BMW E46 330dA Touring

[helix402]

New n/s/f lower arm rear bush. These are so much easier on a lift, remove u/trays, unbolt bush, pull old bush off, push old one on. Refit stuff. Easy.
I use barrier cream to make it easy to slide on. Torque is 60Nm for the brace and bush bolts.

[helix402]

[helix402]

New V5C (got the "A" removed):

[helix402]

Certainly is, the DVLA lie!

[helix402]

Glad you enjoyed it. 300k is the aim. I don't know if the car has ever had a turbo, it works fine. If it fails it will be a tad annoying. Used ones are cheap but a bit of a gamble. I don't foresee any engine problems. The floor is solid around the subframe. I've got a plate kit on the shelf it it does crack.
I'm undecided on the eventual replacement, the obvious choice is an E91 330d. Having the auto box due puts me off the 335d a little, though they are great cars. Another option is an E65 730d. I can't have a 5 as too many are having lots of extra M badges and stripes stuck on.

[helix402]

New n/s/r ball joint today:













Jobs are so much easier with the correct tools. Note the nice silver hub grease, the wheel arch repair is holding up well too. We even put a new grommet in the inner arch repair panel.

[helix402]

I've had it a few years, it was quite cheap, probably Chinese. But it works and I grease the thread ever so often. Took an hour for 1 bush.

[helix402]

Two jobs today, new front pads. The old ones weren't worn out, I just got fed up of brake dust. I fitted ATE ceramic pads.

On removing the old Bosch front pads I found they were cracked.



New pads:






Cracked pads:



Also changed the aux belt tensioner, here is obviously failed one (original):

[helix402]

Will post some feedback on the pads.

[helix402]

Ceramic pad update (only fitted on the front), they work and there is less brake dust. Simple as that.

Rear wheel (gen BMW pads and discs):



Front wheel (unknown make discs, ceramic pads):

[helix402]

The pads feel like the performance is the same as the old standard pads.

[helix402]

Hi, wiring needed from memory is:

Clutch switch, two wires to brake pedal switch, one wire to DDE

Reverse light switch, remove reverse light relay (blue one in e box), run two wires from reverse light switch to relay holder

No ews wiring needed, just reprogramm ews with PA Soft (very cheap from eBay)

Currently moving house so I'm afraid it may take me a while to dig out my wiring notes. If I can find them I'll post them here for you. Good luck with the swop.

Edited by helix402 on Wednesday 23 August 17:46

[helix402]

You'll also need a wiring plug to fit onto the clutch master cylinder for the position sensor.
This was from someone else's write up:



You'd have to check if the wiring is correct for the 330d (ignore the ews connection). I figured the wiring out by looking it up using DIS (never got the hang of WDS). You need to look up clutch switch to check the pins and wire colours, then the plug and pin no at the DDE. Likewise for the reverse light switch. You need 1 BMW connector for the DDE.

BMW make an adaptor lead for the slave cylinder which I think has the correct plug on. If you leave the gearbox ecu connected and seal and tie the gearbox wiring out of the way you don't need to reprogram the central coding code.

This is the clutch switch lead:



I have a new spare one if you want to make an offer via pm for it.

Edited by helix402 on Wednesday 23 August 17:59

[helix402]

Now on approx 245k miles, averaging an indicated 49mpg since it became a manual:

[helix402]

Glad you enjoyed the thread. It got a new MOT today.

[helix402]

Passed a magic mileage today. It was the second time due to a cluster change, real mileage is around 10k more. Sadly nothing special happened like unicorns dancing round the car.

[helix402]

This happened! I’ve always admired various aspects of Alpinas. When I sold a project bike I had some spare cash. So what does a near 1/4 million mile 17 year old car need?
Correct, it needs a genuine Alpina B3 front bumper:

Edited by helix402 on Tuesday 3rd October 06:40

[helix402]

I’m rather pleased with it. Just waiting for new trims now as I can’t bear to put old ones on a freshly painted bumper.

[helix402]

Bumper is on. Had a new problem this week. N/s/r window decided it would open on its own. Quickly cured with a second hand switch in the door for £6.

[helix402]

New crankcase breather filter ready for the next service:



I did try the Vortex type once but found the car smoked under load with one. This is a gen BMW part.