KwS

Dumb question, but is the trans fluid level correct? Checked at the correct temp with the engine running. Id expect the trans specialist knows this, but it pays to ask the obvious some times.

Very interesting. I wonder if you can put it in a bag as it sets and pull a vacuum on it, if it would get rid of all the bubbles?

On 10/21/2023 at 5:07 PM, balancerider said:

No pics but the tanzanite blue M3 Touring at Continental BMW looks lovely. Also spotted a German plated estate on SH2 in full prototype camo - first two letters of plate were HN so speculating it might be the new Audi A4 B10 Avant

 

Probably related to this too https://www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/350097168/no-photos-no-photos-sorry-you-parked-outside-newspaper

I do love a motorsport spec E36 in Estoril blue, even if it a lil stubby boi

Thats the one that HellBM built is it not?

Just as aside, if the lowering springs were fitted after the cert, its technically in violation of its cert (would be certed for "OE" springs), and is a new digital cert so will be easy to check at WOF time.

IIRC the parking brake light can also be on if the brake fluid is low, so worth checking that or the sensor

5 hours ago, overly__under__engineered said:

h

other brands do 300k+ when driven into the ground. BMW does 100k. no more. hahahaha.  Come on. Jokes aside, BMW is clearly garbage compared to any other brand. 

On 9/7/2023 at 8:42 PM, Allanw said:

Oh... and not oil related, but in the Repco "clearance" section, I got a few parts for the Land Rover: a set of V8 "OEX" HT leads, 6 sets fo front "TRW" brake pads and 4 sets of "Silverline" cheaparse brake pads for NZ$33-10 plus $8.50 delivery 🤣

If you add a vehicle to you garage, "shop all parts" for it, then expand the search on the left side and select the "clearance" category, it shows all the cheap parts for you car. Mine was pretty flukey, but worth a try occasionally to see what crap you can buy 😁

+1 this. Got a pair of nice TRW rotors for my Honda for $40 each on clearance. Some real bargains to be had.

Theres nothing like driving an old BMW.

When it works.

On 9/22/2023 at 6:47 PM, overly__under__engineered said:

I'm guessing you work for SD European Glen 😂🤣😅

I walk into SD European and I get fairly legit prices. I ask SD European online and I get a " remove the sump to replace the spark plugs " list.

They want to replace the coolant and bleed the system, because they will remove the rocker cover. Also, there is no price for new coolant in the cost list. I guess straight tap water is free in Hamilton so, yeah...

Let's take a look at the quoted prices SD European sent me for the job, verses the cost of parts I was quoted from my supplier if I did the job myself...

SD European valve stem seals $95. My cost is $45 for the same seals.

SD European rocker cover gaskets $399.74 ... I paid $120 for all the same gaskets and the new VVT motor. They are brand new and don't need to be replaced! Their quote didn't include the new VVT motor, but cost three and a half times what I paid. WTF?!!

SD European e-sensor seal $35.39 ... I just paid them for that and replaced it a few months ago because it was leaking. It's perfect now and doesn't need replacing again.

SD European specialist tool charge $130.00 for the use of the cam tool kit that has been used since 2005 on all the valvetronic engines like this. My quote to buy the cam tool kit, brand new, is $120.

SD European labour for the job $1,035 @ $115 x 9 hours.

All up, replacing the valve stem seals would cost me $1,949.40 from SD European. Just the valve stem seals.

I guess if I was f'ing around for 9 hours, I could have taken that long to replace valve stem seals, but my boss would have kicked my ass!

...but in all seriousness, there is no way I'm taking anything to them after a quote to do the coolant when removing a rocker cover! That should be illegal! Is it illegal?!! I have it in writing...

Thanks Glen, but no. I will get out of my wheel chair and do it myself for that. I was a mechanic before this medical problem. With well over a decade of experience, I've done more than my fair share of engine rebuilds. I'll do the valve seals wearing a harness while hanging from the engine hoist! I could throw a new cam chain & guides on while I'm doing it. The only tool I need to buy is the cam tool.

SD European cam chain kit $615. My cost for the same kit is $130.

...where's my engine hoist...

If you dont like the quote, go somewhere else. Dont whinge about it. You've said it yourself, you cant do the job yourself, so what your buy price and labour is, is irrelevant. 

The N46 is a dumpster fire of an engine, so you're lucky any mechanic that knows BMWs would touch it.

1 hour ago, Vass said:

Must be something in the air... A factory manual 325ti? Get out of here. NZ new too. That front lip looks pretty sus tho.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/compact/listing/4321158011?bof=6OvHNJsC

Thats pretty darn cheap, but man they look average without the Motorsport bodykit.

The one that really boils my piss...

"BYO wheels"

Like everyone has a suitable set of wheels to put on a car they're buying, so they can drive it away... Because little Jimmy wants to keep the wheels currently fitted

18 hours ago, Apex said:

The best thing about running a classified on there meant no one could ask questions, not sure if its still the same. 

Long gone, now idiots can ask questions on anything they want.

9 hours ago, gjm said:

There'll be back payments required to cover the period from December through now. I keep telling the owner it needs to be done!

The back payments are only going to keep growing the longer its not on hold, you'd be doing him a favour 

2 hours ago, Spinner99 said:

My understanding is there is no cartridge replace, it's a fit and forget device. There are no filters in it, no moving parts.  The diesel flows through magnets which destroy the "bug" on the way through.  I think the idea is it goes in your fuel line before any other filters, injectors etc so as to prevent said bug clogging your fuel filters etc.

Re the fuel pressure question, great question, i have no idea sorry    

Just use the tried and true biocides like Olaf mentioned. Magnets dont kill bugs. Thats like the old Peter Brock box of magic and wizardry. 

Should just put it on hold for him, you dont need to be the registered owner to do so online.

IIRC the GM has a metal sump pan and the ZF black plastic. Might be an easy way to identify them.

7 hours ago, overly__under__engineered said:

that's not a workshop manual. it's just some useless pages about nothing.

You think there are only 3 pages in a workshop manual that tell you how to rebuild the engine?

• 11 Engine (N46)
  • 1 SI Master Document For Emissions Test Nominal Values All Series Up To 2003
  • 2 SI BMW Quality Longlife-04 All
  • 3 SI Complaints Concerning Engine_clutch_transmission (dowels Missing) All Vehicles

do you even see something basic on those pages, like changing the alternator belt? haha. mate. come on...

www.newtis.info is right. I can walk into Toyota, Mitsubishi or any other vehicle company and get the info I need. I've been doing it for decades... but not BMW.

Jesus man, chill out. Chris has been very helpful and given you everything you need, no need to be rude about it.

If you had engaged some brain cells instead of raging, you would've scrolled down and seen that everything for the engine is broken down category by category on that site. Its all there, you just need to look.

I guess you can lead a horse to water, etc etc.

10 hours ago, m325i said:

Looks awful. Definitely keen to see less of them. 

FTFY

To be fair though, the side profile is one of the least offensive angles of it. the front and rear are both 🤮🤮

Signed. What a stupid thing to be doing.

In saying that though, what is the source of the claim?

Streetview seems to confirm that.

On 8/4/2023 at 1:56 PM, Jacko said:

So parts warranty doesnt apply once cars out of warranty....  

Thats BS, all parts should be covered by a parts warranty (usually 2 years, unlimited KM) if fitted by trained technicians, whether the car is under warranty or not. 

1 hour ago, Vass said:

What the hell is up with those misaligned tailpipes? Cannot unsee it.

that and the purple parcel shelf stick out like dogs balls. Classic dealer trying to get premium money with minimal work.

2 hours ago, gjm said:

Beware of N-series engines.
The N42/N46 aren't widely regarded as reliable regardless of servicing, and the N47 is not as reliable as the older M47.

6-pot petrol N-series engines may be better, but perhaps not as economically suitable for Ubering. 

N series v8 are trash too unless they've had all the issues fixed 

43 minutes ago, gofaster said:

If all drivers drove safely for the conditions and anticipated traffic flow then most of this shite would go away.

This road to zero BS should really just be driver education and policing.