E46 newbie w/ basic maintenance questions..Code reader?

[b. hilliard]

Hi-
Just purchased a 2000 323i with 105k mi and auto tranny for my wife this week, and I have a few basic questions:
From the PPI done, it was stated that the exhaust cam sensor needs to be replaced, however the previous owner has already done that himself. How do I clear that out of the code memory? Does a Peake tool accomplish this? I'm afraid it wont' pass Mass. inspection w/out this cleared... what about the oil change reset? All done with the same tool? I'm willing to buy a good code reader if I can continue to do all my own work.

Do you really have to go to a dealer to flush the brake fluid? I have a Bentley manual and that's about all it says... yikes!?

Rear pads will need replacing soon... and rotors look original. Should I try and resurface them, or just throw on new ones? I don't have a micrometer... It looks like new rotors might cost about 50.00 more than resurfacing old ones.. seems cheap to me.
Thanks for advice/ help

[b. hilliard]

One thing to add..
I want to change the tranny fluid in the automatic, and I see Pelican offers 2 service kits; one on cars built to 05/00 and then another from 05/00 to model year 04. I'm assuming they changed transmission manufacturers at this point. Our car's build date is 05/00... how do I know which tranny I have? Which is better and why did they change?
Thanks again..
Brian

[Jeron]

Whether or not to change the E46 tranny fluid is problematic.
1. Some mechanics say not to change it if you have waited beyond 70k because it could loosen sludge and cause it to go bad.
2. The fluid alone is over $200.
3. The change process is very difficult and I would only have it done by a mechanic that had done a few before.

I'm still undecided but I will probably have mine done in a few months at 65k.

DON'T resurface the rotors. Buy a deep throat micrometer for $30 or just change the rotors every other set of pads.

You can flush your own brakes. Get a Motive Power bleeder and take your time.

There are Peake tools and others that will reset your service light and reset the oil change interval. I think your year will NOT allow you to reset by a secret procedure at the dash. We have discussed this here in the last couple of weeks.

You can also buy a software based OBD reader like Autoenginuity which runs from a laptop or PPC. I like mine and I use it for timing during racing.

I'm sure I didnt answer all of your ?'s. Feel free to ask again.

[b. hilliard]

Hi Jeron-
Thanks for the advice.

Regarding the transmission flush, I talked to a dealer today who said I have the ZF tranny and NOT to change the fluid. I'm confused because I've only heard that changing it will prolong the life, otherwise it will die an expensive death... I'll keep digging around. Do you have an automatic that you've put on the track?

I recently bought a small suction type bleeder for my Porsche brakes that worked OK (still had to the old faithful style with someone pumping the brakes)... is the Motive Power Bleeder the type that pressurizes the master and is it a required upgrade?

I'll take your advice on the rotors..

The Peake tool sounds like the way to go for oil changes, etc, but I'm still not sure if it will reset things like the exhaust cam sensor (or is that what you meant by the service light?) I just want it to be out of the computer... I probably will stay away from the software version as I don't have a laptop or a Palm... I'm low tech

Thanks for your help again!
Brian

[Jeron]

The dealer will always say not to change it.

I ordered the filter and gasket from Pelican and planned to change it at a club DIY under the supervision of the club sponsor mechanics. They said it could only be changed with the engine staring out dead cold. And tried to talk me out of changing it altogether although they admitted if they owned the car and planned to keep it over 100k they would probably change it.

If I decide to change it I will have a club sponsor mechanic do it.
But even the mechanic I plan yo use worries about changing ATF after it has been in 100k. Mine is under 70k. Also, after you change it I have been told to continue to change it at about a 30-40k interval.

I've tracked my 330i Auto several times but will probably not do so again. I the 330 to my wife when I bought my E36 M3.

I believe, Peake has a website that will tell you what it will reset. I think Pelican may sell Peake and you could ask them.

The OBD reader I have will reset CEL-Check Engine Light but not Service Indicator (oil and servie I&II indicator). The more expensive Peake may do both.

Read this thread:
reset oil mileage clock

I change oil at 7500 and have it tested and it still has thousands of miles of life left in it. Change the diff every 30-60k. Change the plugs every 60-70. If you leave them too long you might not be able to get them out. Dont forget air and cabin air filters.

The plastic radiator necks rarely last over 100k.

Good luck