What have you done with or to your M3 today?

[SAMM3Y]

@romero1990 measure what comes out each time, replace with same said measurement and never have to worry about it again.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Electronic dipstick FTL.

They truly are the devil's work.

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by romero1990

Just had my stupidest day probably.

So I did my first DIY oil change yesterday. Filled up 8.7L of 10W-60 and drive around town. I noticed oil level meter dropped from 3/4 to 1/2 on about 40 miles highway. But then it was fine driving around city for another 10+miles without dropping any more. Thought it might be just the stupid sensor.

Today, I thought it was probably OK, but wanted to make sure so I bring it out again (as opposed to my X3). Also to make sure it doesn't drop any more. I mean, it dropped 1/4 for about 60 miles. My total distance for tonight is like 80. It can't be too bad... NO! I was wrong!! on my 25 mile drive outbound, I witnessed it dropping to 1/4 mark and then entirely to LO somewhere around 20-25miles mark. Not even reached the destination... Shut the car down at highway turnout, panicked and thought I must have messed something up, like leaking plug or filter cap. Called my insurance tired to get it towed home to sort out. I also called my buddy who did the change with me to see if he can think of something or help me out. (this is like 11PM already) [he's more of a Subaru forest guy than M3 guy, but he does everything on his own. quite experienced. but he's like another 50 miles the opposite direction.]

He thought it was probably actually low on oil but not exactly leaking. We did startup the car and let it run for a bit to make sure nothing came out of drain plug or filter housing. And he think it is probably fine to go around. But he still brought the Calvary to me, 0.3L left over + 2 new bottles of Castro.

We poured in the 0.3L left over, fired the car up, drove a bit on city, still showing min and add 1qt. Poured another half bottle, drove around, now it is max.
(at this point, my night thing was totally missed out).

Drove on the city for 3 miles, not dropping. Thought it might need highway speed/rpm to show the problem. We hit highway, blasting 4-5k rpms for 15miles. It is still/totally fine now.

So we came to the conclusion---- We probably left it drained for too long, essentially we left it there and went out for lunch. So there residual oil is probably way less than usual. (The 1200km/miles check called for 9.5qt. That's probably the true total capacity). By leaving the car draining for too long, I should really have checked and have a bottle on the car just in case. And this goes to the even more silly part. My predecessor left me with 2 bottles of Castro saying I might need to add oil and he did not need it anymore. Never used them ever since and took it out during oil change.(also because I am going with BMW oil now)

Moral of the story is, keep a bottle and funnel in car regardless, and especially after oil change. (and probably don't leave the car draining for lunch )

3:30 AM now.. I hit the road 6hrs ago and never reached the destination.

BMW TIS says to let it drain for an hour anyways, I've always put in the full 9L without any issues.

[oscars2212]

replaced with the useless ashtray with an open utility tray which happens to fit my phone perfectly!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/51169198283/

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by romero1990

Moral of the story is, keep a bottle and funnel in car regardless, and especially after oil change. (and probably don't leave the car draining for lunch )

always keep a bottle in my trunk just in case

[wyatth]

Originally Posted by oscars2212

replaced with the useless ashtray with an open utility tray which happens to fit my phone perfectly!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/51169198283/

I like that. Did you relocate the lighter? It's good as a backup charging source. There's a way to relocate it to the passenger zone.

[oscars2212]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I like that. Did you relocate the lighter? It's good as a backup charging source. There's a way to relocate it to the passenger zone.

I did not, I don't remember the last time I needed a cig lighter as a charging source in any car (like this one) that has a USB port for charging phones. I might route it to the passenger footwell or the glove box, but didn't want to have to drill any holes.

Now that I say it, I will get a flat in a remote location and will not be able to re-inflate the tire after plugging it...

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Haha, that bloody level meter continue to mess with us! Good you got it sorted. If drained plenty time, incl the filter holder, it makes sense.
After bearing change obviously incl complete draing I filled about 9.5L. When changing the other week, after half hour draining and not touching the filter holder, it was back to full with 8.5L (i.e. full bar but not overfill).

I am going to drive it around a bit more to make sure. It was a good sign not dropping oil level driving back home last night.

I actually did sucked out most of oil out of from the filter housing with a syringe. Wouldn't have thought it was that much though.

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

@romero1990 measure what comes out each time, replace with same said measurement and never have to worry about it again.

good point. I'll try that next time.

[wyatth]

Originally Posted by oscars2212

I did not, I don't remember the last time I needed a cig lighter as a charging source in any car (like this one) that has a USB port for charging phones. I might route it to the passenger footwell or the glove box, but didn't want to have to drill any holes.

Now that I say it, I will get a flat in a remote location and will not be able to re-inflate the tire after plugging it...

I looked into this more and turns out the USB port in the armrest is 500mA and will not charge modern phones. Otherwise I would get that same tray, I only use the cigarette lighter as a backup phone charger.

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

my clock has been slowing down so i tried hooking it up to a battery charger overnight
but it's still falling behind about 2 minutes

last time this happened, the clock was back on time after hooking it up to a battery charger
and it was good for many months ... i'd like to say 9+ months

the battery should be less than 2 years old
i bought the car 1.5 years ago
anything else i should look into?

clock's been slowing down again
so i left the battery charger hooked up for about 1.5 days this time
will see if it makes any difference

if not, i will have to check the battery and alternator ...
what else?

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by oscars2212

replaced with the useless ashtray with an open utility tray which happens to fit my phone perfectly!

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...y/51169198283/

Curious what happens to the cigarette lighter.... I use that for a charger, but if there is another charging option, I'd love to know.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Curious what happens to the cigarette lighter.... I use that for a charger, but if there is another charging option, I'd love to know.

always wanted to retrofit a 2.5A USB charger into the armrest USB port. I never use that USB port for anything, but it would make for a nice OEM+ phone charger...

[oscars2212]

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

Curious what happens to the cigarette lighter.... I use that for a charger, but if there is another charging option, I'd love to know.

If you are asking what I did with the cigarette lighter, I unplugged it from the console and removed it when I removed the ash tray unit. I may try to remove the entire lighter assembly from the ashtray and plug it back in if I can find a place to put the lighter that is out of the way, perhaps in the glove box or the passenger footwell.

[AC/DC]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

clock's been slowing down again
so i left the battery charger hooked up for about 1.5 days this time
will see if it makes any difference

if not, i will have to check the battery and alternator ...
what else?

That's some serious plumbing there for the fire suppression system for your building. It'll be an interesting day for your M if the FD has to connect in your parking spot.

[AC/DC]

I decided to convert my stock airbox into garage art.

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by JPWEraser

Yes they're all really similar except when you move up to the MTM PF22. Pan the Organizer did a great comparison video if you want to check it out.

I have the original MTM cannon that I've moved to other duties (about 5-6 years old and still great) and a I bought a PF22 for foaming. The PF22 is a step up but it's nuanced and incremental.

TLDR:
If you want to drop ~$120 on the best, go for the PF22 (I recommend buying from Obsessed Garage because he sets it up for you to his spec which is the best for most power washers). Otherwise save your coin and spend $20-$35 on a setup on Amazon (TriNova or MATCC).

Originally Posted by wfdeacon88

this one has been great for me. attachment is for the end of the pressure washer using the generic connector.

MATCC Adjustable Foam Cannon I Liter Bottle Snow Foam Lance With 1/4" Quick Connector Foam Blaster for Pressure Washer Gun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CE78VO8..._eBwHDbG7GZ7JJ

(bringing back a topic to life)

what kind of pressure washer do you guys have?
i just assumed you can attach a foam cannon to a garden hose but i guess that's not how it works?

[XKxRome0ox]

Originally Posted by MBimmer2011

That's some serious plumbing there for the fire suppression system for your building. It'll be an interesting day for your M if the FD has to connect in your parking spot.

i hope that day never comes

[14_deltaM3]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

(bringing back a topic to life)

what kind of pressure washer do you guys have?
i just assumed you can attach a foam cannon to a garden hose but i guess that's not how it works?

I bought that amazon one (MTCC), and paired it with the uncommonly high water pressure from my water line, and it does a reasonable job foaming. Not bad for the price.

[wfdeacon88]

Originally Posted by XKxRome0ox

(bringing back a topic to life)

what kind of pressure washer do you guys have?
i just assumed you can attach a foam cannon to a garden hose but i guess that's not how it works?

I have gone through a few pressure washers, so after the last one I just decided to go cheap and functional and this one has been just fine for me. Using the right technique and surface products, it should be fine. I just stick that foam cannon on the end of the pressure washer gun where the normal nossel goes, super easy and saves a lot of time.

[Scharbag]

Parked in a parkade - always a hateful task.

On the bright side, the attendant asked if my M3 was actually a competition model (which it is) and he also knew exactly what my licence plate was.

Made the doode smile with the loud pedal as I left too.

So, a good experience overall!!

Cheers,

[//steve\\]

More undoing on my car. Removed the red IND start button and put the OE black one back in. Red M button goes next!