Quick Questions!

[Rellik 0]

I got a question as below. Please advise me the function of it as it cannot be found any info from internet.

My car is a 2006 325i E90 import car (from Japan) with idrive.

I found there are a PC socket above the 6 CD disc changer box in the boot. When I open it, it is empty. Could you please advise me what function of it??

Also inside the car just above the DVD player there is a slot, not sure what this is for either.

Thanks!

[Rellik 0]

[trottsky 24]

The stuff in the boot is most likely 'Japan Version' Navigation hardware. In japan the navigation works via radio signals, not gps. Jap imports quite often have hard wired road toll equipment installed too, sometimes you get a nice little Japanese woman saying something to you whenever you turn on the ignition : D

So at an educated guess I'd say the socket in the boot is something to do with that.

The slot you have above your DVD drive is a MiniDisc drive. They we're popular for about a year until MP3 players came about and ruled the world!

[LemonHunter 583]

I Have two M20B23 engines, one has a 4 Bolt flange at the end of the exhaust manifold and the other a 3 bolt.

Are these the same at the engine? Does it matter what style of exhaust manifold gasket I use?

The 3 bolt manifold engine is now in the car, but I want to use the 4 bolt exhaust (The 3 bolt exhaust interferes with the gearbox mount). swapping manifolds is going to be a lot easier than merging the two exhausts together somewhere after the flange.

[gjm 3258]

Hopefully a really quick question...

To save me looking at the cars: are the rear shocks on an E36 318Ti different to the rear shocks on an E36 318i saloon?

[Gabe79 410]

2 hours ago, gjm said:

Hopefully a really quick question...

To save me looking at the cars: are the rear shocks on an E36 318Ti different to the rear shocks on an E36 318i saloon?

I don't know, but if you have the VIN from either, compare the parts on realoem?

[allan 295]

No easy answer Graham according to bmw fans they have different part numbers a 96 e36 318ti has 3  std , sport and poor road use.all different part numbers Using a 98 318 i sedan their are five types listed std Boge, Sport Bilstien one for a hot climate and one listed Auto R.Checking a 318 coupe they are the same as the sedans. That doesn't mean they will not fit but how well they will function is another story

[Olaf 3309]

1 hour ago, Gabe79 said:

I don't know, but if you have the VIN from either, compare the parts on realoem?

yep, that's what I'd be doing.

[HELLBM 1552]

3 hours ago, gjm said:

Hopefully a really quick question...

To save me looking at the cars: are the rear shocks on an E36 318Ti different to the rear shocks on an E36 318i saloon?

Yes

[gjm 3258]

1 hour ago, Gabe79 said:

I don't know, but if you have the VIN from either, compare the parts on realoem?

 

24 minutes ago, allan said:

No easy answer Graham according to bmw fans they have different part numbers a 96 e36 318ti has 3  std , sport and poor road use.all different part numbers Using a 98 318 i sedan their are five types listed std Boge, Sport Bilstien one for a hot climate and one listed Auto R.Checking a 318 coupe they are the same as the sedans. That doesn't mean they will not fit but how well they will function is another story

I was at work and thought I'd post the question while I remembered. No access to VINs at the time.

9 minutes ago, HELLBM said:

Yes

That answers that.
Thanks.

[Gabe79 410]

24 minutes ago, gjm said:

 

I was at work and thought I'd post the question while I remembered. No access to VINs at the time.

Fair enough.

I may be weird (no maybe to it, according to my wife...) but I keep a bookmark to my registration on carjam. That way my VIN is always just a click away.

https://carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=AHP173

[gjm 3258]

Is anyone heading north from south of Te Kauwhata (a mere moment from SH1) towards Auckland later today or tomorrow, and could give me a lift?

I've just been told I need to collect a car from Green Lane, and the fabled new public transport system doesn't work out here!

 

Sorted. I think! I'll know for sure first thing in the morning!

Edited April 5, 2018 by gjm

[gjm 3258]

Anyone got any useful tips on how to remove these little blighters? I assume there is a special tool that only BMW dealers and specialists have, but in the absence of that...?

[Palazzo 474]

Is that one of those stupid single use hose clips?

I forced mine off with a screwdriver and then replaced with new clips and hoses.....

Edited April 13, 2018 by Palazzo

[aja540i 1906]

39 minutes ago, gjm said:

Anyone got any useful tips on how to remove these little blighters? I assume there is a special tool that only BMW dealers and specialists have, but in the absence of that...?

Angle grinder. Never fails.

[gjm 3258]

1 hour ago, aja540i said:

Angle grinder. Never fails.

Hmm... Maybe a Dremel. Never get an angle grinder in to where these ones are.

[B.M.W Ltd 950]

Quality side cutters on the side of the squeeze head will release them. And new ones can be refitted withe the appropriate squeeze clip pliers. 

[gjm 3258]

1 hour ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

Quality side cutters on the side of the squeeze head will release them. And new ones can be refitted withe the appropriate squeeze clip pliers. 

Thanks Glenn.
Unfortunately the angle of access to this is wrong for side-cutters - I can't actually get the blades around the head.
I may end up removing more than I want or even need to just to get the job done.

 

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

Flat head screw driver in the raised squeezed bit, then push and wiggle to open it out.

a bit rough, but it works for me!

[modz 147]

Tip for replacing them if you don't have the 'special pliers' is to just grab some of these 'End Cut pliers' from the local hardware shop.

Just be gentle enough to not cut the clamp....

Edited April 13, 2018 by modz

[gjm 3258]

59 minutes ago, modz said:

Tip for replacing them if you don't have the 'special pliers' is to just grab some of these 'End Cut pliers' from the local hardware shop.

Just be gentle enough to not cut the clamp....

I was going to just use jubilee clips?

[B.M.W Ltd 950]

4 hours ago, gjm said:

I was going to just use jubilee clips?

Only use the proper clips on radiator vent hoses as you will end up breaking the the plastic nipples on the radiator or header tanks. The radiator shrouds put to much pressure on these. If they are used anywhere on a BMW there is a reason for it.

[gjm 3258]

3 hours ago, B.M.W Ltd said:

Only use the proper clips on radiator vent hoses as you will end up breaking the the plastic nipples on the radiator or header tanks. The radiator shrouds put to much pressure on these. If they are used anywhere on a BMW there is a reason for it.

This is on the fuel filter. Metal fittings.
I suspect that with the right tools and a bit of practice, the clips are actually easier to use. Without the correct (expensive? Don't know) tool, it's a completely different matter.

Edited April 13, 2018 by gjm

[M3AN 4016]

Wow, they are some brutal suggestions.

Use a pick or thin leaver tool to lift up the tail, that will unclip it and removal becomes trivial.

And, unlike some of the suggestions above, won't damage what it's clamped to.

Edit: they're called oetiker clamps and are used in assembly because they close/clamp with a predetermined force. And it's for this reason you can't replace with the same kind of clamp unless it's exactly the same as the one you removed. You're better of using a worm drive clamp to replace it.

 

Edited April 14, 2018 by M3AN