[Nair.V8]

Interior Upgrade on my 1-series!

After addressing all the mechanical issues with Sabine, I decided it was time to focus on the interior. While the OEM fabric seats were in decent shape, the foam had begun to feel weak, and the dull black color made the cabin feel rather dull and gloomy. The door trims on all four doors were peeling, likely due to sun damage over the years.



At first, I considered getting a pair of refurbished electric front seats from an F30, but I decided against it. I was concerned they might have come from an accident car, potentially carrying negative energy from a fatal incident. So instead, I chose to invest in high-quality seat covers from a well known car interior specialist. As for the interior color there was only one option on my mind, tan! The iconic Ferrari combination of glossy red exteriors with tan leather interiors has always been something i drooled over!

Having heard good things about Orchis, I decided to visit their Powai shop to check out their facility and explore the seat material and color options. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the owner Mr. Anil Shinde, who promptly took a look at my car and made note of my requirements. I was impressed by their large inventory of leather and artificial leather rolls in every color imaginable, along with various seat foams, threads, and other materials. The shop had a team of skilled workers, each dedicated to specific tasks like removing vehicle interiors, measuring and stitching seat materials, coloring interior components, etc. The facility's professional setup gave me added assurance I was indeed at the right place!

Mr. Anil then introduced me to the shop manager, and we sat down to finalize details like the seat material, color, stitching pattern, and door trim requirements. A high-quality artificial leather was selected for the seats and door trims, this material had a cotton layer on the back to help reduce heat absorption. I opted for a diamond stitching pattern on the seat center to give it a more premium feel, and opted for a high-density foam for better support and comfort. Once everything was agreed upon and the token amount was paid, I left the car at their facility with a promise to return in two days.

On the day of collection, my good friend and fellow BHPian AJRULES joined me. His Zen Carbon was also due for an interior makeover, so he was eager to see the results on my car. Upon arrival at Orchis we were immediately impressed by the transformation on the 1-series! The difference was stunning! We carefully inspected the interiors for any flaws, misalignments, defects, or quality issues, but everything was flawless. The seats felt much more supportive, the color was perfect, and the new door trims added a touch of luxury to the cabin.



We did notice a bit of dust from the work done over the past couple of days, so after settling the final payment at Orchis, we took the car straight to my usual detailing spot, Turtle Wax Chembur (formerly 3M Car Care). The car received a thorough wash, wax, and a full interior deep clean and polish. The combination of the gleaming red paint and the tan interior had me falling in love with Sabine all over again.



While at the detailing studio, I also replaced the OEM fabric floor mats with a set of 3M Nomad mats. The fabric mats never suited Indian conditions—they always seemed delicate and looked dusty. In contrast, the 3M Nomad material is rugged, weather-resistant, and has a clean, premium appearance. The mats are sold by the square foot, and the OEM mats were used as a template for a perfect fit. Extra material was also used to create custom bases for all the cupholders. Once installed, I was thrilled with how they elevated the interior even further.





I’ve never seen a car attract this much attention just because of its interior! Sabine used to blend in as just another old red BMW, rarely getting noticed by those familiar with the 1-series. Now every time she is parked on the street, I see curious onlookers checking out the interiors and walking around the car!

Few other interior upgrades being considered include an M-Sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and cruise control, upgraded speakers and damping material for the doors and floor. Overall I feel blessed & I'm pleased with how the build has turned out so far!

[DeKay]

Originally Posted by Nair.V8

Overall I feel blessed & I'm pleased with how the build has turned out so far!

The car looks gorgeous! What was the $$ damage?

[shashi792]

That's a very good look car now. I think you should get the steering mod done.

[SithDefender]

Originally Posted by Nair.V8

I opted for a diamond stitching pattern on the seat center to give it a more premium feel

Phenomenal work! BMWs are works of art, but it is the interiors where we spend time and now it has truly elevated the ambience.



Though the diamond stitching looks nice, a combination of diamond and striped pattern would have been a little more unique, to match this beautiful car. This is from: https://www.carscoops.com/2015/08/bm...wcases-highly/

[S2kyon]

Audibly gasped after seeing a picture of the interior! Orchis has done an immaculate job. The diamond stitching was a good call to increase the interior aesthetic indeed. Looking forward to seeing the steering mod done!

[rishabh.joshi]

What a brilliant thread so far. A fun and engaging car and an equally engaging thread as well. I absolutely love how analog this car feels without showing age.

Sabine now needs a good set of rollers and i think it’s high time we do an Atal Setu run with this.

Absolutely beautiful car and i’m glad you’re making those little changes according to the utility it adds.

Cheers,
Rishabh

[Nair.V8]

Late Night Drive with three German hot-hatches

There’s something undeniably lovely about late-night drives, especially when you're blessed with some of the finest roads in the vicinity. The Eastern Freeway, Atal Setu, and the newly opened Coastal Road provide a near-perfect setting for such drives in Mumbai. With their smooth surfaces and restricted traffic, these roads offer a relaxing, pothole-free experience without the usual interruptions like pedestrians, two-wheelers, or erratic rickshaws. Last month, a few friends and I decided to enjoy one such night drive with a trio of tuned German hot-hatches: a VW Polo GTi and two BMW 118d’s.

The Polo GTi, owned by my close friend and fellow BHPian AJRULES, is a meticulously maintained example. It proudly wears its exclusivity badge ‘number 99’ of just 99 units sold in India. This GTi is fitted with a long list of performance upgrades including an HG-Motorsport intake, Pipercross air filter, stage-2 Superchips tune, a custom downpipe, an Airtec intercooler, a Magnaflow exhaust, DBA rotors, and HEL braided brake lines. These enhancements push the output to an impressive 250 Bhp and 350 Nm, making it a true pocket rocket. All upgrades on this GTi have been done at N1 Racing.



The BMW 118d may not be the first car that comes to mind when you think of hot hatches, but the two examples here have been tastefully modded to deliver well over 200 Bhp and 400 Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via the brilliant ZF 8-speed torque converter that delivers smooth & fast gearshifts. Both the 1er’s here have been tuned & maintained at Redline Autohaus.

The white LCi 118d here, is owned by my friend Nick. He’s had it for two years, and it’s one of just 25 LCi units sold in India, making it even rarer than the GTi! The LCi variant came exclusively in Sport trim, and under the hood lies the newer B47 2.0L turbodiesel (as opposed to the older N47 in mine). Nick’s car is tuned with a Steinbauer box by AC Schnitzer, sits on Bilstein B4 dampers, and is equipped with Michelin PS4 tyres. The visual updates on the LCi include wider LED headlamps, LED tail-lights, and 17” wheels This gives the LCi 118d a much better profile, without a doubt this one is prettier than my pre-facelift model.



The crimson red pre-LCi 118d (a.k.a. Sabine), belongs to yours truly. I picked her up in December last year. Being a base-spec model, it skips luxuries like leather seats, electric adjustability, iDrive, and climate control. But what it lacks in features, it makes up for with performance: a Quantum stage-2 remap, custom downpipe, Bilstein B6 dampers, Brembo brake pads, and fresh Yokohama BlueEarth GT tyres.



All three of our cars look stock from the outside, classic ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ material. The Polo GTi, being a front-wheel-drive turbo petrol, stands apart with its high-revving power and lighter weight. Meanwhile, the two diesels boast more torque and a rear-wheel-drive layout that adds a distinct character to their performance.

We were joined by a couple of other friends, including BHPian Aditya666, as we set off on our route. With the cool night air and minimal traffic, we had a thrilling experience carving through the Eastern Freeway and then onto Atal Setu. This honestly feels like the closest thing to the German Autobahn you can get in Mumbai.



Both BMWs felt completely at home on these roads. Their torquey diesel engines provided strong, clean acceleration, effortlessly hitting triple-digit speeds while maintaining composure and confidence. That said, when it came to outright pace, the GTi was in a different league. Its lightning-fast acceleration and addictive exhaust note from the catback system made it a joy to watch and hear, going down the straights.







We eventually pulled into an empty parking lot just past the Atal toll plaza, our designated meeting point. The cars were parked neatly for a quick photo session and some casual banter. After this, we decided to swap cars and experience each other’s builds firsthand. It was fascinating to feel the contrast between the high-revving aggression of the GTi and the effortless torque delivery of the tuned 118d twins. Each car had its own unique character, and driving them back-to-back only deepened our appreciation for the engineering and tuning that went into them.





To wind down the night, we headed to Starbucks at Horniman Circle, where we continued our banter over some well-deserved coffee. Between shared laughs, driving impressions, and talks of future mods, it was the perfect end to a memorable night. Each of us carried home fond memories of a spirited drive, great company, and our shared love for these beautiful machines!

[Aditya666]

Honestly, I'm just loving the interior. Infact just 2 days ago, when we parked up in fort, 5 people came up to me and asked me if that is the stock interior or is it customised.

Eagerly waiting for you to complete it now with steering wheel. Driving this car with the paddle shifters will be a complete riot.

On the Atal Setu drive, I didn't do any driving, however the next time we took the GTI and the 118d out, I was simply reminded of how quick and how raw the GTI is, especially with that exhaust. Infact I was still driving it like a diesel, upshifting at 3k RPM when our dear friend told me to go pedal to the metal and hear how it sounds.

As far as the LCI 118d goes, it feels a bit more muted compared to your car. Your car delivers power even higher up in the rev range. Could be a difference in the tunes as well.

Every time I see / drive your car, I'm tempted to get something fun again as well.

[hey.rudey]

Take me for a spin sir

Your 118d is quite a pocket rocket bro. I think like Aditya666 said paddle shifters may make a difference to your driving experience

[Nair.V8]

Originally Posted by Aditya666

Honestly, I'm just loving the interior. Infact just 2 days ago, when we parked up in fort, 5 people came up to me and asked me if that is the stock interior or is it customised.

Eagerly waiting for you to complete it now with steering wheel. Driving this car with the paddle shifters will be a complete riot.

On the Atal Setu drive, I didn't do any driving, however the next time we took the GTI and the 118d out, I was simply reminded of how quick and how raw the GTI is, especially with that exhaust. Infact I was still driving it like a diesel, upshifting at 3k RPM when our dear friend told me to go pedal to the metal and hear how it sounds.

As far as the LCI 118d goes, it feels a bit more muted compared to your car. Your car delivers power even higher up in the rev range. Could be a difference in the tunes as well.

Every time I see / drive your car, I'm tempted to get something fun again as well.

It's always nice when others notice the little details we obsess over!

Big thanks to you, for getting me that m-Sport steering wheel at a killer deal. Can't wait to get this installed & to try out the paddles!



Totally hear you on our friends GTI, it’s such a raw, punchy little rocketship, and that exhaust just eggs you on. And yeah, I think you're spot on about the difference between the F20 twins. Could be the tune or just how BMW’s set it up post-LCI.

I'm glad that Sabine is tempting you to get something fun again! You’ve got the itch, it’s only a matter of time now!

Originally Posted by hey.rudey

Take me for a spin sir

Your 118d is quite a pocket rocket bro. I think like Aditya666 said paddle shifters may make a difference to your driving experience

Hey there Rudey, so nice to know you're on TeamBhp too! Please do join for one of our future drives, I would love to experience your E90.

[hey.rudey]

Would love to join you, Aditya, and AJ whenever you'll drive next, and yes gotta get Sabine and Popcorn together again. Gonna contribute to this thread with a picture from the last Bavarians meetup

[KT_52100]

Would love to join you guys on the drive next time. I have just shifted to Mumbai, however my hatch is not "hot" yet as it is bone stock!

[Aditya666]

Originally Posted by Nair.V8

It's always nice when others notice the little details we obsess over!

Big thanks to you, for getting me that m-Sport steering wheel at a killer deal. Can't wait to get this installed & to try out the paddles!

Attachment 2756964

Totally hear you on our friends GTI, it’s such a raw, punchy little rocketship, and that exhaust just eggs you on. And yeah, I think you're spot on about the difference between the F20 twins. Could be the tune or just how BMW’s set it up post-LCI.

I'm glad that Sabine is tempting you to get something fun again! You’ve got the itch, it’s only a matter of time now!



Hey there Rudey, so nice to know you're on TeamBhp too! Please do join for one of our future drives, I would love to experience your E90.

I just can't wait for the installation of the steering wheel. That will complete the interior.

Ok on a side note, I may end up doing something fun with my new hatch to make it a bit spicier. I'm very influenced by some of the videos you keep sharing