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Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier
29979 messages, Last post on Aug 25, 2008 at 8:34 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 11, 2008 8:14 pm) Otherwise, if you have basic wrench turning ability, you'll be fine. These cars are very simple - removing and replacing components is easy. Only the number of tools in your shed (and access to a lift) will limit what you can do. The most difficult part of servicing these cars yourself is usually going to relate to issues such as getting leverage to remove stuck bolts in tight spaces, having to run to the store to buy a 25mm socket that you need for just one job, etc. Have a torque wrench that reads past 100 lb ft - the Bentley gives you all the torque specs you'll need for every job. Also, you'll want a nice long breaker bar with a swiveling head, some socket extensions, and some 1/2" and 3/8" socket adapters. Again, you don't need Snap-On tools for this work. Just buy cheap tools individually as need them. Harbor Freight Tools is your friend here... http://www.harborfreight.com/ Then get to know Bavarian Autosport and Pelican Parts... http://www.bavauto.com/ http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/catalog/3-Series_Main.htm And if you like, here's another good book I use next to the Bentley Manual... http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Projects-1982-2000-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760- - 326959/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208012187&sr=8-1 |
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I picked the car up after work yesterday. Its previous owner told me to let him know when it is all done. I even had my first mishap with it. I brought it home, my wife, son, & in-laws were waiting for me in front of my apt building. They're all checking out the car and telling me all good things. Then when it was time to go upstairs,,,,DEAD! The car won't start, no clicking, but the gauges started to work and I could hear the fuel pump whirring. So I pushed the car into a parking spot, & then it started right up! There's some kind of cockamamie alarm that I have got to disconnect! I'll list the positives and then go through what I saw needs help. The car fires right up when I turn the key. The Inline 6 Sings. Acceleration is decent. The view outside the car is panoramic. There are no blind spots on this car! Steering is very direct. The car obviously has some electrical issues. The power windows don't work. The Tachometer doesn't work (but the speedo & odometer function perfectly). The power mirrors don't work. The steering wheel is cocked off center. The steering wheel shakes at 60 mph & over. The fan from the heater/AC doesn't work. I've got my work cut out for me!
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 13, 2008 7:19 pm) That's one thing I really hate about modern cars; the A, B, and C pillars are so thick that they can almost hide a Greyhound Bus. The car obviously has some electrical issues. The first order of business is to ashcan any aftermarket alarms. Most installers aren't familiar with BMWs and the butchered installations cause all sorts of problems. The power windows don't work. I forget where it is on an E30, but there is a circuit breaker that can be reset. Is there a button on the dash or console that has a red line showing around the base? If so, push it in and see if the windows work. Other possibilities are the fuses and the main electrical connector at the door(s), which could be loose or corroded. The Tachometer doesn't work (but the speedo & odometer function perfectly). Probably bad batteries on the SI board or (more likely) the SI board itself. You have to pull the instrument cluster to replace it but it's a fairly easy job if you take your time. The power mirrors don't work. Either a fuse or-as with the windows-the main electrical connector at the door is wonky. The steering wheel is cocked off center. An alignment can fix that, but it's also possible that the wheel was pulled and reinstalled by someone who didn't notice the index marks on both the wheel and the steering shaft. The steering wheel shakes at 60 mph & over. Bushings, tie rod ends, wheel balance, or all of the above...  The fan from the heater/AC doesn't work. Fuse, switch, or fan motor. |
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I ordered the E30 Bentley Manual last night from Amazon. I can't wait to get going!
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Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 14, 2008 8:08 pm) Regards, OW |
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Hate to post this, it's so dumb...but it is driving me crazy! I have a 2004 330i sedan and above the rear doors are these handles that have these "hooks". I think these hooks are for hanging your dry-cleaning, but I can't get these hooks to open (extend) so I can hang my dry-cleaning. I can't find anything in the manual nor on the forums. Anyone? Thanks.
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Replying to: newbuyer30 (Apr 23, 2008 12:42 pm) Regards, OW |
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Replying to: newbuyer30 (Apr 23, 2008 12:42 pm) |
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Replying to: kominsky (Apr 25, 2008 9:32 am) After trying for about 5 minutes--pushing up, down, in, out on the hook and as well as on the handle--I still can't get it to pop open. By the way, thanks kominsky for at least telling me that it pops open...I wasn't sure. So if I were to face the handle, the hook should be pushed straight up towards the ceiling and then out towards me (towards the center of the car)? It's shameful that I even have a mechanical engineering degree...shameful!
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Replying to: newbuyer30 (Apr 28, 2008 10:26 am)  Sorry - couldn't resist. 
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