What did you do in your shop today?

[Jims5543]

Anyone use this software?

https://www.bimmerdiagnostics.com/#xl_HeadingAnchor:58AHNEc


I am debating doing my own DC Transmission service on my M5.  FPC Euro sells a comprehensive kit with everything you can need including hardware.

I watched a youtube video and it seems pretty straight forward.  The only intimidating part is the initial start up, you need to hood this software up and put the transmission into some sort of service mode, then have it prime itself then start up the car.  According to the video you then have to keep the ending at 2K RPM's for a certain amount of time (1 minute IIRC) then check the fluid level again and top it off, then you take it out of service mode and you are done.

Seems simple enough.  I saw the software works with a wide range of BMW vehicles including every generation do the Bini.

Anyone used this software?  Is it intuitive or do I need to do some studying to use it?

[MPlayle]

Back in June, I sold the TRiking and trailer as a package.  In order to keep shipping costs even reasonable, they had to be shipped separately.  Getting the Triking shipped by it's self was easier.  Arranging shipping of the trailer has proven a pain-in-the-a$$.

It finally boiled down to the only way to ship it is if I put it on a pallet arrangement.

So, in splurts over the last three days, I procured a couple of standard pallets and some lumber and built up a long pallet and frame for loading the folded trailer onto for shipping.  Picture #72 is the second side rail and crossmembers to be installed once the trailer is loaded and strapped in place.  Picture #74 is the finished pallet with one side rail.  Picture #75 & 76 is the trailer ready to be loaded.  I use my engine hoist to do the heavy lifting and Bruce will be coming over on Wednesday to assist in loading it on the pallet.

[Jims5543]

There are 8 spark plugs in there somewhere.

I spent about an hour last night taking apart the engine bay in order to access all 8 plugs.

I had to pull the engine ECU's off and move them in order to get to the plugs under them.  They have coolant lines, I am not interested in opening that system up so I am just moving them around and working around them. I have 8 new Dinan coil packs to install with the new plugs. Dinan claims these coils fire 10% hotter than stock.

I decided to check book the transmission service. The computer programming is making me nervous I will screw something up.

[MPlayle]

With Bruce's help getting the trailer onto the pallet, I finished up getting it ready for shipping.

[94touring]

That looks expensive

[MPlayle]

Not especially.  The base pallets were free from a craigslist.org listing.  The 2"x4" lumber, screws, and a set of ratchet straps (the longer, light blue ones) came to just under $77.  The plywood used for the wheel pads abd the 1"x4" used for the joiner plates was scrap I had from a past project.  The shorter, dark blue straps were extras I had left over.  I charged $125 for the job, so net $48 and scraps cleaned out.

[Willie_B]

That looks well done Michael. An interesting project making it all happen.

[Jims5543]

What was the freight shipping cost for that pallet?  I am wondering if it would have been easier / cost the same to come tow the trailer back.

[MPlayle]

I do not know what the buyer's shipping cost for the trailer is going to be.

I can say for certain that it would have been cheaper all the way around for him to have driven down from Michigan and picked up the Triking and trailer as a package and towed it all back.

He has aready paid $1500 for having just the Triking shipped, plus the $125 for me to palletize the trailer ($1625 total so far).  My estimate of costs for him to have done the trip was $1800.

[Jims5543]

Finished the plugs/coils on the M5 last night.

My biggest hurdle was getting the coil pack out, they didn't want to budge. I was using a screwdriver and pulling, then remembered I saw a kid use a zip tie for more leverage.  That was the trick, I put one through the loop, put a rag in the zip tie and pulled on it like I was ripping anal beads out of a $25 hookers ass and boom!! They were coming out. It was all in the wrist. 

The plugs looked great for 53K  miles.  The new coils went in easy. After I was done, I was left with 2 10mm nuts. I have been scratching my head where they came from, I realized this morning driving into work that they were for the ground wires to the ECU bracket. LOL!! I am quadruple checking all my connections after work today and of course putting the ground wires back on. Then I am hooking the battery up, saying a small prayer to the anal gods and firing it up.

[Jims5543]

I do not know what the buyer's shipping cost for the trailer is going to be.

I can say for certain that it would have been cheaper all the way around for him to have driven down from Michigan and picked up the Triking and trailer as a package and towed it all back.

He has aready paid $1500 for having just the Triking shipped, plus the $125 for me to palletize the trailer ($1625 total so far).  My estimate of costs for him to have done the trip was $1800.

It was probably more of a time vs money thing for that guy. He didn't have time to make the drive but has the money to have everything shipped to him.