I painted my bottle caps with Krylon (or whatever the popular hardware store brand was at the time) about 9 years ago and they still look great. Don't underestimate the quality of the off-the-shelf spray can paint. I think the key to the paint job lasting so well was that I did spend a lot of time thoroughly sanding the wheels by hand with a 180 grit wet paper prior to applying the paint.by akstraw - Community Forum
M52B28. Call me crazy, but I love the car. I think that sport tourings (of any make) tend to be less popular in the USA than in Europe, so nice used ones are few and far between. Hopefully this one will have been worth the trip in the long term.by akstraw - Car Talk
It has the M52 I6 engine, and the 5-speed steptronic transmission. I drove a 2001 with the V-8 earlier this year, but my BMW mechanic advised that long term I'd be much happier with the reliability, maintenance, and fuel economy of the six. The eight was extremely fun to drive, but the six is no slacker, either. Running between 70 and 80 mph for over six hours yesterday, I got 26.1 milesby akstraw - Car Talk
I just bought this 2000 E39 wagon -- 68,000 miles, one owner, and clean as a whistle. I flew from Charlotte to DC today to pick it up, and had a great 7-hour drive home. I still have the E30; I wanted something to drive on those days not fit for the convertible. Big fun! I hope the E39 forums are as friendly and helpful as this one.by akstraw - Car Talk
It was not as difficult as I initially imagined; I suppose the entire removal process took 20 minutes. You have to remove (in order) the left door sill (3 or 4 push rivets), the hood release handle (two screws), the left front kick panel (one screw), the left front speaker (three screws) , then the bracket that holds the module (two screws) and slide out the assembly. Once you unplug the moduleby akstraw - Technical Forum
Thanks for your inputs. It turned out that it was the fusible link on the card. I suppose when the solenoid siezed, it caused that to melt down. It's a pain to get to, but a pretty easy fix once you know what to do. I haven't taken apart the door solenoid to see what happened to it. It is actually the second one of these to go; I had the same issue wth the passenger side last year.by akstraw - Technical Forum
I'm not getting any action out of the central locking system. When I turn the key in the socket on either door, I can hear the relay (next to the central locking module) click, but no action at the lock mechanisms. The driver door solenoid had seized up, so I replaced it. I'm wondering whether the seized solenoid fried the central locking module. Has anybody had experience with centby akstraw - Technical Forum
Many of my acquaintances in the antique car hobby swear by SeaFoam. I have used it with noteworthy success on my 1993 F150 pickup (210K miles). Check it out, it may help.by akstraw - Car Talk
It's time to have the BMW repainted. I am looking for a re-finish in the same metallic silver that came from the factory; in other words, nothing terribly custom or upscale. I have two quotes, one for $2000 using PPG paint, and for $1250 using Lesonal paint. Both are basecoat/clearcoat systems. The first shop is highly regarded, and did some work for me 10 years ago under a prior owner.by akstraw - Car Talk
1929 Ford Truck - my first car; bought it when I was 13 years old for 25 bucks 1956 Cadillac Coupe deVille - a true dream cruiser; put on your best Elvis jumpsuit to drive this one! 1993 Ford F150 - my tow vehicle 1996 Ford Explorer - the wife's driver 2008 Infiniti M35x - my driver and of course, the 1987 325iC, because everybody in Carolina needs a convertible in the spring and fallby akstraw - Car Talk
My wife and I flew commercially last weekend. I hadn't traveled by air in a few months, so I was wondering what all the chatter was about. My conclusion: Nothing. The procedures were the same as they've always been. Follow the instructions, use your brain, and approach the whole exercise in a spirit of cooperation, and it's a breeze. I think it must be a slow news month for tby akstraw - Community Forum
Kelly, I have the same question you had back in February about new tires. I have a 1987 325ic, live in North Carolina, and am looking for a 3-season tire for normal street use. It currrently has the 195/60 R14 Michelin Roadhandler Sport tires that were on it when I bought it 12 years ago. I am running stock bottlecaps, and looking for a quiet ride with good rain performance. How are the Miby akstraw - Technical Forum
Wow, this dude likes to form and weld metal. And it looks like he is good at it, too.by akstraw - Community Forum
Word definitions aside, this was quite an informative thread. That's why I enjoy this forum so much. Thanks to all who contributed!by akstraw - Technical Forum
I watched the whole video. Kept waiting for the part with the e30's .... You've got a real talent, Brad. Thanks for sharing, and good luck in your new venture! Andyby akstraw - Community Forum
I have two; one is a Craftsman 3/8" drive, and the other is a NAPA house brand, 1/2" drive. Bought both on eBay; one new and one very near new, for about half retail price. I think the two brands are of comnparable quality. My younger brother, who is a pro, uses the Snap-On dial-type. Love them, but as was stated above, they're pricey; even on eBay.by akstraw - Community Forum
Mine actually seems fairly current. My neighbor's garage that he built last summer is on there. Also has a recent street-level view which is awesome --(how do they do that?)by akstraw - Community Forum
I agree that the difference is largely due to the ESP. Those modules are manufactured at a plant near me. I have seen some very interesting demo videos showing performance of a car with and without ESP on snow. It is amazing. I would not buy another car without it.by akstraw - Technical Forum
I think I'll just go with the AutoZone replacement. I will get a 15% or so credit because it was a 7-year battery. The solar battery tender is a good idea; I hadn't thought of that. By the way, the convertible battery is under the hood. Not sure why BMW put them in the trunk for other models. (Also not sure why I get a 15 lb block of cast iron in my trunk ?) It must have been a Mby akstraw - Technical Forum
It's time for a new battery in my 87 325ic. The current one was the house brand from AutoZone, and lasted about 5.5 years. I think I am hard on batteries since this is not my primary car, and it sits for weeks at a time during the winter. I don't have power nearby, or I would run a battery tender of some type on it. I am thinking about putting in an Optima brand gel battery. Theyby akstraw - Technical Forum