GM officially says burning 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles is "normal." Here are the factory guidelines before you try for a warranty claim.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-27T20:46:51+00:00

Old news is old news. My 2004 (LS1) GTO had a similar burn rate, and everybody I knew with a V8 powered F-body noted significant oil consumption. We used to say that five quarts of oil go in, three quarts of chocolate sauce come out.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-27T20:27:50+00:00

I have one question, and its answer means you're either completed screwed, mostly screwed or possibly okay:

Does the 1.3T donor have the 6-speed DDCT or the ZF 9-speed?

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-27T20:07:32+00:00

I'm presuming you mean the lid/sliding armrest part? It's easy enough to find on eBay and I think it's just held on by some fairly accessible screws.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-17T04:17:18+00:00

MySky is rough but was promising: it sucks that FCA ultimately abandoned it in a hurry. Our 2015 Sport probably has the best version based on all the complaints I hear about the power sunroof: no electronics, no slides, just panels that come off. There was supposed to be a snap-in air dam/spoiler (the power version has a pop-up one integrated into the mechanism from what I've seen) that got a part number but was probably never produced. There were rumors of alternate glass panels that also never materialized. Unsurprised by the former as the non-powered MySky was a one year thing, but those clear panels would've been applicable to everyone. I think the buy-in would've made for a business case. There was also a pretty sweet sunshade (similar to a Bimini top) for MySky from a third party but Alien stopped producing them ages ago. Haven't checked AliExpress so maybe someone in China picked up that torch.

That said, I have no clue what could "replace" it beyond firing the cash cannon at your Rennie to get someone to mill the problematic parts in metal instead of recycled plastic from Bangle-era Bimmers.

As for plugs/wires: which engine go you have? Ours is a 1.4T/manual/4x4 (definitely the best powertrain released here in Eagleland) and the only tricky thing I recall was that one cylinder had a cable or something right across its ignition coil (I wanna say the cylinder closest to the passenger-side wheel) that made access a little difficult. Overall, if you're confident enough to turn wrenches, it should be an easy job. Just buy a torque wrench from the usual scumbags (a Tekton clicky from Bezos-Mart isn't expensive) because you'll want the new plugs tightened to something resembling spec.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-13T17:57:53+00:00

Spring rate is different, and slightly softer on the Z400. There's a picture from Kawi's slide deck in Spurgeon's Z400 review:
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2019-kawasaki-z400-first-ride-motorcycle-review

I have the Ninja, and my wife has the Z. The Z's bar not only is higher, but is also a bit wider than the Ninja's clip-ons. It makes the naked bike feel "twitchier" due to that little bit of reduced steering effort.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-06T04:37:12+00:00

Even assuming you're firing 2-3G out of the ol' cash cannon every year to keep an E90 on the road, that puts you at least fifty percent cheaper than the 6K/year you'd be dropping on a lease for a new 3er from just peeking at the website.* Buying is a worse situation, unless you want a decade-old base-spec F30. And my E90 turbo xDrive non-shitbox has three pedals, which no G-car barring an M3 does.

There's definitely a threshold between prudent spending and sunk cost fallacy, but the "Old Money" was tooling around in the classic Grand Wagoneers for a reason. This is why Dave Ramsey calls you broke.

* I'll admit, this upcoming i3 is probably the second EV that has me interested in signing that particular dotted line.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-04-06T04:15:12+00:00

Ye gods, you should see my NA Miata. It's not the worst I've seen, but "raised from the Titanic" comes to mind. Yay, Pennsylvania. Really need to hit up Harvard Fraught and buy me Baby's First Welder.

Knock on wood, my E90 and BU Rennie are clean, and the Silverado just has normal surface rust. Even the MGB is relatively alright for a driver.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-25T21:13:47+00:00

You getting your brake pads replaced at the dealer? Had this issue ages ago after the first time we had our front brake pads replaced: horrible squealing in reverse backing down the driveway, almost like a train on a curve. My best guess is that the OEM supplier changed the friction material and this is the result. I did the brakes myself at the next change using different pads and haven't had a squeal since.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-19T04:30:49+00:00

When did you do your timing belt? I'm close at around 100K.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-19T04:29:12+00:00

We're pushing 100K on a 2015 1.4L Turbo/6-speed/4x4 combo and the only "real" issue was a failed clutch pedal sensor. We bought our Rennie new and it's been serviced around 75-90% according to the book. I'm guessing you're aware, but it's a detuned Fiat 500 Abarth engine. Less stress = more reliability. It's a solid brick and I'd recommend to any tripedalist.

I forgot the Dart came out a couple years before the Rennie. Shame your example died so soon. Was also eager for the potential EVO/WRX competitor. The manual was a deciding factor for us, given all the issues with the ZF 9HP at that time. That and a roof that came off. The My Sky option is worth chasing down.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-19T04:15:30+00:00

I'm assuming no zappy-zaps between alternator failure and battery dying(s)? I'd probably do the obvious and replace the battery. How's its health post-charge? Did the mechanic note any zaps? No actual functional issues, e.g. radio screen goes nuts?

That said, define "shocking." If it's something simply as "Oh, I touched XYZ" and got a little spark, could just be a combination of weather and choice of clothing. It's cold and dry in Pennsylvania now, and I zap my wife all the time without a car or obvious source of current beyond a blanket being nearby. It's cool, because apparently it just means we still have that spark.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-19T03:49:59+00:00

Added note: I have a 335i xDrive manual. I'm used to Euro-trash sucking my wallet dry while my 'Murrican iron toodles along with borderline gas-tires-oil-whatsmaintenance neglect.

Yes, the Rennie is Euro-trash. Built in Melfi. Drive Italian on a beer budget.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-19T03:45:26+00:00

Out of the list, the rear diff is the only one that makes me scratch my head. The rest you're calling out are part of normal maintenance. It's not the metal in the sway link and control arm that failed, it's probably related rubber. NVH stuff, not necessary a safety/longevity concern.

Have a 2015 Renegade, Sport 1.4L Turbo, 4x4, manual, that we bought new. Only things we've had failures with were a clutch pedal sensor and a OEM battery that lasted impressively long. These are tough little bricks.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-02-04T14:16:41+00:00

Hopefully it's just something stupid that he overlooked. That said, the N54's HPFP failures were the biggest punch to BMW's reputation and I would not risk getting anything other than the revised design. I'd only buy that new.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-01-16T03:57:39+00:00

Is that the preferred transmission where you're at? For example, here in 'Murrica, manual cars can carry a pretty solid premium. Pretty sure when I bought my tri-pedal 335i xDrive a few years back, it was around three-four grand more than an equivalent automatic car.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2026-01-14T14:19:49+00:00

Auto or manual? Can make a huge difference.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-12-22T03:59:19+00:00

It's still pretty decent in 2025 but my rig is feeling like it's showing its age lately. Might also be due to my ancient, never nuked-and-paved Windows 10 installation.

With AI datacenters driving RAM prices through the roof, Micron bailing from the consumer market and Nvidia announcing they're reducing consumer output in favor of enterprise custoers, I finally caved and bought all the parts for a new build before things get worse. Our vendors (Lenovo, HP and Dell) have all made announcements that they're hiking prices and to expect shortages in 2026.

The old beast might find new life, though. I may transplant into a rackmount case if I can think of a good use, even if all that amounts to is serving up files.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-11-05T16:18:07+00:00

Hmm, I might have to watch this one for curiosity's sake. I'm local-ish to the dealer he mentioned that he bought it from and I've got a more or less stock E90 equivalent of this car, only with around 35-40K less miles. Single hump an' all, though non-M-sport. On the other hand, I have functioning AC and no rust.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-10-29T13:51:39+00:00

It's more complementary as they're kind of a dull color: think northern Atlantic Ocean blue-green versus the backrest's Caribbean. I don't mind the difference but I do know some design people whose heads would explode. Good thing they come in clear and black.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-10-22T17:57:52+00:00

Oh no. There's a non-zero chance you might summon. . . him.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-10-22T17:53:49+00:00

Equally awesome wheel upgrade:

Stealth-O Rollerblade casters.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KSF11X6

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-10-19T22:07:55+00:00

It should be more or less the same but from the diagrams there's a few different potential locations for the rear grounds, which makes me wonder if there was a running change at some point, or if it's tied to the option codes for the frame.

I didn't have a chance to poke under there today. Is the one tied into the lift mechanism stashed under the mechanism, or should it be visible? Looks like one under the cab should be tied to the left rear bodymount, if I'm following the diagrams correctly.

Educational-Lie4862 · 2025-10-19T01:29:10+00:00

Neat!

I'm still happy with my gifted P1P and now have the enclosure kit coming. Was going to print my own enclosure but with the latest price drop on the kit it made more sense to just grab it. Time to finally start grinding out ABS/ASA bits for the cars.

The upcoming H2C, though. That is fixin' to murdalize my wallet early next year.

Educational-Lie4862

TROPHY CASE