Best DIY and Best Maintenance Project

[BMW.MT]

2008 BMW E90 335i MT6

At 2:35AM on Thursday, September 5, 2019 my wonderful wife (as she was up for this adventure) and I were in an Uber heading for Los Angeles International Airport. At 9:01AM we were in our next Uber leaving Portland International Airport to go inspect and possibly purchase a 2008 BMW Titansilber Metallic E90 335i MT6 with 49K miles. At first glance at about 20 feet away, the car looked as beautiful as it did in the many photos. Up close, there were a few things that weren't disclosed prior to our arrival. I spent the next hour inspecting and test driving it. In the meantime, my wife was patiently waiting for our adventure to continue. After some hemming and hawing over few of the cosmetic imperfections newly discovered: door ding, curb rash on several wheels and on the front bumper as well as leather separation on the rear seat back. Upon a closer look at a recently pressure washed engine bay I noticed the typical oil/coolant leak around the oil filter housing and composite coolant fitting. My patiently waiting wife really just wanted the adventure to continue. She told me, “Just buy it. If you decide you don't like it. Sell it in LA.” And with that, I negotiated a reduction in price and our adventure continued. And what an amazing road trip it was, straight down Interstate 5! We experienced sunny skies, partly cloudy skies, an amazing sunset and an early evening thunder storm (the wipers worked but could use new blades) all while driving through the beautiful countryside, dense forest and amazing mountain passes. After 14 hours of driving, we arrived in downtown Sacramento and stayed at riverside hotel with a beautiful view of the Tower Bridge. After a few hours of sleep, we were on the road again. My co-pilot was starting to get grumpy but her attitude soon turned around with a promise of a delicious steak lunch. Our next planned stop Harris Ranch near Bakersfield (a must stop if you are in the area). After fueling up, we were back on the road. In less than 30 hours, we were back in Los Angeles completing a 1,000 mile road trip. Best one way road trip so far! We arrived home safely only to find the front license plate dangling by screw and exposing a wad of weather duck tape. Although it was great ride, my plans are to make it an amazing ride!

I read and researched many of the forums on the BMW N54 engine and obtained the detailed maintenance records from the Kuni BMW (very helpful, provided printout) and BMW of Portland (verbal over the phone). I made a wishlist of all the maintenance and enhancements items I wanted to perform to make the 335i into a stronger, more fun and longer lasting daily driver. After making my list, I started my only type of shopping spree at Pelican Parts picking up all my maintenance parts and speciality tools to perform the work (I seem to only spurge on myself when it comes to cars). Thank you Pelican Parts for your good prices and great customer service!

Social Distancing Vehicle Maintenance and Enhancement Activity (AKA Highly Encouraged Man Cave Activity)
Step 1 – take care of the urgent items and upgrade/enhance parts that are being removed

1. Remove front bumper, radiator, coolant hoses, intercooler, charge-pipes, accessory drive belt, tensioner, pulleys, OFH and oil cooler. As well as clean engine thoroughly.

2. Next thing to do is remove air filter housing, intake manifold, and perform walnut blasting.

3. Fix leaking oil filter housing (OFH) and deteriorating/leaking coolant hose composite fitting entering the engine block next to OFH. Install new oil filter housing gasket, oil thermostat gasket along with upgrading the composite coolant hose connector with an aluminum fitting

4. Install new drive belt: Continental Drive Belt Kit

5. Install a new radiator: Mishimoto Performance Aluminum Radiator with all new coolant hoses & reservoir.

6. Install a new intercooler: Mishimoto Performance Intercooler with VRSF Silicone High Flow Inlet Kit, VRSF Aluminum Turbo Outlet Chargepipe, Upper and Lower Chargepipes along with Tial BOV, BMS BOV Vacuum Adapter

7. Install a new oil cooler: Dinan High Capacity Oil Cooler System

8. Just recently acquired and added to plan. Enhancing car with a oil catch: Mishimoto Baffled Oil Catch Can.

9. Installing a better PCV valve: RBTurbo Upgraded N54 PCV Valve and Cap

10. Also, install enhanced plugs and coils: NGK spark plugs with a Precision Raceworks Performance Coil System.

Step 2 – Additional Maintenance
1. Order more parts
- Brakes (pads, rotors & fluid)
-Power Steering (reservoir & fluid)
-Differential fluid
-Manual Transmission fluid

2. Refinish wheels
-install new tires

3. Install new front bumper and fix door dings...

Then just drive...