The V8 Bike Bus
Discussion
t welding I can see that for myself. It serves the purpose though and whilst not pretty is solid and doesn’t leak.
I've owned the Bike Bus for a year, which means it's almost a year since it was serviced. So, last week it went in for an Inspection II. I used my usual favourite indi, Owen Garages in Haywards Heath.
BMW claim the gearbox is sealed for life, yet they also sell a service kit that includes a filter, pick-up pipe and sump gasket. They also sell very expensive, specific gearbox oil. I've always been in 2 minds about servicing the box. It worked perfectly as far as I was concerned and I had an element of thinking I'd 'let sleeping dog's lie'. However mechanical sympathy and common sense led me to decide that a fresh filter and new oil could only be a positive thing, so I had them conduct a gearbox service too.
I thought it worked perfectly before, but after the service it is significantly more responsive. It now changes gear smoother and hunts the ratios less but most of all take-off from standstill is much more immediate. it wasn't a cheap process but I'm really pleased I decided to do it.
This week it's booked to have a smart repair done on the near-side front lower corner to repair the damage caused by the idiots at the exhaust place. I'll report back on the results.
BMW claim the gearbox is sealed for life, yet they also sell a service kit that includes a filter, pick-up pipe and sump gasket. They also sell very expensive, specific gearbox oil. I've always been in 2 minds about servicing the box. It worked perfectly as far as I was concerned and I had an element of thinking I'd 'let sleeping dog's lie'. However mechanical sympathy and common sense led me to decide that a fresh filter and new oil could only be a positive thing, so I had them conduct a gearbox service too.
I thought it worked perfectly before, but after the service it is significantly more responsive. It now changes gear smoother and hunts the ratios less but most of all take-off from standstill is much more immediate. it wasn't a cheap process but I'm really pleased I decided to do it.
This week it's booked to have a smart repair done on the near-side front lower corner to repair the damage caused by the idiots at the exhaust place. I'll report back on the results.
Edited by 573 on Monday 27th January 15:07
Edited by 573 on Monday 27th January 15:08
The ZF service kit with oil is available for about €100 from the likes of https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/zf-getriebe/8815873
AW10 said:
How are you finding the new tyres? Looking to ditch the Dunlop runflats fitted to my X5.
I'm quite pleased with them, much more compliant sidewall than the various runflats I've tried. The previous Toyos that were on there were winter tyres and they had lots of squish in the treadblocks as you'd imagine. New ones have brought a noticeable increase of mechanical grip. Regular readers may remember that the lower corner of the front valence was damaged by the place that made my exhaust.
I recently booked a mobile smart repair guy to come out and repair the damage. He's local to me and has done work for me before. I can never fault the quality of the work and his price is really reasonable. He's also a petrol head and currently has an E90 M3.
He repaired some small marks on the corners of the bumper plastics too and charged me £120 for everything. No complaints and the car looks great again.
I recently booked a mobile smart repair guy to come out and repair the damage. He's local to me and has done work for me before. I can never fault the quality of the work and his price is really reasonable. He's also a petrol head and currently has an E90 M3.
He repaired some small marks on the corners of the bumper plastics too and charged me £120 for everything. No complaints and the car looks great again.
I wanted to tidy up the tired steering wheel in the E53. I initially thought I'd just get the standard one retrimmed. However, I find I push the gear selector straight over to manual when I'm driving it and then drive it in manual. To improve the driving experience, I decided to add paddles to the wheel, so I tracked down an E46 M3 SMG steering wheel to swap over.
I sent the wheel off to Royal for a retrim, opting for M tri-colour stitching and the black alcantara. I initially considered the OEM grey from the CSL, but Jack informed me this aftermarket black is much harder wearing. I also decided I'd get the lower facia panel trimmed to match.
The wheel turned up today and I refitted the multifunction button panel. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.
In between the rain showers I went outside and swapped the wheels over. I knew the E46 M3 wheel was a straight-swap for the pre-facelift E53 wheel but wasn't sure if it would fit mine with the existing slip ring. It turns out it does, so the swap was relatively straight forward.
The wheel feels really tactile and it's a better size than the standard E53 one.
Next job will be making the paddles active...
I sent the wheel off to Royal for a retrim, opting for M tri-colour stitching and the black alcantara. I initially considered the OEM grey from the CSL, but Jack informed me this aftermarket black is much harder wearing. I also decided I'd get the lower facia panel trimmed to match.
The wheel turned up today and I refitted the multifunction button panel. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.
In between the rain showers I went outside and swapped the wheels over. I knew the E46 M3 wheel was a straight-swap for the pre-facelift E53 wheel but wasn't sure if it would fit mine with the existing slip ring. It turns out it does, so the swap was relatively straight forward.
The wheel feels really tactile and it's a better size than the standard E53 one.
Next job will be making the paddles active...
LOL!
I did sell it and replaced it with a 1981 Dodge B250 van and a Cayenne Turbo. Obvious replacements really.
I've kept in touch with the chap that bought the 4.8is. He's a member on here and did say that he might update this thread. I know he quickly got the SMG paddles working on the M3 steering wheel, something I hadn't got round to.
I did sell it and replaced it with a 1981 Dodge B250 van and a Cayenne Turbo. Obvious replacements really.
I've kept in touch with the chap that bought the 4.8is. He's a member on here and did say that he might update this thread. I know he quickly got the SMG paddles working on the M3 steering wheel, something I hadn't got round to.
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