(Part 2) Top products from r/e46

Zymol Z-507 Leather Cleaner and Z-509 Leather Conditioner (8 Ounce Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F7VKD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oQlazbWW45EPW

This is the combo I use. (There may be a better deal out there, I just picked it for descriptive purposes).

Before I tried it on my beloved interior, I tried it on my black leather couch. I didn't do the whole couch just certian sections to see if it made a difference. It has been months and it still looks and feels softer then other parts of the couch! The grain is less "wrinkled" almost like it has smaller wrinkles in it where it was conditioned.

I'm getting a 2000 Mercedes e320 that has almost perfect interior since it was my mom's, (75,000 miles on it OMG), and she has never conditioned, so I am excited to use it there too. I am even more excited that she is turning from Mercedes into a real car, the 540xi new!

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.

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.

I use this, but I have a spray bottle of each. I found this product reading /r/AutoDetailing , this is what many people say should be used on the coated leather BMW uses.

Edit: I've used it on both my M and my wife's 330. You can tell a difference in the type of leather, but still good results on both.

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.

I did both sets. My VCG was literally hard plastic when I got it finally separated.

MAHLE Original VS50368 Engine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006E0P0GO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Dual Vanos O-Ring Seal Repair Kit... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JUJQOHY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

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 can get this stuff for about $5 a quart. I'd say that's hard to beat. It meets LL-01 standards.
https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03101-0W-40-Synthetic-Motor/dp/B00JGQLZSU

I've also never had problems with Mobil 1 0W-40, but apparently it doesn't meet LL-01 anymore. But last I checked, the two are almost exactly the same price.

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

Redline D4 ATF

What year? is it face-lifted? if so try this. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJ7S9R8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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