What have you done to your BMW today?

[Court_S]

E63eeeeee... said:

Looks ace. Pretty sure I've owned cars for an extended period of time without doing that many cleaning-related things to them.

g3org3y said:

Does look great.

Must admit, have become v lazy re washing cars. Doesn't help we have an 18 month child who won't sleep so mostly knackered at the weekend. However, a proper wash/clean does take time (shampoo, polish, wax + wheels etc). I don't trust to take the cars to any local handwash places as I'd rather the car be dirty than covered in scratches.

Neighbour had his 911 and Macan ceramic coated and with a quick power wash, comes up looking great. Something I'd seriously consider.

Yeah it’s quite time consuming but I have sweet FA else to do at the mo. The boy was lost to Minecraft (playing online with his cousin who he hast seen since last summer) and the boss is very understanding when it’s her car!

Anyway, a few warning lights came on when she was driving to work (ABS, tyres and brakes). I thought it might have been the steering age sensor again, but when I plugged Carly in tonight it looks like a dead off side rear wheel speed sensor. I’ve ordered a pair of Bosch replacements tonight so will pop them in as soon as they arrive. I’m hoping it not the reluctor rings because they look like a sod of a job if things are rusted.

[Cleggatt]

Today I completely smashed my wingmirror case and indicator off getting off my drive. I've had to order a full wingmirror. As no one sells the bits separately. Now I'm going to have a job of fixing it before it gets sold

[bodhi]

Court_S said:

Yeah it’s quite time consuming but I have sweet FA else to do at the mo. The boy was lost to Minecraft (playing online with his cousin who he hast seen since last summer) and the boss is very understanding when it’s her car!

Anyway, a few warning lights came on when she was driving to work (ABS, tyres and brakes). I thought it might have been the steering age sensor again, but when I plugged Carly in tonight it looks like a dead off side rear wheel speed sensor. I’ve ordered a pair of Bosch replacements tonight so will pop them in as soon as they arrive. I’m hoping it not the reluctor rings because they look like a sod of a job if things are rusted.

The reluctor rings went on mine, and had slightly different symtpoms to what you describe. Every so often it would feel like the traction control would kick in as I was driving normally, and I'd only get the DSC warning, nothing else. Switching that off completely made it drive normally - even better in fact, as it was more fun

Wasn't a pleasant job though, was about 500 quid at an Indie due to the amount of labour (they were "rusted to buggery" apparently).

[Court_S]

bodhi said:

The reluctor rings went on mine, and had slightly different symtpoms to what you describe. Every so often it would feel like the traction control would kick in as I was driving normally, and I'd only get the DSC warning, nothing else. Switching that off completely made it drive normally - even better in fact, as it was more fun

Wasn't a pleasant job though, was about 500 quid at an Indie due to the amount of labour (they were "rusted to buggery" apparently).

I’m hoping it’s the rings; we don’t get any random DTC intervention like most people get.

I’ve had fun and bloody games with the sensors though...

Ordered a pair of Bosch ones and got sent a pair of fronts....razzed sown to GSF this afternoon for a rear. Part number is right and guess what’s in it....another bloody front. I thought it looked a bit short but the guys was adamant that it was right.

The lights weren’t on in the car today and didn’t come on for me either when I used it this afternoon.

I did have a look at the dodgy sensor and there’s a big gouge done the centre...



I’ve sanded the high points down and the lights are still off.

I’m really hoping that a stone or something was caught in the reluctor ring. Chances?

I’ll razz over to GSF tomorrow a s swap the sensor for one the right length and pop it in. I’ll keep an eye to see if it gets churned up as well. If that happens, I’m guessing it’ll need a new reluctor ring. It’s pretty crusty in that area so I don’t think it’ll be a DIY job.

[g3org3y]

Rough idle (and EML) on the 630 when my wife used it last week. Code reader suggested misfire, cylinder 1.

Coil replaced today, thankfully all back to normal. Was going to do the spark plugs as well 'while I'm there' but weather looked dodgy with imminent rain, so will do another day.

Replacement coil (from ECP)


Old vs new. Old one is Bosch, made in Germany. New one made in Slovenia.


As a aside the N52 engine cover refit is a bit annoying with those press on clips. I find a bit of silicon spray lubricant made it a lot easier to press back on.

Also tried to clear out the drains which were full of leaves and debris. Did as much with the hoover as possible but will probably need to pressure wash them clean at soe point.

[JaseB]

Having fun with the snowfoam!

[g3org3y]

Which snowfoam and pressure wash system do you use?

I've done the prep work for replacing the rear shocks on the 330i. OS rear is leaking and making the handling somewhat 'wayward'. All bolts/nuts soaked in PlusGas.


I bloody hate removing interior trim/clips. What a faff.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 29th March 08:00

[Court_S]

g3org3y said:

Which snowfoam and pressure wash system do you use?

I've done the prep work for replacing the rear struts on the 330i. OS rear is leaking and making the handling somewhat 'wayward'. All bolts/nuts soaked in PlusGas.


I bloody hate removing interior trim/clips. What a faff.

I use either Bilt Hamber Auto Foam or Auto Glym Polar Blast via a generic snow foam lance and Nilfisk pressure washer.

Changing the rear dampers on the last of the E series cars is such a ball ache. It was even worse in my E88 with a tiny little access hole to get to the bolt holding the damper in and fighting with the floppy fabric pouch that the roof folds into. Seems much easier on the F20/30 where the top mount just unbolted from the wheel arch.

Yesterday I changed faulty wheel speed sensor (rear drivers side) after a bit of faffing getting the correct sensor.

uplifting poems for her





I then cleared the codes with Carly and popped to Sytner to pick up some suspension bolts for the M140i for changing the rear dampers over Easter.

No warning lights came up (although they’d been off for a day or so) and I checked the codes again today and they haven’t come back. I’ll check the sensor tomorrow night to make sure there is no scoring, but so far it looks sorted.

Have both cars a wash today. I’ll detail my 140 on good Friday.

[g3org3y]

Court_S said:

Changing the rear dampers on the last of the E series cars is such a ball ache. It was even worse in my E88 with a tiny little access hole to get to the bolt holding the damper in and fighting with the floppy fabric pouch that the roof folds into. Seems much easier on the F20/30 where the top mount just unbolted from the wheel arch.

Yes, access looks a lot more annoying than on the E36.

Court_S said:

Yesterday I changed faulty wheel speed sensor (rear drivers side) after a bit of faffing getting the correct sensor.

uplifting poems for her

At least it came off easily. I've grumbled about my issues with the one on my E46 before.

Do you pay the Carly subscription or did you buy it before that was introduced?

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Creator C310 so I can have coding options. The other option from what I can make out is to get INPA installed on a laptop (and buy a special cable)?

[JakeT]

g3org3y said:

At least it came off easily. I've grumbled about my issues with the one on my E46 before.

Do you pay the Carly subscription or did you buy it before that was introduced?

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Creator C310 so I can have coding options. The other option from what I can make out is to get INPA installed on a laptop (and buy a special cable)?

I do think Carly is worth it. I keep the adaptor in the glovebox of the car, and for basic code pulling, and coding it's easy and nice to use. I have the old single payment Carly license.

Having INPA on the laptop also really helps, but is much more clunky to use, and often requires some funny setup.

[Court_S]

g3org3y said:

At least it came off easily. I've grumbled about my issues with the one on my E46 before.

Do you pay the Carly subscription or did you buy it before that was introduced?

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Creator C310 so I can have coding options. The other option from what I can make out is to get INPA installed on a laptop (and buy a special cable)?

I’m in the annual subscription. But of a pisser but it’s paid for itself over the last two years a few times over so I can’t complain.

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the info chaps. Sounds odd, but I'd prefer a higher initial purchase price rather than be tied to a monthly payment.

Apart from the coding ability, any other advantages of Carly over something like the Creator 310?

[Court_S]

g3org3y said:

Thanks for the info chaps. Sounds odd, but I'd prefer a higher initial purchase price rather than be tied to a monthly payment.

Apart from the coding ability, any other advantages of Carly over something like the Creator 310?

My Carly sub is paid yearly (there’s often discount codes). It’s bloody easy to use with the OBD adapter and a phone.

I can’t comment on Creator 310 having never used it.

[JakeT]

I'd agree, paying monthly is a bit galling.

For me, the benefits over a creator (I had a C110 years ago):

• Clearer diagnostic abilities
• Ability to code, in a very user friendly way
• re-set service indicators - If a service goes overdue, it needs to be done on the diagnostics. Carly can do this.
• re-set certain adaptations, too

[helix402]

JakeT said:

I'd agree, paying monthly is a bit galling.

For me, the benefits over a creator (I had a C110 years ago):

• Clearer diagnostic abilities
• Ability to code, in a very user friendly way
• re-set service indicators - If a service goes overdue, it needs to be done on the diagnostics. Carly can do this.
• re-set certain adaptations, too

I was an early adopter of Carly so am lucky to get a lifetime subscription and all adds ons at no cost. It’s a handy bit of kit.

[helix402]

Back to the question, refitted refurbished n/s/f wheel, all four are new or refurbed now.

Removed the illuminated F10 M5 gear knob and fitted a normal weighted one, the M5 one is being sold with a custom made loom for easy fitting.

[Jakg]

g3org3y said:

Court_S said:

Changing the rear dampers on the last of the E series cars is such a ball ache. It was even worse in my E88 with a tiny little access hole to get to the bolt holding the damper in and fighting with the floppy fabric pouch that the roof folds into. Seems much easier on the F20/30 where the top mount just unbolted from the wheel arch.

Yes, access looks a lot more annoying than on the E36.

Court_S said:

Yesterday I changed faulty wheel speed sensor (rear drivers side) after a bit of faffing getting the correct sensor.

uplifting poems for her

At least it came off easily. I've grumbled about my issues with the one on my E46 before.

Do you pay the Carly subscription or did you buy it before that was introduced?

I'm thinking of upgrading from the Creator C310 so I can have coding options. The other option from what I can make out is to get INPA installed on a laptop (and buy a special cable)?

Depends on your technical ability, but a DCAN cable is £10 and all the software online is "free".

[g3org3y]

Court_S said:

My Carly sub is paid yearly (there’s often discount codes). It’s bloody easy to use with the OBD adapter and a phone.

I can’t comment on Creator 310 having never used it.

Thanks, yes looks like the user interface is straight forward.

JakeT said:

I'd agree, paying monthly is a bit galling.

For me, the benefits over a creator (I had a C110 years ago):

• Clearer diagnostic abilities
• Ability to code, in a very user friendly way
• re-set service indicators - If a service goes overdue, it needs to be done on the diagnostics. Carly can do this.
• re-set certain adaptations, too

I've found the Creator to be really good for code reading. Was very helpful for the E46 (MAF issues), E90 (Vanos solenoids), E63 (misfire), E70 (fuel tank breather valve). It's the coding I'm really missing which would have been helpful when I had the issue the E91's Comfort Access not letting the car go to sleep.

Jakg said:

epends on your technical ability, but a DCAN cable is £10 and all the software online is "free".

Will look into it, thanks.


Anyway...the only thing I've done to my BMW today is driver the 6 series to work. Engine is fine, no further misfires or lump idle. Hurrah!

[ieuandkernow]

I’ve been replacing my wheel well liners on the e46 as mine decided to disintegrate because they were not properly fastened.

When the wheel was off and I had a look at the engine from underneath and I noticed 1) a sh*t load of oil which looks quite fresh so I’m hoping it is a combination of a clumsy hand on the oil change in February and the leaking rocker cover gasket which has been repaired. 2) I’m not sure if I’m being silly and I am a novice when it comes to this but something looks like it is missing from just above the oil sump



In the image you can see hole and a couple of screw holes around it. This is from the passenger side looking at about 1 o’clock (sorry for the vague directions) it’s a 2.2 m54 2005.
It might be completely normal but it looks a bit off to me?

[E63eeeeee...]

Probably normal if you think about how many different cars that block will have been used in. I'd still be inclined to get a camera or a mirror up just to make sure but I'd be surprised if it's not fine.