[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Yeah... I've had fairly good success with car-part. Front bumper cover for wife's carmine red after she hit a semi-truck recap. Fender for my car. Transfer case for our Pathfinder... etc. Places are pretty good around here about putting up pictures and VINs. They've learned it cuts down on all the run around.

Amazon? I will never order another car part from them. Got bit by Chinese counterfeit with a set of rear bearings for the afore mentioned Pathfinder. Went bad within 9 months of installing them. Went back and did research and found the ways to identify the counterfeit parts.

That's what I thought was causing my oil leak... ended up being the seal under the oil cap.

I'd prefer to avoid Bezos' for that same reason! But needed it right away... taking my chances!

So is there a setting to using car part that I don't use right or something like that? I can't find VINs anywhere???

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I don't dislike the, but not in love with them, either! Basically new RFTs on them, so definitely can't justify getting rid of them till I use up some tread!
Interestingly, I don't really notice the RFTs negatives with these. I don't know if it's that the tires are simply better than the previous ones I've experienced, or the taller sidewall on the 16" tires compared to 17" RFTs improves the feel, but they're... fine.

They DEFINTIELY vary wildly by brand and model of RFTs. The Continental 17" that came stock on my e91 were perfectly fine, no complaints (though the non-RFT Nokian Z-lines that replaced them are massively better). But when I bought my 128i convertible it had new Bridgestone RFTs that were *horrible*, even as 16". I found out what "pothole explosion" meant, and the relatively flexible convertible probably made it worse. I couldn't stand it and replaced them with non-RFT Continentals. I was able to sell the nearly new RFTs to offset the cost.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

They DEFINTIELY vary wildly by brand and model of RFTs. The Continental 17" that came stock on my e91 were perfectly fine, no complaints (though the non-RFT Nokian Z-lines that replaced them are massively better). But when I bought my 128i convertible it had new Bridgestone RFTs that were *horrible*, even as 16". I found out what "pothole explosion" meant, and the relatively flexible convertible probably made it worse. I couldn't stand it and replaced them with non-RFT Continentals. I was able to sell the nearly new RFTs to offset the cost.

That's funny... I have B-Stones. Now I'll have a mental thing against them!

[ForestHillsJackie]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I had her do the scanning, and talked through the potential causes. She then swapped the #2 and #1 coils and drove it around the block. Misfire migrated to the #1 cylinder, and I think we have our culprit! New Delphi coil on order, and I'll probably do the rest and the plugs in a bit. I don't know the mileage, but they were changed on 10/1/17, so seven years on them.

How young do you have to start training them so they can do stuff like swap an engine coil? It would make me so happy if my kids were interested in doing car stuff with me.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by ForestHillsJackie

How young do you have to start training them so they can do stuff like swap an engine coil? It would make me so happy if my kids were interested in doing car stuff with me.

She just took the ASVAB for funsies, and pretty much was off the chart in mechanical knowledge. She gets it. And loves driving this car as well! Can't master the manual transmission thing though, it's weird.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

They DEFINTIELY vary wildly by brand and model of RFTs. The Continental 17" that came stock on my e91 were perfectly fine, no complaints (though the non-RFT Nokian Z-lines that replaced them are massively better). But when I bought my 128i convertible it had new Bridgestone RFTs that were *horrible*, even as 16". I found out what "pothole explosion" meant, and the relatively flexible convertible probably made it worse. I couldn't stand it and replaced them with non-RFT Continentals. I was able to sell the nearly new RFTs to offset the cost.

I got new tires installed on my 335i E93 last year, went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S all around in the factory 18" staggered size. My wheels (189) weren't in good shape so I found an identical set locally with relatively new Bridgestone run flats for a good price. Well I just swapped these wheels/tires over to the car last week and I don't get all the hate against runflats. Traction is nowhere as good as the Michelin PS4s and the road noise is definitely louder, but that's it.

I had these same wheels/tires on my 330i sedan a few months ago just to try them out and had the same experience, less grip and more road noise but the ride wasn't much different than non-runflats. Slightly harsher over rough roads maybe? But definitely not enough to complain and force me to get rid of them. (Side note: 189 wheels do NOT look good on a pre-LCI sedan, at least not the light silver colored wheels on a sparkling graphite metallic car)

I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to buy runflats, but since these have a lot of tread life remaining im going to just run them until they wear out.

[Tambohamilton]

You're comparing a very stiff non-rft there, so no surprise it's not much different. Compare a rft with a comfort/economy (not uuhp!) tyre and you'll see the difference.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

You're comparing a very stiff non-rft there, so no surprise it's not much different. Compare a rft with a comfort/economy (not uuhp!) tyre and you'll see the difference.

I also had a set of Goodyear Eagle Sport AS that came on my 330i and a set of Bridgestone Turanza ER33s. They weren't much different than the runflats either, at least in terms of comfort. (The Turanza ER33s were the worst for traction of any tire I've used)

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I'd prefer to avoid Bezos' for that same reason! But needed it right away... taking my chances!

So is there a setting to using car part that I don't use right or something like that? I can't find VINs anywhere???

It depends on the scrap yard. Some will add a picture of the VIN.

We also have a couple of "you pull it" yards that put the VIN with the other information.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

It depends on the scrap yard. Some will add a picture of the VIN.

We also have a couple of "you pull it" yards that put the VIN with the other information.

Thanks for clarifying, I was wondering if there was a setting I didn't activate or something that is only available to logged in users or something like that.
Our Pick-n-Pull yards do a really good job of listing the VINs and having some decent pictures. The downside is the cars are really clapped out by the time I get there, and unless you can be one of the first ones to get to the car, pretty much whatever you need gets pulled by the semi-pros who hang out there. I've been really lucky a few times, and also a lot of the things I needed aren't the major pieces that most people go for. But I searched every yard in SoCal and nobody had an A51 blue! TBH most usef parts can be found on eBay for cheaper or the same price.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I also had a set of Goodyear Eagle Sport AS that came on my 330i and a set of Bridgestone Turanza ER33s. They weren't much different than the runflats either, at least in terms of comfort. (The Turanza ER33s were the worst for traction of any tire I've used)

Your butt-dyno is out of calibration then

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

The downside is the cars are really clapped out by the time I get there, and unless you can be when the first ones to get to the car, pretty much whatever you need gets pulled by the semi-pros who hang out there.

Yeah... we have the same problem. It got cured by a $20 incentive to one of the cashiers to let me know the day before a certain E90 was getting put in the yard

[StradaRedlands]

Well look what came in the post:



Unboxed nicely:



Ordered it on the 27th, and arrived on the 5th... can't complain about that. Silly to have to order from the U.K., but it is what it is. A smidge of rust on the inside, which is something I'm not used to seeing. Sprayed it down with rust inhibitor and it'll be fine. A little scratched here and there, but soooo much better than the one I have.

Weekend project!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

New Delphi coil on order, and I'll probably do the rest and the plugs in a bit. I don't know the mileage, but they were changed on 10/1/17, so seven years on them.

That's it for today's installment! Thank you for listening to my TED Talk!

New coil swapped out in the rain, works like a charm! Old one was corroded inside, which I've never seen on the ones I've replaced before. Everything was nice and dry in the socket, so???

[eljay]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Well look what came in the post:


Unboxed nicely:

Ordered it on the 27th, and arrived on the 5th... can't complain about that. Silly to have to order from the U.K., but it is what it is. A smidge of rust on the inside, which is something I'm not used to seeing. Sprayed it down with rust inhibitor and it'll be fine. A little scratched here and there, but soooo much better than the one I have.

Weekend project!

Looks good!

Don't forget to check those windshield washer fluid pumps and hoses while you have the fender off.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by eljay

Looks good!

Don't forget to check those windshield washer fluid pumps and hoses while you have the fender off.

That was already on my previous to-do list: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...&postcount=163

I did that in the morning, and found the fender in the afternoon!

[Onizukachan]

Nice work. 10 days and counting till I fly up to get mine so enjoying reading about others.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Weekend Update... with Strada Redlands... (the crowd goes wild)

Started off by pulling the very worn rear vent trim and replacing it with a hungry robot piece I picked up from A.E. Color match is so-so, and I had to trim a bit to get the CA sensor to fit, but other than that I'm happy with it. I didn't realize the socket plugs were so skinny, and the dedicated USB ones I had on hand were just not going to fit. So I installed it as-is and covered up the eyeballs while I wait for different plugs:

I'm home sick and bored, so did the plugs and wiring for the hungry robot. Couldn't find the right plugs at first, but came across a set at Bezos' that I could cut up a bit and get to fit. Wired in easy and ready to go!



Followed up by Scottish cough syrup to ease me through my travails

[Tambohamilton]

You know, alcohol kills viruses...

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

You know, alcohol kills viruses...

Facts!

[Tambohamilton]

Hope your medicine worked. Might I ask which one you went for?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Hope your medicine worked. Might I ask which one you went for?

Getting there, I went back and was gainfully employed for the day. Probably need more dosing though.

It's Drambuie on ice... I actually think there's some medicinal qualities to it. Had a terrible sore throat and it numbs it a bit. Plus, you know, everything else.