What have you done with or to your M3 today?

Installed GT4 style lip this weekend.

I swapped the 359M Wheels back onto my E90 M3 because I went to the TUEV appointment today and learned that they want 173 Freaking Euros to inspect the 359M wheels (with a letter stating the wheel load spec of the 359M) and give me a paper where I can then take it to the "DMV" and get it registered onto my vehicle papers.

I said...NOPE. That's fine. The E92 M3 can wear the 219Ms. Not worth the almost 200 USD for them to look at my wheels and give me a piece of paper. Absolute scam.

LKN624 wrote

I swapped the 359M Wheels back onto my E90 M3 because I went to the TUEV appointment today and learned that they want 173 Freaking Euros to inspect the 359M wheels (with a letter stating the wheel load spec of the 359M) and give me a paper where I can then take it to the "DMV" and get it registered onto my vehicle papers.

I said...NOPE. That's fine. The E92 M3 can wear the 219Ms. Not worth the almost 200 USD for them to look at my wheels and give me a piece of paper. Absolute scam.

Oi m8 u got a loicense for dem alloys?

FrznM3 wrote

Oi m8 u got a loicense for dem alloys?

It is absolutely insane...aftermarket wheels I can understand, but BMW Original wheels especially for the E9X M3 platform? Come on...

Every time I get annoyed at how overly strict and annoying California inspection requirements are, I remind myself European vehicle inspection requirements exist.

Thumbie wrote

Every time I get annoyed at how overly strict and annoying California inspection requirements are, I remind myself European vehicle inspection requirements exist.

Oh so true, universal Grandfather saying; "whenever ya think c'aint get worse...jus wait, something will come along, prove ya wrong"

Thumbie wrote

Every time I get annoyed at how overly strict and annoying California inspection requirements are, I remind myself European vehicle inspection requirements exist.

Yeah you literally cannot do anything. Everything pretty much has to stay stock as the car left the factory. (and even then I have been pulled over for it). As I have just learned, even BMW Original parts require registration which I find to be insane. They really want you to drive "normal traffic" type of cars here.

LKN624 wrote

Yeah you literally cannot do anything. Everything pretty much has to stay stock as the car left the factory. (and even then I have been pulled over for it). As I have just learned, even BMW Original parts require registration which I find to be insane. They really want you to drive "normal traffic" type of cars here.

Wow, that's absurd!! Could you get in trouble if you get pulled over while driving with the 359s now?

jvictormp wrote

Wow, that's absurd!! Could you get in trouble if you get pulled over while driving with the 359s now?

Yup...if the wheels are not "printed" onto the vehicle papers and the Police pull you over, your car is no longer deemed "driveable"...car gets towed at your expense and you get to take the bus/train home. Crazy right?

Tire dimensions are the same as 220Ms...but the ET is different and wheel size is different...not on your papers? Better get a bus ticket home!

LKN624 wrote

Yup...if the wheels are not "printed" onto the vehicle papers and the Police pull you over, your car is no longer deemed "driveable"...car gets towed at your expense and you get to take the bus/train home. Crazy right?

Tire dimensions are the same as 220Ms...but the ET is different and wheel size is different...not on your papers? Better get a bus ticket home!

In Brazil you only get towed if your car is severely unsafe to run, like both headlights burnt at night or something. Most of cases of irregularities, you'll get a fine and 30 days to have the vehicle inspected with correction.

May I also ask, you need to do that inspection mentioned every year? If you have like 4 sets of wheels, it will be 4 inspections a year?

I installed my Ridgeline Motorsports lip

jvictormp wrote

In Brazil you only get towed if your car is severely unsafe to run, like both headlights burnt at night or something. Most of cases of irregularities, you'll get a fine and 30 days to have the vehicle inspected with correction.

May I also ask, you need to do that inspection mentioned every year? If you have like 4 sets of wheels, it will be 4 inspections a year?

Ah yeah that makes more sense...and understandable.

We have mandatory inspection (General Inspection and Emissions Testing) every 2 years which is currently 163 Euros. The wheels are a one time fee...but the fact that you have to pay that much just to put different wheels on your car is insane.

Cross threading this post here, because it probably belongs here too.
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I had been smelling gasoline occasionally not inside the car, but inside the garage and especially outside the car after filling up the tank in front of the driver's side rear tire. With the help of the forum search engine I narrowed it down to the fuel pump and fuel filter sender unit(s) developing hairline cracks and seeping vapor under pressure from the fuel pump.

Upon inspection the driver's side unit was indeed cracked though the passenger side in tank unit was okay (dry). The local BMW Dealership replaced both in tank units and agreed to match the FCP Euro parts price. However, I discovered Dealerships use a job book hour multiplier for non-warranty work of 1.5 to 1.7. Mine used the 1.7 multiplier. It means although the book time to replace both units simultaneously was only about 2 hours, I was charged for 3.4 hours of labor plus 1 hour of labor for diagnosis (even though I had told them what the problem was). Anyway, I paid a cool $2200 for the job but over $1000 of that was just for the parts. My car now has 157,000 miles on it (approximately) and I believe we are going to see more 2008's start to have this fuel pump and sending unit crack problem.

Since my last post on the "High Mileage '08s Report In" thread, both of the Throttle Actuators have been replaced at 124K miles, the alternator was replaced at 137K miles, both timing chain tensioners were replaced at 143K miles, all 4 Vanos solenoids were replaced at 144K miles and both engine mounts were replaced at 145K miles. The chain tensioners, Vanos solenoids and engine mounts were replaced when chasing a knocking noise from the engine bay (which sounded severe - see my thread on this topic here https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2142775). The knock turned out to be failed Vibra Technics engine mounts! Oh, and a new Duracell Platinum AGM battery at 151K miles. I still have to get the carbon fiber roof refinished in August, get the sagging roof lining replaced, as well as new MLT valve covers, new spark plugs and new injectors all to be replaces later on in the year. Phew, this is getting expensive... $$$

Besides all of that stuff above I'm starting to notice the "as delivered" in 2008 black trim "rash" get a little worse and more obvious due to ultra violet and oxidation no doubt. See photos. PS: The Dealership also did the fusebox battery cable connector recall 19V-472.
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FCP Euro Parts
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-pump-assembly-16112283497
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https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-tank-sender-assembly-left-16112283495
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.

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High Mileage '08s Report In Thread:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

DrFerry wrote

Cross threading this post here, because it probably belongs here too.
.
I had been smelling gasoline occasionally not inside the car, but inside the garage and especially outside the car after filling up the tank in front of the driver's side rear tire. With the help of the forum search engine I narrowed it down to the fuel pump and fuel filter sender unit(s) developing hairline cracks and seeping vapor under pressure from the fuel pump.

Upon inspection the driver's side unit was indeed cracked though the passenger side in tank unit was okay (dry). The local BMW Dealership replaced both in tank units and agreed to match the FCP Euro parts price. However, I discovered Dealerships use a job book hour multiplier for non-warranty work of 1.5 to 1.7. Mine used the 1.7 multiplier. It means although the book time to replace both units simultaneously was only about 2 hours, I was charged for 3.4 hours of labor plus 1 hour of labor for diagnosis (even though I had told them what the problem was). Anyway, I paid a cool $2200 for the job but over $1000 of that was just for the parts. My car now has 157,000 miles on it (approximately) and I believe we are going to see more 2008's start to have this fuel pump and sending unit crack problem.

Since my last post on the "High Mileage '08s Report In" thread, both of the Throttle Actuators have been replaced at 124K miles, the alternator was replaced at 137K miles, both timing chain tensioners were replaced at 143K miles, all 4 Vanos solenoids were replaced at 144K miles and both engine mounts were replaced at 145K miles. The chain tensioners, Vanos solenoids and engine mounts were replaced when chasing a knocking noise from the engine bay (which sounded severe - see my thread on this topic here https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2142775). The knock turned out to be failed Vibra Technics engine mounts! Oh, and a new Duracell Platinum AGM battery at 151K miles. I still have to get the carbon fiber roof refinished in August, get the sagging roof lining replaced, as well as new MLT valve covers, new spark plugs and new injectors all to be replaces later on in the year. Phew, this is getting expensive... $$$

Besides all of that stuff above I'm starting to notice the "as delivered" in 2008 black trim "rash" get a little worse and more obvious due to ultra violet and oxidation no doubt. See photos. PS: The Dealership also did the fusebox battery cable connector recall 19V-472.
.
FCP Euro Parts
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-pump-assembly-16112283497
.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fuel-tank-sender-assembly-left-16112283495
.

.

.

.

.

.
High Mileage '08s Report In Thread:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

Jeez, thats crazy you paid $2,200 to replace both in tank units but goes with the territory at the dealership I suppose. This happened to me a couple years ago (at ~158k miles, 08 also) as well with the sending unit on the driver side. It was more than just vapor though, I noticed puddling on top of the unit when I pulled the covers off and started the car to check both. Passenger side was fine so I just left it and seeing the price of them, I'm glad and will wait until that too starts smelling before replacing! I'm reactive by nature, not proactive, possibly to my own detriment.

Coincidentally, I was recently back in there replacing the sending unit again as I installed the normal 3-series, non-M3 unit to try to save $150 on the cheaper part - they look exactly the same but I guess the internal fuel pressure regulator is different. Lesson learned, I was getting fuel pressure faults even after changing the pressure sensor(which I initially thought was the cause of the faults) and figured let me install the correct part and see if the pressure faults go away, they did.

I just don't have the stomach to bring my car to the dealership for service (or anyone else for that matter), I do everything myself. I'm not a trained mechanic but enjoy the outcome and the cost savings on labor and its how I justify all the high dollar mods I throw at the car!

Funny enough, my car is actually at the dealership now due to NY State DMV flagging my VIN which won't allow the state inspection to even run the diagnostics portion due to the air bag recall which had not been done yet. Its getting the blower motor wiring recall and positive battery wire recall done also. I'm super anxious at the idea of the dealer techs in my car monkeying around with things and coming back after the fact and telling me I need X, Y and Z. The service guy already tried selling me an oil change, panel filter replacement and brake fluid flush which I promptly declined.

Deep pockets or mechanical know how is what I recomend for these cars!

Edit - my shadowline trim is also starting to look quite weathered, I changed to the Rebuild UK TA at ~135k after previous owner changed the gears only.

darren p. wrote

Jeez, thats crazy you paid $2,200 to replace both in tank units but goes with the territory at the dealership I suppose. This happened to me a couple years ago (at ~158k miles, 08 also) as well with the sending unit on the driver side. It was more than just vapor though, I noticed puddling on top of the unit when I pulled the covers off and started the car to check both. Passenger side was fine so I just left it and seeing the price of them, I'm glad and will wait until that too starts smelling before replacing! I'm reactive by nature, not proactive, possibly to my own detriment.

Coincidentally, I was recently back in there replacing the sending unit again as I installed the normal 3-series, non-M3 unit to try to save $150 on the cheaper part. Lesson learned though, I was getting fuel pressure faults even after changing the pressure sensor and figured let me install the correct part and see if the pressure faults go away, they did.

I just don't have the stomach to bring my car to the dealership for service (or anyone else for that matter), I do everything myself. I'm not a trained mechanic but enjoy the outcome and the cost savings on labor and its how I justify all the high dollar mods I throw at the car!

Funny enough, my car is actually at the dealership now due to NY State DMV flagging my VIN which won't allow the state inspection to even run the diagnostics portion due to the air bag recall which had not been done yet. Its getting the blower motor wiring recall and positive battery wire recall done also. I'm super anxious at the idea of the dealer techs in my car monkeying around with things and coming back after the fact and telling me I need X, Y and Z. The service guy already tried selling me an oil change, panel filter replacement and brake fluid flush which I promptly declined.

Deep pockets or mechanical know how is what I recomend for these cars!

Yep, I know the feeling 'cos I used to do all my own maintenance too. Especially on my MKIV Supra TT prior to getting the E92 M3. I'm semi-retired now and health issues prohibit some of the more finicky DIY jobs. Example: vision and dexterity. I share your pain regarding Dealership Techs so ask your Service Manager to put one of his best guys on your car. If they screw up - and I sincerely hope they don't - the Dealership will typically make it right 'cos they know nowadays Google reviews can be a cause for a lot of lost business. Good luck with all the recalls etc.

PS: My car seems to pull harder to red line now with the new pump etc. It's a marginal improvement but my calibrated buttometer says it's real.

I went into limp mode this morning.

DrFerry wrote

Yep, I know the feeling 'cos I used to do all my own maintenance too. Especially on my MKIV Supra TT prior to getting the E92 M3. I'm semi-retired now and health issues prohibit some of the more finicky DIY jobs. Example: vision and dexterity. I share your pain regarding Dealership Techs so ask your Service Manager to put one of his best guys on your car. If they screw up - and I sincerely hope they don't - the Dealership will typically make it right 'cos they know nowadays Google reviews can be a cause for a lot of lost business. Good luck with all the recalls etc.

PS: My car seems to pull harder to red line now with the new pump etc. It's a marginal improvement but my calibrated buttometer says it's real.

Sorry to hear that, my vision is starting to go and I now need reading glasses, which I normally don't mind but am finding I need them when I wrench on the car which is a pain! I'm sure I don't need to tell you but getting old sucks! Getting old is not optional, growing up is!

Thanks for the well wishes, we shall see. Supposed to get it back tomorrow. I didn't ask for special treatment but did mention about the M Performance V2 steering wheel and asking if that was going to be an issue - I get a new driver side airbag along with the new modules with the recall.

I fixed a bunch of stuff prior to this inspection (o2 sensor wiring fault, fuel sending unit, transmission oil pump, replaced torn coupler between carbon plenum and intake) and also felt that it pulled harder but I don't trust my butt dyno!

omgzirra_exe wrote

I went into limp mode this morning.

What now??? 🥴

omgzirra_exe wrote

I went into limp mode this morning.

TAs?

DrFerry wrote

TAs?

doubt, they are rebuild UK ones.

probably a small misfire, cause it. i might have not torqued down the rear sparks properly.

omgzirra_exe wrote

doubt, they are rebuild UK ones.

probably a small misfire, cause it. i might have not torqued down the rear sparks properly.

Those are always such a beast to deal with and even with a half turn past snug like the box says, it doesn’t feel tight enough

omgzirra_exe wrote

doubt, they are rebuild UK ones. probably a small misfire, cause it. i might have not torqued down the rear sparks properly.

The TIS torque spec. for the spark plugs in the S65 is 23 Nm (17 ft-lbs). Some official docs allow for a slight tolerance range of 23 ± 3 Nm.