BMW E46 330dA Touring

[helix402]

Took the car in today for the drivers airbag recall. I removed the airbag to save time (used to be a BMW Technician-they are paid on bonus-every second counts).

My car doesn’t need a new driver’s airbag, only ones with a yellow sticker on the back need changing. I got to drink free coffee, which was nice. I declined the free health check and wash. I’m quite clean and healthy.

Here’s the airbag:





This is the recall:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V047...

I bought this the other day:



It’s a pre cat delete pipe, nothing wrong with the pre cat, but I like shiny stainless things. Let’s hope it brings improvements unlike the egr delete. I’ll try it and see.

Edited by helix402 on Wednesday 22 November 20:17

[helix402]

The silicon egr/intercooler pipe is just visible here:

[helix402]

Here’s a pretty chart:

[helix402]

One new rear tyre going on soon:



I was on Conti Sport Contact 5s. No problems with them, apart from cost and wear rate. It’s only one tyre this time as the o/s/r was recently replaced after I drove over some debris which cut the sidewall.

[Chris x]

Interesting about the airbag.

Had both of mine replaced last weekend on my 330 04plate vert.

Noticed last night that the horn doesn't work, although I never tested it before the replacement!

[helix402]

New Pirelli ready to go on the o/s/r:





Also got a second hand o/s side skirt ready to go on:




The one on the car has a small tab broken off where another trim joins:



Now on 248000.

[JakeT]

Not far off of the quarter mil now!

[helix402]

Getting there! Sure 300k will be around the corner. I may change the o/s/r arch next summer. The turbo is an unknown quantity, i.e I don’t know if it’s original or not.

Still, if it goes, it goes. I do tend to look after turbos so we’ll see.

[Barchettaman]

Helix, just out of interest, what's your oil/filter change routine on this? Every 10k?

If you keep on top of the rust situation I can't see any problem with hitting 300k miles.

[helix402]

It gets a Mann or Mahle oil filter and 6.75l of 5w30 LL04/VW 507 spec oil every 10k.

Then a full service with all filters and crankcase breather filter when I feel like it (maybe every other service).

I do keep on top of things, handbrake travel was a bit much so this week I stripped, cleaned, greased and adjusted it. The rear disc backplates are starting to rust so I’ll build up a pair of rear arms to go on at some point.

[Barchettaman]

Thanks. Similar to me (M47 E90), although I use whatever filter eBay sends! Mannol LL04 5w/30 seems the cheapest over here.

[helix402]

That Mannol is cheap on UK eBay too. I have a stock of Quantum Longlife 3 (VW trade oil) from my trade days and also 20l of Mercedes 229.51 which I got for £50.

[helix402]

The ATE Ceramic pads are still doing a great job of not producing lots of brake dust. Even in this season there seems to be less dust for the mud to stick to.

BMW pads:



ATE:



I’ve replaced the indicator stalk with a used one as the old one had lost it’s self cancelling ability.

[helix402]

Picked up a pair of gen BMW front discs from eBay:



£80, and I know they work well and I won’t have brake judder due to them.

Also had to order a new radiator as the existing one has a small crack in it. I’ve ordered a Nissan’s rad for £60. I don’t know if the old rad is original or not, but will find out on removal. The exp tank has been changed prior to my ownership with a gen BMW one so that’s ok. Now it’s a manual I don’t have the autobox cooler thermostat to break when I change the rad. Mpg has dropped to 49 in the cooler weather. Terrible really.

[JakeT]

What do the Gen discs retail for? £80 for a set is good going though, surprised BMW don't include the retaining screws with them like Brembo et al do.

[helix402]

Retail is £191 for the discs, BMW direct are selling them for £150. The screws are normally fine to reuse, as long as you hit them hard with hammer aimed at a 6mm Allen socket before trying to undo them!

[JakeT]

I've ruined a far few on past sheds. Especially rears that can seem to last forever with how I drive. Usually get them out by hammering a torx bit in which just about does it. When they go back together I use a bit of copper slip on them to try and make life easier later on.

[Eddieslofart]

Interesting re the pad dust. Thanks !

[Sim89]

Rusting rear brake shields are a nightmare as the handbrake clamps onto them and when they rust, it pulls through jamming the handbrake mechanism.

Short to medium term fix is to use some washers and cut out a slight oval hole for the handbrake pin to slide through.

Great really as you can't replace the disk shield without taking the bearing off....wonderful.

[helix402]

The rear back plates are a pain when they rust. Mine are ok, though if they do go I’ll probably build up a second harm arm/s with all new bushes, bearing and backplate.