Update Time
The 323i has been running solid for Bella, drives great & has been mainly trouble free. A few issues have popped up since my last update as follows:
July - right rear wheel bearing started to get very noisy, took it to my indy & they did the bearing, discovered it needed a new front right ball joint (which is all one assembly with the lower control arm) and the right rear shock was leaking. Had them do the bearing and lower control arm assembly & I did the rear shocks myself. Cost from the indy was ~$700 & then the shocks I did for another ~$200ish.
August - check engine light kept coming on & off... figured out it was the solenoids for the VANOS system, took them out, cleaned them with MAF cleaner & then re-installed, problem solved.
October - new windshield installed because it had a crack in it.
December - valve cover gasket is leaking, going in for repairs next Tuesday (thanks to Chaos for the connection), should run somewhere between $300 - $450, depending on the parts we need. Had the gasket kit ordered & associated spark plug grommets and then ordered new bolts as well, but those might not need to be changed... was more of a good to have them in hand if needed deal.