Uncommon Parts Thread

[m3f_epj3]

I want to start a thread listing parts that you believe people largely overlook or do not know about. Lets keep this as on-topic as we can, this may be a pretty useful thread for those of us who like to fix up a few little odds and ends now and then. Keep all discussion of specific parts to another thread -- but obviously link to that thread in your posts here!


These are to be parts that you believe effect the following: Ride comfort, performance, aesthetics, and durability.


Please post the current price of the part and any info you believe is useful.


Please keep in mind that not all parts pertain to every car! Part numbers will probably be different on some parts between coupe/sedan/convertible and different throughout the production years. Be sure to check with realOEM first.

[m3f_epj3]

Steering column guibo (flex disc)


http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...40&hg=32&fg=30

Part #3 in the drawing. It contains a rubber bushing that, like every other bushing on the car, goes bad over time. Replacing this can make a very large difference in steering feel. Willing to bet most of us have a very old and worn bushing!


$41.62 from Tischer BMW (www.getbmwparts.com) and requires you to move or remove the steering rack.

[m3f_puopolvj]

Steering column guibo (flex disc)



http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...40&hg=32&fg=30

Part #3 in the drawing. It contains a rubber bushing that, like every other bushing on the car, goes bad over time. Replacing this can make a very large difference in steering feel. Willing to bet most of us have a very old and worn bushing!



$41.62 from Tischer BMW (www.getbmwparts.com) and requires you to move or remove the steering rack.

mine has gone bad. get a clank in the column over bumps.

[m3f_DEVIUS1]

Rear muffler mount. they break.

about $15ea.



18-20-1-401-797-M101 Exhaust Hanger, Rear (2 per car, sold per each) Rubber & Metal Mount, M3 (1995-99)

[m3f_epj3]

Fuel Injector rebuild kit (BMW specific or Mustang specific work fine)


Typically contains (per injector): two o-rings, a nylon washer, a micro filter, and new pintle cap.


Bad o-rings cause fuel leaks and vacuum leaks (an o-ring on each end of the injector). The microfilters get clogged over long use, even if the fuel system is perfect. Pintle caps do nothing other than protect the nozzle - the shape of the cap does not matter! BMW uses a funky looking thing, but there is nothing wrong with using the solid mustang-type.


This ebay seller sells them, it's about $20 + s/h for a kit that takes about 1.5 hours to use.


http://stores.ebay.com/KGParts

[m3f_TomS2]

Rear muffler mount. they break.

about $15ea.



18-20-1-401-797-M101 Exhaust Hanger, Rear (2 per car, sold per each) Rubber & Metal Mount, M3 (1995-99)

these are now $52 each without the M101 suffix. where do i get them for $15?

[m3f_falciott]

Well, as far as aestethics, my fuel door wouldn't stay shut, so it didn't look the greatest. Fixed the problem with this part #51171888374 , the little spring cost me about 75 cents, took less then a minute to replace, and now it looks as it should, without any locking problems either, since the locking pin is able to extend all the way.

[m3f_Lenny718]

Well, as far as aestethics, my fuel door wouldn't stay shut, so it didn't look the greatest. Fixed the problem with this part #51171888374 , the little spring cost me about 75 cents, took less then a minute to replace, and now it looks as it should, without any locking problems either, since the locking pin is able to extend all the way.

I have the same problem and now I know how to fix it, thanks!

[m3f_slickfast]

Headlight Switch Backlight. Yes, that thing's actually supposed to light up!

[m3f_shaeff]

Fuel Injector rebuild kit (BMW specific or Mustang specific work fine)



Typically contains (per injector): two o-rings, a nylon washer, a micro filter, and new pintle cap.



Bad o-rings cause fuel leaks and vacuum leaks (an o-ring on each end of the injector). The microfilters get clogged over long use, even if the fuel system is perfect. Pintle caps do nothing other than protect the nozzle - the shape of the cap does not matter! BMW uses a funky looking thing, but there is nothing wrong with using the solid mustang-type.



This ebay seller sells them, it's about $20 + s/h for a kit that takes about 1.5 hours to use.



http://stores.ebay.com/KGParts

That's pretty neat, though I will add: I had three pintle caps break off of my injectors. The o-rings got sucked into the intake manifold. I would venture to say that the pintle caps help hold the o-rings in place. The three injectors that still had pintle caps, still had o-rings.

[m3f_Titan 3]

51-47-8-136-450 This is the P/N on the rubber trunk straps that secure items to the floor. There's a lot of cars missing them, and they're only about $6 a piece.

[m3f_Roland H]

That's pretty neat, though I will add: I had three pintle caps break off of my injectors. The o-rings got sucked into the intake manifold. I would venture to say that the pintle caps help hold the o-rings in place. The three injectors that still had pintle caps, still had o-rings.

So wait, your o-rings went into your engine?



The caps on the Mustang kits and the autozone kits both hold the o-rings on just fine, they are just a different shape, but still hold the rings on properly.

[m3f_falciott]

I have the same problem and now I know how to fix it, thanks!

If you use a plier or needle nose plier, it'll be super easy to unhook and remove from the holes.

[m3f_kwipp]

Well, as far as aestethics, my fuel door wouldn't stay shut, so it didn't look the greatest. Fixed the problem with this part #51171888374 , the little spring cost me about 75 cents, took less then a minute to replace, and now it looks as it should, without any locking problems either, since the locking pin is able to extend all the way.

I go through a spring about every 3 months talk about annoying.

[m3f_shaeff]

So wait, your o-rings went into your engine?



The caps on the Mustang kits and the autozone kits both hold the o-rings on just fine, they are just a different shape, but still hold the rings on properly.

Luckily, no. My heart dropped when I started the car and had a wicked vacuum leak. I was probably 10 miles from home. Limped home. Parked the car, I sprayed carb cleaner around everything. When I did it around the injectors, and my idle skyrocketed. I carefully removed the fuel rail cover, and much to my dismay I could see right past the injectors! (I believe it was #'s 2, 4, 5, not that it really matters)



Carefully removed the fuel rail, peered down inside the injector holes, and could see all three o-rings sitting there, on the verge of going in through the valves. I have absolutely NO idea how they didn't get sucked in, but they didn't!



I used a small piece of bailing type wire carefully bent into a hook shape to remove them through the injector holes. I got them all out, but the pintle caps were gone for good. No sign of them at all.



I changed the plugs out while I was doing everything that was on that project list. When I looked into the combustion chambers of the missing pintle caps, I didn't see any remnants of burned up plastic in on the piston crowns. I assumed they broke up into tiny pieces and just burned up.



The car still runs great, and has fantastic compression, so I'll mark that one off as wickedly good luck. My apologies for the long winded post, I didn't want to leave any details out.