Shaun's (Lublisha) maintenance/project thread

[Lublisha]

Now that I’ve had my ZHP for almost a month, along with the fact I'm couch ridden with a sprained ankle, I figured it was about time to start a maintenance/project thread for the currently nameless sedan.
A little History:
Back in August 2015, I decided I wanted to get an older BMW to learn more about working on these cars/ be a daily driver, maybe in time, if I get the smarts, make it track worthy. I had another car, so it was kind of just an on again off again hobby looking at 330i/330xi’s looking for good deals and watching “how to ____” videos on a car I didn’t even own. Throughout my search I kept coming across ZHP’s, and noticed a) that they had a much better look (in my opinion) to the sport package and b) that look did not come cheap. I ignored it for the most part as I test drove six or seven e46’s, but eventually the curiosity got the better of me and I test drove a ZHP. Long story short, I now was exclusively looking at ZHP’s. Found the car in Tacoma, 2005 6 speed 2 previous owners. Second owner had it since 2008. Very happy with it.
First Impressions:
Most enjoyable car to drive that I’ve owned (Having owned many automatics, it’s been a blast). Taking time to adjust to the location of the window switch. Also, I slide around in the seat a bit more than in the e90, as well as finding the cup holder locations inconvenient while shifting. I like the crayon smell lol.
Current Task List (Could be added to/removed from when the maintenance records are obtained):
-Cooling system overhaul with belts and pulleys.
-Transmission and differential fluid. Car has issues going into reverse and first when the clutch is pushed in from a dead stop. This is just the starting point
-Tires (somehow Discount tire ordered only the fronts and I had to wait another week for the rears).
-New headlight lenses (Planning on going with khoalty, unless there is a strong case against them.)
-Clear out the side markers and corners, as well as eagle eye LED tails.
-Brakes have some squeal when braking hard. Will look into if condition worsens.
-A way to listen to music from my phone. Undecided on Bluetooth vs. Aux at this point, but right now Justin Bieber is coming out of my speakers far too often.
-Recommendations on other maintenance to perform welcome! From what I’ve seen so far this is a trustworthy group

Purpose of the thread:
Learn more about the guts of the e46, as well as ask questions and chronicle my progress. Hopefully, in time this thread can become a good resource for someone coming into the family. I also can be obsessively frugal, so I hope to include the best price options for parts I can find. Cars in general only became an interest to me about 4 years ago, so I’m looking forward to the challenge!

Completed:
134,970 - PPI
135,3xx - Black performance grills $103
135,452 - Repaired VIN in computer
135,452 - Passenger Airbag Recall
135,469 - Continental Extreme Contact DW mounted and balanced $592

Picture from the day I got the car:
25373

[Vas]

Welcome. Share some pictures

[BMWCurves]

Smart idea to start a project thread. I use mine frequently to remember what maintenance I have done, how I did it, and when I did it.

Definitely post pics, etc.

If you begin to wish you had more lateral support in your seats, consider buying front E46 M3 seats. I did and I love it. Sedans require a little modification I think to get the M3 seats to fit, but it shouldn't be too bad.

[Lublisha]

I'll post pics right when I'm mobile enough to wash it haha. Don't want to misrepresent it!

I'll definitely look into the seats, it's not too big an issue, just things I've noticed as a comparison. The other issues would be a much better use of money at this point.
How is the quality of sound from the aux cable?



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[BMWCurves]

I believe the aux cable has some downgrade in audio quality compared to plugging it in to the cell phone's port, but not sure as a comparison to streaming via Bluetooth. I listen to all my music through the aux cable and I'm perfectly satisfied with it.

[Lublisha]

Added a day 1 picture to the first post. Also, have compiled what I believe is a complete cooling overhaul kit along with transmission and differential fluid from FCP Euro and OEMbimmerparts.com. Note that my list is for a mechanical tensioner, which I am unsure if my car is hydraulic or mechanical (I keep remembering to look after the sun goes down, and it's been hard to determine with a flashlight). Everything look right? and if I end up having a hydraulic, are there any other pieces I will need to switch besides the tensioners? Carts Below
FCP EURO:
25374
*note that the auxilliary fan switch is included in the lower radiator hose kit

OEMBimmerparts.com
25375

Pretty stoked to keep it under $630.00

[Vas]

Word of advice. Get a better quality expansion tank. Behr or oem bmw.

and 99.9% sure that the tensioner is hydraulic. the a/c tensioner is mechanical.

[san]

If you are not replacing the coolant temp sensor then at least replace its o-ring...


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[BMWCurves]

Word of advice. Get a better quality expansion tank. Behr or oem bmw.

and 99.9% sure that the tensioner is hydraulic. the a/c tensioner is mechanical.

Agreed on both counts.

You might also consider getting the E30 expansion tank cap (17137639023) which vents pressure at 1.2 bar compared to the E46 which vents at 2.0 bar. Some people believe the lower pressure will alleviate some stress on cooling system components, thereby increasing their longevity. I have an E46 2.0 bar cap but plan to change to either the E30 cap or the G.A.S. 1.4 bar cap in the near future.

I'd also change the thermostat for sake of cooling system completeness. Mine was failing when I bought the car at 49k miles.

[Lublisha]

Word of advice. Get a better quality expansion tank. Behr or oem bmw.
and 99.9% sure that the tensioner is hydraulic. the a/c tensioner is mechanical.
Per FCP Euro, this is the OEM expansion tank, just with the BMW information etched off. The reviews also reflect this. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-expansion-tank-e46-oem-17137787039
So you’re saying it’s just the water pump/alternator tensioner to swap for hydraulic?

If you are not replacing the coolant temp sensor then at least replace its o-ring...
Good catch. I meant to add that in there. The risk of creating your own kit!

Agreed on both counts.

You might also consider getting the E30 expansion tank cap (17137639023) which vents pressure at 1.2 bar compared to the E46 which vents at 2.0 bar. Some people believe the lower pressure will alleviate some stress on cooling system components, thereby increasing their longevity. I have an E46 2.0 bar cap but plan to change to either the E30 cap or the G.A.S. 1.4 bar cap in the near future.

I'd also change the thermostat for sake of cooling system completeness. Mine was failing when I bought the car at 49k miles.
I have the wrong thermostat (transmission) in my cart from OEM Bimmer. I’m going to swap it to the wahler engine thermostat. Also noted on the 1.2/1.4. I’ll read up on it.

[slater]

Word of advice. Get a better quality expansion tank. Behr or oem bmw.

agreed... LOL! :)



You might also consider getting the E30 expansion tank cap (17137639023) which vents pressure at 1.2 bar compared to the E46 which vents at 2.0 bar. Some people believe the lower pressure will alleviate some stress on cooling system components, thereby increasing their longevity. I have an E46 2.0 bar cap but plan to change to either the E30 cap or the G.A.S. 1.4 bar cap in the near future.

yeah, i think the G.A.S. 1.4 bar cap is a good idea for expansion tank longevity.



Per FCP Euro, this is the OEM expansion tank, just with the BMW information etched off. The reviews also reflect this. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-expansion-tank-e46-oem-17137787039

that's a modine - definitely OEM. get that one or the behr/hella unit.

[Lublisha]

yeah, i think the G.A.S. 1.4 bar cap is a good idea for expansion tank longevity.




that's a modine - definitely OEM. get that one or the behr/hella unit.

Good to know I had the right Expansion tank already. Anyone got a link or Part# for the 1.4 cap?

[BMWCurves]

I got the numbers mixed up, but the E30 cap 1.4 bar and is part no. 17137639023. As I said earlier, I don't have it, but picked up the idea from Stephen here: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?16795-E30-1-4-Bar-expansion-tank-cap-on-my-E46-ZHP.
Note: Stephen lists a different part number than I have, but my number is just the newest part number, Stephen's is an older version.

G.A.S.'s cap is 1.2 bar, can be found here: https://www.germanautosolutions.com/bmw_solutions/cooling_system/12_bar_coolant_cap/product_bmw_12_bar_cap.php

[Lublisha]

Got brand new Conti DW's installed today (finally). $592 installed by price matching directs eBay sale. Really like them a lot so far. Also VIN in the computer was reset by dealership and had passenger airbag recall done with a car wash while I sat around and ate pastries and drank coffee. All free of charge so it was a rare dealership win. Tried to go through emissions again today but since it had been only 15 miles since the repairs were done none of the sensors were ready, so now I have the cruel punishment of driving this fantastic vehicle for about 200 miles to complete the drive cycle. Boo hoo http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160407/08fb53cf2354616454670acdb132fd8b.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160407/08fb53cf2354616454670acdb132fd8b.jpg


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[san]

That's a good price for the tires


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[BMWCurves]

Good stuff :thumbsup

Which dealer did you go to, Kuni or Rasmussen?

[Lublisha]

Good stuff :thumbsup

Which dealer did you go to, Kuni or Rasmussen?

When I need to, I go to Kuni. Vastly overpriced but the muffins are good. It was a very nice experience to just get away for free this time.

Here's a recent shot of the car with the new grills
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160408/2dcd46dc74a8949871cc97b543eea9df.jpg

[Vas]

Car is nice and quiet with the new tires?

[Lublisha]

Car is nice and quiet with the new tires?

Very much so. The sun came out to play in the Pacific Northwest today so I drove about a third of the way to the coast before I had to turn around and go to work. First impression is they are a fine substitute for the PSS when on a budget.

[Vas]

Did you buy them local or online? I'm just shopping for tires currently

[BMWCurves]

Very much so. The sun came out to play in the Pacific Northwest today so I drove about a third of the way to the coast before I had to turn around and go to work. First impression is they are a fine substitute for the PSS when on a budget.

Glad you're liking them! I've never had the pleasure of Michelin PSSs, but I really like my Conti DW tires. They ride well and are relatively quiet.

And I know, the weather's been great today! Glad you got to get out and drive the car in it. Sadly I've been stuck inside today except for lunch :/

[Lublisha]

Did you buy them local or online? I'm just shopping for tires currently

When discount tire direct had their eBay sale ($100 of a purchase greater than $400), I went to an actual discount tire store and they matched the promo. These specific tires needed to be special ordered, but I paid in store.

[Lublisha]

I believe the pulley indicates hydraulic tensioner? Dropped my phone in the engine right after taking this lol. Getting all the belts and pulleys officially purchased this weekendhttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160408/3adb143af13ee39767b7a2b316d4ed6c.jpg


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[BMWCurves]

I believe all of our cars have hydraulic tensioners. Could be wrong though. I can't tell from your picture though.

[Lublisha]

Well I'm going to enjoy my moment a little longer anyway :rockon

[Vas]

Yes hydraulic

[BMWCurves]

Bump, any updates?