FIXING MY CRASHED BMW M4 IS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT
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Get Surfshark VPN at surfshark.deals and enter promo code MATARMSTRONG for 83% off and 3 extra months for free! I bought a 2016 BMW M4 F82 which had been in a serious accident, causing some pretty bad damage. Ive bought a BMW M3 front end which supposedly is the same as M4 but later found there was a few differences. It seems the newer the cars the more complicated it becomes to rebuild them. I decide to tackle the full dashboard in this video! #BMWM4COMP #REBUILD #SALVAGE
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Notes
The video follows a hands-on, step by step rebuild of a crashed 2016 BMW M4 F82, focusing first on compatibility hurdles between the M4 and an M3 front end. The creator tests the viability of swapping headlights, noting that the newer headlights differ electrically, with a six-pin connector versus eight pins and different pin layouts. Despite initial hopeful attempts to reuse ballast and adapt parts, it becomes clear that the headlights require re-pinning and coding to the car, a process he pursues with the help of a BMW employee. Along the way, he secures a set of M4 front-end parts including wings, new fenders, and a bumper, negotiating prices with parts sellers and debating the visual impact of satin black accents. The video invites viewer input on whether to satin wrap the car and how to address imperfect gaps between the bonnet and wing, highlighting the iterative nature of engine bay and exterior fitment work. Overall, the narrative conveys the complexity of modern BMW electronics, the importance of correct part matching, and the incremental progress from structural fitment to electrical readiness. A major technical milestone occurs when he addresses the gearbox oil, explaining a specific refill procedure that ensures nine liters are correctly added and warmed through the system. He demonstrates loosening the fill plug, pumping new fluid until it releases, and then re-securing the plug while running the car through gears to bring the oil up to temperature. The viewer learns that a diagnostic tool would typically monitor oil temperature, but in its absence he relies on repeated pumping to complete the fill. This segment emphasizes the practical problem-solving mindset of DIY car repair and the willingness to adapt based on available tools. The gearbox refill is presented as a teachable moment, turning a potential bottleneck into a repeatable, if imperfect, process. It also foreshadows the broader challenge of fully integrating the transmission system with the rebuilt chassis. The dashboard replacement becomes the focal point of the mid-video, with the creator detailing the removal of seating, airbags, center console, and numerous electrical connections to free the dashboard from the frame. He confronts the reality that the dash is not easily removed and requires significant disassembly, including glove box removal and detaching indicator stalks. The installation phase then unfolds with careful reassembly of seats, airbag components, and a new dashboard, a process described as time-consuming and technically demanding. The video captures the emotional arc of tackling a seemingly simple swap that escalates into a multi-hour, meticulous operation, ending with a partially functional interior and lingering concerns about wiring and code needs. The culminating moment shows the dashboard finally in place, the car powering up, and the ongoing tasks to restore full functionality, including power steering coding and airbag fault resolutions. In the closing stretch, the creator reviews ongoing issues such as wiper operation, headlight coding, and the need for final electronic reprogramming to achieve a fully working M4 interior. He notes that although the dash is in and several systems power up, there are faults like airbag warning lights and unclear wiring that require further attention or professional coding. The episode ends with a progress update, a call for viewers to subscribe, and an invitation for tips on completing the remaining steps, including headlight coding and steering column connections. The tone remains energetic and instructional, balancing honest troubleshooting with encouragement for the audience to engage and share solutions for the remaining hurdles. The video thus serves as both a documentation of a challenging salvage rebuild and a learning resource for car enthusiasts attempting complex interior restorations.
Topics · Auto Repair · Car Restoration · DIY · Vlog
Questions answered
- What caused the biggest obstacle in getting the M3 front end to fit the M4?
- The differences in headlight assemblies, including pin counts and connector layouts, required repinning and potential coding to the car's systems.
- How is gearbox oil refilled in this build and why is it unique?
- The oil is pumped in through the left-hand fill plug until it overflows, then the plug is resealed and the car is run through the gears to warm the oil; a nine-liter total is used due to a specific BMW procedure.
- What is the status of the dashboard installation by the end of the video?
- The dashboard is successfully installed, but several electrical connections and potential codes remain unresolved, including power steering coding and airbag-related diagnostics.
- What should viewers do if they have tips for completing the project?
- Viewers are encouraged to share advice in the comments, especially related to wiring, coding, and resolving fault codes.