Quick Question for the old timers here lol

I maintain my 2000 323i pretty well but lately its been runnin just ok nothing real serious except it bucks once in a blue moon. Anyways Besides the iac, maf, air filter etc...can anyone list off items i can clean or check to possibly gain back lost power? I'm broke so I'm looking to do everything I can do for free, I mean why not right?

I'm looking for any suggestions that I can do this weekend that don't require any actual money aside from maybe some cleaner or something along those lines. I have tools so no worries just wanting a project for this weekend since my CB won't be coming in till next week lol. The CB is for the truck btw

everything is in my sig

things that come to mind that are free and only your labor would be:
Check air pressure
Clean Air Filter
Clean and inspect Spark Plugs
Inspect hoses

Spark plugs. I had bucking under acceleration at about 100k miles. I checked EVERYTHING except my plugs. Ended up being my plugs.

They didn't even look that bad upon removal. In fact if I didn't know better I'd say they looked just fine. But the replacement of them solved my problem

plugs are supposed to be changed at 100k or even before.

Free? Like Alex said the only thing you can do for "free" is a thorough inspection.

I changed the plugs about 6 months ago soooo not that. They were properly gapped and i used the ngks that are highly recommended by members here. theres got to be things like clean the disa valve or clean the throttle body? ive read about cleaning things here and there but I cannot for the life of me remember what and where lol so searching doesnt help. plus a nice concise list of items you can do for just labor and possibly cleaners and lubricants i already have at home would be awesome. Besides maybe i'll find other faults while looking...

Originally Posted by E46Mango

everything is in my sig

As far as your link
Regular Oil and filter changes CHECK

Spark Plugs? CHECK

Fuel Filter? CHECK

Diff Oil? CHECK

Tranny Fluid? CHECK

Air Filter? CHECK

Cabin Fiter? PENDING

Clean ICV? CHECK

Clean Throttle Body? CHECK (sorta need to remove it to clean it really good)

DISA? PENDING (not sure it needs replacing yet need to check it out)

Brake Fluid? PENDING

Valve Cover Gasket? PENDING (waiting to do vanos at the same time, no leaks anyways yet)

Oil Filter Housing Gasket? CHECK

Vanos? PENDING

Engine Cleaning? CHECK

Cooling system? PENDING

Anything I missed?

Spray and clean the maf


http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=335561

i have cleaned the maf i plan on cleaning it again

Bump

You obviously do not know BMW's very well. Free is out the window.
The best you can hope for is to buy it cheap online, and DIY.
The only free part is digging in and seeing what you need to spend money on. If you are broke, then don't dig too far.
Also, the old timers are driving e9X's that are under warranty. All that's left are those of us that fix the things they neglected. If you want an old timer, "bought the car new" type, then look up SLO Town. But his stuff is not free. He spent more on engine mounts than most of us would spend on an engine rebuild.