'Oddjob' aka 2002 330i Touring
Discussion
iamAlegend said:
Very nice looking car, especially in the flesh!
I think I just saw you in Oxford...I caught up to give a friendly wave but my turning was coming up so didn't have the chance (basically I was the t
t who went past you)
First other 330i manual touring i've seen since buying mine. This thread actually encouraged me to get one
Certainly an eye catcher. Hope mine will eventually look this good.
Thread to follow....
Not sure if i saw you near Oxford, haven't been that way for a while!I think I just saw you in Oxford...I caught up to give a friendly wave but my turning was coming up so didn't have the chance (basically I was the t
t who went past you)First other 330i manual touring i've seen since buying mine. This thread actually encouraged me to get one
Certainly an eye catcher. Hope mine will eventually look this good.
Thread to follow....
However.. In a week's time this little lot goes in..
Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 8th April 00:17
So.. today has been a busy one, aiming to finish tomorrow afternoon, though with issues with siezed bolts a bit, and collecting some new bits and bobs tomorrow, probably finish Thursday morning
Got the anti roll bar links off, be it one bolt needed the angry grinder to get it off.
Next up was the bolts for the clinch points on the dampers... which didn't go to plan..
Head sheered off on the passenger side, the driver's side wasn't playing ball despite being soaked with release agent.
So change of plan was to take the whole hub with damper off, which meant splitting the ball joints on the tie rods, thankfully those came out without much fuss and a re-enforced ball joint spliter my friend built.
Strut came out thankfully easy enough given the bolt tension was off.
He then went off to his workshop, and duely managed to get the other siezed bolt out, and at the time me posting, was chasing out the remains of the sheered bolt. New bolts on order from BMW should be here tomorrow for collection, and should mean the front end will be rebuilt by lunchtime tomorrow.
While he was off working on getting the bolts extracted from the hub assemblies, I set about fitting up the new lower arms and refitting the anti roll bar, which had to be removed to get access to the inner ball joint nuts, anyone who's changed the front arms on any E30 /36 / 46 will know how much of a pain these can be!
Taking off the stock bushings, these came straight off, if anyone wants a pair of lolipop bushes (Meyle ones) brand new and pretty much unmarked, give me a shout. Duely refitted my Powerflex ones to the new arms, which was a doddle with some copper slip and a mallet.
And new arms on
Got the anti roll bar links off, be it one bolt needed the angry grinder to get it off.
Next up was the bolts for the clinch points on the dampers... which didn't go to plan..
Head sheered off on the passenger side, the driver's side wasn't playing ball despite being soaked with release agent.
So change of plan was to take the whole hub with damper off, which meant splitting the ball joints on the tie rods, thankfully those came out without much fuss and a re-enforced ball joint spliter my friend built.
Strut came out thankfully easy enough given the bolt tension was off.
He then went off to his workshop, and duely managed to get the other siezed bolt out, and at the time me posting, was chasing out the remains of the sheered bolt. New bolts on order from BMW should be here tomorrow for collection, and should mean the front end will be rebuilt by lunchtime tomorrow.
While he was off working on getting the bolts extracted from the hub assemblies, I set about fitting up the new lower arms and refitting the anti roll bar, which had to be removed to get access to the inner ball joint nuts, anyone who's changed the front arms on any E30 /36 / 46 will know how much of a pain these can be!
Taking off the stock bushings, these came straight off, if anyone wants a pair of lolipop bushes (Meyle ones) brand new and pretty much unmarked, give me a shout. Duely refitted my Powerflex ones to the new arms, which was a doddle with some copper slip and a mallet.
And new arms on
Well today's been a bit of a mixed bag.
First off, the problem hub from yesterday, despite my friend's best efforts was too far gone with the threads.
To resolve this, it was duely drilled clean through to remove any remains and a nut and bolt setup with a 12.9 grade bolt installed
Checked with Carpetsoiler (Thanks Sam!) if this had been used prior, E36 and E39's had the nut and bolt setup, so betting that BMW decided to cost save, they deleted the nut and threaded the carrier... Probably not the best idea, but easily resolved and if anything, just as strong and more serviceable. For the moment, a 12.9 grade caphead bolt is in there, however i've ordered up some M12 x 65 hex head bolts in 10.9 grade as the capheads from experience do tend to go very crusty and end up being a sod to remove very quickly, so will sort that out soon as those parts arrive.
After that the front went all back together without so much of a fight. Tomorrow comes the rear end which I've already spend taking the trim out and making a few minor mods to allow for the adjusters to be easily accessed.
First off, the problem hub from yesterday, despite my friend's best efforts was too far gone with the threads.
To resolve this, it was duely drilled clean through to remove any remains and a nut and bolt setup with a 12.9 grade bolt installed
Checked with Carpetsoiler (Thanks Sam!) if this had been used prior, E36 and E39's had the nut and bolt setup, so betting that BMW decided to cost save, they deleted the nut and threaded the carrier... Probably not the best idea, but easily resolved and if anything, just as strong and more serviceable. For the moment, a 12.9 grade caphead bolt is in there, however i've ordered up some M12 x 65 hex head bolts in 10.9 grade as the capheads from experience do tend to go very crusty and end up being a sod to remove very quickly, so will sort that out soon as those parts arrive.
After that the front went all back together without so much of a fight. Tomorrow comes the rear end which I've already spend taking the trim out and making a few minor mods to allow for the adjusters to be easily accessed.
helix402 said:
I have damper envy! I can't complain as I have B8s. If you are looking to uprate anti roll bars I found the best on my 330d Touring are M3 Conv front and Eibach rear.
What are your dampers again?
KW V3's, and thanks for the tip, will be looking at getting some new roll bars and such sometime. What are your dampers again?
LanceRS said:
Still looking good. Wish that I had the time/spare cash to do similar to mine. Have you had your airbag replaced in the latest recall?
I did get both of mine changed in the recalls yes. Both passenger and drivers.Max M4X WW said:
What strut brace is that? Looking for my 325ti after someone offered me a used M3 item for £150!
https://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap/1174785/BMW/... Was where i got mine. Half the price, though of note, you do need to trim the clip a little bit for the Positive jump point to clear it.I'll get a picture today of that little modification.
Today was finishing up the car, which meant working on the rear suspension.
First up.. involved removal of a lot of trim.. aka, most of it from the back of the car.
Unforunately the top mounts have a bunch of sound deadening right over them, and given i've got some adjuster flexi links from KW coming (still waiting) it required access thus:
Old dampers and springs came out which actually proved reasonably easy to do.
So.. if anyone wants a complete set of springs and dampers (rear ones will need a few bits for the top mounts) that are still serviceable, they're going on Ebay. 94,400 miles or so done, no leaks so usable if anyone needs some dampers / springs on the cheap.
Next was removal and replacement of the lower control arms which does camber. The driver's side came out reasonably easy, though the passenger side decided it was going to be a sod - all cause the diff was just a little too close. Queue the diff being loosened and tugged around just enough to allow for the bolt for the arm to come out.
Said offending arm
New arm in
Also did the drop links on the rear which were a swine to push onto the roll bar. And then onto the goodies
New springs and adjustable platforms, I shot some underseal up in the spring mounts as it had a little surface rust, so fingers crossed should keep it from getting any worse.
New dampers in place with the new top mounts, the plate was about double the thickness of the usual Z3 upgrade.
And ...after 3 days of on axle stands, it's back on it's wheels, though required a jump start since the battery had drained a bit, probably should consider getting a replacement soon.
Tomorrow is alignment day on a 4 wheel jig, and putting the trim back in, least till the adjusters come to which it comes all out again for fitting.
First up.. involved removal of a lot of trim.. aka, most of it from the back of the car.
Unforunately the top mounts have a bunch of sound deadening right over them, and given i've got some adjuster flexi links from KW coming (still waiting) it required access thus:
Old dampers and springs came out which actually proved reasonably easy to do.
So.. if anyone wants a complete set of springs and dampers (rear ones will need a few bits for the top mounts) that are still serviceable, they're going on Ebay. 94,400 miles or so done, no leaks so usable if anyone needs some dampers / springs on the cheap.
Next was removal and replacement of the lower control arms which does camber. The driver's side came out reasonably easy, though the passenger side decided it was going to be a sod - all cause the diff was just a little too close. Queue the diff being loosened and tugged around just enough to allow for the bolt for the arm to come out.
Said offending arm
New arm in
Also did the drop links on the rear which were a swine to push onto the roll bar. And then onto the goodies
New springs and adjustable platforms, I shot some underseal up in the spring mounts as it had a little surface rust, so fingers crossed should keep it from getting any worse.
New dampers in place with the new top mounts, the plate was about double the thickness of the usual Z3 upgrade.
And ...after 3 days of on axle stands, it's back on it's wheels, though required a jump start since the battery had drained a bit, probably should consider getting a replacement soon.
Tomorrow is alignment day on a 4 wheel jig, and putting the trim back in, least till the adjusters come to which it comes all out again for fitting.
Well final update for today, spent this morning putting the trim back in the back, though will have to partially remove it again to fit the rebound adjusters when they turn up.
Good news is the bolts i'd ordered earlier this week did turn up today, so duly fitted those to the modified hub.
Much happier with the fit, and meets the '3 thread rule'.
Alignment went alright, managed to get the camber sorted but not quite enough in the front as i'd have wanted. But it's reasonable. I'm still considering to wind out 10mm more of the front to get the nose down a bit more.
So that's it for the moment, have found that the exhaust has blown, so need to sort out and get it replaced with the Alpina one or have that remade in stainless later this year...
Good news is the bolts i'd ordered earlier this week did turn up today, so duly fitted those to the modified hub.
Much happier with the fit, and meets the '3 thread rule'.
Alignment went alright, managed to get the camber sorted but not quite enough in the front as i'd have wanted. But it's reasonable. I'm still considering to wind out 10mm more of the front to get the nose down a bit more.
So that's it for the moment, have found that the exhaust has blown, so need to sort out and get it replaced with the Alpina one or have that remade in stainless later this year...
IJB1959 said:
Sf_Manta said:
Well final update for today, spent this morning putting the trim back in the back, though will have to partially remove it again to fit the rebound adjusters when they turn up.
Good news is the bolts i'd ordered earlier this week did turn up today, so duly fitted those to the modified hub.
Much happier with the fit, and meets the '3 thread rule'.
Alignment went alright, managed to get the camber sorted but not quite enough in the front as i'd have wanted. But it's reasonable. I'm still considering to wind out 10mm more of the front to get the nose down a bit more.
So that's it for the moment, have found that the exhaust has blown, so need to sort out and get it replaced with the Alpina one or have that remade in stainless later this year...
Crikey, your brave man tackling that lot!.....bet you have a few bleeding knuckles now, but good job!Good news is the bolts i'd ordered earlier this week did turn up today, so duly fitted those to the modified hub.
Much happier with the fit, and meets the '3 thread rule'.
Alignment went alright, managed to get the camber sorted but not quite enough in the front as i'd have wanted. But it's reasonable. I'm still considering to wind out 10mm more of the front to get the nose down a bit more.
So that's it for the moment, have found that the exhaust has blown, so need to sort out and get it replaced with the Alpina one or have that remade in stainless later this year...
As for gashed knuckles I've had my fair share
so use Mechanix Gloves these days, they save your hands a lot. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=m...
Max M4X WW said:
Sf_Manta said:
MOT Time again.. and passed No advisories whatso ever.
However I've been having trouble with fault codes popping up and generally having the car feel down on power and misfiring.
After checking / cleaning sensors and the DISA valve.. eventually traced down to of all things
This piece of rubber in the intake
Well and truely gone, all of £10 to replace and a hour's worth of fiddling, car's back to full power ready for PH Sunday Service next week
Do you have a working pic of this? No advisories whatso ever.However I've been having trouble with fault codes popping up and generally having the car feel down on power and misfiring.
After checking / cleaning sensors and the DISA valve.. eventually traced down to of all things
This piece of rubber in the intake
Well and truely gone, all of £10 to replace and a hour's worth of fiddling, car's back to full power ready for PH Sunday Service next week
NiceCupOfTea said:
Great stuff. Do you have a link to the suspension on eBay? I take it it's not sport stuff?
Wasn't from Ebay... though you could get some there, KW Variant 3'shttp://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/
It wasn't cheap!
After waiting the best part of 2 weeks.. these finally turned up
So I set about removing the rear trim once again, this time it came apart far quicker now having done it once.
The holes i cut into the deadening now become useful as access is needed.
One adjuster offered up, found you have to get them clamped on but with some slop or they don't turn freely.
Had to put a 6mm hole at the middle of that indent to line up on the top mount..
Was a bit too long.. so I got out some beefy wire cutters and duely trimmed.
Done.. and dusted
All rather stealth and looks perfectly normal Also managed to do a full oil service, cleaned and re-oiled the K&N, new pollen filter and plugs.
I HAD ordered some Castrol oil for the diff and gearbox, but due to a cockup on my part, they got sent to my old work address, so have to see about rescuing that package of oil
So I set about removing the rear trim once again, this time it came apart far quicker now having done it once.
The holes i cut into the deadening now become useful as access is needed.
One adjuster offered up, found you have to get them clamped on but with some slop or they don't turn freely.
Had to put a 6mm hole at the middle of that indent to line up on the top mount..
Was a bit too long.. so I got out some beefy wire cutters and duely trimmed.
Done.. and dusted
All rather stealth and looks perfectly normal
Also managed to do a full oil service, cleaned and re-oiled the K&N, new pollen filter and plugs.I HAD ordered some Castrol oil for the diff and gearbox, but due to a cockup on my part, they got sent to my old work address, so have to see about rescuing that package of oil
NiceCupOfTea said:
Sorry, I meant your old stuff!
Oh! the old stuff, I've still got it in the shed, but intended to get rid of it this weekend.Relisted now for one more week, but it will go next weekend http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152530544328?ssPageName=...
Well... yet again I headed out with a couple of friends to that place in Germany we all love and enjoy to blitz round.. the Green Hell aka Nurburgring 
The car was MUCH better than before, but some issues still.
Best time i could get , with traffic and a sticking driver's side caliper... again was a 10.31. Not bad considering the car has a power to weight at BEST.. of 147bhp per tonne...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ie6AnG0ofg
On the cards is H&R roll bars, a new drivers seat maybe.. and at the top of that list. a set of Porsche calipers to resolve these sodding brake issues.
The car was MUCH better than before, but some issues still.
Best time i could get , with traffic and a sticking driver's side caliper... again was a 10.31. Not bad considering the car has a power to weight at BEST.. of 147bhp per tonne...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ie6AnG0ofg
On the cards is H&R roll bars, a new drivers seat maybe.. and at the top of that list. a set of Porsche calipers to resolve these sodding brake issues.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Thursday 8th June 21:59
helix402 said:
H and R arbs will work well. I run the same sizes on my 330d Touring. They will reduce roll though ride will be a little firmer. I think some people have fitted 135 or 335 Calipers to the E46.
Ah ok, well it's quite compliant considering it's on coilovers, used the factory settings from KW though dialled 2 clicks softer on bound and rebound on the rear dampers. As for the brakes, I've already got some brackets for the Porsche Calipers, so have to go that way.
Well today... has been interesting and frustrating
Started well, firstly getting the brackets in place, with some minor linishing of the mounts and clearence cut off the brake shields.
Next up was getting discs and the calipers mounted.. Couldn't resist a wheel on shot
Then as i was bleeding out the brakes , disaster struck and the driver's side turned out to be a dud, Not at all pleased and now pushing for a partial refund from the eBay seller as it transpired that prior to my aquestion of these calipers, someone had bodged one of the bleed nipples and helicoiled one in..
This didn't work as the nipple seal surface was damaged and wouldn't seal, and despite trying to nip it up tight, only resulted in the helicoil coming right out!
It's going to get repaired one way or another, or a replacement caliper from Porsche.. either way, it's not going to be cheap and it's going to be another week or 2 before i get this all sorted. For the moment, tomorrow is returning the car to stock calipers and discs so i have transport again.
Frustrated doesn't even cover how i feel.
Started well, firstly getting the brackets in place, with some minor linishing of the mounts and clearence cut off the brake shields.
Next up was getting discs and the calipers mounted.. Couldn't resist a wheel on shot
Then as i was bleeding out the brakes , disaster struck and the driver's side turned out to be a dud, Not at all pleased and now pushing for a partial refund from the eBay seller as it transpired that prior to my aquestion of these calipers, someone had bodged one of the bleed nipples and helicoiled one in..
This didn't work as the nipple seal surface was damaged and wouldn't seal, and despite trying to nip it up tight, only resulted in the helicoil coming right out!
It's going to get repaired one way or another, or a replacement caliper from Porsche.. either way, it's not going to be cheap and it's going to be another week or 2 before i get this all sorted. For the moment, tomorrow is returning the car to stock calipers and discs so i have transport again.
Frustrated doesn't even cover how i feel.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 1st July 19:27
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