My BMW E46 330i Sport
Discussion
Cemesis said:
Don't leave the rust, get it fixed. It can spread quickly and I've seen it go from bad to very bad in a matter of months.
I don't think the 330i has 4 cats as both the E39 M5 and E46 M3 only have two. Rather than spending lots of an exhaust and coilovers (which would certainly make the car too hard to drive on the roads where I live), I'd consider an E46 M3 instead. Much faster and tighter than the 330i.
Well I've spoken to two experts and they say I'm fine for a good while on the rust front, and I'll be getting adjustable coilovers, been doing lots of research into them as I want some comfort still. Also I'm too young to insure a E46 M3, and I've never actually liked them that much, except the CSL, so plan is keep this 2 years or so and get an E39 M5.I don't think the 330i has 4 cats as both the E39 M5 and E46 M3 only have two. Rather than spending lots of an exhaust and coilovers (which would certainly make the car too hard to drive on the roads where I live), I'd consider an E46 M3 instead. Much faster and tighter than the 330i.
Oh and on the cat sitatuation, I've tracked em down with part diagrams and then laid eyes on them myself, the exhuast manifold is in two bits, each for 3 cylinder and each has a cat itself, then under the car there are 2 more cats next to each other for each pipe, followed by a mid-silencer and then the rear back box.
Clivey said:
Nice update (please keep them coming)...sorry to hear about the rust though. The only problem is that you're making me want to spend my home improvement fund on swapping the 320i for a 330i...
You can sleep in a car but you can't race a house. Running costs won't be too distant from your 320. Even a basic 330i SE coupe can be had for little more than 2 bags.
wackojacko said:
You can sleep in a car but you can't race a house.
Running costs won't be too distant from your 320. Even a basic 330i SE coupe can be had for little more than 2 bags.
I know...but what I'm after is a post-facelift 330ci (coupé) Sport, manual, in black sapphire with black heated leather. It'd be a keeper & so I'd want the most immaculate example possible. That'll come after my house improvements - maybe next year. Running costs won't be too distant from your 320. Even a basic 330i SE coupe can be had for little more than 2 bags.
ajb85 said:
petrolveins said:
plan is keep this 2 years or so and get an E39 M5.
Don't do it! keep it simple with the 6s. As much as I love them, E39 M5s are full of electrical gremlins, with a multitude of sensors that go up the wall. Pick a wrong 'un and it'll cripple your pocket.In other news, front brakes have been done, annoyingly they are squeaking which they shouldn't so my mechanic is taking it back for another look, on the upside the brakes already seem very good compared to the well worn items taken off. I am also about to order an alcantara steering wheel for it, much like on the US-Spec ZHP models, and I'm looking also to retrofit Xenon headlights, spent a solid day reading it up online and reckon it's do-able for not a huge budget.
On a final note, a 330i with 255 rear tyres does not mix well with mud. Got mine stuck for 20minutes yesterday after letting a car pass me on a narrow road, got one wheel in the mud and then as I tried to move off it slid sideways and I got both the rear wheels stuck. I resorted to phoning a mate in his Merc, but blind determination and surprisingly the use of the traction control got me out before he turned up.
Max M4X WW said:
What is the deal with Xenons? Can you just fit the units and not bother with the auto levelling? Looks like you have washers.
pretty much yeah there are aftermarket leveling kits, but cars always pass mot without it and washers. do belive they are plug and play too, unless you want your beam leavler switch to work,which invloves a bit of wireing
cosmetic or not. Max M4X WW said:
What is the deal with Xenons? Can you just fit the units and not bother with the auto levelling? Looks like you have washers.
Xenons are so much brighter, and when the new MOT comes in law requires them to have auto sensors and washers, already got the washers though. I don't like the aftermarket HID route either, want to stay OEM.sparks_E39 said:
That rust will spread eventually, it won't stay put. At the moment you could probably get that done for less than £150. Saying that mine hasn't got worse at all in a year, in the new year I'll get it done though.
If I could get it done for £150 I might, but I'm looking at double that.Another update, new rear tyres needed, just about getting down to the limit. These are the Falken FK452s, I know I've given them abuse, and there has been a fair amount of smoke from them, but 5 months isn't a long time for a set. I'm looking at Vredsteins to replace them, and might as well get rid of the ditch-finders on the front too.
petrolveins said:
Another update, new rear tyres needed, just about getting down to the limit. These are the Falken FK452s, I know I've given them abuse, and there has been a fair amount of smoke from them, but 5 months isn't a long time for a set. I'm looking at Vredsteins to replace them, and might as well get rid of the ditch-finders on the front too.
Mine has Vredsteins all round. Not my choice, but the car came with them (my usual choice is Avon). Can't fault them at allpetrolveins said:
Another update, new rear tyres needed, just about getting down to the limit. These are the Falken FK452s, I know I've given them abuse, and there has been a fair amount of smoke from them, but 5 months isn't a long time for a set. I'm looking at Vredsteins to replace them, and might as well get rid of the ditch-finders on the front too.
Contisport contact 3's or pilot sport 2's on the front and ditch finders on the rear, it's the only way 
petrolveins said:
In other news, front brakes have been done, annoyingly they are squeaking which they shouldn't so my mechanic is taking it back for another look, on the upside the brakes already seem very good compared to the well worn items taken off. I am also about to order an alcantara steering wheel for it, much like on the US-Spec ZHP models, and I'm looking also to retrofit Xenon headlights, spent a solid day reading it up online and reckon it's do-able for not a huge budget.
On a final note, a 330i with 255 rear tyres does not mix well with mud. Got mine stuck for 20minutes yesterday after letting a car pass me on a narrow road, got one wheel in the mud and then as I tried to move off it slid sideways and I got both the rear wheels stuck. I resorted to phoning a mate in his Merc, but blind determination and surprisingly the use of the traction control got me out before he turned up.
Whilst I realise that it's your car, I strongly urge you to sort out any rust etc. before you start spending money on things like Xenons. - If your 330 is in good nick, it's worth spending the money on. When I get the one I want, no expense will be spared as they just don't make 'em like that any more!On a final note, a 330i with 255 rear tyres does not mix well with mud. Got mine stuck for 20minutes yesterday after letting a car pass me on a narrow road, got one wheel in the mud and then as I tried to move off it slid sideways and I got both the rear wheels stuck. I resorted to phoning a mate in his Merc, but blind determination and surprisingly the use of the traction control got me out before he turned up.
Clivey said:
Whilst I realise that it's your car, I strongly urge you to sort out any rust etc. before you start spending money on things like Xenons. - If your 330 is in good nick, it's worth spending the money on. When I get the one I want, no expense will be spared as they just don't make 'em like that any more!
You make a very good point actually. Why am I putting xenons ahead of rust treatment. Gonna shop around for more quotes.wackojacko said:
Contisport contact 3's or pilot sport 2's on the front and ditch finders on the rear, it's the only way
At work we've swapped sponsorship from Pirelli to Continental and the guys are impressed, but for the reviews and price I can't see much better than the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2, and I don't quite want to go ditchfinder on the rear. I'm looking at the Vredstein Ultrac Sessanta, they're the same price as the Falkens, better reviews and have the most pretty tread pattern ever.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff