William's 330Ci ZHP Maintenance and Project Thread

[BMWCurves]

So I've got the associated part list for the exhaust. At a minimum I plan to get the nuts and the gaskets. But for all parts involved, any specific brand I should get/avoid?

Exhaust gasket (2x) 18107502346
Hex bolt for exhaust (4x) 11621427586
Hex nut for exhaust (4x) 18301737774

[johnrando]

Congrats. Let us know how it goes (I know you will - no pun intended )

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[anandoc]

Thanks!

Received the invoice today, went ahead and purchased my very own used UUC TSE3!

Congrats! Reading all the rave reviews on this exhaust, I might look into this option somewhere in the future.

[cakM3]

Congrats on the pick up Will!


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[NoVAphotog]

So I've got the associated part list for the exhaust. At a minimum I plan to get the nuts and the gaskets. But for all parts involved, any specific brand I should get/avoid?

Exhaust gasket (2x)18107502346
Hex bolt for exhaust (4x)11621427586
Hex nut for exhaust (4x)18301737774

Genuine BMW

No reason not to get the stock nuts and gasket. Could probably find stainless steel bolts for cheaper than the dealer ones.

[Sockethead]

Put some copper based antisieze on the bolts. Next time you have to take it apart, it will be real easy

[BMWCurves]

Used UUC TSE3 arrived today back home. My father gave it a quick inspection and seems to be okay. He said:

I compared your exhaust system with the photos, and I think everything is there - brackets, hangers, etc. Everything seems to be in good shape. There's some gunk baked on to one exhaust pipe, ahead of the muffler. I doubt that it's an issue. It's hard as a rock, so I doubt there is any way to get it off. I'll text a photo.

Which was followed by this text:

Close-up of the gunk on the exhaust. I can scrape off the thick parts with a knife. Looks like plastic or something similar got baked on. Not a problem functionally.

I'll definitely have to clean it up a bit, but I knew that going in. Anyone know a good way to clean up stainless steel? Polish?

[anandoc]

Congrats man! This is going to be awesome!!

[slater]

good stuff, william! as for cleaning stainless, no idea... google it?

really awesome that your dad was willing to unbox and inspect an exhaust system in the house - that's a car guy.

[BMWCurves]

Congrats man! This is going to be awesome!!

Yeah, I'm really excited! I'm only home about two and a half weeks in December so I want to maximize time with my family and friends and minimize time spent doing stuff on my car. That includes removal of the car from storage in my buddy's parents' barn at the beginning of vacation and then re-storing it for another six months at the end. During that time I'll need to clean the TSE3, remove my exhaust and store it, and then either attempt to install the TSE3 myself or do what Daniel did and take it to an exhaust guy/mechanic to have it professionally installed. The benefit of letting a mechanic do it is that if there are any issues I don't have to put it up on jack stands every time to figure it out, I can just drop it back off with the mechanic. Downside is money and time going to and from the mechanic. While I'm in there I plan to replace the transmission mounts with E46 M3 ones I have laying around. Which reminds me of a couple of questions, which I'll probably post over in the random question thread as well:

• In the process of doing transmission mount replacements, should I replace any other parts? I have read some people replace the mounting nuts. That part is listed as #3 (22316760944) in RealOEM.com (link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=22_0029)
• What is the lifespan, in terms of time, of a drive shaft guibo/flex disk? It is part no 26117511454 listed in RealOEM.com here: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=26_0197. If it's a part I could/should replace at its ripe old age of 12 years old, what brand should I use? Manufactuerers like Meyle are $40-60. BMW is about $120 for BMW which I'm fine with since that's a small price to pay if that's the best part available.
• Any other maintenance items I should consider while I have the exhaust off?

Finally, I'm hoping to also get my airbag recall done while I'm home as well. Hopefully all of this goes off without a hitch!

EDIT: Forgot to add I'll need to restore and install my new-to-me GruppeM intake. Ideally I would order a cheap/decent mic for my iPhone to install near the front and do a comparison between the stock air box, the BMW Performance intake, and the GruppeM. We'll see how that goes

good stuff, william! as for cleaning stainless, no idea... google it?

really awesome that your dad was willing to unbox and inspect an exhaust system in the house - that's a car guy.

Thanks! So far I've seen cleaning instructions for indoor stainless steel appliances which amounts to "have you tried a damp rag?"

We'll see what I find. I have some blue magic metal polish so maybe I'll try that out, but it's a tiny tube and the TSE3 is a large exhaust!

And yeah, my dad is nothing short of the best. He is incredibly smart, logical and we share similar interests so those things come together often. If I grow up to be half as competent and capable as him, I'll be very pleased.