[Markoff Chaney]

Hey howdy, I did this last weekend. I used the Kies Motorsports video tutorial with a Bentley manual and it ended up taking a couple of 4 hour days. The metal clip on the lower radiator hose was a monster pain, ended up getting it started from below with a clip hook, then popping it legit off coming in from the top with a sleever bar. I also broke the expansion tank coolant return line hopping up on the top to get the back intake manifold gaskets, so it took an extra couple days to get it all sewn back up. Orielly oddly had the part in stock and 2 day shipping for way cheaper than Turner Motorsport, all in all a 40 dollar mistake.




Video of startup -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfROKJVUbig
The BMW dealership quoted $1,500 in labor for this job.
Next up are the shocks and struts along with thrust arms that I ordered in February but still haven't show up, and the rear brakes need an upgrade like the front got.

[Markoff Chaney]

Before anyone asks -

- Pulled the fuel pump fuse to prime the engine w/oil prior to starting proper
- burped the coolant using the built in headlights/heater on lowest/hold gas pedal procedure
- torqued everything to spec except the one pain in the ass 8mm bastard on the bottom
- new hardware for oil filter housing
- new stretch bolts for strut tower brace since I have been into the top end about 4 times since the last fresh set
- did the intake manifold gaskets as well but didnt' find hardware to replace nuts and bolts for mount
- got the serpentine belt while we were there
- took all waste to recycle center
- BMW plastic ages in dog years
- the Kies video has some really convenient edits where he says to "simply do this and this then boom" but in practice "this and this" is an hour dicking around for someone without handled needle and pick tools and baby hands, but at this point you expect some stuff to be funmode

[Table8]

Fantastic write up! I have this same issue and need to find time to get it done. My front struts are also making clunking noise, what struts/shocks did you go with? I also have the electronic/adaptive suspension and everything is backordered.

[Markoff Chaney]

I went with the Bilstein B6 EDC set, it's supposed to be about 20% stiffer in comfort and quite a bit firmer in sport/+ along with meyle HD thrust arms as the old bushings are leaking.
All of this around 70k miles, it's at 77k now. Went to get an alignment at the BMW dealer and they just handed me a hell of a punch list.

[Markoff Chaney]

Sourced everything from Turner, got rear rotors and pads on the way next week. Still waiting on the shock/strut package, the guys said just get the order in ASAP, they won't charge you till they ship if you have to get EDC ones or any others with a long lead time.

[Table8]

I appreciate that info! I’m also right at 70k, getting clunking and chattering from the front when going over small cracks or bumps on the road. Almost like the shock isn’t compressing and rebounding fast enough and it’s just relying on the spring. The ride has also felt just kind of underwhelming, so I assumed I should go ahead and replace the struts and shocks. Sorry to turn this into a suspension thread but this info has been very helpful.

[Markoff Chaney]

No worries, post your results when you get yours. I will probably make another thread because it will be a pretty big weekend job again.

[KCee]

You have me worried as I just hit 75K. I don't feel like doing all of this just yet.....I still need to do it to my '06 TL with 182K lol.

[Markoff Chaney]

There will be visible oil leakage from below the housing when it is time to go, just keep an eye on that area every oil change.

[Markoff Chaney]

Got the rear brakes in, holy crap didn't know how bad the old rotors were until they were off, 77k miles

Got the powerstop drilled and slotted to match the fronts, brembo pads on both front and back now, fully aware I overgreased the back of the pad.

But at least got new tiny hub caps on the rim as the old ones showed their age, looks good and stops like new other than oriented upside down in this pic

Shocks and struts show up early next month.
These are fairly easy to work on if you approach it with the right mentality.

[Markoff Chaney]

I should note I hit everything with the wire brush on full tilt with a hand drill, torqued all to spec, and inspected all components for obvious bullshit, none to be found. The rust is all cosmetic/surface.
And I have somehow managed to get very little curb rash on this set of rims other than what it came with, one of them is in need of replacement or refinishing though.

[Ragnar The Redneck]

Nice! I would post a pic of mine, but it looks identical to yours, save the license plates. Bagged the Turner Motorsport IC and charge pipes when on sale a month or so ago, just haven't put them on yet.

[Markoff Chaney]

Originally Posted by Ragnar The Redneck

Nice! I would post a pic of mine, but it looks identical to yours, save the license plates. Bagged the Turner Motorsport IC and charge pipes when on sale a month or so ago, just haven't put them on yet.

Charge pipe is on the list! Just lower priority currently, and it looks like an asspain with dropping the intercooler etc. Best of luck to you -

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

Originally Posted by Markoff Chaney

Charge pipe is on the list! Just lower priority currently, and it looks like an asspain with dropping the intercooler etc. Best of luck to you -

Dropping the intercooler is pretty easy, (2) bolts and some tugging to get it out. I attempted without doing it and would say the little time to remove it is worth your time and youll spend more time wresteling the CP / IC connection if you dont.

CP manufacturer might vary but mine has the coupler end up in the WORST location for access of the clamps. Biggest PIA moments are removing the stock pipe ( I went out the top with the IC in place ) and getting the IC connection seated on the new pipe. I would remove the IC and put the upper CP in from the top and the lower CP in from the bottom and work the coupler from underneath.

[Markoff Chaney]

Coming soon, B6 EDC shocks and struts as well as Meyle HD lower front control arms, a headlight, a window switch, an oil change, a lower temp thermostat, tire rotation, and some other stuff.
I have access to a heated garage now, yay.

[Ragnar The Redneck]

Hmmm.... Where exactly do you live? May need to secretly swap cars with you... Did I type that out loud? Nice shocks and struts!

[Markoff Chaney]

Got the Bilstein B6 adaptive dampers in on all 4 after ordering them over a year ago, that chip shortage hit hard. I also did the thrust arms/lower front control arms with Meyle HD replacements.
I have an alignment set for this week, then I should be able to accurately give a gauge on how good this setup is now.
The shocks and struts was a weekend, 6.5 hours with Dad, control arms were 2.5 on a Sunday.

[Markoff Chaney]

I can say just from driving around today and this last week, it feels way better but at 87,000 miles the old OEM set was shot to hell by the time I got the parts and got them in. So my guess is pretty hazard gauging against OEM.
The ride is excellent in comfort, and definitely shows a difference in sport+.

[Ragnar The Redneck]

Sweet! Now, when can I pick my car up and drop your's off?

[Markoff Chaney]

Originally Posted by Ragnar The Redneck

Sweet! Now, when can I pick my car up and drop your's off?

Mine is a '14, but I applaud your choice of colors.