E82 120d - Ten Years of Ownership Advice Please

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Hey everyone. Really grateful to be here. This is my 2013 120d - been an absolute joy to own and honestly, the best car I've ever driven. Its factory stock standard. I've owned it for ten years now and in that time have done the regular services and changed brake disks. I've also had to replace a sensor in the engine compartment which was causing some kind of electronic fault. And the engine drive belt - it was the rubber one. Bought her with 60k kms and now she's at 105k.
Honestly I should have joined here years ago - could have learned so much. I would like some advice please. I need to make a long journey with the car - about 1500 kms next year. What should I replace/do now as preventative maintenance so that I reduce the chances of breakdowns while on my journey? I wanted to replace all hoses and pulleys, but my mechanic advised that we just change what looks worn. Also, I want to put in an Android head unit - something with navigation and a really nice screen - any suggestions? Lastly, I have the 'chinese' make tires on - sizes 235(front) 255(rear) 40 R18. I would like to put on better tires - nothing extreme - just for really good road handling, especially in rainy weather. Any and all advice and suggestions will be really appreciated guys. Thank you so much.

 

[MR_Y]

Welcome!

ZF gearbox oil service would be a top recommendation, unless already done

Given your mileage, I assume garage queen for weekends or driven very short trips?

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Welcome!

ZF gearbox oil service would be a top recommendation, unless already done

Given your mileage, I assume garage queen for weekends or driven very short trips?

How do I do the ZF gearbox oil service? I am in KZN - not far from Durban - are there any reputable places that would be honest which you could recommend?

'Garage Queen' - haha that's not one I've heard before, and yep - barely go anywhere except for the occasional run to town. I have used it once to Pretoria - which was about 1000kms for the round trip - was truly so smooth and comfy. I also have an E36 with only 44k kms lol. Thank you for replying so soon and for the helpful advice.

 

[///M Individual]

Awesome car.

As Mr Y mentioned Gearbox service - buy the parts and oil from ZF Durban (Pinetown) and get your mechanic to do it. (Not sure if your car is manual/auto)

Coolant flange (if not changed before)

Have the vibration damper inspected.

The mechanics idea to inspect what is worn and replace is a good start as well.

If you plan to keep the car long term you should consider removing the catalytic converter before it gets clogged and replace it with a 63mm downpipe and doing an ECU remap switching off the EGR and swirl flaps as these can trouble in the future.. This is not for better performance but more for the vehicle to run more efficiently and for longevity. This doesn't have to be done before your long trip just something to plan for.

 

[FILV]

Welcome!
Shes a beauty

The guys have pretty much covered everything here.
Buy a bottle of Liqui Mply diesel purge for your long trip and add to your fuel tank.

Be sure to share once you do your trip

 

[M3boi]

Welcome! Car looks clean.

The points the guys have mentioned above are all good things to look at, especially the vibration damper. Maybe get your mechanic to check shock mounts as well if they haven't been replaced.

Tyre wise, I've just put Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance on my 320d (had them on other cars before and put a set on my fiance's car 2 years ago as well) and can highly recommend them. Very good in the wet too.

 

[AshG108]

Great advice above, I would say check your air filter and cabin filter before the trip for a pleasant trip down.

Next, at the mileage, consider removing the CAT and fit a DP + ECU remap. the car will breathe tons better, improve fuel economy and drivability.

 

[YozTruly]

Welcome to the forum @Shivaal Tiluk.

Great looking car and well done in 10 years of ownership. Wishing you many more happy miles.

 

[DRCraig]

Hi howzit. What a beautiful E82. Tons of advice here and consider all crucial. Check the charge of your alternator to the battery to ascertain the battery is not being overcharged. A weak battery also causes the alternator charge to spike leading to double catastrophe. Supaquick does it free of charge. Can be unsettling to have a failing alternator, and consequently battery, on long journeys. Also, make sure you have a bomb playlist.

 

[zabbo]

Welcome!! Your car looks good.
But I am an e36 lover and would love to see more of your low mileage e36. Please create a separate thread and show us your special car.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Awesome car.

As Mr Y mentioned Gearbox service - buy the parts and oil from ZF Durban (Pinetown) and get your mechanic to do it. (Not sure if your car is manual/auto)

Coolant flange (if not changed before)

Have the vibration damper inspected.

The mechanics idea to inspect what is worn and replace is a good start as well.

If you plan to keep the car long term you should consider removing the catalytic converter before it gets clogged and replace it with a 63mm downpipe and doing an ECU remap switching off the EGR and swirl flaps as these can trouble in the future.. This is not for better performance but more for the vehicle to run more efficiently and for longevity. This doesn't have to be done before your long trip just something to plan for.

Thank you M Individual. I appreciate that advice - my car is auto (the regular tiptronic i think its called, has paddles on the steering). Coolant flange is an excellent idea and I will get that done. Thanks for reminding me about the damper - it was replaced about 10 000 kms ago - the old one was actually torn really bad. I would love to keep the car for as long as possible so I'm definitely going to get the de-cat done but I will do it early next year after the trip. Thank you again.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Welcome!
Shes a beauty

The guys have pretty much covered everything here.
Buy a bottle of Liqui Mply diesel purge for your long trip and add to your fuel tank.

Be sure to share once you do your trip

Hey. Thank you. Great idea with the Liqui Moly - I have used it a long time ago. I will put in a bottle before topping up the tank at the end of the month. I will share the deets of the trip - really looking forward to it.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Welcome! Car looks clean.

The points the guys have mentioned above are all good things to look at, especially the vibration damper. Maybe get your mechanic to check shock mounts as well if they haven't been replaced.

Tyre wise, I've just put Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance on my 320d (had them on other cars before and put a set on my fiance's car 2 years ago as well) and can highly recommend them. Very good in the wet too.

Thank you so, so much. Will have the shock mounts checked - the rear shocks were replaced a long time ago and might actually need replacing again. Thanks for the tire advice. Your cars look amazing! Truly! They're like pictures of model cars I see online. I really love E36's but gosh, those E46's you own - so fire! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Great advice above, I would say check your air filter and cabin filter before the trip for a pleasant trip down.

Next, at the mileage, consider removing the CAT and fit a DP + ECU remap. the car will breathe tons better, improve fuel economy and drivability.

Hey, thanks. Definitely will check and probably replace the cabin filter and air filter. Are there any other air related filters that could be replaced? I want to go to Goldwagen and get some parts this week so the mechanic has everything when he starts with the oil service and brakes this weekend.
I shall definitely remove the cat - it did wonders on my E36 and I can only imagine how nice the car would run after the de-cat and remap. Thank you.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Welcome to the forum @Shivaal Tiluk.

Great looking car and well done in 10 years of ownership. Wishing you many more happy miles.

Hey, thank you for the kind words and welcoming. This is a really awesome community and I wish I joined sooner!

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Hi howzit. What a beautiful E82. Tons of advice here and consider all crucial. Check the charge of your alternator to the battery to ascertain the battery is not being overcharged. A weak battery also causes the alternator charge to spike leading to double catastrophe. Supaquick does it free of charge. Can be unsettling to have a failing alternator, and consequently battery, on long journeys. Also, make sure you have a bomb playlist.

That's a brilliant idea. I will go into Supaquick and get them to do the test. Thanks for the playlist suggestion - gotta make sure I have some great tunes for the long drive. Thank you.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Welcome!! Your car looks good.
But I am an e36 lover and would love to see more of your low mileage e36. Please create a separate thread and show us your special car.

Hey. Thank you, I appreciate that.
Sure. I'd be happy to share pics once I figure out how to use the forum lol I'm still getting the hang of where the threads are and stuff. Thanks for the comment.

 

[Shivaal Tiluk]

Hey guys - One thing I could really use advice on - my car doesn't have a spare wheel and neither does it have a cut out in the trunk for a spare. It came with run flats from factory. I've since put on regular tires. What's the best option for getting a full spare rim and tire? What have you guys done? Do you just 'wing it' lol and hope for the best on long journeys? I'm also wondering if I should sign up to AA for their roadside assistance plan just in case for like 3 months... And Thank You for the trophy if one of you guys gave me one - saw it in the notifications thing.

 

[///M Individual]

Hey guys - One thing I could really use advice on - my car doesn't have a spare wheel and neither does it have a cut out in the trunk for a spare. It came with run flats from factory. I've since put on regular tires. What's the best option for getting a full spare rim and tire? What have you guys done? Do you just 'wing it' lol and hope for the best on long journeys? I'm also wondering if I should sign up to AA for their roadside assistance plan just in case for like 3 months... And Thank You for the trophy if one of you guys gave me one - saw it in the notifications thing.

AA is a good idea ahead of this trip.

Get a few bottles of tyre weld.

If you carry a full size spare it will eat up all of your boot space so maybe look at a space saver biscuit wheel instead. You will have to search on Gumtree, Marketplace etc. to find one though. Don't forget a jack and wheel spanner as well.

 

[FiRi@Rennzport]

Beautiful specimen. The e82 is definately timeless and itsbgreat to see some still in this condition.

One bit of advise nobody here has bothered giving you and its very dissapointing....


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