Wish list from ESC

[grannyknot]

My 2008 coupe that I just got last Oct. has about 94,000 miles on it now, I'm the 3rd owner. I wasn't given much detail on how it was maintained although appears to be looked after. So I thought I would make a fresh start and replace most if not all wearable parts, here's my list so far. There is a few obvious things missing from the list and those items have already been replaced or have been purchase else where.
Please feel free to comment, none of it is in the cart just yet.

[Roadroach]

Looks like a couple of weekends of fun fun fun.

Pulling the head? Not sure why you need the head bolts.

I see the water pump - might need to consider thermostat and perhaps a new expansion tank.

Has the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield been replaced? I see the windshield trim piece in there (good). I replaced cowl cover on mine but I can't recall if the wiper arm gaskets you've listed were included with the cowl cover or not.

[zed_fan]

high pressure power steering hose
maybe new PS reservoir to replace the filter screen
new PS fluid
voltage regulator for the alternator
and most importantly -- new steering wheel and shift knob to get restored plastic trims and matte leather finish

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by Roadroach

Looks like a couple of weekends of fun fun fun.

Pulling the head? Not sure why you need the head bolts.

I see the water pump - might need to consider thermostat and perhaps a new expansion tank.

Has the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield been replaced? I see the windshield trim piece in there (good). I replaced cowl cover on mine but I can't recall if the wiper arm gaskets you've listed were included with the cowl cover or not.

It will be fun, sometimes I'd rather work on cars than drive them.
I have to do a compression test in the spring and decide then whether to tear down the engine or not, just buying the head bolts and complete gasket set just in case, not many places carrying them anymore.
Thermostat, yes, thanks. I thought it was just the E46M3's that had a self destructing expansion tank, the Z4 M's have one too?
The rubber seal on the top of the cowl is still in good shape but the gaskets around the wiper arms look terrible.

Originally Posted by zed_fan

high pressure power steering hose
maybe new PS reservoir to replace the filter screen
new PS fluid
voltage regulator for the alternator
and most importantly -- new steering wheel and shift knob to get restored plastic trims and matte leather finish

High pressure steering hose, yes, thanks. The reservoir has a non replaceable filter?
The alternator is original so I'll just get it rebuilt at a place near by.
I'm restoring the steering wheel this winter and have a Garagistic short shifter coming, they don't make a DSSR for the Z4M that's why I have the UUC selector rod on my list.

Thanks guys.

[3002 tii]

FYI for some of the smaller (or more expensive) wear and tear items I’d go with FCP Euro for free lifetime replacement. Ignition coils, rod bearings, rotors, etc would be good candidates. For items like the water pump that are BMW genuine, add few more items to hit free shipping and try Tischer (getbmwparts.com). I’d be surprised if ECS was cheaper than Tischer…

If you drove down to CT I’d ride you a smoking deal on my Apex EC-7s which come with tires

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

FYI for some of the smaller (or more expensive) wear and tear items I’d go with FCP Euro for free lifetime replacement. Ignition coils, rod bearings, rotors, etc would be good candidates. For items like the water pump that are BMW genuine, add few more items to hit free shipping and try Tischer (getbmwparts.com). I’d be surprised if ECS was cheaper than Tischer…
That's worth looking into although being in Canada the return shipping costs might just eat up any savings

If you drove down to CT I’d ride you a smoking deal on my Apex EC-7s which come with tires

I saw those, temping but I think those tires are bit much for me. I'm getting the 18" to replace 19" that I have right now to get another 1/2" of sidewall so the ride isn't so jarring
ECS will also ship those Apex wheels to my door at no extra cost.

[rsutoratosu]

I would be surprised if ecs sends anything.. there was a group over at fb, not sure if its still there but basically 6months + with no email and fake tracking #

FCP never fails and will warranty the parts for life.. even used oil.

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by rsutoratosu

I would be surprised if ecs sends anything.. there was a group over at fb, not sure if its still there but basically 6months + with no email and fake tracking #

FCP never fails and will warranty the parts for life.. even used oil.

That's not good ... I've never had any problem with them before. Is there anything else you can tell me about this group, thanks.

[maupineda]

Budget for the many of fasteners, etc you may need to replace.

[grannyknot]

rsutoratosu Thanks for that heads up, I was just about to tie up $6,000 with ECS. Searched online and there are a lot of complaints from 2015 right up to the present, seems crazy that they wouldn't fix these problems, it must be causing them a loss of revenue.

Originally Posted by maupineda

Budget for the many of fasteners, etc you may need to replace.

Do you know if there is a list of what bolts are a one time use? RealOEM doesn't mention anything on their lists.
Thanks

[pokeybritches]

If you are pulling the head, I would swap in ARP head studs rather than the factory bolts.

I have ordered from ECS for years, and every issue I've ever had was corrected to my satisfaction. ECS is part of a bigger network that includes Pelican Parts, Turner Motorsport, Bavarian Autosport, etc. They are a large company with large company problems, including small pockets of unhappy customers here and there. I also use Bimmerworld, EAS, FCP Euro, and others.

[wdb]

Thanks for posting pokeybritches . I've had dealings with FCP, ECS, Pelican, and others and with a small exception created by the recent supply chain issues I've been utterly happy with all of them. I don't order a ton of stuff though so didn't think I was qualified to comment.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Do you know if there is a list of what bolts are a one time use? RealOEM doesn't mention anything on their lists.
Thanks

I was about to link you to newtis but I see it has suffered nuclear annihilation. I pulled all my one time use and torque info from that site when I did the clutch etc. on my car. It's a big loss to the community.

[rsutoratosu]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

rsutoratosu Thanks for that heads up, I was just about to tie up $6,000 with ECS. Searched online and there are a lot of complaints from 2015 right up to the present, seems crazy that they wouldn't fix these problems, it must be causing them a loss of revenue.
Thanks

Ever since they got bought out, by bertram, its been bad. Not the workers fault, they been abused by management.. Lots of horror stories

Also on reseller ratings..
https://www.resellerratings.com/stor...ro_Car_Service

fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1969390720044815

https://www.bertramcapital.com/news/...ner-motorsport

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by wdb

I was about to link you to newtis but I see it has suffered nuclear annihilation. I pulled all my one time use and torque info from that site when I did the clutch etc. on my car. It's a big loss to the community.

Try this then click on the "right to repair" link
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/

[maupineda]

I have tried and registered myself in TIS, not that I really need it as I can access ISTA. But nice to have it working back again

[grannyknot]

[QUOTE
Do you know if there is a list of what bolts are a one time use? RealOEM doesn't mention anything on their lists.
Thanks[/QUOTE]
Zanne over on the British Z4-forum.com posted this, http://sawashie.free.fr/M3/TorqueSpe...SPECS%20LR.pdf
it is for an E46/M3 but all the crucial nuts and bolts are the same.

[elerner61]

I'm going to stick up for ECS. They've been good for me over the past 10+ years. I've always ordered my annual Oil change and other maintenance supplies from them without issue. In the past two months I was unhappy with a set of wiper blade inserts, and a liter of brake fluid arrived that was leaking in the bag. They corrected both of those situations without fuss.

I'm not saying other folks haven't been having difficulties, but it sounds like inconsistent service. I'll continue to order from them until it goes South for me.

Was just looking at your list and didn't see a new exhaust hub. Unless you know that the existing one was taken care of (new hub or new disc) then you should address it. DrVanos is one supplier (https://drvanos.com/collections/s54-vanos).

[grannyknot]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Was just looking at your list and didn't see a new exhaust hub. Unless you know that the existing one was taken care of (new hub or new disc) then you should address it. DrVanos is one supplier (https://drvanos.com/collections/s54-vanos).

Thanks, the PO had the entire Vanos gone through with new BMW seals and inspection before I bought the car. But I think I will still order the whole kit from Beisan.
As I understand it, once you install the redrilled pump disc there should be no reason for the tangs on the exhaust hub to break as the slack is gone.

[elerner61]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

Thanks, the PO had the entire Vanos gone through with new BMW seals and inspection before I bought the car. But I think I will still order the whole kit from Beisan.
As I understand it, once you install the redrilled pump disc there should be no reason for the tangs on the exhaust hub to break as the slack is gone.

That's correct.

[Unicorn123]

Interesting thread...

I looked at some of the links and the "ratings" for ECS Tuning. I have been using them for ~15 Years (however FCP Euro is my go to) for BMW and Audi parts. In general, they have been pretty good and I have not had any significant issues. I did complain several times to them regarding their packaging of parts with some success, and their projected delivery / ship dates are usually optimistic.

One link for feedback on ECS Tuning has 544 comments and has ECS Tuning rated at 1 star with 100% of the responses at this rating. As an engineer, I find this curious, as statistically, this would seem very unlikely...

Seems like there is a bit of a smear campaign going on here...

[Jony722si]

Hey, I could hook you up for some parts here in Canada, My friends shop gave me very good deal