What have you done to your BMW today?

[Deep Thought]

FINALLY got the warranty issue with rust on the bootlid of the M140i approved and scheduled.

Its booked in for start of August after we are back from hols.

We've a couple of nasty big stone chips on the bonnet and and glancing stonechip on the drivers side wing so might get the bonnet / wing painted when the car is in. Would return the car to mint condition and its a keeper so might be worth the spend to keep it right (though expecting an eye watering quote...)

[d_a_n1979]

Temp Style 66s removed; all brake calipers wire brushed and cleaned thoroughly in readiness for the full brake and suspension overhaul my pals going to do for me...

Mteconline 82mm stud conversion fitted

Refurbed OEM Style 37s put back on

OEM powerfuld wingmirrors removed; OEM E39 standard wing mirrors fitted and will see if I can fix the powerfold ones

Busy afternoon!

[JakeT]

Met up with an old pal, who is also a BMW obsessive. He’s selling his 630i and has bought an i3. We compared two BMWs, which are very different.

[Mild-Peril]

Armchair_Expert said:

True.

But what do you do when the car is all you ever need it to be, and can be cherished, and you can't find a suitable replacement?

I am v tempted to let go, but have spent too long getting it right. And the engines not pushing out 340bhp either

I’m the same way with my M140i. I had a manic month of test driving everything under the sun, convinced I’d had my time with it and it was time to go.

After that manic month of driving other cars I didn’t find anything I thought just did it all as well as mine (without spending another substantial chunk of change again).

In the end I had BMW put their M Performance exhaust and LSD on it and now - IMO - it is a very special little car. One that I plan to keep hold of for some time to come!

[to3m]

to3m said:

Went to change the front driver's Xenon bulb, a wheel-off job with the E90. The forecast suggested it would stay nice until around 5 pm, so I went out at 3:45. Then it started pissing it down at about 3:50.

Did it today. Fairly straightforward job, but I was glad I cut my fingernails first. I'm also happy I decided to bite the bullet and take the wheel off, despite finding that some people suggested it was possible without! Feels like it would have been a lot more hassle that way...

Only problem was that one of the hex head fastening screws had rusted itself onto the clip and then turned basically into dust, so the entire thing disintegrated when I tried to unscrew it (parts 3 and 4 here, I think: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=PM12... ) - not a big problem, as I got the liner off anyway, but it had to go back on with N-1 fasteners.

In twilight, the new driver side bulb looks remarkably the same as the passenger side one, which has been in the car for at least 5 years - I'll have to drive it for a bit after dark and see how I feel. But I should really have a look at the other headlight washer pump, and while I'm there it's only marginally more bother to change the bulb as well.

Edited by to3m on Sunday 19th June 23:12

[Court_S]

JakeT said:

Met up with an old pal, who is also a BMW obsessive. He’s selling his 630i and has bought an i3. We compared two BMWs, which are very different.

Two very different eras!

I know the i3 is a marmite car but I’m a massive fan of them. One would make loads of sense to replace my other half’s 125i because range is much less of an issue for her. Downside is the entry prices are just too high still (more so after covid and the current fuel prices).

[JakeT]

Court_S said:

Two very different eras!

I know the i3 is a marmite car but I’m a massive fan of them. One would make loads of sense to replace my other half’s 125i because range is much less of an issue for her. Downside is the entry prices are just too high still (more so after covid and the current fuel prices).

He managed to find a one owner model with a fantastic spec on it for a great price as a private sale. He did jump on it quickly. He had it bought within 24 hours of the ad going live.

I enjoy the driving experience of EVs, especially one pedal mode in more urban driving. The i3 I prefer in eco pro mode where the throttle is longer than normal, it makes for a smooth easy experience. He bought this to replace an E63 630i as his commute is quite long and he lives in Bath. The cost is high, but by some crude maths he stands to save around £7,000 this year on fuel costs.

[cerb4.5lee]

The i3 looks like a SUV but on skinny wheels in comparison to the E36!

The i3 isn't really my cup of tea(I like an ICE too much), however I wouldn't mind a go in one because everyone says how brilliant they are to drive.

[pmorg4]

to3m said:

Only problem was that one of the hex head fastening screws had rusted itself onto the clip and then turned basically into dust, so the entire thing disintegrated when I tried to unscrew it (parts 3 and 4 here, I think: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=PM12... ) - not a big problem, as I got the liner off anyway, but it had to go back on with N-1 fasteners.

Those hex head screws always cause problems. They either seize to the clip or the head chews off when you're trying to unscrew them. I fancy the idea of replacing all of them every time I have to remove a piece of trim, although I haven't figured out whether aftermarket kits are decent quality or it's best going with OE stuff. I often wonder if plastic screws would work better here as they are very exposed to the elements and they are only holding a very lightweight piece of trim.

What are N-1 fasteners?

[to3m]

pmorg4 said:

to3m said:

Only problem was that one of the hex head fastening screws had rusted itself onto the clip and then turned basically into dust, so the entire thing disintegrated when I tried to unscrew it (parts 3 and 4 here, I think: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=PM12... ) - not a big problem, as I got the liner off anyway, but it had to go back on with N-1 fasteners.

Those hex head screws always cause problems. They either seize to the clip or the head chews off when you're trying to unscrew them. I fancy the idea of replacing all of them every time I have to remove a piece of trim, although I haven't figured out whether aftermarket kits are decent quality or it's best going with OE stuff. I often wonder if plastic screws would work better here as they are very exposed to the elements and they are only holding a very lightweight piece of trim.

What are N-1 fasteners?

Ah, alll I meant is that's the number of fasteners now in place - N (the correct number) minus 1 (because one broke)!

I also wondered about replacing them, though can I be bothered taking it all apart again just for that? Well, I probably can, as the missing one is going to annoy me even if it's hardly noticeable. I was figuring I'd just buy a set from BMW; I'm sure they're available cheaper, but the total cost probably still won't be much and they'll definitely fit.

Good point about the plastic option. As you say, they aren't exactly load bearing. Maybe the accountants were so pleased with themselves over the interior that they forgot to check the external fixings for additional cost savings.

[Uncle Meat]

JakeT said:

He managed to find a one owner model with a fantastic spec on it for a great price as a private sale. He did jump on it quickly. He had it bought within 24 hours of the ad going live.

I'm looking for one of these too. Would you mind sharing what he paid? Fully understand if you would rather not.

[d_a_n1979]

Refitted the repaired & reprogrammed cluster to the E39; now all in miles rather than KM -0 all sorted by Keith at AK Speedo, Stirling

Car also booked in on 4th July, with my pals that owns Grinspeed in Preston, to do the full suspension arm & brakes overhaul

[bodhi]

Spoke to the chap looking after it for me and discovered:

- New key is coded to the car and old keys removed
- The Christmas Tree warning lights on the dash and early triggering of the ABS were caused by a dodgy sensor on the front left wheel, this has been replaced and normal operation has resumed.
- Whilst the oil use is a concern it is still just outside the tolerance stated in the handbook, and I have a more pressing concern that the rear tyres are down to their wear indicators. So am taking this opportunity to get rid of the Super Sports on the rear, and get some Pilot Sport 5s fitted instead.

[squareflops]

Ordered Moog (as recommended on here) tension struts as mine are pretty well shot and looking to get a full alignment done



I would have liked to have ordered MSport springs (SE spec F11), Eibach dampers and new top hats etc but that will have to wait.. Looking forward to tightening the front end up a little

[d_a_n1979]

squareflops said:

Ordered Moog (as recommended on here) tension struts as mine are pretty well shot and looking to get a full alignment done



I would have liked to have ordered MSport springs (SE spec F11), Eibach dampers and new top hats etc but that will have to wait.. Looking forward to tightening the front end up a little

Can't go wrong with Moog IMO

I've got every suspension arm for my E39 in the garage now; the fronts are all Moog (and the drop links) & the rears are all Meyle (with drop links)

The only parts that aren't Moog/Meyle are the track rod ends which are Fast Lane as my local motorfactors seemed to be the only folk that a) had them in stock and b) could guarantee their delivery!

[squareflops]

Pretty sure it’s you that recommended Moog to me bud! I’ll be doing much the same as you albeit at a slightly slower pace

[Court_S]

Gave my 335i a wash and top up coat of wax. The Soft99 wax gives a lovely, deep gloss but it doesn’t seem to last all that long. Beads well when fresh though.

Sparkling Graphite is an interesting colour for a grey and changes depending on the light.



Scrubs up ok for an old girl.



Hoping I’ve solve my intermittent rattle from the rear….



This was under the rear bench.

[g3org3y]

Court_S said:

Hoping I’ve solve my intermittent rattle from the rear….



This was under the rear bench.

Not great news from the E91 POV...

Wife driving home today, apparently battery light came on and steering v heavy. Just about got it back home into the drive. (She also mentioned a whirring sound!?)

Am assuming alternator fail.

How far can you drive with a fully charged battery and non functioning alternator?

[squareflops]

washed it

[Court_S]

Another nice evening for washing cars; gave the 125i a quick once over because it looked st after dust and a bit of rain at the weekend.



I’ve got quite a few jobs that I need to crack on with on the 125i;

This weekend is an interim oil change, diff oil and gearbox oil.

I need to do the starter motor still (sat in the garage), paint the rear callipers, remove the interior and detail it properly plus it’ll need new disc and pads on the rear soon.