Here's how bad/good/fun/wife's pissed (because I said the car would be great and very reliable when I handed over $10k cash for it):

2 weeks ago on the way to work turning onto the feeder I goose it and throw the SC belt which takes both accessory belts with it. I limp home while producing a nice coolant steam trail.

I jump in the e90, go to work, come home in the evening and start the teardown.

While removing the PS headlight I destroy the xenon cover and mounting bracket (effing wonderful, done this at least 10 times before without issues). All three belts have been chewed and spun around the crank tike saltwater taffy. Shreds of rubber and fiber is all that remains and it's everywhere. Remove charge pipe and rad fan shroud to get a better look at the hoses. Lower rad hose, and trans thermostat coolant feed lines gat chewed in the process, there's the source of the steam.

Good thing, I thought the radiator or some other pricier parts got damaged.

Proceed to remove the hoses and notice a trail of oil coming from the Vanos solenoid gasket, I['m ecstatic, there's that pesky little leak I've been looking for, easy peasy. I recently changed these along with a number of other gaskets. I got to tighten the bottom bolt and it's hand tight, now I know I tightened it better. Keep tightening, still hand tight, keep tightening, you get the idea. Looks like someone stripped out the thread, great.

So out come the rest of the SC Plumbing, the SC, SC brackets, coils, valve cover, chain tensioner, and lower timing cover.

Now waiting on parts to arrive from all corners of the internet.

Wife keeps giving me the "You are an absolute dumbass" look.


Worth it. . .