[pdx]

because my BavSound upgrades were so disappointing, and because i didn't want to spend $1000+ on a replacement amp to maybe be less disappointed, i decided to try out the Technic PnP adapter so i could see if my 26 year old Fosgate amp and JL sub would give me the extra boom i have been craving.

quick review: i would pass

longer review:

the Technic PnP site lacks important details, and support doesn't get back to you. forum searching reveals 'Standard LOC' is if you are going to use one external amp. 'Premium LOC' is if you are going to use two external amps. but the Technic PnP widget did what it was supposed to do: it gave me RCAs to and a turn-on wire to feed to an external amp.

the BavSound instructions were followed on how to remove the necessary interior trim bits. and i did have to undo the trunk rear strut bar.

i was unprepared for the amount of sound designing that would go into this upgrade. in previous cars i have always had head-units that had sub controls and things magically worked. tweaking gains and crossover points and volumes and phases and different DSP settings and getting in and out of the car over and over and over again to fiddle with things in the trunk and then the dash is exhausting / maddening. all this should probably by a professional. and definitely with a battery tender.

i also chose to add a PAC LC-1 volume knob to try and wrangle the overload. i left the knob in the trunk because i am not interested in a tweak-every-song setup. i am more interested in a set-and-forget experience.

and, of course, it's all about the source material. adding an amp and sub still doesn't make old music recorded with no bass sound any better. depending on the waveform, yes, your rear-deck will rattle. but when it sounds good, it sounds amazing.

but it's too much. too much space lost in the trunk, too much bass, too much fiddling, and too much waste — the amp and the sub are largely wasted when all you want is a little more boom and aren't interested in annoying other people.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Going with the Stoptech pads that came with the brake kit. Once I see how they perform, I'll change if necessary.

Any ticking noise with the slots? I have the OEM BBK on my wagon and it's annoying as hell, need a different upgrade for the convertible.

[WolfGTI]

2 days in and about 50 miles on them including bedding in, so far no ticking noticed. I am guessing a good indicator will be my trip to Deal's Gap in 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Any ticking noise with the slots? I have the OEM BBK on my wagon and it's annoying as hell, need a different upgrade for the convertible.

[BenDiem]

Took my ‘19 240xi Coupe in for the three year service, today.
This is my last “free” service. First time I have to say this.
All of my previous BMWs had “free” four year service.
I have 22k miles on it. Inspection revealed its solid, free of leaks and the brakes are about 1/2 through their life cycle. I live in a very hilly neighborhood so I expect about 45k miles b/4 I have to change brake pads. For reference, my ‘17 Macan S required new brake pads & rotors at 22k miles. That was a $2k bill. No joke!

Thus far, this has been a great car!
My dealer had very few new cars on the lot. Strange times!

I considered trading it in on a ‘22 X2M 35i; however, the X2M 35i is not available until MY ‘23. It’s amazing how some new MY fiscal cycles start in March/April. I’m still considering this move in about a year, b/c I plan to give the new SAV to the Mrs. I ordered a new car in June of last year & still don’t have an allocation! Strange times…

Cheers/B

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

2 days in and about 50 miles on them including bedding in, so far no ticking noticed. I am guessing a good indicator will be my trip to Deal's Gap in 3 weeks.

You'll hear it most when you're driving up against something solid e.g. a divided highway with a concrete wall in the middle.

[WolfGTI]

Yup I figured, I'll pay attention to it and let you know.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You'll hear it most when you're driving up against something solid e.g. a divided highway with a concrete wall in the middle.

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by Rich.Wolfson

After reading this I spent a fair bit of time trying to find out which washer fluids don't have silicone. It's impossible and the product safety sheets are no help.

So no RainX which I have been using for years is a no brainer and not a problem as I am a true believer in AquaPel for front and rear windscreens. But for those that never used it before be away there are a lot of counterfeits out there. The hassle of concentrates and distilled water was not attractive to me which left out the BMW fluid.

So it's either the blue stuff or Prestone that people seem to like. But it turns out that not including the bug stuff, there are two Prestones (actually more but too hard to find), both yellow BTW. Both with Ethanol but one without Ethylyne Glycohol but is hard to tell which is better other than less is more.

Not sure it matters with our pump problem but the one without EG still goes down to -27º and the other to -34º. If it's -27 I have bigger problems here in NJ. But the no EG one, the -27º one is hard to find. AND the price for both is all over the place. Walmart seems to be the cheapest but the -27º is not in stock and twice the price for them to ship it to the store as the -34º. Again, both container labels look the same except for the temperature and the ingredient list on the back. And the Prestone 3 in 1 is over $20 a gallon. Am I over thinking this or what. Washer fluid! Not engine oil!

What I am sure of is there are enough washer pumps being replaced with people using the RainX for this to matter.

OTOH, this pump repair is probably easier than the valve cover and water pump I am doing over the next two weeks. 80,000 miles and I would rather do them on my schedule than theirs as the valve cover is leaking a bit but the level, I hate not having a dip stick has not gone under full after 6,000 miles.

Every board has multiple threads. Bob the oil guy has some too but hard to make a decision here. Anyone have any more information to add to my confusion? Thanks in advance.

///Rich

Followup. A few days ago I filled up the reservoir with Yellow Prestone -34°. When I next started up, the low fluid warning came on and kept coming on each day I started the car for the next few days. Crap. It never happened even with the Orange RainX. I even looked to see how much the parts are.

BUT, I drained all the fluid and refilled with blue stuff. Neither says there is anything but Methanol, Ethylene Glycol, and water. But the Prestone set the warning off and the Blue cheap stuff, all is good.

I have no idea how the yellow Prestone -27 behaves. But I KNOW the -34° is bad for my 2014 M235i.

///Rich

[mb67]

Got mine towed to the collision center after someone ran into her while parked curbside in front of my house. The total insurance bill will be $10,250.

[JMcLellan]

2019 M240i RWD-- Not done yet but this coming Tuesday having a local import shop install an aftermarket heat exchanger from Burger MS, and some Apex EC-7 satin black wheels with Mich Pilot Sport 4s. Going 235's in front and 265's in the rear. So excited to see what it looks like and how it drives. After that will see if there is enough clearance for some lowering springs. Next things on the list are: rear lip, front splitter, and next year 80% certain will be going with a bigger turbo. Good times.

[Mike F.]

Originally Posted by mb67

Got mine towed to the collision center after someone ran into her while parked curbside in front of my house. The total insurance bill will be $10,250.

Well that sucks. Hope the repairs aren't too extensive and that the job gets done right.

[mb67]

Originally Posted by Mike F.

Well that sucks. Hope the repairs aren't too extensive and that the job gets done right.

Fortunately no frame damage, but a lot of suspension and the entire left side body panels need to be replaced. In essence, half of my car will be brand new.

[morphomeman]

Always look on the bright of life!

[WolfGTI]

Drove against a divided highway (concrete barriers), at about 50mph for about 7 miles today, no ticking.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You'll hear it most when you're driving up against something solid e.g. a divided highway with a concrete wall in the middle.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Drove against a divided highway (concrete barriers), at about 50mph for about 7 miles today, no ticking.

Good to know, thanks!!!

[GoldfishRT]

More cooling system fun, the expansion tank has cracked and spilled a bunch of coolant overnight. Lovely.

[TrboMike]

Originally Posted by GoldfishRT

More cooling system fun, the expansion tank has cracked and spilled a bunch of coolant overnight. Lovely.

Did you have too much water in water/coolant radio and it froze?

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

2019 M240i RWD-- Not done yet but this coming Tuesday having a local import shop install an aftermarket heat exchanger from Burger MS, and some Apex EC-7 satin black wheels with Mich Pilot Sport 4s. Going 235's in front and 265's in the rear. So excited to see what it looks like and how it drives. After that will see if there is enough clearance for some lowering springs. Next things on the list are: rear lip, front splitter, and next year 80% certain will be going with a bigger turbo. Good times.

No luck on the BMS heat exchanger install. The car has a transmission oil cooler that mounts to the front of the stock heat exchanger just fine. The BMS unit does not have a bracket or setup to accomodate the trans oil cooler so that sucks.

Good news is the new wheels are sweet and no issues with rubbing.

[leftoverture]

Declared winter is over and put the summer tires back on.

[WolfGTI]

Just updating - still no ticking.

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You'll hear it most when you're driving up against something solid e.g. a divided highway with a concrete wall in the middle.

[B5toE92]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Got a little brake upgrade.

Nice it looks good, how does it feel compared to stock?

[B5toE92]

When I bought the car it had horrible green kidney grills and lower plastic. I FINALLY replaced the grill today and have the oem plastic lowers coming in soon.

Also ran into a new M240 and took a couple of side by sides. As I was taking them (at the grocery store) the owner walked up to me and told me how much she loved her car which replaced her old one, pretty cool!

Next on the list is new center caps for the wheels and new rotors/pads.

[WolfGTI]

Thank you - Pedal seems firmer and more bite for the same pedal travel, I'll get to put it through its paces on some mountain roads in 10 days.
For comparison - I was running the Ferodo DS2500 pads with my stock brakes.

Originally Posted by B5toE92

Nice it looks good, how does it feel compared to stock?