Back on the Wagon! 2005 BMW E91 3 Series Touring 325i
Discussion
d_a_n1979 said:
Great job...
New suspension makes such a difference; my touring was transformed when I put the new Sachs shocks on all round, even more with the Eibach front springs
What are the E91s like for subframe bushes; do they need to be changed liked the E39s, do they have them?!
I've no idea how bad they are but I did look up a DIY last week when trying to find out more about the back end of my BMW! Thankfully my springs look in good nick so no need to address them any time soon.New suspension makes such a difference; my touring was transformed when I put the new Sachs shocks on all round, even more with the Eibach front springs
What are the E91s like for subframe bushes; do they need to be changed liked the E39s, do they have them?!
JakeT said:
Nice work. I did the dampers on my E91 a few weeks ago, too. I managed to compress the spring enough in the arch as removing the arms was a job I did not want to do. I’m sure it drives much better for having them done, too!
I cannot fathom how you did this without scuffing the arches! B'stard Child said:
Excellent work - always nice when you can feel the difference after you've changed something 
Cheers. Very satisfactory. One thing I really didn't expect was the car being immediately much quieter to drive around in, so much so I thought my hearing aids had died! Court_S said:
Good work.
I kind of wish that I had been more willing to get stuck into my previous cars with stuff like discs a d pads; it’s not hard and saves a chunk of cash. There’s always the pride in doing it yourself successfully as silly as that may sound.
100% with you on that one mate. There's a few hundred quid gone missing over the last few years because I feared tackling jobs like this but thoroughly pleased with myself. A little part also really enjoyed mucking in with the old man over some spanners and chatting rubbish throughout. The parents moved to be closer now that grandkids are here (and more on the way) and I think little events like this more than make the move worthwhile for them.I kind of wish that I had been more willing to get stuck into my previous cars with stuff like discs a d pads; it’s not hard and saves a chunk of cash. There’s always the pride in doing it yourself successfully as silly as that may sound.
The wife is suitably impressed with the changes and that I saved us a wee chunk of cash by taking care of the labour. Enough so that she asked if I could look into fitting rear sensors to the car as she was so used to them on our old E91. Think that might be one of the next jobs coming up soon.
Edited by beambeam1 on Tuesday 27th April 22:27
Wow, last update was back in April! Truth be told not much has been required or happening with the car and I've been a bit tied up with becoming a Dad in recent months too. A recent shot from the drive...
There has been very little to do with the car since the last update which involved replacing a load of suspension components. I've had to top up the oil with a litre every couple of thousand miles though so must have a look for that soon, I suspect the sump gasket which is difficult to reach. MOT was due at the start of October and it sailed through except for a couple of tyres wanting replaced and a wheel sensor wire hanging loose (I hadn't tidied it away properly after suspension work it seems). Clocked in at 74,184 miles now and looking/feeling good!
I hadn't given the tyres much of a look but all four were of different makes, non-runflats and the rears were the incorrect size for the oem wheels. I sourced a rather good alloy with equally good Bridgestone Potenza RFT locally for £55 quid and decided to source three more so that the car was running good rubber (in the correct sizes) at all four corners. I choose runflats as it seems the more sensible option in case the missus is stuck with the baby. Retained one of the tyres that came off to keep on a spare alloy just as an emergency spare.
But before all this did I not go and lose my bloody locking nut key again. Got a new one (again!) and once removed all four were replaced with normal wheel nuts.
That's all for now besides a rare wash for the car. I was only minded to update because I am searching for solutions to a new issue that seems to be affecting traction control and a handful of other sensors. I've lost a note of the error codes though so might nip out, check again and update.
There has been very little to do with the car since the last update which involved replacing a load of suspension components. I've had to top up the oil with a litre every couple of thousand miles though so must have a look for that soon, I suspect the sump gasket which is difficult to reach. MOT was due at the start of October and it sailed through except for a couple of tyres wanting replaced and a wheel sensor wire hanging loose (I hadn't tidied it away properly after suspension work it seems). Clocked in at 74,184 miles now and looking/feeling good!
I hadn't given the tyres much of a look but all four were of different makes, non-runflats and the rears were the incorrect size for the oem wheels. I sourced a rather good alloy with equally good Bridgestone Potenza RFT locally for £55 quid and decided to source three more so that the car was running good rubber (in the correct sizes) at all four corners. I choose runflats as it seems the more sensible option in case the missus is stuck with the baby. Retained one of the tyres that came off to keep on a spare alloy just as an emergency spare.
But before all this did I not go and lose my bloody locking nut key again. Got a new one (again!) and once removed all four were replaced with normal wheel nuts.
That's all for now besides a rare wash for the car. I was only minded to update because I am searching for solutions to a new issue that seems to be affecting traction control and a handful of other sensors. I've lost a note of the error codes though so might nip out, check again and update.
Edited by beambeam1 on Wednesday 27th October 23:16
Sold the car this weekend but it's not gone very far. One of my brothers (the one who helped me with the rocker gasket) was in need of a new motor since his compact shat the bed. It meant I didn't have to clean it, service it or even replace the dented door (even though I had sourced a perfect replacement) so was happy to let it go without the hassle of all those jobs. At least he knows the car very well and has all my servicing history to go with it.
It now sits at 82k miles and is still driving well. The only issue I've had in the last year is a connection issue with the battery terminal in the boot area but it was just a case of getting around to replacing it.
Moved onto a bigger family car in diesel flavour. Needed more space and better fuel economy for starters. Had it a week now and pretty pleased with it so far. Will maybe start a new thread on it but doubt there will be much to do with it.
Don't know if I'll get my hands on such a low miles/old car again. Would definitely consider a Japanese import again in future though.
It now sits at 82k miles and is still driving well. The only issue I've had in the last year is a connection issue with the battery terminal in the boot area but it was just a case of getting around to replacing it.
Moved onto a bigger family car in diesel flavour. Needed more space and better fuel economy for starters. Had it a week now and pretty pleased with it so far. Will maybe start a new thread on it but doubt there will be much to do with it.
Don't know if I'll get my hands on such a low miles/old car again. Would definitely consider a Japanese import again in future though.
beambeam1 said:
Sold the car this weekend but it's not gone very far. One of my brothers (the one who helped me with the rocker gasket) was in need of a new motor since his compact shat the bed. It meant I didn't have to clean it, service it or even replace the dented door (even though I had sourced a perfect replacement) so was happy to let it go without the hassle of all those jobs. At least he knows the car very well and has all my servicing history to go with it.
It now sits at 82k miles and is still driving well. The only issue I've had in the last year is a connection issue with the battery terminal in the boot area but it was just a case of getting around to replacing it.
Moved onto a bigger family car in diesel flavour. Needed more space and better fuel economy for starters. Had it a week now and pretty pleased with it so far. Will maybe start a new thread on it but doubt there will be much to do with it.
Don't know if I'll get my hands on such a low miles/old car again. Would definitely consider a Japanese import again in future though.
That's a good end to this cars project; it's not gone far It now sits at 82k miles and is still driving well. The only issue I've had in the last year is a connection issue with the battery terminal in the boot area but it was just a case of getting around to replacing it.
Moved onto a bigger family car in diesel flavour. Needed more space and better fuel economy for starters. Had it a week now and pretty pleased with it so far. Will maybe start a new thread on it but doubt there will be much to do with it.
Don't know if I'll get my hands on such a low miles/old car again. Would definitely consider a Japanese import again in future though.
The F11 looks a good replacement, 520D or something with more punch?
Like you, with the older cars now, I'll stick to Japanese imports (hence the 540i Ive got now). Just can't bring myself to look at UK cars unless I can clearly see it's been owned by a fellow enthusiast that has the same levels of OCD that I have haha
520d yeah, surprisingly difficult to find a decent BMW in this flavour up in Scotland. Was going to be forced to travel but kept an eye on this car until I had exhausted my search which even consider a Skoda Superb.
Funnily enough, I had actually entertained the thought of contacting you when we first touted the idea of selling this on as I thought it might (big might) appeal to your meticulous nature but unfortunately the wife dinged the door one morning and I forgot about the idea altogether. Edinburgh is going the ULEZ way in a year or so too so that was the other reason we wanted to move it on.
If anything major is done to this car in my brother's ownership I'll maybe update here.
Funnily enough, I had actually entertained the thought of contacting you when we first touted the idea of selling this on as I thought it might (big might) appeal to your meticulous nature but unfortunately the wife dinged the door one morning and I forgot about the idea altogether. Edinburgh is going the ULEZ way in a year or so too so that was the other reason we wanted to move it on.
If anything major is done to this car in my brother's ownership I'll maybe update here.
beambeam1 said:
520d yeah, surprisingly difficult to find a decent BMW in this flavour up in Scotland. Was going to be forced to travel but kept an eye on this car until I had exhausted my search which even consider a Skoda Superb.
Funnily enough, I had actually entertained the thought of contacting you when we first touted the idea of selling this on as I thought it might (big might) appeal to your meticulous nature but unfortunately the wife dinged the door one morning and I forgot about the idea altogether. Edinburgh is going the ULEZ way in a year or so too so that was the other reason we wanted to move it on.
If anything major is done to this car in my brother's ownership I'll maybe update here.
Haha thanks pal...Funnily enough, I had actually entertained the thought of contacting you when we first touted the idea of selling this on as I thought it might (big might) appeal to your meticulous nature but unfortunately the wife dinged the door one morning and I forgot about the idea altogether. Edinburgh is going the ULEZ way in a year or so too so that was the other reason we wanted to move it on.
If anything major is done to this car in my brother's ownership I'll maybe update here.
TBH I'd been to see a few before I decided to change direction and in all honesty, they just felt a little tight to me...
Think I'd have only considered one if it were the 335i, of course none cropped up and one just has, 2 miles from me
Ah well; got my V8 now and TBH that's scratched a big itch
beambeam1 said:
If anything major is done to this car in my brother's ownership I'll maybe update here.
Just a small update, car sailed through it's MOT with very minor advisories and has given my brother no issues thus far. Rather surprisingly, my old black E91 is still on the road. I check the registration online every now and then and found it was off the road for a few months earlier in the year before seeing it was MOT'd again in August! SM06 UXV - if anyone knows the owner then I have some history for them if it of any use!
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