Newbie - E86

[JDe86]

Hi all,

New member here and owner of a recently acquired E86 in Black Sapphire with Imola/Anthracite. First BMW I've had in a long while...18yrs to be exact, the last being an E36 328 Sport! I'm typically found dabbling with Jap metal, so it's a bit of a departure for me. I'd actually been looking for 350Z's, but had a spontaneous moment of realising I flippin' love the hunkered, muscular looks of the Z4c. And here we are about two weeks later :lol:

I viewed a few and typically found the same problems, always a combo of valve cover/oil filter housing leaks amongst other things. Pretty annoying for cars around the 10k mark. This one has the same problems (whoops) but was a lot cheaper so gives me scope to sort. Figured the faults will give me something to do as I've been off work in recent weeks :roll: The owner described the car as driving 'without fault'...not how I would have described it! :headbang: But hey ho.

Seems to have a decent spec, Xenons, Heated Seats, Cruise + some other bits, so got the extras I wanted. It's had a recent water pump/thermostat/rear springs/front shocks/refurbed 108's, etc...just a shame the owner wasn't as fussed about oil leaks! It did at least have a full set of Michelin PS5's, which is always reassuring.

Planning to tackle the valve cover gasket imminently. It's a later N52 with the black plastic valve cover. Just wondered if anybody had a direct link to a step by step fitting guide? I've searched through many of the VC posts and have found a comprehensive guide for the magnesium VC...

I don't have a workshop manual, so don't want to go in completely blind! Not sure if it's likely I'll need to replace the VC & not just the gaskets? Do they tend to crack the VC itself?

Driving experience is pretty decent, though my main issue relates to a 'thunk' from the drivetrain (usually from 1st-2nd) and sometimes just when putting it into 1st at a standstill. Feeling like a transmission mount perhaps?! I did notice the OS engine mount has a LOT of oil over it, spilled from the VC... :-o I'm somewhat hoping it isn't a mount from somewhere within the rear subframe. Anybody had similar? I do appreciate most of the bushes would benefit from a refresh of course.

Otherwise, look forward to 'virtually' meeting some of you. On my return journey I shared a few with fellow owners, E85's, which I thought was nice. I only usually get that when I'm in my Mk1 MR2 which also has many friendly owners. Though I don't see either those or E86's very often!

James

 

[buzyg]

Welcome to the forum. Any chance of some pics of your new beauty. :wink:

 

[AveZ4coop]

Welcome to the forum

I have found this forum to be very friendly and helpful over the last few years.

Drivetrain clunk is normally caused by dry splines on the input shaft to the differential. Is a common issue but doesn't cause any damage or other problems (But is annoying).

Hope this helps

 

[Calps]

Welcome [ref]JDe86[/ref],

Congrats on your new wheels, and welcome from another e86 sapphire black owner.

I can't help on the VC guide, however as it's also on my list of jobs, I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

Oh, and as already pointed out - we'd love to see some pics!

 

[JDe86]

Thanks all!

Ah yes, I'm afraid I haven't had an opportunity for either cleaning or proper photos as of yet But here's a couple of quick (but slightly miserable looking!) driveway photos...

Interesting, I hadn't considered the input shift being the potential fault. Was certainly more hopeful of a mounting/bush failure. It's definitely not under acceleration/deceleration so assume it isn't a backlash thing. But hell, I'm categorically no kind of expert that's for sure :withstupid: Thanks for the input (if you'll excuse the pun) on this AveZ4coop

Sounds like we both need that VC guide then Calps! Mine's already haemorrhaging lots of the black stuff onto the exhaust manifold (and steering UJ) so really want it to be one of the most immediate jobs...

 

[buzyg]

Like the trim.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum James. Your interior looks lovely.

And you found one with good options, especially that interior, Xenons and heated seats. A recent new water pump is a bonus too.

I never had either of those oil leaks on my 3.0Sis, but when I bought my 330i it had a new cam-cover gasket a month before I got it - shame I had to get the oil filter housing done at its' next service though, but then it had done over 100K miles by then!

If you do the cam-cover gasket yourself make sure you get new bolts as they are single use aluminium ones. Not sure if the same applies to the oil filter housing.

 

[JDe86]

Thanks! I have to admit I was particularly happy to find one with the continuation of Imola/Anthracite leather trim on the dash. The interior seems to have worn particularly well considering its over 100k

Ah, sounds like a very sensible purchase Mr Tidy! Funnily enough the previous owner swore blind that his garage had replaced the VC gasket in the last 12months… :roll: My eyes said otherwise, unless they did it blindfolded. BMW quoted me £440 for a VC, so hope it’s not warped/cracked… :headbang:

Great advice on the cover bolts too, thanks I’d suspected they might be single use jobbies.

Sounds like you’ve been through a fair few N52’s :wink:

 

[Mr Tidy]

I'm on my 4th now, two in E86s, an E91 325i and currently an E90 330i.

They are such great engines that when I was looking for the 3 Series I only looked for examples with the N52.