2006 BMW M3

[Jake]

Mileage: 128,400

The car was claiming "Inspection" was due so I looked up what BMW claimed should be done and did the important bits:

• Spark plugs
  
• Cabin air filter
  
• Engine air filter
  
• Check brake pads
  
• Check for leaks

All of that was really easy, the S54 does not seem overly complicated for basic maintenance tasks so far. Unfortunately, the plastic CCV breather hose split in two when I removed it (have to remove it to get at the coils and plugs). And of course, the 05/06 model year got a special snowflake hose that is $195 instead of the traditional $30. So that's cool. It's currently fixed with duct tape and a new one is part of my arriving-on-Tuesday FCP Euro order.

Also replaced one rear shock mount. I meant to replace both but my dumb ass only ordered one from FCP. So, another one is also on the way for Tuesday delivery. The inner metal sleeve had separated entirely from the rubber mount, so I suspect that was the source of a lot of my rattling around in the rear. The shock mounts are cheap - only $11 each for Lemforder.

I noticed that the rear shocks were original to the car, and while futzing with the mount replacement, was able to compress the one shock easily enough by hand. Soooo, add two new rear shocks to my FCP order. $73 each for OEM-esque Bilstein replacements. I thought about going all-out and doing something "better" but my entire goal for this car has been to make it ride better for the sake of commuting. I suspect going from blown OEM shocks to new "OEM + 10%" that Bilstein claims will be a good setup. I'll do the front shocks later on.

So... a bit of an expensive Sunday but glad to know I'm getting these couple of things sorted and sorted right.