E91 Straight Six Bearding

[pmorg4]

Agreed that looks lovely. Non black interior is a big plus in my book, really lightens it up inside. Looking forward to the updates.

[JakeT]

ONE OF US. ONE OF US.


Looks great though. Style 216 looks good in the car, too. Agreed on the light leather. Far nicer than black.

[Court_S]

What is the general consensus regarding swapping to a slightly thicker oil on higher mileage cars?

My E91 needs an oil service soon and as it’s done 159k, I wasn’t sure whether I should stick with the standard 5W-30 oil, or swap to 5W-40. It’ll do some longer trips, but it’ll also do a fair few shorter trips too.

[JakeT]

I’ve stuck with 5W-30, now at 197k and when it gets serviced next the same will go in. Seems fine, and I’ve had no cause to change.

[helix402]

Court_S said:

What is the general consensus regarding swapping to a slightly thicker oil on higher mileage cars?

My E91 needs an oil service soon and as it’s done 159k, I wasn’t sure whether I should stick with the standard 5W-30 oil, or swap to 5W-40. It’ll do some longer trips, but it’ll also do a fair few shorter trips too.

I don’t think it makes much difference. I use 5w30 just because it’s what we used at the main dealer many years ago.

[Court_S]

JakeT said:

I’ve stuck with 5W-30, now at 197k and when it gets serviced next the same will go in. Seems fine, and I’ve had no cause to change.

Cheers, I have that in the garage so I’ll use it.

I’ll get the diff and gearbox oil ordered today and give it a big old service next month.

[Lazermilk]

I used 0w30 based on the castrol website recommendation, previously had 5w30 and not noticed any difference so far.

[nipsips]

Court_S said:

I can now post on the E91 thread about an actual 6 cylinder E91!

I collected the wife’s new 330i this afternoon. It’s a bit of a 12 footer at the moment; it needs a bloody good polish and a bit of paint.



The most disappointing thing is that the A/C is really weak on a hot day. It’s booked in for a regard tomorrow to see if that sorts it.

Oooo this looks lovely! I like that a lot - very nice colour combination.

I had 5w40 in my engine last time around, noticeably used more oil to the point I actually ordered 9l this time around and also was noisier from cold and if I left it for 1-2 weeks I’d get the infamous N52 lifter tick - back to 5w30 this time around, is 10 months post oil change - still on max and it’s quieter and I haven’t had lifter tick since.

Stick with a good 5/30 in my opinion

[MajorMantra]

I've used both and I did wonder if there was more tick with 5W-40 too, although hard to be sure as it varies with weather etc. anyway.

[Court_S]

nipsips said:

Oooo this looks lovely! I like that a lot - very nice colour combination.

I had 5w40 in my engine last time around, noticeably used more oil to the point I actually ordered 9l this time around and also was noisier from cold and if I left it for 1-2 weeks I’d get the infamous N52 lifter tick - back to 5w30 this time around, is 10 months post oil change - still on max and it’s quieter and I haven’t had lifter tick since.

Stick with a good 5/30 in my opinion

Thanks, I’m sticking with 5W-30 for now, especially as Opie sent me some me some extra! I thought the box was heavy and they’ve put two 5l Miller’s oils in.

I’ll get all the fluids changed in the coming weeks.

[christhreadgill]

Decided as I’m unlikely to be this deep into the car (or under it should I say!), it would be worth checking the jacking points & sills for decay.

The both rears actually missing the plastic blocks, and the fronts are showing their 17 years of being used.



Hit it all with a stiff wire wheel attachment. Few bits of flaking seam sealer & some pesky surface rust, but actually all incredibly solid for an older BMW.




All given a few coats of waxoil / underseal and new plastic blocks fitted.

Dropped the under trays off and went right up to the transmission tunnel heat shields. Didn’t need it, undertrays obviously doing their job - but worthwhile as I’m under here!

Before the skirts go back on, will pop some grommets out and stick a flexi-tube into the cavity for an internal coating. Holding off for that currently, as both rear arches need welding …

[Court_S]

That’s pretty clean and tidy under there in all fairness.

[christhreadgill]

Court_S said:

That’s pretty clean and tidy under there in all fairness.

Yeah I was pleasantly surprised. The usual rot where all the mud & crap builds up and so that’s all cut out now. Got a highly recommended local welder coming out to patch up handily enough.

[Court_S]

I’m struggling to get the DRL’s to work on the 330i.

The angel eyes come in just fine as sidelights with no issues, flickering etc but despite turning both DRL’s on via Carly, they don’t come on. There is some flickering and then nothing.

Any ideas? Given is a June 2006 build, will it need an new FRM?

[nipsips]

I believe only FRM2 and up supports DRL? I know mines a 2008 build and I can either have main beam or sidelight as DRL - I’ve tried both and both work.

Have you tried checking if the option is now in the instrument cluster to turn on/off?

[christhreadgill]

Sam, have you done the following coding?

TAGFAHRLICHT_ECE_1 --> aktiv
VERHALTEN_DRL_TFL --> drl_s
DRL_TFL_MIT_SML --> aktiv

And yes, you need a FRM2 or higher. And if you want to code the fogs to work as cornering lights, you need FRM3.

[Court_S]

christhreadgill said:

Sam, have you done the following coding?

TAGFAHRLICHT_ECE_1 --> aktiv
VERHALTEN_DRL_TFL --> drl_s
DRL_TFL_MIT_SML --> aktiv

And yes, you need a FRM2 or higher. And if you want to code the fogs to work as cornering lights, you need FRM3.

I’ve just been trying via Carly.

I’ll have a look at my FRM to see which one it is.

What is involved in swapping an FRM module? Is it plug and play? Global Parts have an FRM2 for £20.

[christhreadgill]

Plug & play, but need the module coded to your VIN.

[Court_S]

christhreadgill said:

Plug & play, but need the module coded to your VIN.

Brill, I’ll get one ordered. Luckily there are few guys locally who can do that bit for me.

[Court_S]

nipsips said:

I believe only FRM2 and up supports DRL? I know mines a 2008 build and I can either have main beam or sidelight as DRL - I’ve tried both and both work.

Have you tried checking if the option is now in the instrument cluster to turn on/off?

I’ve not checked the instrument cluster. I’ll have a quick look tomorrow, I take it I just scroll through with the wheel?