'Oddjob' aka 2002 330i Touring
Discussion
Recent update would be, got the car into it's MOT early as the previous one was finishing on the 17th December...
It's now not due till October next year, passed without a single advisory
Also attended the Sunday Service at Silverstone and had a go on the 10.45am session. First time out on Silverstone's circuit but no issues, I still have the DS2500 pads in and found that sides a slightly soft brake pedal when the ambient heat soaked into the fluid, once moving the brakes were still absolutely stonking after repeated heavy braking. Though the second half of the session wasn't helped by a Evo driver who did exactly what we'd been told not to do in the briefing....
Besides that, ended up helping out a lad who's MR2 had drank all it's oil.. engine though looked like a goner.
It's now not due till October next year, passed without a single advisory
Also attended the Sunday Service at Silverstone and had a go on the 10.45am session. First time out on Silverstone's circuit but no issues, I still have the DS2500 pads in and found that sides a slightly soft brake pedal when the ambient heat soaked into the fluid, once moving the brakes were still absolutely stonking after repeated heavy braking. Though the second half of the session wasn't helped by a Evo driver who did exactly what we'd been told not to do in the briefing....
Besides that, ended up helping out a lad who's MR2 had drank all it's oil.. engine though looked like a goner.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:03
Brief update, the coolant system was showing signs of being worn out by leaking. Seems the radiator is bowing badly, which is a good sign it's shot.
Given the rest of the system is a bit of an unknown cept for the thermostat. This was changed when i brought the car originally but given it was probably done dirt cheap.
So..
New thermostat, water pump, expansion tank and radiator. Still waiting on the Samco black hoses to arrive.
Given the rest of the system is a bit of an unknown cept for the thermostat. This was changed when i brought the car originally but given it was probably done dirt cheap.
So..
New thermostat, water pump, expansion tank and radiator. Still waiting on the Samco black hoses to arrive.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:07
Well Christmas came and I spent Boxing day changing out the cooling system.. be it getting the new radiator in was a bit of a pig.
However it was worth doing given the condition of the old core.. this was what i found when it came out!
This wasn't far off failing and was already leaking fluids.. since the replacement, the only leak I've had was from a hose that hadn't fully seated and blew off when i was replacing the broken level sensor.. washing me down in warm coolant, thankfully i'd left the car for a bit to cool down beforehand and didn't get scolded.
The car also had a recall done after BMW sent me a letter, apparently the passenger airbag could explode when deployed, so this was duly booked in and replaced.
Whilst it was in, they did a check.. and the only fault was dim sidelights, given i'd had the car to bits and back together only a few days previously, that was something to be proud of
So with the sidelights.. rather replace the old dim bulbs, I upgraded to LED with the correct CAN replacements, a tad more than the normal ones, but does give the car a more modern feel.
That's it for now, though the next big bill could be the clutch. and given it's got the original.. I'm looking at single mass replacements for reduction on cost of new clutches (using sprung centre ones to avoid chatter), reliability and improving the performance
It'll also allow for installation of the braided clutch line i couldn't fit when doing the brake lines.
However it was worth doing given the condition of the old core.. this was what i found when it came out!
This wasn't far off failing and was already leaking fluids.. since the replacement, the only leak I've had was from a hose that hadn't fully seated and blew off when i was replacing the broken level sensor.. washing me down in warm coolant, thankfully i'd left the car for a bit to cool down beforehand and didn't get scolded.
The car also had a recall done after BMW sent me a letter, apparently the passenger airbag could explode when deployed, so this was duly booked in and replaced.
Whilst it was in, they did a check.. and the only fault was dim sidelights, given i'd had the car to bits and back together only a few days previously, that was something to be proud of
So with the sidelights.. rather replace the old dim bulbs, I upgraded to LED with the correct CAN replacements, a tad more than the normal ones, but does give the car a more modern feel.
That's it for now, though the next big bill could be the clutch. and given it's got the original.. I'm looking at single mass replacements for reduction on cost of new clutches (using sprung centre ones to avoid chatter), reliability and improving the performance
It'll also allow for installation of the braided clutch line i couldn't fit when doing the brake lines.Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:10
helix402 said:
Good work, does the flywheel have a problem? They're normally reliable on the petrol E46s.
Usually, but given that you can't reface the flywheel, and mine may have some scuffing from the track work you can't reface them.Plus the clutch is getting high, so you tend to have to replace the flywheel at the same time.. and I'm one to upgrade when replacing. The funny part is that the upgrade will not cost anymore than a replacement duel mass and clutch
Has been a while since this was last updated.
Back at Christmas i spent Boxing day changing out the radiator, pump, header tank and thermostat. Unfortunately due to a cockup at Samco... I had to wait 3 months for these to turn up.
The black box with lead, is the igniter to the HIDs, the driver's side has been leaking on and off and shorted out yet again last Monday, so having to work on it again to figure out what's caused the leak.
I'll be fitting them at Easter, as come April I'm heading back out to Germany with my friend to get a few more laps in at the ring
Back at Christmas i spent Boxing day changing out the radiator, pump, header tank and thermostat. Unfortunately due to a cockup at Samco... I had to wait 3 months for these to turn up.
The black box with lead, is the igniter to the HIDs, the driver's side has been leaking on and off and shorted out yet again last Monday, so having to work on it again to figure out what's caused the leak.
I'll be fitting them at Easter, as come April I'm heading back out to Germany with my friend to get a few more laps in at the ring
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:15
NiceCupOfTea said:
Like this. I've been having a crafty look at e46 tourings recently. Have given up on e36 and e39 as they are all knackered. Is there still a decent choice of these around?
They're not easy to find.. but they do come up on low miles, quick trawl through the classified on here turned this up http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...Been a busy day today, got most of what I wanted to do done however still have to do a few more bits and bobs to finish prep for the next trip to the Nurburgring in a month.. Yes i got the fever
Firstly, it was installing the hoses I'd waited 3 months to turn up. Which involved not only removing the old ones, but also having to dremel off the clamps to relieve them of the hose fittings that the stock setup uses.
Cue a small slice in the crimp.. which was prized off with a screwdriver.
Top hose with it's ends removed.
Old hoses out and relieved of the required quick fit connectors.
Installing the new hoses wasn't too tricky, though found it was worth while making some alignment marks to make installation easier.
Gearbox and diff oil, while i was at it , the engine's had a oil change too, using Castrol Edge 5w40 given this seems to have slowed the oil consumption drastically, and only needs the occasional top up every 2 months now. The clear bottle with the tube coming out I got from Screwfix (Laser product number 4385) given getting the oil back into the gearbox would have been hell! Given how much fight was in the plugs.. I doubt the car's ever had it's gearbox oil changed :/ Dealers aren't up to scratch..
Still have the diff oil to change, and a good check round on all the brake sliders with the handbrake to adjust ready for the trip.
Firstly, it was installing the hoses I'd waited 3 months to turn up. Which involved not only removing the old ones, but also having to dremel off the clamps to relieve them of the hose fittings that the stock setup uses.
Cue a small slice in the crimp.. which was prized off with a screwdriver.
Top hose with it's ends removed.
Old hoses out and relieved of the required quick fit connectors.
Installing the new hoses wasn't too tricky, though found it was worth while making some alignment marks to make installation easier.
Gearbox and diff oil, while i was at it , the engine's had a oil change too, using Castrol Edge 5w40 given this seems to have slowed the oil consumption drastically, and only needs the occasional top up every 2 months now. The clear bottle with the tube coming out I got from Screwfix (Laser product number 4385) given getting the oil back into the gearbox would have been hell! Given how much fight was in the plugs.. I doubt the car's ever had it's gearbox oil changed :/ Dealers aren't up to scratch..
Still have the diff oil to change, and a good check round on all the brake sliders with the handbrake to adjust ready for the trip.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:14
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:14
That'll be the hoses done for as long as you have the car then! I think Rich Harrison was saying Mocal now have an oil filter cap for a cooler for the plastic topped M52/M54 filter housings? Might be a worthwhile upgrade if you intend to make track days a more regular habit.
I'd be thinking about dedicating funds to the Manta though
I'd be thinking about dedicating funds to the Manta though
motorhole said:
That'll be the hoses done for as long as you have the car then! I think Rich Harrison was saying Mocal now have an oil filter cap for a cooler for the plastic topped M52/M54 filter housings? Might be a worthwhile upgrade if you intend to make track days a more regular habit.
I'd be thinking about dedicating funds to the Manta though
The BMW's just being tweeked so it'll keep going for a long time, basically so reduces the cost of maintaining it in the long run.. and survive the occasional track day I'd be thinking about dedicating funds to the Manta though
Recently found this via a friend having a look at Racetracker.de's website and found some pictures we'd missed from last year.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:18
Well.. just what i need before going off to the Ring next week 
Bloody stupid potholes, thanks Northamptonshire council for doing piss all about repairing your potholes.
Now having to see if i can get the rim repaired, does anyone have the number for their highway's department?
Bloody stupid potholes, thanks Northamptonshire council for doing piss all about repairing your potholes.
Now having to see if i can get the rim repaired, does anyone have the number for their highway's department?
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:20
Figured I'd update this some.
Having done some more laps as in the Ring, some work was required..
Firstly fitted a new igniter module on the driver's light given it was playing up, though no photos. The whole job is a bit of a pig to do as it involves dismantling the entire headlight. Ironically the igniter sits at the lowest point of the headlight and fills up with water, so added 3 4mm holes in the base to help drain any water from the headlight. Since then no problems and the fogging issue has stopped.
The handbrake had been giving issues in not actually doing it's job. After inspecting it, found that the shoe pads were de laminating or in some areas completely come away from the steel part. Not to mention the drum surface inside the disc was completely corroded to the point there wasn't really anything for the handbrake to really get a grip on.
So new shoes and discs were brought.
New Shoes fitted.
And completed. Just need to do some final adjustments on the handbrake to dial it in tomorrow, however it does now actually hold the car.
Having done some more laps as in the Ring, some work was required..
Firstly fitted a new igniter module on the driver's light given it was playing up, though no photos. The whole job is a bit of a pig to do as it involves dismantling the entire headlight. Ironically the igniter sits at the lowest point of the headlight and fills up with water, so added 3 4mm holes in the base to help drain any water from the headlight. Since then no problems and the fogging issue has stopped.
The handbrake had been giving issues in not actually doing it's job. After inspecting it, found that the shoe pads were de laminating or in some areas completely come away from the steel part. Not to mention the drum surface inside the disc was completely corroded to the point there wasn't really anything for the handbrake to really get a grip on.
So new shoes and discs were brought.
New Shoes fitted.
And completed. Just need to do some final adjustments on the handbrake to dial it in tomorrow, however it does now actually hold the car.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:23
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 23:34
Finally time for another update. Need to get the handbrake adjusted again as it's bedded in finally.
Besides that, having seen the LED upgrade on 5harp3y's thread ( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
So brought the bulbs which i thought fitted, though took 2 goes to get all the required bulbs due to incorrect fitments (Found out that front and rear indicator bulbs on a E46 face-lift are 582s not 382s as Halfords suggest)
However once they've now been fitted, I'm still to fit the fog-lights but overall rather impressed with the improved performance.
Rear lights with indicators lit
Just rear lights and foglight
Front indicators and sidelight LED's which had been done.
Besides that, having seen the LED upgrade on 5harp3y's thread ( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
So brought the bulbs which i thought fitted, though took 2 goes to get all the required bulbs due to incorrect fitments (Found out that front and rear indicator bulbs on a E46 face-lift are 582s not 382s as Halfords suggest)
However once they've now been fitted, I'm still to fit the fog-lights but overall rather impressed with the improved performance.
Rear lights with indicators lit
Just rear lights and foglight
Front indicators and sidelight LED's which had been done.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:24
Bit of an update, the car's been fairly problem free cept for a few minor issues.
For one the front wheel bearings were getting noisy after 30k's miles of use, plus some runs at the Nurburgring and Silverstone.
So...
New Bearings ordered in. Yes there is a bearing company known as FAG..
New toy.. Ryobi 1/2" Impact driver, made life a lot easier
After getting the caliper off, the hubs proved a little tricky at first
Old bearings.. seen better days.
New bearings on, and much quieter than before.
For one the front wheel bearings were getting noisy after 30k's miles of use, plus some runs at the Nurburgring and Silverstone.
So...
New Bearings ordered in. Yes there is a bearing company known as FAG..
New toy.. Ryobi 1/2" Impact driver, made life a lot easier
After getting the caliper off, the hubs proved a little tricky at first
Old bearings.. seen better days.
New bearings on, and much quieter than before.Edited by Sf_Manta on Monday 2nd January 17:29
Bit more work today, mainly maintenance to clean up the filter and give the AFM a clean to hopefully resolve a slight hesitation in midrange
Rather grubby and in the first clean.. it took 3 good washes to bring it clean.
World's most expensive sticky tape.. yes it's gold reflective tape, brought for a purpose.
Starting to cover the heat shield to hopefully reduce intakes temps, I'll be using the thermal camera at work to find out how much.
Finished inside, didn't need to go mad with it.
And the main reason, backside is now covered, even by putting a hand in there's a noticeable difference between the hot and cold sides.
All finished, just waiting on the filter to finish absorbing the fresh filter oil.
Next work is mainly to get the MOT done in a month's time.
Rather grubby and in the first clean.. it took 3 good washes to bring it clean.
World's most expensive sticky tape.. yes it's gold reflective tape, brought for a purpose.
Starting to cover the heat shield to hopefully reduce intakes temps, I'll be using the thermal camera at work to find out how much.
Finished inside, didn't need to go mad with it.
And the main reason, backside is now covered, even by putting a hand in there's a noticeable difference between the hot and cold sides.
All finished, just waiting on the filter to finish absorbing the fresh filter oil.
Next work is mainly to get the MOT done in a month's time.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Friday 30th December 16:52
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
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
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