The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[TheFinanceGuy]

Both would work.

The viscosity on the MT90 is higher so if you have gearbox noise in neutral, go with that.

Also I wold replace the 2 plugs. ECStuning has a kit with oil and plugs FYI

Was just checking those out. I like the idea of replacing the plugs, though last time I changed the trans oil, both plugs looked fine.

[John in VA]

I thought we were using Red Line D4 AFT in our manual transmissions:

https://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=7
Our most versatile ATF, use where Dexron III®, Dexron II®, Mercon® and Mercon V® fluids are recommended, provides a GL-4 level of gear protection
Popular applications: Toyota Type T-III and T-IV, Honda ATF-Z1, NissanMatic D, J & K, Diamond SP-II, SP-III, Mazda ATF M-V, most BMW, Audi, VW automatic transmissions
Also used with manual transmissions and transaxles like T-5, T-45, T-56 and late-model BMW
Excellent cold weather operation

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...thetic-d4-atf/
ATF D4 is similar to Red Line's MTL formula and can be used in many BMW manual transmissions where MTF or MTF-LT2 is called for.

[BMWCurves]

Will Style 45 16x7" wheels fit over the stock brakes on our cars?

[holyc0w]

That might be a tad small overall for the ZHP. My Contour replicas (AT Italia Type 5 16x7.5 et38) fit pretty tightly. The tire place had to redo the wheel weights with slimmer ones to clear the brakes.

I think they might fit, but I saw someone on the interwebs posting that they don't. I don't know what would make them not fit compared to mine. Probably better to go bigger.

[BMWCurves]

That might be a tad small overall for the ZHP. My Contour replicas (AT Italia Type 5 16x7.5 et38) fit pretty tightly. The tire place had to redo the wheel weights with slimmer ones to clear the brakes.

I think they might fit, but I saw someone on the interwebs posting that they don't. I don't know what would make them not fit compared to mine. Probably better to go bigger.

Yeah, we ended up going with some style 137 wheels for my sister's car which are 17x8"

[anandoc]

My low coolant light came on last night for about 30 seconds as I was leaving work. I was like

Checked the coolant level this morning and the 'dipstick' was sitting at the very bottom of the expansion tank. Thankfully I had some BMW coolant lying around, which I mixed 50/50 with water and filled up the expansion tank where the top of the dipstick was just below the rim of the expansion tank opening to make sure I do not overfill. I did not see any leaks in the expansion tank.

Question: I monitored the coolant temperature after topping up with coolant while I dropped my wife off. The temperature went up to 92C and stayed there. I was expecting it to go up to 95C-96C. Does this look normal to you folks? Keep in mind, the outside temperature was around -6C.

[az3579]

My low coolant light came on last night for about 30 seconds as I was leaving work. I was like

Checked the coolant level this morning and the 'dipstick' was sitting at the very bottom of the expansion tank. Thankfully I had some BMW coolant lying around, which I mixed 50/50 with water and filled up the expansion tank where the top of the dipstick was just below the rim of the expansion tank opening to make sure I do not overfill. I did not see any leaks in the expansion tank.

Question: I monitored the coolant temperature after topping up with coolant while I dropped my wife off. The temperature went up to 92C and stayed there. I was expecting it to go up to 95C-96C. Does this look normal to you folks? Keep in mind, the outside temperature was around -6C.

92 is normal. Temps can fluctuate a few degrees every now and then.

[slater]

My low coolant light came on last night for about 30 seconds as I was leaving work. I was like

Checked the coolant level this morning and the 'dipstick' was sitting at the very bottom of the expansion tank. Thankfully I had some BMW coolant lying around, which I mixed 50/50 with water and filled up the expansion tank where the top of the dipstick was just below the rim of the expansion tank opening to make sure I do not overfill. I did not see any leaks in the expansion tank.

do you see anything on the topside of the belly pan?

i've had two weird leaks like that - one was a bad o-ring on the bottom of the expansion tank that only appeared when it got really cold out (the o-ring must shrink just enough), and the other was on a friends' car - the temp sensor o-ring leaked. $2 part in both cases, but still a pain to deal with (the temp sensor o-ring really was not a pain, it took 10min, with minimal coolant loss - the expansion tank on the other hand, i hate that thing). generally anything fluid- and seal-related, i don't like dealing with. because it's always like, "IS it going to seal properly?" blah.

[anandoc]

92 is normal. Temps can fluctuate a few degrees every now and then.

Thanks!

do you see anything on the topside of the belly pan?

i've had two weird leaks like that - one was a bad o-ring on the bottom of the expansion tank that only appeared when it got really cold out (the o-ring must shrink just enough), and the other was on a friends' car - the temp sensor o-ring leaked. $2 part in both cases, but still a pain to deal with (the temp sensor o-ring really was not a pain, it took 10min, with minimal coolant loss - the expansion tank on the other hand, i hate that thing). generally anything fluid- and seal-related, i don't like dealing with. because it's always like, "IS it going to seal properly?" blah.

I will monitor the levels and for any leaks over the next few days. I have a backup expansion tank just in case.

[nextelbuddy]

Did E46 Sedans ever come with factory LED tail lights? I can see that at some point M3 coupes did come with LED Tail lights but i never see any mention of NON M3 coupes or Sedans.