What have you done to your car today?

PDJ said:
sharif said:
Why did the bearings need doing so early?
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From what I have found out about this issue is,
BMW when designing the S54 engine started with a 3.0ltr and bored it out to 3.2ltr so the pistons became larger in diameter, to make the rotating mass less they reduced the width of the connecting rod bearings narrower.

So the pressure on the rod bearing has now increased bigger area pressing on a smaller area.

They also used a bearing material that was not up to the job in the early S54’s fitted the the M3’s this was sorted with a recall later S54 engines in the Z4’s had the new rod bearing material

They also upped the weight of the oil to help with the issue now 10/60 this brings it’s own issues as it is too thick at start up and you have very high oil pressure for a few mins so hence the careful warm up phase of driving these cars.

Also sometimes the first owner does not have the mechanical sympathy as it is under warranty and only plans to keep for a couple of years so under their ownership everything is ok.

Time or distance between oil service is too long as the general public like new cars that don't need to a keep popping back to the garage so long service intervals became the norm

Also once the car is over the threshold to be an approved used BMW it is no longer sold by a BMW dealership and the subsequent owners are sort of on there own, so it is unlikely BMW will spend any time or money on out of “approved BMW” BMW only want to sell cars that maintain the brand

So as this issue becomes more understood the best way to avoid an engine rebuild is to replace the rod bearings and check the oil pump and relief valve before a failure

Just my thoughts/findings
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Thanks PDJ.

Before purchasing my MC, I did a lot of research regarding common problems and the rod bearings seem to be discussed frequently.

The car was a 3 owner car, however, I did not know how it had been driven before purchasing it and thought it would be best to get it done as a preventative maintenance measure. The cost of having the bearings replaced as opposed to the cost for an engine rebuild is low. I went with genuine BMW bearings and bolts.

Unfortunately, I've had some bad luck with cars in the past (i.e. engines failing a month after purchase), so for me it was peace of mind to just get them done!
 
sharif said:
I went with genuine BMW bearings and bolts.
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I went for King Race bearings and ARP rod bolts and an external oil relief valve

The BMW rod bearings apparently have a top and bottom shell so another thing to get right

It is cheaper than loosing a bearing and damaging the crank and everything else that gets compromised
 
Went out at 6:30 for a top down drive in the cool morning air. 50 miles of twisty back roads I checked the lug nut torque on the wheels I rotated after last weeks drive. All good, 1 bolt took a quarter turn. The Car drives like a dream. I can't get this silly grin off my face. :thumbsup:
 
Spent the weekend dodging the rain and replacing struts and springs front and back as well as top mounts, fitted top mount reinforcement plates, drop hangers and ARB bushes. 3 of the 4 struts had no resistance at all so basically been bouncing around on springs since I bought it. Car built end of 2003 and 135k on clock so they were well overdue. Struggled to get rear springs in on my own but had a cunning plan and used scissor jack from daughters Suzuki to open it enough to get them in. Ride has been transformed. :D
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Bout a week ago I got this fancy $50 electric mouse trap from Victor. It holds a slew of AA batteries and a bit of peanut butter. The plan is a mouse comes in to lick the butter and steps on the 2 metal pads and is humanely electrocuted... however humane that is. I can tell you it is bloodless which is cool but what's not cool is leaving any dead rodent in an unchecked trap until he stinks up the place. So here is where this one was suppose to excel - It had wifi alerts to your cell phone to tell you when you got a kill. Very cool right? Well I tried 2 phone systems and I couldn't get it to work. Finally frustrated I resorted to turning it on and chucking it under the car where the dog had alerted to a mouse days prior.
In the morning I crawl under the car and retrieve the trap but nothing... this goes on for couple of mornings until finally I tire of checking the trap and figgerd they buggered me again. This am my back up system worked. The old dog was keen to get at the trap, barking and trying to fit himself under the Zed. I fetched a stick and fished the trap out to find a dead mouse in it :thumbsup:
 
Upgraded to 3.0si brakes,
New disc's
New pads
New shoes on rears
New sensors
New hel lines

Gearbox an diff oil changed
Vanos checked an ok

An a service
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Waterpump died at 67k :headbang: so new water pump and thermostat fitted by Joni and the team at glasgowbmwminispecialists.co.uk
 
Hi Homer,

Joni at glasgowbmwminispecialists.co.uk did some work for me recently. Top bloke and great service. I'd recommend him to anyone in or around Glasgow.

Ian.
 
markplant said:
Wyldie85 said:
New ///M badge required though to finish off the transformation :poke:
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Yes I know , trying find the correct ones
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These are the ones I got: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-M-Sport-Brake-Calliper-Styling-Decal-Stickers-E85/363023877066?hash=item5485e8c3ca:g:JQcAAOSw6Gte6ZwJ

The pics are from my car as I sent the guy the pics after he made them for me. They look great and stay on perfectly. I upgraded to the 3.0si callipers as well so they will be the same size as yours
 
Jamie-innes said:
Got her back from the detailers after a machine polish, full valet and ceramic coating in avalon king armor shield ix 8)
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.... only one word, SHOWROOM/CONCOURSE! Take your pic. :thumbsup:
 
Cleaned inside and out ready to tax and fitted the glovebox I got from Liam, celebrating with a beer :D
 

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Papa_Zee said:
Jamie-innes said:
Got her back from the detailers after a machine polish, full valet and ceramic coating in avalon king armor shield ix 8)
FB_IMG_1593620957869.jpg
FB_IMG_1593620984854.jpg
FB_IMG_1593621036939.jpgFB_IMG_1593620967674.jpgFB_IMG_1593620927079.jpg
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.... only one word, SHOWROOM/CONCOURSE! Take your pic. :thumbsup:
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Cheers mate, wish I had the patience/ money for concourse, she's an absolute beauty now though, definitely showroom now IMO, what a job he's done :P
 
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