The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[az3579]

...time to cry once and smile for the rest of the year. :D

With an aging BMW, that's just a dream. LOL

It definitely suits the OCD to do it all at once though. It's nice not having to do them in pieces for sure.

[BMWCurves]

With an aging BMW, that's just a dream. LOL

It definitely suits the OCD to do it all at once though. It's nice not having to do them in pieces for sure.

Makes life a lot easier having everything apart, just have to be a bit more meticulous keeping track of everything.

[fredo]

What's the preferred BMW VIN decoder these days ? My favorite one was bmwvin.com but it's not working anymore.

[John in VA]

What's the preferred BMW VIN decoder these days ? My favorite one was bmwvin.com but it's not working anymore.

https://www.mdecoder.com/ does a good job usually.

[pedro2u]

I use this one too:

https://decoder.bvzine.com/

[BMWCurves]

Has anyone experienced a low grumble from what sounds like the transmission/drive shaft tunnel when starting from a stop when they've driven in heavy rain and through a few deep puddles? It does not affect driving, does not occur at other RPMs or driving situations, and goes away after ~20 minutes if you've parked. I'm assuming 20 minutes is the time needed to drain whatever water got into some nooks and crannies. Thoughts?

[az3579]

Has anyone experienced a low grumble from what sounds like the transmission/drive shaft tunnel when starting from a stop when they've driven in heavy rain and through a few deep puddles? It does not affect driving, does not occur at other RPMs or driving situations, and goes away after ~20 minutes if you've parked. I'm assuming 20 minutes is the time needed to drain whatever water got into some nooks and crannies. Thoughts?

Yup, all the time. It's more of a grinding noise than a grumble.
It's a loose exhaust clamp in my case, and allows the pipes to move around more than they should. The last time we found it, we tightened it and it was fine for a long while, but it has come back.

[BMWCurves]

Yup, all the time. It's more of a grinding noise than a grumble.
It's a loose exhaust clamp in my case, and allows the pipes to move around more than they should. The last time we found it, we tightened it and it was fine for a long while, but it has come back.

So why the association with heavy rains? Driving through puddles knocking the exhaust bracket loose?

[az3579]

So why the association with heavy rains? Driving through puddles knocking the exhaust bracket loose?

Don't know. The only thing I can think of is the temperature difference when the cold water hits the hot pipes.

[NYRhockey]

What are the common causes of poor gas mileage? Today i put in 15 gallons after 302 miles and been getting 20-21 consistently, probably since i've had the car. Seem to remember getting mid 20s (24-26) in my previous zhp?