My BMW E46 330i Sport
Discussion
petrolveins said:
Oh sorry, been so busy with Uni, forgot to update, not to mention the E46 has decided it only wants the handbrake to work on one wheel.
Mine started to do that, turned out one of the shoes had disintergrated and scored the inside of the discs that act as a drum. If I'd got to it quicker it would have just cost me for pads and springs, as it was I had to replace pads and discs as well. Worth having a look, friend at work had the same thing happen, seems common as it's such a pain to check the shoe thickness.John
woots787 said:
Mine started to do that, turned out one of the shoes had disintergrated and scored the inside of the discs that act as a drum. If I'd got to it quicker it would have just cost me for pads and springs, as it was I had to replace pads and discs as well. Worth having a look, friend at work had the same thing happen, seems common as it's such a pain to check the shoe thickness.
John
Cheers for that, fear it's too late, jacked the car up earlier today and my mate was able to rotate one of the wheels with the handbrake firmly on, other side was solid as rock.John
petrolveins said:
Oh sorry, been so busy with Uni, forgot to update, not to mention the E46 has decided it only wants the handbrake to work on one wheel.
Anyway onto the Xenons... the physical install was straight forward, we then plugged em in and switched em on, and with the ignition on they worked right away with no warning lights, and the levelling thing worked too. Trouble started when we turned the engine on, was like a mobile disco from the front lights. I had bought a second hand LCM from a M3, but most Indy's don't have the software to alter the mileage and chassis number. So we decided not to bother with that. Re-programmed the current LCM for Xenon retrofit, again fine on the ignition, and turned the engine on, and we were getting a flicker from the passenger side light, though it might be the ballast, but tried a different bulb and it sorted that out. Then we had an issue with the lights not coming on at all, plugged it back into the computer and did a reflash, and although we lost the manual levelling the lights worked fine, sorted the levelling out myself later, and since then they have been perfect. Going to go back and sort out the bi-xenon mode soon, gonna take a bit more fiddling, currently the main beam is on the halogen lights rather than the xenon shutter working to allow xenon dipped and main. But overall chuffed with it, best mod I've done so far to the car.
S'alright, I was joking!Anyway onto the Xenons... the physical install was straight forward, we then plugged em in and switched em on, and with the ignition on they worked right away with no warning lights, and the levelling thing worked too. Trouble started when we turned the engine on, was like a mobile disco from the front lights. I had bought a second hand LCM from a M3, but most Indy's don't have the software to alter the mileage and chassis number. So we decided not to bother with that. Re-programmed the current LCM for Xenon retrofit, again fine on the ignition, and turned the engine on, and we were getting a flicker from the passenger side light, though it might be the ballast, but tried a different bulb and it sorted that out. Then we had an issue with the lights not coming on at all, plugged it back into the computer and did a reflash, and although we lost the manual levelling the lights worked fine, sorted the levelling out myself later, and since then they have been perfect. Going to go back and sort out the bi-xenon mode soon, gonna take a bit more fiddling, currently the main beam is on the halogen lights rather than the xenon shutter working to allow xenon dipped and main. But overall chuffed with it, best mod I've done so far to the car.
I'm genuinely interested in the details of retrofitting Xenons - finding the right car is like finding a needle in a haystack, so when the time comes when I can afford a 330Ci, this is good to know. What does the retrofit stand you at so far?
Regarding the rear brakes: Spookily my car did exactly the same once again (about 3 months ago).
Clivey said:
S'alright, I was joking!
I'm genuinely interested in the details of retrofitting Xenons - finding the right car is like finding a needle in a haystack, so when the time comes when I can afford a 330Ci, this is good to know. What does the retrofit stand you at so far?
Regarding the rear brakes: Spookily my car did exactly the same once again (about 3 months ago).
I got the lights for a steal, £350 for the set, bulbs, ballasts and everything. Also some horrible halos and eyebrows which took fair amount of elbow grease to remove. Most sets go for £500 or so. Then the fitting came to £180, for a few hours of faffing, coding, replacing sidelight bulbs and also a new xenon bulb. So that's what... £530. Pretty chuffed with them, they make the car much smarter looking too.I'm genuinely interested in the details of retrofitting Xenons - finding the right car is like finding a needle in a haystack, so when the time comes when I can afford a 330Ci, this is good to know. What does the retrofit stand you at so far?
Regarding the rear brakes: Spookily my car did exactly the same once again (about 3 months ago).
petrolveins said:
I got the lights for a steal, £350 for the set, bulbs, ballasts and everything. Also some horrible halos and eyebrows which took fair amount of elbow grease to remove. Most sets go for £500 or so. Then the fitting came to £180, for a few hours of faffing, coding, replacing sidelight bulbs and also a new xenon bulb. So that's what... £530. Pretty chuffed with them, they make the car much smarter looking too.
Sounds fantastic. Any chance of some piccies? 
I bought an e46 330d at a similar age to you, loved it but kept telling myself I'd change it in a year or 2 because I like other cars too but 5 years later I still have it! they are such good cars! Might have to sell soon tho, cant make my mind up between e46 m3, e39 m5, range rover sport, or scooby!
Leaning toward m5 but in reality I'll prob just keep the 330d.
I also felt like selling when it got damaged but you'll get over it. Mine got keyed on nearly every panel a few months after getting it. Resprayed it and a month later somebody bumped front and then someone bumped back! Then scraped side. Then sports spoiler stolen! Then a lump of steel hit it and tore the wing open! Still, couldn't get rid!
Leaning toward m5 but in reality I'll prob just keep the 330d.
I also felt like selling when it got damaged but you'll get over it. Mine got keyed on nearly every panel a few months after getting it. Resprayed it and a month later somebody bumped front and then someone bumped back! Then scraped side. Then sports spoiler stolen! Then a lump of steel hit it and tore the wing open! Still, couldn't get rid!
Clivey said:
Sounds fantastic. Any chance of some piccies?
I'll try get some at the weekend.torqueofthedevil said:
I bought an e46 330d at a similar age to you, loved it but kept telling myself I'd change it in a year or 2 because I like other cars too but 5 years later I still have it! they are such good cars! Might have to sell soon tho, cant make my mind up between e46 m3, e39 m5, range rover sport, or scooby!
Leaning toward m5 but in reality I'll prob just keep the 330d.
I also felt like selling when it got damaged but you'll get over it. Mine got keyed on nearly every panel a few months after getting it. Resprayed it and a month later somebody bumped front and then someone bumped back! Then scraped side. Then sports spoiler stolen! Then a lump of steel hit it and tore the wing open! Still, couldn't get rid!
Well I've decided that while other cars may join it if I have the money, it will remain as my main car until I can afford a really mint E39 M5, put preferably I'd like both. Just a shame I'm a student.Leaning toward m5 but in reality I'll prob just keep the 330d.
I also felt like selling when it got damaged but you'll get over it. Mine got keyed on nearly every panel a few months after getting it. Resprayed it and a month later somebody bumped front and then someone bumped back! Then scraped side. Then sports spoiler stolen! Then a lump of steel hit it and tore the wing open! Still, couldn't get rid!
Been a while since I last updated, been manic with Uni but it's all done now. Christmas is here so went to buy the tree today. Got a lot of funny looks for some reason...
I should point out it was tied down before I drove home.
I will also be at Goodwood on Sunday, but don't expect me to have washed the car by then.
I should point out it was tied down before I drove home.
I will also be at Goodwood on Sunday, but don't expect me to have washed the car by then.
philmots said:
I was expecting a pic with your xenons blazing! 
That will come soon, my iPhone just can't capture them properly, will get the proper camera out soon and get some.As for the handbrake that's not fixed yet, I rarely park on steep hills and just leave it in gear now. Besides I've just had to renew my RAC cover and tax so haven't the spare cash at the moment. Crikey this means I've almost had the car a year now! That has flown by!
Good choice of car for a 19 year old imho, I think a lot kids are missing out on the joy of buying their first car (at 17)and then personalizing it, I know from experience that some kids can't buy their first car until Mum & Dad stomp up the cash due to the insurance premiums, which I know is because of all sorts of good reasons (17 year olds plowing into trees 4 up, is probably one of them) but its still a pity.
Anyway I've owned a few E46's including M3's,CSL's and you'd be hard pushed to find another car that has the build quality, reliability and road holding that the E46 platform provides.
So here's one I made earlier.....
Also have this as a play thing.....
Anyway I've owned a few E46's including M3's,CSL's and you'd be hard pushed to find another car that has the build quality, reliability and road holding that the E46 platform provides.
So here's one I made earlier.....
Also have this as a play thing.....
Great to see a like minded individual!
I'm 18 right now and I'm currently 'putting up' with my Honda Civic whilst saving the money to hopefully fund a Cavalier Turbo this time next year, while not quite as epic, no amount of saving and smart quoting will net me a Beemer in my postcode.
Looking around £2k for the car, probably more and the insurance will be £2300 with a years no claims and having had a license for two years!
I'm 18 right now and I'm currently 'putting up' with my Honda Civic whilst saving the money to hopefully fund a Cavalier Turbo this time next year, while not quite as epic, no amount of saving and smart quoting will net me a Beemer in my postcode.
Looking around £2k for the car, probably more and the insurance will be £2300 with a years no claims and having had a license for two years!
The handbrake might just be out of adjustment - proper way to adjust is wheels, slacken the cables at the lever off and adjust the mechanism inside the drums via one of the wheel stud holes. Then adjust it again at handbrake end.
Mines useless, but its too cold to be bothered about. Its not like I do many hill starts. (Actually I live on a steep hill that needs precision parallel parking, but oh well.....).
I modded mine with a 4" android smartphone in one of the air vents for sat nav / OBD data readouts. If you are handy with a dremel, could be a good way to go.
Mines useless, but its too cold to be bothered about. Its not like I do many hill starts. (Actually I live on a steep hill that needs precision parallel parking, but oh well.....).
I modded mine with a 4" android smartphone in one of the air vents for sat nav / OBD data readouts. If you are handy with a dremel, could be a good way to go.
markc123 said:
The handbrake might just be out of adjustment - proper way to adjust is wheels, slacken the cables at the lever off and adjust the mechanism inside the drums via one of the wheel stud holes. Then adjust it again at handbrake end.
Mines useless, but its too cold to be bothered about. Its not like I do many hill starts. (Actually I live on a steep hill that needs precision parallel parking, but oh well.....).
I modded mine with a 4" android smartphone in one of the air vents for sat nav / OBD data readouts. If you are handy with a dremel, could be a good way to go.
That is very cool!! Did you do a write up on how you did it?Mines useless, but its too cold to be bothered about. Its not like I do many hill starts. (Actually I live on a steep hill that needs precision parallel parking, but oh well.....).
I modded mine with a 4" android smartphone in one of the air vents for sat nav / OBD data readouts. If you are handy with a dremel, could be a good way to go.
The handbreak adjustment is pretty easy. You can do it through the discs if you know what you're lucking for. You want to adjust this:
I made a little video on how to see it through the discs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6enh8W71y1Y
I ended up taking the disc off though so I could see what I was doing, as it was my first time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8swHI5QluTM
Thanks for all the tips guys, but knowing me I'll just end up breaking it more. There's a few other things I want doing too, so might as well get that done at the same time. Keeping thinking it's only till the summer before I'm 21 and should I keep spending money on the E46 or save up so I can get something really nice for my birthday. Part of me just wants to make the E46 as epic as I can reasonably and get another car to go alongside it.
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