Crappy parts give crappy result

#1

So I’m working on my cream puff 82 528e, 110k orig miles etc…I figure I better take a look at the timing belt as the last noted change was at 60K. The dist cap and rotor were dated 88 so I rounded those up, the spark plug wires looked old so I had a set of Bavarian Auto Sport red wires that did not have the “i” lead so they were not used on the spec car…When installing the wires 2 of the ends did not “snap” onto the plugs. On inspection it seems the BAS wires are cheap ass and the metal insert that holds the wire on the plug comes apart very easily. So I wiggle em on as best I could. I leave the next morning for VIR, the car is not running right but clears up as I increrase rev’s, I run about 2 miles before I decide to turn around and put the old wires back on. When I pull back in the driveway the car is pouring smoke…when I look under the CAT is red hot and it seems the car is about to burst into flames. Having a poor connection on those two plugs dumped enough raw gas into the exhast to ruin the (crappy, aftermarket) cat.

Dont use crappy parts on your BMW, I have not learned this repeatedly, I am trying…

Al

#2

We had a similar result with clutch slave and master cylinders from BAS. Total junk! The master cylinder leaked past the piston and wouldn’t maintain pressure and the slave was wrong size, too short of stroke. Very disappointing. Classic case of getting what we paid for cheap price…. Cheaper parts….
Stick with manufacturer names known to be good quality.

#3

Except when it comes to rotors in your Spec E30. Save a buck and give the chinese some business. I have yet to find a front rotor that lasts worth a squat.

#4

I really think the best rotors are BMW that have been driven on the street about 10K…I just wish I could ID them in the u pull it yards. I believe there is some speculation that the wreck last weekend at SP may have been caused by a broken rotor…

Al