I prefer two wipers, and I had a known perfect spare.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hornung418
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I prefer two wipers, and I had a known perfect spare.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hornung418
Engine bay needs a clean... Just added the fancy ///M strut bar
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/2347/33951310.jpg
^^^ Lookin' good :thumbsup
It's the little mods like these that I like the most. It doesn't make it faster or handle better, it just shows your car is different, and that you do you own car work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hornung418
so i picked up my car from this new shop where they did a through "introductory inspection and analysis" type deal. found out a lot that i already knew, but some important new stuff as well. overall, i came away with a great feeling regarding the shop, and some eye opening insight regarding the car itself. had a good 30 min chat with the service guy, who was extremely knowledgable in all things bimmer related. told him where i was coming from on the maintenance/mod front, what i expected, and how excited i was to be in the hands of someone who was on the same page. here are the highlights of the inspection:
- so the #1 priority according to him, somewhat predictably, was the cooling system. owning and E46 approaching 60k...SOP as far as i'm concerned. having said that, he also flat out told me it's a major money maker for them as most owners totally neglect their cooling systems, so i realize he was going with the money maker. he also recommended at the least doing a coolant flush, which should be done every three years regardless of mileage. i agree.
- the CABs are shot. i figured this since i have been noticing the dreaded clunk on occasional hard deceleration over speedbumps. sigh...but i knew i needed to do this. Meyle HD here we come...
- he said the VCG looks great, no sign of leakage. i have a brand new one though, so when i do the VANOS soon, i will replace anyway.
- needs new plugs. i already knew this.
- there are a few minor intake boot cracks, no big ones, but something to consider replacing soon.
- he rated the brakes, roughly 30-35% life left all around, i was pleasantly surprised given these are original to the car.
- recommended another PS fluid flush. i told him i did this recently, but i only went through one quart of new fluid. he recommended going through at least 3. but that's an easy DIY...
- the most unfortunate news was when he revealed the right front strut tower is slightly bowed, probably due to a large impact. the 2 right wheels are also slightly bent, probably from the same impact that bowed the strut tower. so now i'm wanting to get a strut brace, and definitely want to get the wheels straightened out. since i was planning on a full refinish of all 4 wheels anyway, i guess straightening 2 of them additionally isn't so bad.
overall, i feel pretty good about the car now that i've had someone that i truly trust go over every nook and cranny. got a plan in place and know what to do. now it's time to get some money saved up...
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6...3674243738.jpg
Washed her. Detailed the inside. BTW there is my friends 330ci on the right. :D
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c...126_194009.jpg
Yes I know I could have done two 17215 for cheaper, but Amazon (the cheapest I found) only had one in stock and weren't getting more until mid-march, hence dropping an extra $20 to get the 17216. From inspection I'm inclined to agree with everybody else that they are identical besides the gray/black wire sleeve. Overall a very easy DIY, even easier than an oil change I'd say.
John...is there a DIY or a site in the proper removal of bumper & moulding trims? Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnmadd
I am not sure but someone here should know and chime in.Quote:
Originally Posted by das boots
I'm not sure on the removal of the door trim, but the bumper trim is easily done with some non-marring tools or a flat head if you're careful. Just start near the off center gap where the two pieces come together and pry up. After you get it up enough to fit your fingers in you'll be able to pry it off because they only clip in (on an '05 sedan). The trim is pushed into the bumper a little bit nearest the doors if that makes sense. So once you've pryed off the plastic trim just pull out from the side bumper, but be careful so you don't chip the paint. The door pieces should be a little more difficult because they have a special piece that the trim pushes into like the hood emblem (rubber or plastic clip).
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=128387