Just bought 330d Touring. What remap/improvements?

Just bought 330d Touring. What remap/improvements?

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root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
2000(W) E46SE It's done 152000 with full history inc new turbo and airflow meter 3 months ago.
Who should I see about a remap (Watford/london area)and what result/price should I expect?
What's a good suspension/brake combination given that the car will rarely be loaded? (Unlike me). It's currently on excellent 235 50 17 Pirellis and has a standard exhaust.

For those who are happy to share their knowledge with me, my grateful (and strangely excited) thanks in advance.
For those who, right now, are reaching for the shouty icon with the megaphone, I'm really, really sorry.

Now, does anyone fancy a dolphin grey E36 tds with 180 brake remap, replica Alpinas and working air?

Edit;What oil is most suitable for high mileage cars and can you recommend an injector/system cleaner that works?
Thanks again.

Edited by root 666 on Friday 5th December 21:22


Edited by root 666 on Friday 5th December 21:55

Dave B S3

3,280 posts

226 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
try speedreligion.net they have some interesting options on these.

"BMW E46 330d straight through performance exhaust, performance air intake and bespoke ECU serial OBD remap to 290bhp and 550Nm. This gives a large performance and fuel economy increase. Turbo lag is reduced along with a high usable rpm band and an increase of around 5 mpg in consumption due to the free flowing parts."

Im looking at these guys if I get a 320D

Hope that helps

Dave

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Friday 5th December 2008
quotequote all
I'll be on the phone tomorrow.
Thanks a lot.
Keith

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
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Is it wise to do that much on a car with that kind of milage?

The_Doc

4,894 posts

221 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
Neil.D said:
Is it wise to do that much on a car with that kind of milage?
#

I wouldn't do anything at 152k. I did mine at 37k and am now on 107k, you have to expect the car to give up sometime and massive performance gains in the twighlight of the cars life are only going to expediate the demise.

Would you pay for a hooker for your grandpa?

StuB

6,695 posts

240 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
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Make sure the inlet manifold has been changed as other wise, I can now state that if your swirl flap actuator rod fails and gets ingested into your engine, it's not a cheap, easy or straingtforward repair!

Neil.D

2,878 posts

207 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
I have used 'Comma D Tox' in my previous and current M cars - dont know how effective they are at actually cleaning the combustion parts but all is still well.
I have also used 'STP complete fuel treatment' that apparently cleans all of it. I would change the fuel filter ASAP as that would probably prevent any clogging etc before it happens. Change it prior to your next service etc, on my M5 it is apparently a 'lifetime item'. Piffle.

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
I suppose the sensible answer to Neil's point is a reluctant "No, possibly not".
However my intention is to enjoy the increased mpg and generally improved driving characteristics a good remap can provide and only use the extra performance the way you'd use nitrous,ie occasionally for entertainment value. Our 1995 325tds had a 40bhp hike by Chipped U.K. It was done at 120000 and is now on 150000+ with only rear tyre-wear as a detectable downside. In case that sounds a bit limp, I also had a BBR E30 325 TurboSport that was still mental at 210000
Doc's enquiry as to buying my grandad a hooker elicits (in principle) a resounding "Yes". In view of the fact that I'm 62(and a half) as well as a grandfather, I think it's a bloody good idea and would make a very pleasant change from socks and incontinence pants this Christmas.
The car cost 2800 quid (with 9 months tax)and is as near mint as makes no difference. If I spend a grand on it and blow it up in 12 months it will still only have cost what TVR drivers budget for maintenance (or depreciation on a newer one).
So, what should I nail on it?
Thanks,
Keith

OllieWinchester

5,655 posts

193 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
Good work OP, love the attitude. Get it mapped, would love to hear what the exhaust upgrade would sound like. My parents have a 330d M-sport tourer on a 56 plate that I'm trying to encourage them to tweak slightly. My only concern is the auto-box being a weak point, and the bloody swirl flap thingies.....

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
The auto box can take a lot more than the manual, hence why the 335d is auto only, and they have had 750nm put through the auto box.

Speedreligion got 320bhp from there E90 330d with a better intake and a freeflow exhaust.

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Saturday 6th December 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Ollie.
The Werthers Originals are in the post.
Perhaps I could adopt you, as my offspring are decidedly sniffy about what they refer to as "hooligan geriatrics"
I share your in-depth knowledge of swirl-flap thingies and am wondering who I can coerce into checking them in exchange for an extended loan of my bus-pass.
I may give up on my shameless attempts at keep this seemingly doomed thread clunking along, so thanks again to those who replied.
Keith


huckster6

245 posts

218 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
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Point about stressing components during the twilight of car's life is good.

This is what I've done on my 100,00 miler 184bhp 330D Touring with 5 speed steptronic:

(1) K&N air filter

(2) Exhaust Gas Recycling valve bypassed with a unit which took about half an hour to fit.
(Available on ebay - see this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-EGR-Diesel-Bypass-Valve-... Old standard one was very mucky but retained for spare. Have a look at this link: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=83...

(3) Sprintbooster bought secondhand (see review: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=... am really very pleased with this because it cuts throttle lag. I found it tricky to get the clip on my car to release the throttle pedal. On a warm day the plastic is more flexible.

(4) Tuning Box CR51 bought secondhand (see: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=72&...

Been through France & Italy twice. Up through the Alps it was a hoot. The car is used in London for shopping on regular basis. Fuel consumption 35mpg, although computer can show 45-50 ish. Performance is just a joy. Especially good is the reduction in throttle lag from the Sprintbooster

(a)Total cost around £300, although I can't actually rember what I gave for each bit;
(b)problems: zero;
(c) total fitting time: say, hour or two by self, with no training or engineering background.
(d) increased enjoyment - absolutely priceless. Subjective assessment of acceleration is that it feels a bit like takeoff at Gatwick. It makes my wife yelp, my daughter shriek and my son join me in Jeremy Clarkson impressions.

I find PistonHeads and BMWLand especially helpful. I regard my budget mods as a good investment. It is FAR, far cheaper than getting the car remapped. I would guess that a good re-map would be superior, but would be a miserable 2nd place in terms of cost on an old car. Better off getting the next car up the range.
Personally, I'd love a 335D.

BikealarmBlair

1,085 posts

209 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
StuB said:
Make sure the inlet manifold has been changed as other wise, I can now state that if your swirl flap actuator rod fails and gets ingested into your engine, it's not a cheap, easy or straingtforward repair!
I thought it was 320d's that suffered not 330d's?

StuB

6,695 posts

240 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
BikealarmBlair said:
StuB said:
Make sure the inlet manifold has been changed as other wise, I can now state that if your swirl flap actuator rod fails and gets ingested into your engine, it's not a cheap, easy or straingtforward repair!
I thought it was 320d's that suffered not 330d's?
My M57 engined E60 530d ASe is being finished this week after remedial work! New inlet manifold, 24 valves (to be on the safe side, new turbo, some labour and some other bits all as a result of the Sriwl Flap Actuator rod going AWOL! Sickening things is I was comteplating chopping in for an E60 M5 and I could have avoided the c£3500 it's going to sting me at my local indy.

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
YEEEEEEEEEEE...HAAAAARR...
Just got back from Gee686's garage in Berkshire (steady Shaw Tarse) 10mins (3 on the way back) from junction 16 of the M25.
He contacted me yesterday re OP and said that as I wasn't far away and he wasn't doing much this afternoon he would be able to tailor a remap specific to the mileage and condition of the engine as well as my preferred driving characteristics.
The garage contained a reassuring number of top-end Porsches, BMs and Mercs gleaming evilly.
After a test-drive and some diagnostic jiggery-pokery, he decided that 30/35 brake would be enough with quicker throttle response, added smoothness and greater economy thrown in.
It all sounded very good to me, so I settled down with a pile of magazines and several cups of tea concocting lies to tell my wife..."I've no idea...it just started going really quickly....must be the injector cleaner"

Someone fitted a K&N filter and checked things while Gee did stuff with a lap-top (see how technical I am?)
An hour later and off we went again.
Transformation doesn't come close. Touch the throttle and it's off, pulling much harder than before especially 45-70mph.
And possibly to 90 but I wouldn't really know...

When we got back he took me out in his 330cd with "about 285 brake"
I discovered that is quite difficult to keep your voice out of the soprano register when you're being smished into your seat while the horizon throws itself at you. He must go through traction control units like I go through London Pride (or, more accurately, like it goes through me).

I really have to mention this. Not only did he meet me at (and take me back to) the motorway turn-off, he deferred payment for the filter as I'd only brought enough to pay for the remap.
When you take into account that the total was less than I paid for a less noticeable remap on a 325 tds by Chipped U.K. my delight should be even more obvious.
If you ask him nicely, he might show you his 500 Cossie. There's also a distinct possibility that he might be a better driver than me.
I think I hate him.

It's booked in (with Gee686 obviously) for a new inlet manifold (thanks for the advice) but if, in the next couple of weeks, you should see a silver 330 touring smouldering on the hard-shoulder, give us a wave. It'll be me.

Hmm...I wonder where Welshbeef lives..

Enormous thanks to Neil D, the Doc, Ollie, Huckster 6 and Stu B for their advice, encouragement and interest but mainly to Gee686 for being such a top bloke.

Right, that's me out playing.
Keith.

EDIT Just noticed that I missed Dave B S3 and Gizlaroc. Must have been the excitement!

Edited by root 666 on Sunday 7th December 21:12

StuB

6,695 posts

240 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
Nice to see such an enthusiastic post, glad you're so happy.

Mapping (superchips) on my 2 BMW TD's were also revelations & I hope to see the 530 back to rude health this week too.

I bet you can't resist the urge for a few 'benchmark' tests this week hehe

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
Just got back in with fuel gauge significantly further up than the fun factor would suggest.

Normally(!) I'd have spent a good percentage of this evening in the pub (without the car naturally).Intead of that I've been lurking in lay-bys (lay-bies?,lady-boys?) on the A41 waiting for the over-committed or optimistic to give me an excuse to nail it/them.

Despite being resolutely heterosexual for all my life (well, up 'til now at least) I think I would enjoy a more meaningful relationship with Gee686 based on the utter joy he has brought to my life.

Beforethis comes across as too much of a eulogy, I'd like to say that, until this afternoon ,I didn't know Gee686 from the proverbial hole in the ground. Now, as a result of what he did (and infinitely more importantly, how he did it) he can ,if he wishes, look after every car I own or ever will own.

If you wish, please view my comments as the deluded ramblings of a sad old fart. Failing that, contact him about anything that you'd prefer to entrust to someone who is (justifiably) proud of his ability to impress the living 5h1t out of the understandably disillusioned.

Go on, you know you want to.

Oh yes, if this contravenes any "advertisey" rules, please point it out and I'll (reluctantly) delete it.

Are you reading this Gee686? How about I only pay you half what I owe you?

Good Heavens! Are those my keys.....

Edited by root 666 on Monday 8th December 07:12

mpm1987

755 posts

186 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Very Interesting in reading this.

I too, have a 330d Sport, and looking into remaps, its got me thinking now....

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Haha, nice to hear some bumbling ramblings from someone who is enjoying their car!
A posoitive post for a change, glad I saw it before the doom mongers got in here to tell you that you will burn in hell for modding your car or something just as ridiculous.

Enjoy!! thumbup

Edited by gizlaroc on Monday 8th December 14:12

root 666

Original Poster:

316 posts

186 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Cheers Giz,

Luckily I've just discovered that I've REALLY got to go to Manchester (380 miles round trip) this afternoon.

I can't actually remember why but I'm sure it'll come to me en-route.

Brrrmm.... Brrmmm.... beebeep

NOT, diesel-haters please note; Clatter... rattle ...rattle ..smoke... smoke

The only downside so far is the increased and very clear erosion of my already somewhat shaky "maturity"

Oh well...