The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[stephenkirsh]

Is there a need to change/upgrade differential bolts when replacing the bushings?

Would M3 HSD / Eibach coil overs fit our cars?

I think they do but they're set up for a different car. It's wider and heavier than non-Ms

[BMWCurves]

Is it possible to swap out the window buttons (like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-3-SE...-/151758089563) or do I have to buy a whole new switch? One of my buttons has a lot of the black paint scraped away from the previous owner.

[stephenkirsh]

Is it possible to swap out the window buttons (like these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-3-SE...-/151758089563) or do I have to buy a whole new switch? One of my buttons has a lot of the black paint scraped away from the previous owner.

Well, buy that and let us know!

An OEM part will only be the whole switch, though.

[BMWCurves]

Well, buy that and let us know!

An OEM part will only be the whole switch, though.

When I had it apart it before it didn't look like there was any good way to get at replacing the button, but they had to get them in there somehow, right?

[az3579]

When I had it apart it before it didn't look like there was any good way to get at replacing the button, but they had to get them in there somehow, right?

Well they're not really designed to be replaced individually, so the "it got in there somehow" mentality may not necessarily apply. Sometimes it's far easier to make it a certain way when you don't have to think about its ease of replacement.

Give it a try and let us know!
I would normally just buy the whole switch assembly; they're not that much money used on eBay. It would be nice if there's a way to replace them individually though. If you're successful, you should write up a DIY.

[BMWCurves]

Well they're not really designed to be replaced individually, so the "it got in there somehow" mentality may not necessarily apply. Sometimes it's far easier to make it a certain way when you don't have to think about its ease of replacement.

Give it a try and let us know!
I would normally just buy the whole switch assembly; they're not that much money used on eBay. It would be nice if there's a way to replace them individually though. If you're successful, you should write up a DIY.

I'm going to take a look at the switch later this week and see what it might take to do. I can't quite remember what it looks like disassembled. It doesn't help that the whole switch can be had for $25-30 but the buttons all seem to be $10 w/ shipping.

[sillieidiot]

I bought a gruppe m intake last week from eBay and it came with a k&n filter and the filter looks quite bad... Which replacement filter would u guys recommended??

AEM

Would M3 HSD / Eibach coil overs fit our cars?

yes. the top mounts are different though

[BMWCurves]

Follow up on my button question

So I took the driver's side window switch out and at first glance and it seemed that I could remove the button as it was held in with two "axles" (see picture below). However, despite how hard I pushed on the axles to try and create space for the button to slip above it, it would not budge. I put so much pressure on it with a nail punch that fit that I worried I was going to snap it. I really could not do it. I looked at it closely and the top edge of the axle is shaved off at an angle (you can sort of see it in the pic as well). I'm guessing it is that way so that it can be pushed into place easily during assembly, but having the rest of the axle be flush with the side of the button makes it incredibly unlikely to unseat itself. Additionally, the entire area that the axle is attached to is solid so there just isn't enough flex to disassemble it.



And if you are a dolt like me, you may forget which way in the lower assembly of the switch goes into the upper assembly. A quick check by reattaching the lower assembly to the car's power and testing the windows yields the correct orientation below, with the red things of each switch toward the rear of the car:



So with that said, I can either do nothing and let the minor cosmetic issue be, or buy a new OEM assembly switch (part no. 61316902175). With how I like my cars, the latter option is probably my most likely move

EDIT: I will post this in my maintenance/project thread for a more permanent location.

[wsmeyer]

You just use a little flat blade screwdriver to pry up on the white area below the hole.

[san]

AEM



yes. the top mounts are different though

Thanks! How about aFe Pro Dry filter, will it fit? And what about having one custom made?
http://afepower.com/shop/custom/filter.php