Massive Spec 330ci Sport journal and updates

[mboon]

So a week ago I found a car local to me that took my fancy, so I jumped in the car and took a look, to be fair, the car looked like crap when I went to see it. 99% of the toys worked but it had never been properly cleaned.


It drove nice etc etc. So I went away and had a think about it. The next day I put an offer in and it was accepted.


These are the photos from the seller











Reasons why I went for this car, it was far from perfect cosmetically but the spec is seriously impressive. It used to belong to a Premier League Football player, hence the spec


Digital/freeview TV

Xenon head lights

Professional Sat Nav

Bluetooth hands free

Widescreen nav unit

Electric memory leather seats

CD changer

Folding rear seats

Isofix

And so on...


It also drove very well, I have owned a few of the E46 Sports and this one has no knocks etc from the front end (rare) pulled really hard in all gears, the auto box would fly up and down the gears nice and smooth.


As you can tell, it needed a good clean.


So I got it back home and started to clean it up. I have some before and afters and during. I will just post them all in one hit, you should be able to see the difference


















































So next up was a cut and compound and some Polish.  End results


























And a snap of our two 330i together with my M3 in the background ☺





So my list of things to do


Rear passenger arch has rust. I have taken the car to BMW as it has another 2 years warranty on rust. They have taken paint depths which were all fine and took some photos. I will apparently hear something this week so fingers crossed (although I am not expecting anything)


The maps are rubbish, so have purchased the upgraded firmware and the 2015 maps plus up to date camera warning built in. This also has the full Western European maps.


Had to remove the bluetooth module to get the pass code,  that now works a treat and happy with that. Works spot on with my Samsung Galaxy S6.


That's where I am at the mental with it. This is my daily driver so it will not be kept as clean as my toy.


Cheers for reading. All comments welcome

[mboon]

Cheers all.

The interior was just a case of lots of elbow grease, time and OCD.

It was owned by a Southampton football player apparently. Cannot remember his name now. All I know is he had no idea on how to clean a car.

Cheers for the comments guys

[mboon]

I upgraded the sat nav/firmware today.


























Also has night mode, perspective mode and full up to date camera warning system built in. It also tells me where road works are which is cool.


Another tick in the box

[mboon]

Folding mirror update;


As we know, the folding memory Electric heated mirrors we're not working. I bought the car knowing this but was sold it as a blown relay but knew that would be too good to be true.


So I removed the glass, back over and motor, I checked all the cables/ribbon and nothing looking out of order.


So next I removed the door card, nothing looked odd here either. So I decided to remove the complete mirror from the car. This is where I found the problem. When BMW had completed some recall work on the mirrors, they kindly bolted the mirrors up trapping the ribbon causing it to split. So after some handy work with a solder iron I got them working again. Put it all back together and they function lovely. 


Some photos of the repair work on the mirrors





Connectors behind the door card





My door switch





Cabling behind the door card





And then the problem








And them working ☺











And that was that. Gave her a quick clean and took some snaps




















I have also purchased a few bits.


Number one was the manuals and leather folder etc


Second was a brand new service book. I managed to get hold of BMW through the 090 number and got the service history info. It has been back to BMW 11 times, 4 services and loads of recalls. I have purchased a service book from my local dealer which I cannot collect until the V5 arrives for proof of ownership then I can send it off to the dealers to get it signed up. I have been looking through the paperwork I have for the car and it has alot of the old MOT and the odd service from Kwik-fit of all places. I have some recipes for all new brakes under 10,000 miles ago too which was nice.


All in all, it is coming along nicely


Thanks

[mboon]

Haha bloody new phone.

I got it from a guy on M3 cutters forum

[mboon]

This arrived today.


As described which is spot on.

[mboon]

Also just noticed this arrived. I can now collect my new service book and get that sent off





And taxed

[mboon]

Went and collected my new service book today. They had to photocopy the logbook before they handed it over. All nice and shine new ready to get it's stamps








I had a look around the engine bay last night. Washer jet pump needs replacing for the windscreen. The jets for the lights works spot on which is rare on these things. All the belts look in really good shape, water pump seems to have no play in, everything seems to be working well.


I think it has a slight leak on the cam cover so might look at replacing this soon

[mboon]

Spoken with the servicing department at the dealer the car has been serviced at. Written my letter and copied the V5. Ready to be sent off ☺

[mboon]

Today I wanted to give the M3 a clean down. The 330ci was also covered in dust so that got a clean too. First time I managed to get some photos of them all together.


After cleaning them, I appreciate just how clean the M3 is now

[mboon]

Cheers guys.

I used glipton leather cleaner but to be fair it was not the best. Loads and loads of elbow grease and hard work.

[mboon]

Fixed the windscreen washers last night. Was getting nothing on the windscreen but the Headlight washer jets were working fine. Replaced the pump and all is working as it should

[mboon]

Cheers guys. She is a nice car mechanically but has her blemishes on the paint work. Scratch, bit of rust and the odd scrap etc.

She cleans up nice enough though and with the spec and how it drives is spot on

[mboon]

A quick clean of the engine bay at the weekend.


Before





After

[mboon]

Sf_Manta said:

How did you clean under the bonnet?
Specifically any particular product, or just go at it with a bucket and sponge?

Just mine's looking decidedly grubby under the bonnet.

Hi, I used a bucket and sponge and the hose pipe. Be careful with the hose pipe though. It's not as clean as I like but good enough for a daily

[mboon]

smellypoo said:

That is a lovely E46 coupe - great find on that spec, pretty much my perfect spec (would just prefer the 6 speed manual) - I have the same engine in my Z4 with the manual gearbox and it's a peach. Well done on the clean-up as well, that really was a diamond-in-the-rough.

Lovely looking fleet as well, you're a lucky guy owning that M3 as well - very jealous!

Cheers. The silver one is manual. Great car but I think I prefer the auto in her. That said if I didn't have the M3 I think I would miss the manual.

Thanks for the comments. The 330ci is lovely. But the M3 is special. Just about to fire up the M3 and run some checks

[mboon]

I had a rattle coming from the passenger door which was driving me mad. No BMW should rattle.


So off with the door card





Peeled the foam stuff back and tapped stuff





Found it to be this which I think is the side impact protection... I could be wrong








I had a feel around inside and could feel no bolts. I was starting to come up with ideas to brace the rattle and then chased it back to the door shut stop. So removed the rubber and tightened these bolts. Still making a noise





While I had this rubber off and was sacking the bar I could see this bolt head moving





A few turns and the rattle was gone. Took it for a quick bumpy drive and now I have a completely rattle free car. This makes me very happy

[mboon]

Today I replaced the rocker cover gasket.


I found a guide online which was very good. I would say most people could do this if you have some kind of interest in taking things a part. I placed all my stuff in order as I took it off to make it easier.


Anyway, a couple snaps of the work











And just for reference. This is someone else's 325ci which has slightly less miles on the clock than mine





Look at the difference between them. I would say mine has been serviced correctly and looked after





It's all about the organisation ha








And then it all back together





Took it for a quick 10 minute drive and no leaks yet. I also used some sealent on the half moons just incase.


Another job ticked off the list

[mboon]

It's amazing what a bit of wonder wheel can do. Looks better than they did.


Car has been faultless and used everyday.


Only gripe is the throttle is either all or nothing...? Any ideas?

















Also, I need the plastic surrounding for the front drivers fog light?

[mboon]

It is up for sale at £4000 no offers. So much car for the money. Need a diesel sadly