BMW E46 330dA Touring

BMW E46 330dA Touring

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helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Monday 29th May 2017
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More parts for the swop, reverse light switch connector:





I'll pick the gearbox up this week. I've been looking at wiring diagrams. I'm sorted for the clutch switch (for the cruise control). I'm not having a second clutch switch for starting, they weren't fitted to UK E46s.
I think I'm sorted for the reverse switch wiring. The auto has a reverse light relay in the E-box. I think I don't use and wire the lights as the manual. Having done more research it seems I'll need to do more to the IKE than just programme the auto display off as the K bus signal for the PDC runs through it.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Monday 29th May 2017
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Wiring loom made for the reverse light switch (will be fully covered in an outer sheath when fitted):



Wiring is covered in old tape residue as it was removed from my selection of spare used BMW wiring.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
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That happened today! Not quite finished, just need to reprogram DDE and finish reverse light and clutch switch wiring&plumb clutch lines in, and bleed cooling system and clutch......

Had to lift autobox out on my own when my helper realised 1/2way through removal that the box was too heavy for him to hold with me, that was fun! Car started first time with manual in.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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The manual lives! The clutch line from master cylinder to slave was fun. It runs behind the heater box. I had to straighten it, slide into position, then re bend.
Clutch was bled easily with my pressure bleeder. I did a 150 miles today, two 75 mile runs. This was the mpg:




Not bad with the auto diff still fitted (mucked about by eBay seller, will have a 2.28 diff soon). Also put the manual software on the DDE:







Reverse light switch needs connecting, remove relay and wire to pin 2 and 6. Clutch switch needs wire connecting to the DDE.

The gearchange is very positive as it has all new bushes, cup and washers+rear mount. The prop centre bearing squeaked for the first couple of miles. I think it was upset at being removed from the auto prop and put on the manual. It's fine now.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 23rd June 2017
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[quote=zippyonline]Top work!

Have you got any photos of having fun with the oily bits? Is it the same prop for manual and auto? And is it the same Flex-disc guilbo doughnut thingies for both - or do you know if they're a slightly different rubber compound?

Does the manual E46 come with a CDV? And are you running with or without it? Oooh, and what gearbox oil are you using?

Afraid I didn't take any photos of the oily bits change. The prop is different for the auto and manual, not sure if the prop doughnut is the same or not, I've got the manual one on. It doesn't look like there's a cdv in the clutch line. I used Westway Lubricants MTF2 in the box.

Re diff changing the gearing, it is rather wrong, 70 mph is approx 2600 rpm. That does not make for relaxed cruising.

Edited by helix402 on Friday 23 June 11:53

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 23rd June 2017
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Reverse lights wired into the e box. PDC works too.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 30th June 2017
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Clutch switch wired in and working. All electric stuff working apart from cruise control. I think I need to change the ZCS for one without "auto". Hopefully will have time to do that programming next week.

Cleaned for Goodwood:




helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Sunday 2nd July 2017
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Cruise control working. I'm aiming for 300k miles now after my hard work to change it to a manual.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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Manual diff fitted, 2.28 ratio instead of 2.81. Much more relaxing cruising. I fitted a Powerflex rear diff bush too, I hate removing E46 subframe bushes!










helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 7th July 2017
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Automatic, I should change my thread title now! If anyone wants to be a drift god and have a low geared 330d manual I have a spare auto diff.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
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New passenger airbag yesterday courtesy of the recall. All done without hassle and with compulsory free coffee. It was very odd being a service customer when several years ago I was the one fixing BMWs at the main dealer.





Note the rare sunroof on the other 330d, it's quite high spec, Xenons, powerfold mirrors, sports seats.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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Sunroofs are rare on the E46, most buyers were happy with just air con.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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Manual is going well thanks. Averaging 47mpg (indicated) with mixed driving.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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That's why I fitted electric seats, it was a pain getting the seat back in the right place. Agree regarding powerfold mirrors, my 328 had them. Twice I had a mirror snapped off by vandals.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Good day out at the Sherborne car show today:


helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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O/s/r window regulator broke after the Sherborne show. The joy of owning an old BMW isn't the regular repairs, it's the cost and availability of good used spares, £20 for a regulator and motor. 20 mins to fit.

Here's the dead one:



Terrible really, it only lasted 17 years and 241k miles.

I put some Gummiplege on the window seals to make life easier for the new reg:



I put some new butyl tape on the door membrane as the old stuff gets a little weak with age:


helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Tuesday 18th July 2017
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The M57 is indeed a rather good engine. It was a pioneering engine when launched, the first diesel engine that both economy and performance.
There are many engines these days with much more power. Since my manual conversion my indicated mpg hasn't gone below 47.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Wednesday 19th July 2017
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I preferred driving it as an auto most of the time. However on the plus side it's faster and more economical as a manual.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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New o/s/r tyre today. The Conti was down to 2mm in the centre. It seems to have worn quite fast, due to my cluster change I lost track of how many miles the tyre had lasted.
I have gone for a Pirelli P Zero Nero GT, as it was a lot cheaper than another Conti.







Mileage now 241k. Has anyone used ceramic pads on an E46? I'm a little bored of so much brake dust from normal pads. Textar and ATE sell ceramic pads.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,895 posts

183 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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The Style 68s fit 330s, the 330s only need 17s. They are a great wheel. Strong and light, I've not weighed them compared to an MV1 but have a feeling they are lighter. They are certainty lighter with a tyre on.