[Buug959]

Yesterday was a beautiful day for those of us that are garage poor to get some work done. I started by reinstalling my DME after getting the mosfets replaced and testing the repair. The DME internal fault code was gone but the car didn't run any better. I had codes for cylinder 3 misfire and cylinder 3 coil fault. I kinda expected that and was prepared for it. A new set of Eldor coils and NGK plugs arrived Thursday from FCP Euro. That cured the old girl. She's purring like a fat, happy tiger now.

The next order of business was to upgrade to my new VRSF charge pipe and install the new Tial BOV. That half hour job went pretty good until my dumbass fingers dropped the cylinder nut for the BOV t-bolt clamp down between the charge pipe and the alternator... you know, the black hole of engine bays. Well I looked and felt around and then got an inspection mirror and looked some more. No way could I find that nut and of course it was the threaded one so way harder to make a new one. I even jacked up the car and removed the underbody panel. Nope, it didn't miraculously fall out. I then removed the aluminum reinforcement plate from the subframe (XDrive) and felt and looked all around again. I even had a friend with much smaller hands searching as well. By now I was into this search for almost an hour and was getting pretty frustrated. I went back up top and removed the charge pipe again so I could get a better look. Lo and behold there it is sitting proud as could be on top of the subframe crossmember about 1/8" beyond the reach of my fingertips. I retrieved it with a strategically bent piece of wire and reassembled the underside plate and panel and then the charge pipe once more.

Now it was time to install the new BMS cold air intake. Its just a couple of cone filters and inlet pipe adapters so that went smooth as silk.

After reinstalling the cowl plate and cabin filter I went for a test drive to make sure I wasn't going to get any error codes. None and the car ran great. Time for some lunch.

After lunch I thought its such a nice day I think I'll tackle the rear shocks and springs finally (Bilstein B8s and H&R). That whole job was pretty uneventful up until I noticed the ride height sensor bracket dangling from the arm of the sensor. It had obviously been like that for quite some time as the ball was rusted and swelled in the plastic arm from the sensor and hadn't moved in a long time. I managed to remove the bracket ball without destroying the plastic arm thankfully. I straightened the bracket and after much profanity got it reattached to the control arm and the sensor arm.

By the time I got the wheels back on and all the tools and old parts taken care of it was after 7pm and I was ready for a cold one. I hadn't had any beer all day because I was thinking "Test Drive" when I finished. Didn't test drive. Had a beer( well maybe more than one) and then a shower. If the weather holds, its not supposed to, maybe I'll start on the front struts and springs today, maybe.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

How does the E90 do regarding corrosion in the environs of Nova Scotia? I did a motorcycle trip to Canadian Maritimes back in the day. Really enjoyed it.

Body-wise it seems to be holding up very well, especially considering that you can't get more than 40 miles away from the ocean anywhere in the province. I don't see any rust at all.
The suspension components are a different story however. Lots of rust down there. Ask me how I know. See previous post.

The trans case and engine block are showing some corrosion as well but that's really just cosmetic at this point. All in all its not too bad. Bolts and screws still come out when you need them to. They just don't look very nice.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip up this way. It really is a beautiful place to live although I get frustrated with the winters here. You see I like snow. The problem with being surrounded by the (relatively) warm waters of the North Atlantic is that when we do get a good snowstorm it almost always switches to rain at the end. That just makes a mess of everything, especially the roads, hence the enormous amount of salt dumped on them. Its a miracle any cars last more than a few years. I tuck mine away in a barn for the winter, so that helps.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

Body-wise it seems to be holding up very well, especially considering that you can't get more than 40 miles away from the ocean anywhere in the province. I don't see any rust at all.
The suspension components are a different story however. Lots of rust down there. Ask me how I know. See previous post.

The trans case and engine block are showing some corrosion as well but that's really just cosmetic at this point. All in all its not too bad. Bolts and screws still come out when you need them to. They just don't look very nice.

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip up this way. It really is a beautiful place to live although I get frustrated with the winters here. You see I like snow. The problem with being surrounded by the (relatively) warm waters of the North Atlantic is that when we do get a good snowstorm it almost always switches to rain at the end. That just makes a mess of everything, especially the roads, hence the enormous amount of salt dumped on them. Its a miracle any cars last more than a few years. I tuck mine away in a barn for the winter, so that helps.

So, the neat thing with the N52 magnesium engine block is as it ages (with salt exposure) it turns purple.

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So, the neat thing with the N52 magnesium engine block is as it ages (with salt exposure) it turns purple.

Yah, nah. Mine is just that dull gray with some white flakes here and there. Purple would be cool.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by EvaBmw

If you need a front actuator BMW do a repair kit which comes with both the front actuators. Price is pretty reasonable too at $75. They list the LF actuator for $187 by itself. https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/32...5&b=5&d=700&v=

Thanks, I saw that last night and almost ordered. Very well priced for BMW parts! But I'm going to try pulling one for $6 and hope to get some miles out of it. I like going there and doing that, so the time it takes is recreational!!!

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The fuse block has a few spares up on the top row in case you wanted to change the fuse today.

Yes, thanks... that's where I got the 15A from. There weren't any 20A there though. And the fuse card location card was missing as well which annoys me to no end!!!

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Thanks, I saw that last night and almost ordered. Very well priced for BMW parts! But I'm going to try pulling one for $6 and hope to get some miles out of it. I like going there and doing that, so the time it takes is recreational!!!

Yes, thanks... that's where I got the 15A from. There weren't any 20A there though. And the fuse card location card was missing as well which annoys me to no end!!!

That fuse card is a waste of time anyway.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

That fuse card is a waste of time anyway.

I'm a completist, so get an OCD itch if something isn't there!

But score today at the Pick-a-Part: L & R actuators, expansion tank, fuses, and yes, a fuse card!!!



Thank you little 128i for giving of yourself so that my 330i may live!

[E93Dude]

It finally happened to me. H20 got into left rear trunk where the Logic7 amp is located and shorted out. Sounded like a bolt of lightening from Thor though the speakers when it blew. I pulled the amp out (thank you Bavarian engineers for making the trunk panels so hard to remove), took it apart and confirmed there was corrosion on the signal processing card. The amp card itself looks fine. Just spent some quality time with the corroded card, soft toothbrush and some CRC circuit board cleaner gently scrubbing the corrosion off. Nothing looks fried, but who knows. Its drying now. We'll see if I come up lucky. If not, we'll see what eBay has to offer.


Has anyone ever drilled a drainhole through the body in the amp well for drainage? Am debating doing so and installing a small one way valve.

[SCHWARZ_E92]

Made progress. Apparently going to rain the next 4 days… hopefully will be done next week

[E93Dude]

Originally Posted by E93Dude

It finally happened to me. H20 got into left rear trunk where the Logic7 amp is located and shorted out. Sounded like a bolt of lightening from Thor though the speakers when it blew. I pulled the amp out (thank you Bavarian engineers for making the trunk panels so hard to remove), took it apart and confirmed there was corrosion on the signal processing card. The amp card itself looks fine. Just spent some quality time with the corroded card, soft toothbrush and some CRC circuit board cleaner gently scrubbing the corrosion off. Nothing looks fried, but who knows. Its drying now. We'll see if I come up lucky. If not, we'll see what eBay has to offer.

Has anyone ever drilled a drainhole through the body in the amp well for drainage? Am debating doing so and installing a small one way valve.

Aaaaaaaannnd of course my efforts were for nothing.

Put the Logic7 amp back together and plugged it in. Stereo turns "on" and looks like it functions, but zero sound. Not even a door chime. Only positive is that the "SOS [phone]" icon is no longer showing as a fault on start up.

Sigh.....

[colorado.e9x]

Did nothing. Saw this on FB though. Pretty sweet.

[StradaRedlands]

Aaaaand success! Two new fuses and a passenger door actuator put me back in business!



Even had time to do a quick detail wipe down!

[Seattlesquash]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Aaaaand success! Two new fuses and a passenger door actuator put me back in business!



Even had time to do a quick detail wipe down!

Well done, and beautiful car. Not easy to find a 330, and such a great car and looks to be in great condition.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Seattlesquash

Well done, and beautiful car. Not easy to find a 330, and such a great car and looks to be in great condition.

Well thank you! It's a delight to work on, and I hope to keep it going for quite a while longer!

[Swizzie7]

Anyone know what this piece is called located on your door? My passenger side one fell off.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by LemansE90335xi

Yesterday was a beautiful day for those of us that are garage poor to get some work done. I started by reinstalling my DME after getting the mosfets replaced and testing the repair. The DME internal fault code was gone but the car didn't run any better. I had codes for cylinder 3 misfire and cylinder 3 coil fault. I kinda expected that and was prepared for it. A new set of Eldor coils and NGK plugs arrived Thursday from FCP Euro. That cured the old girl. She's purring like a fat, happy tiger now.

The next order of business was to upgrade to my new VRSF charge pipe and install the new Tial BOV. That half hour job went pretty good until my dumbass fingers dropped the cylinder nut for the BOV t-bolt clamp down between the charge pipe and the alternator... you know, the black hole of engine bays. Well I looked and felt around and then got an inspection mirror and looked some more. No way could I find that nut and of course it was the threaded one so way harder to make a new one. I even jacked up the car and removed the underbody panel. Nope, it didn't miraculously fall out. I then removed the aluminum reinforcement plate from the subframe (XDrive) and felt and looked all around again. I even had a friend with much smaller hands searching as well. By now I was into this search for almost an hour and was getting pretty frustrated. I went back up top and removed the charge pipe again so I could get a better look. Lo and behold there it is sitting proud as could be on top of the subframe crossmember about 1/8" beyond the reach of my fingertips. I retrieved it with a strategically bent piece of wire and reassembled the underside plate and panel and then the charge pipe once more.

Now it was time to install the new BMS cold air intake. Its just a couple of cone filters and inlet pipe adapters so that went smooth as silk.

After reinstalling the cowl plate and cabin filter I went for a test drive to make sure I wasn't going to get any error codes. None and the car ran great. Time for some lunch.

After lunch I thought its such a nice day I think I'll tackle the rear shocks and springs finally (Bilstein B8s and H&R). That whole job was pretty uneventful up until I noticed the ride height sensor bracket dangling from the arm of the sensor. It had obviously been like that for quite some time as the ball was rusted and swelled in the plastic arm from the sensor and hadn't moved in a long time. I managed to remove the bracket ball without destroying the plastic arm thankfully. I straightened the bracket and after much profanity got it reattached to the control arm and the sensor arm.

By the time I got the wheels back on and all the tools and old parts taken care of it was after 7pm and I was ready for a cold one. I hadn't had any beer all day because I was thinking "Test Drive" when I finished. Didn't test drive. Had a beer( well maybe more than one) and then a shower. If the weather holds, its not supposed to, maybe I'll start on the front struts and springs today, maybe.

Hell yeah, I’ve been there too. So looking forward to the test drive, then you’re just like F it. Save that for tomorrow when you’ll actually care.

[xic_999]

Hi this is my first post on here and yea you read the title right I did a custom turbo kit on my 2006 330i e90 (n52) I still need to tune it and little things here and there but she runs good on boost.

[tcphoto]

That front bumper looks like it did winters in the Northeast plowing snow.

[Exitious]

Gave the car a good wash and replaced the kidney grills with a glossy black pair. Looks great, but stripped one of the front bumper torx bolts in the process as it seems someone overtightened it far more than the others. Well, it was a pain, but we got it out eventually. Gotta order a new one now.

[DBShiznit]

Little introduction, I've been a part of this forum for so long but never really posted. In the last few months I purchased my very first e90. I always loved the body style and interior. I already own a 135 6MT and wanted another n54 as a daily. I know, I'm asking for trouble but I love the N54 so much that I had to have two. lol Anyway this weekend I washed the e90 as it was much needed. It's already got a nice coat of green on it but here it is in all it's glory. I'll have to fix the rear tint but so far I've done black kidneys and 328xi front splitters along with maintenace.

[Exitious]

Originally Posted by DBShiznit

Little introduction, I've been a part of this forum for so long but never really posted. In the last few months I purchased my very first e90. I always loved the body style and interior. I already own a 135 6MT and wanted another n54 as a daily. I know, I'm asking for trouble but I love the N54 so much that I had to have two. lol Anyway this weekend I washed the e90 as it was much needed. It's already got a nice coat of green on it but here it is in all it's glory. I'll have to fix the rear tint but so far I've done black kidneys and 328xi front splitters along with maintenace.

Looks great! I love that wheel style.

[TyroneShoelaces]

Wasn't my current car but the remnants of one of my parts cars. Took a good E92 power heated sport black interior that was in great shape and threw it in the landfill. Broke my heart after trying to give it away for weeks. Sigh