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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 2923 of 3026

#29215 of 30250 Re: Coolant System? [sunilb] by div2

Mar 06, 2006 (11:29 am)

Replying to: sunilb (Mar 06, 2006 11:11 am)
Is there some type of preventive maintenance that can be done (e.g., replacing hoses)? Or, is flushing the system (per the owner's manual) sufficient?
 
Coolant hoses are usually the last thing to fail on a BMW(my 101K 1995 Club Sport still runs the original hoses, as did my 135K 1997 5er). Six cylinder water pumps are prone to failure anytime after 60K, radiators after 100K. Neither part is terribly expensive and the replacement procedure is very simple. In any event, I would definitely change the coolant every three years- and I would use only BMW coolant.

#29216 of 30250 Re: Coolant System? [div2] by sunilb

Mar 06, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Mar 06, 2006 11:29 am)
Thanks, div2!
 
So, I will plan to replace water pump (and thermostat) in the next month (I'm at 63K miles; still have to do the tranny and diff fluid you mentioned a while back) and then radiator around 90K miles.
 
I wish BMW put this info in the owners manual, but luckily this board continues to be very helpful.

#29217 of 30250 3 Series Crash Test Results by grantchstr

Mar 06, 2006 (3:27 pm)

I just saw a report that the 2006 BMW 3 Series was top of the heap in crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: "New crash tests of midsize cars: BMW 3 series & Lexus IS earn 'Top Safety Pick'".
 
Thats great news, however the rear test results are not great....
 
 http://www.iihs.org/ratings/head_restraints/head_bmw.html
 
 http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr030506.html

#29218 of 30250 Pulsing Heater by mschukar

Mar 07, 2006 (3:31 pm)

My '02 325i heat system has been acting strange lately. At times, the fan level shows nearly full blast, but not much air is coming out (this in full auto mode). Manually changing the fan level has no affect. Turning the ignition off and back on seems to fix the problem.
 
A more frequently occurring issue is hearing the vent fan pulse (blow harder, softer, harder, softer) while to the display shows one level. This seems to happen most times when I start the car and the temperature high enough to generate heat.
 
When the interior of the car is warm and the display shows a lower fan level, I don't notice anything.
 
Any thoughts?
 
-murray

#29219 of 30250 06 330i front plate removal by mpower340

Mar 08, 2006 (9:23 am)

Just moved to Oklahoma State that does not require its
 
 front license plate. Can it be removed without any
 
 marks or holes? Please advise. Thanks.

#29220 of 30250 Should I buy a well kept 318i for my son? by easman61

Mar 08, 2006 (4:58 pm)

I am looking for a reliable, safe, and somewhat fun car for my soon to be 16 yr old son. I've been considering the following - all high mileage cars to keep the price below $7k - Older Maximas, Civics, and BMW 318i. I was surprised that the BMW's were as inexpensive as they are. I'm a car guy and have always been drawn to the beemers. Any body care to weigh in on whether the BMW would be a good choice? I would want to find a one owner, well maintained car. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

#29221 of 30250 New to me 323i by badtrukrisin

Mar 09, 2006 (7:48 am)

Just purchased a 323i and am wondering what I am in for? It has 86k on it. Has been BMW maintained. ABS light stays on. How do you reset the service light? I will be doing my own maint on the car from here on. What is a good cheap code reader for this car? How complicated is the computer system? Should I change all fluids? I also own a Ford Powerstroke that uses synthetic fluids, are they the same requirements? What should I investigate before driving very far? All suggestions will be appreciated.
Bud

#29222 of 30250 Dinan Differential on ZHP & other mods by alibajalajaula

Mar 10, 2006 (7:14 am)

This is a question to the forum. I've been looking at the Dinan 3.15 differential upgrade as a possible driveline modification. Is this the so-called LSD (limited-slip-diferential) referred to in these forums, alike the M3s, Miatas or S2000?. The ZHP stock differential ratio is 3.07:1. Does this mean that with the new differential I would have 3.15/3.07=1.03, 3% more revolutions/torque per engine shaft RPMs? Dinan's claim is that 0-60 can be attain without changing from 2nd to 3rd gear. What do you guys think? Is 4 grand worth 3% increase in traction? Of course the other mods, such as exhaust, cold air intake, throttle body and software would bring the bill to five & half grand, with a possible 22 hp gain up to 257. Not bad. But the Dinan rep suggest do the differential first. Wanna chip in? Basically I can't wait for the new M3, but can't jump into a new/CPO now. So, just started asking about souping it up. Finally, would this kill the resale value of the car?

#29223 of 30250 Re: Dinan Differential on ZHP & other mods [alibajalajaula] by fedlawman

Mar 10, 2006 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: alibajalajaula (Mar 10, 2006 7:14 am)
Unless you're tracking your car, you don't need to spend $4000 for a LSD (even if you do track it, that price is outrageous). The difference in street performance between a 3.07 and a 3.15 will probably be imperceptible to you.
 
Don't believe Dinan's HP claims for their other parts either - you'll spend thousands of dollars on HP gains you'll have difficulty noticing.
 
Save your money.

#29224 of 30250 Re: Dinan Differential on ZHP & other mods [alibajalajaula] by div2

Mar 11, 2006 (9:45 am)

Replying to: alibajalajaula (Mar 10, 2006 7:14 am)
Have you ever attended any drivers schools such as the ones conducted by BMW CCA? If not, I seriously doubt that you are able to exploit more than 60% of the capabilities of a stock ZHP. Learning how to actually drive your car is a crucial first step. Only after you understand that Trailing Throttle Oversteer is NOT the band that used to open for REO Speedwagon should you start to put money into the car. At that point you should contact Brett Anderson at Koala Motorsport.

Messages Page 2923 of 3026

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