Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[Slideways]

During an engine rebuild due to rod bearing failure, can I just buy one used rod and send it or do I have to then take all the pistons and crank for balancing?

Balance the one used rod and piston with the five original ones.

[sbay]

During an engine rebuild due to rod bearing failure, can I just buy one used rod and send it or do I have to then take all the pistons and crank for balancing?

[Slideways]

Karbonius CSL airbox question. My car has the version with plastic trumpets installed. I also have a new Race airbox with carbon trumpets. Any reason to use one over the other?

Nope, other than the Race will be a newer and a few grams lighter.

[DJAM3]

Karbonius CSL airbox question. My car has the version with plastic trumpets installed. I also have a new Race airbox with carbon trumpets. Any reason to use one over the other?

[George Hill]

I will be doing a pilot bearing on my E63 M6 soon, this is the same bearing as on the M3, I have never pulled or installed a pilot bearing and need a bit of advice.

Pilot bearing puller like this one:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pilot-bearing-removal-tool-cta-8070?ads_cmpid=20892570397&ads_adid=&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=x&ads_creative=&utm_term=&ads_targetid=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqdqvBhCPARIsANrmZhOSBs12lgzw-qa6q-XYiH2Ac7_8mx7IXev3NXeZFLBuDGLJuXCLKmoaAheZEALw_wcB

Socket that contacts the OUTER race and hammer until it stops (I use a chrome 1/2" drive 23mm Matco socket).

[Cronenberged]

Can I get brakesperts opinion please? On the right side when braking I get a little squeak, I brake long, soft, and slow not hard it's just a daily driver. To me there's enough pad and rotor but I'm not sure if I need to replace them or not. Pic for reference.

[Cubieman]

I will be doing a pilot bearing on my E63 M6 soon, this is the same bearing as on the M3, I have never pulled or installed a pilot bearing and need a bit of advice.

I have seen different ways of removing the bearing, different tools, puller type, slide hammer type, stuffing bread intot the hole and pounding a punch in way.

As far as installation is concerned is OK to maybe find a suitable socket or better yet seal driver that fits the outer bearing race and tap it in?

Any thoughts, experiences or tool recommendations would be appreciated!

[Casa de Mesa]

Outside of Carfax, Autocheck and/or knowing someone at a dealer, has there been an alternative approach to this? Asking from a point of curiosity because those are the only ways I've ever known.

[PSUEng]

Need to check a (BMW) VIN, mostly for service history and ownership--what's the best outlet to do so nowadays?

[ugaexploder]

i did it on an old e46. it's nice when you just wanna change the position up on long drives.

These grab handles are kind of hard to find in black!

[L0okitzRaj]

You guys think it's weird to add a grab handle for the driver side? I always liked having it in the G35 years ago...I never knew why they had it on both sides...

i did it on an old e46. it's nice when you just wanna change the position up on long drives.

[Will]

After 10 years and just 20k miles, I'm starting to think I want to pull my Bilstein B4s out and do something else--something that rides "better" on the street but still offers better handling performance; I don't do track days in this car. For shocks running with stock springs and hardware, what are some opinions based on current offerings? Last I paid attention years ago, the B6's affected ride height, the rear spring pad thicknesses were in play, and if I recall, maybe BMW had a spring change somewhere in 2003 resulting in some cars having a different ride height. CSL springs were in play at some point, Dinan springs were available. If there is a thread, or threads here I've missed, apologies in advance.

I kept things stock and went with Koni Yellows. I love the compliant ride and still feels good in spirited driving. I also refreshed all the stock pieces at the same time (FCA, FCAB, rear ball joints, RTAB, etc).

I never track and do use my car to run errands or commutes so I didn't want a lowered / stiffer ride.

[Tbonem3]

My vote is bilstein b6 with gc street plates to recapture travel. Springs - stock, eibach or dinan.

Koni yellows never felt great to me, always disappointed. H&R and tein springs are trash.

[BMWE46M3]

After 10 years and just 20k miles, I'm starting to think I want to pull my Bilstein B4s out and do something else--something that rides "better" on the street but still offers better handling performance; I don't do track days in this car. For shocks running with stock springs and hardware, what are some opinions based on current offerings? Last I paid attention years ago, the B6's affected ride height, the rear spring pad thicknesses were in play, and if I recall, maybe BMW had a spring change somewhere in 2003 resulting in some cars having a different ride height. CSL springs were in play at some point, Dinan springs were available. If there is a thread, or threads here I've missed, apologies in advance.

I have the Koni/Eibach setup with the settings on one click from soft. I have OEM bushing with the exception of the trailing arms which are Powerflex polyurethane and have 19" wheels. I very much enjoy this setup for DD. There is also a thread about this if you haven't seen it already. https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...aily-driven-m3

[IamFODI]

After 10 years and just 20k miles, I'm starting to think I want to pull my Bilstein B4s out and do something else--something that rides "better" on the street but still offers better handling performance; I don't do track days in this car. For shocks running with stock springs and hardware, what are some opinions based on current offerings? Last I paid attention years ago, the B6's affected ride height, the rear spring pad thicknesses were in play, and if I recall, maybe BMW had a spring change somewhere in 2003 resulting in some cars having a different ride height. CSL springs were in play at some point, Dinan springs were available. If there is a thread, or threads here I've missed, apologies in advance.

You'll be hard pressed to decisively improve both ride and handling over stock without a really sophisticated damper à la Öhlins DFV. Koni Special Active has a similar mechanism, though I get the impression it's not as good for more dynamic driving.

Maybe consider Koni Yellows?