The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[az3579]

I can't seem to find a thread about the window actuator problem. Can someone link me?

...just got the car, tested windows on test drive and they did great, now they're sticking bad. Kinda mad about it.

There are many many threads about the window regulator issue. It's unfortunately too common for them to fail. They slow down, creak/pop, and eventually fail altogether.

Also, is everyone's temp gauge exactly in the middle? All my other cars have been a needle or two left of the middle.

It's like that by design. BMW designed it so that the middle is anywhere between 75-115*C. They did this so people don't panic when the temperatures fluctuate in different driving conditions. Unfortunately this also means that when the needle moves off the right, it will rapidly shoot up to the red, at which point it is *probably* too late to save your engine. This can be coded to show actual temperatures, but you'll need a PA Soft module and a little technical skill to accomplish it.

[hcbeck2689]

Trying to figure out the size to ssr gt3 wheels but don't know how. Measures from outside to outside of lip. Is that the measurement? Also don't see anything about offset inside wheel.


These are the only numbers I see.

-Holden

[BMWCurves]

Wish I could help. My intuition tells me you just measure lip to lip for width, but can be hard due to the shape. If you can figure that out, then offset should be the distance the mounting point is from the wheel's centerline. Just measure the total distance from the mounting point to the inside lip and calculate the difference between that and half of the total diameter. Someone else can weigh in on it though.

As for me, is there any difference between the OEM M3 strut brace (black) vs the OEM all-E46 strut brace (51710395077)? I've been eyeing the all-E46 one and it's on sale for ~$250 here

[slater]

Trying to figure out the size to ssr gt3 wheels but don't know how. Measures from outside to outside of lip. Is that the measurement? Also don't see anything about offset inside wheel.

is that an additional number casting on the outer edge of the spoke portion of the wheel? (about 3 o'clock in the photo)

anything cast in the front?

peter

[UWISHU1]

There are many many threads about the window regulator issue. It's unfortunately too common for them to fail. They slow down, creak/pop, and eventually fail altogether.

Super!

It's like that by design. BMW designed it so that the middle is anywhere between 75-115*C. They did this so people don't panic when the temperatures fluctuate in different driving conditions. Unfortunately this also means that when the needle moves off the right, it will rapidly shoot up to the red, at which point it is *probably* too late to save your engine. This can be coded to show actual temperatures, but you'll need a PA Soft module and a little technical skill to accomplish it.

That's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Ah well. Thx for the input!

[hcbeck2689]

is that an additional number casting on the outer edge of the spoke portion of the wheel? (about 3 o'clock in the photo)

anything cast in the front?

peter

I don't think it is. I looked pretty hard but I could be wrong. I no longer have access to the wheels. They are my dad's and I am just helping him sell them. Maybe someone on e46f that has had a set will chime in.


-Holden

[Vas]

Engine coils. When to replace them? Wait till a code appears ?

New plugs installed at 120k. Car now is at 135k.

[mynamenumber]

Some more new owner questions:

-- My turn signal flashes the front side indicators (yellow) AND ALSO the two white angel eyes, whether or not the lights are on. Is this correct? I think my PO replaced something in the headlights, since the side indicators have a white cover instead of yellow ('05 sedan).

-- I don't REALLY understand the auto-recycle air button. Does it actually do stuff? Any way to tell if it's turned itself on?

-- The PO said that the automatic setup of the ZHP "basically skips first gear" unless you opt in to the manual shift mode. Is this true, and is there somewhere I can read more about this?

-- The auto-wiper mode only works if I click into it. That is, if I leave the car in water-detect mode, turn it off, then restart, the wiper will never detect water unless I turn it off then back to auto-detect. No biggie, but is this normal?

-- Local shop said the right rear shock is "leaking just a little bit." They recommended I replace the rear suspension maybe next year. Any thoughts on this? Anything I can do in the interim to make a slow death even slower?


Thanks!

[Jconlin16]

As for me, is there any difference between the OEM M3 strut brace (black) vs the OEM all-E46 strut brace (51710395077)? I've been eyeing the all-E46 one and it's on sale for ~$250 here

I wanted to know the same thing! The only difference I could see, was the color and that some M3 bars appear to be straight. I ended up purchasing the non-m bar and just painted it black. Not sure if it performs any differently than the M3 bar but it looks and feels good, especially with coilovers and a 27mm sway bar up front!

[BMWCurves]

Engine coils. When to replace them? Wait till a code appears ?

New plugs installed at 120k. Car now is at 135k.

I assume you replace them (all) when one of them starts throwing codes, since the other coils are likely on their way out. Someone else more knowledgable can verify (or refute) my assumption.

Some more new owner questions:

-- My turn signal flashes the front side indicators (yellow) AND ALSO the two white angel eyes, whether or not the lights are on. Is this correct? I think my PO replaced something in the headlights, since the side indicators have a white cover instead of yellow ('05 sedan).

Are your angel eyes lit all the time, or only while your headlights are on?

-- I don't REALLY understand the auto-recycle air button. Does it actually do stuff? Any way to tell if it's turned itself on?

To quote the owner's manual: "You can respond to unpleasant external odors or pollutants by temporarily stopping the flow of outside
air. The system then recirculates the air currently within the vehicle." Basically the button filters and recirculates current cabin air while blocking out external air supply to prevent more contaminants from entering the cabin. I tend to leave it off, but other's just leave it in automatic mode.

-- The PO said that the automatic setup of the ZHP "basically skips first gear" unless you opt in to the manual shift mode. Is this true, and is there somewhere I can read more about this?

You'll have to find someone more knowledgeable about the Steptronic system.

-- The auto-wiper mode only works if I click into it. That is, if I leave the car in water-detect mode, turn it off, then restart, the wiper will never detect water unless I turn it off then back to auto-detect. No biggie, but is this normal?

I experience the same thing. If I parked my car with the wiper stalk in the "automatic" position and then return, it doesn't usually sense new rain. I just to "reset" it by moving the wiper stalk into the "off" position and then back up into the automatic position.

-- Local shop said the right rear shock is "leaking just a little bit." They recommended I replace the rear suspension maybe next year. Any thoughts on this? Anything I can do in the interim to make a slow death even slower?

I believe the general rule of thumb is to replace all shocks/struts at once, not just an individual shock or just fronts or rears. I don't think there's any way to delay a shock that is leaking fluid.

I wanted to know the same thing! The only difference I could see, was the color and that some M3 bars appear to be straight. I ended up purchasing the non-m bar and just painted it black. Not sure if it performs any differently than the M3 bar but it looks and feels good, especially with coilovers and a 27mm sway bar up front!

That's what I figured, thanks! I was going to paint it black anyways.