e46/330i saloon m-sport
Discussion
Well. After 5 years of Focus ST170 ownership (which was relatively pain free); I've finally taken the plunge into a BMW e46 330i saloon. I've always loved the shape of the saloon, and had a 320d saloon m-sport as a company car 'back in the day' - which was pretty but utterly gutless.
Picked it up from a wheeler-trader about three weeks ago, and have spent a 3rd of the time driving (250 miles/week for work), a 3rd of the time surfing e46 owners forums and a 3rd of my time in the garage getting things fixed.
Paid 3300 for it, with about 720quid/annual/insurance -- I'm over 35 but live in London, where apparently people are just falling over themselves to crack into my old BMW and steal my Abba CD's.. or whatever people keep in their cars these days.
So far, 'work' includes:
4 actual tyres made of actual rubber -- Yokohama Advan Sport V105S' (staggered, if you please)
DVD nav upgrade+2016 maps+speed camera POI's (from 2004 maps)
The paperclip-bluetooth fix to get my iPhone working - though every time the phone rings in the car, I just about pish-myself.
New roundel (cheap eBay job - error)
Two new wires to fix the rear light earth problem
New DISA
A Mishimoto silicone air intake (old one was split) - hello extra 7mpg/av!
New NSF wheel bearing
.. and, at time of post, probably new belt tensioner, idle pulleys, sigh.
To follow:
Fit an Intravee+Alphine KCA 420i for my iPhone (eBay FTW!)
Vanos repair (preventative)
Serpentine belt, AC belt, some belts, all the belts (preventative)
A proper rust seal for the car (had a quote for 400quid from rust.co.uk)
Amplifier upgrade from http://www.carphonics.co.uk/bm54upgrades.htm
Heated leather seats - but existing ones are in such wonderful condition, doesn't seem right just now!
First long "commute" from London to Bristol - got a flicker on the oil light - checked the oil... nothing.. checked it again.. nuffin'.. got 2.5 litres in it before it just tickled over minimum.. love how people just drive cars about and don't maintain them! *angry face GIF*
Photos to follow!
Picked it up from a wheeler-trader about three weeks ago, and have spent a 3rd of the time driving (250 miles/week for work), a 3rd of the time surfing e46 owners forums and a 3rd of my time in the garage getting things fixed.
Paid 3300 for it, with about 720quid/annual/insurance -- I'm over 35 but live in London, where apparently people are just falling over themselves to crack into my old BMW and steal my Abba CD's.. or whatever people keep in their cars these days.
So far, 'work' includes:
4 actual tyres made of actual rubber -- Yokohama Advan Sport V105S' (staggered, if you please)
DVD nav upgrade+2016 maps+speed camera POI's (from 2004 maps)
The paperclip-bluetooth fix to get my iPhone working - though every time the phone rings in the car, I just about pish-myself.
New roundel (cheap eBay job - error)
Two new wires to fix the rear light earth problem
New DISA
A Mishimoto silicone air intake (old one was split) - hello extra 7mpg/av!
New NSF wheel bearing
.. and, at time of post, probably new belt tensioner, idle pulleys, sigh.
To follow:
Fit an Intravee+Alphine KCA 420i for my iPhone (eBay FTW!)
Vanos repair (preventative)
Serpentine belt, AC belt, some belts, all the belts (preventative)
A proper rust seal for the car (had a quote for 400quid from rust.co.uk)
Amplifier upgrade from http://www.carphonics.co.uk/bm54upgrades.htm
Heated leather seats - but existing ones are in such wonderful condition, doesn't seem right just now!
First long "commute" from London to Bristol - got a flicker on the oil light - checked the oil... nothing.. checked it again.. nuffin'.. got 2.5 litres in it before it just tickled over minimum.. love how people just drive cars about and don't maintain them! *angry face GIF*
Photos to follow!
Edited by corcoran on Thursday 18th February 11:16
I've got one of these, it's our smoker alongside the Subaru and the E36 M3 track project.
I just replaced warped front discs and also did the oil service using Mobil 1 0w-30. I went a bit further and also changed the cabin filter, the air filter for a performance Simota panel and the sparkplugs just for good measure!
I've also done the RTABs and FCABs with Duraflex poly items, coupled with new track rods (inner and outer).
Drives alright now. Could do with a few more new bushes and new shocks really but I'm reluctant to spend more on it just now. Good, solid all rounders, if not quite thrilling in standard form. It's not bad at all for a 130k car.
I just replaced warped front discs and also did the oil service using Mobil 1 0w-30. I went a bit further and also changed the cabin filter, the air filter for a performance Simota panel and the sparkplugs just for good measure!
I've also done the RTABs and FCABs with Duraflex poly items, coupled with new track rods (inner and outer).
Drives alright now. Could do with a few more new bushes and new shocks really but I'm reluctant to spend more on it just now. Good, solid all rounders, if not quite thrilling in standard form. It's not bad at all for a 130k car.
Nice, is it an auto or manual?
I've always liked the E46, unfortunately they are all to getting to that age where it can seem like one repair after another. I've had 2 manual 330i, one saloon and one touring. Looks like a decent spec and you have xenons, they do make such a difference. I'm now in an E91 330i, but oddly I still prefer the looks of the E46!
I've always liked the E46, unfortunately they are all to getting to that age where it can seem like one repair after another. I've had 2 manual 330i, one saloon and one touring. Looks like a decent spec and you have xenons, they do make such a difference. I'm now in an E91 330i, but oddly I still prefer the looks of the E46!
d job it was getting the poly ones in. Talk about snug.....corcoran said:
Auto. I'm London-Lazy!
Though I miss actually having the gear I need when I need it. Only been 3 weeks, need to work out my overtaking manoeuvres about 6 seconds ahead now, rather than 3..
You'll find it drives much nicer and more responsively in Sport, you just won't get the top gear. Believe they're 5 speed in auto flavour but I can't remember now!Though I miss actually having the gear I need when I need it. Only been 3 weeks, need to work out my overtaking manoeuvres about 6 seconds ahead now, rather than 3..
Edited by corcoran on Thursday 18th February 11:17
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