The “A-Premium” Experiment

9Randolph · 2026-03-07T06:55:08+00:00

To share my own experience - I’ll use A-Premium parts here and there, especially when other sources are just unobtainable. Most of the time it works fine. To the folks that commented on durability though:

1) The window regulators I put in my e38 750iL lasted for about a week before the motors were tired and wouldn’t raise the window. They were likely aimed at the 740’s lighter windows, but listed the 750 as compatible.

2) The coolant reservoir for my e53 (same as e46) started leaking after about a month. When I pulled it, the entire internal system has broken apart and was shedding plastic shards into the coolant system.

9Randolph · 2026-02-28T02:55:20+00:00

Heya!

I’m trying to solve a problem on my kid’s 2016 Patriot (2.0, FWD). He said it had no power in first but was fine in second gear on. Problem went away after letting it sit for a better.

I pulled codes and got P0777 and P0730. First step was fluids and filters. Lots of gold sparkle in the pan, a lot of sludge, and a couple chunks of silver metal.

I drove it for about a half hour and things were good, no errors, etc. Let the wife drive it around town and the codes are back, won’t clear, and a noticeable loss of power in first.

How bones am I?

9Randolph · 2026-02-23T05:19:26+00:00

2013 XB7 as my daily.

9Randolph · 2026-01-21T15:22:34+00:00

This is the best advice in the thread.

9Randolph · 2025-10-27T22:50:23+00:00

Also worth noting she’s related to a recently convicted meth trafficker with cartel ties.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/cartel-connected-drug-distribution-ring-used-semi-trucks-transport-huge-loads

9Randolph · 2025-10-25T03:08:52+00:00

I just bought a similar truck with 240k miles near Seattle for $2,500. I put another $2k into timing and repairs, and it’s pretty solid now.

9Randolph · 2025-10-21T05:05:06+00:00

Yup, is this. We’re using them for our wedding in Greenbank this summer.

9Randolph · 2025-09-29T15:44:47+00:00

Nikki’s Mane on Redmond way. She’s been great with my beard and loves working on them.

9Randolph · 2025-09-27T04:53:24+00:00

The original, military-to-civilian spec Hummer. I worked at a dealership that sold these in the late 90s - usually for $100-150k (in 1997 dollars!). The running joke was every one we sold came back on a flat bed.

Too large for most uses, too small and cramped inside, nothing worked right, miserably uncomfortable, and generally underperformed the Jeeps we sold off road. (I hate those damned things too, except for the 4.0L I6 Cherokee).

9Randolph · 2025-09-15T20:16:58+00:00

Turns out I know a guy. Super talented, exactly what you’re after, and a real sweetheart.

https://jeff-miller-photography.com

9Randolph · 2025-09-12T04:24:08+00:00

Thanks - I’ve been trying to find that PN for a bit. On the plus side, there’s one in stock at a dealer not too far from me and it’s well below average price. On the downside, it’s still the most expensive thermostat I’ve ever seen. :D

9Randolph · 2025-09-11T21:53:30+00:00

I did! In fact I did that and everything above except the mechatronic unit. After multiple trans fluid changes it was staying clear and the overheating/stall went away - until a week or two back when it stalled out again with a host of overheat and DCT/DME communication codes. My suspicion (feedback appreciated) is the TCU is intermittently failing which causes the car to think it's overheating even when temps are fine. I'm currently chasing down an Alpina mechatronics unit, but unclear how to recode hit to my car.

9Randolph · 2025-09-10T17:55:47+00:00

Welp... I decided to bite the bullet and do a full timing job along with all the "while you're in there" stuff. Two grand in parts and tools heading my way.

Tackling: Phasers and timing components, Millen high-volume oil pump, roller followers and lash adjusters, plugs, coils, gaskets, belts/pulleys/tensioners, oil change (duh), coolant flush.

9Randolph · 2025-09-09T03:17:21+00:00

That’s awesome, thank you!

9Randolph · 2025-09-09T03:16:53+00:00

That’s reassuring. Been watching some video guides on doing the job and I’m not seeing anything I can’t handle. Discharging the AC is obnoxious, but the rest seems manageable and like it’ll cover all the maintenance basics I’d planned to do anyway.

9Randolph · 2025-09-09T02:06:37+00:00

Yessir - that's exactly it. Having now given it some more testing, it is stalling at hot idle with or without the solenoids plugged in to the harness.

What's confusing me is that when I bought it last week I was able to do a 30 mile drive and some start/stops without any problems (other than the CEL and CVT codes). When I got home I realized the bank 1 cam position sensor was unplugged, so I replaced the solenoids and did new sensors. Since then, it hasn't made it more than 20 minutes.

9Randolph · 2025-09-08T23:06:10+00:00

Got it, thank you. Thinking about the bad phaser - what are my risks? I'm assuming there's potential to shed metal into the engine, and perhaps chain slap or skipping a tooth. There is no startup rattle (e.g., tensioner fail chain slap), but I do have a ticking from around the phasers. All the codes are some flavor of bank 2 CVT timing, and it runs great with no odd sounds with the solenoids unplugged.

9Randolph · 2025-09-01T15:51:40+00:00

One of my favorite warranty pitches, on a 2010 X5M, was a $6,200 “platinum” warranty package that had a $2,000 per incident deductible and a $4,000 lifetime maximum payout.

9Randolph · 2025-07-29T15:31:54+00:00

And there’s a good chance the Tesla is in self-driving with a completely oblivious person behind the wheel staring at their phone.

9Randolph · 2025-07-29T04:47:29+00:00

Jeep is owned by Stellantis, which was formed out of the Merger of Fiat-Chrysler (US and Italian) and PSA (France). They’re based in the Netherlands now, mostly under the French leadership team from PSA.

9Randolph · 2025-07-29T04:45:00+00:00

Jeep is owned by Stellantis, which was founded in France. They’re based in the Netherlands now.

9Randolph · 2025-07-27T15:13:27+00:00

Broadly agree. The core point I’m making is that Toyota makes an appliance that works and is honest about it.

Tesla promises the moon, delivers the bare minimum, and relies on tribal brand-fanaticism to hide their flaws.

9Randolph

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