What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[Dieselboy]

Originally Posted by fotontom

Wow. Lived in Bucks County for 3 years and never knew it was there. Only time I got down into that area was parking at the airport. Will put it on the list for the next time I go back!

Small world, I grew up in BucksCo.

Originally Posted by fotontom

Nice! And I appreciate the parts list! Have been thinking about this swap. How difficult was it, how much time was involved? What specific manual trans did you use?

I found a ZF GS6-53BZ trans on eBay and decided to just go for it. I found it to be a lot easier than replacing the turbos. Vehicular DIY has a very good 3-part video on YouTube on all the steps involved. I'm not finished yet as I'm still waiting on a few parts, but all-in-all I'd say ~10-12 hour job.

[fotontom]

Originally Posted by Dieselboy

Small world, I grew up in BucksCo.




I found a ZF GS6-53BZ trans on eBay and decided to just go for it. I found it to be a lot easier than replacing the turbos. Vehicular DIY has a very good 3-part video on YouTube on all the steps involved. I'm not finished yet as I'm still waiting on a few parts, but all-in-all I'd say ~10-12 hour job.

Seems you did the right thing by going with the ZF, as yours is a 135i. From what I've learned, the 128's came with a Getrag unit. Do you have any idea if they interchange easily between the N52 and N54? I've also heard the ZF is a better unit all around.

[N55135i]

Does someone know which number fuse I need to pull to disable the low pressure fuel pump. I need to prime the engine oil after doing my oil filter housing gasket to avoid any possibility of oil starvation. I'd rather not pull spark plugs or injector cables.

[________]

Originally Posted by N55135i

Does someone know which number fuse I need to pull to disable the low pressure fuel pump. I need to prime the engine oil after doing my oil filter housing gasket to avoid any possibility of oil starvation. I'd rather not pull spark plugs or injector cables.

Should be fuse #70, 20 amp.

[K9Leader]

Installed a Euro airbox and Turner silicone boot on Little Red tonight. I've had the Euro box and a silicone boot (Rev Motors) on my E91 for a couple of years and like the look and the convenience. When I've seen complaints about the Turner boot, it is that it is a little short but my experience was that it may have been a bit too long and took some pushing, shoving, and grunting to get everything lined up and back together.

I took it out for a quick test drive and got in a couple of spirited pulls and it does sound a bit growlier . . . or was that just that I had the windows open as it was a bit warmer today?

[K9Leader]

UPDATE: The fit was still bothering me and I realized that I never shaved off the tab on the throttle body used to line up the stock boot. Went back in tonight and took care of that and it does fit significantly better. Still nowhere near too short but not quite as overlong as I at first thought.

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Installed a Euro airbox and Turner silicone boot on Little Red tonight. I've had the Euro box and a silicone boot (Rev Motors) on my E91 for a couple of years and like the look and the convenience. When I've seen complaints about the Turner boot, it is that it is a little short but my experience was that it may have been a bit too long and took some pushing, shoving, and grunting to get everything lined up and back together.

I took it out for a quick test drive and got in a couple of spirited pulls and it does sound a bit growlier . . . or was that just that I had the windows open as it was a bit warmer today?

[gary_william]

VCG, OFHG, oil pan gasket, power steering fluid service, differential service, new shoes, couple other bits.

BMW - Bring More Wallets

[N55135i]

I have found that with these easy mods you can lower the operating oil tems from 120C to around 90-100C (250F to 200F).

1) M3 Cowl Conversion (rain channels) & BMS filters. (less weight, accessible open engine bay)
2) Set radiator fan speed to Sport mode
3) Mosselman oil cooler thermostat

I do this for reliability, I don't want the car to get as hot as stock. I'm aware that you're supposed to burn off contaminants but I have Autobahn & very little carbon buildup despite not running a catch can with N55. Each change 1-3 is good for about 10 degrees. (I also have Wagner EVO1 intercooler)

[________]

Originally Posted by N55135i

I have found that with these easy mods you can lower the operating oil tems from 120C to around 90-100C (250F to 200F).

1) M3 Cowl Conversion (rain channels) & no engine beauty covers (less weight, easy access, open engine bay)
2) Set radiator fan speed to Sport mode
3) Mosselman oil cooler thermostat

I do this for reliability, I don't want the car to get as hot as stock. I'm aware that you're supposed to burn off contaminants but I have Autobahn & very little carbon buildup despite not running a catch can with N55 so it's OK. You can remove or add any of the 3 to change the temp by around 10 degrees. Don't know where else to post this.

How do you set the fan to sport?
In MHD?
Isn't that the water pump setting?

[Gray_Panther]

Not today but last week I stored the 1er away for winter. It sits right next to my parent's 1er and both are tucked nicely in the garage until spring.

I also have power steering and brake fluid waiting in my basement to change those out in the spring as well.

Here's to hoping next year, my 10th year of owning the 128i, will remain trouble free. Still on the original battery at 73k miles!

[Gangplank]

Made appointment for Valve Cover replacement. My bank account hates me.

[N55135i]

MHD fan options list Normal, Sport, & Track. Fan will kick on sooner at lower oil temps.

Good Carly features: Disable headlight washer jets, lower angel eye voltage brightness after installing white LED, disable voltage checks (flickering), disable seatbelt warning beep, etc.

Good MHD features: Stage 1+ tune took 7min to flash with their WiFi OBD tool, detailed fault codes, no renewing subscriptions, changing cooling fan speeds, disabling cold start roar (higher cold RPM more wear IMO), removing speed limiter, etc.

[Stiflershifter]

Well not so much for me...
Yesterday was a day for a good wash and a good wax on it.
Tomorrow I'll try to install my new ECU. this shit is gonna fly!
After that I guess I'll have to take some time to save up some more money and plan what the next upgrades will be for my little baby.

[Gangplank]

Looked at it in the parking lot of the hotel we're staying in while we wait for the new house to close. Haha. Happy thanksgiving!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Looked at it in the parking lot of the hotel we're staying in while we wait for the new house to close. Haha. Happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you, and all the 1ADDICTS!

Good luck in your new house!

[K9Leader]

Worked on a filler panel for the single DIN stereo in Little Red.

It had no stereo at all when I bought it - appears to have had something aftermarket by a previous owner and was pulled out when sold. I put in a single DIN JVC unit I've had on the shelf for a couple of years (since pulling it out of my daughter's Acura when that car went away). Finally got around to creating a template for a filler, then cut the filler piece out of some thin, flexible plastic with foam backing, then covered it with black CF vinyl.

I know Metra makes a filler panel but I've used those in other cars and they are only okay. Also, the Metra one for the E82 gets lackluster reviews about fitment. And, I had fabbed up my own mounting brackets for the stereo so it is fixed in place and does not need a rigid filler panel for support/positioning.

Anyway, it looks better than the gaping hole when there was no stereo and better than the open space around the stereo that has been there for the last month. There is a slight gap on the right side so I may make another attempt sometime soon. For now, it works.



Also, installed some inexpensive "simulated" carbon fiber mirror caps. The ones on it when I bought it were pretty worn - driver side had most of the clearcoat peeled off and passenger side had many, many rock chips. Not sure what I will do long-term - repaint the originals, go with real carbon fiber replacements, or maybe a vinyl wrap. These will do for the time being - they were cheap and look better than the beat up ones that were on there. Fitment is pretty good - gap between the front trim is more than the OEM but at least it is even and uniform and they snapped in fairly easily.

[N55135i]

*

[weidner]

Whoosh. Done.



Took about 8 hours (over two days). Worst part of the whole job - getting the damn radiator fan out... eff's with me every time.

Now hopefully I don't have to go right back in there for the rear main seal... but if I do, I don't have to pull the blasted radiator fan!

[N55135i]

Originally Posted by weidner

Worst part of the whole job - getting the damn radiator fan out... eff's with me every time.

Take a dremel, shave down the plastic ends around the radiator fan. There are plastic corners that stick out too far, & unused mounting points. They take only a few minutes to shave & smoothe out. Also on the rear of the engine beauty cover. Once you do, removing the fan will be easy.

[K9Leader]

Front brakes for Little Red . . .

[tracer bullet]

I tried, very unsuccessfully, to get a set of rubber OEM floor mats. I guess at this point in time they're discontinued and all the inventory is gone (even from the places that claim they have them for shipping - they lie).

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

I tried, very unsuccessfully, to get a set of rubber OEM floor mats. I guess at this point in time they're discontinued and all the inventory is gone (even from the places that claim they have them for shipping - they lie).

Hmm, maybe it's time to go old school and get some Cocomats?