E91 Straight Six Bearding
Discussion
survivalist said:
Ive found the same in most modern cars TBH, apart from a Boxter. Audi, Mercedes and Alfa were all disappointing.
funnily enough I'm finding the same. Having gone from the F10 back to an E91 the steering is probably the best thing about the change. The ride quality being the worst 
AmirGSXR said:
JakeT said:
Amir, I tend to buy genuine BMW brake parts nowadays. BMW do a ‘value line’ kit that includes pads and a wear sensor together for a reasonable price.
It’s also worth noting that the brake disc thickness needs to be measured. If they’re below the minimum thickness, the discs will need replacing, too. BMW also recommend that if over 48 months old, the anti-rattle clips should be replaced, too. Many don’t and it’s fine, though.
If you’re not wanting genuine BMW parts, Pagid pads and a pagid wear sensor can be had from Places like ECP and will be excellent. Same with discs. I personally don’t like Brembo brake components after some poor experiences in the past.
Sorry for another question...where is the best place to buy the value line brake pads? The realOEM part number for my car is: 34112288875 It’s also worth noting that the brake disc thickness needs to be measured. If they’re below the minimum thickness, the discs will need replacing, too. BMW also recommend that if over 48 months old, the anti-rattle clips should be replaced, too. Many don’t and it’s fine, though.
If you’re not wanting genuine BMW parts, Pagid pads and a pagid wear sensor can be had from Places like ECP and will be excellent. Same with discs. I personally don’t like Brembo brake components after some poor experiences in the past.
PS: I checked the brake pads, and they have lots of meat on them still. I will keep monitoring and live with the warning message for now. I think there is an easy 2.5k miles that can be had from them!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/57357/i.html?_from=R40&...
Or ask the likes of Cotswolds or Park Lane BMW; more so if you're a member of the BMW forums or pages on FB as you'll get their discount then
Deano_BMW said:
survivalist said:
Ive found the same in most modern cars TBH, apart from a Boxter. Audi, Mercedes and Alfa were all disappointing.
funnily enough I'm finding the same. Having gone from the F10 back to an E91 the steering is probably the best thing about the change. The ride quality being the worst The ride can be addressed it seems, so that is creeping up to the top of the 'next to-do list' all too rapidly given our usage is much higher than we initially imagined. This is a good thing in my book
Has anyone had issues with the exhaust flap on the 330i? Mine doesn't work (always open) which can be a bit annoying on motorway journeys as you get a bit of drone at certain engine speeds with a bit of load on the engine (e.g. uphill stretches in 6th gear).
I used INPA to activate the electrical unit that sits in the boot, which seems to be fine (checked voltages at the connector too). I also manually moved the flap with a screwdriver and by creating vacuum in the hose connection to the electrical unit. All of that works fine, so my conclusion is that there is insufficient vacuum in the hose feed from the engine bay. I can't feel any vacuum with my hand at the boot end of the hose where it connects to the electrical unit which would seem to support that theory.
I had a look at the other end of the vacuum hose where it connects into the large vacuum pipe for the brake servo, and visually all looks fine. The hose then disappears into a wiring loom and through the bullhead to the interior en-route to the boot, so trying to find a leak anywhere between the engine bay and the boot is going to be challenging to say the least.
I'm just wondering if anyone else had a similar issue or if there's a known weak spot on these that can help me narrow the search. I get the impression that many people like to deliberately deactivate the exhaust flap for more noise, so maybe I'm unusual in wanting to fix mine!
I used INPA to activate the electrical unit that sits in the boot, which seems to be fine (checked voltages at the connector too). I also manually moved the flap with a screwdriver and by creating vacuum in the hose connection to the electrical unit. All of that works fine, so my conclusion is that there is insufficient vacuum in the hose feed from the engine bay. I can't feel any vacuum with my hand at the boot end of the hose where it connects to the electrical unit which would seem to support that theory.
I had a look at the other end of the vacuum hose where it connects into the large vacuum pipe for the brake servo, and visually all looks fine. The hose then disappears into a wiring loom and through the bullhead to the interior en-route to the boot, so trying to find a leak anywhere between the engine bay and the boot is going to be challenging to say the least.
I'm just wondering if anyone else had a similar issue or if there's a known weak spot on these that can help me narrow the search. I get the impression that many people like to deliberately deactivate the exhaust flap for more noise, so maybe I'm unusual in wanting to fix mine!
JakeT said:
Afraid I can’t help there. On all of my BMWs with flapped exhausts they’ve been rigged to remain open.
In days gone by I'd have been the same - I did the classic "golf tee mod" on my E36 328i, and it had already been done by a previous owner on my E46 330Ci. However these days the car is used as family transport mainly for long trips so my priorities have changed somewhat 
This looks rather nice: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106254...
N55 as well, so maybe slightly more reliable than the N54 ... albeit less tuneable!
Then an N54 for sale here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110... used to be owned by "keith" on m3cutters if you want to read back through some history - is a lovely specced car, just needs silver grill/wheels imho.
N55 as well, so maybe slightly more reliable than the N54 ... albeit less tuneable!
Then an N54 for sale here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110... used to be owned by "keith" on m3cutters if you want to read back through some history - is a lovely specced car, just needs silver grill/wheels imho.
I'm sure it's been covered here many times already, but I just took my boot trims off and they were caked in mud on the inside.
It's left the paint a fraction bubbled near the bottom of each corner where the final clip seats the trim piece on both sides of the boot.
Any tips and/or product recommendations on the most effective way to fix that?
My thoughts are to mask the area off, take a wire brush to the flakey bits, apply some sort of surface treatment, paint and seal but not sure the best products for the job?
It's not as bad as it could be i.e. all the paint is still in tact, but I think its better to address it now than wait for it to get bad over the next few years.
It's left the paint a fraction bubbled near the bottom of each corner where the final clip seats the trim piece on both sides of the boot.
Any tips and/or product recommendations on the most effective way to fix that?
My thoughts are to mask the area off, take a wire brush to the flakey bits, apply some sort of surface treatment, paint and seal but not sure the best products for the job?
It's not as bad as it could be i.e. all the paint is still in tact, but I think its better to address it now than wait for it to get bad over the next few years.
Gents - I think I'm going to have to give up on the original battery in mine as it's just not getting used enough and, whilst I have a CTEK, I suspect the battery's now past its best anyway given it's needed charging a few times from relatively flat over the last 6mo or so.
So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
I bought one of these Exide Premiums a couple of years ago, no complaints:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191537689545
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191537689545
Swervin_Mervin said:
Gents - I think I'm going to have to give up on the original battery in mine as it's just not getting used enough and, whilst I have a CTEK, I suspect the battery's now past its best anyway given it's needed charging a few times from relatively flat over the last 6mo or so.
So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
Bosch or Yuasa from Tanya batteries - wouldn’t use anything else So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
d_a_n1979 said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Gents - I think I'm going to have to give up on the original battery in mine as it's just not getting used enough and, whilst I have a CTEK, I suspect the battery's now past its best anyway given it's needed charging a few times from relatively flat over the last 6mo or so.
So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
Bosch or Yuasa from Tanya batteries - wouldn’t use anything else So where's best for new batteries these days? I haven't had to buy one in probably 15yrs! Mine's the base 70Ah 570A
Bosch or Exide for me.
I bought an Exide 100Ah/900CCA for £65 (inc discount) for the 630i.
Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 30th June 15:56
MajorMantra said:
I bought one of these Exide Premiums a couple of years ago, no complaints:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191537689545
Dittohttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191537689545
Sir_Dave said:
N54 for sale here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110... used to be owned by "keith" on m3cutters if you want to read back through some history - is a lovely specced car, just needs silver grill/wheels imho.
NiceNot sure about the wood though.
ATM said:
Sir_Dave said:
N54 for sale here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110... used to be owned by "keith" on m3cutters if you want to read back through some history - is a lovely specced car, just needs silver grill/wheels imho.
NiceNot sure about the wood though.
d_a_n1979 said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Cheers guys. Echos what I've been told elsewhere as well. I will check in with Cotswold just to see what they can do.
Be prepared for a c£300 price tag IMO... Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff