howdy from CT

[flavo]

hi all,
New member from the NE of CT. I have had VW's and then modified Vw's for years until I moved out to the country and bought a giant pick up truck for my new farm life. I've been daily driving my 99 f250 diesel for the last 4 years. I finally got to a point where I could start saving up some cash and buy a nice DD. I was torn for a while what I was going to get. I drove a lot of different cars, narrowed it down to a saab aero with a 6MT and 325it 5MT. I didnt even know about the ZHP until I lucked upon one in my research for a bmw. That sealed the deal for me and the hunt was on for one I could afford. My budget was on the bottom of what these were going for and I only wanted alpine white or mystic blue which made it even tougher. I ended up with a MB with 130K for $8.3 with a set of 17" M winter wheels. I thought it had more maintenance history then it did but all in all is in OK shape for the price.
The only pic I have is the day I brought it home a few weeks ago.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/rockstarmjl/photo1_zps1da93bda.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rockstarmjl/media/photo1_zps1da93bda.jpg.html)

Finally got it registered last weekend and have been LOVING driving it. Even just gently driving it I love it.

Here's a brief history of a few of my cars should anyone care to take a peek.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4602118-Some-might-say-The-greatest-time-line-ever-told.&highlight=greatest


While I've been lurking and reading a lot of old threads here and at E46F, I have a ton of questions to get me going if you can help me with some of them?

This is my maintenance history that I have receipts for. Is it possible this is all that's been done to the car minus oil changes? Is it possible to check at the dealer for service they have done? I was there today picking up coolant for the upcoming coolant system refresh and they said they can't share that info.
45k steering wheel replaced
11/18 FL window regulator
53k cabin filter
54k windshield washer pump
55k oil chnge
55k thermostat assembly
64k serp belt
ac belt
dme reprogrammed
67k water pump
72k oil change
control arm bushing
all 4 brakes
brake fluid flush
74k radiator hose
temp sensor
76k cabin filter
78k oil change
spark plugs
valve cover gasket
85k cabin filter
86k oil change
tie rod assembly
91k oil change
116k tranny flush
coolant flush
130K CPS sensor - exhaust side

[flavo]

And the laundry list of questions.
When I first brought the car home everything seemed to work. Within the 1st week The CPS needed replacing, the sunroof shade stopped moving back automatically when I tilt the sunroof to the up position and the rear view mirror pass side stopped pivoting when put in reverse. I actually didn't like the auto pivot anyway but I want the sunroof shade fixed for sure. And then
What are the common mods that can be programmed into the cars computer and do I need to go to the dealer for them and pay for them individually?
My steering wheel was replaced with the M Sport leather and it is sticky. Is that because it's dirty? It's got 80K on it.
What is the light on the headlight switch for? Some kind of tamper thing I read? Why?

I guess the list isn't ridiculous. I've decided to leave most of them out and just search for them for now.
Thanks so much! :-)

[az3579]

And the laundry list of questions.
When I first brought the car home everything seemed to work. Within the 1st week The CPS needed replacing, the sunroof shade stopped moving back automatically when I tilt the sunroof to the up position and the rear view mirror pass side stopped pivoting when put in reverse. I actually didn't like the auto pivot anyway but I want the sunroof shade fixed for sure. And then
What are the common mods that can be programmed into the cars computer and do I need to go to the dealer for them and pay for them individually?
My steering wheel was replaced with the M Sport leather and it is sticky. Is that because it's dirty? It's got 80K on it.
What is the light on the headlight switch for? Some kind of tamper thing I read? Why?

I guess the list isn't ridiculous. I've decided to leave most of them out and just search for them for now.
Thanks so much! :-)

There's a long list of stuff that can be coded. I can do coding and I'm in CT; hit me up via PM if you want to get together.

The leather steering wheel needs to be cleaned and rejuvenated. Leatherique is an excellent product to use.

There is no light on the headlight switch. That is a light sensor that tells the OBC readout on the instrument cluster to vary it's brightness under certain conditions. I can't seem to find this in writing but this is the behavior I have observed.


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[danewilson77]

Welcome. Nice whip.

No flame suit required!

[Oli77]

Welcome Flavo, I enjoyed reading the VW history on the other site, you had me at "followed the dead". We must have been at the same shows in Ventura in the 90's.

New car looks good. I don't know about your shade for the sunroofs but numerous more knowledgeable folks will chime in.

Glad you are enjoying the car.

[fredo]

Welcome, Flavo. I had sunroof problems years ago: broken clips. The repair guy told me it was best to move the shade manually because this avoids extra work on the sunroof components. This was 8 years ago and I didn't have more sunroof problems after that. Hope this helps.

[alexandre]

Welcome! For the sunroof you're looking at a fairly cheap fix. You need to replace BMW #54138246025 x2 #54138246027 x2. Googling the part numbers should point you to several DIY write-ups!

[flavo]

Welcome! For the sunroof you're looking at a fairly cheap fix. You need to replace BMW #54138246025 x2 #54138246027 x2. Googling the part numbers should point you to several DIY write-ups!
Thanks! googling however brings up nothing but the parts for sale. Searching for sunroof shade slider brings up a bunch of threads that discuss the slider clips instead. Like this. http://www.csfrancis.net/BMW/sunshadediy.pdf
And this http://www.jumboprawn.net/jesse/projs/bmw_e46_sunroof/
Have you done this repair?


Welcome Flavo, I enjoyed reading the VW history on the other site, you had me at "followed the dead". We must have been at the same shows in Ventura in the 90's.

I was around for just the end of it. In the 90's I was a little more punk rock. Glad you got some enjoyment out of it though :-)


There's a long list of stuff that can be coded. I can do coding and I'm in CT; hit me up via PM if you want to get together.
Thanks, that's great! What do we call the computer in these cars so I can try and find a list of what thy are? Edited for google and that it's the DME



And thanks everyone else for the warm welcome. I'll be here for awhile. Any idea how many active folks we have on the site from RI & CT?

[Vas]

Welcome.

[cakM3]

Welcome, I think you will find a lot of very helpful people here :thumbsup

Regarding your sunroof shade issue, I recently replaced the clips on my sunroof for both cars and BP was there to give me a hand. He is very good at coding and can help you out regarding replacement of the clips as he helped me when I did mine :) Just give him a PM and I'm sure he will be happy to help :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

Welcome aboard.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[az3579]

Thanks, that's great! What do we call the computer in these cars so I can try and find a list of what thy are? Edited for google and that it's the DME



There are a number of modules. I can send you a list... Just please PM me so I don't forget. Don't have a computer with me at the moment.


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[oldzilla]

Welcome.

[johnrando]

Welcome. Good luck with the list, sounds like the family already has you covered.

[flavo]

Truly the friendliest forum on the planet, it is very refreshing. I could really use a slice of warm pie, but thank you for the warm welcome.

[danewilson77]

Truly the friendliest forum on the planet, it is very refreshing. I could really use a slice of warm pie, but thank you for the warm welcome.
Agree. Glad you're feeling the love.

:wub

No flame suit required!

[az3579]

Truly the friendliest forum on the planet, it is very refreshing. I could really use a slice of warm pie, but thank you for the warm welcome.

We have some here at home.... of course it probably won't last the night. :shifty

[Raptorman5174]

Nice car, looks just like mine. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I do. Not everyone drives there dream car everyday. I consider ourselves the lucky one. Good luck with it and welcome to the mafia.

[330i ZHP]

Great color. Welcome.