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Doug's BMW 328is
Maintenance Summary

BMW E36 M52 Engine

This section contains a continually-updated account of the scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance performed on my 1998 328is, including costs.

2008 Maintenance Reports

June Aux fan electrical connector fix
May Aux fan replacement; Oil service; Fuel filter
April Return to summer rubber; First DIY Brake Fluid Flush; OBC clock bulb replacement; Trim restoration experiment; Aux cooling fan failure
February Oil service and analysis; Inspection; Dunlop Winter Sport M3 Review; Ten Years

2007 Maintenance Reports

December New winter tires for 16" wheels
November Fog light replacement; Microfilter
October Oil Service and Analysis; Engine Air Filter; A few new tools
September Hood hydraulic lift cylinders; Battery; Windshield; State inspection results
August Three spoke M steering wheel conversion; Replaced upper steering column bearing; New door / ignition key
July Oil Service and analysis; evaluation of various noises
May Center vent replacement
April Oil Service; Oil Analysis. Fuel Leak, Passenger door pull trim replacement
March Spark plugs, coil boots, valve cover gaskets
February Pre-cat oxygen sensor replacement; Power steering system overhaul; New Rear Speakers
January Body shop work to fix sideswipe damage; first DIY microfilter replacement; failed main belt tensioner pulley; oxygen sensor purchase

2006 Maintenance Reports

December CSL wheels and tires mounted; DIY sway bar maintenance; Destined for the body shop yet again
November Check engine light for Low Catalytic Converter efficiency; Brakes are spent; DIY brake replacement
October Wiper blades, Frozen differential drain plugs; More tools and equipment; Differential fluid replaced
September First DIY oil service; More tools and equipment; Tire status update; Left rear wheel bearing
August Aux cooling fan relay replaced; flat tire; CSL rims arrive; tire decisions
July Power steering fluid flush; new secondary air pump hose, intake coupler, brake booster vacuum line; Aux cooling fan troubleshooting
June Front speakers; Coolant expansion bottle explodes and puts the car on a flatbed
May New detailing techniques; Restoration begins; new Roundel, air plenum screen, hood weatherstripping, stereo headunit, water pump, thermostat, radiator, hoses, belts, repair of door panels, oh my!
April My baby returns from the body shop; Fuel Pumps and Senders
March Another deer hit, another trip to the body shop
February Transmission replacement under warranty; E46 Purchase
January Oil Service; Transmission troubleshooting; E90 Sedan Mini-Review

2005 Maintenance Reports

December September state inspection results, summary of the last six months.
July Oil Service, Microfilter, Engine air filter change
June Air conditioning troubleshooting; condenser replacement
May New Tires, Control Arm Mounts
April Oil Service; Transmission troubleshooting; Throttle position sensor
February The new transmission is installed. Remember kids, replace your transmission fluid regularly.
January Oil Service; Transmission Troubles

2004 Maintenance Reports

December Body shop work; Solution for freezing windshield washer system; Windshield wiper refill installation; Research on stereo system replacement options.
November A new article and a follow-up outlining the body work necessary to fix the deer hit damage.
October Deer hit!
September Steering rack installed; alignment results.
August Oil Service, discussions about tranny / diff fluid flushes; possible catalytic converter problem; Big Brother at BMW; New floor mats and wheel centers; Diagnosis: new steering rack required.
June Oil service; Rattling catalytic converter heat shield fix.
April Brake light switch replacement.
March Work in lieu of Inspection I (Oil Service, Microfilter replacement), new rear shocks, new exhaust mounts. Notes on oxygen sensors and catalytic converters.
February Replaced leather armrest, six years of ownership.
January Replaced gauge cluster and headlamp switch backlighting.

2003 Maintenance Reports

December Four new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires installed, new front pads and rotors, flushed brake fluid, mid-cycle oil service; replaced thermostat.
November Posted an article covering my second windshield replacement, which provides some additional details in areas neglected by the original article; Tire time again - settled on four Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. Read why ; replaced the second windshield with a third.
October Looks like I need front rotors as well as pads, but the good news I may be able to get another month or two on the brakes before replacing them. The bummer of the month - another rock in the windshield!
September Oil Service, and a warning that I'll need to replace front pads much earlier than expected; a motor vehicle inspection gotcha that might affect some E36's
August Left side fog lamp light assembly replaced; the victim of my second encounter with highway FOD, replacement of left and right side mouldings after some self-induced damage.
July Off-cycle oil service, belt replacement
April Replacement of climate control head, A/M Switch
March Loose ignition harness results in another flatbed, Inspection II
January Routine service: Brake lamp replacement and synthetic oil service.

2002 Maintenance Reports

November Second unexpected maintenance and first towing - failure to start and misfires - new idle control valve and six new platinum plugs.
October First unexpected maintenance - air injection pump and check valve
September Tire replacement, oil change, wiper blades (finally!)
July Struts and alignment, including a pic of the actual alignment results. She's as good as new (and for the money paid, she ought to be!)
June Lots of maintenance in support of my decision to keep the machine in peak working order, plus one costly surprise.
May Decision to trade put off. A few routine maintenance items just in time for the summer performance driving season.

2001 Maintenance Reports

December Thanksgiving day brought at least one thing I wasn't thankful for...a leak in my coolant system.
October Windshield replacement, off cycle oil service.
May So it's now a garage queen...you wanna make something out of it?

2000 Maintenance Reports

October Second Inspection I, GTI purchase to offload BMW usage, realization about maintenance on a BMW.
July No more warranty, belt replacement, fixing a pesky creak, off-cycle oil change.
June First Inspection II, tire and brake status.

1999 Maintenance Reports

December Off-cycle oil changes, tire replacement, A/M light change, air vent change.
March First Inspection I, driver's seat leather replacement (warranty), tire and brake status.

1998 Maintenance Reports

October First oil service, steering wheel shimmy.
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