-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Vince's garage
- Thread starter VinceM
- Start date
VinceM
Well-known member
Mod, please remove R140k in prior posting regarding repairs by Gizmo.
I didn’t keep as close a record on others like I did with the 330ci.
After going through all the repairs on this car including head unit change to a touch screen version, new BMW battery, new continental tyres. R65k spent on this car.
I am so glad I made plans to keep her (330ci) and not sell. Financial difficulty can sometimes lead to wrong car sales decision.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I didn’t keep as close a record on others like I did with the 330ci.
After going through all the repairs on this car including head unit change to a touch screen version, new BMW battery, new continental tyres. R65k spent on this car.
I am so glad I made plans to keep her (330ci) and not sell. Financial difficulty can sometimes lead to wrong car sales decision.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
VinceM
Well-known member
Small Update on the 325ci.
After I replaced the worn windscreen cowell, I checked the car in detail for outstanding maintenance items.
1. Micro filter
It does seem that 2,500km ago ABM only did the Oil change together with the Oil and Air filter changes. Anyways, went to BMW to get the micro filter and replaced the old one.
2. Brake Fluid change
The oil was rather dark (coffee colour), and I did the lengthy flush. I removed all old oil across the reservoir and all brake callipers.
Replaced with BMW brake fluid. Thanks to Deago (ABM).
Old brake fluid
See the colour of the new Brake Fluid
3. Power Steering oil
This was also brown in colour. Tea colour.
It’s now back to its pinkish reddish colour.
I got so annoyed when Jacking the car up that one of the Jack mounts was gone.
Replaced it with OEM Jack mount.
Did the oil check, well it was replaced 2,500 km ago, so nice and golden. The cap looks good. Put it against the 530d cap, absolutely no sludge seen here.
Since the wheels were off, took the Liberty of checking tyres (alignment issues) as well as cleaning the rims.
Just a bit of background. I was so scared to work on my car, intact I used to take it to Gizmo even for trivial things (330ci brake fluid was changed by him). I probably spent R140k with him (parts included for the 3 E46’s; these two twins and the one I sold)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
A few years ago I thought I wouldn’t do a Brake Fluid change. Sounded like a daunting task. Yet it’s easy, I’d like to encourage those like me who think they don’t have skills to work on their cars to have the courage to learn.
Peter said to me at some point, “Vince, it’s not as difficult as it looks, get stuck in and you’ll see how easy it is”.
Obviously, you don’t want to save R1,000 labour fee and break a R3,000 component so be wise to only start with easier items (oil change, filter changes, brake fluid change, brake pads change, and slowly build skills up. It takes passion, time and patience)
Thanks for reading! All the best
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
VinceM
Well-known member
Having been working on the 325ci,
I ran diagnostics. Picked up an Error
P113 Intake Temperature High
Did the lazy bit first, called BMW to know what prices are for the sensors (one in the intake manifold and the MAF). Was looking at R5600 odd, so enough motivation to start doing the actual work!
You have to take out the micro filter housing first.
Then take off the engine covers.
I found the problem! The wires to the sensor were damaged.
Went to BMW to see if I could just replace the entire thing! R3,998 for the harness.
Got back home, fixed it. I connected the wires back together.
The flex pipe had lost the rubber pipe cover altogether, sourced that too.
Took liberty of checking the coil packs and plugs whilst at it. These are working perfectly fine and still in good Nick. OE BMW coils and plugs.
Then lastly put it all together
Sadly, during the test run, with excitement of the car running even smoother; I hit a massive pothole (couldn’t see the damn thing as water from the rain covered the entire road).
More work cut out for me tomorrow
as I have to take the wheel off and assess the damage.
Thanks for reading.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I ran diagnostics. Picked up an Error
P113 Intake Temperature High
Did the lazy bit first, called BMW to know what prices are for the sensors (one in the intake manifold and the MAF). Was looking at R5600 odd, so enough motivation to start doing the actual work!
You have to take out the micro filter housing first.
Then take off the engine covers.
I found the problem! The wires to the sensor were damaged.
Went to BMW to see if I could just replace the entire thing! R3,998 for the harness.
Got back home, fixed it. I connected the wires back together.
The flex pipe had lost the rubber pipe cover altogether, sourced that too.
Took liberty of checking the coil packs and plugs whilst at it. These are working perfectly fine and still in good Nick. OE BMW coils and plugs.
Then lastly put it all together
Sadly, during the test run, with excitement of the car running even smoother; I hit a massive pothole (couldn’t see the damn thing as water from the rain covered the entire road).
More work cut out for me tomorrow
as I have to take the wheel off and assess the damage. Thanks for reading.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Morribiscuit
Well-known member
Really nice thread! Love the 5er. Defines luxury to the nth degree!
Sorry to hear the mishap yesterday. Hope damage is not too bad?
Love the post about learning to do stuff ones self. Some people just couldn't be bothered to, but those who love their cars and are keen to get stuck in - so rewarding!
Cheers.
Sorry to hear the mishap yesterday. Hope damage is not too bad?
Love the post about learning to do stuff ones self. Some people just couldn't be bothered to, but those who love their cars and are keen to get stuck in - so rewarding!
Cheers.
My temporary station wagon:
530d has back seats that fold down,
This also comes in handy, if you press the remote long enough, opens and closes the boot. Small, but a nice to have feature.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Give this a go
Think the door lights are standard across the board. I have them - and no comfort access either.
Assumed you had comfort access as you have the powered-boot - which I do not have - but yes the 3 stripes on the door handles are the indicator for that I believe.
VinceM
Well-known member
With no rain this morning, I took the gap.
Control Arm Bushing Replacement:
1. Remove the protection undercarriage plates. It’s two of them in the face lift. No need to remove splash cover, but you have to loosen three Philips screws.
Placed the bolts into a cleaning solution
2. Remove the old bushings. You need a size 16mm socket / spanner.
Loosen the bolts then start the fun: removing the old bushing (can be sticky depending on level of wear; mine were relatively in a good condition...fitted. 2018).
3. Once removed, fit the new bushings. There are 3 best alternatives on the parts.
(I) BMW OE bushings
(II) Lemforder OEM bushings
(III) Meyle HD bushings
I went with the 3rd option. It has a solid rubber vs the other two with softer rubber feel. Given that I have M Sport control Arms, it was a better option.
4. Cleaned the covers. I’m leaving the bolts soaked overnight, will put the covers back tomorrow sometime (if there’s no rain).
I used generic cleaning stuff (engine degreaser / cleen green)
Thanks for reading......
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Control Arm Bushing Replacement:
1. Remove the protection undercarriage plates. It’s two of them in the face lift. No need to remove splash cover, but you have to loosen three Philips screws.
Placed the bolts into a cleaning solution
2. Remove the old bushings. You need a size 16mm socket / spanner.
Loosen the bolts then start the fun: removing the old bushing (can be sticky depending on level of wear; mine were relatively in a good condition...fitted. 2018).
3. Once removed, fit the new bushings. There are 3 best alternatives on the parts.
(I) BMW OE bushings
(II) Lemforder OEM bushings
(III) Meyle HD bushings
I went with the 3rd option. It has a solid rubber vs the other two with softer rubber feel. Given that I have M Sport control Arms, it was a better option.
4. Cleaned the covers. I’m leaving the bolts soaked overnight, will put the covers back tomorrow sometime (if there’s no rain).
I used generic cleaning stuff (engine degreaser / cleen green)
Thanks for reading......
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
VinceM
Well-known member
So, after I got the F10, I drove like Miss Daisy for over a month. I really wanted to get to know the car....I perfected my driving seat position, sorted the wipers sensitivity and lights sensitivity to my liking, coded them.
Sorted out how the remote works (what I want the car to open and not open with remote, coded). Got to know how the car takes curves without being aggressive and basically get a sense of basic handling of the car without pushing it to limits. Really making sure I’d be very confident to test this car and also be comfortable around the daily driving issues.
I’m with an insurance company that rewards for good driving behaviour and I was in the top echelons of good drivers spots for a while.
With the 325ci needing attention, I took liberty of taking the F10 rims for refurb then put on the 325ci wheels on the F10. Tyres I know very well, tried and tested....soft rubber Continental’s with good steering feedback and handling qualities.
Time to test the F10......Boy oh boy, the 530d is still a BMW.....not a car with a BMW sticker! On comfort mode, the car has a perfect balance of comfort and sportiness, a good blend for daily driving.....push the Adaptive system to Sport mode, and everything tightens up a notch.....the stories I read about this car’s handling being terrible are not accurate.... at all
1. Speed: This thing has good torque to pick up the weight and get going, picks up speed fast and pushed you to the back of the seat when pushed.....one of the things I don’t like is how you don’t get to feel how fast you are going.....you clock 220km/h and your passenger won’t know.....it’s super comfortable and elusive on speed levels,
There I lost all the weeks points in a short driving distance (35km round trip)
2. Handling: this is one area I was really surprised with, handles a lot better than expectation (given the reviews, etc.). I took curves I know at my E46 325ci testing speeds and was still comfortable. My E46 is actually one of the best handling cars I know (miles better than the F30).....it’s got an M-suspension, easily take curves at speed with ease.....effortless. Whilst the F10 doesn’t have the same road feel and handling of it, it also handles pretty good for its size.
3. Steering Feedback: if you have an old generation BMW and are used to it, many of the new BMWs with electronic steering will annoy you. My 330ci has the E46 M-Sport steering, which is nice and thick; and perfectly weighted (good old hydraulic system) .....you know what the car is doing all the time, same as the 325ci, accurate steering feedback.....I know tyres also contribute, Continental’s are known to have superb steering feedback, that also helps (see more from this channel: https://youtube.com/c/tyrereviews). The F10 steering is the new Electronic Steering, it’s not as weighted as my older cars, a bit too light and soft, and also not as communicative as the older cars....but it’s still not Merc / Volvo numb. You do get some feedback, and if you are used to the new cars, you might be happier than I am with it. The lightness of the steering help with manoeuvre this big body and makes it easier for parking purposes
4. Road Noise: this car is well insulated from the road noise, something that BMW didn’t do well on in the BMW X3 F25 and to some
Extent the F30. The cabin is nice and quiet, and to my surprise no rattles or squeaks (I have a very sensitive ear, and those irritate the living daylight out of me). Being an E46 owner, there’s something always making a rattle somewhere (could be the wind deflector in the cabrio, could be the key in the ashtray, just some irritating noise somewhere), with the F10 you forget about all that.....peaceful space to be in
How do I sum it up; A ninja in a suit
On Sunday family trips on Comfort + mode, you get the feeling of being in a mini S-Class
On a day to day drive in Comfort mode, you get a good blend of good driving dynamics and comfort...best combo
On sport mode (including Sport +), that innate BMW characteristic of “the ultimate driving machine” comes alive
Now, an M5 would be a car to have! The Ultimate Ninja in a Suit
Thanks for reading!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sorted out how the remote works (what I want the car to open and not open with remote, coded). Got to know how the car takes curves without being aggressive and basically get a sense of basic handling of the car without pushing it to limits. Really making sure I’d be very confident to test this car and also be comfortable around the daily driving issues.
I’m with an insurance company that rewards for good driving behaviour and I was in the top echelons of good drivers spots for a while.
With the 325ci needing attention, I took liberty of taking the F10 rims for refurb then put on the 325ci wheels on the F10. Tyres I know very well, tried and tested....soft rubber Continental’s with good steering feedback and handling qualities.
Time to test the F10......Boy oh boy, the 530d is still a BMW.....not a car with a BMW sticker! On comfort mode, the car has a perfect balance of comfort and sportiness, a good blend for daily driving.....push the Adaptive system to Sport mode, and everything tightens up a notch.....the stories I read about this car’s handling being terrible are not accurate.... at all
1. Speed: This thing has good torque to pick up the weight and get going, picks up speed fast and pushed you to the back of the seat when pushed.....one of the things I don’t like is how you don’t get to feel how fast you are going.....you clock 220km/h and your passenger won’t know.....it’s super comfortable and elusive on speed levels,
There I lost all the weeks points in a short driving distance (35km round trip)
2. Handling: this is one area I was really surprised with, handles a lot better than expectation (given the reviews, etc.). I took curves I know at my E46 325ci testing speeds and was still comfortable. My E46 is actually one of the best handling cars I know (miles better than the F30).....it’s got an M-suspension, easily take curves at speed with ease.....effortless. Whilst the F10 doesn’t have the same road feel and handling of it, it also handles pretty good for its size.
3. Steering Feedback: if you have an old generation BMW and are used to it, many of the new BMWs with electronic steering will annoy you. My 330ci has the E46 M-Sport steering, which is nice and thick; and perfectly weighted (good old hydraulic system) .....you know what the car is doing all the time, same as the 325ci, accurate steering feedback.....I know tyres also contribute, Continental’s are known to have superb steering feedback, that also helps (see more from this channel: https://youtube.com/c/tyrereviews). The F10 steering is the new Electronic Steering, it’s not as weighted as my older cars, a bit too light and soft, and also not as communicative as the older cars....but it’s still not Merc / Volvo numb. You do get some feedback, and if you are used to the new cars, you might be happier than I am with it. The lightness of the steering help with manoeuvre this big body and makes it easier for parking purposes
4. Road Noise: this car is well insulated from the road noise, something that BMW didn’t do well on in the BMW X3 F25 and to some
Extent the F30. The cabin is nice and quiet, and to my surprise no rattles or squeaks (I have a very sensitive ear, and those irritate the living daylight out of me). Being an E46 owner, there’s something always making a rattle somewhere (could be the wind deflector in the cabrio, could be the key in the ashtray, just some irritating noise somewhere), with the F10 you forget about all that.....peaceful space to be in
How do I sum it up; A ninja in a suit
On Sunday family trips on Comfort + mode, you get the feeling of being in a mini S-Class
On a day to day drive in Comfort mode, you get a good blend of good driving dynamics and comfort...best combo
On sport mode (including Sport +), that innate BMW characteristic of “the ultimate driving machine” comes alive
Now, an M5 would be a car to have! The Ultimate Ninja in a Suit
Thanks for reading!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
VinceM
Well-known member
What have we got here! Valentine’s Day came early for this one....some TLC for 325ci
Time for the 325ci to get shock changes all round.
The shocks in the car are the original shocks from approx 16 years ago......
I did a lot of research, spent days reading on strut changes.........without doubt, 6 out of 10, Bilstein came out tops, then Koni, then Sachs, etc.
Someone vouched for Monroe as they were Audi OE suppliers at some point, but I went the safe route......and since I got no Mech, saving a bit on labour.
Thanks for reading.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Time for the 325ci to get shock changes all round.
The shocks in the car are the original shocks from approx 16 years ago......
I did a lot of research, spent days reading on strut changes.........without doubt, 6 out of 10, Bilstein came out tops, then Koni, then Sachs, etc.
Someone vouched for Monroe as they were Audi OE suppliers at some point, but I went the safe route......and since I got no Mech, saving a bit on labour.
Thanks for reading.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Last edited:
maleven-GP
Well-known member
I hardly skip a word on your write ups 👌🏽.. big up man! On the topic of handling I still prefer my e92 335i over wife's G02 X4, especially the steering feel.. older one's are much more engaging..
VinceM
Well-known member
Hi guys, I learnt something new today.
My Aircon compressor had no oil
Discovered this when I did the Aircon re-gas and service today.
Glad I didn’t use “side of the road” guys with a Gas cylinder and tubes only....
This machine per pic below checks
1. Gas levels
2. Oil levels
3. Leaks
Instead of refilling gas, it extracts all the old gas out, then refills with new gas.
Same for oil too, extracts old oil and refills with new. In my case, there was none to be extracted.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
My Aircon compressor had no oil
Discovered this when I did the Aircon re-gas and service today.
Glad I didn’t use “side of the road” guys with a Gas cylinder and tubes only....
This machine per pic below checks
1. Gas levels
2. Oil levels
3. Leaks
Instead of refilling gas, it extracts all the old gas out, then refills with new gas.
Same for oil too, extracts old oil and refills with new. In my case, there was none to be extracted.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
