Olaf

My first choice for 11121432928 is to go with a decent OEM or proven aftermarket item. - Perhaps a Vaico? The V20-2177 is ~EUR110. On FCP one of the reviews indicates "The drawbacks of the original BMW valve cover and gasket are corrected here. The cam half-circles are extended on the valve cover and the gasket profile is different, better than it is on original." Also "Comes with gaskets installed plus bolt grommets and cover stand-offs included." and... "Initially I thought this part was off the OE tool without the BMW logo insert. After I took some time to inspect it, there were enough subtle differences to indicate the part did not come off the same tooling as the OE part. It is, however, a very good reproduction. Same mold tool runner locations, all geometry details captured, same material, similar tooling marks in the metal stamping. I don't buy cheap replacement parts for my car because I don't like doing a job twice. This is a solid replacement part." sounds promising.

Fig 1: Multifunction Sports Leather Steering Wheel P/N 32 34 2 282 022, before leather restoration Multi-function Steering Wheel: As mentioned above, Jon also installed and retrofitted the Msport multi-function wheel I'd sourced back in 2019. Part Number 32 34 2 282 022. It had sat around in the bubble-wrap awaiting a suitable confirmed post-recall airbag. After getting the parts car, I'd cleaned and dyed the leather, with a Colourlock Leather kit I've had for ages, fed it with Elephant Leather Preservative. I confirmed with BMW via the rego number of the parts car that this was a post Takata recall airbag. So I sourced the BMW multifunction retrofit kit. The option codes (for e46) are: Option S249A Multifunction steering wheel, and option S255A Sports leather steering wheel. This wheel was also optioned in e39, and standard on e46 M3 and e39 M5. Where we started: the original helm (with post-recall airbag) Jon did the retrofit. Now, in addition to the super-comfortable wheel, we have steering wheel controls, and cruise control. Superb. prepping for surgery (Photo: Jon Begley) spread wide - paint by numbers (photo: Jon Begley) let's start reassembly (photo: Jon Begley) For the first time (in my e46) - cruise control! (that bright green indicator, bottom right). Cruise is a real boon coming up to Christmas with a significant increase of visible (and mufti) road policing... Waze on the phone, dial in preferred speed (on the Waze speed indicator), set cruise control, sweat less when the radar detector alerts to the presence of RADAR or LIDAR. Driver's seat view (parked) I dig it. Slightly smaller diameter, much better feel. And of course, buttons! Control the stereo, set the speed etc. It was worth the effort and expense. I particularly like the feel through the wheel turning into a tight corner; significant improvement over the old helm.

thanks @Vass! Hmm yes perhaps an Alu may do the trick. I need the earlier one as mine's the bolt-in coil version. I did find a nicer one on another car, got the cover off and then found it was the later one with clip-in coils, so left it in place. Great idea re the PS pressure lines, thanks! Yes I was rather put-off by the new cost.

Date: 10-15 Dec 2024 Distance: 216,280 kms 1. Remediation day. Front ARB Replacement - installed the ARB from the post above. Bushes were replaced recently. Diff Replacement - including front differential bushes. Fresh Penrite 75W90 Synthetic, new bungs. What Diff'rence Does It Make? PSU Reservoir replacement. Eliminating that annoying leak. New Power Steering Reservoir awaiting install. (Image: Jon Begley) Headlamps: Replaced both main beam bulbs D2S Xenon (headlight out). Left hand had been intermittent - it seemed to dislike the thought of the outside world! Tailgate stops: replaced tailgate stops to remedy leak into cargo area. They're a sh*t to get to! New Tailgate Bump Stop installed (Image: Jon Begley). Guess it's time for a thorough clean around the hatch, then. Cooling System Low: I'd had to put in about half a litre of coolant every 8 weeks or so. Jon noticed evidence of coolant loss. Yechhh - that'll be coolant on the outside, then... (Image: Jon Begley). Traced to both hard lines beneath the intake manifold. We'd replaced them in 2019/2020 with Rein items. Very disappointing that they'd failed already. Sourced new genuine BMW items from Continental Cars BMW Wellington. It was 23 months since last coolant flush, so after pressure testing, new genuine BMW Blue coolant 1:1 per factory recommendation with deionised water. Ready for new coolant pipes Oil Leaks: removed belts, front covers, oil filter housing. One thread had failed last time the job was done; this time the remaining three needed helicoil repair. Helicoil tools of trade Jon shows the battlefield after helicoil action Oil Leaks Continued... New filter housing gasket. On prepping for valve cover gasket set replacement (Elring 318.590 includes the grommets; I also bought new genuine BMW washers), Jon found that my valve cover was cracked. It's becoming a common 'feature' of M54's at this age. I was dispatched to Pick-A-Part to secure a suitable replacement. M54 Valve cover in the wild at Pick-A-Part Having located one, it took me 35 mins to successfully remove - not bad given I'm a geezer and out of practice. 35 mins later... Hairline crack found in two of the apertures - it'll have to do for the next four or five months, guess I'll be sourcing a brand new one. Bugger. Oh well, better than what was on my car... it's a temporary. Reinstallation.... Inlet manifold , covers, (the seals were still excellent, replaced when the starter motor was replaced recently), oil filter housing, alternator, belts, oil filter (Mann) and fresh Penrite HPR-5 5-40 Synthetic; Air Filter (Mann), Cabin Filter (Corteco) fitted. Ran up to temp, checked levels and for leaks. Tested OK. Multi-function Steering Wheel: more detail in a dedicated post below. Next Steps Now I'll prep the battery tray from the parts car, rust convert, etch, prime, and hit it with the gloss black Rustoleum all-in-one-paint. During the xmas break I'll get the old battery tray removed from our wagon, prep, rust-treat, paint, and install the freshly-painted replacement. I also need to treat minor surface rust beneath the car. I'll get it up on the rack, clean, then a couple of coats of Brunox, and then ColorPak Pro Series Rubberised Underseal. Finding a replacement high pressure steering line is on the todo list, as mine is weeping. And I'll work on the stereo prep. Get my 3D printer up and working, print some front speaker adaptor rings. And get some cost-effective faux-Dynamat from Aliexpress, start prepping the load area. Never-ending story, taking care of an older BMW. Still, even with just 190 bhp, the 325i touring is a fun drive. I also need to look into rebuilding Bilstein B8s. More on that soon. My thanks to Jon and Keren at Begley Motor Worx in Marton. Great professional service! Wouldn't be a big update without a punny musical reference, would it?

Date: 7 Dec 2024 Paint Prep - front 24mm ARB. So in prep for the next appointment at Begley Motor Worx, I'd sourced a replacement front ARB, PN# from Ray at Hell BMW (thanks Ray!). I cleaned up the ends and bushing contact points with a flap disk, give it a quick coat of Raptor Etch, followed by some Primer Surfacer (yes, a belt and braces job). I didn't bother with inter-coat sanding, protection is the name of the game. Fig 1: Colorpak Primer-Surfacer getting some late afternoon sun. Then I hit it with the Rustoleum All-In-One Gloss Black. A dusting coat, followed by a wet coat about 5 mins later. 40 mins later I gave it a second coat. Fig 2: More blackness Fig 3: Blaaaaaaack. I love this stuff, it makes me look like a good painter! I left it to harden for a couple of days. My old one was looking a bit crusty, I should've stripped and painted it back when I installed it in 2016. It had gotten pitted, even though it was well-greased. That's a hint for ya'll - check out your ARB bushing points for rust.

I was back at the parts car yesterday. Powered up the rear hatch with a jump pack, thought I'd look at the wiring, and refresh my memory on how the load space paneling comes apart. It's been nearly ten years since I did the rear shocks. I also thought I'd check what the speaker config is, so I don't need to have this car apart for an extended period, buying the correct speakers for the load space. There was also an outside chance there was some speakers complimentary to the Alpine SPS 171A components (above) awaiting me. Fig 1: RH Load space speaker, showing retaining pin detail Fig A: brave souls: 8Ga power cable for amp connected directly to positive post of battery; fused only in the amplifier. Fig 3: left side load area speaker and cabling detail. I was in luck, there was a pair of Alpine Type S SPS-600 6 3/4" two ways waiting for me. I also harvested the wiring harness, so that saves a little time and money. I'm thinking I'll just go passive front and rear from the Alpine amp, keep it simple. Fig 5: factory mid-bass with sound deadening removed

Today I took the e46 for a run up to Begley Motor Worx, to get some maintenance done. While I was there I harvested some sundry parts from the parts touring: Rear Speakers Audio Amplifier Loom (Power, Interconnects, Speaker Cables) Battery Tray. I'll be treating and painting the battery tray to replace the old crusty one (above). The speakers and loom are a real bonus (more updates in the audio thread).

that's looking very well cared-for. kudos.

mate, that's commitment! how do they sound? how does it go now?!

@balancerider Matt I did need to remove a side panel (clip release), then two 8mm nuts to remove hard plastic trim frame (beneath boot floor). Then it was a couple of 13mm bolts for the hold-down bracket, then remove the terminals, then lift out the battery. Only a little worse than the old e60. How's legroom for rear-seat passengers in the F31 mate?

Date: 09 Dec 2024 Distance: 216,059 kms 1. Groundhog day. Another left bulb Got another telltale over the weekend that left rear bulb was out. Brake light bulb had gone intermittant. P21W 32CP. E46 Touring tail light cluster as Xmas lights Meanwhile in the DHL van are my new headlamp mainbeam bulbs...

Yes, Schmeidmann also seem to have a large cluster of holidays that torpedos shipments - though I forget which part of the year that is.... Thanks for the Hubauer link, will give them a lash!

It's certainly a lot of car for the money. If I win lotto tonight I'll buy it as a bit of ruff. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/x6/listing/5049826942

carrying duties today, ferrying boxes. still a great drive.

you buy it. you care for it. you preserve it. it's a time capsule! get some great 80's tapes, and some classy 80's clobber. wax it, shine your shoes too. timewarp!