Gavsadler's X3 35i M-Sport

[gavsadler]

Update Nov-2020:

So, shortly after my last post (middle of July), I also decided to take the plunge and cough up for a new AGM battery for the car. The existing battery was just short of 5 years old, so I guess it was a fair innings.  Once again, thanks to JP at ABM.

Here's a pic of the raft of faults that started popping up, including some recurring misfires:

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New battery, note how the manufactured month and year is stamped onto the negative terminal:

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Glad to have that done and out of the way for the next few years.

But then, I also needed to address the persistent misfires. After some scans, cylinders 2 and 6 were complaining, so to start with, I decided to only replace these 2 coils, and fit 2 new plugs as well:

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After this, the car drove well, for about 2 months, and then, going into the start of October, more nonsense started:

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Here's a video of a cold start with the failing fuel pump:

[video=youtube]

I've determined that the fong kong high pressure fuel pump I fitted 2 years ago is failing. It's exactly the same symptoms as before.  Sadly, the manufacturer claimed a 3-year warranty on their site, but they have been dead quiet in giving me feedback.  Ag well, lesson learnt, school fees paid.  I'll look to get a new OEM one when funds allow.  For the time-being, we have just been using the other cars for the school run etc.

So the car has been sitting in the garage for the past 2 months, but it began to look a bit sad and neglected, so decided to pull it out and give it a proper clean and detail last weekend. We did the following:

• Full wash
• Clay bar
• Polish
• Tyre dressing
• Leather cleaner + creme inside
• C Thru window treatment
• Trim detailer on the rubbers and other plastics
• Metal polish for the exhaust tips

I think that's all, but I must say it came out quite nice I think:



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Next month, this car is going to need a lot of work: new fuel pump, full service incl. all filters, rotate wheels, bleed brake fluid.  Going to be fun, but looking forward to getting it fresh for 2021.

As an aside, we entertained looking at some budget hatchbacks to replace it, but we can't justify them asking double the price for a 1400 N/A with 3-star safety rating and way less luxuries.  So this served as more motivation to keep this one and drive it into the future.

That's all for now.

 

[Benji]

Sorry to hear about the troubles, but I agree on the new car thing. I would happily spend 30k a year on maintenance on a fun old car than spend close to 100k a year in paying off some dreary new soul drainer.

 

[gavsadler]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I clean forgot about this update. I’m going to combine this update for across the 4 cars in the fleet.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]In July, following a refund from SARS, I decided to treat myself to a device to satisfy my nerdy tendencies.  So after some chats with Firi, a day later my Dragy arrived.[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]First impressions: it’s really small, maybe the size of 2 BIC lighters held together.  I gave it a charge, and after downloading the app to my phone, I was ready to test it out.  I decided to keep things simple and stick it on top of the dash with 2 blobs of Prestik.  This worked just fine, and for the first couple of days, I experimented with the settings and how it all works. It is very simple to use.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Thereafter, I decided on a private test track to use for some runs.  It’s straight and long enough to get a 1/4mile in and have sufficient stopping distance too. Unfortunately it’s not 100% flat, but over the 400m, the gradient changes cancel each other out, which the app then regards as a valid run.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]For  the runs that you see below, I also didn’t apply too much rocket science. The intention was to mash the throttle / do a brisk pull off, as you would in a normal, day-to-day scenario. No activating of launch control, no warming up tyres, traction control activated (where applicable) etc.  So yes, there is probably room for improvement on some of the cars (or they could fare worse) – who knows. This is purely for comparison, same road, similar conditions, same driving style.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I’ve added an image below, of the runs from each car, and the data generated. 1st place goes to the M3, 2nd the X3, 3rd for the Ute and 4th the 130i. Some data which peaked my nerdy interest:[/font]

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• Note the gear shift delays (orange line) on the 2 manual cars vs the 2 auto cars.  Again I was shifting normally, no race-style shifting or flat shifting or looking for the elusive money shift.  I have mechanical sympathy.
  
• Looking at the acceleration curve (blue line), the M3 and Ute have quite steep gradients most of the run, whereas the X3 has a strong showing initially, but then a much lazier curve (don’t get me wrong, the car is still rapid). The 130i is also not as strong as the turbo cars up at the reef.
  
• Interestingly, the 60ft time of the 130i is the best of the lot, I attribute this to less torque and less interference from the DSC.  Next up is the X3 which also hopped off the line nicely – due to the x-drive. Thereafter is the M3, and lighting up the tyres at the back of the pack is the Ute.
  
• The terminal speed of the Ute over 400m is higher than the X3 – probably due to aerodynamics and also being able to put down more power once the front wheels have grip in the higher gears. Lighter weight may also help matters somewhat.

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I’ve embedded the videos of each of the car’s runs as well, but please excuse the shaky footage (I have yet to finalise a stable mount for the phone).[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]M3:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][video=youtube]

[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]X3:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][video=youtube]

[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Corsa Ute:[/font]
[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif][video=youtube]

[size=small][font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]As mentioned earlier, there are probably more ideal conditions, a better private test track, and better driver skills to be realised, which will result in lower times, but that was not the point of this exercise. It was to do some real-world “one take” runs of each vehicle.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]All-in-all, a great little product, accuracy seems good and like I’ve said, I geek out on analysing the numbers and the graphs.  I look forward to using it more in future and maybe trying for quicker runs in better conditions and on a better private test track.[/font]

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Thanks for reading.[/font]

---

[video=youtube]

 

[gavsadler]

Update: Jan-21:

Sooo, rewinding back a few months, shortly after completing some of the testing using the Dragy, the car began to misbehave again, after some diagnosis and troubleshooting, the conclusion was that the high pressure fuel pump was failing - again. You'll recall I had this issue 2 years ago.  At the time, I decided to replace the original pump with an aftermarket replacement.  Well that lasted 2 years / 15000kms.

I tried to follow up with the company I purchased the pump from. Sadly, no response from them.  They're also based in the UK, so it eliminates going there in person and so on.  Also, upon reading the detailed description on their advertisement for the pump - the main description states a 3-year warranty, whereas the small print hidden elsewhere states only a 2-year warranty.  Delving deeper and checking my dates of installation, this pump lasted 2 days short of 2 years. I guess they're on point with their warranty then. Anyway, moving on...

I decided to park the car off and wait a bit until I could get a new OEM unit.  Also, this would be a good opportunity for the Mrs to use the M3 as a daily, and to see how that played out.  That, together with work being crazy busy, and starting up G Shift, meant that there was honestly precious little time for any car fiddling.  The car was parked off from around beginning of September.

Here's a quick video of the cold start, and the symptoms of the failing high pressure fuel pump:

[video=youtube]

Then in around November, I decided to pull the car out the garage and give it a good clean and some TLC.  We spent the whole day on the car, doing a wash, clay bar, polish, wax, windows, wheels and tyres, interior, leather.  Top to bottom, everything was cleaned and treated. I used a variety of products which are tried and tested in the household.  Some listed below:

• Cleen Green for Wheels and Tyres
• Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash
• Meguiar's Clay Bar and Quik Detailer
• Menzerna Polish (I think it was SF4000)
• Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Premium Liquid Wax
• Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer for exterior trim
• Meguiar's Endurance Tyre Gel
• Wynn's C Thru for exterior glass
• Meguiar's Quik Detailer Interior
• Wynn's Leather Care Creme (subsequently I've been using Meguiar's Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner)

 Some pics below:

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In the next post, I'll discuss the HPFP replacement, full service and so on.

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After an incredibly busy 3 months, work had settled down, G Shift was operational and I had completed some studying for a big exam.  The festive season was in full swing, and there was now time to attend to the cars again.

First up, a trip to visit JP at BMW Midrand, and after emptying out the bank balance, I had parts for the X3 and M3:

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Then it was time to strip out the HPFP.  Danny will tell you stories about how we struggled and swore this thing 2 years ago when we first did the job (scroll back a few pages for my recollections of the day as well).  This time round though, it went much smoother.  It helps being familiar with the job, the struggle points and so on.  All-in, it was about 2hrs to get the pump out.  Once again, due to extreme space limitations, loosing 2 of the 3 bolts holding the pump to the motor probably took about 1hr!  Anyways, I managed to get it out, without losing any socket bits, or injuring myself too badly.

Here's an unboxing pic of the new OEM pump, and a comparison to the aftermarket pump which was just removed:



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And here's some pics of where the pump attaches to the motor:

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To install the new pump was a reversal of the process, again another 1hour for 2/3 bolts holding the pump, and then an hour to close up everything else.

And the first start after installing the new pump:

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Happiness!  I took it for a drive, and it felt good, silky smooth again and not sounding like a Tuk Tuk anymore.

Back home, and it was time to complete the rest of the service.  I decided to do a fairly major service, as the filters had not been replaced in quite some time, and wanted everything on the car to be good and clean and fresh, tra la la.

Pollen filter replaced:

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Air filter replaced:
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Oil change (also using my new cup wrench for the oil filter housing - check out my online store where it is available for purchase):

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And lastly, I bled the brake fluid, this is what came out:

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I'm glad that the car is done, and ready for the road again. To end off, having been able to drive the car again, and the Mrs using it to shuttle the kids around, it really is superior as a daily driver.  The abundance of torque low down makes for effortless progress.  While the engine and exhaust do sound good, they are not overly intrusive, and really quiet at highway speeds.  Ingress and egress is awesome, and the added height means it's a pleasure to lean in and make sure the kids are buckled up properly.  I honestly think I missed this car more than I thought I would while it was parked off.

Having entertained a phase of a newer, but smaller and cheaper vehicle as a replacement, I'm glad that never progressed further.  I can't justify R250k+ for a car that's inferior in every way (except age) compared to the X3.  So yes, it's cost a bomb over the past few months to get sorted and serviced, but as I said, glad it's done.

 

[PLV]

Noice work as always Gav!

:thumbs:

 

[sash]

Car is looking great. Tons of effort going on.

Sent from my MAR-LX1M using Tapatalk

 

[gavsadler]

Update: Mar-21

The past 2 months or so have been relatively pleasant with the car, in that it hasn't complained or given any nonsense, almost a welcome change from the norm. Good to have it back for doing school duties, and it's just overall a more comfortable and practical family car.

Moving on, a very very very long overdue update: the FISCON unit fitted in the car is finally working. Thanks to @RichardH for spending a good few hours one evening trying to get everything to work properly.

From our last efforts to code the car, something ended up going awry, and the Aux input was no longer working. This was an issue, as my Mrs likes to listen to her own music choice when driving around. Over and above the Telephone functionality not working, this was becoming an issue, to the point where I started researching other units to replace, whether it be just a bluetooth kit, or an integrated Android / Apple integration device, through to complete replacement infotainment systems with bigger screens and so on.

But I'm pleased to report that now that FISCON is working, and the Aux is working again, there is peace on earth, lol.

Some quick pics:

Telephone functionality active in iDrive:


And various phone functions available:


As a side note: I contacted FISCON directly at some point, to ask if they could assist with exactly what needs to be coded. All they were interested in doing is selling me a replacement dongle to code the car. 100Euros before shipping, duties and taxes. No thanks.

Other than that, the car is good. There is talk in the household about possibly selling it, or replacing with something else (maybe another A3 or something), but it's still early days. It's a nice car that ticks a lot of boxes, so will be hard to replace.

That's all for now.

 

[gavsadler]

(Delayed) and last update: Apr-2021:

Shortly after my last post, plans were accidentally put in motion for a replacement for the X3. This was mostly due to some opportunistic browsing on Auto Trader, and also some free time to go look at a few options. More on this in a separate thread at a later stage.

Fast forward about 2 weeks, and with the replacement finalised, the X3 went up for sale. I initially only advertised on the forum, and within a week, the car was provisionally sold. (Quick, simple, painless, honest and ethical, I couldn't ask for more - Thank You).

Part of the sale included attending to the pesky oil leak, which I suspected was from the turbo oil return pipe, and also re-fitting of the downpipe).

So... up onto the ramps for the work to begin:

Here is the old pipe in-situ, and it does look like it has seen better days:



Old and new side by side:



And new pipe fitted:



And as a reminder, the stock downpipe and replacement downpipe which was previously only fitted for 7 days:



After doing all the jobs, the car was ready to head off to the new owner.

It's been a great journey with this car, there have been some frustrating and trying times for sure, but overall I really enjoyed ownership of this one, so much so that if it didn't sell, I would've probably kept it and then advertised the M3 instead.

Thanks to all for reading, and also special mention to Danny2 and RichardH for the assistance on this car over the years.

Over and out on the X3 chapter....

 

[VinceM]

You are one of the people on this forum that gave me the courage to wield a spanner,
I throughly enjoy reading your diy threads and well done on the sale (the manner, etc. Including sorting these last bits out. Wish the new owner many happy kilometers).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Anees]

Mr Gav,

It has truly been a pleasure dealing with you. From our first call up until collecting the car was definitely quick, simple, painless, honest and ethical, I couldn't ask for more - Thank You. Maybe one day I can still take the M3 off your hands 😂

Yesterday was actually 1 month since I picked up the car and there is absolutely no regrets! The smile that this car gives is indescribable 🥰
I only miss my 320d consumption 🤣