M Repair: Code Reading, a Test Drive, and a New Battery

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
02/03/2015 at 19:54 • Filed to: Steno's M3

I didn't really do much today. Mostly because I came home sick from school. My dad did do a few things and once I took a nap and started feeling a bit better, I did some too.

First, we finally dealt with the battery dying by just getting a new battery. There was a bad cell in the old one. $170 later and I've got a fresh battery in the trunk. No more starting issue!

Then we changed the fog light bulbs. The fog light removal process is a bit strange, but once we got them out we learned one was Hella and the other was some other company. Swapped the bulbs, fixed the wires in one, and I now have really fucking bright fog lights. Those Sylvania SilverStar bulbs could substitute as a second sun.

We bought a code reader to see if we could clear the airbag light to no avail. We're just going to have to take it somewhere or something.

I also had to take it on a test drive to allow the code reader to read the whole system. Drove about 7 miles and oh my god the shocks are terrible. This thing rolls like the Safari in corners and little bumps feel like mountains. When I get on the gas the back end drops and front end lifts incredibly too much. We're ordering new ones some time this week.

DISCUSSION (26)

Nibby > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 19:56

Battery in the trunk? :(

We'll need that space it takes up...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Nibby
02/03/2015 at 19:58

The trunk is small as it is because of the full-size spare, might as well use a cubic foot for the battery.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 19:59

Get that Plasti Dip off the roof!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
02/03/2015 at 20:00

But I like it!*

*I'm actually just scared that the paint is fucked under it. I'm peeling it all this weekend maybe.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:03

The dip on the wheels isn't too bad. But the roof looks kinda ricey, if you like it I'd suggest you peel it off everything and just do it again if you like.

Nibby > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:05

DAMN IT I TOLD YOU WE NEEDED A 7 SERIES FOR THE DEAD HOOKER STORAGE

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
02/03/2015 at 20:05

I might redip everything that is right now. The wheels were half-assed and look eh and the roof has some spots where it's chipped off.

I mainly like it because I'm really not a fan of silver cars but the wheels, black trim, and roof being black break up the boringness of it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Nibby
02/03/2015 at 20:06

FIND ME A BLACK 740i ON M PARALLELS WHO WILL TRADE FOR THE M3 AND WE'LL TALK.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:07

If the roof paint is oxidized and peeling, then definitely redo it.

Found any good lights?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:08

to reset airbag codes, you need a $200-500 tool. look for a BMW specialist and see if they can reset it, it could be cheaper. on that subject, my father's E90 had an intermittent airbag light.

What kind of code reader did you get? I have two $10 ones.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
02/03/2015 at 20:08

Not yet. We need to get lights for both ends though because the tails fog up and the fronts are just ugly, but do work rather well..

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
02/03/2015 at 20:10

Oh Jesus fuck. My dad has a friend who works for a luxury car dealer group who might have access to one.

Some $50 one from Innova it's a pretty good one.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:14

So, the Innova 3030? That brand also made my multimeter.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:24

Nice, nice. Timing belt?

BLCKSTRM > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:29

I was thinking the same thing about the roof. I'd leave it until you're ready to do some other painting just in case it's a mess underneath.

The airbag doesn't work with the normal code reader. You need the airbag specific airbag tool. It's probably worth joining the local BMW club to get access to borrow their tools, which should include the airbag tool.

It will be able to tell you why the light is on, which is probably the pyro tensioner in the passenger receptacle. You can also try clearing it with that tool, but it may not stay off if it gets an error again.

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:29

Get some hella yellow fog light bulbs. cheap and REALLY bright.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Nibby
02/03/2015 at 20:42

Kinja'd!!!

it's 3 in the e38 to be exact.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
02/03/2015 at 20:49

Belt? I thought these had chains?

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 20:54

Ah, I was unsure of that. Thought you might know.

You should be good then, at least the E36 isn't known for S4'ing itself.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
02/03/2015 at 20:59

It's a chain. I remember looking this up because I'm scared to death of cars with timing belts.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 21:07

Nice.

Timing belt's are usually alright if they have been replaced at the proper in intervals. Volkswagen suggests 120,000 I believe, but it is entirely possible for it to fail before or after that.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 21:17

Came home "sick" from school. We all know you just wanted to be with your car.

Also how the fuck did a batter cost $170? I have never paid more than $100 for one

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/03/2015 at 21:31

No, I genuinely couldn't stand without getting light headed and was sweating in a 70 degree shop like it was 100+ out.

Some fancy Euro battery. We've never paid less than $100 for a battery though. I guess we get high end ones or something.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 21:57

Nice how the M3 is slowly but constantly improving. Looking forward to more.

BrashL > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 23:22

Have you looked into buying a cable to connect your OBD2? I had an E90 for a month before some kid crashed into it but while I had it I was able to code it with one. BMW is weird, am off-the-shelf reader won't tell you much, but with a $30 cable you can setup your laptop to be the same as the dealer has.

Worth looking into before you give money to the dealer. Also do new batteries not require coding? I know the E90 did.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
02/03/2015 at 23:27

Weird. I usually get my batteries from a battery store and they are way cheaper than an auto parts place