I’ve had enough. (And still having) M43 Saga

[Zephyr]

Another option instead of going down the M54 airbox route is to get rid and replace it with a K & N induction kit as per:-

Griff

Too scared to do this. Last time I had an after market air filter I oiled it too much and killed my MAF. Or at least that was what the tech told me.
unless somebody shows me how to do this effectively and properly I am afraid that another MAF would be on its way out.

 

[Zephyr]

Then you get extra noise and hot air from the engine bay.

I could use a heat shield or something, but living in Greece would make minor difference, the air itself has a temperature of 40c/104f most of the times during summer.

 

[Broad Ambition]

I oiled it too much and killed my MAF.

Which is a possibility, but so easy to avoid

Griff

 

[Zephyr]

I oiled it too much and killed my MAF.

Which is a possibility, but so easy to avoid

Griff

Yes but how much is too much?

 

[Andyboy]

There is nothing wrong with the standard BMW set up.

 

[Oddly Godly]

It usually ends up cheaper to buy a zed with a bigger engine if you want more power. These engines don't seem particularly tunable.

 

[Zephyr]

It usually ends up cheaper to buy a zed with a bigger engine if you want more power. These engines don't seem particularly tunable.

I am not after power. Just some joyrides with the top down. I was just thinking of alternatives to the stock filter setup. It seems that bmw will fork another 180€ out of my wallet for the oem hose or some samco silicone ones will do the trick.
The last time I had a really fast car did not end well. I know know my limits and stay within my safe zone.

 

[Zephyr]

Decided to have the wheels refurbished so called some salvage yards for a decent set of 17” ones and found a (replica) rear pair in excellent condition

https://www.car.gr/parts/view/7432750-zantes-aloyminioy-bmw-85x17-et40-2-temaxia

called him and asked it the fronts were also available and they are.
This will be a total of 350€ off my wallet, but I think is a smart move since I can fit my perfect tyres on them and let the refurbisher take his time on my wheels.

so as I was having a chat over the phone with this seller, he told my he has a crashed Z3 with an M43 engine that has four single throttle bodies, an intake, a camshaft and a tuned ecu by a German company called DBillas and he will sell the kit for 1.500 €.
Checked that company online and seems well respected. Their (obsolete now) kit consists of all of the above claiming to be plug and play with an improvement of 30hp total to the M43/1.9 engine.
I got tempted, I admit and willing to make the 240km total trip to him just to collect the wheels myself and have a look at the kit.
anyone heard of this before?

Throttle body kit for BMW E46 1,9 8V 87kW M43TÜB19

Throttle body kit for BMW 318i E46 1,9 8V 87kW M43TÜB19 power increase : 15 kW / 20 HP…

dbilas-shop.com

FlowMaster BMW 318 is, 318ti M42B18 E36 | 03.020.410/2

BMW 318 is, 318ti M42B18 E36

dbilas-shop.com

I have no idea on what individual throttle bodies do exactly and not quite sure on how an ECU swap would be hassle free, but still tempter to give it a look.
what say you?

Went over today on a round trip to collect the wheels. They seem to be some good quality replicas, quite light and in good shape.
left them at the refurbisher, on Saturday I will go to swap tyres and leave my original ones for polishing. He says he will try to do the lips without dismantling (they have just some clearcoat issues) and lets hope this works.
Regarding the “dbilas” kit, I am not convinced I need this.
the engine is so loud even in neutral/idling (could not drive the donor - totalled vehicle).
besides that the meter in the consumption was showing an average of 16lt/100km that (if I am correct) corresponds to 18mpg that is way too much. The hassle to install four individual throttle bodies, and a free flow filter, ecu and spending 1.500€ for 15/20 hp more doesnt make any sense to me.

 

[Zephyr]

And the frustration goes on.
yesterday night… just like that, this happened…
https://youtube.com/shorts/9Q9DEcy40f8?feature=share
Clearly the Disa valve decided that its time has come.

this is getting out of control. I fix one thing and immediately something different goes bad and keeps me from enjoying this vehicle.
Really thinking of just replacing or refurbishing this valve and putting the car to the market for sale.
Even with such low mileage it seems that time took its toll on the various engine components and more trouble will follow.
on the other hand I am way too much into this and maybe I have to consider keeping it… but did not have the time to “love” it. So far it is a bitter relationship. Driving it for a while and then back to the garage for repairs.
Frustrated….

 

[Zephyr]

Ordered a disa repair kit from Germany. Seller has good reputation, sent over a youtube link with a video on how to do it (it is in Turkish but still informative) so waiting for the parts to arrive.

 

[Zephyr]

While waiting for the DISA repair kit to arrive,

Here are some photos from the gasket challenge.
it was not easy. So much time spent for this, I really wish I had taken it to the shop.
but anyway, finished now…

 

[Zephyr]

And some more from underneath and in case anyone was curious about the “sport edition” part numbers, I have written down each one of them.

 

[Zephyr]

Final post here as the Z is sold.
tried to fix the disa before giving it to the new owner using the repair kit.
unfortunately the plastic surrounding was so brittle that it broke to pieces.
bought a working second hand one and swapped it. All is fine now, no high smooth running values, maf readings etc.
do not try to repair a crusty disa unless you are extremely competent and have the proper tools.

Zephyr over and out.
cheers.

 

[Zephyr]

The story continues but with another owner…
so.. the guy who bought my Z called and said that he has a rough idle during startup.
I told him to come over and we check together.
the Z has a new idle valve, all hoses replaced, new icv and as far as I was the owner I had changed everything I could think of so decided to check the injectors.
had the scanner plugged and the smooth running values were 2.25-0.30-0.28-3.11, so definitely something was wrong with the injectors.
Took them off the car, filled them with wd40 and put them upside down to check what gives.
Number one and four were dripping, so put them in the supersonic cleaner and gave them a good bath.
Then took a 9v battery, connected with wires to the injector pins, they started clicking and spray cleaned from the intake side them with carb cleaner.
now they work like new and smooth values read 0.15-0,17-0,19-0.13.
In all seriousness I do not miss this car at all.
cheers.

 

[Zephyr]

 

[Zephyr]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

And here is a short video of them…

 

[Althulas]

That’s quite good of you considering you had sold the car on a few months ago

 

[Zephyr]

He was a gentleman during our transaction and I had told him that I will support him in case something goes wrong during the first months of his ownership.
I had to help him, the car has just 340km more on the clock from the day I sold it to him.

 

[Jam03]

Get another Z, you know you want to.