Discussion
CoolHands said:
’m amazed how many of these bmw seem to have sold. And they all look battered! Esp that red one
Seems pretty honest though. I just think Imola looks great. Mind you, a Laguna Seca blue one would be better still, especially with an M3 front end. If anyone is interested in the black car in Penryn, I'd be happy to take a look on your behalf and possibly help with transportation if you're out of county.
Mark-insert old BMW said:
I'm no longer in Aggie. Moved out into the sticks near Playing Place. 
Stud kit and spacers arrived today so hopefully I'll find some time to fit over the weekend. Anyone know if it's possible to lower the stock sport seats? If not, I think I'm going to have to go aftermarket.
Aah! That would explain why I didn’t see you about Mark! Stud kit and spacers arrived today so hopefully I'll find some time to fit over the weekend. Anyone know if it's possible to lower the stock sport seats? If not, I think I'm going to have to go aftermarket.
Always find it interesting you find it compares so well to your old M3 - I remember Leins saying something similar about his 325ti compared to his M3.
I’ve had mine ages after a few E46s and they definitely have a different character - always felt a bit more old skool like an E21/E30 in some respects
And you’re right re the rust… seem to resist it so well compared to similar age E46s
s m said:
MightyBadger said:
Does anyone know if the 3ltr m54 would fit into the e36/e46ti?
Certainly fits in the E46 - there’s lots of converted ones around https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUxnq4Ygo2c
Yes quite a few have been fitted with a 3 litre M54.
Although the Hartge H33 version had an S54 from the M3, which kind of make sense as it's all E46 bits. But now I've got a Z4M Coupe with the S54 the idea of one of those in a Compact just boggles my mind!
Then again they stuffed a 5 litre S85 into an unsuspecting 1 Series too.
Although the Hartge H33 version had an S54 from the M3, which kind of make sense as it's all E46 bits. But now I've got a Z4M Coupe with the S54 the idea of one of those in a Compact just boggles my mind!
Then again they stuffed a 5 litre S85 into an unsuspecting 1 Series too.
Well according to the BBC we have a few decent days weather from tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get a few more jobs done on the Compact. I had been thinking of getting some coilovers but as I've already got near new Bilsteins fitted, I'm just going to try and source some springs that are an inch lower than those currently fitted. I've also just ordered some adjustable rear camber arms but I'm really tempted by one of these Racing Diffs conversions. Has anyone here fitted one of these? Maybe I should start a thread of their own? It just seems like a bit of a bargain if they work as their website and YT videos suggest.
Anyone here have any thoughts?
https://racingdiffs.com/products/bmw-e46-e90-e92-e...
Anyone here have any thoughts?
https://racingdiffs.com/products/bmw-e46-e90-e92-e...
Edited by Mark-insert old BMW on Monday 2nd October 17:19
Some interesting info relating to gearing etc in this thread...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Managed to do the back brakes today!
Am really tempted to change the driver seat for something I can mount a few inches lower. I like my OE seats but I hate feeling as if I'm sat ON the car as opposed to IN it and there's no way that I can see to lower the stock seats mounting unfortunately.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Managed to do the back brakes today!
Am really tempted to change the driver seat for something I can mount a few inches lower. I like my OE seats but I hate feeling as if I'm sat ON the car as opposed to IN it and there's no way that I can see to lower the stock seats mounting unfortunately.
Well I made the most of the good weather and took the Compact for a run along the Atlantic Highway up towards Bude today.
When I did the stud conversion I also added 20mm rear and 12mm front hubcentric spacers. It surprised me just what a difference it made to how the Compact feels. It certainly feels sharper on turn in. I like that the rims sit flush now also.
I'd like the ride height to be about 30mm lower but I need to find some decent springs that have a bit more drop than those that are available. I could go with coilovers but I can't afford any decent ones so better to stick with decent springs to complement the Bilstein already fitted.
I want to go get the tracking done tomorrow and had planned on fitting my MoMo steering wheel, although I may wait till after the next MOT in a few weeks. These are such great value for money and they sound lovely. I'm going back up to Barnstaple on Sunday and am really looking forward to it.
When I did the stud conversion I also added 20mm rear and 12mm front hubcentric spacers. It surprised me just what a difference it made to how the Compact feels. It certainly feels sharper on turn in. I like that the rims sit flush now also.
I'd like the ride height to be about 30mm lower but I need to find some decent springs that have a bit more drop than those that are available. I could go with coilovers but I can't afford any decent ones so better to stick with decent springs to complement the Bilstein already fitted.
I want to go get the tracking done tomorrow and had planned on fitting my MoMo steering wheel, although I may wait till after the next MOT in a few weeks. These are such great value for money and they sound lovely. I'm going back up to Barnstaple on Sunday and am really looking forward to it.
Mark-insert old BMW said:
Well according to the BBC we have a few decent days weather from tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get a few more jobs done on the Compact. I had been thinking of getting some coilovers but as I've already got near new Bilsteins fitted, I'm just going to try and source some springs that are an inch lower than those currently fitted. I've also just ordered some adjustable rear camber arms but I'm really tempted by one of these Racing Diffs conversions. Has anyone here fitted one of these? Maybe I should start a thread of their own? It just seems like a bit of a bargain if they work as their website and YT videos suggest.
Anyone here have any thoughts?
https://racingdiffs.com/products/bmw-e46-e90-e92-e...
I also went down that rabbit hole a while ago for my E90, turns out the racing diff conversions are junk and let go when put under moderate strain. The cheapest good option I found was a Chinese helical/torsen for around £500 on eBay. But also, a torsen wasn’t really what I wanted either, so it’s £1k+ on a clutch pack one for me.Anyone here have any thoughts?
https://racingdiffs.com/products/bmw-e46-e90-e92-e...
Edited by Mark-insert old BMW on Monday 2nd October 17:19
LactoseJoe said:
I also went down that rabbit hole a while ago for my E90, turns out the racing diff conversions are junk and let go when put under moderate strain. The cheapest good option I found was a Chinese helical/torsen for around £500 on eBay. But also, a torsen wasn’t really what I wanted either, so it’s £1k+ on a clutch pack one for me.
Does an E46 M3 LSD fit in the 325ti casing?LactoseJoe said:
I also went down that rabbit hole a while ago for my E90, turns out the racing diff conversions are junk and let go when put under moderate strain. The cheapest good option I found was a Chinese helical/torsen for around £500 on eBay. But also, a torsen wasn’t really what I wanted either, so it’s £1k+ on a clutch pack one for me.
Not purchased one for about 5 years now, but last time I was in this situation I went with a Gripper LSD - proper bit of kit back by a lifetime warranty (when I bought mine through them anyway). No grumbles from me as it works perfectly, was only about £700 too - not a bad price for something that works as advertised, don't even need to wait for shipping from Beijing or tear your hair out wondering if it's going to break and take God knows what else with it. I had a Quaife on an E91 335i and that performed well (about the only thing I liked on that car!) and I would recommend one, especially having had a couple of Quaifes in FWD applications which I was more than happy with too. I'd also recommend a Wavetrac, although they're a bit more punchy £££-wise and while I saw a difference on track over a Quaife; I'm not sure you'd see much benefit on the road.
RS Grant said:
I had a Quaife on an E91 335i and that performed well (about the only thing I liked on that car!) and I would recommend one, especially having had a couple of Quaifes in FWD applications which I was more than happy with too. I'd also recommend a Wavetrac, although they're a bit more punchy £££-wise and while I saw a difference on track over a Quaife; I'm not sure you'd see much benefit on the road.
The Quaife is about the best you can get off the shelf but they’re still torsen/helical for the BMWs I believe. This is widely viewed as the best type for grip/track applications - even here in Japan, where everyone uses clutch pack diffs - as the clutch ones have a tendency to steer the car in high-speed corners. Having gotten used to a Nismo 1.5 clutch LSD I’m quite fond of the aggressiveness and reliable lock of this type now, so don’t really want anything else. It’s my understanding that you’ll get no drive to the low-traction wheel using torsen/helical, when say one wheel is airborne or you’re on ice/snow. LactoseJoe said:
It’s my understanding that you’ll get no drive to the low-traction wheel using torsen/helical, when say one wheel is airborne or you’re on ice/snow.
Yep, it's the no-load situations where a Wavetrac comes into its own. Aside from that, it felt identical to a Quaife diff to drive and was perfectly behaved on the road too.In a track-only application I'd likely have gone for a plated diff.. but I personally couldn't live with one on the road.
Did a quick oil change today and fitted a magnetic sump plug.
I've still got the traction control light showing and was going to remove and clean the wheel speed sensors, in the hope it might just be down to one or more of those. I don't fancy trying to replace the steering angle sensor myself. Does the DSC button not doing anything suggest it's at fault? I hate bloody electronics.
I had a wheel alignment done locally and it seems the near side track rod arm is seized so ordered new for both sides, including lower arms, drop links and lollipops. Wondering if M3 items might have been a decent upgrade?
I've still got the traction control light showing and was going to remove and clean the wheel speed sensors, in the hope it might just be down to one or more of those. I don't fancy trying to replace the steering angle sensor myself. Does the DSC button not doing anything suggest it's at fault? I hate bloody electronics.
I had a wheel alignment done locally and it seems the near side track rod arm is seized so ordered new for both sides, including lower arms, drop links and lollipops. Wondering if M3 items might have been a decent upgrade?
Went for a Sunday morning blast up the A39 to Bude for breakfast this morning. I've been doing odd jobs on it over this past week and also fitted a stainless gear knob and suede 330mm steering wheel. Apart from making it much easier for me to get in/out due to the extra leg room, they've made a considerable difference to how the Compact feels. I really didn't like the OE wheel the cabin just feels like a more special place to be. The faux carbon fibre trim has to go though. I've also managed to source a set of ox blood red Sport seats to replace my black ones. I've always liked red leather in silver cars.
When I got the Compact it came with a cracked screen. I will replace it eventually but meanwhile, thanks to a sunstrip, it has disappeared.
So today I did about 150 miles and the Compact was faultless. It can be a little thirsty when stretching its legs but it sounded lovely. In fact, both times I stopped for fuel people remarked how good it sounded. In fact it sounds much like my old 325 track car.
My old E30 325 at Brands Hatch. https://youtu.be/htPsqnYgTrs?si=hok0959rTZgcFyCA
So this week I need to fit new wheel speed sensors x4. I'm also on the hunt for some used coilovers.
When I got the Compact it came with a cracked screen. I will replace it eventually but meanwhile, thanks to a sunstrip, it has disappeared.
So today I did about 150 miles and the Compact was faultless. It can be a little thirsty when stretching its legs but it sounded lovely. In fact, both times I stopped for fuel people remarked how good it sounded. In fact it sounds much like my old 325 track car.
My old E30 325 at Brands Hatch. https://youtu.be/htPsqnYgTrs?si=hok0959rTZgcFyCA
So this week I need to fit new wheel speed sensors x4. I'm also on the hunt for some used coilovers.
Edited by Mark-insert old BMW on Sunday 15th October 18:03
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