Yuben's 2003 Black Sapphire Metallic E46 330i

[Spiro]

Spiro, you are aware that BMW have dropped Castrol as their oil supplier? Shell now has the contract, castrol doesn't stand up to the long service intervals that BMW have employed.
Just because Castrol is found absolutely everywhere doesn't mean its the best, it just means they have a good marketing division. I used Castrol for your same reason but now its damn easy to get hold of liqui moly so I made the change and am happy I did considering the castrol horror stories out there.

Howzit

Yep i've heard about that.. but just to mention on what you've said...

Spiro, you are aware that BMW have dropped Castrol as their oil supplier?
>Yes

Shell now has the contract, castrol doesn't stand up to the long service intervals that BMW have employed.
> that's what this discussion is about ... the long service intervals and the retention of a product that can retain impurities for longer, and keep the performance standard
> our discussion is using a Shelf Castrol Standard Duration Oil for a Short Interval, so we are talking about using the oil for a 12500km period that's probably good for 15000km's... Unless the LiquiMoly does some better magic in the short period...

Just because Castrol is found absolutely everywhere doesn't mean its the best,
> Caltex 95 vs Sasol 95...

it just means they have a good marketing division.
> True Story..

I used Castrol for your same reason but now its damn easy to get hold of liqui moly so I made the change and am happy I did considering the castrol horror stories out there.
> this is i suppose user based feedback... i weight out Success and Horror stories, and yes, i have checked the US + UK forums, and see guys also using LiquiMoly as the "suitable" alternative... to the BMW Long Life Oils...



Please Please Please keep in mind, i use LiquiMoly products(throttle cleaner...etc.. ) , and i am not Dissing their products a single bit...

and as i have stated before, my discussion is of opinion based for the person that turns to a Forum for a simple answer...

 

[Gizmo]

I got it Jan 2011, around the same time I got my own place. She helped move furnature into it, lol.

 

[Yuben]

So 2 oil changes in 31000km over 4 years.

Seems fair judging from the condition of the head.
:ty:

 

[S1NGH 911]

[quote='H|]
I would also change oil more often. 25000km is just too long. I would suggest 10000km or once a year.
[/quote]

+1000000000


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Doomsdaya]

I bought my car with 243k on the clock in April 2011 and did the first oil service at 255k in June 2012 using Castrol Magnatec. Because I only use the car on weekends and hardly put on mileage, didn't cover 10000km by the end of 2013. What I did notice was either residue or sludge started forming under the oil cap and a few particles on the dipstick, this was still within a year after the first oil service.

The second oil service I did was last year March at 266k by Gizmo using Liqui Moly toptec 4100 and since then there are no signs of sludge/residue whatever its called on the oil cap and dipstick, currently my mileage is 276k. I would take Liqui Moly over Castrol any day...

 

[Yuben]

330 is due for.some work tomorrow at Gizmo's garage. First on the list is replacing the radiator and hopefully no other water leaks, the water leak is quite severe at the moment.
Then its the 173000km service, mandatory oil and filter, also changing to Oem fuel filter, pulleys and belts as preventative maintenance. Gearbox oil will also be Changed for the first time in 3 years since I got the car.

I'm sure Gizmo will do a detailed write up with pics on the upcoming visit and surgery :chef:

 

[Gizmo]

Yuben brought his car in for its scheduled service and radiator swap as his was leaking profusely.

Current mileage.


To start off, I found the culprit to the vacuum leak and oily mess under the car. This crank case vent valve drain pipe seems to be a common problem on M54 cars with more than 150 000km as the rubber perishes and ruptures. I have replaced 4 in the last 6 weeks on customer's cars.


Reinforced hydraulic hose is my choice for repair as it will outlast the car!


Time to clean up the oily mess it left behind.




All three aftermarket pulleys were replaced by new OEM parts as they will last 4-6 times longer.


New pulleys installed and old radiator removed.


Old OEM Smith's radiator making way for new Behr, you can see the leak in the old one.




A new OEM top radiator hose was installed and 4 bottles of OEM coolant FTW!


Old topran air filter out, new OEM in!


New OEM oil filter.


Filled up with Castrol Edge 5w40 that Yuben supplied, washed the engine afterwards, no god-awful engine detailing crap here!


Finished up by resetting the service interval and clearing the fault codes from the vacuum leak, only one keeps coming back and is a new one to me so I need to do some research into it.


I changed the gearbox oil out too with new OEM MTF LT-2, sorry I don't have pics of that. Yuben also took pics along the way, Im sure he will post those too. Till next time buddy!:chef:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Great stuff! Another awesome E46 getting well deserved TLC!!

I wish I had a lift and the sort of facilities you have there!!

 

[Nikhil]

Nice work. What are you trying to imply by this statement? "no god-awful engine detailing crap here!"

 

[Yuben]

Thanks Gizmo once again for your impeccable workmanship and attention to detail on my car, l just love driving it after this just been serviced.
The extra mile that you go from time to time, is really what sets you apart from other mechs that I have been to.
raise:

 

[Prev]

Nice work Gizmo :clapper: E46s still look damn good despite their elder state :thumbs:

I love detailing the engine bay of my car to keep it looking clean. I hate it when the it's full of dust and dirt. I suppose it's not for everyone though.

 

[Nikhil]

Nice work Gizmo :clapper: E46s still look damn good despite their elder state :thumbs:

I love detailing the engine bay of my car to keep it looking clean. I hate it when the it's full of dust and dirt. I suppose it's not for everyone though.

Removing the engine allows you to get into those hard to reach places:rollsmile:

 

[Prev]

Nice work Gizmo :clapper: E46s still look damn good despite their elder state :thumbs:

I love detailing the engine bay of my car to keep it looking clean. I hate it when the it's full of dust and dirt. I suppose it's not for everyone though.

Removing the engine allows you to get into those hard to reach places:rollsmile:

:fishwack:

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Nice work! Looking good! :coolShake:

 

[ChefDJ]

Intrigued by the setup to remove the fluids :=):

 

[Yuben]

Which fluids?

 

[ChefDJ]

Time to clean up the oily mess it left behind.

This.

 

[Gizmo]

Nice work Gizmo :clapper: E46s still look damn good despite their elder state :thumbs:

I love detailing the engine bay of my car to keep it looking clean. I hate it when the it's full of dust and dirt. I suppose it's not for everyone though.

Thank you for the compliments Prevan. :thumb:
I also like to keep the engine bay clean, that's why I clean it properly and not add that horrible oily spray on afterwards as all it does is give the entire engine bay an adhesive surface for dust to stick to. Oil should be in the engine, not on it.

 

[Yuben]

Well the car was on the hoist which is indoor, so the high pressure hose would have messed the entire garage, this plan ensured that most of the residue trickled down the canvas and into the bucket :chef:

 

[Prev]

Nice work Gizmo :clapper: E46s still look damn good despite their elder state :thumbs:

I love detailing the engine bay of my car to keep it looking clean. I hate it when the it's full of dust and dirt. I suppose it's not for everyone though.

Thank you for the compliments Prevan. :thumb:
I also like to keep the engine bay clean, that's why I clean it properly and not add that horrible oily spray on afterwards as all it does is give the entire engine bay an adhesive surface for dust to stick to. Oil should be in the engine, not on it.

I found its best to treat the plastics in the engine bay with a proper plastic dressing liquid. Wipe on with clean microfibre cloth using minimal liquid and let stand for a few minutes, then wipe down with another clean microfibre and if you really want to go crazy using a 3rd microfibre to buff. Off course this is after giving the engine bay a clean up. I too learnt my lesson using oily liquids at some stage.....attracts more dirt after a few days of driving