The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Turns out I cant take them off either, where they have been slightly rubbing the paintwork on the rear bumper for the last 13 years, they have removed the paint. You cant see it with them on, but it will look horrible with them off. Looks like I will also be in the market for a set of mudflaps to replace them.
CDV delete is high on my list of priorities.
CDV delete is high on my list of priorities.
dirtychinchilla said:
I finally got the car jacked up and managed to do a CDV delete, and it's made a world of difference. All the terrible gear changes have just gone! I can pretty much drop the clutch if I want to, and there won't be any kangerooing etc.
Highly recommended!
Cheers for the images of the mud flaps. They look good I think, and will reduce the amount of cleaning I need to do dramatically. Shame they are half broken!!
I googled the other day "why does my E46 clutch kangaroo" and saw this mod, I'm going to do it next chance I get, my missus kept telling me there was something wrong with the car! What is the downside to this mod then? Reduced clutch life?Highly recommended!
Cheers for the images of the mud flaps. They look good I think, and will reduce the amount of cleaning I need to do dramatically. Shame they are half broken!!
I was speaking to someone at work about it and he seemed to think that the clutch would have a longer life as using the CDV would mean that your clutch was often slipping. I don't know why, though...just relaying what he said :P
Well worth doing, particularly if you don't intend to keep the car forever bearing in mind your concern for the clutch.
Well worth doing, particularly if you don't intend to keep the car forever bearing in mind your concern for the clutch.
My understanding was that the CDV helped prolong the life of the clutch, though I have seen the alternative opinion - personally I've had quite a few manual BMWs that were still on their first clutch, including an E46 325ti Sport which was the one that I was tempted to replace the CDV on - I don't know if the CDV has been improved as time has gone on, but my 2007 E92 325i didn't seem as bad, though it could be I've become better at driving around it?
The CDV delete on my list to do as well. My trolley jack just died, so hopefully it is something I can do with the front up on ramps.
I have done a few little jobs recently, most importantly I replaced my brake master cylinder with an M3 model. Since I upgraded my brakes I have been a little concerned that I screwed up the balance. The M3 (25/22) cylinder should have restored this, and I took the opportunity to flush the fluid and replace with ATE 200.
Today I replaced the shifter with one from an E90 545 (well known short shift mod), and replaced the bearing cup with a new one. It feels a bit more precise, not much shorter shift compared to the stock shifter, but worth it for the new bearings and reduced slop. I also replaced the shift and handbrake gaiters with BMW performance alcantara because why not
This weekend's job is to replace the CCV kit with a catch can and hope that kills the oil consumption problem. If not then an S54 beckons
I have done a few little jobs recently, most importantly I replaced my brake master cylinder with an M3 model. Since I upgraded my brakes I have been a little concerned that I screwed up the balance. The M3 (25/22) cylinder should have restored this, and I took the opportunity to flush the fluid and replace with ATE 200.
Today I replaced the shifter with one from an E90 545 (well known short shift mod), and replaced the bearing cup with a new one. It feels a bit more precise, not much shorter shift compared to the stock shifter, but worth it for the new bearings and reduced slop. I also replaced the shift and handbrake gaiters with BMW performance alcantara because why not
This weekend's job is to replace the CCV kit with a catch can and hope that kills the oil consumption problem. If not then an S54 beckons
dirtychinchilla said:
I finally got the car jacked up and managed to do a CDV delete, and it's made a world of difference. All the terrible gear changes have just gone! I can pretty much drop the clutch if I want to, and there won't be any kangerooing etc.
Highly recommended!
Cheers for the images of the mud flaps. They look good I think, and will reduce the amount of cleaning I need to do dramatically. Shame they are half broken!!
Been waiting for someone to do this on here. Haven't looked at it myself yet, just seen the odd picture online. Did you use a pair of molegrips to clamp the hose down, does it need a delete peice inserted or can you join both ends with the restrictor removed. Highly recommended!
Cheers for the images of the mud flaps. They look good I think, and will reduce the amount of cleaning I need to do dramatically. Shame they are half broken!!
Hil_lo said:
Been waiting for someone to do this on here. Haven't looked at it myself yet, just seen the odd picture online. Did you use a pair of molegrips to clamp the hose down, does it need a delete peice inserted or can you join both ends with the restrictor removed.
I could have used molegrips, but I had a clamp to hand so I used that. You don't need to put a great deal of pressure on the tube.You can just join both ends, no need for any replacement anything. One of the hoses is flexible.
dirtychinchilla said:
Does anyone have any images of custom instrument clusters? I've bought some silver rings for the cluster, which I'll be installing tonight, and I think I'll probably be colouring the needles red because that'll look cool.
Not really my cup of tea, but plenty out there. Google image search "E46 cluster mod" for some inspiration.
Thanks!
I'm not sure it's worth it to be honest, it's about a ten minute job and seriously easy. The only thing I had trouble with is ensuring that the needles didn't move, and lining things up properly when you put it back together.
Just remember, if you're removing the cluster you will need to put your steering wheel to the lowest setting, or remove it.
I'm not sure it's worth it to be honest, it's about a ten minute job and seriously easy. The only thing I had trouble with is ensuring that the needles didn't move, and lining things up properly when you put it back together.
Just remember, if you're removing the cluster you will need to put your steering wheel to the lowest setting, or remove it.
Catch can fitted:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrhat9bh56qowg1/2016-07-...
I finally got around to this today. Not a bad job at all, it took about two hours all in (I left part of the PCV system installed, removing this would have added a bit of time).
I used the existing PCV hoses so that it would fit perfectly to the manifold and valve cover. I joined the intake hose to my vacuum hose using a jubilee clip over the part that clips to the PCV doodad. The valve cover hose I cut at the point where it goes through 90 degrees, and managed to jam my hose over the top of this (with some swearing and lube).
I am using the mishimoto mini baffled oil catch can, it is really nicely made and easy to find room for. I am not using any inline valve, so the crank case sees full vacuum. The car seems to run ok like this, so I will leave it for now and see how it goes.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrhat9bh56qowg1/2016-07-...
I finally got around to this today. Not a bad job at all, it took about two hours all in (I left part of the PCV system installed, removing this would have added a bit of time).
I used the existing PCV hoses so that it would fit perfectly to the manifold and valve cover. I joined the intake hose to my vacuum hose using a jubilee clip over the part that clips to the PCV doodad. The valve cover hose I cut at the point where it goes through 90 degrees, and managed to jam my hose over the top of this (with some swearing and lube).
I am using the mishimoto mini baffled oil catch can, it is really nicely made and easy to find room for. I am not using any inline valve, so the crank case sees full vacuum. The car seems to run ok like this, so I will leave it for now and see how it goes.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know
ethomas said:
Catch can fitted:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrhat9bh56qowg1/2016-07-...
I finally got around to this today. Not a bad job at all, it took about two hours all in (I left part of the PCV system installed, removing this would have added a bit of time).
I used the existing PCV hoses so that it would fit perfectly to the manifold and valve cover. I joined the intake hose to my vacuum hose using a jubilee clip over the part that clips to the PCV doodad. The valve cover hose I cut at the point where it goes through 90 degrees, and managed to jam my hose over the top of this (with some swearing and lube).
I am using the mishimoto mini baffled oil catch can, it is really nicely made and easy to find room for. I am not using any inline valve, so the crank case sees full vacuum. The car seems to run ok like this, so I will leave it for now and see how it goes.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know
I'll be interested to hear how you get on with oil consumption. It's been many months since I added my catch tank and oil useage is still really low, a huge improvement. Your installation looks neater than mine, how did you attach the catch can to the bulkhead? https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrhat9bh56qowg1/2016-07-...
I finally got around to this today. Not a bad job at all, it took about two hours all in (I left part of the PCV system installed, removing this would have added a bit of time).
I used the existing PCV hoses so that it would fit perfectly to the manifold and valve cover. I joined the intake hose to my vacuum hose using a jubilee clip over the part that clips to the PCV doodad. The valve cover hose I cut at the point where it goes through 90 degrees, and managed to jam my hose over the top of this (with some swearing and lube).
I am using the mishimoto mini baffled oil catch can, it is really nicely made and easy to find room for. I am not using any inline valve, so the crank case sees full vacuum. The car seems to run ok like this, so I will leave it for now and see how it goes.
If anyone has any questions, please let me know
At the moment, the can is sort of jammed against the bulkhead by the pipes. Since the bulkhead there is plastic, it is not possible to fasten it well, I will fab up a simple bracket before I take it on a track. I filled it with oil to the top of the dipstick mark after a test drive, looking forward to seeing how it performs in the next few weeks. After a test drive there was a tiny drop of oil in the can, much less than 1ml.
It was your install that gave me the impetus to get it done
I did notice that the intake pipe from the PCV valve to the manifold was coated in oil. I am sure this is not supposed to be the case, and is a really good sign that PCV was responsible for (at least part of) my oil consumption.
It was your install that gave me the impetus to get it done
I did notice that the intake pipe from the PCV valve to the manifold was coated in oil. I am sure this is not supposed to be the case, and is a really good sign that PCV was responsible for (at least part of) my oil consumption.
dirtychinchilla said:
Any recommendations on oil catch cans? I've seen a few horror stories about ones from eBay, so I'd rather avoid the crap ones. Also, I read on a different car forum (not for BMWs) that a connection ID of less than 14mm could be dangerous...
I was also unsure about the eBay catch cans, and using DIY filtration, so I went for the MishiMoto mini baffled oil can. If you order from their website use code MISHISAVE15 to get 15% off.http://www.mishimoto.co.uk/compact-baffled-oil-cat...
I used the Mishimoto supplied fittings, plus the existing PCV hoses, butchered in interesting ways, and 2m of this:
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/vacuum-hose-...
It needs quite a lot of jubilee clip squeeze to properly seal to the catch can on the supplied barbs, and it requires some manhandling to attach to the valve cover outlet pipe, but overall it works well.
Lastly, I used a 10mm silicon cap to fit the dipstick tube, which makes a perfect seal:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/330725834159
If you go back a few pages, you will find a similar recipe using an eBay catch can that was posted by Fishy Dave.
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