Sometimes when people thrash their cars the repair cost is more than they're willing to deal with. At that point they're ready to sell them and sell them cheap.
I thought so too but ended up getting it one and working on a lot of it myself. One of the most unreliable and complicated BMW drivetrains ever as well, their twin turbocharged V8. Just a fun weekend car, and due to their reputation (valid one at that). They can be found for dirt cheap haha.
@@hokie9910 A mechanic friend who worked at Jaguar dealership back in day said they could sell ten Jags a year and keep whole shop busy European engineering lacks a whole lot to be desired.
@@gonesideways6621 up until the mid 90s those older BMWs and Mercedes were truly solid cars. My parents who did not have a lot of money laying around would always keep their cars for many years. In 1988 my father purchased a 1985 325e for 14k with 60k miles. I asked him why he switched from GM and he said he could not afford to keep the GM products on the road, he was a traveling salesman. He drove it to nearly 300k in 2003 and was totaled by a deer. In all that time it was regular maintenance and I believe 1 clutch, a muffler, and maybe a starter. That car really helped my family stretch the dollar as we had many years without car payments. Oh the good ole days.
It's not to stop me from watching your channel because I really enjoy watching an exceptionally good mechanic, but my feelings were hurt when you said, "wagons were ugly. I love wagons.
Two reasons: Johnny doesn't have a hooch. He doesn't have a whacky sense of humor. To get the big sub numbers on YT, those are the two primary requirements. See also: Sssniper Wolf; Caroline Kostnar. And Caroline is a particularly interesting study because she has 19 videos over the past three years and just last week crossed the million sub mark.
No drama, no phony deadlines, no exaggerated reactions, no goofy-face thumbnails, no trash talk. In other words none of the characteristics that TH-cam seems to reward.
Us at the dealer are starting to see a lot of those B46 oil filter housings failing. Surprised you were able to get it out by just removing the DME Jonny, I usually just remove the intake. Now I know haha
4:52 I'm sure there's an engine hidden somewhere under the landfill of black plastic. Can't imagine working on that when it's 20 years old and brittle.
All cars nowadays after ten years the plastic is brittle! I replaced the evap solenoid on my wife’s GMC terrain and broke two plastic fittings! They wanted a ridiculous amount for the two lines cause there molded to the fitting! I have a bulk roll of fuel line and lots of hose clamps so problem solved! Now I’m car shopping cause I know how brittle all the hoses and wire connectors are and don’t want to tear anything else apart when it breaks!
Sometimes just watching people work on cars (even if you don't have the model they are working) is just cool to watch and for some reason, relaxing. I think it's because back in the days I used to watch those that built trucks and spoke about parts and what the parts did and what they were going to install and it's performance. I like it when I see mechanics speak about parts, what they do and show what they are and how they work.
Now Johnny you know damn well we would watch you work on anything 😂😂Oil change it don’t matter, cuz most times you’ll find something wrong or out of place, which we love
These new B48/B58 cars make you love the N52-55 oil filter housing design. I did this job not long ago on a 330i and it definitely wasn’t as easy as N52-55 ones.
I agree with a lot of these people here, johnny you are an amazing Master Technician. Its so satisfying to watch someone with as much skill and perfectionism at work WHILE still being cool, calm, and collected. Its relaxing after a long day of trucking.
How can you not love a wagon. It rides and handles like a sedan and has the room to carry all your stuff as well. All these SUV's we see on the road today are just wannabe station wagons. That 325 is absolutely gorgeous.
I used to have a TA (Trade assistant) working with me, an older guy who was happy working on old Euro cars and he knew ALL the tricks and usually 2 ways of doing a fiddly job. I never loaded him up with the difficult jobs, Instead I got him to teach the Qualified guys and the apprentice to think outside the box and supervise and help :-)
I recently bought a black 2005 Passat TDi Highline with black leather and 130k miles for £250. I had originally sourced the car 8 years ago for a friend and did the servicing on it until he moved away from my area. He quite literally drove it until it broke. Brake pads were gone in the rear (as in not even present) so the caliper pistons had popped out. Front brakes seized, front wings completely rotten, really dull scratched paint, broken engine mounts. But the body amazingly hadn't a single dent. Spent £400 on parts, a weekend detailing it and now have an immaculate low miles Passat. Could sell it for £2500 but decided to keep it as it's a great car There are some bargains out there to be had
I love 4 valve per cylinder, VVT straight sixes 😎 Thing is....my 280 bhp 4.2 243K miles (reg gas) 21 year old Chevy Trailblazer has never needed much more than the occasional coil pack ($20 thru Amazon or $70 thru Autozone grrrr) (my '79 CBX didn't have vvt) 😀
I liked when he called it a “composite” part. Sounds like it may have come directly from BMW’s marketing dept. Helps the customer swallow the bitter pill of the ridiculous cost of the part and all the labor needed to get it fixed. BMWs are GREAT cars under warranty!
A few days ago I replaced the oilfilter housing gasket of my E36 325i M50. Modern engines like the one you worked on are just piles of 100 hoses, wires and plasic all over the place nightmares.
Timesert the threads in the block on the BMW e46, that's the best way to assure they don't pull out. Also, with studs there might not be enough clearance with the right strut tower to install the head because engine is tilted toward right.
What Americans call a “station wagon,” are prized possessions in Deutschland. Many companies have them for their sales staff. “Kombis” (hatchbacks) are favoured amongst the younger set.
those first couple years and all the CRAP you have to go through make it all worth it when you wake up one day, go to the business you created, and you're so backed up its insane. congrats ninja
I have a similar experience buying a customer's car (perfectly working used car) for cheap and I do not own a shop. A lady walked in saying her husband passed away and needed to sell her extra car. The shop offered her a ridiculously low amount. I quietly notified the lady I would offer her $300 more and I got the car for way below market price + $300. BTW I was in the shop as a customer waiting for the BS Mandatory State inspection.
Holy F#@*! What the hell is wrong with BMW??? Seriously whichever engineer signed-off on the design of the B46 oil filter housing should be sacked and never allowed to work in the industry again! What a pain to just replace the oil filter even!
Johnny, I have a Sierra Cosworth also. The umbrella seals in the head are failing and it puffs a little blue on start up. I was going to have a local mechanic remove the head to have it shipped to the UK to be rebuilt. What would you suggest I do? Thanks and I really enjoy your content.
2017 330i with M Sport Pkg...."massive coolant leak through the oil filter housing". My 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia....67K miles and never been in shop for anything---I haven't even replaced brake pads yet. Had two BMWs----never again.
One thing to check on the Sierra steering. There is a universal joint at the bottom of the steering column which can often seize up. Might be worth checking that (if you haven't already) before trying to get hold of a new steering rack?
I'm convinced that Johnny doesn't like wagons because he's European... meanwhile Americans love wagons. Grass is always greener on the other side, haha. Euro guys always want all the US-spec car features while American guys want all the Euro-spec stuff, it's never-ending.
Ah a Milwaukee impact wrench, how standard. You know, it's not the only tool you might need. Sometimes a hand file might do the job. Or just de-greasing a part.
We don’t care what you film Johny, we just like watching the ninja at work.
Wait Jonny is doing a cooking show on TH-cam? DIY plumbing? DIY home electrical?
I agree. It is enjoyable just doing even basic car stuff. Not sure what it is. Maybe because he makes it all look easy?
I agree 100%.
I second this.💯🔥
exactly!
My feelings got hurt when you said wagons are ugly 😮 wagons are sweet especially modified ones
Better than SUVs that’s for sure!
Hurt my feelings too. My S54 touring is one of my favorite cars.
I second that.
Don't even like bmw's (no, not capitalizing) but they have well-proportioned wagons.
I bemoan the fact SUVs replaced wagons. Total tragedy.
@@MattExzy ... and they are uglier. Ugh
Nothing disabuses me from buying a cool used BMW better than watching this channel.
I thought so too but ended up getting it one and working on a lot of it myself. One of the most unreliable and complicated BMW drivetrains ever as well, their twin turbocharged V8. Just a fun weekend car, and due to their reputation (valid one at that). They can be found for dirt cheap haha.
A friend of mine wanted to buy a 3 year old BMW yesterday, I sent him Johnnys TH-cam feed and he said I think I’ll pass on buying BMW, lol
@@hokie9910 A mechanic friend who worked at Jaguar dealership back in day said they could sell ten Jags a year and keep whole shop busy European engineering lacks a whole lot to be desired.
@@gonesideways6621 up until the mid 90s those older BMWs and Mercedes were truly solid cars. My parents who did not have a lot of money laying around would always keep their cars for many years. In 1988 my father purchased a 1985 325e for 14k with 60k miles. I asked him why he switched from GM and he said he could not afford to keep the GM products on the road, he was a traveling salesman. He drove it to nearly 300k in 2003 and was totaled by a deer. In all that time it was regular maintenance and I believe 1 clutch, a muffler, and maybe a starter. That car really helped my family stretch the dollar as we had many years without car payments. Oh the good ole days.
I'm not too proud to admit that I would sit and watch you just changing oil on cars 😂
You aint the only one lol, I'm right there with you.
I love those tiny BMW wagons with 6 cyl 😊
'tiny' 🤣
@@dr-mn7ld oh it is tiny compared to present day wagons. I used to have a 2004 325i, pretty nice
You say tiny, I say proper size!
@@oambrosia I agree!
It's not to stop me from watching your channel because I really enjoy watching an exceptionally good mechanic, but my feelings were hurt when you said, "wagons were ugly. I love wagons.
How does this channel not even have 100K followers.
That just means Jonny is the best kept secret on TH-cam but word is getting out. That's a great problem to have. Proud to know the secret handshake
Two reasons:
Johnny doesn't have a hooch.
He doesn't have a whacky sense of humor.
To get the big sub numbers on YT, those are the two primary requirements.
See also: Sssniper Wolf; Caroline Kostnar. And Caroline is a particularly interesting study because she has 19 videos over the past three years and just last week crossed the million sub mark.
No drama, no phony deadlines, no exaggerated reactions, no goofy-face thumbnails, no trash talk. In other words none of the characteristics that TH-cam seems to reward.
This channels style is so much more natural than the Car Wizard, just luckily for us this guy still concentrates on work rather than YT I spose
@@franklinpatterson3693 o
😆
Wagons are awesome!
Us at the dealer are starting to see a lot of those B46 oil filter housings failing. Surprised you were able to get it out by just removing the DME Jonny, I usually just remove the intake. Now I know haha
Any problems youve seen on the B58 or B58TU?
@@magnagaurd none so far, highest I've seen is 101, 455 on a 2018 BMW x5 and it had no leaks or prior repairs for leaks
@@KM-ol5bs yea plus it's cheaper since you don't have the buy the whole housing
@@mikemata623 interesting, ive seen a few B58s for sale with 100k+ which kinda makes me think they are solid
Pretty much everything on a B46 requires removing the DME and electrical junction box, lol. I just did some coolant hoses on one recently in an X3.
Johny, you do a great job describing your work, nothing better than a lot full of work orders
I love those wagons always been a Wagon Enthusiast from Saab, Subaru and now Vw
I have a !2008 9-3 areo wagon, unfortunately as too often the case with Saabs it's living at a repair shop right now.😢
good quality mechanic is worth the wait. FOR NINJA, wait as long as it takes. YOU KNOW it will be done right
You just watched him scotch-brite a camshaft in a sink.
4:52 I'm sure there's an engine hidden somewhere under the landfill of black plastic. Can't imagine working on that when it's 20 years old and brittle.
You give BMW a bunch of your money to get more plastic stuff just as they planned.
Anybody who buys one of those cars must be nuts
All cars nowadays after ten years the plastic is brittle! I replaced the evap solenoid on my wife’s GMC terrain and broke two plastic fittings! They wanted a ridiculous amount for the two lines cause there molded to the fitting! I have a bulk roll of fuel line and lots of hose clamps so problem solved! Now I’m car shopping cause I know how brittle all the hoses and wire connectors are and don’t want to tear anything else apart when it breaks!
You don't have to wait for 20 years for the plastic to become old and brittle, five years of turbo heat will age it 20.
@@kenwillis8487 - Imagine how I feel with my '98 Windstar Limited daily driver :-O
I love these short straightforward vids.
I may stop by the shop in July. I’m driving my 991.1 from CT to AZ and back. It’s part of myDream One Lap
Sometimes just watching people work on cars (even if you don't have the model they are working) is just cool to watch and for some reason, relaxing. I think it's because back in the days I used to watch those that built trucks and spoke about parts and what the parts did and what they were going to install and it's performance. I like it when I see mechanics speak about parts, what they do and show what they are and how they work.
Now Johnny you know damn well we would watch you work on anything 😂😂Oil change it don’t matter, cuz most times you’ll find something wrong or out of place, which we love
Thank you, i hate station wagons to, but for the right price, i would fix and flip one lol.
I would like someday to work in this shop and learn from Ninja Master. So satisfying watching this man working!
awesome work Ninja.
I Love maintenance videos, film everything.
Everytime I think I might invest in a bmw wagon I see a few of your videos and think "nahhh, I'm good."
Had the exact same car. Same year and color and everything. Phenolic Waterpump pulley exploded. Stopped before this happened. Great Car
These new B48/B58 cars make you love the N52-55 oil filter housing design. I did this job not long ago on a 330i and it definitely wasn’t as easy as N52-55 ones.
I have so much massive respect for a man that knows his way around a German car. 🤣🇩🇪
Jonny is a patient man, German cars are a nightmare to work on..
Being busy is a nice problem to have, better than no work. Keep it up!
Brake cleaner! Thanks Ninja! I asked what was in the can and he responded! Proof the reads the comments. I appreciate it!
As a 25 year German technician, it's satisfying to watch colleges work. Thanks Jonny. Maybe someday I'll ask for a job.
Easy for you Ninja! Wow, so fun to watch an expert in his field.
E46 is timeless, I had to purchase one and love it.
I recently bought a refillable brake cleaner canister after seeing the one ninja has, they are soooo nice! No more wasting hundreds of cans
Ya know Jonny, if you hadn't gone to the trouble of expanding your parking lot a few years ago you wouldn't have so many cars waiting to be serviced 😉
It just fun to watch anything, what Jonny doing so don't worry about your content. Greetings from Finland.
honestly film oil changes etc it’s satisfying seeing nice clean honest work
So much respect. Would hate to be working on those junk BMWs all day
You are a true professional. Smart, calm and know what your doing.
I am always amazed at how busy you are , along with my local BMW dealership extolling legendary German engineering and reliability.....
I agree with a lot of these people here, johnny you are an amazing Master Technician. Its so satisfying to watch someone with as much skill and perfectionism at work WHILE still being cool, calm, and collected. Its relaxing after a long day of trucking.
Thank you! It's much appreciated.
I watch RainMan Ray with a cup of coffee in the morning to rev me up, and the ninja in the evening with a glass of wine to calm me down
An Artist at work..
As many people have said Johny, we don't care if you change a windshield wiper. It's good to see you busy. take care.
How can you not love a wagon. It rides and handles like a sedan and has the room to carry all your stuff as well. All these SUV's we see on the road today are just wannabe station wagons. That 325 is absolutely gorgeous.
I really like the simple no nonsense approach of this video. I've seen you on JR's channel but I finally subscribed here. Nice video.
I hope there’s something interesting to fix on that Porsche Boxster. I like those.
you're the reason I bought one of those pressurized brake cleaner sprayers. mine's red though. :D
Thank you for videos
Keep it coming
I used to have a TA (Trade assistant) working with me, an older guy who was happy working on old Euro cars and he knew ALL the tricks and usually 2 ways of doing a fiddly job.
I never loaded him up with the difficult jobs, Instead I got him to teach the Qualified guys and the apprentice to think outside the box and supervise and help :-)
You have such great patience. There is no room at all to work in there. I would have thrown that entire oil thingy across the entire parking lot.
The Car Ninja strikes again! 😎
Thank you :)
I recently bought a black 2005 Passat TDi Highline with black leather and 130k miles for £250. I had originally sourced the car 8 years ago for a friend and did the servicing on it until he moved away from my area. He quite literally drove it until it broke. Brake pads were gone in the rear (as in not even present) so the caliper pistons had popped out. Front brakes seized, front wings completely rotten, really dull scratched paint, broken engine mounts. But the body amazingly hadn't a single dent.
Spent £400 on parts, a weekend detailing it and now have an immaculate low miles Passat. Could sell it for £2500 but decided to keep it as it's a great car
There are some bargains out there to be had
Your the best!
Oooh, I love that wagon
Station wagons are my fav type of car. i was sad when you bashed it.
Wish I lived closer. Would love for y'all to be the shop for my Audi.
A German car repair shop that's busy?? I can't imagine why!!
I love 4 valve per cylinder, VVT straight sixes 😎
Thing is....my 280 bhp 4.2 243K miles (reg gas) 21 year old Chevy Trailblazer has never needed much more than the occasional coil pack ($20 thru Amazon or $70 thru Autozone grrrr)
(my '79 CBX didn't have vvt) 😀
That white Ford Sierra 😍
I liked when he called it a “composite” part. Sounds like it may have come directly from BMW’s marketing dept. Helps the customer swallow the bitter pill of the ridiculous cost of the part and all the labor needed to get it fixed. BMWs are GREAT cars under warranty!
How about the Porsche Boxster? 👍
Long roof is best roof.
"Biggest wife is best wife"
James Ashby.
Always worth a watch 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
A few days ago I replaced the oilfilter housing gasket of my E36 325i M50. Modern engines like the one you worked on are just piles of 100 hoses, wires and plasic all over the place nightmares.
Look at all the plastic. Good God.
The Japanese don’t smoke what the Germans do when they design their cars. That why jjohnnys always happy and has a smile on his face
Love Johnny - 100% wrong on wagons LOL.
Great video
Timesert the threads in the block on the BMW e46, that's the best way to assure they don't pull out. Also, with studs there might not be enough clearance with the right strut tower to install the head because engine is tilted toward right.
What Americans call a “station wagon,” are prized possessions in Deutschland. Many companies have them for their sales staff. “Kombis” (hatchbacks) are favoured amongst the younger set.
those first couple years and all the CRAP you have to go through make it all worth it when you wake up one day, go to the business you created, and you're so backed up its insane. congrats ninja
There are great station wagons in Europe like the Corolla. They just don't sell them in the USA
Jonny, don't underestimate oil change videos!
I subbed bec i just like to see u do your thing in the workshop, dont realy care what u film 🙂
Wagon's are ugly? well, all wagons are not created equal. BMW, Mercedes and Audi made some of the best looking wagons ever!
I've got that same e46 in Oxford Grun. I love it its my Boba Fett
I’m so with you Jonny! Wagons are ugly! I can’t believe Doug Demuro loves wagons so much! Well, actually I do see why HE would be in to them lol
That's job security working on out of warranty German imports 👍
This guy is an insane bmw mechanic. I would need a schematic or print from autocad. Amazing.
You’ve got me into Euro cars now. Looking at an S4
Interesting the time constraints and pressure when the parking lot is getting full.
Hopefully an update on the wagon on your next video.
I would be worrie having all them cars in the parking lot with no fence around it , that someone would come in & steal a few converters
Sweet job! Keep it going
I have a similar experience buying a customer's car (perfectly working used car) for cheap and I do not own a shop. A lady walked in saying her husband passed away and needed to sell her extra car. The shop offered her a ridiculously low amount. I quietly notified the lady I would offer her $300 more and I got the car for way below market price + $300. BTW I was in the shop as a customer waiting for the BS Mandatory State inspection.
Holy F#@*! What the hell is wrong with BMW??? Seriously whichever engineer signed-off on the design of the B46 oil filter housing should be sacked and never allowed to work in the industry again! What a pain to just replace the oil filter even!
plastic is cheaper than aluminum, blame the bean counters and finance departments lol
Johnny, I have a Sierra Cosworth also. The umbrella seals in the head are failing and it puffs a little blue on start up. I was going to have a local mechanic remove the head to have it shipped to the UK to be rebuilt. What would you suggest I do? Thanks and I really enjoy your content.
2017 330i with M Sport Pkg...."massive coolant leak through the oil filter housing". My 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia....67K miles and never been in shop for anything---I haven't even replaced brake pads yet. Had two BMWs----never again.
Wagons are a good sign the owner doesn't live with his mom.
One thing to check on the Sierra steering. There is a universal joint at the bottom of the steering column which can often seize up. Might be worth checking that (if you haven't already) before trying to get hold of a new steering rack?
Bit your tongue Jonny! Wagons are awesome!
A mechanic’s mechanic for sure.
You’re geeking e46 wagons go so hard
Hey I love station wagons ,come on Johnny .😊
well done signor Ninja, you're a handy man
Love watching all your videos, would like to see some 1 series get worked on.
bravo frate ! aratele cum se face !
I'm convinced that Johnny doesn't like wagons because he's European... meanwhile Americans love wagons. Grass is always greener on the other side, haha. Euro guys always want all the US-spec car features while American guys want all the Euro-spec stuff, it's never-ending.
Ah a Milwaukee impact wrench, how standard. You know, it's not the only tool you might need. Sometimes a hand file might do the job. Or just de-greasing a part.
Cmon… wagons are the best version of any chassis. Hands down! Party in the front, business in the back!
good for them providing you tub content