Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...

[BananaDunka]

Change air oil separator whilst your at it about £14 from BMW so worthwhile and if your consuming any oil it should put a stop to it.

Did plugs and coils on mine don’t recall needing special tools I just did it lol.

When was it £14? I suspect that price has more than double since that time just like how the wheel speed sensors have as they are £174 a pair from BMW lol.

I found this, I assume it's the pipe you are on about? Mine seems to be in solid condition though no visual signs of decay/wear.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...906220?hash=item1ea799feec:g:p9oAAOSwFYJb4tGw

 

[Gibbo]

When was it £14? I suspect that price has more than double since that time just like how the wheel speed sensors have as they are £174 a pair from BMW lol.

I found this, I assume it's the pipe you are on about? Mine seems to be in solid condition though no visual signs of decay/wear.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-...906220?hash=item1ea799feec:g:p9oAAOSwFYJb4tGw

No it’s this:
https://www.bimmerworld.com/Engine/Crankcase-Vent-Systems-Valves-and-Hoses/Oil-Separator-E46-M3-MZ3-MZ4-with-S54-engine-BMW-11157840446.html

You will see it under the cover, takes couple of minutes to swap out.
If your car consumes no oil then no need but I’d it does this should reduce or stop consumption.

 

[BananaDunka]

Ah gotcha. My car consumes no oil at so this won't be a prob (at least for now!).

I'm ordering the spark plugs and coils anyway as I can always return them. Reason being the ECP WINTER35 code expires at midnight so don't want to miss out on 35% off if their next code is only 25%. They have easy returns so not a bother really. I can then get to work at the weekend sussing what's what

I also need to change both rear wheel speed sensors with the BMW ones that should arrive tomorrow... Busy times ahead.

@Gibbo what tool did you use when doing your coils/plugs? Just wanna make sure I use the same item.

 

[Gibbo]

Ah gotcha. My car consumes no oil at so this won't be a prob (at least for now!).

I'm ordering the spark plugs and coils anyway as I can always return them. Reason being the ECP WINTER35 code expires at midnight so don't want to miss out on 35% off if their next code is only 25%. They have easy returns so not a bother really. I can then get to work at the weekend sussing what's what

I also need to change both rear wheel speed sensors with the BMW ones that should arrive tomorrow... Busy times ahead.

@Gibbo what tool did you use when doing your coils/plugs? Just wanna make sure I use the same item.

Cannot remember mate but I obviously had something in my garage that did the job meaning no special tool unless I just had something that worked, being many years since I did the plugs on it.

 

[BananaDunka]

Disappointing! You've changed

 

[wedrum]

Get inpa and the d-can on the laptop that will tell you everything.

 

[Simon]

Hmm I thought normal tools couldn't get in the tight space enough to grab hold of the coil/plug (if needed)? I mean if it is a coil then I'll change all coils and since both coil and plug go hand in hand, makes sense to also change the plugs?

Or would you just replace what's faulty assuming it is the coil? I know coils and plugs are items that either work or they don't. If they're fit for purpose and healthy then they will do the same job so replacing otherwise working ones with new ones yield no benefit other than longer lifespan even if the older ones could have lasted another 3 years+ for example? Basically it doesn't sound like the same applies to these as say replacing suspension components in pairs/sets per axle!

Correct me if mistaken

aren’t you swapping a coil for another to see if the problem is the coil or plug? If you swap both plug and coil then the misfire moves to the other cylinder. You still won’t know if it’s the plug or coil will you.

 

[BananaDunka]

Yup will swap coil first and they have pull handles so no tools needed.
I only have Carly for diagnostics as inpa laptop is our of action.

 

[Gibbo]

Disappointing! You've changed

Yeah I do miss it but in all honesty I did not use it much at all since the Ferrari and the car seemed to get upset not being used and just wanting money throwing at it none stop and I felt it was time to sell, did not get the money I'd of got if I sold it a couple years back but I got just shy of 17k which was pretty fair price for an M3 with 120k miles but the buyer could see value in modifications and also could see how clean it was and that all M3 weak points had been addressed, the only issue my car could have potentially had was HGF as it was never done in its life but two specialist both refused to do it on the basis it was the fastest M3 they had ever driven that was NA and they referred to the old adage of if it aint broken then don't mess with it, which was very fair of them to say as they were turning away business. But it was an incredibly quick car I never forgot racing my mate in his M3 and his comment after being you just made my M3 look like a 330i, why is your car so goddam quick. It was very healthy though producing more power than a CSL and weighed less than a CSL and of course the rear-end ratio made such a dramatic difference to acceleration (3.91). Do miss it as it was a properly quick car, other M3's felt slow compared to it, even my other mates track M3 which had similar mods and weighed similar could not keep up with it. Guess that is the issue some of these make as little as 320HP and some 340HP stock, mine was 370+ and weighed 1320kg with a full tank of fuel from memory and from owning mine from seven years and modding it over time the two best performance mods were losing weight and the 3.91 ratio, transformed its acceleration. The remap and air box did a bit, but in fairness they were more for the noise and smoothness of driving and even though it gained a solid 30-40HP which could be felt the weight loss and diff was more dramatic in feel.

 

[BananaDunka]

Keeping the thread/ownership log going...

I set aside time today to go about swapping coils/plugs around to diagnose the misfire but by the time I'd got the cosmetic bits, strut bar, heatshield cover trim, cabin filter housing and all bolts out I figured it's pointless putting it all back together again just for a coil/plug swap then do it all again when the error comes back and I go about replacing the offending item. Since I was due to replace the plugs/coils anyway I figured I'd just overhaul the lot so did just that.

Car is idling smoother now and no errors. Will go for a drive tomorrow see what the engine response is like.

For reference the previous engine owner had the plugs changed at 62k miles in 2016 from BMW. I bought the engine in 2019 at 66k miles.Not sure if it's worth noting but the ignition coils on the car were 'PowerTrain' branded. These are not the OEM ones which were Bosch then superseded by Delphi (the ones I have now installed).

The old plugs:

And shoutout to the Halfords model 60 torque wrench. Never have I used such an easy to set and use wrench - Their long length magnetic spark plug socket is also a godsend.

Rather therapeutic doing stuff like this

 

[Simon]

Ha that’s so much easier than the v8. Dunno what you were worrying about

 

[BananaDunka]

Dropping my tool bits in the engine bay!

That actually did happen with the screwdriver which I then had to fish out from the undertray lol. Luckily my arm was just slim enough to fit between one gap between radiator fan and front of the block

Otherwise super easy indeed!

Edit*
Driven this morning. Engine is so smooth now at low rpm when pulling off. Idle is totally smooth. Old plugs had only done 20k and ithad an oil service last year so an inspection 1 due now. I reckon those old plugs combined with a dodgy coil pack made it not so smooth as of late.

Brilliant now.

 

[Gaygle]

Ha that’s so much easier than the v8. Dunno what you were worrying about

These were my exact thoughts as I looked at it.

Those old plugs look in very good condition still - I think the new coilpacks are where the smoothness has come from.

 

[BananaDunka]

I'd imagine you're right but for the price I figured why not just have piece of mind!

Anyways all good now. Just the oil service and valve clearance end of the month for the inspection 1 and it's sorted until the next issue comes up!

 

[wedrum]

looks like some oil on the spark plug threads, has the rocker gasket been replaced ?

 

[BananaDunka]

There was a bit yeah but must be from before as Redish put in a new gasket post-bearing shells.

It's being changed again this month though as part of valve clearance adjustment.

 

[BananaDunka]

Lockdown flattened my battery!

Went to do some work on the car earlier and heard the telltale sign of a flat battery, the door locks unlocking really slowly. Engine wouldn't even turn, the instrument panel just clicks. The car has not moved for a month on the driveway.

Oh well, this battery was supplied by RAC 5 years ago so it's had a good run. I've also learned that the convertible M3 needs a 800 CCA spec battery and the recommended one is the slightly more expensive Bosch S5. Found it on ECP and used the 50% off code and it's now on its way.

I've also ordered a CTEK MXS5.0 smart charger for £71 (Amazon) which I will connect once a week easily using the comfort connector it comes with.

Joys.

 

[sigma]

Lockdown flattened my battery!

Went to do some work on the car earlier and heard the telltale sign of a flat battery, the door locks unlocking really slowly. Engine wouldn't even turn, the instrument panel just clicks. The car has not moved for a month on the driveway.

Oh well, this battery was supplied by RAC 5 years ago so it's had a good run. I've also learned that the convertible M3 needs a 800 CCA spec battery and the recommended one is the slightly more expensive Bosch S5. Found it on ECP and used the 50% off code and it's now on its way.

I've also ordered a CTEK MXS5.0 smart charger for £71 (Amazon) which I will connect once a week easily using the comfort connector it comes with.

Joys.

5 years isn't that old for a battery, the CTEK might be able to revive it.

 

[BananaDunka]

Aye I'm wondering that although the battery wasn't brand new but refurbed by RAC. I don't think it's an 800 cca one either I don't think but will check. If the ctek brings it back I'll just sell it and keep the new one which is the correct spec for this car. It would have ended up being a small outlay all in I guess so not a huge issue.

 

[Simon]

Do u need to code it