The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[dirtychinchilla]

Wow! I haven't done them, no. I've been considering it, but I'm too much of an amateur to attempt the VANOS

[JakeT]

dirtychinchilla said:

42 mpg!!!! I get about 26, maybe 27, if I try really hard and drive like a granny.

I could do with some tips...!

The small wheels and fuel saving tyres really helped. The same route with my regular wheels on would give 37 to 38. I cruised between 65 and 70, no hypermiling stuff but steady and avoiding the brakes. The VANOS seals look like a bit of a pig to do, I think I would have them done by someone.

[Mr Tidy]

It's so dependant upon how you use the car - I don't do rush hours any more, and most of my journeys are over 30 miles!

So my OBC is showing an average speed of 31.2 mph and an average fuel consumption of 34.6 mpg! (M3 having average speed cameras set for 50 mph may also be a factor)!

[Rsdop]

If the Vanos is the same as the m54 in the 330 its actually not a difficult job to diy, the stripping down for access is the hardest part.

[dirtychinchilla]

If the cylinders were in front of me on the table already, I'm sure I'd have no issues changing the seals! But I've never taken the head off an engine before...

[ethomas]

It's not a head off job, just the valve cover It really is not a hard job at all, just take your time and carefully bag everything that comes off. You should replace the valve cover gasket when you put it all back together. I would recommend treating yourself to a torque wrench (3/8) so you know everything is done up right.

[PaulGT3]

Has anyone fitted a square 16" setup on an msport before? My staggered 17" are in need of a refurb and will be in need of tyres soon so may just get a new set of wheels as I fancy a more comfortable ride, better turn in and a bit less grip at the rear.

Just wondering if an msport might not look right with smaller wheels.

[JakeT]

I am sure a sport will be fine with them on. My SE felt different for sure. They might look a little goofy, but the Sport models came with 17s as standard so you're only losing an inch.

[PaulGT3]

Thinking about these wheels, would they fit an e46 fine as the seller suggests? Right offset etc? And whats the best tyre size 205/50/16?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1663-Genuine-16-BMW-378-...

[Mr Ralph Jolly]

ethomas said:

It's not a head off job, just the valve cover It really is not a hard job at all, just take your time and carefully bag everything that comes off. You should replace the valve cover gasket when you put it all back together. I would recommend treating yourself to a torque wrench (3/8) so you know everything is done up right.

Hiya, are you able to recommend a vanos repair kit? How long does the job take?

[s m]

PaulGT3 said:

Has anyone fitted a square 16" setup on an msport before? My staggered 17" are in need of a refurb and will be in need of tyres soon so may just get a new set of wheels as I fancy a more comfortable ride, better turn in and a bit less grip at the rear.

Just wondering if an msport might not look right with smaller wheels.

Those are 205/55s on 16s

205/50s on 17s all round are also a good set-up if you like a 'pointy' feel with less squirm

[PaulGT3]

Mr Ralph Jolly said:

Hiya, are you able to recommend a vanos repair kit? How long does the job take?

I used the i6 automotive kit. I bought the one with the anti rattle rings but decided it would be too much of a PITA to do the rattle rings as apparently they sometimes need filing down a bit. The main thing is to change the o-rings anyway, the rings are just to make the vanos a little quieter. Don't bother ordering from mr vanos like I did originally, they just refunded my payment with no explanation at all.

s m said:

Those are 205/55s on 16s

205/50s on 17s all round are also a good set-up if you like a 'pointy' feel with less squirm

Thanks doesn't look bad at all but think I will go for an easier to clean wheel than those as I'm lazy!

[Mr Tidy]

PaulGT3 said:

Has anyone fitted a square 16" setup on an msport before? My staggered 17" are in need of a refurb and will be in need of tyres soon so may just get a new set of wheels as I fancy a more comfortable ride, better turn in and a bit less grip at the rear.

Just wondering if an msport might not look right with smaller wheels.

I did last winter - put the 7 spoke 16s with winters on my 325ti Sport and no problems!

You do know that the 325ti Compacts all have Sport suspension regardless of whether they are SE or Sport models?

[PaulGT3]

Mr Tidy said:

I did last winter - put the 7 spoke 16s with winters on my 325ti Sport and no problems!

You do know that the 325ti Compacts all have Sport suspension regardless of whether they are SE or Sport models?

Yes I just meant the wheels looking too small with the larger msport bumpers.

Think I'm going to try those 1 series wheels I posted above. Seem a decent price and not too fancy looking.

[dirtychinchilla]

I've had a stty problem arise with my car in the last couple of days - the internal switch for the driver window has stopped function to put the window up (it works putting it down). The window works perfectly from the key, though.

Anyone got any suggestions on what I can do?

[Mr Ralph Jolly]

s m said:

Those are 205/55s on 16s
205/50s on 17s all round are also a good set-up if you like a 'pointy' feel with less squirm

I have 225/50R16 Z 92 on my 16", a great "old man comfort ride". Absorbs all the poor roads in its stride but does wallow slightly in a side wind due to profile.

[ethomas]

Mr Ralph Jolly said:

Hiya, are you able to recommend a vanos repair kit? How long does the job take?

I would guess three hours. I got the repair kit from i6 here: http://www.i6automotive.co.uk/bmw-double-vanos-kit...
You will also want to pick up some parts from your local dealer as "while I am in there" replacements:
1 x 11361433817 (steel vanos gasket)
1 x 32411093596 (oil line gasket)
1 x 11120030496 (valve cover gasket set) OR 11129070990 for pre facelift (check at the dealer with your VIN)
15 x 11121437395 (rubber seal)

If you have not changed your spark plugs in living memory, do them as well: NGK BKR6EQUP
If you can find them at your local factor, you can get a Victor Reinz (the OEM) valve cover gasket at a lower price than the BMW branded stuff.

Finally, you need a tube of loctite blue RTV sealant which you can pick up at halfords.

[Mgd_uk]

ethomas said:

I would guess three hours. I got the repair kit from i6 here: http://www.i6automotive.co.uk/bmw-double-vanos-kit...
You will also want to pick up some parts from your local dealer as "while I am in there" replacements:
1 x 11361433817 (steel vanos gasket)
1 x 32411093596 (oil line gasket)
1 x 11120030496 (valve cover gasket set) OR 11129070990 for pre facelift (check at the dealer with your VIN)
15 x 11121437395 (rubber seal)

If you have not changed your spark plugs in living memory, do them as well: NGK BKR6EQUP
If you can find them at your local factor, you can get a Victor Reinz (the OEM) valve cover gasket at a lower price than the BMW branded stuff.

Finally, you need a tube of loctite blue RTV sealant which you can pick up at halfords.

Is it a handy enough job to do?

[Mgd_uk]

dirtychinchilla said:

I've had a stty problem arise with my car in the last couple of days - the internal switch for the driver window has stopped function to put the window up (it works putting it down). The window works perfectly from the key, though.

Anyone got any suggestions on what I can do?

I think I have a spare switch at home, If you send me your address via message I will throw it in the post on Monday/Tuesday when im back home.

[dirtychinchilla]

Wow that would be fantastic, thanks man! I'll send you my address now.

EDIT: just tried to send you my address and apparently you don't permit users to send emails to you hah. Perhaps if you send me a message I can send you my address in return?