E91 Straight Six Bearding

[g3org3y]

JakeT said:

Mine is back from general titivation. New rear brake lines, flexible hoses, sump gasket, and a coolant change.

The end bill?

£1441.19

This is now those 'boring' long term maintenance items taken care of for the rest of the cars life. Now to start driving it!

Now it's done, it's done so hopefully not an issue for many years.

[JakeT]

That's the feeling. Boring, long term maintenance, but I am not planning on selling anytime soon, so may as well.


Going back for the coolant change on Saturday as that was forgotten. Being a sado has its perks!

[toast boy]

I've been looking at replacing the shocks on my E90 (apologies it's the wrong shape but don't know where else to get decent knowledge!).

I'm looking at either Bilstein B4 or Sachs OEM but my head is spinning with the amount of conflicting opinions of which is best... what are people's thoughts here?

[helix402]

toast boy said:

I've been looking at replacing the shocks on my E90 (apologies it's the wrong shape but don't know where else to get decent knowledge!).

I'm looking at either Bilstein B4 or Sachs OEM but my head is spinning with the amount of conflicting opinions of which is best... what are people's thoughts here?

There’s not much difference. Don’t forget new bump stops too.

[gizlaroc]

I would go Bilstein, they are a mono tube damper and seem to have a bit better damping to them, a bit more control.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I went Billies and been happy with them. But yes, don't forget "helper" shocks front and back, and as much else as you can stomach!

[Boobonman]

Just fitted some spacers to my E91 as I was bored and the MV3’s were looking a bit lost in the arches.

Before


After



Very pleased, has improved the way it sits immeasurably for very little cost. I put 15mm ones on the front and 20mm on the rears, 2005 car so pre-lci. How do I tell if the car has xenons? The vin decoder just says S563 - light package.

[to3m]

I must be the only person that actually likes the tucked-in look.

The option code for Xenon headlights is S522. If you're looking at photos in an advert (not an issue for this car of course if you have the VIN) - if there's a headlight position adjustment dial next to the headlight rotary switch, the car came with halogen lights.

[g3org3y]

Boobonman said:

How do I tell if the car has xenons? The vin decoder just says S563 - light package.

You can tell by looking at them.

Halogens:


Xenons


As mentioned, Halogens have the beam height adjustment knob, Xenons don't.
Prefacelift halogens don't have angel eyes iirc.

S563 I think is stuff like puddle lights etc.

S522 is 'Xenon Light'.

Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 17th June 20:32

[Boobonman]

Looks like no xenons on mine then. Heated sports seats though so not too fussed.

Has anyone any experience with a short shift kit for one of these that isn’t insanely expensive? My friends E39 M5 had one and it was a joy to use.

[g3org3y]

Boobonman said:

Looks like no xenons on mine then. Heated sports seats though so not too fussed.

Heated seats are one of the best options imo. Wouldn't buy a BMW without them now.

[twokcc]

Swervin_Mervin said:

I went Billies and been happy with them. But yes, don't forget "helper" shocks front and back, and as much else as you can stomach!

Going to need new fronts on mine where's best place to buy them

[Swervin_Mervin]

I got my fronts from Carparts4less (ECP's cheaper outlet). THat was dampers only though - had to get the bump stops etc. from BMW (Cotswold). Rears I also had to get from BMW.

[SimonK2486]

I've just ordered a set for mine, and Eibach Pro springs. Carparts4less for the B4 dampers and Cotswold for the bumpstops etc. Managed to get Lemforder top mounts from GSF for a reasonable price. Just need some good weather now to crack on with it!

[Swervin_Mervin]

g3org3y said:

Halogens:


<snip>

That reminds me - bonnet not that spotty now. 2 things I've learned from trying to correct so many stone chips:

1: How thin is the paint?! I was using 3000 grit and a pencil (as a block) to flat each area back, as carefully as possible, and in 2 locations it's gone through!

2: It's not feckin' worth it on a panel with so many chips. The worst have gone, yes, and it's sorted all the ones that had started to corrode, but it still looks a mess as there are still hundreds of smaller chips that look like tiny white flecks.

I've still got some to finish off as well, on the roof, rear bumper and n/s flank.

[g3org3y]

Swervin_Mervin said:

That reminds me - bonnet not that spotty now. 2 things I've learned from trying to correct so many stone chips:

1: How thin is the paint?! I was using 3000 grit and a pencil (as a block) to flat each area back, as carefully as possible, and in 2 locations it's gone through!

2: It's not feckin' worth it on a panel with so many chips. The worst have gone, yes, and it's sorted all the ones that had started to corrode, but it still looks a mess as there are still hundreds of smaller chips that look like tiny white flecks.

I've still got some to finish off as well, on the roof, rear bumper and n/s flank.

That's frustrating.

I've decided to be a lot less precious about the wife's E91. She managed to reverse into our wooden garage door, smashing it with the towbar. Despite the towbar she still managed to hit the OS rear bumper on the garage door during this event giving it a good scuff and now the bumper isn't sitting properly.

The only car I'm bothered about is the Z4 and this morning I managed to scuff the NS door mirror on the brick wall narrow entry to the work car park.

[Boobonman]

My Le Mans blue one is terrible. I’ve touched the odd rusty spot in with clear nail varnish but it’s going to need the whole thing blowing over. It’s still got traces of red Ferrari paint down one flank where an OAP came the wrong way down a one way street in Lyme Regis in his 458 cab and wiped his car along it while parked. Someone managed to get it on video but I’ve lost it.

[JakeT]

I was going to say that deep blue BMW paint is just awful for showing up marks. My E46 is Topaz and is just as bad. Every little mark in the clear coat shows up. After a good polish and wax it looks great, but the little marks get on my wig.

[13aines]

I'm getting a recurring check engine light on my N54 335i at the moment. Code reader suggests lambda & drivetrain issue. Says bank 1 sensor 1, so I assume this is one of the pre-cat lambda sensors.

How easy are they to get to? I am about to invest in a lambda sensor socket and offset socket and some good penetrating oil, but I suspect I won't be able to apply said penetrating oil until I've got stuck into the job and pulled a load of stuff off the car? On that note, is it worth replacing any other lambda sensors (bank 2 pre-cat?) while perhaps nearby?

[toast boy]

I removed the CDV the other day and now I’m getting the red car on lift symbol and CC71 error. Anyone got any ideas?

Everything seems to be working so I don’t think anything is defective, is it just a case of resetting the code and if so how do I do it? It’s not showing up in INPA strangely?

edit: working on the basis that the clutch was operating how it should and that the brakes couldn't have been affected I reset it from the dash. No error codes showing in INPA and nothing recurred on the dash. Fingers crossed...

Edited by toast boy on Monday 22 June 09:44