BMW E46 320i - M54B22 - Father and Son project
Discussion
Only a small update but an update none the less! Anyway the new exhaust is still great but one thing that's really been bugging me about it is that one of the exhaust tips is a fraud!! That's right only one of the tips has an outlet from the back box resulting in getting one dirty and one clean exhaust tip, not good!! I invested in some autosol to rectify the situation!!
Before:
After:
Ever since I bought the car it's had a flat spot at about 2k rpm but then would pull through it to really rev on as the revs increased. I used to also get an intermittent flicker of the eml light every now and then but this had now started turning into a misfire when accelerating up to speed on the motorway for example ending with the eml being on permanently.
I had a nosy through the history and couldn't see any evidence of a spark plug change so I thought we'd start there!
I'm surprised the thing ran at all looking at these!!
Fitted the new plugs and the emls gone along with the flat spot! Winner!
Before:
After:
Ever since I bought the car it's had a flat spot at about 2k rpm but then would pull through it to really rev on as the revs increased. I used to also get an intermittent flicker of the eml light every now and then but this had now started turning into a misfire when accelerating up to speed on the motorway for example ending with the eml being on permanently.
I had a nosy through the history and couldn't see any evidence of a spark plug change so I thought we'd start there!
I'm surprised the thing ran at all looking at these!!
Fitted the new plugs and the emls gone along with the flat spot! Winner!
Well done with your new project !
It's a similar story to mine, albeit mine is a 2002 E46 318i ES, so the same car but with the 1995cc 4 cylinder and 143 BHP.
I bought mine ( a saloon also in silver with black sports leather seats (!) 18 months ago when it had only 69,000 genuine miles. It is now at 87,000.
Photo below is just after I bought it.
Surprisingly I don't have any of the exterior (!) which is most unusual !
The car was in very good condition, but the rear arches were a bit crusty so they were sorted out, the fronts were OK, but they are now showing signs of rust.
I cleaned them out with a stiff brush in the dry summer months and applied some Waxoyl stuff to arrest the oxidation.... for a while.
Although mine is the 4 cylinder 2 litre, it really does feel like a smooth straight 6 ( I have owned an E36 328 and also an E36 3128iS) : but this 318i is so much smoother than the previous model; not sure if it has balancer shafts in it, but it does have some sort of variable valve timing ( not VANOS)
My car had been sitting for some time and had not been serviced for quite a while, so similar to yours I guess.
First thing was to change the oil....I literally could not remove the paper element cartridge without resorting to a hacksaw (!!!)...so I guess the oil had been in there for years !
I then did several oil changes over the first 1000 miles, and it is now pretty clean, Also the emissions are very clean as well according to the last MOT.
I also have done some interior mods.
Gear knob changed to a shorter leather Richbrook that has been in the last 3 cars I have owned (!)
I also swapped out the original 'soft touch' plastic trim ( all of it ) with a Carbon Cube one which is so much better IMHO.
I also refurbished ( by hand ) the centre console ( radio surrounds) and arm rest/hand brake plastics which were disgusting 'soft touch' & sticky.
NB: If you choose to do that on your 320.... it is a very time consuming job getting the old sticky surface off...but well worth it as it really made a difference to the interior.
Yours has the best trim ie the brushed aluminium, quite envious actually !
I replaced the OEM Business CD/Radio with a S/H Ebay Kenwood Bluetooth CD headunit.
I was tempted to change the steering wheel for am M sport one like yours, but I could not justify the cost TBH: at least we don't get the awful US spec 4 spoke ones !
I also think the standard exhaust is too quiet....so I bought a new back section from Cybox ( was Pico) in The Wirral, and it sounds great, just a nice burble around town but sounds epic at 5000 revs in third gear !
I recently changed the gearbox oil out for ATF ( after watching M539 Restorations on Youtube ( brilliant channel if you like older BMWs ; he has an E46 330 ( now ) that he has done a lot of mods to )
The ATF has improved the gear selection especially at low ie winter temps.
Apologies to the OP for this long post, but your story is very similar to mine ....!!
Let us have more pics of your project...it is a great thread.
It's a similar story to mine, albeit mine is a 2002 E46 318i ES, so the same car but with the 1995cc 4 cylinder and 143 BHP.
I bought mine ( a saloon also in silver with black sports leather seats (!) 18 months ago when it had only 69,000 genuine miles. It is now at 87,000.
Photo below is just after I bought it.
Surprisingly I don't have any of the exterior (!) which is most unusual !
The car was in very good condition, but the rear arches were a bit crusty so they were sorted out, the fronts were OK, but they are now showing signs of rust.
I cleaned them out with a stiff brush in the dry summer months and applied some Waxoyl stuff to arrest the oxidation.... for a while.
Although mine is the 4 cylinder 2 litre, it really does feel like a smooth straight 6 ( I have owned an E36 328 and also an E36 3128iS) : but this 318i is so much smoother than the previous model; not sure if it has balancer shafts in it, but it does have some sort of variable valve timing ( not VANOS)
My car had been sitting for some time and had not been serviced for quite a while, so similar to yours I guess.
First thing was to change the oil....I literally could not remove the paper element cartridge without resorting to a hacksaw (!!!)...so I guess the oil had been in there for years !
I then did several oil changes over the first 1000 miles, and it is now pretty clean, Also the emissions are very clean as well according to the last MOT.
I also have done some interior mods.
Gear knob changed to a shorter leather Richbrook that has been in the last 3 cars I have owned (!)
I also swapped out the original 'soft touch' plastic trim ( all of it ) with a Carbon Cube one which is so much better IMHO.
I also refurbished ( by hand ) the centre console ( radio surrounds) and arm rest/hand brake plastics which were disgusting 'soft touch' & sticky.
NB: If you choose to do that on your 320.... it is a very time consuming job getting the old sticky surface off...but well worth it as it really made a difference to the interior.
Yours has the best trim ie the brushed aluminium, quite envious actually !
I replaced the OEM Business CD/Radio with a S/H Ebay Kenwood Bluetooth CD headunit.
I was tempted to change the steering wheel for am M sport one like yours, but I could not justify the cost TBH: at least we don't get the awful US spec 4 spoke ones !
I also think the standard exhaust is too quiet....so I bought a new back section from Cybox ( was Pico) in The Wirral, and it sounds great, just a nice burble around town but sounds epic at 5000 revs in third gear !
I recently changed the gearbox oil out for ATF ( after watching M539 Restorations on Youtube ( brilliant channel if you like older BMWs ; he has an E46 330 ( now ) that he has done a lot of mods to )
The ATF has improved the gear selection especially at low ie winter temps.
Apologies to the OP for this long post, but your story is very similar to mine ....!!
Let us have more pics of your project...it is a great thread.
Andrew-b90y3 said:
Only a small update but an update none the less! Anyway the new exhaust is still great but one thing that's really been bugging me about it is that one of the exhaust tips is a fraud!! That's right only one of the tips has an outlet from the back box resulting in getting one dirty and one clean exhaust tip, not good!! I invested in some autosol to rectify the situation!!
Before:
After:
Ever since I bought the car it's had a flat spot at about 2k rpm but then would pull through it to really rev on as the revs increased. I used to also get an intermittent flicker of the eml light every now and then but this had now started turning into a misfire when accelerating up to speed on the motorway for example ending with the eml being on permanently.
I had a nosy through the history and couldn't see any evidence of a spark plug change so I thought we'd start there!
I'm surprised the thing ran at all looking at these!!
Fitted the new plugs and the emls gone along with the flat spot! Winner!
Don't worry about the single outlet exhaust thing - the OE 330i exhaust does that, as the little flap to reduce noise is closed most of the time resulting in the exhaust exiting one side and sooting up one tailpipe. The solution is to either drive it hard enough that the flap stays open more often, or plug the vacuum line to keep the flap open all the time.Before:
After:
Ever since I bought the car it's had a flat spot at about 2k rpm but then would pull through it to really rev on as the revs increased. I used to also get an intermittent flicker of the eml light every now and then but this had now started turning into a misfire when accelerating up to speed on the motorway for example ending with the eml being on permanently.
I had a nosy through the history and couldn't see any evidence of a spark plug change so I thought we'd start there!
I'm surprised the thing ran at all looking at these!!
Fitted the new plugs and the emls gone along with the flat spot! Winner!
Judging by your oily plugs it looks like your valve cover gasket has gone, a very common failure on the M54 and cheap and easy to sort out. Well worth doing, as leaking oil can cause the insulation on the coil packs to break down, and if it drips onto the exhaust manifold you can get a little smoke on start up which can make its way into the cabin.
Managed to get another little job done on the M54 this weekend. I'd had an air filter lying around for ages and 2anted to try and do something with it. I'd been measuring throttle body diameters and air filters diameters and all sorts of angles trying to get something setup, in the end I ordered a 45 degree intake elbow and 100mm piece of silicon hose with a couple of jubilees. I also cleaned the engine bay whilst inwas in there and removed the sound deadening (I don't like it and it adds no real purpose)
Before the clean:
After the clean:
After I'd fitted the air intake:
I think it looks quite neat and tidy and the sound is lovely. Doesn't really sound much different at low rpm but at higher rpm it sounds lovely.
Plans are maybe looking to a couple of track datsbin the future so probably brake pads and some semi slicks in the future and then maybe get on a trqck day or two.
Before the clean:
After the clean:
After I'd fitted the air intake:
I think it looks quite neat and tidy and the sound is lovely. Doesn't really sound much different at low rpm but at higher rpm it sounds lovely.
Plans are maybe looking to a couple of track datsbin the future so probably brake pads and some semi slicks in the future and then maybe get on a trqck day or two.
Does removing the under bonnet sound proofing make much difference to the sound?
Also, I am considering what pads to get on the front...either Brembo or Delphi ( I can get these at trade price from a pal who owns a Motor Factors at a really good price that includes new wear sensors )
Not had Brembo pads before so any advice would be welcome
Also, I am considering what pads to get on the front...either Brembo or Delphi ( I can get these at trade price from a pal who owns a Motor Factors at a really good price that includes new wear sensors )
Not had Brembo pads before so any advice would be welcome
I don't really think it makes much difference to sound although it could do because when you hear a bmw with the engine cover off they are a lot noisier so perhaps!
Regarding brake pads I usually just phone the motor factors and ask for none squeakers ha!
In regards to performance pads I had Pagid RS29 on my 330 and they were incredible. Issues with them were they were very noisy and created a lot of dust.
I would get another set of rs29 but they're very expensive so I think I might try DS2500 on the 320, anyone any experience with these?
Regarding brake pads I usually just phone the motor factors and ask for none squeakers ha!
In regards to performance pads I had Pagid RS29 on my 330 and they were incredible. Issues with them were they were very noisy and created a lot of dust.
I would get another set of rs29 but they're very expensive so I think I might try DS2500 on the 320, anyone any experience with these?
Only really a little bit of a maintenance update this one!
I got in the car this week and was greeted with:
Looks like a H7 is required so I got onto a local kotpe factors. At the same time I replaced the wipers as they were way past their best. I got some Bosch wipers (none aero) I can't stand Bosch wipers and two H7 bulbs for £21. Bargain.
Took the bulb holder out and refitted.
Job jobbed.
I got in the car this week and was greeted with:
Looks like a H7 is required so I got onto a local kotpe factors. At the same time I replaced the wipers as they were way past their best. I got some Bosch wipers (none aero) I can't stand Bosch wipers and two H7 bulbs for £21. Bargain.
Took the bulb holder out and refitted.
Job jobbed.
Quite an exciting update this one for the M54.
I've always thought that the e46 M sport looks so much better than the se versions of the car. I'd been on the look out for an M sport front and rear bumper in titan but I'd had no luck, just missing out on a front bumper local to me. I bit the bullet and bought a front bumper in grey and had it painted. I set about the strip down,
Started with the se front end on show.
It always amazes me how well these e46 are out together but how easily they come apart. Approx 10 bolts/screws Inc two e12's and I was left at this point. I had two change the two brackets that sit at the outer edge of the bumper and support it. I had to remove a couple of bits of bracket too that sit just below the wing section to clip the old se bumper into. Ended with this!
Colour match is spot on and I couldn't be happier with how it looks. It improves the car loads.
I think it looks great now. I have fitted an M sport rear bumper now too but will update with pictures of that as I had to work this morning so couldn't snap any.
Moving forward with the car I think it's going to go into a little bit of a track focused phase now with the aim of doing some track days over summer. When I had my 330 I let the internet dictate to me that I needed 1.5k worth of coilovers etc etc to do track days. I learned my lesson on this so the idea of this one will be to keep it fun and as cheap as possible really. I've got a small mental list going of jobs it need a before it'll be able to do a track day. In no particular order they are:
Rocker cover gasket (leaking)
Radiator (bowed at the bottom)
Expansion tank (might as well while the rads off)
Inner and outer track rods
Wheel alignment (I'll do this at work)
Ferodo DS 2500 (fronts only)
Accelara 651 sport x 4 225/45/17
Have as much fun and get as much seat time as possible.
The key is going to be getting as much seat time as possible. This car won't be the fastest car in the world but when I set it up it should handle right and the B22 with the 3.38 diff is actually pretty pokey when it's revved. I'm hoping that I'll be able to concentrate on being smooth, hitting the lines and carrying as much speed as possible in this car. Fingers crossed anyway. Thanks for reading.
I've always thought that the e46 M sport looks so much better than the se versions of the car. I'd been on the look out for an M sport front and rear bumper in titan but I'd had no luck, just missing out on a front bumper local to me. I bit the bullet and bought a front bumper in grey and had it painted. I set about the strip down,
Started with the se front end on show.
It always amazes me how well these e46 are out together but how easily they come apart. Approx 10 bolts/screws Inc two e12's and I was left at this point. I had two change the two brackets that sit at the outer edge of the bumper and support it. I had to remove a couple of bits of bracket too that sit just below the wing section to clip the old se bumper into. Ended with this!
Colour match is spot on and I couldn't be happier with how it looks. It improves the car loads.
I think it looks great now. I have fitted an M sport rear bumper now too but will update with pictures of that as I had to work this morning so couldn't snap any.
Moving forward with the car I think it's going to go into a little bit of a track focused phase now with the aim of doing some track days over summer. When I had my 330 I let the internet dictate to me that I needed 1.5k worth of coilovers etc etc to do track days. I learned my lesson on this so the idea of this one will be to keep it fun and as cheap as possible really. I've got a small mental list going of jobs it need a before it'll be able to do a track day. In no particular order they are:
Rocker cover gasket (leaking)
Radiator (bowed at the bottom)
Expansion tank (might as well while the rads off)
Inner and outer track rods
Wheel alignment (I'll do this at work)
Ferodo DS 2500 (fronts only)
Accelara 651 sport x 4 225/45/17
Have as much fun and get as much seat time as possible.
The key is going to be getting as much seat time as possible. This car won't be the fastest car in the world but when I set it up it should handle right and the B22 with the 3.38 diff is actually pretty pokey when it's revved. I'm hoping that I'll be able to concentrate on being smooth, hitting the lines and carrying as much speed as possible in this car. Fingers crossed anyway. Thanks for reading.
The Sport bumpers look so much better on E46s. 
Better tyres and brakes are a cheaper improvement than suspension mods. I usually can't find 2 people who agree on best suspension set-ups on any thread I read!
If you get some track time in it you'll get a feel for what might be worth improving.
Better tyres and brakes are a cheaper improvement than suspension mods. I usually can't find 2 people who agree on best suspension set-ups on any thread I read!
If you get some track time in it you'll get a feel for what might be worth improving.
Mr Tidy said:
The Sport bumpers look so much better on E46s.
Better tyres and brakes are a cheaper improvement than suspension mods. I usually can't find 2 people who agree on best suspension set-ups on any thread I read!
If you get some track time in it you'll get a feel for what might be worth improving.
Thanks Mr Tidy. Better tyres and brakes are a cheaper improvement than suspension mods. I usually can't find 2 people who agree on best suspension set-ups on any thread I read!
If you get some track time in it you'll get a feel for what might be worth improving.
Regarding the brakes and tyres my brother had some tuition in his nova turbo a few weeks ago now at Oulton. The fella that did the tuition was called Andy and he was a proper top bloke. Chatting to him after he'd been out with my brother he was basically saying the same thing. Tyres are pretty much the most important thing on the car, my brothers nova turbo for example is a properly sorted car but then is only running 6j Porsche D90's with nankang road tyres so they let the car down on track.
I think seat time with good tuition is really important and can make you a fair bit quicker than any other modifications you could make so I'm going to try and focus on that once I've sorted the maintenance bits on the car.
Thanks Ben and Theice. I was hoping no one would notice the front bumpers trims. The oem bits are an additional £100 so I'm going to leave it as is for now.
Small update on the B22 this morning. This is only really a cosmetic modification but I think it knight make some difference when I come to do some track time in the old girl and it looks nice so I thought why not!
We had some old stock kicking around at work so these came my way:
A little picture pre m3 strut brace:
I weighed up the braces on the strut towers and realised that the e46 m3 must have had some form of recessed nuts as the braces covered most of the threads on the top mounts!!
Sorted some of these:
Fitted:
Rhe collars on the nuts fit into the braces and the holes are slotted on the actual bar itself so it can all be fitted with ease!
Thoughts are that it was really nice to fit some oem equipment! It fits lovely with minimal tolerances and everything fits as it should! I don't know if it will make a difference to the drive of the car but I think it should stiffen things up a bit.
I had a solid steel brace on my 330 and you couldn't fit that with the car off the ground so there must be some movement to eliminate across the front struts!
We had some old stock kicking around at work so these came my way:
A little picture pre m3 strut brace:
I weighed up the braces on the strut towers and realised that the e46 m3 must have had some form of recessed nuts as the braces covered most of the threads on the top mounts!!
Sorted some of these:
Fitted:
Rhe collars on the nuts fit into the braces and the holes are slotted on the actual bar itself so it can all be fitted with ease!
Thoughts are that it was really nice to fit some oem equipment! It fits lovely with minimal tolerances and everything fits as it should! I don't know if it will make a difference to the drive of the car but I think it should stiffen things up a bit.
I had a solid steel brace on my 330 and you couldn't fit that with the car off the ground so there must be some movement to eliminate across the front struts!
Got a minor but pretty functional job sorted on the B22 the other day.
With the focus of the car to be on the occasional track day every now and then on ejob I'd always wanted done on my 330 was a tinted suntrap. I always found the sun to be at an awkward height and found the sun visors really intrusive if you had a helmet on. Solid sun strips for me are too much and make the windscreen feel really narrow in a way.
One of my pals from work was having the windows tinted on his car by a proper friendly tint guy that we use. I asked him hoe much he'd charge to fit a tinted strip for me and he said £30. Absolute bargain, I was going to have a go myself but it would look like my 5 year old did it!!
Anyway job jobbed.
The car feels very 'racey' now to drive its great. Only issue is I've pulled the rear view mirror base plate of the windscreen (bugger). Anyone any suggestions on how to re stick the base plate and what to use? Some 3m adhesive pad or something maybe?
With the focus of the car to be on the occasional track day every now and then on ejob I'd always wanted done on my 330 was a tinted suntrap. I always found the sun to be at an awkward height and found the sun visors really intrusive if you had a helmet on. Solid sun strips for me are too much and make the windscreen feel really narrow in a way.
One of my pals from work was having the windows tinted on his car by a proper friendly tint guy that we use. I asked him hoe much he'd charge to fit a tinted strip for me and he said £30. Absolute bargain, I was going to have a go myself but it would look like my 5 year old did it!!
Anyway job jobbed.
The car feels very 'racey' now to drive its great. Only issue is I've pulled the rear view mirror base plate of the windscreen (bugger). Anyone any suggestions on how to re stick the base plate and what to use? Some 3m adhesive pad or something maybe?
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff