Diaries of a Daily Driver

[patsbimmer1]

I'm pretty confident that everything smaller than a 7 uses a 12x1.50 so the e46 and e39 should have the same wheel bolts.  Maybe different lengths but same bolt.

[GunMetalGrey]

@MPW3RLee came in clutch with the socket for the lugs, which are indeed identical to what I had on my red e30.

Out with the old

On with the new!

I've always wanted a set of style 32's, but never had a car for them. These were completely unnecessary but it seemed like the right thing to do!

I also grabbed a set of stockers from @DrLeadFoot that I will end up using for snow tires

It was idling rough yesterday, but still doesn't show a CEL. I feel like someone may have pulled the bulb....
I plan to scan it to see what codes are lurking and see if I can't quickly narrow down the issue.

I will say that driving it yesterday was amusing, it pulls stronger than I remember and sounds good to boot!

Now to make it less of a rolling death trap! 

Until next time!

[jc43089]

Watch for the CEL to come on for a couple seconds when starting the car.  It should self test every time you start turn the key to run.  Wheels look good!

[GunMetalGrey]

jc43089 said:

Watch for the CEL to come on for a couple seconds when starting the car.  It should self test every time you start turn the key to run.  Wheels look good!

Haha, perfect! Thank you for the tip. I never really thought about using the self test stuff in that manner before. 
It all makes sense.

[suspenceful]

Looks so much better cleaned up on those style 32's.

[GunMetalGrey]

AHHHHahahahahahahahahaaahhhahha 

@jc43089 was right!
 

It's gonna be fun to see what codes it's throwing 

[Jdesign]

Craig can be a sneaky bastard.

[GunMetalGrey]

Oh she a code throwin' hoe! 
Most notable is the ""Function, inlet-camshaft control, bank 2"
I shall remove the vanos solenoid and give it a cleaning and clean up the contacts, but judging by some quick research this morning it is the result of a small timing discrepancy. 
Plenty of o2 codes and secondary air system codes.

It did say the front right wheel speed sensor is bad, which is cool because that means I don't have to try all 4 corners before replacing them! 

Oddly enough it doesn't have any misfire codes...

Having a bit more of a lead to work on is quite convenient, and I shall begin to amass parts while I wrap up the diesel and then dive head first into this thing!

Until next time!

[Jdesign]

Nice!!! Cheat codes for fixing stuff!

[AsparagusMike]

GunMetalGrey said:

dive head first into this thing

[GunMetalGrey]

I replaced the hood cables (all) this weekend and cleaned the latches so that they actually hold the hood.
Threw the other wheels on now that I bought the lug tool ($5 on Amazon). 
I replaced a handful of bulbs in the tail lights so those work properly now, added some new buttons back onto the HVAC controls (they were missing), just some general stuff!

Next thing is to put fresh oil in it and replace the brakes, then drive it for a bit and re-scan codes to see what stayed!

[GunMetalGrey]

I now own more wheels for this 540 than any other car I have had.
Picked up a set of 5 of these bad boys last night, they're a bit dirty but they are overall in good shape. The clear is starting to flake on one so I'm thinking about disassembly and polishing the lips and cleaning up the hardware. 
 

Current wheel list:
16" Style 48's
17" Style 5's
17" Voxx Maglia's
18" Style 32's

[straight6pwr]

GunMetalGrey said:

 The clear is starting to flake on one so I'm thinking about disassembly and polishing the lips and cleaning up the hardware.

[GunMetalGrey]

straight6pwr said:

Haha, it's a bit of work for sure.

I think I'm going to build them for my future E30 build, and then if I need the cash I will just sell them. 
I dunno, I had no real reason to buy them.

[straight6pwr]

GunMetalGrey said:

Haha, it's a bit of work for sure.

getting the clear off is the worst, its tough as nails. aircraft stripper/power washer required.

keeping the polished lips clean is the 2nd worst. something with that alloy attracts pitting/dirt in a hurry.

personally, i wouldn't do it with that method again. I would, however, get the lips blasted/powdered to match the faces. they are a fantastic looking wheel.

FYI theres a reputable guy on R3v doing 4x100 fill & drill on style 5 faces now. good deal, too.

[GunMetalGrey]

straight6pwr said:

getting the clear off is the worst, its tough as nails.

I've got some really nasty shit that pulls paint off 5 layers at a time lol, don't know its origins, but I'm sure you cant buy it anymore.

Cleaning lips is something I'm used to, the wheels on my red e30 loved to pull dirt and brake dust. 

Coating the barrels is something that I would do, but at that point I would likely do something silly like black chrome with gold hardware or something else scene. 

Couldn't find the fill n' drill thread on R3v

[straight6pwr]

https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=386547&highlight=fill+drill

[YoungCR]

Chrome imitation powder coat doesn’t last more than a year either and plan on just buying new hardware.

[Jdesign]

You can reuse hardware, you just need to stick it in a tumbler for a few days.

Before

After

The lips, in fact, are a whole notha battle though. 

[GunMetalGrey]

Jdesign said:

You can reuse hardware, you just need to stick it in a tumbler for a few days.

Before

After

The lips, in fact, are a whole notha battle though. 

What did you use for an abrasive?