DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted January 23, 2016 Picked this up from a BMW mechanic's wife. This picture is after getting new OEM BMW tie rods, boots and an alignment. Caster on the drivers side is a little off. No ball joints are physically loose but I'll probably replace them in the spring. Before the snow was flying the rear brakes were replaced by yours truly. All OEM BMW parts I have an oil pan leak but that is about it for mechanical worries. A rip in the drivers side bolster and two small spots of rust. I'll take care of the little things as time goes on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patsbimmer1 1598 Report post Posted January 23, 2016 I wouldn't worry about that caster split. At a degree you'll have a ride control issue but where it's at now you're fine. Just make sure your strut isn't bent or where the strut mounts to the body isn't ovaled or splitting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted January 23, 2016 3 hours ago, patsbimmer1 said: I wouldn't worry about that caster split. At a degree you'll have a ride control issue but where it's at now you're fine. Just make sure your strut isn't bent or where the strut mounts to the body isn't ovaled or splitting. I'll take a good look. It drives like a totally different car with it being aligned! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted January 27, 2016 I keep on getting a PO430 & sometimes PO420 codes. The light will stay off for 400+ miles or come on in 50. What gives? Post cat O2s or replace the cats? Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B C 4585 Report post Posted January 27, 2016 if the P0420 was related to poor running then I would expect a misfire or rich codes to be stored also. If it was my car I would test the coolant temp sensor resistance, replace the upstream O2 since without records it can be assumed it is original, and the downstream sensors as well to ensure that the car isnt lying to you. Correct or not, this is just how I would handle the situation. 1 DrLeadFoot reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patsbimmer1 1598 Report post Posted January 27, 2016 Or you could back probe the o2 and see if it's functioning. Even easier would be to hook up a scan tool and watch live data. You should see it fluctuating rapidly between .1v-1v, if it's stagnant then you either have a bad o2 or your car's not warmed up. If it is fluctuating then cause a vacuum leak and see if the o2 reacts accordingly to the lean condition. 1 DrLeadFoot reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patsbimmer1 1598 Report post Posted January 27, 2016 First make sure you don't have any broken wires, this is more common than you might think. The wire doesn't even have to be broken all of the way through but if it's open or corroded you've got resistance where it shouldn't be. 1 DrLeadFoot reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted January 30, 2016 The engine light has been staying off. I filled up the gas tank with regular the past two times from this local station. I wanted to join in on the low gas price fun with regular and it seems to be working. How does Kaiser say it? "Save BIG Money!" 1 KaiserRolls reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted February 15, 2016 Got da whip washed and waxed before the snow came. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted March 9, 2016 The engine light is not on and passed 160k miles. That's about it. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted April 12, 2016 Washed and waxed! Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted June 19, 2016 Got some new shoes for the whip! 18" SSR 255 rears, 285 front Hoosier slicks. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wasnt m3 1176 Report post Posted June 19, 2016 What? Why? How does a 285 fit under a non-M e46? Please tell me you're not driving on the street with those tires. 1 DrLeadFoot reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B C 4585 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 I like whats happening but im also not sure what business those tires have on the xi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patsbimmer1 1598 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 I demand to see launches! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 This really helps with my work schedule. I don't have to brake into any corners. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk 1 B C reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 I demand to see launches! Haha, naw. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 The wheel set ups are 18x8 Et47 with 285s up front and 18x8.5 et50 255s in the rear. The story is Bimmer Bob (?) did an experiment to try and counter act the understeer the e46 chassis by putting big rubber up front. These were modified Evo wheels machined to an e46 set up. The seller said the car would get squirrely in the rear under hard braking. I wanted some quality wheels that could work on the m3 down the line. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
patsbimmer1 1598 Report post Posted June 20, 2016 I hope it doesn't rain while you've got those on! I still demand a launch video. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted July 10, 2016 Got these mounted, 255x35x18, on all 4 corners. Don't grip like the slicks but I'm not wrestling the wheel down rough roads anymore. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted July 10, 2016 Also, got a new drivers side window regulator installed. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted July 27, 2016 Got a cylinder #5 misfire so I bought a new coil and OEM plugs. Plugs were previously replaced at 100k. Just turned 170k. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B C 4585 Report post Posted July 28, 2016 Plugs look to have lived a healthy life. Id love to see the 255's on all four corners. Gonna make it to the cruise? 1 DrLeadFoot reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrLeadFoot 696 Report post Posted August 31, 2016 Oil change, vanos oil line and filter. 172,500 miles. Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites