My 2000 BMW 323ci build thread w/Pics & Vids

[Aikz_Santos]

I thought of sharing since I might need help to those that are more knowledgeable than me. Because I do have a lot of plans for my ride.

I am the 3rd owner. I bought it from a guy on craigslist here in Las Vegas for $3,200. It looks decent for it being a 200,000mi car.

As of everyone who buys cars from private owners we cant always trust what they say in what they did to the car.

The person I bought the car stated hes a mechanic. WELL...here is up for a surprise..

I brought the car to EUROTEK TUNING. Car was diagnosed. Heres the problems and costs.

I know I took a risk not bringing a mechanic with me before buying the car OR having brought the car to a mechanic I know. *my fault lol*
But I have no regrets because Ive fallen inlove with this car. And its a second hand car, what do you expect right?

I asked EUROTEK (Leo-shop owner) to write the list of things to do by priority so he just numbered them. As you guys can see the belts was one of the first priority. (Lol)

AND I figured to buy my own parts online since it saves me money! And who doesnt like saving right? (Lol)

On September 12, 2014 My check engine light popped up. Before I had the car diagnosed and scanned there was no engine light. After a week the belts were replaced then the engine light went on.

I noticed that there was a siren noise coming from my engine. I bring it to EUROTEK. Leo tells me its because I already have a lot issues with the car.

So, I get a second opinion and bring the car to EMC Motors (BMW Henderson employee referred me there). They tell me that its the belt pulleys.

So I call EUROTEK tell them to check the car again because I think its the pulleys. They check it and Leo says its the ehaust valve. And tells me the ambient temp sensor has no sensor. (Lol)

You scanned my car and You did a diagnostic. I bought the parts. Bring it to you just for you to tell me that you cant install because you failed to inform me that I had no ambient temp sensor. And to misinform me that the siren noise is from an exhaust valve? Or you were just hiding the fact that your technician should have known that I needed to change my pulleys when he installed my belts? (FAIL)

Do you guys see where im coming here? Obviously the owner knows nothing but to manage the shop. He doesnt work on the cars. So i tell him myself I want the pulleys done. I get the pulleys done and the noise disappears!

Conclusion of all this is that I will no longer go to EUROTEK!

Engine light still on after pulleys were replaced. So, I started to research on youtube what could be the main culprint.

I decided clean my MAF. Found out that my cabin filter was hideous and my air filter was soo nasty!

Check engine light still on. SO LAST NIGHT here's what I did...

Yes, I lubricated it with spark plug lubricant lol.

And my mom helping me wipe dust off on the cover plates

After all this a noise starts coming from the engine..
Like a thump a hard knock thump every few seconds.

But..heres the surprise--

NO ENGINE LIGHT! Lol

Feels so good not seeing that there. Lol! But Im not at peace where that thump knocking sound is coming from. Ill post a video of it here on my thread maybe you guys can help me figure it out? Please.

Anyway my car pulls better. It runs stronger. And Im proud of myself hahaha!

 

[Peter@AEW]

Those labour charges as quoted are hectic.

Well done to you for getting stuck in and doing it yourself.....having Mom help is always a bonus

 

[Iceman007]

Those New sparkplugs are not correct :YesNo:

 

[Aikz_Santos]

Those New sparkplugs are not correct :YesNo:

What you mean there not correct?

---

Ok so for an update after installing the new spark plugs check engine light went back on after 1 day of riding. And car sometimes stalls again with me restarting the car again. Which it always does and doesnt completely die. I have a feeling its the ICV? Or the Fuel Filter? (Any ideas would help)

Also, my car shakes while braking. Brought it to the shop and they said its because my tires are bad. My front tires are 2009 and my rear are 2012. My suspension needs replaced since it is more than 200,000mi on the car.

So this is my idea of getting this week, can i get suggestions the specs? I want the car sitting nice but at the same time I dont want roll fenders and I dont want buy spacers and I dont want worry about unnecessary things. I want a fitment thats no problems but sits nice in the car and looks nice.

Here is what im thinking to get.

JOM Coilover (i live in las vegas, so i shouldnt worry about the polished steel right?) Also, Im not racing the car neither will I be driving it aggressively therefore I dont need to spend on racing coilovers. Unless convinced that these JOM coilovers are not good enough for driving to and from work?

Can the same size of wheels be in front and rear? Or do i need to change the rear size wheels? These are the wheels I want and the fitment? Can it be possible without rubbing or needing to roll fenders or buying spacers?

Control Arms-shop said mine is good. I dont believe them. So im changing mine.

Im not that knowledgeable so any knowledge you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gizmo]

Spend your money on the mechanicals. Don't waste money on wheels and coil overs as they unnecessary at this stage. Do you have access to a diagnostics reader? I second that the plugs you fitted are wrong. The ones that came out were correct so get a new set of those.

 

[Aikz_Santos]

Spend your money on the mechanicals. Don't waste money on wheels and coil overs as they unnecessary at this stage. Do you have access to a diagnostics reader? I second that the plugs you fitted are wrong. The ones that came out were correct so get a new set of those.

My springs need to be changed. My tires are 5 years old. I wont be wasting money getting them done soon. I went to autozone and those spark plugs was listed as one of the ones for my car.