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

Originally Posted by WDE46

I don't necessarily agree with replacing everything either, but it doesn't hurt. It's worth it for some people. At 180K your brother should probably just go ahead and replace the ET haha.

Originally Posted by limpiabota809

Definitely food for thought, understand if you're doing it yourself and can save on the labor charge then it definitely doesn't hurt to do it and change the components that can fail. For example I just spent 140$ on the overhaul that I mentioned above with oem/oem supplied parts...I understand what you're saying about paying double and triple for example at a reputable shop i was being charged 445$ to do just water pump. how much more do you think they wanted to replace everything else I did myself? I didn't even bother asking I just got my buddy who is a mechanic for some years now(25+) and we did it together of course carefully following the DIY so we don't do more harm than good...again it's just preventative maintainance I purchased my car with 110,xxx miles and I don't know how well the previous owner took care of it

Atleast you guys have different opinions other then listening to one guy. Realistically how much many people other then in these forums even do the cooling system overhaul. lol

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

Cool analogies Bro!

Thanks bro! I tried hard to think of those

Originally Posted by 98bimmer

Atleast you guys have different opinions other then listening to one guy. Realistically how much many people other then in these forums even do the cooling system overhaul. lol

None. That's the problem. I should show you pictures of E46s with blown/overheated motors sitting in front of a buddy's shop. Want to see some blown M54s sitting on a garage floor due to overheat?

Originally Posted by E46Mango

None. That's the problem. I should show you pictures of E46s with blown/overheated motors sitting in front of a buddy's shop. Want to see some blown M54s sitting on a garage floor due to overheat?

I understand what you're saying mango and do agree with what your saying. Many other things can cause engine failure as well. Theres so many e46's and no one treats theirs like people on forums do and their surviving.

Originally Posted by 98bimmer

Atleast you guys have different opinions other then listening to one guy. Realistically how much many people other then in these forums even do the cooling system overhaul. lol

Not many I could imagine, I'm going to be completely honest if it wasn't for this forum after my therm went bad and i replaced it I wouldn't have done anything else just left it at the therm being fixed which by the way was 160 at the same shop after that I joined the forum and read mangos thread got sick of reading and went to work and I can say I'm happy

Originally Posted by RKiepper

Look at mine..

Checkmate, sir.

Shootin' fish in a barrel...

I have the plastic bowl...and the original factory sticker on my spare All these other yahoos are doing it wrong

anyone ever think that the wheel may have been used? lol perhaps the previous owner put the wheel back facing up. also id rather have it facing down anyways. that little bowl gives a great compartment for random things. my wheel still looks brand new, as well as the pilot that is attatched to it

not to mention that the spare basically rest on the face of the tires rather then the face of the wheels.

I stash my old slightly delaminated side mirror glass and the unnecessary charcoal filter from my airbox in the event I need to take it to the dealership

My day when I get up...

Just got my cooling system overhaul package from Tischer yesterday. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Great packaging, BTW.

One lug bolt started rounding, so for peace of mind, I decided to replace them all.

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

One lug bolt started rounding, so for peace of mind, I decided to replace them all.

Attachment 474645

thats good, man. bolts after 10 years start to fatigue and rust. especially with all that canyon runs you do. now you'll have extra piece of mind when you're up at little tujunga!!

Originally Posted by RKiepper

My day when I get up...

Same ordeal for me.
Going to do VCG and oil change.
Thinking to run sea foam before I open it up for VCG and oil change though. Want to see what difference it makes on cleaning.
I have pictures from before, so I will take the ones for after as well.
Now just to find the place to do the smoke session.


Castrol edge 5w30?
5w30 iw LL04 I believe.

For e46, its castrol edge 0w30.

Pepboys have a special on castrol edge though.
5qts 0w30 and a filter for 29.99,
Just got 5qts with a filter for my mazda. They dont have the filters for e46
Mobil 1 0w40 is causing too many leaks. At least that what the forum led me to think.

Going back for another 5qts later because they ran out of it.
Advance auto has the same for 5.99 on their website but the stores dont carry them, or at least I couldnt find any on stock when I called around.

PS: castrol edge 5w40 is also LL01.

Originally Posted by trj

Castrol edge 5w30?
5w30 iw LL04 I believe.

For e46, its castrol edge 0w30.

Pepboys have a special on castrol edge though.
5qts 0w30 and a filter for 29.99,
Just got 5qts with a filter for my mazda. They dont have the filters for e46
Mobil 1 0w40 is causing too many leaks. At least that what the forum led me to think.

Going back for another 5qts later because they ran out of it.
Advance auto has the same for 5.99 on their website but the stores dont carry them, or at least I couldnt find any on stock when I called around.

PS: castrol edge 5w40 is also LL01.

BMWs are the only car I've heard of using just a paper filter with no housing. Every other engine I've worked on uses a traditional filter. I don't know what BMW has against some standard FRAM design. They are good filters.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

thats good, man. bolts after 10 years start to fatigue and rust. especially with all that canyon runs you do. now you'll have extra piece of mind when you're up at little tujunga!!

Yes indeed...now onto replacing the tie-rods, boots, and brake calipers.

Busy day, before work.

Originally Posted by WDE46

BMWs are the only car I've heard of using just a paper filter with no housing. Every other engine I've worked on uses a traditional filter. I don't know what BMW has against some standard FRAM design. They are good filters.

that "housing" you refer to just contains the oil. same way our oil filter housings do. our design makes oil changes easier, cleaner, and looks better in the engine bay (imagine a giant fram filter sticking up in the middle)

Originally Posted by WDE46

BMWs are the only car I've heard of using just a paper filter with no housing. Every other engine I've worked on uses a traditional filter. I don't know what BMW has against some standard FRAM design. They are good filters.

Yah, I use Mann filters as well. It would have been easier if they were readily available in the parts store rather than having to order online($6) or from the dealership($15).

However, just as a heads up; German Castrol(castrol edge 0w30) is on sale in pep boys for $29.99 for 5qts.

I will just make a thread on the general section. So more people will read it.

Originally Posted by ///MPR77

Yes indeed...now onto replacing the tie-rods, boots, and brake calipers.

Busy day, before work.

reman calipers eh? pretty easy. i did it for one fanatic here. some way you need to bleed the dsc system but after i did his, i bled traditional way and his brakes felt awesome afterwards.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

that "housing" you refer to just contains the oil. same way our oil filter housings do. our design makes oil changes easier, cleaner, and looks better in the engine bay (imagine a giant fram filter sticking up in the middle)

I'm aware. I just wonder why BMW goes the less traditional route that combines the housing and filter. I have no problem bulk ordering filters online, but I'd rather just pick one up as needed from Autozone.