[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Aha! OK, thanks for that.

I must admit that I saw the name MAHLE and took that as being good enough, simply because they make a lot of parts for loads of different manufacturers. Wish I'd have done some more reading up before pulling the trigger as it's been ordered and is on the way. Fingers crossed it's alright!

Just thought. Is there anything else that might be worth looking into, servicing wise?

It had spark plugs about 20k ago, not long before I bought it. The garage said they'll see what the general oil and coolant pipework looks like when they start work, and if anything is needed I've given them the nod to order it in. There's bound to be a pipe or two that's on the way out after 140k miles.

The majority of them are fine, just a higher percentage of failures compared to other brands. Don't stress it, just be on the lookout for failure on the sides where the metal and plastic are crimped together.

Very good chance you'll need an upper radiator hose when they pull the old one. Maybe get a lower one at the same time.

Get your transmission fluid changed if it hasn't been. ZF recommends every 62k miles, treat GM the same. Might as well do the differential fluid while you have it there, won't be that much more.

Rear hatch wiring could let loose at any moment, keep an eye out for that. That's about it really. Everything else is more reactive vs. preventative, and you've covered most of it already. As you've experienced, they are solid cars that last a long time, minus some well-known maintenance items you have covered.

An E91 330i is forbidden fruit here in the States, kinda' jealous of what you've got there!

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

The majority of them are fine, just a higher percentage of failures compared to other brands. Don't stress it, just be on the lookout for failure on the sides where the metal and plastic are crimped together.

Very good chance you'll need an upper radiator hose when they pull the old one. Maybe get a lower one at the same time.

Get your transmission fluid changed if it hasn't been. ZF recommends every 62k miles, treat GM the same. Might as well do the differential fluid while you have it there, won't be that much more.

Rear hatch wiring could let loose at any moment, keep an eye out for that. That's about it really. Everything else is more reactive vs. preventative, and you've covered most of it already. As you've experienced, they are solid cars that last a long time, minus some well-known maintenance items you have covered.

An E91 330i is forbidden fruit here in the States, kinda' jealous of what you've got there!

Thanks again for the tips

Mm, a transmission service really should make its way up the list as there's no mention of one in the history at all. During winter, the first time it shifts from 1st to 2nd it sometimes holds on to 1st for longer than it does when warm, but that aside it seems happy enough for an old auto. When the funds recover from this service I'll perhaps get it booked in to be done, alongside a diff fluid change too. Fingers crossed, the hatch wiring is behaving itself...

Thanks for the kind words on the car in general Looking at your garage list though, there's no call for jealousy whatsoever!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Thanks for the kind words on the car in general Looking at your garage list though, there's no call for jealousy whatsoever!

I seem to be aiming for quantity over quality LOL

[AndreM818]

Very nice!

[hooneybadger]

Epic car and thread and ATD on the journalling/updating. To the classifieds...

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I seem to be aiming for quantity over quality LOL

Hehe! Nothing wrong with that at all

Well, I'm a few weeks into life after the massive service and so far so good. Truth be told, I'm struggling to notice any real difference in the way it's running: it sounds the same as it always has, goes as well as it always has, and there's no difference in economy too. The only thing I have noticed is that the fan rarely makes itself known now, no doubt down to lots of the coolant related bits being new. Happy with that

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by AndreM818

Very nice!

Cheers! Been a labour of love (and time and money!) but it's now pretty much my ideal car... missing pedal aside anyway

[xlr88r]

Originally Posted by hooneybadger

Epic car and thread and ATD on the journalling/updating. To the classifieds...

Thanks! I've had a decent go at keeping this up to date. Good luck with the search for yours

The N52 engined ones are great to own. They just go, and go, and go, and are happy piling on the miles without ever feeling like they're going to leave you stranded. I've had this just over 4 years now - picked it up 8th Aug 2021 - and still have no idea what I'd go to next. So many boxes ticked with this. Love it.

[xlr88r]

Disclaimer:

I've NOT had the car wrapped or painted. But, my word, this colour is really, really, really working for me.

The other day I realised it'd been a couple of months since I posted anything on Instagram, by virtue of having taken no new pics. I had a play with some old pics in Lightroom and, after playing with some of the sliders and settings, it turned the car from blue into this rather fetching green colour. B!oody love it. It'd be so, so good against the Saddle Brown.













The Challenge:

Ignoring the fact that the Internet exists and it would be incredibly easy to find a bodyshop or wrapping company nearby and get it booked in. I just can't afford/justify it.

But...

...just look at it

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

[B][COLOR="Red"][SIZE="3"]

Ignoring the fact that the Internet exists and it would be incredibly easy to find a bodyshop or wrapping company nearby and get it booked in. I just can't afford/justify it.

But...

...just look at it

Yeah, nothing wrong with that!

[jaffles]

well done xlr88r, your build is a practical one of individuality with underpinning firmly attached to the cars origins. Sometimes, to me anyway, many just do mods because there their to do, with most just made by a 3rd party trying to make a living.

In saying that I would really like a coral red and black interior for my E93 M-sport. But its boring black and can't stain black to red unfortunately. Finding a cream interior to stain, or a red one its probably easier to buy the whole car which is a costly way to fulfil a desire. So think I'm going to 2 pack a lot of the interior plastic trims. Shine like your piano black but a deep metallic cherry black red instead. Painting is easier for me.

Anyway, it may take me some time so thanks for the inspiration. The green does look nice. What about Isle of Man?

[hooneybadger]

Originally Posted by xlr88r

Thanks! I've had a decent go at keeping this up to date. Good luck with the search for yours

The N52 engined ones are great to own. They just go, and go, and go, and are happy piling on the miles without ever feeling like they're going to leave you stranded. I've had this just over 4 years now - picked it up 8th Aug 2021 - and still have no idea what I'd go to next. So many boxes ticked with this. Love it.

Thanks! I actually came across an ad for one earlier, which I've sent you via DM - hope you don't mind offering your thoughts on it!

Cheers