* What did you do to/for your E46 today? *

Today I gave my car the full P21S treatment. I cleaned the wheels with P21S Gel Wheel cleaner, washed it, used P21S Paintwork Cleanser and followed that up with their 100% pure carnauba wax. You can feel the paint is now free of contaminants when you slide your hand across it, and the wheels look truly stunning. I am extremely satisfied with the P21S kit. Wish I had some photos but it's dark.

Originally Posted by tock172

Today I gave my car the full P21S treatment. I cleaned the wheels with P21S Gel Wheel cleaner, washed it, used P21S Paintwork Cleanser and followed that up with their 100% pure carnauba wax. You can feel the paint is now free of contaminants when you slide your hand across it, and the wheels look truly stunning. I am extremely satisfied with the P21S kit. Wish I had some photos but it's dark.

Their wheel cleaner is godly.

Ordered new windshield cowl, inner control arm ball joints, and a Valentine 1 and remote display.

Yesterday I pressure tested my tubing, fixed a boost leak, changed front diff fluid, and installed the new BPV.

We all know how "lifetime: the fluid is (it lasts right up to the point your driveline fails, hence lifetime).

Cleaned off the massive amounts of bird crap on it.

Originally Posted by deadwood83

Their wheel cleaner is godly.

Ordered new windshield cowl, inner control arm ball joints, and a Valentine 1 and remote display.

Yesterday I pressure tested my tubing, fixed a boost leak, changed front diff fluid, and installed the new BPV.

We all know how "lifetime: the fluid is (it lasts right up to the point your driveline fails, hence lifetime).

I've now used both Sonax and the P21S gel and I think I prefer P21S. I feel like it has a greater cleansing effect.

And great choice on the V1. Where are you going to mount the concealed the display? I have a V1 in my car but no concealed display.

My 325 sedan had huge water spots all over the passenger side. After some research I found out that vinegar removes the stains. I spent the day making my car smell like a pickle, but it was so worth it. The stains came right of. I then used scratch X to remove the water etching and that worked like a charm too! I used some meguiars carnauba wax plus and now it looks awesome.

Originally Posted by JT_01

My 325 sedan had huge water spots all over the passenger side. After some research I found out that vinegar removes the stains. I spent the day making my car smell like a pickle, but it was so worth it. The stains came right of. I then used scratch X to remove the water etching and that worked like a charm too! I used some meguiars carnauba wax plus and now it looks awesome.

Scratch X 2.0 is amazing stuff.

Fixed the drivers side window regulator using the zip tie method

Originally Posted by tock172

I've now used both Sonax and the P21S gel and I think I prefer P21S. I feel like it has a greater cleansing effect.

And great choice on the V1. Where are you going to mount the concealed the display? I have a V1 in my car but no concealed display.

Unsure. Might do a custom gauge gluster mount.

Originally Posted by VIKTR

Fixed the drivers side window regulator using the zip tie method

Did this over a year ago. Still holding strong

Originally Posted by deadwood83

Unsure. Might do a custom gauge gluster mount.

Yeah I keep considering the idea of buying the display and control panel but I haven't decided to bite the bullet quite yet.

Originally Posted by tock172

Did this over a year ago. Still holding strong

Good to know, I figure I can put the money saved into preventive maintenance under the hood

Not sure if I want to start with the cooling system or engine seals, gaskets.

Just replace my noisy school bus fan clutch it is engaged all the time. I got a brand new BERU Germany Fan and guess what... it still engaged all the time

Any idea of what is happening???:

Originally Posted by VIKTR

Good to know, I figure I can put the money saved into preventive maintenance under the hood

Not sure if I want to start with the cooling system or engine seals, gaskets.

Cooling system is my suggestion. The slow oil leaks from the OFHG and VCG can be kept in check by adding oil when needed but the cooling system has the ability to leave you stranded (possibly with a permanently damaged engine) with absolutely no warning.

Originally Posted by tock172

Cooling system is my suggestion. The slow oil leaks from the OFHG and VCG can be kept in check by adding oil when needed but the cooling system has the ability to leave you stranded (possibly with a permanently damaged engine) with absolutely no warning.

That's true

Now to decide whether I should do a complete overhaul or just start with hoses and belts and see where that takes me.

Originally Posted by tock172

Cooling system is my suggestion. The slow oil leaks from the OFHG and VCG can be kept in check by adding oil when needed but the cooling system has the ability to leave you stranded (possibly with a permanently damaged engine) with absolutely no warning.

+1 tensioners, and pulleys while you're at it.

Originally Posted by VIKTR

That's true

Now to decide whether I should do a complete overhaul or just start with hoses and belts and see where that takes me.

What's your current mileage? My suggestion is to go the full overhaul route. The system is only as strong as its weakest component. My car will be due for its second cooling system overhaul in about 4,500 miles. The first one experienced a partial failure at 68k and the entire system was replaced minus the radiator. This time, the rad is being replaced too.

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

+1 tensioners, and pulleys while you're at it.

Yes, make sure you cover all bases. I've had all these replaced on my car as well.

Just hit 113k miles

What was the partial failure you experienced?

Originally Posted by VIKTR

Just hit 113k miles

What was the partial failure you experienced?

Water pump pulley supposedly sheared off, engine began to heat up and was immediately shut off. Then when being repaired the expansion tank was found to be compromised as well.

Originally Posted by tock172

Water pump pulley supposedly sheared off, engine began to heat up and was immediately shut off. Then when being repaired the expansion tank was found to be compromised as well.

Ah I see... I think my reasoning before this forum was that if I encountered any issues with the cooling system I would simply shut the car off and tow it home... then fix whatever was wrong. I had luck doing that with my last car (96 e320) and despite spending every other weekend under the hood of that thing, I only had one issue with the cooling system (a burst hose and plastic adapter). I ended up retrofitting the cheap plastic parts between the hoses with brass fittings from home depot

But going off of what I've seen on the forum the e46 seems to be much more temperamental so I'd much rather invest 750 to protect the engine than spend who knows how much on a new car

Originally Posted by VIKTR

But going off of what I've seen on the forum the e46 seems to be much more temperamental so I'd much rather invest 750 to protect the engine than spend who knows how much on a new car

Good attitude! Where are you located in SD? Let me know if you ever want your codes pulled or any other type of help.

Originally Posted by tock172

Good attitude! Where are you located in SD? Let me know if you ever want your codes pulled or any other type of help.

Spring Valley

Thanks, I haven't had any codes pop up yet but I still scan regularly. I'm sure there are quite a few things I'd need assistance with though

I want to disable the automatic door lock feature. I had found a few threads explaining how to do this with the key, but it only worked temporarily.