The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

I've thought about it. But I'm a large fan of cubes. Sugar cubes. Ice Cubes. BMW Cube trim. Fight me.



http://i.imgur.com/39gsgsd.gif

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Need that carbon fiber look to match your fart cannon?



We might actually fight after that one.

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Originally Posted by slater

when did you get that, breh? looks cool. how's the glare? (any?)

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I saw this while I was walking out to my car around 6pm, sun setting behind me, rolling the windows down with the key.

I'm all like wtf he talkin bout glare on the daggum trim then

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2929112667.jpg

I WAS HIT WITH THE FURY OF 1000 SUNS

Not really but I guess that's what you were talking about. It's too rough of a finish to reflect any worse than the dash.

The bright color does take away from the "tucked away in the black cockpit looking out" feeling, but I had already ruined that with the Android headunit. So the bright trim just makes the bright screen less distracting.

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2929112667.jpg

I WAS HIT WITH THE FURY OF 1000 SUNS

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The sun was untethered and its rage knew no bounds?

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Originally Posted by ZHPizza

Need that carbon fiber look to match your fart cannon?



We might actually fight after that one.

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Nah, carbon fiber is too aggressive and aftermarket-y for me. I feel like this my next purchase to keep the subtle OEM+ look for a daily driver:

Attachment 30842

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Nah, carbon fiber is too aggressive and aftermarket-y for me. I feel like this my next purchase to keep the subtle OEM+ look for a daily driver:

Attachment 30842

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Two-tiered wing + CSL bootlid? Downforce for dayyyyys!

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Originally Posted by 704sw

Two-tiered wing + CSL bootlid? Downforce for dayyyyys!

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Weeks.

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Smh lol [emoji23][emoji23]


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Wondering how people feel about the use of fuel system cleaners like Techron on a regular basis. I've been doing it out of habit. Good/bad?

Does anyone else's ZHP run cold? Since I've gotten it it has never gone past half way into hot, and sits at 1/4 way into cold https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ebe5ed901e.jpg
My brothers sits at halfway the whole time.
Even when I was really pushing her as much as I ever had down backcountry roads(hard pulls and constant downshifting, doing 80 in 3rd, you get what I'm saying, driving gloves were brought out) it never passed that middle.
I suppose it's a good thing? Only difference between our cars is I have a cone air intake while his is stock, but I've heard negative things about cone filters(drawing in hot air from engine).
Penny for your thought?


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Originally Posted by Dual

Wondering how people feel about the use of fuel system cleaners like Techron on a regular basis. I've been doing it out of habit. Good/bad?

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I use Red Line's stuff, but honestly it could just be snake oil. Doubt it does anything to damage the fuel delivery system. Some people swear by Techron.

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Originally Posted by Prestovie

Does anyone else's ZHP run cold? Since I've gotten it it has never gone past half way into hot, and sits at 1/4 way into cold https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ebe5ed901e.jpg
My brothers sits at halfway the whole time.
Even when I was really pushing her as much as I ever had down backcountry roads(hard pulls and constant downshifting, doing 80 in 3rd, you get what I'm saying, driving gloves were brought out) it never passed that middle.
I suppose it's a good thing? Only difference between our cars is I have a cone air intake while his is stock, but I've heard negative things about cone filters(drawing in hot air from engine).
Penny for your thought?


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Has your cooling system been refreshed? Sounds like a failing thermostat, they are designed to fail open. Also, when pushing my car hard, the water temp usually drops a few degrees as the cooling system does its job.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Has your cooling system been refreshed? Sounds like a failing thermostat, they are designed to fail open. Also, when pushing my car hard, the water temp usually drops a few degrees as the cooling system does its job.

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No it hasn't been refreshed, but it does move around just not past that point. It was in a couple months ago when I got my oil changed and they did a full inspection, do you think they would have picked that up in their tests?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prestovie

Does anyone else's ZHP run cold? Since I've gotten it it has never gone past half way into hot, and sits at 1/4 way into cold https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ebe5ed901e.jpg
My brothers sits at halfway the whole time.
Even when I was really pushing her as much as I ever had down backcountry roads(hard pulls and constant downshifting, doing 80 in 3rd, you get what I'm saying, driving gloves were brought out) it never passed that middle.
I suppose it's a good thing? Only difference between our cars is I have a cone air intake while his is stock, but I've heard negative things about cone filters(drawing in hot air from engine).
Penny for your thought?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Has your cooling system been refreshed? Sounds like a failing thermostat, they are designed to fail open. Also, when pushing my car hard, the water temp usually drops a few degrees as the cooling system does its job.

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This: I'd say something is definitely off.

In addition to the above, I'll simply ask if your other 3 needles are accurate? For example, when I took my cluster apart to swap to US gauge faces, I didn't get all 4 needles back on perfectly. My speedo is ~3mph off, and my temperature gauge sits at 12:30, instead of 12:00. It annoys the eff out of me, but taking that thing out/apart again isn't something I'm dying to do.

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Originally Posted by Dual

Wondering how people feel about the use of fuel system cleaners like Techron on a regular basis. I've been doing it out of habit. Good/bad?

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Top-tier gasoline has cleaners/additives in it. That said, BMW has approved Techron, so it shouldn't hurt anything, as stated earlier.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...728#post539728

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Originally Posted by John in VA

Top-tier gasoline has cleaners/additives in it. That said, BMW has approved Techron, so it shouldn't hurt anything, as stated earlier.

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Thanks, guys.

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Originally Posted by Prestovie

Does anyone else's ZHP run cold? Since I've gotten it it has never gone past half way into hot, and sits at 1/4 way into cold https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ebe5ed901e.jpg
My brothers sits at halfway the whole time.
Even when I was really pushing her as much as I ever had down backcountry roads(hard pulls and constant downshifting, doing 80 in 3rd, you get what I'm saying, driving gloves were brought out) it never passed that middle.
I suppose it's a good thing? Only difference between our cars is I have a cone air intake while his is stock, but I've heard negative things about cone filters(drawing in hot air from engine).
Penny for your thought?


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My temp gauge needle did the same thing. You need to adjust the position of the needle to the right. You'll have to remove and disassemble the cluster and adjust the needle with your hands. It's an easy job shouldn't take more than 20 minutes or so.

Watch the video on this page:

https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-...le-Gauge-Face/

Prestovie, the E46, unmodified and in good condition, should run with the temp needle always at the top, roughly 11:55, on the clock.

Your t-stat has failed and is stuck open, so the coolant never gets up to full temps.

This is exactly what happened on my car.

I'm pretty sure a dealership "inspection" won't pick this up.

+1 on thermostat, my car did the same thing. Idling was the only way to get the temp up further

I should've prefaced my post by saying that if the thermostat is OK then my description applies. Obviously the thermostat is the most likely culprit and should be the first thing to look at

You can just verify the actual coolant temp by utilizing the built-in cluster functions for coolant temp readout.

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Originally Posted by az3579

You can just verify the actual coolant temp by utilizing the built-in cluster functions for coolant temp readout.

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Correct. It should run around 93-95 Celsius, but i think it's a bit diff between autos and manuals.

I'm kinda thinking of buying cinnamon M3 sears for the ZHP. Since my seats are dyed cinnamon you can start to see wear now on the driver side. I don't mind the seats are 15 years old and the guy who dyed them for me has no problem re-doing them, he's super cool. But since it's only really the driver seat I've thought about M3 seats. I really do like the sport seats tho they look better than M3 seats to me. The M3 seats look gigantic! Any thoughts on a swap or pics? You think it would be a good idea or I should just re-dye here and there?


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Guys, any idea what is that rubber strip behind the grille? Looks like something is crooked there...how should it look like ideally? Also, how do I go about fixing it - removing the bumper?

http://i.imgur.com/3L0PWFG.jpg

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Originally Posted by az3579

You can just verify the actual coolant temp by utilizing the built-in cluster functions for coolant temp readout.

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+1

I should have mentioned that in my original response. If you're not sure how to get to it, you can follow this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjKt0ZQBV2U

My engine (manual) runs about 97-98C when warmed up and dips about 5C when I really push the engine.

Anyone off hand know the torque specs for the water pump pulley? I'm swapping out my factory plastic pulley with a metal one.

EDIT: I think I found it to be 10 nm.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Anyone off hand know the torque specs for the water pump pulley? I'm swapping out my factory plastic pulley with a metal one.

EDIT: I think I found it to be 10 nm.

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10 NM as you found out. Here is a handy thread with lots of torque specs

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1065428

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Originally Posted by anandoc

Guys, any idea what is that rubber strip behind the grille? Looks like something is crooked there...how should it look like ideally? Also, how do I go about fixing it - removing the bumper?

http://i.imgur.com/3L0PWFG.jpg

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I think it's supposed to sit on top of the plastic shroud...not certain though. You should be able to push it up from the bottom (with the undertray removed).

Removing the bumper is pretty easy if you want to get in there and look around.

Where is the sticker on the alternator that tells you the brand? I found one on the back of mine but I can only make out a BMW logo, nothing on Valeo or Bosch. Is that the same sticker?

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Originally Posted by anandoc

10 NM as you found out. Here is a handy thread with lots of torque specs

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1065428

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Perfect, thanks!

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Where is the sticker on the alternator that tells you the brand? I found one on the back of mine but I can only make out a BMW logo, nothing on Valeo or Bosch. Is that the same sticker?

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Just found some Bosch v/s Valeo images on Google - hopefully these help you locate the stickers:

EDIT: Oh and notice how the pulley also look different. That is also a good tell.

Bosch:

https://3a663eb0fef48c6d2d60-a88f8eb...31291_x800.jpg

Valeo

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Valeo_439...52_S50_S_2.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anandoc

Just found some Bosch v/s Valeo images on Google - hopefully these help you locate the stickers:

EDIT: Oh and notice how the pulley also look different. That is also a good tell.

Bosch:

https://3a663eb0fef48c6d2d60-a88f8eb...31291_x800.jpg

Valeo

http://www.bimmerworld.com/Valeo_439...52_S50_S_2.png

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As always, appreciated, good sir!

http://www.pwmotorsport.com/shop,bbs...-stickers.html

Can I trust for OEM bbs stickers?


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Originally Posted by L0veZHP

http://www.pwmotorsport.com/shop,bbs...-stickers.html
Can I trust for OEM bbs stickers?

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Their site looks legit, and does state "100% Genuine BBS product." Shipping from the UK is expensive, but these shouldn't be too bad! Do you have other price point info?

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Originally Posted by John in VA

Their site looks legit, and does state "100% Genuine BBS product." Shipping from the UK is expensive, but these shouldn't be too bad! Do you have other price point info?

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No I just did a quick search I'll let you guys know if I find anymore at home on my computer


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Coupe drivers who track: does your seatbelt flap around/wind-buffet with your driver's window down? Do you have a 'fix' or just deal with it?

So silly me posted this originally in my Build thread.. I really need to pay more attention to where I'm posting lol, BUT

So can anyone please enlighten me on what vacuum lines sit behind the Intake Manifold and go connected back here? I'm 100% sure this is the source of my vacuum leak on my car causing me to have these codes.
I've used PaSoft and it tells me plenty but now I know what the source of it is and I have no idea where the vacuum line is, so before I rip apart my intake manifold, can someone help me diagnose WHAT HOSE GOES HERE lol

Attachment 30875

The exit point with the "ripped hose" is what I'm talking about, I attached that piece of hose hoping to plug it but I'd rather solve it once and for all rather than my BS 'home remedy' lol

Thank you all in advance


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Originally Posted by 704sw

Coupe drivers who track: does your seatbelt flap around/wind-buffet with your driver's window down? Do you have a 'fix' or just deal with it?

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I assume you mean your passenger one? The driver's one should be on and in use... lol
I would hook the passenger seatbelt into the seat tilt lever. That should prevent it from flopping around when the wind hits it.

Does anyone have any tips for maintaining alcantera seats? My suede is starting to burr a little bit on the bolsters.


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Originally Posted by az3579

I assume you mean your passenger one? The driver's one should be on and in use... lol
I would hook the passenger seatbelt into the seat tilt lever. That should prevent it from flopping around when the wind hits it.

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I'm talking about the section of belt between my shoulder and the B pillar. It's a much longer span than in the sedan, and I can feel the belt buffeting on my shoulder. Kinda weird to describe, I guess.

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Originally Posted by 704sw

I'm talking about the section of belt between my shoulder and the B pillar. It's a much longer span than in the sedan, and I can feel the belt buffeting on my shoulder. Kinda weird to describe, I guess.

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Oh... that's very strange that it's buffeting like that. Perhaps you can buy one of those shoulder pad things that I see in some cars and slide it back there?
I can't see any other solution in my head, but... my brain has seen better days so that doesn't mean much. :)

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Originally Posted by droman81

Does anyone have any tips for maintaining alcantera seats? My suede is starting to burr a little bit on the bolsters.


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Fabric shaver from Amazon. Don't go ape shit using it though.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by droman81

Does anyone have any tips for maintaining alcantera seats? My suede is starting to burr a little bit on the bolsters.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vas

Fabric shaver from Amazon. Don't go ape shit using it though.

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The fabric shaver is more of a reactionary measure than a preventative one. It's good for now, then for the future, I recommend checking out this video.
It's very informative on how to clean/maintain alcantara.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wROwSj7OJGg