.car-hifi-radio-adapter.eu/en/fascia-plate/bmw/bmw-e39-2000-onwards-fascia-panel-iso-harness.html

[@TrancezoOr]

Your patience when dealing with those seats and carpet was commendable and also it's great and impressive to see young craftsmen still being around in this day and age. Awesome work all around. It will be interesting to see at the end the grand total of how much you've spent on this "cheap" daily driver :)

[@fifthpint4571]

Unable to watch without sweating, especially when you talk about removing the rear carpets AGAIN to fix the rusty drain holes in the spring. This video aged me by at least 5 years. You have a heart of a lion and are a better man than I am. Good luck and can't wait for the Project Dubai finale.

[@Arthedes]

lol yes this was so stressful to watch

[@dmdm8018]

I am shocked he didn’t fix the rust while he had that carpet and all that inside monstrosity of work out. Wow!

[@craelectronics]

Answering some people's question, why someone would spend so much time and effort into a rather normal E46: This is simply real love. Love as it only can be developed by a real enthusiast. Only with that you are able to walk this often frustrating and literally painful way. It is emotions that let you ignore the cold facts that you are just putting valuable time and money into an old car which will never be considered as super rare. It is the joy of making things nice and pretty again, trying to get them as perfect as possible. It is the joy of engineering. Preserving and restoring some automotive masterpiece during todays times of ugly, cost optimized designs and constructions... Why not a M3? Because the beauty is hidden in the normal everyday life. Even a 316i can be a precious eye candy when it was properly taken care of. I see myself here in these videos. Having an IT job, but enjoying working hands on and putting way too much money and perfectionism into my E39 and E46, trying to keep them clean and fresh like any modern car. Shout out to @M539 Restorations and big thanks for making KZbin a better place by providing such high quality and decent videos.

[@ak4rp0v]

Oh man, this “daily driver” build went completely out of control! I love it 😂

[@AlexanderMichelson]

I know, right!

[@Jboost412]

Seems everytime I call a vehicle a “daily” it ends up in 1,000 pieces and isn’t a daily anymore 🤦‍♂️

[@trefod]

You must have the patience of a saint. I can identify several instances where I know I'd explode in a fit of rage or break down crying.

[@alexbrown1995]

My sentiments exactly. I simply could not do this but I sure enjoy watching mine host breeze through it :-)

[@stevegallagher687]

I have found on my 735i that it can all be done but you must remember just how long it really takes. My policy is just do an hour or 2 at a time so it doesn't seem so bad. Patience and low expectations of time are the key.

[@b33bdaddy]

man, like this is honestly the best content you can find on youtube these days, u aware of it? Unbelievable work, hats down!

[@50sKid]

Damn bro, that's a ton of work. Great job!

[@DEEuroworks]

Thanks for all your videos 50skid!

[@M539Restorations]

Thanks Jason and great to see you here!

[@petepenn1]

@@M539Restorations You and Jason have the best quality shots and editing. BUT...you Sir, take it All Apart! Love that E46 Touring, well worth restoring. A mint 1995 M5 Touring could be the only reason to sell that collector car!

[@Preditah.]

I hope one day we see a Jason and Sreten collaboration. #E46Gang

[@eggbirdtherooster]

One of the best in depht and edited automotive channels found on the interwebs these days! 👌🏼

[@The_Noticer.]

I'm very glad to see you're giving small business start-ups the time of day. We need people like Felix to continue practicing these types of craft! Those old machines he uses that still work brings a smile to my face. They just dont make 'em like that anymore.

[@didarfarage7129]

40:00 this interior looks amazing, so good this picture could ve been from a bmw magazine back in the 2000s

[@punchyscyllarus565]

omg this video was 40 mins long?? i didn't even notice. i guess time does fly when you're having fun... or in this case, watching enjoyable content

[@jamesc932]

I'm an American living in Germany. I've loved BMWs but never have owned one. Your channel completes me.

[@panaceiasuberes6464]

"For now lets just pretend we didn't see that and move along" - the secret for every single long-lasting happy marriage.

[@petepenn1]

Too True!! It is easier to forgive than Fight.....

[@timothyrixner]

"Let's break some clips!" Oh I felt this one. You didn't do it properly if you didn't break at least 25% of the clips.

[@didarfarage7129]

I have around 200 different types of Clips for my e36

[@MrMikeyBatz]

Best automotive channel on youtube, change my mind

[@Altblechschrauber]

I broke my nose removing the shift knob of my e85

[@khalidedros743]

I cracked the windscreen with my head. Yes, i litterally stood over it and pulled with my entire body. Lol

[@startingtech3900]

I read about people like you (research) before changing mine. And successfully didn’t hurt myself or my car 🚗

[@khalidedros743]

@@startingtech3900 mine was stuck on proper. Refused to budge. Hence the extreme measures. Not my first e46, i part out e46s as a sideline income so parted out allot of them. My personal car was just being a bitch. Lol

[@startingtech3900]

@@khalidedros743 happens my friend. I almost got my nose 👃 can happen to anyone

[@M539Restorations]

As long as its not your family jewels. 😁

[@sq1rlsqu4d]

It's great to see a craftsman doing his thing, don't think I've ever seen an upholsterer at work before. Good luck with the business Felix :)

[@p0werl0ve]

the leather guy is a magician. Good job

[@Apollo_s2k]

“Commming up” Yep today is gonna be a good day wrap myself in a blanket and grab my favorite snack time lol

[@MarekRojek]

This is probably the best E46 series on KZbin. It makes so much stuff easier to understand.

[@kasparsbutlers]

e46 has to be one of the best cars BMW has ever made. Best car I ever had, loved it to bits!

[@davidcroft659]

At about 12 minutes, shaving the back of the leather to thin it down using the machine is a process called 'skiving'

[@nme700]

Sounds like it needs some new bearings!

[@thejackamo]

Lol came here in the middle of watching to say the same.

[@OvidiuBuzduganRomcea]

Probably it’s older than most of us here. German quality 😉

[@CmdrStukov]

My goodness... I thought 'skiving' was the act of pretending to do work, whilst at work.

[@davidcroft659]

@@CmdrStukov Well, yes it is precisely that in the modern context; I'm not sure quite what that says about how the people were regarded who used to do this in the context of upholstery. Is that where the latter day derogatory insinuation came from??

[@foadrightnow5725]

I hope you leather craftsman gets a good response from your endorsement! If his work meets your standards, it should meet anyone's! You should do this more often when you find a business that offers exceptional products and/or services! And, as usual and as always, excellent, informative, and entertaining content!

[@asatrv]

Craftsmen in Germany have to adhere to very high standards, that’s why all of them are very expensive. It is also mandatory to be an apprentice for 3 years and to pass an exam just to work as a craftsman. To open your own shop you generally have to be a “master-craftsman” which involves 2 more years of school and another exam.

[@Sander044]

It’s nice that you include small local companies into this video, who have a lot of skill and knowledge!

[@jeesmith99]

I wish there was a Felix in my town. He is quite a craftsman. Keep up the good work the both of you. Becoming one of my favorite KZbin channels.

[@marcinmorris]

2:45 exact estomation of 76% improvement. I am impressed by german precision 😅 Gr8 episode as always 🤩

[@PatrickTheJudge]

I love tearing apart my E46, but it's even more fun to watch you doing it and swearing 😂 all this effort, only for the carpet, you have my respect 💪

[@simon895]

Der Sattler ist ja mal ein cooler Typ! Schön, dass es solche Berufe noch gibt!

[@aubreyj.tennant1123]

BMW, should be praising your videos and paying you for these extraordinary videos that show why restoring a Bimmer is a worthwhile investment! Thanks so much...

[@b6s4shelter]

Dang this turned in to Rocky XV with all the head banging and wrestling.... Great Vid and conversion. Way Beyond the call of duty, clearly a Passion!

[@drazendd]

Ne moze biti bolji zavrsetak sedmice. Tnx bro ;)

[@hammerinfall]

"А у пиз*у материну!" ми још увек одјекује :-D Свака част!

[@BobbyTruffle]

I like this guy. His work on cars is epic and all of the car mechanics all over the world should work like that on automobiles.

[@belo-moto]

My friend, you make my days about 50x better. Mainly because I’m not hit in the face with usual KZbin click bait. I genuinely can’t wait for your videos. The content is so well made that I don’t notice time pass by. Keep on doing you, very thankful for this channel.

[@M539Restorations]

Thank you!

[@TougeTouring]

*COOMING UPP* was the best possible quote to hear on a Friday the 13th! : ) Btw Sreten i would recommend that you interchange the backrest on the two front seats, thats really easy to do (simply remove the backside with the net, and then there are a few nuts to remove and the backrest is free) Since the Backrest on the Touring / Sedan are symmetrical it makes a lot of sence to swap them from the driver to the passenger side and vice versa cause now the already worn out sidebolster from the driverside now becomes the inner-side on the passenger seat, which doesnt see any wear basically. Hope you get what i mean, have a great weekend and keep up the fantastic work and entertainment ❤

[@alexbrown1995]

What a top idea!

[@NunoxFerreira]

THIS IS INSANE!!! Even your friend Felix speaks a very clear english....Wunderbar!!! 😅🤭 Your channel is such a inspiration for BMW (and other car brands) fans!!!👍🤗

[@windnsea03]

My M2 Competiton was just suiting me fine but this channel had me go pick up a 2001 525i 5-spd to drop money into and occasionally yell at lol

[@kristijan465]

You are a God of restauarations of old cars, like how you concentrate on details, I love you man!

[@Andrei79]

This guys is simply amazing, i wish i knew a mecanic like you, good for you man, i said it before, i wish i had a car half as good as yours.

[@liviubla]

Ești de-al meu?

[@robertshatto629]

And he’s not even a “mechanic” - he says he has a day job...

[@FatNFurious]

"What is wrong with me?" and "Holy guacamole", looks like you've been watching Derek at Vice Grip Garage, his and yours are my favourite channels!

[@Altblechschrauber]

Let’s pretend we didn’t see that. :D

[@M539Restorations]

Been watching the guy waaaay too much, perfect.

[@neonaffliction]

Sparkulator

[@Altblechschrauber]

Whirly-who

[@houseofno]

@@M539Restorations he called his shop vac the mouse sucker. I love his channel.

[@GH1987]

my need for satisfactory work is being filled by your videos please don't stop

[@totallybonkers]

Felix is a genius with interiors! That's some fine craftsmanship.

[@sentenced89]

Uzivam u svakom novom videu. Samo nastavi sa izvrsnim poslom i preobrazbom bmw-a. Vozim F31 pa imamo neku poveznicu. Pozdrav iz Hrvatske.

[@borjamartinezgarriga2331]

Best youtuber, greetings from Spain!

[@deadcentre6394]

Me.... has heart attack changing a headlight bulb! You... God level! Love the channel. Keep up the great work.

[@poohbear4130]

Love it when you SAY cheap, because we know that means rip and tear till it’s 100%. Like others have said your patience is remarkable I know what I would have done!! I can’t imagine what that rust is doing to you “it must be eating away at you”!!!

[@Martin372]

"What is wrong with me?" -Sreten, 2020

[@thecaptain5026]

You "A bit of flex". Me watching the video enjoying a beer: "Flux" You: "Flux, not flex." Inner joke, I know nothing about these things. So I had to laugh xD

[@matthewspanhake9348]

There's a special place for you in BMW heaven for taking such good care of your cars.

[@drtofuu]

I can't believe you took all that effort after fixing the previous car seat leather. This is next level BMW love insanity. Congratulations!

[@AbsolutAutobahn]

i learned from this video that it goes "ZZZZZZZZT" and then it gets fixed

[@BBoonyuang]

I mean it's late here, just browsing through KZbin looking for something short to watch. This pops up, okay... 40 mins more then. Lots of pain expressed in this video and probably one of the most uncomfortable to watch for me. Still love the video tho. Keep up the great work!

[@Taliskerop]

Every video is a proof of expertise and professionalism

[@pitupitu5932]

The button must be held if the key is in the ignition. If it is not in the ignition, it is enough to press the memory button once. This is how it works in my E39. :) Great job!

[@TheNorrisPlays]

That craftsmanship was incredible to watch!

[@jsi5648]

Great video. I love my semi-rusty 330i I've had for 20 years. I laughed so hard watching you pull apart your dash. I could hear myself asking the dash "Why! Why do you have to be this way!"

[@Vikturus22]

Felix did a great job! I am currently going through the same process on my MK5 gti ( bought a full leather interior knowing the drivers chair needed some love ) and I told the person since short weekends back to back " I dont mind waiting for a quality job so call me when it is ready "

[@Keefteef]

Loved seeing Felix working on the seats! He is like a surgeon! They looked fantastic after. Great work!

[@garrettgiuffre7298]

@21:09 I Love you for this! Please continue to provide this whenever you retrofit this is so valuable to us

[@bloodtypexneg]

I love love love watching this series a few times a year. Each time, I can't help but laugh at how much you sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger when you are yanking and pulling on stuff. I love it!

[@sebastiankarabasevic9761]

Who needs ASMR when you have Sreten? 😁 love your work!

[@JoseDelgado-ho1cf]

My Grandpa was an upholstery man. I've seen how difficult it can be, and the patience and attention to detail it requires. Nothing but respect for Felix.

[@jeremygong9410]

Yah that’s the real craftsmanship: not horribly much, everything is saddle, but low profile in details, with elegance.

[@billymanager8295]

Watching your videos is perfectly safe for people with ocd. Your attention to details is astonishing.

[@gustavorock4616]

Man I could watch your videos all day!

[@Lasertrac]

During these difficult times it's heartening to find ourselves reaching out to each other to help, encourage, and overcome challenges. In the end we are all brothers and sisters. No matter, the race, color creed. Great channel my friend. I always look forward to seeing the new ones and go back and watch the old ones.

[@oscarsalazar8257]

Congrats to Tommy on his new Truck! He writes, "Hey TFL team! I just wanted to thank you guys for all the awesome content that you guys put out on all of your channels! I recently picked up this 2020 F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost and being able to watch your in-depth reviews on every truck was incredibly more helpful than the salesmen at the dealerships. I hope you guys get back on good terms with Ford. You do great things for them! Just wanted to say keep up the great work and keep killing it Andre! Thanks from Chicago, Tommy"

[@breene782]

The work he did on the seat was amazing 👏

[@MrBEAN584]

tbh, seeing people using skills and craftmanship mending and getting results like that is really rewarding to watch.

[@robwgriffith]

As somebody who taps a keyboard all day I have utter respect for the level of skill involved here. Great videos thank you.

[@aivaraz4]

Something I can watch all day long

[@FarkTurloon]

My M5 appreciates it every time I learn how to maintain it better. Thanks!

[@RelentlessRevolver7]

Wow just amazed at the patience and skill you have. Best automotive channel on youtube

[@tuukkalempiala7118]

Just my daily driver. Pull everything out with a great sense of humour. Hats off.

[@neilgreig4369]

ok so I've watched the headline videos like the E60 and your second E39 and the V12 restarts and I'm now watching these. I'd like to say that I think you are crazy. There is no way normal people could achieve the levels of detail and execution you do and I think your videos are just another example of how amazing [some] people are. I'm totally in awe. What you do is one thing, the fact you present it so well is another, the fact that you are also a genuinely nice guy with a great sense of humour just rounds the whole thing off. I sincerely hope you keep these going. Surely some 635csi or some e28 M535i action would be good. Or my personal favourite E34 M5.

[@alincurut]

Working underneath the dash is truly a suicide mission, I remember how many times I bumped into all to bolts and sharp edges. The centre climate grill and pedal, I think are the hardest to remove in the e46. Great job! Another great video!

[@e28powerm30]

I didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did. Great stuff.

[@ak2112]

Incredible job repairing that seat bottom. Very impressive.

[@arnolduk123]

The Felix upholster repair shop "no bling" front window at 6:25 so funny. Specialist old skool shops like that are hard to find nowadays though.

[@BrookZerihun]

I was so happy before I found your Videos, I had a 4Runner now an X3, I will be working on that car forever

[@paulechols]

Truly enjoying watching your videos. I was able to (with assistance) upgrade a1985 BMW 525 with a refurbed engine from a fellow soldiers BMW that did not work out due to frame issues. Parts were picked from the hooptie lot at Ludwigsburg Caserne to upgrade the interior and it drove like a dream all over Germany. Great memories sprung from watching and listening 🤠 keep up the hard work!!

[@dmdm8018]

Just discovered this channel. Amazing skill set and shows all the incredibly hard work. I am just amazed how he remembers to put all that million parts and screws in. Amazing knowledge and skill set. I wonder what he his hobbies were growing up, puzzles? Much respect sir. Much respect.

[@azizhachimi8744]

SIR, VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE BIG ENOUGH BALLS TO DO WHAT YOU DO! RESPECT!

[@f.k.3762]

My favourite car sorcerer has a cleaning obsession!

[@holeephuk]

This is the best car channel on KZbin by mile , lucky I can watch all your videos while I am working 😁

[@pingyuhee]

I hit like as soon as I saw the leather work. I am very happy to see the craftsmanship!

[@cooolsimon282]

I've done this same interior swap twice now and I can honestly say, you couldn't pay me to do it again. What a pain in the arse lol

[@Karl-by6ub]

Lucky to have such a great Craftsman to repair leather seats. Nice work👍🏻

[@gegwen7440]

Very impressive standard of work & knowledge by any measure and you must have spent a good deal of time in the UK listening to your comments.

[@Verndroid]

This is turning into a very special and super nice daily driver.

[@ianashton886]

The machine around the 12 minute mark is a Fortuna Skiving machine. Just discovered your channel and binge watching. Amazing content, loving every minute. Cheers from U.K.

[@alfredomendoza7482]

one have to admit that you are really methodic and highly dedicated, great job.

[@Zixzi104]

Had a horrible day - huge cut in my hand after trying to remove a stubborn car radio and a trip to the ER... Come home, open KZbin and new video from M539 Restorations 🙏🙏🙏 Praise Jesus!

[@rcp2bTube]

I"m the least handy guy on the planet and hate working with my hands. Yet I find this channel compelling. It feels like I'm watching aliens with magic in their hands. Such craftsmanship. I have to say though I CAN'T WAIT to see what you do with the V10 M5.

[@plunder1956]

What Felix did was so interesting. Even the way he cuts stitches and splits the cover appart is different to what I expected. Fixing and shaping the foam was also really interesting. As you say - it is a specialist job. How about putting some rust converter on that drain plug area before the carpets go in? You should consider a leather rugby helmet to protect your head on these jobs. Car interiors are a contact sport with sharp metal.

[@radpac]

I am upgrading interior of my E46 with sportsitze and I used your video as instructions, and you can’t imagine how long I was wondering why my seat memory doesn’t work 😂 I used a schematics from this video, but fortunately I watched wire retrofit moment, so remember my BMW friends, kbus is in pin 15 NOT 16 😂 this channel is a inspiration for me and my E46, cheers!

[@S.Minkii]

Did you remove the carpet to wire things up? I wanna do this but really cant be bothered to remove half of the interior for the carpet :)

[@dodge_walks]

Fantastic work on that seat restoration. Always lovely to see a skilled craftsperson at work!

[@janduna9187]

You can tell this E46 will be cherished for life.