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Thread: New to me 325CI Convert. What Maint to start with?

  1. #1
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    New to me 325CI Convert. What Maint to start with?

    My wife really wanted another z3 but I was insisting on the 6 cylinder this time around. In the end we decided the 325CI would be more practical, primarily so she could pick up the kids from school on the days she wants to drive it to work.

    Anyway, I am not a novice when it comes to cars, but I am no expert either. My previous cars include and A4, z3, E30, Volvo V70. I currently have a 96 Land Rover that take off road a lot. My wifes current car and family hauler is a 2000 Mercedes e320 wagon with AWD.

    So, now I have my first e46. Its a 2006 E46 325Ci with 101k miles. The PO had it specially ordered from Germany so that he could get a manual trans. The interior was filthy and the exterior is straight but has a lot of paint chips from door dings etc.

    All service was done at BMW untill 50K miles when he switched to a BMW specialist. It came with all service records.

    I only paid $5500 so I feel like I got a decent deal. How to sections have an over load of info. Ill find something usesfull but cant find it again. So I am sorry if my questions are covered else where.

    So where to start?

    Cooling System - In April of 2015 the PO had the Tstat housing, rad hose and coolant tank replaced. I understand that water pump can be suspect on these cars so I plan to replace the water pump. What else should I tackle when I take on that job?

    Fluids - Should I do a drain fill on all the fluids?

    Power Steering Fluid - The only real concern I came up with when I inspected the car was the PS fluid looks dirty. Ill probably just drain/fill the system a couple of times

    Convertible top - there is some wear on the crease of the top. other than keeping it clean is there anything I can do to prolong the life of the top?

    Detail - Im sending it to a quality detail shop to adress the interior.

    Front bumper - It looks like the PO pulled the front bumper off when backing up over a curb. No significant damage, but I can seem to find the parts on Pelican. What is a good source to identify the parts needed?

    What else? id like to think we are setting fourth on long life with one another. are there any preventive maint items im forgetting?
    IMG_4787 (1).jpg

  2. #2
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    COMPLETE*** cooling system over haul ($800+ if you do it yourself) that also has to get done once a year, so I suggest FCPEuro.com for lifetime warranty on all parts and best prices (they price match as well). Next go with fluid and filter changes. (Power steering, brakes, transmission, oil) ALSO recommend FCPEuro.com because even their oils have lifetime warranty check out Mango’s “top ten e46 failures” post, gives you info on which individual parts commonly fail as well. I’d replace all those items.. of course if you’re paying somebody else to do it (mechanic) expect to pay double or triple

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post
    COMPLETE*** cooling system over haul ($800+ if you do it yourself) that also has to get done once a year, so I suggest FCPEuro.com for lifetime warranty on all parts and best prices (they price match as well). Next go with fluid and filter changes. (Power steering, brakes, transmission, oil) ALSO recommend FCPEuro.com because even their oils have lifetime warranty check out Mango’s “top ten e46 failures” post, gives you info on which individual parts commonly fail as well. I’d replace all those items.. of course if you’re paying somebody else to do it (mechanic) expect to pay double or triple
    Wow, that mango site has everything. its the best guide Ive ever seen for a car

    Thank you

  4. #4
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    I’d replace the tranny fluid with Redline D4ATF. You’ll need 2 quarts and a pump. Remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug.
    Replace the power steering reservoir with one made by ZF. Why? There’s a filter at the bottom of the reservoir. Also, replace the hose that runs from the power steering fluid cooler to the reservoir. They leak. Perform a power steering system flush. Buy 4 feet of heater hose, 4 quarts of Dexron3 and 2 (more) quarts of Redline D4ATF. Remove the fluid from the oil reservoir and install the new one. Remove the front hose from the reservoir and connect it to the heater hose. Put the other end of the hose into a large container. Fill the reservoir with Dex3. Open ALL bottles of Dex3 and D4ATF. Put a funnel in the reservoir and start the engine. Add Dex3 and the first bottle of D4ATF. Rotate the steering wheel from lock to lock while adding fluid. Shut the engine off and remove the fluid I. The reservoir. Reconnect the hose and fill with D4ATF. Power steering fluid is the most neglected fluid in your car.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
    I’d replace the tranny fluid with Redline D4ATF. You’ll need 2 quarts and a pump. Remove the fill plug before removing the drain plug.
    Replace the power steering reservoir with one made by ZF. Why? There’s a filter at the bottom of the reservoir. Also, replace the hose that runs from the power steering fluid cooler to the reservoir. They leak. Perform a power steering system flush. Buy 4 feet of heater hose, 4 quarts of Dexron3 and 2 (more) quarts of Redline D4ATF. Remove the fluid from the oil reservoir and install the new one. Remove the front hose from the reservoir and connect it to the heater hose. Put the other end of the hose into a large container. Fill the reservoir with Dex3. Open ALL bottles of Dex3 and D4ATF. Put a funnel in the reservoir and start the engine. Add Dex3 and the first bottle of D4ATF. Rotate the steering wheel from lock to lock while adding fluid. Shut the engine off and remove the fluid I. The reservoir. Reconnect the hose and fill with D4ATF. Power steering fluid is the most neglected fluid in your car.

    Awesome! Ill definitely do that. MY PS fluid is definitely dark so it was already on my list. First thing first though, i am going to do do the Mango coolant overhaul.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post
    COMPLETE*** cooling system over haul ($800+ if you do it yourself) that also has to get done once a year
    LOL wut. Unless you put 100k miles on your car every year that is the biggest waste of money ive ever heard.
    Current:

    - 09 335i MSport, FBO.
    - 98 Euro M3, Estoril Blue
    - 04 M3, Carbon Black, 6 Speed Coupe
    - 06 M5, Black on Black, Full Leather.
    - 73 3.0CS, Tagia Green, 5 speed M30b35 converted

    Ex's: 1984 325e, 1988 325IX, 1992 525I, 1995 540i/6, 2002 330i, 2005 330xi, 1992 850i, 2003 330i #1, 2003 330i #2, 2002 330ci, 2004 330ci, 2007 328CI, 2007 335i, 2001 M3, 2006 M5 6 speed

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by legoman67 View Post
    LOL wut. Unless you put 100k miles on your car every year that is the biggest waste of money ive ever heard.
    well it isn’t if you’re not lazy and like to take care of your car considering how many plastics and soft rubbers all our cars have and how dangerous even a small short overheat could damage the car. :^)

    Also FCPEuro.com sells entire kits like that with lifetime warranty so your cooling system is ALWAYS in tip top shape. Entire cooing system can be done in one day (if you’re slow and take your time) and you can purchase the kit, replace all parts new, send old stuff back and get FULL reimbursement.. :-)))

  8. #8
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    Im geting ready to pull the trigger on the parts list from Mango's site but I had two questions

    http://astore.amazon.com/e46f-20/
    This list is for the 325, right? It does not specify motor size.

    Also is the there a page that describes the steps and tools needed?

    I know I need this
    https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Clutc...ump+tool&psc=1

    but what else?

  9. #9
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    Here’s what I’d do. Go to www.realoem.com and enter the last 7 characters of the car’s VIN. Hit enter and bookmark the page. Cooling system parts are found in 2 separate sections: engine and radiator. Get the part #s for the parts and then go to fcpeuro to buy the parts. Why? Lifetime warranty. Also, one of the pulleys on Mango’s list is made by Dayco. Buy OEM to be sure. Also, you need an engine block drain plug seal. The block drain is located under the exhaust manifold between cyliders 1 and 2. You need to drain the block by removing this plug in order to do a proper flush. Also, use only DISTILLED water and BMW coolant.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
    Here’s what I’d do. Go to www.realoem.com and enter the last 7 characters of the car’s VIN. Hit enter and bookmark the page. Cooling system parts are found in 2 separate sections: engine and radiator. Get the part #s for the parts and then go to fcpeuro to buy the parts. Why? Lifetime warranty. Also, one of the pulleys on Mango’s list is made by Dayco. Buy OEM to be sure. Also, you need an engine block drain plug seal. The block drain is located under the exhaust manifold between cyliders 1 and 2. You need to drain the block by removing this plug in order to do a proper flush. Also, use only DISTILLED water and BMW coolant.
    Okay, their kit is for an automatic, so I sent them an email.

    do you know of an online DIY kit that shows how to do this? Or is it pretty straight forward?

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leothelion092 View Post

    well it isn’t if you’re not lazy and like to take care of your car considering how many plastics and soft rubbers all our cars have and how dangerous even a small short overheat could damage the car. :^)

    Also FCPEuro.com sells entire kits like that with lifetime warranty so your cooling system is ALWAYS in tip top shape. Entire cooing system can be done in one day (if you’re slow and take your time) and you can purchase the kit, replace all parts new, send old stuff back and get FULL reimbursement.. :-)))
    You're serious about replacing the cooling system every 12 months? don't do weed.

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    '73 E9, '94 E34, '02 E46
    First: RTFM. Read the F*cking Manual. Do what the car needs based on mileage and age, first.

    Second: Check over mission critical maintenance items (your wife and kids will be in that car).

    Third: attend to the "common failure points" as time and money permit. You'll never "know" that "fixing" common failure points will pay off, because things (hopefully) won't fail. If this expensive "peace of mind" works for you, by all means spend the dough. Also indoctrinate your other half that the engine may be fatally sensitive to being overheated and that if there's any doubt, pull over immediately and call for help.

    As for Mango's list, note that he wants to sell parts. His advice may be sound, his parts may be inexpensive, but he's in it for money. Proceed accordingly.
    Charlie

    Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to add value to these threads, either by pictures or by descriptions, so the next person with the same or similar problem stands on your shoulders.

  13. #13
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    The first thing you should do is buy a Bentley manual for the car. Don’t buy a Haynes or any other manual. You can buy it for about $75-$100 on line. The job of overhauling the cooling system isn’t hard. But, there are several tricks to doing it right. The first trick is buy quality parts. The second trick is to take your time and read the Bentley manual. The third trick is to read Mango’s cooling system stickie at E46Fanatics. Yup, that’s the same Mango. The stickie is informative. The fourth trick is to ask questions from folks here if there’s something you don’t understand.

  14. #14
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    So the plot thickens

    I called FCP and apparently the 2005 and 2006 are different kits so Ill need to figure out my own kit....

  15. #15
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    You can’t go wrong with fcpeuro!

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
    You can’t go wrong with fcpeuro!
    Good, I just ordered everything. I had to talk to multiple online people to get it straight

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