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  #11  
Old 03-10-2020, 10:31 AM
HughA44s HughA44s is offline
 
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No experience with E90s but lots of experience with E46s (x3). I have never had headbolt issues but have heard discussions of them - seems to be related with over heating the engine and warpping the heads. I just drive around with a code reader and pack one for the track and longer trips. The cooling systems can be an issue if the system is not replaced at approximately 100k. Replace the whole system at once as the cost is 500$ for the complete kit and your good for 100k. Do not replace individual parts or your life will not be worth living. One of my e46s has 190k and 50 track days and the compression is still 185 to 195 psi. These motors are tough but do not over heat them.
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  #12  
Old 03-10-2020, 11:43 AM
mlytle mlytle is offline
 
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Originally Posted by HughA44s View Post
Replace the whole system at once as the cost is 500$ for the complete kit and your good for 100k. Do not replace individual parts or your life will not be worth living.
LOL! that is SO true.

100k between cooling system replacements? you are living large. at 160k my e46 is on its third complete cooling system....
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  #13  
Old 03-12-2020, 12:22 PM
jerome951 jerome951 is offline
 
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I'll say the E90 I had wasn't hard to work on, but mine needed a lot of work.
It's the only car I've ever sold just because I got tired of fixing things. Only had it 18 months before I threw in the towel. I loved driving it, though.

This coming from a 951 owner of 22 years...
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  #14  
Old 03-19-2020, 04:28 PM
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Mark Hubley Mark Hubley is offline
 
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It's the only car I've ever sold just because I got tired of fixing things. Only had it 18 months before I threw in the towel. I loved driving it, though.
When my gearbox got crunched I was this close (imagine thumb and index finger about 5 mm apart) from selling the car. At that point I had the car for about 25 months. At this point, I either (1) have a car that has had a bunch of stuff fixed, and should run like a champ for a while, or (2) I have a car that is going to keep needing stuff fixed as long as I keep it.

I've now gone a whole three months without issues Knock on wood!

Your "new" car looks nice in the pics you posted. I hope it gives Mrs. Beer Burner all of the driving joy, and gives you less of the DIY!
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