Dumb Question Thread - No Flaming Allowed

[ATB88]

Is it still a bad idea to swap to a faster steering rack if you're on a MK20 DSC? I recall reading a few years ago that because MK20 can't be programmed to account for different steering ratios than the stock M3 rack, if you swap in a different rack you'll set off DSC constantly. Is this a solved problem or still the same now in 2025?

Related question: anyone here rack swap a MK20 car and not regret it?

[bavarian3]

Does anyone know the size of CSL muffler tips? Are they different from US muffler tips?

[PSUEng]

I'm in the auto industry and work with a lot of dealerships (not on the sales side) however from what I've noticed and have spoken to people, dealerships aren't going to negotiate as much as they did before COVID. I would expect the cheapest you'll find is MSRP. If the dealer won't let you buy for that and wants to keep adding stuff on, I would just keep calling dealers and find one that will.

Because you're ordering the car, you have the benefit of choosing the dealership. Out of state/smaller dealerships will generally give you a better deal.

I negotiated 3% off MSRP and no adds/fees beyond state legal max doc fees and will get an extra rebate from BMWCCA; pickup in SC at Performance Center. Man that was painful; haven't bought a car at a dealer in 10yrs. Oh, and I avoided the +$1300 MSRP increase for July production since this was a June allocation.

Sreten trashed this thing on his channel, but it's to be expected. It's going to be my wife's car and she really likes it and I like it too. If anyone wants a clean, low mileage 2016 GX 460 message me!

[L0okitzRaj]

Not sure if this qualifies for Dumb Q thread, but I'm negotiating a deal on a 2026 X5 xDrive40i, build to order. If anyone can provide insight into what a "good deal" is, I'm open to it. No trade, Performance Center delivery; should be an easy transaction but some of these dealers just insist on the add-ons, and just really seem to hold on to every penny. I know people have to eat and business is business, but this price discovery is painful.

I'm in the auto industry and work with a lot of dealerships (not on the sales side) however from what I've noticed and have spoken to people, dealerships aren't going to negotiate as much as they did before COVID. I would expect the cheapest you'll find is MSRP. If the dealer won't let you buy for that and wants to keep adding stuff on, I would just keep calling dealers and find one that will.

Because you're ordering the car, you have the benefit of choosing the dealership. Out of state/smaller dealerships will generally give you a better deal.

[PSUEng]

Not sure if this qualifies for Dumb Q thread, but I'm negotiating a deal on a 2026 X5 xDrive40i, build to order. If anyone can provide insight into what a "good deal" is, I'm open to it. No trade, Performance Center delivery; should be an easy transaction but some of these dealers just insist on the add-ons, and just really seem to hold on to every penny. I know people have to eat and business is business, but this price discovery is painful.

[ATB88]

Is this a normal bumper-fender gap on a front bumper? Car's in the shop to have the front bumper resprayed and refitted with new mounting hardware, this looks like too big a gap to be correct fitment correct?

[Tbonem3]

What's the rough lifespan of OE rubber RTABs (Z4M variant) with vorshlag limiter shims installed? I had them installed when I got the car at 45k miles, now I'm up to 105k miles 7 years later. Are they for sure cooked? The ones that were on the car with 45k miles were absolutely cooked. Do the limiter shims make a huge difference in lifespan? Also, is there any disadvantage of moving to spherical monoball RTABs when I replace? (car is street only vert, lots of freeway miles)

The limiters should help yes, but I also think their lifespan is heavily dependent upon install technique (clocked correctly). But with 60k, they're surely done. Get solid anyway.

[ATB88]

What's the rough lifespan of OE rubber RTABs (Z4M variant) with vorshlag limiter shims installed? I had them installed when I got the car at 45k miles, now I'm up to 105k miles 7 years later. Are they for sure cooked? The ones that were on the car with 45k miles were absolutely cooked. Do the limiter shims make a huge difference in lifespan? Also, is there any disadvantage of moving to spherical monoball RTABs when I replace? (car is street only vert, lots of freeway miles)

[PSUEng]

+1

PSUEng, BMW doesn't list the o ring separately for the coolant sensor, but it's used on other cars, so you can buy that. Part number 13621743299

Also, it is definitely included in the wolfn8tr kit, installed one a month or two ago

Thanks! I must have missed that in the kit diagram, I'll take another look!

[heinzboehmer]

Honestly, if your sensors are still working fine, I'd just keep using them and use the funds for something else.

+1

PSUEng, BMW doesn't list the o ring separately for the coolant sensor, but it's used on other cars, so you can buy that. Part number 13621743299

Also, it is definitely included in the wolfn8tr kit, installed one a month or two ago

[Slideways]

Regarding coolant/oil temp sensors 13621433077 and -076, are we good running VNE here or is Genuine parts the way to go? Piecing cooling system refresh together and want to get the right stuff. Genuine water pump it is, and I have the "Wolf" o-ring kit.

EDIT: Noticed that the -076 sensor isn't included in most refresh kit, nor is the o-ring in "Wolf" kit. Are we replacing this one preemptively or not? Seems to me why not, it's all torn apart anyway to get at it.

The VNE 076 sensor from FCP is the same as the factory BMW sensor, same manufacturer, same everything.

The VNE 077 looks the same, but they chose a black o-ring rather than the green o-ring. You'll have to compare these.

Honestly, if your sensors are still working fine, I'd just keep using them and use the funds for something else.

[PSUEng]

Regarding coolant/oil temp sensors 13621433077 and -076, are we good running VNE here or is Genuine parts the way to go? Piecing cooling system refresh together and want to get the right stuff. Genuine water pump it is, and I have the "Wolf" o-ring kit.

EDIT: Noticed that the -076 sensor isn't included in most refresh kit, nor is the o-ring in "Wolf" kit. Are we replacing this one preemptively or not? Seems to me why not, it's all torn apart anyway to get at it.

[Cubieman]

Did I make a mistake applying Leatherique to the extended leather dash/door cards on my M6?

I didn't use much as the leather is great condition.
I immediately panicked when I read a on 911 forum that you should never apply it to a leather dash as it can and will weaken the glue then leather can separate from the dash as a result.

Makes sense in theory but I read more opinions saying it just fine to use on the dash/door cards.

[jing]

What's the target you're trying to get to?

Somewhere between -2.0 to -2.5 would be ideal.

Ride height might be a limiting factor, perhaps? 18s are tucked ever so slightly. Been meaning to raise it up once I reinstall my 19s. Regardless, I'd have thought there's enough adjustability in these arms to level it out a bit more.

[Tbonem3]

If you brought that car to me to align, I'd just say, "no."