diy - Bavarian Autosport

the newsletter of Bavarian Autosport
Summer 2016
Q: How do I restore my BMW’s original ride? DIY: Is the trim
around your
A: Install SACHS shocks and struts!
in the development and manufacturing of SACHS low-pressure, gas, replacement shocks
for BMWs and MINIs to deliver
sure, immediate response across
a wide range of conditions.
SACHS shocks have been Original Equipment (OE) on BMWs
for more than 30 years. They’re
also OE on Audi/VW/Porsche,
Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Alfa
Romeo and many others. And
as supplier for various motorsports teams, SACHS has more
than 100 racing wins to its
credit. This experience is used
CUSTOMER #:
Bavarian Autosport
275 Constitution Ave.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
KEYCODE:
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BAVARIAN
AUTOSPORT
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 1
Innovative technology plus
world-class manufacturing
equals lasting performance.
Even on BMW models where
SACHS is not OE, the technical
characteristics of their twin-tube
replacement shocks are precisely tailored to meet or exceed
BMW’s specifications. SACHS
shocks also feature:
■ Micro-polished
piston rods for
ultra-smooth
operation and
long service life.
■ Chrome piston
rods for durability and corrosion protection.
■ Multi-stage
valve design for
better handling
and control.
■ Low-friction seal
keeps oil in, contaminants out.
In addition, all SACHS shocks are
backed by a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser; if
they ever fail, SACHS will replace
them at no charge.
SAVE! All SACHS shocks and
struts are now 10% off!
windshield faded
and cracked?
You’re not alone. On most BMWs since
the 1990s, windshields have been installed using urethane adhesive instead
of gaskets. The gap between the windshield and body is filled by a plastic/
rubber trim that eventually deteriorates
and leaks. Otto shows you how to
replace it yourself. See page 6...
Table of contents
1
PRODUCT FOCUS: SACHS SHOCKS
NEW PRODUCTS AT BAVAUTO
2
ASK BAVARIAN OTTO
3
PRODUCT FOCUS: SPACE-SAVER SPARE 3
4–5
POSTER: DINAN M4
DIY: REPLACING FAULTY LED TAILLIGHTS
6
ON 3 SERIES 09-10 (E90)
DIY: REPLACING WINDSHIELD TRIM
6
(GASKET) ON BMWS
DIY: REPLACING WINDSHIELD COWLING 7
WIN A TRIP TO MUNICH, GERMANY!
7
JULY SPECIALS
8
Parts, accessories & knowledge since 1974.
© 2016 Bavarian Autosport
phone 800.535.2002 | BavAuto.com | blog.BavAuto.com
6/12/16 6:30 PM
Product Focus
new products
NEW! Products to make this the best BMW/MINI summer ever!
Coo Carbon S/T Plus brake pads. These
Cool
pads fill the gap between entry-level
pad
NEW!
performance pads and true competition
perf
pads.
pad Thanks to a new compound with
Twaron
Twa
aramid (for greater stability and
durability) plus a unique curing process, S/T Plus pads offer even better
te stopping power while doubling as
well-mannered street pads. Made in Germany. $147.95–174.95
Read what drivers are saying about these pads: blog.BavAuto.com/go/ST-Plus
FreciousPlus cabin air microfilters. These
next-generation cabin air filters from MannNEW!
Filter have an innovative, three-layer
design that blocks allergens, mold
and particulates. They also eliminate
odors, trap harmful gases (ozone,
nitrogen oxide and sulfer dioxide)
and significantly reduce diesel soot intake, protecting both your health
and your BMW’s/MINI’s air conditioning system.
DIY video – replacing microfilters:
blog.BavAuto.com/go/microfilter
SAVE! This July, get 10% off all cabin
air microfilters, including FreciousPlus.
Ultimate speaker upgrade kits. These
100% plug-n-play speaker upgrades
match the factory BMW speakers in
every way... except they offer much
better sound quality! The astounding
sound you get from these speakers
will make folks think you had an
audio shop upgrade your entire
system. $69.95–159.95 per kit.
NEW!
Genuine BMW hard cases for
iPhone 6/6S Plus. Lots of styles
and colors to choose from –
aluminum, leather, carbon fiber,
black, silver, red, with the BMW
emblem, with the M logo... see
them all in our online store at
BavAuto.com. $24.95–42.95
SAVE! During the entire month of July, Wheel Woolies are 10% off.
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 2
SAVE! Get 10% off a wide range of tools
ools
– see what’s on sale at BavAuto.com.
m.
NEW!
NOCO battery packs, battery chargers and
jump-starters. A full line of innovative products
to maintain and/or recharge the batteries in your
BMW, MINI and portable devices. There’s even
one that utilizes solar energy! See the complete
line at BavAuto.com. $19.95–159.95
NEW! DINANTRONICS Sport.
NEW!
NEW!
Wheel Woolies offer the most effective way to clean
wheels and vents. They feature a metal-free
NEW!
design and 100% polypropylene fibers – no
scratches on your wheels or back-spatter on
your hands. Angled spoke brushes let you
more easily clean behind wheels. $16.95–
23.95 each, or $41.95–49.95 set.
2 | BavAuto.com
Tools, tools and more tools! We’ve
added a pile of new tools to ourr store
in the past couple of months –
NEW!
everything from high-quality,
universal hand tools, to BMW/
MINI specialty tools.
Affordable power upgrade for many BMW turbo engines.
DINAN® has utilized its extensive engineering know-how
to develop a tiered lineup of engine performance products. It’s called DINANTRONICS. The new DINANTRONICS Sport is the first rung on the ladder and offers
drivers of BMWs with N20/N26/N55 turbo engines an
affordable, plug-and-play device that can be installed
in minutes. You get an immediate and noticeable increase in power – up to 30 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque.*
The Sport module offers quick, easy, and discrete installation using
OEM connectors, and it automatically detects engine type and
adjusts to the correct settings upon installation. Bluetooth for Android
is built-in. (Bluetooth for iOS is coming soon.) Just $299.
* Power gain is dependent upon application. Measurement is at the crankshaft.
Free! Get a free DINAN logo gift when you purchase any of the following DINAN
power upgrades – DINANTRONICS, Cold-air Intake, Performance exhaust.
Very simple installation.
Relatively simple; your BMW may need to be raised.
6/13/16 4:29 PM
Ask “Bavarian Otto”
from blog.BavAuto.com
Over 300 years of BMW/MINI experience is
yours for the asking – free!
If you add up all the years the Advisors at
Bavarian Autosport have been working on BMWs
and MINIs – and helping people like you work
on theirs – it totals well over 300 years. That’s
a lot of knowledge under one roof. And it’s yours for
the asking. Have a question about your BMW or MINI?
Search Bavarian Otto’s knowledge base of more than
1,000 tech Q&A at blog.BavAuto.com, or call 800.535.2002.
That’s a lot of hot air...
Dear Bavarian Otto,
Air conditioning in my 2002 M3 not working – fan works, but no cold air
comes out. I recharged the system, but nothing happened. Any advice?
Otto replies:
Let’s look at some of the basic diagnostics we can do when the air conditioning is not working properly.
■ Is the compressor clutch engaging? The compressor is driven by a
clutched pulley. When the A/C is off, the outer pulley turns with the belt,
but the compressor does not turn. Look at the compressor pulley when the
A/C is off, but the engine is running. You will see the belt and the outer pulley turning, but the front face area of the compressor clutch assembly is not
turning (the area inside the outer pulley). When the A/C is turned on, you
should see the center part start to turn along with the outer pulley and belt.
■ Is the heat fully off? If the air coming from the vents is not cold, is it the
same as the exterior air or is it hot, as if the heat were on?
■ Is the interior blower working? Does the blower work and is it blowing air
through the vents?
■ If you have a basic A/C pressure gauge, what is the low-side running
pressure (assuming the compressor clutch is working and the compressor
is running)?
For a more complete DIY A/C diagnostic tutorial, see our tech blog article at
blog.bavauto.com/go/AC-Diagnose, then give us a call at 800-535-2002. We
offer a full range of A/C parts by several top manufacturers, including
Genuine BMW, Genuine MINI, Behr, Nissens, TYC and others.
Ultimate odor machine?
Dear Bavarian Otto,
I don’t know what the previous owner of my X5 did in there. When I bought
it last winter, it smelled funny. I hoped it would go away with cleaning and
time, but the warm, humid weather’s here and it stinks really bad... Help!
Otto replies:
Two words: Auto Shocker. We sell this stuff like crazy. It’s a safe, simple
treatment that eliminates odors such as stale smoke, sour milk, fish, etc.
[Ed note: Auto Shocker is on sale in July – see page 8.]
In case of emergency...
Dear Bavarian Otto,
I’m trying to put together a roadside emergency kit for my wife’s BMW.
What do you think should be included?
Otto replies:
With mobile phones and roadside assistance programs (both manufacturer-based like BMW’s and private companies such as AAA), getting help in
an emergency is much easier than it used to be. That said, a lot can happen between the time the emergency occurs and help arrives. Here’s what
we recommend you keep in the trunk:
■ Emergency spare wheel/tire, lug wrench & jack (see below).
■ Wagan 12-volt Mighty Impact Wrench.
■ FRED (Flashing Roadside Emergency Disc).
■ First Aid/Safety Kit (like the one we import from Germany)
■ Tools (we like the Metric Socket Set and Precision Screwdriver Set)
■ Pre-mixed coolant (unless the car has Evans waterless coolant)
■ Genuine BMW engine oil and leak-proof BMW oil travel case (Liqui Moly
and Red Line oil containers don't fit in the case, thus the BMW oil)
■ PowerAll or NOCO portable power kit (for jump-starting dead batteries,
charging cell phones, etc.)
■ Hands-free work light (Striker Capsule or one of their Light Mines)
■ Safety glasses (we like the ones with LED lights and optional magnifiers)
■ Work gloves (either our mechanic’s gloves or disposable latex/nitrile)
■ Noise-reducing ear plugs
Depending on how long you anticipate waiting for help to arrive (e.g. remote
location, during snow storm, etc.) you might also want to include potable
water, energy bars and emergency blankets. But the list above should
allow you to face most situations with confidence.
[Ed note: Lots of safety gear is on sale in July – see page 8.]
Product Focus
Does your BMW/MINI have
an emergency spare?
With the advent of run-flat tires, most
newer BMWs and MINIs no longer come
with an emergency spare. Many people dislike the ride and traction they
get with run-flats – not to mention
the expense! – so they replace them
with nicer-riding, better-gripping, less
costly standard tires. But most people
don’t realize that their car doesn’t have
a spare (or jack or lug wrench!) until
they need one. We offer kits with a
“donut” spare tire mounted on a
Genuine BMW/MINI space-saver wheel, plus Genuine BMW/
MINI tools. Don’t be stranded – get a space-saver kit today.
SAVE! During the entire month of July, space-saver spare kits are 10% off.
Specific tools needed; repair experience recommended.
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 3
Experienced technicians only.
800.535.2002 | 3
6/12/16 6:30 PM
M4midable.
As if a stock M4 were not tasty enough, the folks at
DINAN decided they needed to turn this powerful beauty
into an insanely intense beast. Here’s their recipe:
Start with a stunning, 2015 M4 in Sakhir Orange, then
add the following ingredients:
■ DINANTRONICS Stage 2 software upgrade
■ Dinan Carbon Fiber Cold-Air Intake
■ Dinan Black Tip Exhaust
■ Dinan Coil-over Suspension (non-EDC)
■ Dinan Sway Bar Set
■ Dinan Rear Toe Links
■ Dinan Tension Strut Ball Joint Kit (Monoballs)
■ Dinan 20" GA1R Wheels by Forgeline
Place all ingredients in an F82 chassis, then stir, beat,
blend, slice, shred, grind, mash and whip for several minutes until the corners of your mouth touch your ears.
Serves 4. (But it’s so incredibly delicious you probably
won’t want to share it with anyone. :-)
Your BMW or MINI could
be featured here!
Photo contest entry by John M. of New Jersey.
Enter our Ultimate BMW & MINI Photo Contests!
Throughout the year we will be running various photo
contests. Here’s how they work: 1) you enter online; 2) we
select the finalists; 3) everyone votes for a winner. All finalists receive a $100 Bavarian Autosport savings certificate;
the winning photo gets a $200 certificate. And if a photo
is good enough, it could end up as our next poster! To
enter, or for more info, go to BavAuto.com/photocontest.
Make this M4 your computer’s/phone’s wallpaper:
Go to BavAuto.com/wallpaper.
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 4
800.535.2002 | BavAuto.com
6/13/16 4:26 PM
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 5
6/13/16 4:26 PM
Do-it yourself
replacing LED taillights | replacing windshield trim | replacing windshield cowl | win a trip to germany
DIY: Replacing dim or failed BMW E90
3 series LED taillights.
DIY: Replacing BMW windshield trim.
(And no, it’s not a gasket.)
Many BMW E90
3 series models
from 2009 through
early 2010 (and
possibly other E90
3 series) have a
problem with the
Before
After
circuitry within their
LED taillight assemblies. The problem causes some or all of the LED lights to become
dim or fail completely. When this occurs, a “bulb warning” light may appear on the
instrument cluster and/or the turn signal may click on/off more rapidly than usual. This
problem often affects just one taillight at a time. BMW has addressed this by offering
a taillight repair kit that uses updated circuitry to rectify the LED failure. The updated
lights are sold as a set, in order to replace both the left and right taillights, preventing
future failures of the original assemblies.
On most BMWs made since the late 1980s, BMW used urethane adhesive to install the
windshield. On these models, there is trim that covers the gap between the edge of
the windshield and the body. (Many people refer to this as a gasket, but technically it’s
just trim.) Starting with the E36 3 series, E39 5 series and E38 7 series – and continuing on into the later 3, 5, 6, 7, X and Z models – this trim is a plastic/rubber type that
clips onto the edge of the glass. Thanks to constant exposure to UV rays, this trim
does not age well and eventually starts to deteriorate and come apart. This not only
looks unnattractive, it can cause wind noise.
The repair is as simple as replacing the two taillight assemblies. This can be done
in under an hour and requires no special tools or wiring – just our metric socket
set and the repair kit. Follow along as we replace the original LED taillights on this
328i xDrive sedan.
Parts:
■ BMW E90 LED taillight repair kit
Tools:
■ 69-piece metric socket set
1.
The tail light harness plug and mounting fasteners can now be accessed. Remove the taillight
harness plug by pinching the locking tab and pulling the plug from the taillight plug housing (fig. 2).
Open the trunk lid to access the left and
right rear-side trim panels. On the passenger
side, remove the battery cover trim panel by
turning the locking knob (fig. 1).
2.
We often hear of BMW owners who have been told that the windshield must be removed in order to replace the windshield trim... accompanied by a healthy bill. This is
not necessary: the trim can easily be replaced at home using our non-marring pry tool
kits. Follow along as we replace the trim on a 2003 530i (E39). Note that there are
some differences in the windsheild trim used on various BMW models, but the basic
procedures we are showing you here should help you to decide if you’d like to replace
your own windshield trim.
Parts:
■ Applicable windshield trim for BMW model being repaired
Tools:
Non-marring pry tool kit
■ Single edge razor blades or “X-Acto” knife blades
■
1.
Start at one of the upper corners and use
one of the tapered pry tools to work the corner
up and out of the channel (fig. 1).
2.
Use the wide pry tool to loosen and push the
trim back from the edge of the windshield, along
the “A” pillar (fig. 2). Pull the trim up and out of the
“A” pillar channel. Do both sides before removing
the top section.
Figure 2
Figure 1
3.
Figure 1
3.
The taillight assembly is attached to the
body by three nuts secured to the mounting
studs. Use an 8mm socket and ratchet to remove the three nuts (fig. 3).
Figure 2
Use the wide pry tool to loosen and push the trim away from the glass along the upper roof
edge. Then use the tapered pry tool to work the upper corner away from the glass and out of the
channel and pull the trim up and out of the upper channel (fig. 3).
4.
4.
Push the taillight assembly rearward, then
grasp it and pull to remove it from the vehicle
body (fig. 4).
Figure 3
Figure 4
Clean the perimeter of the glass
with a razor blade or “X-Acto” knife
blade. Also clean out the channel between the glass and the body panels,
using one of the smaller non-marring pry
tools (fig. 4).
5.
Position the new trim over the windshield.
Carefully center the trim (fig. 5). Note: Measuring
and marking the center of the upper trim and the
middle of the windshield is a good idea.
Figure 4
Figure 3
5. Install the new taillight assembly in the
DIY video – Replacing E90 taillights:
blog.BavAuto.com/go/E90taillights
6 | BavAuto.com
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 6
reverse order of the removal.
Watch the DIY video at the URL at left...
Read the article in its entirety and watch the DIY
video at the URL below...
DIY video – Replacing windshield trim:
blog.BavAuto.com/go/windshield-trim
Very simple installation.
Figure 5
Relatively simple; your BMW may need to be raised.
6/13/16 8:19 PM
DIY: Replacing the windshield cowl trim panel on BMWs.
Many later-model BMWs have a
plastic cowl trim at the base of
the windshield. The trim piece
has a molded-in rubber lip that
seals to the bottom of the windCracks & Curls
shield, helping to keep water out
of the wiper linkage and climate
Figure 1
control, air inlet area. It also
directs the water coming off the windshield away to the outer corners for proper drainage. Typically, the rubber lip that presses against the base of the windshield will start
to crack or curl up and will no longer seal to the windshield (fig. 1). Additionally, the
cover itself may start to pull up in the corners. This not only looks ugly, it can cause
water drainage problems and, potentially, water in the cabin.
You (yes, you) could win a trip
for two to Munich, Germany...
The cowl trim panel is relatively easy to replace. Follow along as we replace the cowl
trim on a 5 series 97 thru 03 (E39). Other models will vary slightly for removal of
wipers, trim panel screws, rivets and clips, but the general procedures shown here
can be applied to most models.
Parts:
■ Applicable windshield cowl trim panel for BMW model being repaired
■ Replacement plastic rivets, as needed
Tools:
■ Wiper arm removal/puller tool
■ 69-piece metric socket set
■ Non-marring pry tool set
■ Phillips-head screwdrivers
1.
Remove the wiper arm assemblies. (Before removing, take note of how the wiper arms are positioned on the windshield and against the stops on the cowl trim panel.) Using the non-marring pry
tools, pry off the trim caps covering the nuts that secure the wiper arms to the shafts (figs. 2a–2c).
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
2.
Remove the nuts using the applicable size
socket and ratchet (fig. 3).
Figure 3
Figure 2c
3.
Use the wiper arm puller tool to remove the
wiper arms from the shafts (fig. 4a & 4b).
Figure 4a
Figure 4b
4.
Pictured above: BMW Welt (top), BMW Museum (middle) and BMW headquarters & factory (right).
... Or one of 41 other prizes valued from $100 to $1,000!
Enter our raffle in support of Susan G. Komen®. There are 42
prizes in all (in honor of our 42nd year). Past prizes have included
Cool Carbon brake pads, KONI shocks,
KW suspension kit, Beyern
wheels and more. The Grand
Prize trip for two includes airfare, hotel, rental car and $1,000
spending cash. Tickets are $5
each or 5 for $20. 100% of sales
goes to charity! To enter, or for
more info, go to BavAuto.com/komen.
Specific tools needed; repair experience recommended.
N316 Summer 16 Newsletter_lyt13LG.indd 7
Remove the plastic rivets that secure the trim panel to the cowl. The rivets are removed by first
removing the center “spreader pin.” Some pins pull out (like pulling a nail), while others screw out, as
shown here. Use the non-marring pry tools to remove the pull-out pins as well as to lift the screw-out
pins as they are turned. After the center pin is removed, pry out the rivet (fig. 5a through 5d).
Figure 5a
Figure 5b
Figure 5c
Figure 5d
Read the article in its entirety and watch the DIY video at the URL below...
DIY video – Replacing windshield cowl: blog.BavAuto.com/go/windshield-cowl
Experienced technicians only.
800.535.2002 | 7
6/12/16 6:43 PM