Low-down on Inspection II? - Page 4

Terri Kennedy · 10-17-2006, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zcasavant

Any interest in a tech session one of these days?

Let me know, and if I have time, I'll bring my ultra-fancy code reader...

operknockity · 10-17-2006, 01:08 AM

Just got mine done a few weeks back. Was in the $1K range at an independent. I knew this place wasn't cheap before I took it there, but I knew the car was in very good hands and I needed a bit of extra close inspection of the suspension and frame to make sure the car was track-worthy after the two times it's been banged up.

zach · 10-17-2006, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

Let me know, and if I have time, I'll bring my ultra-fancy code reader...

Sounds great!

John V · 10-17-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM3C

OK HOLY SHIT. Inspection II for the E36

Dealer $1050

My Fav Independent $750

Does that included a wax job. I hate BMW's sometimes!!

DO

IT

YOUR

SELF.

It is uber-satisfying. And doesn't an inspection 2 include a fuel filter, and spark plugs, too? If not, it should.

JV

Theo · 10-17-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John V

DO

IT

YOUR

SELF.

It is uber-satisfying. And doesn't an inspection 2 include a fuel filter, and spark plugs, too? If not, it should.

JV

Well some of the items mentioned by local shop were:

Change oil, filter, diff fluid, trans fluid, plugs and pollen filter.
Check like almost everything. Brakes, rotor's etc

Plus this shop does an entire engine detail at every big service. The last time I got the car back from an inspection 1, the engine compartment was spotless.

I am doing a couple of DIY's in the next coming weeks.
I am changing the slip ring in the steering column and replaceing a worn power seat back gear on the passanger side that has given up the ghost.

lupinsea · 10-17-2006, 01:43 PM

I've picked up all the necessary pieces for the Inspection II on the E46. I'll be doing it myself. After reading through what needs to be done it seems fairly straight forward. And the other things that need to be "inspected" seem to largely be to look if it's cracked or leaking. I think I can do that. My only question is on the rotor thickness. Where do I find out how much rotor thickness needs to remain for the rotor to remain within spec?

Oh, also, is there a good central jacking point on the front half of the car? It'd be nice to get the front wheels off the ground to check for bearing play and what not. But when I checked with a BMW tech they said you should only lift the car by the jacking pads on the sides. . . . a problem if I want to put a jack stand there.

I found this on the madrussian.net site, which seems to be a reasonably good resource for a few things.

*Plaz* · 10-17-2006, 01:46 PM

My car doesn't have that.

John V · 10-17-2006, 01:47 PM

Does the E46 not have the same crossmember (NOT the cross-BRACE) that the E36 had? That's where I jacked my E36.

You don't want the wheels off to check bearing play.

Check the rotor thickness with a calipers or a micrometer (if you have one). The minimum thickness is cast onto the rotor, but it should also be in the bentley manual. Or do a search on bimmerforums - it should be up there.

Terri Kennedy · 10-17-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

My car doesn't have that.

I have an xi, and I have a support member there. I think it is a difference between AWD and non-AWD cars.

In case it wasn't a good spot to jack from (some people have reported dimpling some metal) I had my jack stands ready and had an assistant. I jacked the car up and he slid the stands under the side jack points, and I then backed off the jack in short order.

lupinsea · 10-17-2006, 02:50 PM

Aaaarrgh. Ok, another question (thanks with all the help guys) regarding the oil. After perusing bimmerfest and following this link from a thread I'm now greatly confused about the oil usage for the standard E46.

Its soundling like (according to the link) the Mobil 1 5w30 is too thin and not recommended by BMW, but that Mobil 1 0w40 is ok. Is this information still accurate? If I can use the Mobile 1 it would be great as it's readily available in my area.

When I checked the Mobil1 website and ran through their "what's right for my car?" process it came up with Mobil 1 0W40 as well. Am I good to go with this?

10-17-2006, 01:46 PM	#37
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	My car doesn't have that. __________________ 2011 1M

10-17-2006, 01:08 AM	#32
operknockity Finn is in puppy heaven Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '02 325i Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,405	Just got mine done a few weeks back. Was in the $1K range at an independent. I knew this place wasn't cheap before I took it there, but I knew the car was in very good hands and I needed a bit of extra close inspection of the suspension and frame to make sure the car was track-worthy after the two times it's been banged up.

10-17-2006, 01:43 PM	#36
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	I've picked up all the necessary pieces for the Inspection II on the E46. I'll be doing it myself. After reading through what needs to be done it seems fairly straight forward. And the other things that need to be "inspected" seem to largely be to look if it's cracked or leaking. I think I can do that. My only question is on the rotor thickness. Where do I find out how much rotor thickness needs to remain for the rotor to remain within spec? Oh, also, is there a good central jacking point on the front half of the car? It'd be nice to get the front wheels off the ground to check for bearing play and what not. But when I checked with a BMW tech they said you should only lift the car by the jacking pads on the sides. . . . a problem if I want to put a jack stand there. I found this on the madrussian.net site, which seems to be a reasonably good resource for a few things.

10-17-2006, 01:47 PM	#38
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Does the E46 not have the same crossmember (NOT the cross-BRACE) that the E36 had? That's where I jacked my E36. You don't want the wheels off to check bearing play. Check the rotor thickness with a calipers or a micrometer (if you have one). The minimum thickness is cast onto the rotor, but it should also be in the bentley manual. Or do a search on bimmerforums - it should be up there.

10-17-2006, 02:50 PM	#40
lupinsea Jeeped Join Date: Sep 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata Location: Seattle Posts: 10,214	Aaaarrgh. Ok, another question (thanks with all the help guys) regarding the oil. After perusing bimmerfest and following this link from a thread I'm now greatly confused about the oil usage for the standard E46. Its soundling like (according to the link) the Mobil 1 5w30 is too thin and not recommended by BMW, but that Mobil 1 0w40 is ok. Is this information still accurate? If I can use the Mobile 1 it would be great as it's readily available in my area. When I checked the Mobil1 website and ran through their "what's right for my car?" process it came up with Mobil 1 0W40 as well. Am I good to go with this?