Seems like the e36 m is pretty predictable

[Rob]

Seems like the routine maintenance stuff comes like clockwork. I intended to take the long way home over the mountain and give the new tires a gentle work out. Before I made it more than two miles, the check engine light comes on and the power comes in fits and starts.

The diagnostic tool claims the fault code is a cam sensor. Common failing, although I understand they have improved the design somewhat. I wonder how much longer before the radiator goes . . . and the next closest open appointment is May 7. *sigh* Oh well. I have to get it in for the "gear shift rests under 5th gear" problem anyway.

[Doug]

I just had the cam sensor go out a bit ago. The mechanic said he replaces a couple a week.

[TD]

Mine went back at 27K miles.

[Theo]

I just had the cam sensor go out a bit ago. The mechanic said he replaces a couple a week.

UGH!! I have not had that one yet. :evil:

*knock on every piece of wood in my office!!* :shock:

[TD]

Fortunately that went undser warranty. The brake light switch went under warranty. I had the tranny replaced under warranty. I got the ECU reflashed (because of the cold start stall issue) under warranty.

The only "biggie" hanging out there for me is the radiator. If I keep the car, I will pre-emptively replace it this spring/summer.

[Rob]

I am torn about the radiator. I want the warranty to cover it, but . . . it's likely to go at the track (assuming I get my act together and get back to the track) and I will probably want to have a replacement handy and if I have already bought the part . . .

The CPO warranty is a blessing, but sometimes it feels like a mixed blessing. It's weird to know some things are going to break (the question is when, not if) but you don't do preemptive maintenance so the warranty will cover it . . . and my warranty goes until December of 2006!

Sometimes it bites you, too. If I had replaced the water pump, I wouldn't have had to replace the belts quite so soon - they weren't covered.

On the other hand, I am likely to get a new transmission out of the deal. That pretty much makes up for the annoyances.

It's all good, I just couldn't go and try out the new tires last night. I don't know if pushing the engine with a bad cam sensor would hurt anything, but I didn't want to find out the hard way and it would have been dangerous.

[Doug]

I'm going to break down and put in an Aluminum Radiator, especially with as much as I track my car.

[ARCHER]

..."gear shift rests under 5th gear" problem...

Same here - no warranty though. Now that warm weather is here, it is a non-issue, but I am going to try the Roundel fix anyway as it looks very straight forward.