What did you buy for your FX / QX70 today?

I actually kinda like the contrast of the chrome trim, but agree that it is a bit too bright. I started doing some research, and found there is an OEM trim type that is a dark chrome, in between the sport-chrome and sport-black.

QX70 09+ - Exterior Trim Types?

Debating whether to either A) attempt to source these parts online B) wrap or C) spray a smoke overlay paint on the stock chrome.
 
I've got a bunch of stuff waiting to install in the next few weeks. New speakers all around with plug and play harnesses and trim rings, Sound deadening for a small area on each door, and mud flaps as well... Pics to come later
 
Just got the wheels back from powder coat. Also had new tires and tpms sensors installed. When I bought the car back in December, the wheels were in pretty bad shape so I painted them black to see if I would like them but I found that everything seemed to disappear in the wheel well. I decided to have them coated in silver to better show off the 21" size, also had the center caps and wheel nuts powder coated the same colour. While the wheels were getting coated, I clayed, polished (with a 7" rotary polisher), applied two coats of carnauba wax, detailed the interior, painted everything on the suspension that looked like it needed it, and did a drain and fill of the transmission fluid.

FX50.jpg FX50a.jpg FX50d.jpg FX50f.jpg
 
Denis McGuire said:
Just got the wheels back from powder coat. Also had new tires and tpms sensors installed. When I bought the car back in December, the wheels were in pretty bad shape so I painted them black to see if I would like them but I found that everything seemed to disappear in the wheel well. I decided to have them coated in silver to better show off the 21" size, also had the center caps and wheel nuts powder coated the same colour. While the wheels were getting coated, I clayed, polished (with a 7" rotary polisher), applied two coats of carnauba wax, detailed the interior, painted everything on the suspension that looked like it needed it, and did a drain and fill of the transmission fluid.

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Looks great, is the automatic transmission fluid recommended to be replaced on these cars?
 
There are arguments both ways on whether the fluid should be changed. There are a number of threads discussing changing the fluid on this site. My car has 187000 km (115000 miles) so I decided to do a drain and fill. Will do another in about 500 km.
 
Denis McGuire said:
There are arguments both ways on whether the fluid should be changed. There are a number of threads discussing changing the fluid on this site. My car has 187000 km (115000 miles) so I decided to do a drain and fill. Will do another in about 500 km.
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Have you noticed any improvement in driving since?
 
Not really, the shifts may be a bit smoother but that could just be me looking for an improvement. For me, it is more about preventative maintenance. I normally change all fluids when I buy a car. That way, I have a known starting point.
 
Denis McGuire said:
Just got the wheels back from powder coat. Also had new tires and tpms sensors installed. When I bought the car back in December, the wheels were in pretty bad shape so I painted them black to see if I would like them but I found that everything seemed to disappear in the wheel well. I decided to have them coated in silver to better show off the 21" size, also had the center caps and wheel nuts powder coated the same colour. While the wheels were getting coated, I clayed, polished (with a 7" rotary polisher), applied two coats of carnauba wax, detailed the interior, painted everything on the suspension that looked like it needed it, and did a drain and fill of the transmission fluid.

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Looks great! And you seem so much happier after the disappointment of painting the wheels black (when will they invent an "undo" button for everything?). I agree that the OEM wheels in black look a bit like a black hole, so I decided to go with a different wheel, 10-spoke, smaller 20" x 9", but the style is better for the black powder coat IMO. I get many compliments on them, and I'm extremely happy (like you). What do you think?

fx50s_1000x550.jpg
 
Wow, your 09 looks amazing. The 20" wheels look great on your car. What aftermarket wheels are they? Also, your paint looks new, has anything special been done to it?
 
Denis McGuire said:
Wow, your 09 looks amazing. The 20" wheels look great on your car. What aftermarket wheels are they? Also, your paint looks new, has anything special been done to it?
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Wheels are Ace Alloy Convex, powdercoated gloss black (originally gunmetal).

If I had to do it all over again, I would go with Ace FlowForm, custom gloss black. Same exact wheel with factory powdercoat. More expensive, but cheaper overall than aftermarket coating ($700), and Ace center caps ($180), added to the cost of the wheels ($1200), and of course tires.

As for the paint. Look closer and you will see many small rock chips on the hood and side fender. However, the front bumper and grille are brand new and freshly painted. Upgraded to the 2017 honeycomb grille.

I think the bumper/grille disguises the other flaws ;)
 
I am curious as to why you had to run a wire from the battery? Is there not switched and unswitched power already on the old harness, or did you need a larger guage?
 
Denis McGuire said:
I am curious as to why you had to run a wire from the battery? Is there not switched and unswitched power already on the old harness, or did you need a larger guage?
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There is already an existing power and ground in the Bose wiring harness, but I didn't want to overload it with the new sub and built in amp. I am sure it pulls more current than the the stock setup did.
 
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