'Oddjob' aka 2002 330i Touring
Discussion
You need ramps to get the car up, but took me around an hour or so, the fiddle is getting the bush out the selector support, and yes my car is a 5 speed, but both 5 and 6 speeds can have this done.
There's a good few guides around online. http://www.diymybmw.com/e46/short-shifter/ was the one i used, though it's same as an E30 setup.
There's a good few guides around online. http://www.diymybmw.com/e46/short-shifter/ was the one i used, though it's same as an E30 setup.
BlimeyCharlie said:
I had one of these when I also had an e46 m3, and for me the 330 was nice to drive but too quiet and smooth. I think it was unfair to compare the 2 cars though. Still think the Touring's are really smart to look at though, and rare.
I've got to agree, it's a bit TOO quiet.. the E30 I can hear the engine, where as this I can't.Maybe cause to get a good exhaust system at some point
Well had the CD changer out today to try and clean it.
Lens seems to be clear of anything, but the changer still won't go past track 7-8 on any CD, guessing it's getting stuck and needs the sliders cleaning for the laser.
Also done the golf tee mod.. and MUCH better the engine actually has quite a good note to it.
Lens seems to be clear of anything, but the changer still won't go past track 7-8 on any CD, guessing it's getting stuck and needs the sliders cleaning for the laser.
Also done the golf tee mod.. and MUCH better
the engine actually has quite a good note to it. Sf_Manta said:
Also done the golf tee mod.. and MUCH better the engine actually has quite a good note to it.
Good stuff, some say they drone with it done but have no idea. My 320i makes a little bit of noise, you can hear it's a 6cyl. the engine actually has quite a good note to it. Is the part number for that selector the correct one? Concerned the gear knob may be a little low as I've swapped from a wooden one to the 'Clubsport' type which is a fair amount smaller.
Max M4X WW said:
Sf_Manta said:
Also done the golf tee mod.. and MUCH better the engine actually has quite a good note to it.
Good stuff, some say they drone with it done but have no idea. My 320i makes a little bit of noise, you can hear it's a 6cyl. the engine actually has quite a good note to it. Is the part number for that selector the correct one? Concerned the gear knob may be a little low as I've swapped from a wooden one to the 'Clubsport' type which is a fair amount smaller.
A standard M54 is very refined and far too quiet. I removed the bonnet insulation, fitted a cat back supersprint system and a bmc cda cold air intake & it sounds absolutely brilliant! I would like to install some free flow supersprint manifolds but then I would no longer pass emissions... These are truly great cars, enjoy it! Yours looks like a truly lovely example!
Said short shift isn't... really much of a short shift. I've been a bit disappointed with the lack of direct feel having now had it in there for a few months.
Compared to the Z3 setup in my E30, this hasn't lived up to the hype.. so will be getting the Z4 3.0 version next month and will be changing it out again, Ho hum, should have gone for that in the first place.
Also the E30 has departed my ownership to a older owner in Northern Ireland, who's since put the car into the body-shop for fresh paint and some body work and returned my wheels, after we agreed a price, wheels have come back and now being stored for my next major project car so a result I'm very happy with. 
Also whilst reporting on the car. I've now been using it and racked up near enough 3000 miles since purchase and have found some faults, some have been fixed, others need resolving.
Those are the following:
> Rear screen heater doesn't seem to work... the fuse is intact but no idea if power's being drawn, I've got a relay, but as yet not had a chance to fit it.
> The engine's developed a bit of a thirst for oil.. but no leaks or any smoke. Found out via research it's the CCV valve, so I've got the parts on order to replace the system. Given the age and the lack of use the car's got from the previous owner, I've got a suspicion that the breather system's gunked up.
> Rear gas struts weren't all that good. Now replaced and the tailgate now goes to full height.
> Tyres replaced after the fronts were found to be perished, which explains why the ABS was going off at the drop of the hat! but also the car was on run flats all round, now not anymore and the car drives so much better.
> CD Changer still doesn't work, probably will be replacing the whole stereo once funds allow.
> Rear brake lights keep getting stuck on. Turns out it's the switch, so that's also on the parts ordered
This past week alone has been 600 miles up and down the country for work
This was 1 week's worth of dirt... I left it for 2 once but won't again.
Compared to the Z3 setup in my E30, this hasn't lived up to the hype.. so will be getting the Z4 3.0 version next month and will be changing it out again, Ho hum, should have gone for that in the first place.
Also the E30 has departed my ownership to a older owner in Northern Ireland, who's since put the car into the body-shop for fresh paint and some body work
and returned my wheels, after we agreed a price, wheels have come back and now being stored for my next major project car so a result I'm very happy with. Also whilst reporting on the car. I've now been using it and racked up near enough 3000 miles since purchase and have found some faults, some have been fixed, others need resolving.
Those are the following:
> Rear screen heater doesn't seem to work... the fuse is intact but no idea if power's being drawn, I've got a relay, but as yet not had a chance to fit it.
> The engine's developed a bit of a thirst for oil.. but no leaks or any smoke. Found out via research it's the CCV valve, so I've got the parts on order to replace the system. Given the age and the lack of use the car's got from the previous owner, I've got a suspicion that the breather system's gunked up.
> Rear gas struts weren't all that good. Now replaced and the tailgate now goes to full height.
> Tyres replaced after the fronts were found to be perished, which explains why the ABS was going off at the drop of the hat! but also the car was on run flats all round, now not anymore and the car drives so much better.
> CD Changer still doesn't work, probably will be replacing the whole stereo once funds allow.
> Rear brake lights keep getting stuck on. Turns out it's the switch, so that's also on the parts ordered
This past week alone has been 600 miles up and down the country for work
This was 1 week's worth of dirt... I left it for 2 once but won't again.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 14th February 17:14
Well the parts I ordered still haven't been fitted, mainly down to weather and me falling sick with a nasty flu 
Still suffering with an inner ear infection caused by it.
Still, had to do some work on the car that was forced due to the car being laid up during my illness... the rear driver's side caliper decided it wasn't going to work anymore and stick on.
Said offending caliper removed...
And it's new replacement in, ironically my E30 previous had exactly the same fault around about the same time after i'd brought that car
Though said work was complicated by me accidentally leaving the locking wheel nut adapter in the locking wheel nut and went out to test drive the car after having regreased the sliders hoping that was the cause of the sticking brake to no avail....
Cue me having to go to BMW , borrow their master key set and remove all 4 locking wheel bolts (temporarily replaced with some normal ones I had spare thankfully) till a replacement adapter arrives That was £9.20 I won't be forgetting about next time.
Still suffering with an inner ear infection caused by it.Still, had to do some work on the car that was forced due to the car being laid up during my illness... the rear driver's side caliper decided it wasn't going to work anymore and stick on.
Said offending caliper removed...
And it's new replacement in, ironically my E30 previous had exactly the same fault around about the same time after i'd brought that car
Though said work was complicated by me accidentally leaving the locking wheel nut adapter in the locking wheel nut and went out to test drive the car after having regreased the sliders hoping that was the cause of the sticking brake to no avail....
Cue me having to go to BMW , borrow their master key set and remove all 4 locking wheel bolts (temporarily replaced with some normal ones I had spare thankfully) till a replacement adapter arrives
That was £9.20 I won't be forgetting about next time. Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 7th March 14:56
Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 7th March 14:58
Well, booked a week off from work after Easter, so got plenty of time to do some tinkering.
Recently found that the car was drinking oil... to the point the low warning came on. Some research showed that E46s apparently have a issue where the breather system clogs up after a couple of years and starts to play up.
So I've gotten replacement parts to replace the system so should resolve that issue.
Also brought these .. and got them delivered.
Powerflex front wishbone and RTA bushes, having found that the original bushes have pretty much collapsed, figured it's a good excuse to upgrade.
Given that my previous car had these, and fitted a friend's E36 with them, all with good results in sharper handling, reduced wear and extended tyre life, I wasn't about to plump for the regular bushes.
Recently found that the car was drinking oil... to the point the low warning came on. Some research showed that E46s apparently have a issue where the breather system clogs up after a couple of years and starts to play up.
So I've gotten replacement parts to replace the system so should resolve that issue.
Also brought these .. and got them delivered.
Powerflex front wishbone and RTA bushes, having found that the original bushes have pretty much collapsed, figured it's a good excuse to upgrade.
Given that my previous car had these, and fitted a friend's E36 with them, all with good results in sharper handling, reduced wear and extended tyre life, I wasn't about to plump for the regular bushes.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 16:20
Will have a look when i get a chance.
Otherwise today, has been front end rebuild, which started around lunchtime and was finished just before 7pm
Found out that my front brakes were not long for this world..
Think i got my money's worth out of those, ok it was a £150 bill for the parts, but whist the car was in the air, better to do it now.
Greased all the sliders up after cleaning them. Why do dealers not do this?, the sliders lock up otherwise and the inside pad ends up burning out faster.
And the new power flex bushes are in, have found on the test drive, the car did feel sharper, steering was a bit lighter to boot but more responsive and communicative.
Otherwise today, has been front end rebuild, which started around lunchtime and was finished just before 7pm
Found out that my front brakes were not long for this world..
Think i got my money's worth out of those, ok it was a £150 bill for the parts, but whist the car was in the air, better to do it now.
Greased all the sliders up after cleaning them. Why do dealers not do this?, the sliders lock up otherwise and the inside pad ends up burning out faster.
And the new power flex bushes are in, have found on the test drive, the car did feel sharper, steering was a bit lighter to boot but more responsive and communicative.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 16:23
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