I'm wondering if there is anyone on this island who could repair any problems that might emerge for a boosted E46. The kit would be installed elsewhere, but I need someone who would be available here to fix any future problems.

s/c or turbo??

no real BMW tuners out here on the island.. usually have to dyno, get the file from the place, and send it in with computer to get any tuning done back on the mainland.. (AA, stickley, ICS, whoever)

mechanical problems though, you have more than enough help out here on the forums, and from some already boosted people, competent to help with whatever mechanical problems that might arise


you going with AA S/c or something?? can't wait to see it at a meet

s/c or turbo??

no real BMW tuners out here on the island.. usually have to dyno, get the file from the place, and send it in with computer to get any tuning done back on the mainland.. (AA, stickley, ICS, whoever)

mechanical problems though, you have more than enough help out here on the forums, and from some already boosted people, competent to help with whatever mechanical problems that might arise


you going with AA S/c or something?? can't wait to see it at a meet

I believe the poster is asking about resources on the the big island of Hawaii, not Hawaii in general or Oahu. So unless you are going to a meet on that island it seems unlikely you'll see it.

sorry.. missed the Big Island reference...

thanks island

well, it was good advice nonetheless, but finding those on the big island will prove challenging.

I believe the poster is asking about resources on the the big island of Hawaii, not Hawaii in general or Oahu. So unless you are going to a meet on that island it seems unlikely you'll see it.

Yes, the Big Island of Hawaii.

sorry.. missed the Big Island reference...

thanks island


No worries. Thanks much for the reply.

You might have to send here to Maui or over to Oahu.

what you looking for...i think mechanically you shouldnt have a problem finding a performance shop to fix things "mechanically"

although if you keep upgrading and looking for someone to "tune" your computer.... that would have to be sent away to the mainland.. no one here in hawaii can do that for a BMW...

.... i've tried.. LOL

Alright, so the ECU work would have to go elsewhere. But anyone here should be able to fix a problem such as a boost leak or some mechanical FI-related problem right?

The number of members I know of here on the Big Isle can be counted on one hand, so you might have to do some research on your own. Contact the dealer if already have not, and see what shop or shops are doing warranty BMW work. That's probably the place to start, to see if they are capable or even want the business. If you have tuner shops out there you need to go look at them and talk to them, perhaps a Porsche mechanic or someone who works on japanese turbo cars.

I would consider a FI BMW a challenge to maintain on Oahu, so on the Big Isle I would imagine that you should be prepared for headaches and investment.

The number of members I know of here on the Big Isle can be counted on one hand, so you might have to do some research on your own. Contact the dealer if already have not, and see what shop or shops are doing warranty BMW work. That's probably the place to start, to see if they are capable or even want the business. If you have tuner shops out there you need to go look at them and talk to them, perhaps a Porsche mechanic or someone who works on japanese turbo cars.

I would consider a FI BMW a challenge to maintain on Oahu, so on the Big Isle I would imagine that you should be prepared for headaches and investment.

Thanks much for the response, but I already contacted the Oahu dealership a while ago. There is only one BMW warranty service bay here and they are totally useless and disgusting.

there are MULTIPLE members here on Oahu who have FI BMW's...

i know of 5 personally and 3 of the 5 do all their own work..

if your mechanically inclined, just maintaining an already installed FI kit, should not be too bad...

boost leaks and the such are usually pretty easy things to figure out and diagnose if your talking to the right person, and the forums here in the FI section are MORE than willing to help you answer any questions you have.

if your getting it installed in the mainland before you come here to HI, I would not be afraid... SHOULD (and i repeat, SHOULD) be ok, and be able to figure stuff out either on your own, or someone to help you out...

don't let you living on Hawaii deny you BOOST!!!!

$$$ denies me boost :mad :mad not the lack of information or mechanical know how... LOL

there are MULTIPLE members here on Oahu who have FI BMW's...

i know of 5 personally and 3 of the 5 do all their own work..

if your mechanically inclined, just maintaining an already installed FI kit, should not be too bad...

boost leaks and the such are usually pretty easy things to figure out and diagnose if your talking to the right person, and the forums here in the FI section are MORE than willing to help you answer any questions you have.

if your getting it installed in the mainland before you come here to HI, I would not be afraid... SHOULD (and i repeat, SHOULD) be ok, and be able to figure stuff out either on your own, or someone to help you out...

don't let you living on Hawaii deny you BOOST!!!!

$$$ denies me boost :mad :mad not the lack of information or mechanical know how... LOL

I am not mechanically competent at all. I can replace a flat tire and change oil, but that's it.

I'm a little more old school than 99M. I am still of the opinion that boosted cars are inherently fragile, at least much more so than NA cars.

No more turbos for me, although I am interested to see what folks do to the new twin-turbo 335i.

Island.. .I also agree with you that FI cars are more fragile, but when built correctly at levels that have been tested, with normal maintenance, like any other engine, they can be reliable.... Even HIGH boost engines, when built correctly, can be reliable also. Like the saying goes (my modified version at least), do it right the first time, and you shouldnt have to mess with it again

and with a mechanically inclined owner, the little extra maintenance, usually is worth it, for the "FUN" factor

Well the only dyno that actually gets used is Rob's, although I'm sure you can get a datalog file and send it off or something.

Mechanical things should be easy for any competent shop to figure out. Also, check out the SCCA and you might find enough appreciation to not even need boost (yet). We should be racing on the 27th of this month.

I am not mechanically competent at all. I can replace a flat tire and change oil, but that's it.Then I wouldn't go FI.

Then I wouldn't go FI.

+1.. at least not if your living here in HI

Oh well, fuck it then.

I think a person needs to know their car inside out before attempting FI. Spend some time to learn all you can about your car and how to take care of it. Then when you go FI and something goes wrong you can either fix it yourself or be intelligent when you have to take it to someone else.

"Because knowing is half the battle"............GI Joe

trade for a new 335is turbo + extended warranty...then maintenance is the dealers' problem.

trade for a new 335is turbo + extended warranty...then maintenance is the dealers' problem.Since you keep talking about it, why don't YOU get one and tell us if there are any problems. :D

Since you keep talking about it, why don't YOU get one and tell us if there are any problems. :D


we are know he wants one.... just waiting for him to actually DO IT!!! :buttrock

I think a person needs to know their car inside out before attempting FI. Spend some time to learn all you can about your car and how to take care of it. Then when you go FI and something goes wrong you can either fix it yourself or be intelligent when you have to take it to someone else.

"Because knowing is half the battle"............GI Joe

I agree with you, but how would you suggest going about learning about the ins-and-outs for E46 BMW's?

trade for a new 335is turbo + extended warranty...then maintenance is the dealers' problem.

Nope, I don't like the new design.

I agree with you, but how would you suggest going about learning about the ins-and-outs for E46 BMW's?Get the Bentley manual, read up on the boards (this one and a few others), etc.

Get the Bentley manual, read up on the boards (this one and a few others), etc.

Cool, amazon has the BMW 3 Series (E46) Service Manual: 1999-2005 for $81.87 (compared to $129.95 at the Bentley site)! I'm buying this and I'll give it a try.

you should be able to get it cheaper than that

check out bimmerzone, pelicanparts, turnermotorsports, bimmerworld, umnitza... all sorts of BMW specific sites..

got my E36 bentley for $47 shipped....

and the E46 board here on BFC is great also, just read, EVERYTHING

what I do with the E36M forum.. i read all the forums I can.... electrical, motor, suspension, interior, brakes.... the more I know, the more I'm prepared to fix my own car, and help other people out...

you should be able to get it cheaper than that

check out bimmerzone, pelicanparts, turnermotorsports, bimmerworld, umnitza... all sorts of BMW specific sites..

got my E36 bentley for $47 shipped....

and the E46 board here on BFC is great also, just read, EVERYTHING

what I do with the E36M forum.. i read all the forums I can.... electrical, motor, suspension, interior, brakes.... the more I know, the more I'm prepared to fix my own car, and help other people out...

And you've had no formal training in mechanics?

NONE!!!

im 23.. in the military and have learned everything about cars by doing it myself, and learning from others/forums/and books

I work for a shop (that specializes in BMWs) here on Maui. So if you have any questions that cannot be answered by the guys here, let me know and I will ask my boss.

NONE!!!

im 23.. in the military and have learned everything about cars by doing it myself, and learning from others/forums/and books

Props to you for being able to do it yourself. The funny thing is my dad was a master mechanic and could fix any vehicle (even tractors) and he had no formal training. Too bad I didn't get to learn from him (he's not in my life because my parents split up). So I guess we'll see if it's in the blood huh? :)

I work for a shop (that specializes in BMWs) here on Maui. So if you have any questions that cannot be answered by the guys here, let me know and I will ask my boss.

Thanks man, you rock :buttrock