(Part 2) Best products from r/BmwTech

I like this one. Measures down to milliamps. I've found quite a few of their products useful including the LoadPro.

Electronic Specialties 688 True RMS Low Current Clamp Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DGTOOLS/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_BedRwbF7ZSBPJ

Consider one of these, they do better for small hoses https://www.amazon.com/Fuel-Injection-Hose-Clamps-FI6/dp/B0040CU0HM

It's definitely leaking right at the connection?

I'm with /u/pina_koala on this. It looks like surface damage of some sort. You could try this. It's pretty cheap and easy to try it out. It is also available at most part stores.

Get him a year's subscription to the BMW CCA
https://www.bmwcca.org/
their Roundel magazine is just the best car mag ever.

or get him this excellent book:
http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Hack-Mechanic-Rob-Siegel/dp/0837617200

If your actuator needs replacement, do it yourself. That was literally the first job I ever did on my 2008 328i. You can do it.

It is a PITA, and can be time consuming (especially depending on how good the adhesive holding your moisture barrier is), but there's really nothing you can honestly screw up or make worse unless you drop the window glass...which isn't an expensive replacement anyway =)

As long as you have the right tools, get the correct part, and have a bunch of door fasteners handy (because every other one is going to break, they are a PITA too), it's a super inexpensive job that doesn't even require too much in the way of tools.

Edit: I dug back through my archives and pulled the relevant resources I used. Should be similar for a 2006 I imagine.

• The front actuator set I bought. Don't know if the 2006 uses the same part number, but decent reference at least.
  
  
• The door panel fasteners that I keep handy for work involving the doors. Again, at least a reference.
  
  Helpful DIYs and videos:
  
  http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477507&page=3
  
  http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6713414&postcount=40
  
  https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement/BODY-Door_Panel_Replacement.htm
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em9TdvaB0_8
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaEunU4T7Qk
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMPTAypu4R4
  
  
  And of course, your relevant Bentley manual is always a good thing to have.

I'm using one of the below units. If you have USB and an aux in, it's a great way to do it. I have found this unit pairs extremely quickly. Track steering wheel controls don't do anything but the volume ones work fine (as makes sense).

https://www.amazon.com/Firefly-Bluetooth-Receiver-Smallest-Streaming/dp/B01HDO66NK/

He’s probably right..replace the IVM. I had the same issues and that cured my start problems. I didn’t have any other symptoms other than an occasional and then more frequent non-start. It’s only $100 and much cheaper than replacing the starter. You’ll have to replace the IVM anyway eventually. Amazingly, bad starters don’t happen that often on these motors but that could be because the cars are dumped well before they reach high mileage.
Got my IVM from Amazon a year ago and still doing great


BMW e53 e60 e63 e65 Integrated Supply Module 'IVM' electronic control unit e66 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AG39RRS/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_YRG9Bb397XTYM

If this is compatible with your car, get it. I bought for my 2014 f30 and it's a darn near perfect solution to the Bluetooth streaming problem.

Bovee WMA3000B Wireless Bluetooth Music Interface Audio Adaptor for BMW iPod integration https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0131P6P5E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_q8LHzb869DD2X

I don't know your financial situation, or your attachment to the car, your tool or garage access for diy, etc. I had 2 e46's up until a month ago - an '02 with 160k miles that I just sold that I maintained for 10 years, and an '05 with 90k miles I still own and have had for 5 years.

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I'm going to assume you have a garage and some tools. If not, the below might not totally apply to you.

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The short answer here is to sell it and get a Toyota or Lexus around the same year. Do some research and tell them your situation in some Toyota/Lexus forums. They'll point you in the right direction. E46's are a maintenance nightmare, and will send you to the poor house unless you DIY it. And even then you'll be spending lots of money and free time fixing some annoying things (control arm bushings and window regulators), and some things that will leave you stranded...maybe on the highway at night when its 15 degrees for 4 hours without heat. Yes, you will want to do things like the coolant system and fluids on an older Toyota as well, but then you're done. You might not get to that on the e46 because its going to break down and you might struggle just to keep it on the road.

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The longer answer is look up 50skid on youtube, and watch his video from beginning to end before starting any repairs. At times he'll come back later in the video and say "If I had to do it again, I would've done xyz differently." Simply put, he's the man. The fcpeuro, etc folks above are all fine. I personally always order from oembimmerparts.com. The shipping is super fast and the prices are the same as anywhere else (free shipping over $55, I don't think you'll have a problem there, lol). But if you do, order something like oil filters or cabin filters. And realoem.com is the actual parts catalogue that the dealership uses, just put in the last 7 of your VIN.

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Going through the dealership list, for almost all of them, I said to myself "Just check the the fluid level weekly/biweekly and drive it." Oil leak? Well that might be messy in the engine bay, but as long as you have enough oil, you'll be fine. Even without those leaks, you still need to check the oil every couple weeks because these engines drink oil. There, you just saved vanos hose $212, oil pan gasket $838, oil filter housing gasket (not listed but its coming). All the stuff listed in yellow? Fuck all that....besides maybe and I say maybe a brake fluid flush. For the damaged wheel, you have a full size spare in the trunk. If you need new tires, just put your best old tire onto the most damaged rim and there's your new spare. Heck, just pay a tire shop $20-$50 if to do that even if you don't need tires. Get tires from Costco if one is around, they're great, and you can shop while you wait.

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For the kidney grill - Get some silicone caulk in a tube or caulk gun, tape the kidney into place from the front, and apply cauld heavily near the likely broken tabs on the top and bottom from the inside with your hood open - fixed.

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Screw the discolored mirrors, get used to it, it builds character. The brake caliper caps are like $10. Look up the part number on realoem. I got some off amazon or wherever, they use the same part for lots of BMW brakes calipers so they're easy to find.

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Transmission is leaking fluid - ok, this one you might just have an indy do. You likely have a 5L40e transmission made by GM, but maybe not. Save yourself the frustration of sifting through threads about which fluid to use. (For the 5L40e its this one by the way). Have them check the level (or you can if you want to fully jack the car up on 4 stands), and top off (slightly overfill), if needed. You can DIY this if you have time, but its not something I'd recommend while not knowing your mechanical aptitude. Transmissions are expensive so don't fuck it up. My 2005 had a bad valve body at 80k miles. Yes - a new transmission was needed at 80k miles, to the tune of $3k. You can read all about that here. It turned out being a valve body for $600 that I got from streetsmarttransmissions.com, and there call center techs fucking rock. Evidently the valve body alloy is too soft in the 5L40e, and starts to deform prematurely. I'm so glad I called those guys.

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Anyways, PM me or reply if you have questions. I assume it has about 100k miles on it. Is the check engine light on? If not, drive it to an independent shop for a 2nd opinion asap.

Supercrazy M13 X 1.5MM Oil Pan Drain Plug Thread Repair Tool Kit SF0087B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V0R7KQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_9ZVJKNF9USKss

This worked well for me on an x5 with aluminum pan. Use some Teflon tape on the drain plug and you should be fine.

Not sure. You can save a few loonies by going aftermarket. These work with 2014 and later:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GZBQRBS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_UypPCbFJTZZDX

The pump cracking is very common in the e9x. My 09 e92 M3 pump failed awhile back. Replacement took about 30 minutes. Jack the right front. Wheel off. Fender liner partially out. Swap pump. Reinstall. Done.

Save yourself some money and buy a pump like this one. Double check the cross reference part number on realoem for your car.

URO Parts 67 12 7 302 589... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AWY1LFG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you have aux, get something like this to add Bluetooth. Kinivo BTC480 Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit for Cars with Aux Input Jack (3.5 mm) -with Magnetic Mount, Dual Port USB Charger and Multi-Point Connectivity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y2D1ZX8/

I use Castrol EDGE 0W40 from Amazon. It’s BMW LL-01 certified, however I’m not sure if that’s the correct weight for your car.

Castrol 03101 EDGE 0W-40 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 quart, 1 pack @ ~ $26

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JGQLZSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_imXCCb07QBRXP

sent you a PM with a diagram. let me know if you need anything else. For the curious it should be parts 9,10,11 in this diagram.

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https://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-Exhaust-Support/dp/B06Y3YG5WD

Another option that I used to do is to use a topsider. Then you don't need to get under the car and deal with the drain plug. This was the solution for me as I didn't have a way to lift my car.

Air Power America 5060TS Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001445IZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9dNwCbH59VMW3

Also please see for a aluminum one , Water Hose Fitting Replace 11537541992 11537544638 for BMW N54 N52 335i By TOPEMAI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K17QRVR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GIAxCbG5X45F6

Apex RLB-2301 Universal Roof... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3KSK0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Here’s a link to the set I’m using currently, there’s some added wind noise, but it’s not to bad, and with my roof basket I knew there would be a lot of wind noise anyways, but with the sunroof shade closed it’s not noticeable at all