So in an attempt to help repay everybody for all the countless and priceless advise this forum has offered me since purchasing my 5, I am going to try to write up a few DIYs this weekend.

The plan of attack:
1) Front hub bearing replacement ( I paid to have the other one replaced a couple months ago and decided that $700 twice was not happening)
2)Oil filter housing gasket (on an m54)
3)Valve cover gasket (again.. same m54)
4)Make my own AUX cable, install, and code it.

So before I begin these projects, I just wanted to see if anybody had any pointers out there that are maybe not everybody is aware of. Also, is there anything anybody would like me to try to highlight or explain in further detail while doing these?
All of the mechanical repairs are going to be done with hand tools, a jack and jack-stands so they should be pretty applicable to just about everybody. Also, if there are already DIY guides out there for any of these and I shouldnt bother adding another, just let me know as well

Thanks everybody.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing all of those.

 

+1

 

valve cover gasket is gonna be a bi*ch. mine's leaking too. im just too lazy to get around to it. just be sure you seal it well or else its always gonna leak.

 

The owner has an M54 the valve cover gasket is very easy. For an experienced person it will take about 30 min.

 

ANY DIY is welcome here. Go for it!

 

Aux install DIY

 

So, just wanted to give an update.

I did the aux retrofit and there really are plenty of great DIYs out there already so i will be skipping that. The coding part took a bit of digging and learning, but it is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. If you have any questions regarding the coding, feel free to send me a PM and I can give a bit of direction if needed. As for the other repairs, I have been sidetracked by some control arm issues and am currently working on those before I will have time again to get to the other issues that have plagued my car. Sorry for the delay.

 

Bavarian Autosport has a few DIY videos on their Web site that describe the M54 engine (or similar). You could see what they've already done before you duplicate something. I'm pretty sure they've done a valve cover gasket DIY. I know they have a CCV valve and hoses video, and one for belts and tensioners. Very well done. And then there's the E46 community, like this forum:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Specifically:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=886063

Lots of M54s in all those E46s out there.