Tune up question

[rpa620]

I have a 2000 323i, 110,000 miles (Mostly Hwy). I have done all recommended oil changes etc since I bought the car. My question is, at this mileage, what would any of you recommend as far as tune up is concerned? Plugs, wires etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[325isBaby]

plugs are recommended around 100K or durring your Inspection2...there are not wires due to the fact it is a coil over plug system...as far as "tune ups" go those are what they call inspection services

[peterkulesza]

check front control arms for bushing wear. also, given my experience (and many others), have them inspect rear subframe for damage.

i would replace trans and diff oil, despite "life-time" fill. i think brake fluid gets replaced at this time as well.

[rpa620]

Thanks for the replies.

[rpa620]

Originally Posted by peterkulesza

check front control arms for bushing wear. also, given my experience (and many others), have them inspect rear subframe for damage.

i would replace trans and diff oil, despite "life-time" fill. i think brake fluid gets replaced at this time as well.

Rear subframe? What is your experience with that? Manufactuer's defect? used:

[peterkulesza]

so:

there have been many failures of the 99-01 e46 models. check some posts on this forum, and a big list of affected cars in e46 fanatics.

turner motorsports have a lot of experience with this: they say that after 01 bmw increased the number of spot welds, and failures are not as common.

yes it seems to me that this is definitely a manufacturing defect. just like the shock towers on e36, water pumps, nikasil motors, bearings on m3 motors etc. bmw is sometimes careless. no recall to date.

i had my subframe reinforced with epoxy fill: if there is no damage, this is an ok solution (and VERY cheap). it damage exists, the best fix is the welded kit offered by tms.

[storme]

epoxy fill?? explain a little more so that we can all do it

[peterkulesza]

this is what i did:

1. the compound is: terocore structural foam, FUS-1908. i bought two tubes ($64 total) from marty's auto paint supply, inc. 7600 pulaski hwy, baltimore md 21237, 410 866 6680.
2. my mechanic used instructions from the turner motorsports website (i printed it for him). the instructions are for the e46 rear subframe reinforcement kit tms sells for $150.
3. the point was to drill holes in the described areas, and squirt hot (80 deg C) foam thru the holes, using a disposable plastic gun. the foam expands and hardens, thereby providing structural reinforcement.
4. my mechanic is a badass, so i just gave him the pictures, and said "drill there, and squirt until you can squirt no more", but any semi-competent race shop will also be able to do this, people stiffen racing frames this way.

DO NOT DO THIS IF THE SUBFRAME IS DAMAGED. HARDENED EPOXIDE GIVES OFF TOXIC FUMES WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO WELD OVER IT.

[rpa620]

Thanks, I'll look into this

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by peterkulesza

so:

yes it seems to me that this is definitely a manufacturing defect. just like the shock towers on e36, water pumps, nikasil motors, bearings on m3 motors etc. bmw is sometimes careless. no recall to date.

What's the story on e36 shock towers? And which M3 motors have bearing problems? Thanks.

[peterkulesza]

upper mounts on almost all e36 crack, and the shock tower comes out of the body. all you need to buy is a set of reinfocred mounts (bavauto, tms) and problem is solved for ever.

the current e46 M3 motor (s54 i think) had BAD main bearings, 1999-2001, or 2. bmw initially bulshitted about oil viscosity. now they offer a 5 year 100k warranty on the motor, the manufacturing has been corrrected, and WILL replace blown engines.

pk