Post a pic of your car as it sits currently

[mfuller]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Y'all both need to get rid of the chrome window trim though. :P

Honestly, the chrome window trim has never bothered me.

[AaronGTR]

That brings back memories... very similar to my first two cars. An '85 Pontiac 6000 LE with the 2.8 V6 and an '84 Pontiac 6000 SE with the fuel injected four. Drove those around for 3-4 years.

[Pontiac_guy99]

I really like the 6000s. Especially the 6000 STE which I think was awd. Those old cars were pretty neat to me.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I'd love one of those Pontiac 6000 AWD cars as a project.

[blckgagt]

My mom had a pontiac 6000. Talk about a horrendously slow car. I still remember my brother getting a ticket for speeding (~87mph) going up hill from a stoplight. He and my mom both fought the ticket saying there was no possible way it would go that fast . She even told them to try it. He ended up getting out of it. Nevertheless, I doubt it was awd and more than likely the base model.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

My weathertech wind deflectors and my headlights are in.



But dang, I took headlight removal on the GA for granted.

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by [ChaosweaveR]

My weathertech wind deflectors and my headlights are in.



But dang, I took headlight removal on the GA for granted.

Looks good.

[tw0123]

I love my weathertech wind visors.... they go in the window channel instead of sticking on the outside... quieter and better designs

[sleepyalero]

Lol at having to remove bumper to install headlights.

[AaronGTR]

Yeah, I installed a CAI on an Accord for someone once... had to remove the entire front bumper to do it. Some of the newer cars and/or cars that have better fit and finish to them... the downside is they are harder to work on or have more stuff you have to take off. Especially BMW! Their engine bays are soooo tight you have to take off 4 things to fix 1 thing.

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Yeah, I installed a CAI on an Accord for someone once... had to remove the entire front bumper to do it. Some of the newer cars and/or cars that have better fit and finish to them... the downside is they are harder to work on or have more stuff you have to take off. Especially BMW! Their engine bays are soooo tight you have to take off 4 things to fix 1 thing.

true. Every time I work in my engine bay on my e46 I pretty much have to take out the airbox and a few other things. I will say that my bmw is fairly easy to work on though for the most part

[sleepyalero]

Lets not forget. BMW is 98.99% plastic under the hood.


Thats one thing i hate about most cars now, less motor, more covers. I want to see that engine! Not plastic.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

Lets not forget. BMW is 98.99% plastic under the hood.


Thats one thing i hate about most cars now, less motor, more covers. I want to see that engine! Not plastic.

Yep. The E46's are notorious for the plastic thermostat housings and coolant overflow tanks cracking around 100k miles or earlier. I had to replace both of those on my friends 323ci. Had reoccurring issues with a cam timing sensor too.

That's why I say every car has it's problems. The 3 series have gotten rave magazine reviews for years and there is an overwhelming public image of BMW being a premium brand and commanding a higher price, but they still have issues.

I worked on a E92 335i also with the N54 3.0L twin turbo engine. Changed the downpipes and intercooler for someone. Man that job was a bitch! Had to remove all kinds of shields, undo the sway bar end links, and unbolt the steering rack and move it forward, just to have room to get hands and tools in to reach the DP clamps at the turbos. They were high quality parts, but a pita to work on. Tiny turbos too.

[sleepyalero]

Yeah, they make everything a pain in the ass on a bmw, thats why they are pricey maintenance wise, it has to be worth it to work on them. Haha

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Yep. The E46's are notorious for the plastic thermostat housings and coolant overflow tanks cracking around 100k miles or earlier. I had to replace both of those on my friends 323ci. Had reoccurring issues with a cam timing sensor too.

That's why I say every car has it's problems. The 3 series have gotten rave magazine reviews for years and there is an overwhelming public image of BMW being a premium brand and commanding a higher price, but they still have issues.

I worked on a E92 335i also with the N54 3.0L twin turbo engine. Changed the downpipes and intercooler for someone. Man that job was a bitch! Had to remove all kinds of shields, undo the sway bar end links, and unbolt the steering rack and move it forward, just to have room to get hands and tools in to reach the DP clamps at the turbos. They were high quality parts, but a pita to work on. Tiny turbos too.

Yep all cars have their own issues. I haven't had any major issues with my e46, not did I have any major issues with my GrandAm when I had it. Cars are reliable as long as you take car of them and do the preventive maitinance. I've put lots of money into my cars, a lot into my e46, however I'm really enjoying the car so I don't mind spending the money.

I just refreshed my cars entire coolant system amount many other things. My bmw has 151k on it and still look brand new and runs just like it did when it was brand new.

All cars have issues and require money to run correctly.

335's are nice and with a tune they can easily become power houses. However I wouldn't want to own a 2006-2007 e92 335 as those years tend to have turbo failures often.

When I got my car, I got a late model e46, I bought a 2005 330CI ZHP. They made the e46 from 1998-2006 and so I went with a later year model to avoid problems. My car has been very reliable and I really enjoy it, however, not everyone likes premium car brands and that's understandable.

[plastic_indian]

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

Lol at having to remove bumper to install headlights.

It has become very common. Altimas and STS Cads are two more examples. I harbor a personal suspicion any vehicle with an available HID lighting system is purposely constructed to require daunting disassembly to access the forward lighting -- the intent being to discourage the owner from accessing potentially dangerous voltages.

Originally Posted by ItsMeScottG

true. Every time I work in my engine bay on my e46 I pretty much have to take out the airbox and a few other things. I will say that my bmw is fairly easy to work on though for the most part

Then the novelty hasn't yet worn off!

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

Lets not forget. BMW is 98.99% plastic under the hood.


Thats one thing i hate about most cars now, less motor, more covers. I want to see that engine! Not plastic.

*You* may wish to see the engine, but the common buyer of a Bimmer, Lexus, et al wants only to see clean lines and magic.

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Yep. The E46's are notorious for the plastic thermostat housings and coolant overflow tanks cracking around 100k miles or earlier. I had to replace both of those on my friends 323ci. Had reoccurring issues with a cam timing sensor too.

That's why I say every car has it's problems. The 3 series have gotten rave magazine reviews for years and there is an overwhelming public image of BMW being a premium brand and commanding a higher price, but they still have issues.

BMW is one of those marques that managed to get in trouble with the extended maintenance intervals. Ask an N62 owner what happens when one observes those 15k oil drain intervals.

Beautiful, athletic, powerful, satisfying cars to drive, yet painful to own.

Originally Posted by ItsMeScottG

Cars are reliable as long as you take car of them and do the preventive maitinance.

All cars have issues and require money to run correctly.

True words.

[ItsMeScottG]

Originally Posted by plastic_indian

It has become very common. Altimas and STS Cads are two more examples. I harbor a personal suspicion any vehicle with an available HID lighting system is purposely constructed to require daunting disassembly to access the forward lighting -- the intent being to discourage the owner from accessing potentially dangerous voltages.




Then the novelty hasn't yet worn off!



*You* may wish to see the engine, but the common buyer of a Bimmer, Lexus, et al wants only to see clean lines and magic.



BMW is one of those marques that managed to get in trouble with the extended maintenance intervals. Ask an N62 owner what happens when one observes those 15k oil drain intervals.

Beautiful, athletic, powerful, satisfying cars to drive, yet painful to own.



True words.

I change my cars oil every 7000 miles. 15k is what it says in the manual but I don't feel confirmable letting oil stay in my car for that long.

[TruGreenGAGT]

my sexy dirty girl... really need to wash her...

[sleepyalero]

What did i say... I told you that he never drives the car! Lol thats like 2 years of dust build up!

[TruGreenGAGT]

it only a little over a year worth...