Power Steering Popped on V-Day... what a great present

Just a view of the old on the left and the new on the right... apparently these pumps failing is pretty common.  BMW in March of 2001 updated the pump from the LF-20 to the LF-30.  Reason behind it is that drivers were complaining about the increase effort on steering... so in solution BMW developed a higher pressure pump, the LF-30.  Some enthusiasts still desire the LF-20 for the tighter steering feel... i feel the same way.  Never the less these buggers are not cheap $550 for the pump alone

battle of the shift knobs... BMW Performance vs. ZHP

origionally i purchased the bmw performance shift knob (short and silver).  I herd nothing but excelent reviews regarding the knob so i bought it.  When i installed it it felt nice but it felt like i was shifting with a pencil... no good.  So i popped it off, returned it, and ordered the ZHP knob (black).  I have been nothing less than impressed with this little knob.  It looks OEM and like it came with the car.  It matches the trim of my car unlike the silver BMW performance one.

ZHP Control Arms w/Mayle HD bushings

the latest mod/repair took place this week.  My steering wheel was shaking like Michael J. Fox on high speed braking.  The problem was traced to front lower control arm bushings (FCAB).  I also recently took the car into my local Indi shop and they said not only were the FCABs in bad shape but the control arm ball joints were compromising performance.  BMW made a wise money making move not allowing one to replace only the ball joints on the control arms but making them integrated into the control arm as a unit thus making it necessary to replace the entire control arm smart for BMW dumb for the wallet.  Long story short i found a member through an online forum selling the upgraded ZHP control arms that had solid ball joints for better performance and purchased the Mayle HD FCABs through bavauto.com  The ride is great now.  Night and day difference makes driving "straight sideways" more enjoyable ")

Mid Winter Day Drive

Happy 100,000 mile Birthday!

Hit the hundred thousand on the way to SEMA in Vegas!