The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

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Originally Posted by Chaplian

I do 50k miles on plugs, checking every 3-4 years, don't really replace them on age. Belts I check for cracking and splitting. If they're over 80kish/7-8 years I replace them. I'm not sure what BMWs recommendations are, this is just based off of other cars.

FWIW, I have a '95 Impala SS with 28k miles still on the original belts. They look fine, but I don't really drive that car, and if I do, it's not highway. (Car is currently on the back burner until the wagon has a 6 speed.)



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Roger, I have a very conservative schedule written down for belts at 30k miles and plugs at 40-50k. Wasn't sure what other peoples' thoughts were

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Roger, I have a very conservative schedule written down for belts at 30k miles and plugs at 40-50k. Wasn't sure what other peoples' thoughts were

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Those intervals are way too soon.

Plugs are a 100k item. Belts are age-based, and need to be done when they show visual signs of it or when doing the cooling system, whichever comes first. Whenever I do my cooling system, it's almost always past 80-120k and the belts are fine every time. I replace them "while I'm in there".

Reference BMW's service manual for more information. In my car's 323k miles my experiences have lined up with BMW's intervals for things for the most part (though I halved my oil change intervals from the get-go due to track usage).

https://www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-v...nty-books.html

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Originally Posted by az3579

Those intervals are way too soon.

Plugs are a 100k item. Belts are age-based, and need to be done when they show visual signs of it or when doing the cooling system, whichever comes first. Whenever I do my cooling system, it's almost always past 80-120k and the belts are fine every time. I replace them "while I'm in there".

Reference BMW's service manual for more information. In my car's 323k miles my experiences have lined up with BMW's intervals for things for the most part (though I halved my oil change intervals from the get-go due to track usage).

https://www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-v...nty-books.html

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Appreciate the info, BP! I assumed the estimates I had were pretty conservative.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

Roger, I have a very conservative schedule written down for belts at 30k miles and plugs at 40-50k. Wasn't sure what other peoples' thoughts were

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Belts at 30k seems nuts. All 3 of my cars go way way way longer than that.

Belts are so easy to check if they’re starting to age, anyway.

What's your preference: clear or amber reflector?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8cdc8482_o.jpg

Amber fer sure. Don't suppose you have an easy option for body color?

Clear to match turn signals.

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Originally Posted by Dual

Amber fer sure. Don't suppose you have an easy option for body color?

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I’d have to paint them myself, which isn’t off the table. Bimmian and whoever else sell the painted reflectors only offer them in standard colors.

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Originally Posted by az3579

Clear to match turn signals.

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The clear does match the corners and I like that aspect a lot, but it’s so much brighter it kinda’ stands out more. It’s just a quick Photoshop job but I think it’s a pretty accurate preview.

I'm mixed. Amber if the tails and turn signal were Amber too since amber goes well with Estoril. But since the turn signal is clear, I'd say clear or color matched.

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Originally Posted by BMWCurves

I'm mixed. Amber if the tails and turn signal were Amber too since amber goes well with Estoril. But since the turn signal is clear, I'd say clear or color matched.

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I just mocked up a color matched version in Adobe, intentionally trying to make it *not* perfect (because I know it won’t be in real life) and I still love it. Frig...