[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by joebrownm

I'm replacing the valve cover gasket & also removing the intake to reach/replace the annoying crankcase breather hose.

Would anyone have any recommended part replacements since I'm removing so much??

The car has 225k miles but runs perfectly and has no engine lights. I bought it in 2011 and I'm the 2nd owner. I do 99% of the maintenance myself. The valve cover gasket just started leaking.

Consider doing the breather system... it's all external on 2006 models, and @ 225k maybe be due. Hoes will be brittle at the least

This is just an example, there are two iterations based on build date: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...11617531423kt1

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Consider doing the breather system... it's all external on 2006 models, and @ 225k maybe be due. Hoes will be brittle at the least

I need to replace my starter. That mess of hoses costs more than the replacement starter! Should I try converting to a plastic valve cover for a similar price?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I need to replace my starter. That mess of hoses costs more than the replacement starter! Should I try converting to a plastic valve cover for a similar price?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I don't know which is a more robust set up. At that price point it would be an aftermarket VC, and those have mixed reviews.

[colorado.e9x]

The plastic valve covers seem to hold up for at least 100k plus miles. It's a straightforward swap. You'll need the plastic valve cover + gaskets, metal spark plug tube inserts, and plastic plug for the oil drain. Oh and probably cap off any unused ports on the back of the intake manifold.

Or you could do what I did and replace it with fuel hose and BMS catch can. Whatever you do though DO NOT buy the cheap amazon CCV replacement. Mine lasted a year before it failed again and I went the catch can route. Definitely more maintenance emptying it weekly in the winter, but it does run well.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Whatever you do though DO NOT buy the cheap amazon CCV replacement. Mine lasted a year before it failed again and I went the catch can route. Definitely more maintenance emptying it weekly in the winter, but it does run well.

You're not the first to say that! I read a lot of posts here that said the same thing, definitely not going that route. I may just reuse the separator but replace all the hoses. I'm not looking forward to it. I pulled a few three stage intake manifolds from the junk yard and even destructively removing them cutting the hoses and wires, it was still a pain.

[lowrydr310]

I finally replaced my cracked washer reservoir fill tube, and removed the headlight washer pump. It was already deactivated via coding but I wanted to remove any possibilty of future leaks. I just used a rubber stopper (bung for you UK guys) then cut the tip off the pump motor and snapped the motor back into place. I wasn't worried about the stopper coming loose but now it can't back out with the motor squeezing it in place. I figure that's better than removing the motor and leaving a loose connector in there.

Old one:


New one installed:

[tcphoto]

After a week of snow and ice, I finally got it out of the garage and past the sheet of ice on the street. Of course, there was a check engine light but I cleared it and all is well.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I finally replaced my cracked washer reservoir fill tube, and removed the headlight washer pump. It was already deactivated via coding but I wanted to remove any possibilty of future leaks. I just used a rubber stopper (bung for you UK guys) then cut the tip off the pump motor and snapped the motor back into place. I wasn't worried about the stopper coming loose but now it can't back out with the motor squeezing it in place. I figure that's better than removing the motor and leaving a loose connector in there.

Old one:


New one installed:

This is cool! I have mine plugged up by the washers, but your design is much more elegant!

[NZE90]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Hope it went to a good home!!!

Yes it did. I sold it to a young fulla who seemed to have his head screwed on. I made sure to tell him to keep on top of all the maintenance and it'll be a good car. I put 60000km on it over 5 years and i never had any issues with it at all apart from 1 ignition coil. I was really anal with the maintenance though.
Edit: I also had a failed PCV valve.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by NZE90

Yes it did. I sold it to a young fulla who seemed to have his head screwed on. I made sure to tell him to keep on top of all the maintenance and it'll be a good car. I put 60000km on it over 5 years and i never had any issues with it at all apart from 1 ignition coil. I was really anal with the maintenance though.
Edit: I also had a failed PCV valve.

Good to hear! Sounds like it will be a good car for him!

[Greyfox]

Received couple liters of CF11 to drain/fill the power steering. Got it for about half the price the local parts stores are charging for it.

[E92_William]

If anyone here knows someone, I’m on the lookout for a set of mint or at least really good shape style 193s, willing to pay (within reason) or if I can’t find some I might end up in some E46 CSL reps or Arc8s

Anyway installed my redone headliner shades but now the sunroof has decided to throw an anti trap fault, guides look kinda beat up so I think there’s an unwanted rebuild in my near future or at least few hours of troubleshooting

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by E92_William

If anyone here knows someone, I’m on the lookout for a set of mint or at least really good shape style 193s, willing to pay (within reason) or if I can’t find some I might end up in some E46 CSL reps or Arc8s:

Have you seen this set?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265958185655
I have been VERY tempted by them! But I need to burn through the 16s I have on there before I can justify fancy wheels!!!

[tcphoto]

Those are very nice, I am waiting on a set of VMR on back order and am tempted to buy those instead.

[E92_William]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Have you seen this set?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265958185655
I have been VERY tempted by them! But I need to burn through the 16s I have on there before I can justify fancy wheels!!!

Yeah well I was doing the same with my 17s but after fitting the m sport parts I just couldn’t have the 17s anymore, they felt out of place. Those look great, only thing holding me back is I think the lighter silver shade might look better on my space grey car than the darker ferric grey, but those are actually quite good I think. I’m gonna save and compare around.
If I could find an original never refinished set it would be awesome but doubt there’s many out there anymore.

[StradaRedlands]

I love that set, and they would look so great on my E91... but just can't justify it. Looks like they did a good job refurbishing them as well. Seller has a few others, so might be one to follow or hit them up to see what's in the pipeline. Shipping to the States is pretty reasonable IMO as well!

Speaking of said car, I just got the quote to get the paint fixed on the E91... $3,800 for three panels! Really bummed it was that high... I was mentally budgeting around $2k for it.

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I finally replaced my cracked washer reservoir fill tube

I've had my 330's replacement sitting in a box for months. Dreading doing it lol. Need to fix a washer fluid leak on the 328 too. I seriously cannot get over how inconvenient it is to fix these issues

[Cal122]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I just got the quote to get the paint fixed on the E91... $3,800 for three panels!

Wow! I've been trying to put it off, can't wait to see what quote awaits me to repair the clear coat failure on a few of my panels.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Cal122

Wow! I've been trying to put it off, can't wait to see what quote awaits me to repair the clear coat failure on a few of my panels.

This was two w/ clearcoat, and one needing painting. Really a bummer finding out its that high. I'll look around and try to find a guy that'll do it in his garage somewhere... doesn't need to be factory fresh, just better than it currently is! Wish me luck!

[eljay]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

This was two w/ clearcoat, and one needing painting. Really a bummer finding out its that high. I'll look around and try to find a guy that'll do it in his garage somewhere... doesn't need to be factory fresh, just better than it currently is! Wish me luck!

Yes, for 3 panels only $3800 is a bit high, but if it's a quality job with blending into neighbouring panels, it's pretty much in the ballpark of today's prices.
I'd expect up to $5k for a full car, but it depends on the area.
Don't go with a cheap paint job. Do it nice or do it twice.
Another option is to hunt down used panels in the same colour and swap them. Your lighter shade may show the differences though.

[E92_William]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

This was two w/ clearcoat, and one needing painting. Really a bummer finding out its that high. I'll look around and try to find a guy that'll do it in his garage somewhere... doesn't need to be factory fresh, just better than it currently is! Wish me luck!

I paid 420 for some sketchy ish shop to do my bumper and side skirts and they match great. Only issue is it seems they slipped in the prep or the clear coat is too hard and the bumpers finish chips too easily but I would price around. Maybe you can get an in between job price wise

[fazm]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

I've had my 330's replacement sitting in a box for months. Dreading doing it lol. Need to fix a washer fluid leak on the 328 too. I seriously cannot get over how inconvenient it is to fix these issues

lol it's not that bad. Getting the reservoir situated again is the hardest part. <3