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Maintenance Log
Maintenance Log
This list shows a fairly complete account of everything I have done to this car since purchasing it in 2005. I may have forgotten a few things here & there (like checking fluids & such), but all the important stuff if here! If it wasn't obvious before, it should be now: E30s are big money pits!
  • Date
  • Description / Details
  • Odometer [mi]
  • Cost

  • 05/29/2011
  • Engine Overhaul 2011
  • 212,024
  • $800
  • Replaced timing chain deflector sprocket
  • Replaced ALL air/coolant/oil gaskets (except head gasket), coated both sides with Permatex high temperature non-curing gasket sealer
  • Replaced both profile gaskets, sealed with Permatex Ultra Black silicone RTV
  • Replaced oil pressure regulation valve with updated parts
  • Replaced ALL plastic and rubber air/coolant/oil hoses, boots, plugs, unions, elbows, O-rings, pipes
  • Replaced and sealed ALL metal O-rings
  • New NGK BKR6EK spark plugs
  • Replaced oil filler cap
  • Replaced coolant expansion tank and cap, tank bracket and coolant drain screw
  • Replaced water pump and thermostat
  • Replaced intake air filter
  • Replaced alternator/water pump V-belt and PS pump V-belt
  • Reset ECU / unplugged battery
  • Thoroughly cleaned oil pans, timing case, timing case covers, valve cover, oil filter housing, splash guard, skid plate
  • 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
  • Coolant flush + bleed
  • Repaired stripped threads in upper oil pan, timing case, cylinder head
  • Replaced missing M8x80 bolt in lower timing case, M6x18 bolts in lower oil pan
  • 05/15/2011
  • Fuel Injection Electrical System Maintenance
  • 211,729
  • $0
  • Cleaned carbon track on TPS
  • Reset ECU / unplugged battery
  • Separated LC-1 heater power and analog grounds (analog ground shared with Motronic, heater separate)
  • Connected ECU EGO "signal -" to LC-1 analog ground
  • Recalibrated LC-1 to have max output of 0.9V at rich condition
  • 05/07/2011
  • Fixed Fuel Injection Wiring + Other Maintenance
  • 211,333
  • $40
  • Repaired bad connection at fusible link on fuel injection systems main power wire
  • Replaced passenger side kick panel cover / speaker grille
  • Replaced backlight bulb in headlight switch panel
  • 04/11/2011
  • Oil Change + Other
  • 210,542
  • $50
  • 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
  • Checked other fluids - all OK
  • Replaced valve cover breather hose
  • 01/17/2011
  • Checked Tires
  • 208,097
  • $0
  • Inflated tires to 33 front / 35 rear
  • 01/02/2011
  • Driveline Fluid Purge, Bled Clutch
  • 207,654
  • $20
  • Bled clutch hydraulics, added ATE Super Blue fluid
  • Changed transmission fluid, used 1.3 qt. RedLine fully synthetic MTL
  • Changed differential fluid, used RedLine fully synthetic 75W-90 gear oil w/ additive for limited-slip units
  • 12/04/2010
  • Illuminated Shift Knob, Keyless Entry & General Maintenance
  • 206,865
  • $325
  • Installed OEM M-Technic shift knob & boot
  • Installed an Omega Research REC-43T keyless entry system
  • Replaced the following light bulbs: HVAC backlights, ash tray lights, OBC key backlight, glove box light, dome lights, all tail lights, trunk lid light, license plate lights
  • Checked fluids: added 2 quarts Mobil-1 10W-40 full synthetic, topped-off coolant with 50/50 antifreeze/D.I. water mix
  • 11/26/2010
  • New Rear View Mirror
  • 206,716
  • $55
  • Installed OEM rear view mirror with map lights
  • 11/25/2010
  • Rebuilt Driver's Side Door Lock
  • 206,680
  • $35
  • Rebuilt driver's side door lock assembly
  • 07/30/2010
  • Oil Change + Antenna Replacement + New Shocks
  • 202,524
  • $600
  • 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
  • New Hirschmann OEM power antenna
  • New Bilstein HD shock absorbers
  • 06/16/2010
  • Oil + Battery Check
  • 200,495
  • $50
  • 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • Checked battery voltage: 12.4V off, 13.8V running
  • 05/21/2010
  • Sunroof & Exhaust Maintenance + Tire Check
  • 199,663
  • $70
  • Replaced sunroof guide rails
  • Installed Damplifier & thermal pad on sunroof
  • Fixed exhaust leaks on downpipe
  • Inflated tires to: 31 psi front / 33 psi rear
  • 05/16/2010
  • General Maintenance
  • 194,440
  • $50
  • Replaced hood ground strap
  • Replaced battery negative cable
  • Installed Damplifier & thermal pads on hood
  • 05/02/2010
  • Fuel System Overhaul
  • 198,921
  • $200
  • Installed TRE Performance 255LPH fuel pump
  • New fuel filter
  • Replaced all soft fuel lines
  • Installed Bosch EV6 209 cc/min injectors
  • Reset ECU
  • 04/18/2010
  • Replaced Weatherstripping
  • 198,200
  • $240
  • Replaced hood, trunk & sunroof weatherstripping
  • 04/17/2010
  • Oil & Tire Check
  • 197,960
  • $7
  • Added 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • Tires inflated to: 32 psi front / 34 psi rear
  • 02/06/2010
  • New HID Kit
  • 195,823
  • $60
  • New DDM low-profile 35W 4500K kit w/ relay harness
  • 02/01/2010
  • MAF Converter Rebuild
  • 195,730
  • $20
  • Built converter circuit into EMI-shielded case, update to PICWare 5.3
  • 01/30/2010
  • Oil Change
  • 195,540
  • $40
  • 4 quarts RedLine 10W-40 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
  • 01/23/2010
  • Exhaust Maintenance
  • 195,141
  • $25
  • Replaced all rubber exhaust hanger parts
  • 01/22/2010
  • Checked Tires
  • 195,099
  • $0
  • Tires inflated to: 31 psi front / 33 psi rear
  • 12/21/2009
  • Cleaned MAF Sensor
  • 192,999
  • $0
  • Cleaned MAF sensor with contact cleaner & Isopropyl alcohol
  • 11/28/2009
  • Winter Engine Maintenance
  • 192,405
  • $600
  • Replaced all V-belts
  • New throttle cable
  • New stock Mahle air filter
  • New cooling fan clutch
  • New stock spark plugs (NGK BKR6EK)
  • New ignition coils (Bremi/STI 11859T)
  • New ignition coil boots (Bremi 13249A1.8)
  • Replaced timing chain tensioner piston
  • New Bosch LSU 4.2 WB EGO sensor
  • Z3 1.9L "short shift" kit
  • Replaced water pump and thermostat (88°C)
  • Reset ECU
  • 11/23/2009
  • Oil Check
  • 192,080
  • $8
  • Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • 10/10/2009
  • Oil Check
  • 190,036
  • $7
  • Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • 08/25/2009
  • New Catalytic Converter
  • 188,520
  • $200
  • Replaced catalytic converter with CA-legal unit for SMOG test
  • Passed SMOG test with wide margin
  • 08/21/2009
  • Oil Check
  • 188,276
  • $7
  • Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • 08/12/2009
  • New Upholstery
  • 187,800
  • $900
  • Reupholstered all seats with micro-suede upholstery kit from Creative Options
  • 08/03/2009
  • Recalibrated LC-1 Controller
  • 187,557
  • $0
  • Reset WBO2 calibration data & ECU
  • 05/29/2009
  • New Tires + Alignment
  • 185,095
  • $350
  • Four new Bridgestone Potenza RE950AS tires
  • Wheels balanced + alignment @ Custom Alignment of Mountain View, CA
  • 05/27/2009
  • 13-Button OBC Retrofit
  • 185,043
  • $80
  • Installed E30 13-button OBC
  • 05/26/2009
  • Oil Change
  • 184,996
  • $52
  • 4 quarts RedLine 10W-40 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
  • 04/25/2009
  • Checked Fluids
  • 183,320
  • $0
  • Checked all vehicle fluids, all levels OK
  • 04/02/2009
  • Replaced Front Control Arm Bushings
  • 182,092
  • $100
  • Replaced FCABs with 1996 M3 solid bushings (PN 31-12-9-069-035)
  • Suspension alignment
  • 03/19/2009
  • Bled Brakes
  • 181,575
  • $0
  • Bled brakes, added ATE amber brake fluid
  • 03/11/2009
  • Suspension & Chassis Overhaul
  • 181,535
  • $500
  • New stock engine mounts
  • New stock transmission mounts
  • New stock rear trailing arm bushings
  • New stock rear subframe mounts
  • New stock differential bushing
  • New rear wheel bearings
  • 03/09/2009
  • Weatherstripping & Speakers
  • 181,445
  • $180
  • Replaced door weatherstripping (both sides)
  • Installed Hi-Vi 6.5" co-axial speakers in front kick panels
  • 03/09/2009
  • Oil Check
  • 181,445
  • $7
  • Added 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • 01/10/2009
  • Brake Maintenance & Bumper Trim
  • 178,848
  • $260
  • Replaced brake pads: Axxis Ultimate
  • Resurfaced rotors
  • Bled Brakes
  • Installed Euro Bumper Trim
  • 10/19/2008
  • Oil Change
  • 175,133
  • $40
  • 4 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
  • 09/16/2008
  • Installed Sound Deadening
  • 173,750
  • $550
  • Removed all stock tar damping panels
  • Installed Damplifier rubber/aluminum damping material on all interior surfaces & panels
  • Installed 1/8" closed cell foam on top of Damplifier
  • 08/25/2008
  • Replaced LC-1 Control Module
  • 172,459
  • $0
  • LC-1 control module died - replaced under warranty
  • 08/24/2008
  • Exhaust Maintenance
  • 172,401
  • $60
  • Replaced muffler straps & hangers
  • 07/31/2008
  • Ignition Maintenance
  • 171,258
  • $30
  • New stock spark plugs (NGK BKR6EK)
  • Replaced ignition coils (Bremi/STI 11859T)
  • 07/10/2008
  • Checked Tire Inflation
  • 170,613
  • $0
  • Tires inflated to: 32 psi front / 34 psi rear
  • 07/08/2008
  • Misc. Chassis Maintenance
  • 170,568
  • $50
  • Repaired & repainted front "iS" lip
  • Reinforced skid plate mounting points
  • Replaced transmission & differential fluids with RedLine lubricants
  • 07/01/2008
  • Replaced Rear Subframe Bushings + Oil Check
  • 170,104
  • $112
  • Replaced old polyurethane subframe mounts with new poly ones
  • Added 2 quarts of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
  • 06/30/2008
  • Installed Differential
  • 170,092
  • $200
  • Installed used 4.10 small-case LSD
  • 05/24/2008
  • Replaced Oxygen Sensor + Misc.
  • 169,115
  • $70
  • Replaced Bosch LSU 4.2 WB EGO Sensor
  • Checked battery water level and removed corrosion from posts
  • 03/01/2008
  • Rebuilt Vacuum System
  • 165,331
  • $100
  • Replaced all vacuum hoses and intake boot
  • 02/29/2008
  • Oil Change + Misc.
  • 165,041
  • $35
  • 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
  • Checked upper oil pan bolts
  • 10/10/2005
  • Post-Purchase Maintenance [First 3 Years]
  • 140,400
  • $2000
  • Complete timing case rebuild (all parts replaced)
  • Installed Z3 1.9L steering rack
  • Replaced alternator
  • MAF conversion V5
  • Paint restoration
  • Installed OEM skid plate
  • Installed LC-1 WBO2 System
  • New brake pads & rotors, rebuilt calipers, ATE amber brake fluid
  • [4 oil changes, all Mahle filters & Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic]
  • Welded in reinforcements for rear anti-roll bars
  • Boge TurboGas shocks + suspension alignment
  • New driveshaft center support bushing/bearing
  • New guibo
  • Custom coil-on-plug ignition conversion
  • Replaced tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE950
  • New catalytic converter (~12/2005)
  • Passed 2007 SMOG test with narrow margin
  • Installed ApexCone 35W 4500K HID kit