Ok so for those of you who are following my other thread in here (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=941360), I have decided to start looking for that pedal that has been missing since it left the factory (aka A manual swap is in order). I called Kensington Autoworks (great people fyi) and told the owner, Owen, that I'm looking to swap the origional tranny. He's going to call back in a few minutes with information on a new tranny I believe.

Oh, and Howard, I told him that you recommended me, so I think you get brownie points :buttrock

Brownie points are great. Owen is an awesome guy to deal with.

Fred get a mod to merge both of your threads.

So the shop just called.
Apparently my brakes haven't been changed in a long time. So long in fact that the bolts are seized to the hub (whatever that means). So they said that they are going to try and heat up the bolts to take them out, but they said that might damage the wheel. Now, I really hate my wheels (with a passion), but if the bolts broke, wouldn't that render the wheels unusable? If I had the cash, I would just say hell with it and finally go with BBS's, but in the high school world, money is tight.

Any ideas what to do?

-Fred

(PS: mike, i PM'd a mod to merge them :) )

wd-40? i thought mine were seized to, just get the jack from the back and put it on then step on it and jump on it, should move

wd-40? i thought mine were seized to, just get the jack from the back and put it on then step on it and jump on it, should move

I would do that myself if I had the car right now. But i also wouldn't want to brake the bolt inside the wheel. :(

dont think they would break if u smothered WD-40 on them, and if they broke you could save the wheels and get new lugs

if they break drill a hole almost the size of the hole lug in them then hit it with a hammer, maybe crack it then pry them out

if the shop cant remove a seized wheel bolt...maybe you need a new shop?

if the shop cant remove a seized wheel bolt...maybe you need a new shop?
Funny part is:
Its a dealership :confused

Funny part is:
Its a dealership :confused
Yeah, but that dealership happens to be BMW of Stratham :rolleyes

fred, who has the car? BMW or Owen?

Why can't BMW get the bolt off? That makes no sense!

It's probably Kenny's day off and some new kid is afraid to take an impact gun to them, or ran out of whatever it is BMW uses for rusty parts.

Actually most of the techs over there don't know what to do with rust or E36's for that matter as they are all trained on E90's and some are trained on E46's. But most probably don't have E36 training and are too used to warranty work at this point.

I'd just get your car and take it to owen.

He'll get it off.

I'd just get your car and take it to owen.
He'll get it off.

Im at the point where I'm seconds away from doing that. Owen is looking for a manual transmission for me as we speak. I think i found my new indy shop. I'm so fed up with all this dealership bullshit. First with the huge $7,000 bill to fix a few minute problems (and then saying that a failed coil pack would be causing a 400rpm idle), and now this.

Though this would be a good excuse to get some BBS's, but I would like to drive my car sometime soon.

I'm going to call Owen now.

Yeah I'm getting real tired of BMW and their shennanigans. Most of their techs suck, and as far as I'm concerned, Kenny's workmanship has been going downhill. It got to the point with my Dad's car that Kenny was half-assing so much stuff, he didn't want to go there anymore. The one time that we've been back since then was for my car, and they tried to sell me $2k worth of repairs, and I didn't actually need any of them.

Hahaha. Rust FTL.

They should use a lil penetrant and a dead blow hammer. Nubz.

If they're talking about the rotor fixing bolt, drill. If the rotors don't need to be used again, hammer.

If they're talking about the rotor fixing bolt, drill. If the rotors don't need to be used again, hammer.

THATS WHAT I SAID :mad
It's in for a complete brake job. New rotors, calipers, pads, everything.

I thought you had no money...how will you afford wheels? :dunno

Good luck with the Tranny Swap..I hope everything works out!

brake job at the dealer??? you're nuts...

should just take it to owen!!!

did you at least get a loaner car? that's about the only time I take my non-warranty work to them. If I know it'll take a few days to do and I want a loaner. Had the stealer do a brake caliper on my E30 once when I had just had shoulder surgery (so I couldn't do it myself) and needed the loaner car (E46 was in storage).

But if you're not getting a loaner to drive around then indy is the way to go. Dealer makes no sense, especially on older cars.

Look at it this way.

Dealer hourly rate = $95
Indy hourly rate (owen) = $65

Parts at dealer = FULL retail
Parts at indy = wholesale + markup which is less than FULL retail

To me it is a no brainer. Indy FTW and if you are talking BMW then Owen FTW. Yes there are indy guys out there like burn's guy, but he is used to working on nicer cars like the dealer usually sees. Owen has the same training as the dealer and burn's guy but the added ability of working on some of the POS's that come to his shop. Like my E30!

Talk about a rust bucket. Although most restored my E30 still has some original parts that are a wee bit rusty.

Anyways, Fred, GO GET YOUR CAR AND TELL THEM TO STOP!!!

I'll even give you a ride home from Owens.

I thought you had no money...how will you afford wheels? :dunno

Good luck with the Tranny Swap..I hope everything works out!

I don't have any money haha
If I do have to go the route of new wheels, I won't have the new bumper, mirrors and sideskirts painted and installed. :(

D Force Wheels. It's the way to go. :)

D Force Wheels. It's the way to go. :)
Well I'm trying not to shop for wheels, but if i have to...

brake job at the dealer??? you're nuts...

should just take it to owen!!!

did you at least get a loaner car? that's about the only time I take my non-warranty work to them. If I know it'll take a few days to do and I want a loaner. Had the stealer do a brake caliper on my E30 once when I had just had shoulder surgery (so I couldn't do it myself) and needed the loaner car (E46 was in storage).

But if you're not getting a loaner to drive around then indy is the way to go. Dealer makes no sense, especially on older cars.

Look at it this way.

Dealer hourly rate = $95
Indy hourly rate (owen) = $65

Parts at dealer = FULL retail
Parts at indy = wholesale + markup which is less than FULL retail

To me it is a no brainer. Indy FTW and if you are talking BMW then Owen FTW. Yes there are indy guys out there like burn's guy, but he is used to working on nicer cars like the dealer usually sees. Owen has the same training as the dealer and burn's guy but the added ability of working on some of the POS's that come to his shop. Like my E30!

Talk about a rust bucket. Although most restored my E30 still has some original parts that are a wee bit rusty.

Anyways, Fred, GO GET YOUR CAR AND TELL THEM TO STOP!!!

I'll even give you a ride home from Owens.
Yeah my guy is great with the new stuff, but he knows the older models, too. Plus he has one loaner now, a 528e in great shape, and soon to be two when he gets done fixing up the E30iX. The guy worked for BMW Peabody for about 15 years, and has been working at Turner for the last 2 or 3.

BTW Fred he told me to let you know that he can get the taillights and other stuff you need if you want.

Wow NHSkiBM I didn't even see your post there.
I have seen the light and I'm going indy from now on. I didn't get a loaner car because I guess that the dealer's insurance comp requires you to be 21 (which I am not).
Funny story time:

My neighbor Jane (very funny lady fyi) gave me a ride over to the dreaded dealership. She went on talking to the lady at the front desk while I went to talk to Vic, the parts guy. Kenny (shop foreman) came out and wanted me to see my car. He didn't want to be held responsible for braking my wheels so he chose not to do the job. I asked him to borrow one of those torque renches, put it in the lug nut hole, and as Kenny turned the other way, I jumped on it.
Problem Solved.

I don't question Kenny's judgment because hes a personal friend of mine and is qualified for the job, but in today's society where everyone sues everone, I don't blame him for the choice he made.

I'm going to only forum recommended people/indy shops from now on.

oh Tim, I just bought clears yesterday :mad

Argh. There are too many Freds in this thread!

I hope you didn't jump on a torque wrench, I hope you jumped on a breaker bar!

I understand your trust in Kenny, I don't know him personally and only have our experience to go on. But I'm glad to hear you got that bolt out! I'll be going to Bavarian after work today to hang out with mikey and see about some accessories. Want me to see if we have any bargain wheels there?

I carry a breaker bar in my trunk 17mm FTW...

I understand your trust in Kenny, I don't know him personally and only have our experience to go on. But I'm glad to hear you got that bolt out! I'll be going to Bavarian after work today to hang out with mikey and see about some accessories. Want me to see if we have any bargain wheels there?

who would want to hang with mikey???










:D

Mostly because he's the only one there after 5, and he sits there bored all day with nothing to do

Want me to see if we have any bargain wheels there?


D Force LTW5's? :evil2

I saw Mike today!

Hahaha. Rust FTL.

They should use a lil penetrant and a dead blow hammer. Nubz.

If they're talking about the rotor fixing bolt, drill. If the rotors don't need to be used again, hammer.

HAMMER time!!

but good thing u got the bolt out, and learn to do brakes yourself, come out cheaper and u get your hands dirty


your getting a new bumper..... hmm what do u want for the cracked one?? and i hope u went to ddm for the new one

fred, I'd like to show you a couple pictures of my E36...

These are OE E46 17" rims. The punch line of this is $400 WITH RUBBER for the Set!!!

Go to E46 Fanatics.com and check out what people are selling. IMO BMW rims just look right and I personally prefer them to aftermarket rims.

But I would suspect you could get these (or other stock E46 sport rims) for similar money...

I agree, I almost always think an OEM upgrade will look better. That's why I'll be getting 19" Alpina Roadster reps for mine :D

Your car looks real clean. When I was working at Ira (for 2 months) I think I saw it, or at least saw an E36 M3 with those on it. Looked nice.

I agree. Stock wheels look the best..But I'll fire up a set of D Force for racing..

I agree, I almost always think an OEM upgrade will look better. That's why I'll be getting 19" Alpina Roadster reps for mine :D

I might be able to get those for you. :D

I might be able to get those for you. :D
Oh rly? Do tell :cool

I'm not really wheel shopping just yet. Though by the summer these stupid Voxx's have to go.

your getting a new bumper..... hmm what do u want for the cracked one?? and i hope u went to ddm for the new one

Of course I did.
As for the bumper thats on there now...
Free , local pickup?

sweet, project car gets new bumper lol

tell me when u get the new bumper and ill pick up the old one, im gonna order one from ddm too but i wanna see how my painting skills are, if i suck.... ill get the ddm one professionally painted

Your car looks real clean. When I was working at Ira (for 2 months) I think I saw it, or at least saw an E36 M3 with those on it. Looked nice.

I agree. Stock wheels look the best..But I'll fire up a set of D Force for racing..

I actually don't own it anymore. Had it from October 2006 to October 2007.

It was probably mine that you saw although it was a debadged 328is with M-tech from the factory.

The ONLY difference on the body between mine and the M3 was the grille on the bumper and the side moulding. My car had slats instead on mesh and then it just had ///M not ///m3 on the side mouldings.

The license plate had CHRLFT on it too.

But those rims I picked up in 2003 for an E46 I had and then when I had ZHP rims on my 2nd E46 I used those for snows. Bought them from a guy for $400 with blizzaks on them.

When I got the E36 the E46 didn't see the winter and I threw those on. Best damn purchase ever though.

It just dawned on me. I still have to get my car inspected. My car isnt exactly up to par as far as state inspection would go (aka none of my windows work). Is there any local places that would pass it? There was a place in Seabrook, NH that I was going to go when I originally got the car that would pass anything with wheels, but that's when I got in my first accident, so I'm not venturing back there. Any place local?

-FredS
(Not to be confused with FredK)

I normally use Mobil in North Hampton on Rt.1, but I'm not sure if they let stuff slide there.

Fred,

I don't think the windows are going to be a problem. I don't know anyone in NH that I've ever been to that even tried my windows when inspecting my car.

Just take you car to Owen already and let him look it over. Stop using the Dealer who doesn't really want to work on your car anyways! They usually give HUGE quotes when they don't really want the work this way they try to scare you away, but if they can't scare you away then they make good coin with the huge quote!

Go to an indy. Let them tell you why you don't pass.

My .02

I'm definitely done with the dealershit. Owen is my new guy. :naughty

wheels. cheap. BMW. Look ok on an E36

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=493828&page=2

$220 or best offer. I mean really. $50 a rim. WOW.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=545691

or these. coulda had em for $200 with rubber. DAMN is all I can say.

wheels. cheap. BMW. Look ok on an E36

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=493828&page=2

$220 or best offer. I mean really. $50 a rim. WOW.

:evil2 Thinging about this...

don't think too long. that is a STEAL!!! and I've seen them on an E36. Not bad at all.

UPDATE:
Ok so the freaking dealership screwed me over again. My car went in for brakes, ICV replacement and a new guibo. Now there telling me I need a new heater core, new lights all around and on top of that THEY BROKE MY o2 SENSOR! I asked if they were going to replace it, and her response was "Well...it could have been broken before we received the car..." BULLSHIT!! When I droped the car off, the check engine light was not illuminated. I'm so screwed. I warned them not to touch another thing on the car and that I'm picking it up monday.

Does anybody have and know how to replace an o2 sensor?

here you go
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-O2_Sensor/E36-O2_Sensor.htm

here you go
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-O2_Sensor/E36-O2_Sensor.htm


Thanks man!
Just put it in.
And for anti-seize liquid, i used the tears of the service people, from when complained for a good 45min.

Yo Fred I just saw your car there today! We were there drooling on the Alpina B7.

Yo Fred I just saw your car there today! We were there drooling on the Alpina B7.

:drool:

I would easily trade my family for that car.

:drool:

I would easily trade my family for that car.

+1000000000000^9

They won't even let anyone drive it, the thing still has 24 miles on the odo.

who would want to hang with mikey???












:D


:rolleyes Thanks.....

Okay so heres the plan:
Me and tim will drill a tunnel under the B7 while howard creates a distraction. We'll do it like the italian job

Haha that's the best idea ever. How would we ever drive it though? I think they'd notice, considering there's only 100 of them. Not like they'd be able to catch us!

Okay so heres the plan:
Me and tim will drill a tunnel under the B7 while howard creates a distraction. We'll do it like the italian job

Why do all that work for the B7? Just get dressed up as one of the tech and say you will bring it around the back for a prep or check up! :devillook After that bring it to a local meet to share the drive with the rest of the NE members.:stickoutt Of course we'll do a change of color first with vinyl wraps.

Yeah I think you should tell the dealership to screw it and take your bimmer elsewhere. Complain to the dealership GM about the bad services you received and notify them that you will bring this bad experience up to BMW NA headquarter.

Why do all that work for the B7? Just get dressed up as one of the tech and say you will bring it around the back for a prep or check up! :devillook After that bring it to a local meet to share the drive with the rest of the NE members.:stickoutt Of course we'll do a change of color first with vinyl wraps.
The sales manager won't let the car move an inch. They won't even let anyone test drive it unless they are 99% sure they're going to buy it. And why would you want to change the color, it's already Alpina Blau :D

god i just looked that thing up...... ugly, im not a fan of the styling of the new 7's


if you want a v8 with 500hp get one of the new M3's

god i just looked that thing up...... ugly, im not a fan of the styling of the new 7's


if you want a v8 with 500hp get one of the new M3's
There is almost no comparison between those two cars with the exception of the fact that they are both BMW's. And that car is definitely one that you have to see, and sit in, to believe. Just trust me.

Three pages of posts and no one mentioned that fact that removing a stuck lug bolt should never damage a wheel?? The bolts aren't attached to the wheel, they bolt into the hub. A freakin dealership should be used to this...they just wanted to charge you more. Breaks are so easy to do, and yes an old car will likely have lots of siezed bolts but still...not hard.

:worship:http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/post-wd40.jpg:worship:

I'll use the Touring to help distract everyone...

Yes, perfect, the plan is coming together nicely

why not just do it gone in 60 second style?

drive through the window?

^ :rofl :lol

btw my car is done. Next Step: Paint and Body
It's not Ira-bound, so I'm not really worried.
I'm still waiting on my H&R's, but everything else came today (bumpers, rockers, mirrors, ignition coils, plugs, intake boot, ICV, and tail lights).
Next Step (This summer some time): Wheels!

tail lights? upgrading to clears?

^ :rofl :lol

btw my car is done. Next Step: Paint and Body
It's not Ira-bound, so I'm not really worried.
I'm still waiting on my H&R's, but everything else came today (bumpers, rockers, mirrors, ignition coils, plugs, intake boot, ICV, and tail lights).
Next Step (This summer some time): Wheels!
Good to hear that, when will it be back on the road? Mine was supposed to be getting fixed this weekend, but now it has to wait until next weekend :( I want my leaks to go away!

It's M weather out there today! Get that thing on the road asap!

It's M weather out there today! Get that thing on the road asap!

It is? It more like Xdrive or Subie weather.

It is? It more like Xdrive or Subie weather.

Or Altima into a tree Weather? :nono

Or Altima into a tree Weather? :nono
:rofl:
Be careful about that understeer

Apparently I need a metric tool kit, so after I find one, it's off to the body shop, then to get inspected. w00t w00t
So it will be road bound sometime around May :lol

Just drive around with the panels unpainted, ghetto ///M stylie