Top products from r/e46

I just changed the front brakes on my 01 330xi fronts to Akebono and after about 400 miles I love them. I changed the front rotors at the same time to OEM Ate. Previous owner had Jurid on the front which were dusty as hell but had amazing stopping power. I was worried about losing braking power and to be honest it took a good 150 miles before these fully seated but now they feel great.

Amazon

Pelican Parts

I've tried Bosch quietcast on my E36 and 4.4L X5 and they are terrible. Sure they may produce less dust but the stopping power is abysmal.

I use Meguiars Quik Interior Detailer and it does an amazing job. Plus you can buy it at Walmart, at least around me.

Edit: I always follow up with Meguiars Natural Shine on the plastic. I find it helps it not look so shitty. I hate that plastidip finish they used for the plastic.

This: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM

Hook your iphone/ipod into the aux input.

You might need these: http://www.amazon.com/Leegoal-Panel-Dashboard-Dismantle-Installer/dp/B00D7XNQHG/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1452048112&sr=1-3&keywords=panel+removal+tool

And watch this for how to install it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qmXdnFdjwk

I found this job to be pretty easy. I installed in the back of pocket below the radio. I can tuck the wire away that way.

Everyone is right about the maintenance. Stay on top of it or it will get out of control.

Depending on how much you want to spend this is similar to what I bought and I love it.


Car Stereo CarRadio, Eonon 7 Inch Android 9.0 Car Radio, 32GB ROM GPS Navigation for Car Support Android Auto/Apple Carplay/Bluetooth 5.0/WiFi/Fast Boot/DVR/Backup Camera/OBDII-GA9350 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q6JM7K5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Z3JTDbASYG0BP

Get a fluid evacuator plus two gallon jugs of synthetic, a 36mm socket, and a Mann oil filter and do the oil change yourself. You will save money after 2 oil changes.

It is easy as it can be.

Take a look at your radio model number and compare it to the model numbers in this thread about aux-enabled radios. If you have one that is aux compatible, getting [an aux adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM) and routing it to the front isn't too difficult - just pull out radio trim piece, radio, AC unit, sunglasses tray.

I ended up drilling a hole in the bottom of the center console panel (empty space next to the passenger heated seat button) and pulling the aux port there, since I found that was much easier to reach than the glovebox.

If your radio is not aux-compatible (they all have the port, just some don't have aux mode enabled), you could always go for the GROM or similar units (the £150 fancy adaptor that they were talking about), use an emulator, or you could splice into the CD player lines.

I ordered everything off amazon and did my thermostat, water pump, expansion tank, also on the automatic cars (like mine) there is another thermostat on the bottom of the expansion tank when you remove it, which most likely broke when your tank exploded

I also snapped off the drain screw/plug on the bottom of the expansion tank when switching it over...so I filled er' up with coolant, only to realize the MF'er was busted ever so slightly, so coolant was flowing through the expansion tank like taco bell does to me. So I replace that too for under $5.

This is a fairly easy job to DIY, the only thing you need to worry about is the 32MM wrench to take off the fan on the automatics, other than that, most of the tools are just the 14MM or 16MM sockets and some torx screws. If you are working on your E46 you should have a torx set, and a metric socket set. I did not do all the hoses though when I did mine as they felt and appear to be in decent condition.

[thermostat] (https://www.amazon.com/Stant-14602-Thermostat-Housing-Fahrenheit/dp/B000C822YM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1487609776&vehicle=2003-31-176-20--1-6-6-7308-171-1-1---1-0&sr=1-1&ymm=2003%3Abmw%3A325xi)

[expansion tank thermostat that sits on bottom of expansion tank] (https://www.amazon.com/B7583-17111437362-Cooler-Thermostat-Housing/dp/B00BOIVI76/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BOIVI76&pd_rd_r=WV5225HSC9FA4W0BJ1FB&pd_rd_w=uAVgO&pd_rd_wg=nUSHN&psc=1&refRID=WV5225HSC9FA4W0BJ1FB)

[expansion tank] (https://www.amazon.com/Radiator-Coolant-Reservoir-Expansion-Quality/dp/B008564ZQG/ref=pd_bxgy_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9S8V0595SD0VV6X1BPVX)

[water pump with metal impeller] (https://www.amazon.com/URO-Parts-11-527-799/dp/B0066TLWGU/ref=pd_sim_263_21?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S1N6T6G260SVYS2YNMY1)

[32mm wrench for fan] (https://www.amazon.com/Clutch-Wrench-Water-Holder-Removal/dp/B017VLLQ6M/ref=pd_bxgy_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=513EA9TG3QARCWSMJ554)

So for ~$150-$160 you can re-do the cooling system, if you want to do hoses as well, you are looking at another $50-$75

You could try a fuel injector cleaner before anything else. I've heard many people say it fixes their fuel level gauge, and in addition, cleans your injectors.

Most recommend this brand - Chevron Techron - https://www.amazon.com/Chevron-Techron-Concentrate-System-Cleaner/dp/B00092893E

Just a warning, the aux cord only works with later business CD radios. Starting sometime in 2003 iirc. The one in my 2002 was not compatible so I just replaced the headunit with a nice Kenwood one.

If you do decide to go this route, Get a HU with at least 3v preouts and use this harness to wire it up. That plus a steering wheel control remote adaptor and this faceplate adaptor and you're golden. All the modern bells and whistles, better sound quality, and with only a little extra headache compared to getting an aux cable hooked up.

If you have an OEM 325i, then your fogs should be HB4/9006 bulbs

Night-Breakers are a drop in replacement.:http://www.amazon.com/OSRAM-Night-Breaker-Unlimited-9006/dp/B00G4L1T8Q

Phillips x-tremem power are a good option as well: http://www.amazon.com/Philips-9006-X-treme-Power-Replacement/dp/B00480N154/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Just gonna leave this here, this is the o-ring that you can use as a replacement: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000FMWPQ0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


You'll have to find a comparable one that's in stock. Don't think the durometer matters, just make sure it's "136" so the sizes are right.

If you plan on keeping the car for a while, I recommend getting this tool. It'll make next time so much easier.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B078TG1979/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_3p_dp_1 These aren't the exact ones I got, but careful which lights you order, they are different depending on if you have face lift model or not. Those are for face lift model sedans only.

Have you ever replaced a window regulator? If so, the vapor barrier might have not been re-adhered properly. That's what keeps rain out of the car. I had this issue in my car. Check each foot well after rain to see if the carpets damp.

As for drying it out, I got a bucket of rv dessicant and left it in the back for 6 months or so. That seemed to work.

You don't need to replace the harness. Buy the adapter for the harness connect that to the harness that comes with the new stereo. Both harnesses are color coded so just connect the red to red, yellow to yellow, black to black and so on

Redline D4 ATF

Interdynamics Certified A/C Pro Engine Cooling Systems UV Dye (1 Ounce) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M4E0VC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hPUADbY33B7CS

Uh what? Are you talking about the aux cable?

https://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-Auxiliary-Audio-Navigation/dp/B000P9WCMK

Yup. Click here.

you need this or any similar chinese knockoff found on ebay.

I paid about 10 bucks for mine (without the fancy little assembly plate)

I got a whole new radio to solve this problem and regret it. I’ve been through 3 of the Android head units and finally got one that works but if I did it again I would of done this

No these: Spyder Auto PRO-YD-BMWE4602-4D-3DDRL-BK Black Projection Headlight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005R4LD8M/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_PnLnybFBQDNB7

And because the style hasnt grown on me enough