Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[elrichmeister]

I recently picked up a 2002 e46 with 98,300 miles that seemed to be well sorted with service records for rod bearings, VANOS, and basic regular maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc). I took it to a reputable BMW shop here in LA who found the following faults/made the following recommendations:

- Leaking oil pan and constant pressure valve
- Brake and differential fluid flush
- Worn out engine mounts
- Valve adjustment
- Spark plug replacement

I didn't find service records for these and I wasn't expecting issues to pop up, so my question is whether these are known issues for a 98K vehicle and if there's a chance I'm getting taken for a ride by the shop.

How long ago was the VANOS rebuilt? typically a vanos rebuild should include valve adjustments, valve cover gasket, and possibly spark plugs.

[fourmula1]

Looking at having my axles rebuilt and/or buying a new set.

What is the difference between part numbers 33217839466 and 33207839468?

[oceansize]

I recently picked up a 2002 e46 with 98,300 miles that seemed to be well sorted with service records for rod bearings, VANOS, and basic regular maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc). I took it to a reputable BMW shop here in LA who found the following faults/made the following recommendations:

- Leaking oil pan and constant pressure valve
- Brake and differential fluid flush
- Worn out engine mounts
- Valve adjustment
- Spark plug replacement

I didn't find service records for these and I wasn't expecting issues to pop up, so my question is whether these are known issues for a 98K vehicle and if there's a chance I'm getting taken for a ride by the shop.

Your shop is treating you right. Every one of those is a maintenance item and nothing out of the ordinary for a 23 year old German sports car.

[adr_M3]

I recently picked up a 2002 e46 with 98,300 miles that seemed to be well sorted with service records for rod bearings, VANOS, and basic regular maintenance (oil changes, brakes, etc). I took it to a reputable BMW shop here in LA who found the following faults/made the following recommendations:

- Leaking oil pan and constant pressure valve
- Brake and differential fluid flush
- Worn out engine mounts
- Valve adjustment
- Spark plug replacement

I didn't find service records for these and I wasn't expecting issues to pop up, so my question is whether these are known issues for a 98K vehicle and if there's a chance I'm getting taken for a ride by the shop.

[heinzboehmer]

They really are. I ended up settling for a US one. Figured it's easy to swap a euro one in if I come across one in the future.

[Nate047]

Thought so, man these things are hard to find.

[heinzboehmer]

Is this a euro headliner or US? Need a quick dummy check

US. Euro ones don't have that bump in the middle.

[Nate047]

Is this a euro headliner or US? Need a quick dummy check

[Tbonem3]

And we're in Socal Raj, so the OG, like my jerez, gets to pop a lot.

[heinzboehmer]

…it pretty much looks black most of the time, unless you get a shot of direct lighting

That's why I like it!

[L0okitzRaj]

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

…it pretty much looks black most of the time, unless you get a shot of direct lighting

[Tbonem3]

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

Same same.

[heinzboehmer]

And just so I can post a [sideways] picture of my car - you can do 275/30 with 15mm spacers in the rear if you are willing to shave your fenders…..

If my car ever needs major paint work, I'm going full out and redoing the entire thing in oxford green. Such a great looking color.

[L0okitzRaj]

And just so I can post a [sideways] picture of my car - you can do 275/30 with 15mm spacers in the rear if you are willing to shave your fenders…..

[Tbonem3]

It's the tires David. The recommendation for years has been 15/12 for stock wheels, but that was based on people having the stock 225/255. Might get away with it on 235/265, but not 245/275.

I would run a 5mm in the rear. 6-9mm will not leave enough hub lip to center the wheel when torquing. Actually, I have a spare set of 5mm spacers I can give you.