E46 M3 DIY question

[agreatham]

I'm following Mike Miller's old school maintenance schedule for my 2005 E46 M3 SMG with 45,000 miles on it and I was wondering which of the following I should attempt to do myself:

Valve adjustment (every 30,000)
Change power steering fluid (every 30,000)
Change gearbox oil (every 30,000)
Change differential oil (every 30,000)
Tensioner pulley, front cam seal (every 5yrs or 50,000)
Replace water pump (every 5yrs or 50,000)

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

yes.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Although I wouldn't bother replacing the water pump or the tensioner pulley without some sign that they are failing. The E46 M3 pieces are not known for failing prematurely and the water pump is NOT CHEAP.

[Reach]

Agreed. I have a 'more-than-oldschool' service interval I have dreamed up.



Oil changes: Every 7500 (by the maintenance computer), which is really closer to 6800 miles. I have sent it to Blackstone and they say my oil life is great and I could run longer, even with track time on the motor. Also, no unusual or high levels of wear metals. It is good to have some assurance the motor is working properly.

Every Inspection I becomes an inspection II. Full valve check / adjustment every time. Also, replace Vanos solenoid filter & check seal plate. Haven't had to replace that yet. I'm considering doing the 'new' Vanos intake came gear bolts at next inspection, about 12k miles away.

From Inspection II, I break out the Trans and Diff fluid changes. I do those every 25k miles regardless of maintenance schedule. In fact, I just did my 75k today. 75,500 miles on mine. My car got them at 30k from the dealer (previous owner), 50k (me), and now 75k. Repeat again in another 25k. I also collected samples of these oils today to send to Blackstone for analysis.

I am planning on doing a full cooling system overhaul at 100k, which I will probably reach in Fall 2011. Water pump, radiator, hydraulic tensioner, remove/clean/replace oil cooler.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

Valve adjustment is part of Inspection I as well.

VANOS bolts are also on my list, but that shouldn't be necessary for an '05.

[agreatham]

yes.

I guess I'll be busy at the next DIY!

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

You can't do a valve adjustment at a DIY. The car needs to sit overnight. Also, while valve adjustments are actually very easy, you don't want to be in any kind of rush. (It's time consuming and tedious, but not actually difficult.)

[agreatham]

You can't do a valve adjustment at a DIY. The car needs to sit overnight. Also, while valve adjustments are actually very easy, you don't want to be in any kind of rush. (It's time consuming and tedious, but not actually difficult.)

Maybe just the fluid changes, then. It would also be nice to get a good look underneath the car and see if the previous owner messed anything else up.