E46 330i Touring
Discussion
Been driving this about for about a month now, and quite like it. Returning basically the same MPG as the 530d too within 0.5mpg.. Only thing I've missed is the torque of the M57 in reality.. The couple of times I've driven it in the last month it is really noticeable. Also, the much better suspension on it (Koni Actives/H&R).
I'd noticed with the 330i, I was struggling to drive it smoothly at low speeds, and it was occasionally stalling quite easily as I back into my drive. The throttle also felt a bit wooly at low rpms, and not smooth..
It's got a small leak oil leak from the cam cover, which I have bought the gaskets for now, but figured whilst I was there I would refresh the VANOS using a kit from www.x8r.co.uk. It dawned on me they also do a DISA rebuild kit, so whilst I was paying for postage I went all in..
Tonight I took a break from building/designing my 3D Printer and rebuilt the DISA..
DISA removed. 1st tip.. Make sure you removed the right bolts to get it off the manifold. They are the easier ones to get too also.. It is just, 1 electrical connector, 2 T40 Torx, undo the inlet elbow to give clearance.. Then pull and twist it 90 degrees to remove and clear the bulkhead.
There was play in the flap, not loads, but it rattled about by hand.
Flap removed.. I had to get some circlip pliers under the crank lever to get the leverage remove it.. The pin required a small slim flat head to pry out.
New crank lever in place, with bolt greased/threadlocked and tightened.
Finished article.. Not quite as simple as the instructions have you believe, but not a difficult job either. Mostly it was removing the lever arm that was the tricky bit as it was quite stuck on mine.
Refitted and took it down the road to check it was going to work when I try and go to work in the morning!
What a difference.. Throttle response was now no longer fluffy, idle was stronger (it initially idled high), and it pulled harder at low revs, and was generally smoother and more pleasant to drive.
I'll see how it feels on the longer trip to work, but initial impressions were very positive. Considering it only has 115k on it, and well looked after, and it wasn't throwing a fault, and only had a bit of play I wasn't expecting much, but it was very noticeable on the quick go round the block.
I'd noticed with the 330i, I was struggling to drive it smoothly at low speeds, and it was occasionally stalling quite easily as I back into my drive. The throttle also felt a bit wooly at low rpms, and not smooth..
It's got a small leak oil leak from the cam cover, which I have bought the gaskets for now, but figured whilst I was there I would refresh the VANOS using a kit from www.x8r.co.uk. It dawned on me they also do a DISA rebuild kit, so whilst I was paying for postage I went all in..
Tonight I took a break from building/designing my 3D Printer and rebuilt the DISA..
DISA removed. 1st tip.. Make sure you removed the right bolts to get it off the manifold. They are the easier ones to get too also.. It is just, 1 electrical connector, 2 T40 Torx, undo the inlet elbow to give clearance.. Then pull and twist it 90 degrees to remove and clear the bulkhead.
There was play in the flap, not loads, but it rattled about by hand.
Flap removed.. I had to get some circlip pliers under the crank lever to get the leverage remove it.. The pin required a small slim flat head to pry out.
New crank lever in place, with bolt greased/threadlocked and tightened.
Finished article.. Not quite as simple as the instructions have you believe, but not a difficult job either. Mostly it was removing the lever arm that was the tricky bit as it was quite stuck on mine.
Refitted and took it down the road to check it was going to work when I try and go to work in the morning!
What a difference.. Throttle response was now no longer fluffy, idle was stronger (it initially idled high), and it pulled harder at low revs, and was generally smoother and more pleasant to drive.
I'll see how it feels on the longer trip to work, but initial impressions were very positive. Considering it only has 115k on it, and well looked after, and it wasn't throwing a fault, and only had a bit of play I wasn't expecting much, but it was very noticeable on the quick go round the block.
Barchettaman said:
Cracking work on a lovely car.
There’s a PH guy called Helix who really knows his stuff on these, although by the look of things you’re more than handy yourself.
Best of luck going forward.
Cheers! There’s a PH guy called Helix who really knows his stuff on these, although by the look of things you’re more than handy yourself.
Best of luck going forward.
JakeT said:
You got off quite lightly there. I was having low speed smoothness issues with my E91 330i, and when I was pulling the manifold to change the starter my big DISA valve wasn't all there.
The flap and pin were rattling around in the inlet manifold!
Bloody hell! You escaped a disaster there.. The flap and pin were rattling around in the inlet manifold!
d_a_n1979 said:
Same with my previous E39 530i and current touring
Both DISA's weren't as healthy as they could be; X8R kit later (after 30mins of faffing and nearly smashing it with my trusty 12lb sledgehammer
) they were fitted back and a much smoother drive and improved acceleration 
It's a mod that I highly recommend to anyone running an M52 / M54 as more of doing it for preventative maintenance rather than leaving it until it does fail!
Yeah definitely, I think if it is over 80k, it needs doing. It's not like they drive bad with light wear on them, but.. They drive much better with them done. Having never driven an M54 before I thought perhaps it was driver error over smoothness.Both DISA's weren't as healthy as they could be; X8R kit later (after 30mins of faffing and nearly smashing it with my trusty 12lb sledgehammer
) they were fitted back and a much smoother drive and improved acceleration It's a mod that I highly recommend to anyone running an M52 / M54 as more of doing it for preventative maintenance rather than leaving it until it does fail!
JakeT said:
Jhonno said:
How do they work in comparison?
The shaft isn't detachable, and the case is nigh on impossible to separate too. The N52 ones are all electric, with no vacuum attachment. Post 2009 (about) new BMW DISA valves for the M54 and N52 have a metal shaft which is much less likely to break. My dad's X5 had one fitted in 2010, and is still fine. I have no worries about the new one I fitted (bar the price). But I suppose one does have to pay to play sometimes.g3org3y said:
Great project OP. 
Really nice spec on your example with heated seats + xenons + the 6 speed manual. I think these will only go up in value.
Cheers mate. Really nice spec on your example with heated seats + xenons + the 6 speed manual. I think these will only go up in value.I agree on both parts.. The Exclusive leather too. Read parking sensors and auto lights and wipers with the Harmon Kardon. The values are on the rise for the nice stuff. I've seen a nice 330i coupe make over 5k and it was auto. A Touring like this sold for over 6k recently too.
I'd been dailying this quite happily for a few weeks, before a bouncing idle issue began to materialise.. On low speed manoeuvre it could have a tendency to almost lose control of the idle speed and it would bounce for a few seconds before it came back to normal.. Then driving home from work, it started just doing it at idle in traffic, so I got home and parked it up with the intention of doing the cam cover gasket and having an investigation into the idle issue.. Bits had already been ordered, but the weather was poor, and I still had the E61, so it just sat for a few weeks until the weather turned..
Before..
One of the small oil leaks, you could smell oil sitting in traffic after a while..
Gubbins removed and cam cover exposed then removed..
First bit of mission creep.. I ordered a VANOS refresh kit from X8R, so VANOS off..
Looks OK
VANOS stripped
Supposedly a way to tell if it was needed, is to rock the piston in the bore.. I had plenty of movement in mine.
Essential supplies..
Obviously cleaned it all up as I went..
Before spotting the next bit of mission creep..
VANOS had some deposits in the pistons, all soft, but never the less shouldn't be there..
All the boring bit skipped, there is plenty of videos and how to toos for replacing the seals and I went and did the bearings etc too, because you know.. Proper job.
All cleaned, rebuilt and reinstalled..
To be continued..
Before..
One of the small oil leaks, you could smell oil sitting in traffic after a while..
Gubbins removed and cam cover exposed then removed..
First bit of mission creep.. I ordered a VANOS refresh kit from X8R, so VANOS off..
Looks OK
VANOS stripped
Supposedly a way to tell if it was needed, is to rock the piston in the bore.. I had plenty of movement in mine.
Essential supplies..
Obviously cleaned it all up as I went..
Before spotting the next bit of mission creep..
VANOS had some deposits in the pistons, all soft, but never the less shouldn't be there..
All the boring bit skipped, there is plenty of videos and how to toos for replacing the seals and I went and did the bearings etc too, because you know.. Proper job.
All cleaned, rebuilt and reinstalled..
To be continued..
Edited by Jhonno on Friday 18th June 15:33
Next mission creep..
Upon removing the cam cover, I had an "Oh s
t" moment.. However, on reading round and reflection, I realised this was actually going to be due to short journeys and the M54 CCV system.. So.. A full new CCV system/hoses ordered.
I was aware of the OS of the block being very wet, however the Fountain of all Knowledge (Ace Engineering) had mentioned somewhere about the oil filter housing seal.. So one was ordered..
Starting to dig in.. A fair amount of engine needs removing to get to it..
Off and split..
Old seal had long lost it's lustre and flexibility..
A quick clean up.
Small bit of tartiness.. VANOS line looked a bit.. Old..
New one duly made up in fancy-onium..
Installed
Back to the radiator..
New Nissen rad ordered..
New vs. old..
Old one was just slightly bowed as seen by the bottom plastic!
Aaaand it's in..
To be continued..
Upon removing the cam cover, I had an "Oh s
t" moment.. However, on reading round and reflection, I realised this was actually going to be due to short journeys and the M54 CCV system.. So.. A full new CCV system/hoses ordered.I was aware of the OS of the block being very wet, however the Fountain of all Knowledge (Ace Engineering) had mentioned somewhere about the oil filter housing seal.. So one was ordered..
Starting to dig in.. A fair amount of engine needs removing to get to it..
Off and split..
Old seal had long lost it's lustre and flexibility..
A quick clean up.
Small bit of tartiness.. VANOS line looked a bit.. Old..
New one duly made up in fancy-onium..
Installed
Back to the radiator..
New Nissen rad ordered..
New vs. old..
Old one was just slightly bowed as seen by the bottom plastic!
Aaaand it's in..
To be continued..
d_a_n1979 said:
Some good work there; good to see another M54 being looked after 
I've got the HEL vanos line fitted to my touring too; it needed it as mine was weeping slightly
Cheers.. I am trying! It's amazing how much difference some fairly basic maintenance can make! I've got the HEL vanos line fitted to my touring too; it needed it as mine was weeping slightly
I actually got it made up for me by a supplier at work.. I had read about a few failing etc, so as mine looked rough and it was cheap enough, I went with it.
Cams look pretty good to me, minimal wear..
Randomly found loads of leaves all wedged all up in the alternator, so cleaned them out. Looked to see if I could get a regulator whilst I was there, but seems I can't get one for a Valeo alternator.
Filter housing all bolted back up and the digging for the CCV began.. throttle/ICV removed etc. At this point it was being held in by 1 hose, up through the inlet.
Once removed you could see what happens with the CCV system.. Completely bunged up with crap!
New lines.. Interestingly all the new lines are insulated and so is the CCV.
New insulated CCV tucked up in place..
Couple of "helpers"
When I was about to put the ICV back in on rebuild I had a closer look at it.. The rotating "ball valve" or whatever the mechanism is, was partially seized! I wonder if this was the cause of my idle issues.. (Could have been a free fix). I cleaned it out and then reassembled it, and the throttle body.
New aux belt.. Usual age related cracking on the old one that came off..
Upon reassembly I found a few vacuum lines were perished and one snapped as I was trying to move it.. Silicone replacement duly ordered and fitted. Went with purple..
Am I the only one who didn't realise this panel unbolted and came out by hand..?! Would have been handy if I had realised earlier!
Oil and filter service whilst there, seeing as the oil in there is likely contaminated with moisture. Used 5W-40 Millers EE Nanodrive. Swear by Millers and use it in all my cars.
Random inlet cap found perished, so ordered and replaced..
Buttoned back up, coolant refilled and burped.
Test drive shows it was a complete success.. New Millers oil means the engine sounds so quiet. Idle issue gone. Smoother throttle response/transition, the surge at 3k is gone, feels much stronger at low revs/light throttle. Which considering how much difference the DISA rebuild made, is remarkable. Basically, it drives absolutely brilliantly!
Finished it up and took it to work the next day, where I had to popped to a local Co-Op at lunch.. And some woman proceeded to drive into it whilst I was sat in it, and apparently didn't notice as she was driving off as I jumped out the car and accosted her! Luckily very little damage, I'll be able to machine most of it out, the car is in very good condition, but is 18yrs old so has a few marks already, so other than calling her out on it, I let it go after taking her details..
Randomly found loads of leaves all wedged all up in the alternator, so cleaned them out. Looked to see if I could get a regulator whilst I was there, but seems I can't get one for a Valeo alternator.
Filter housing all bolted back up and the digging for the CCV began.. throttle/ICV removed etc. At this point it was being held in by 1 hose, up through the inlet.
Once removed you could see what happens with the CCV system.. Completely bunged up with crap!
New lines.. Interestingly all the new lines are insulated and so is the CCV.
New insulated CCV tucked up in place..
Couple of "helpers"
When I was about to put the ICV back in on rebuild I had a closer look at it.. The rotating "ball valve" or whatever the mechanism is, was partially seized! I wonder if this was the cause of my idle issues.. (Could have been a free fix). I cleaned it out and then reassembled it, and the throttle body.
New aux belt.. Usual age related cracking on the old one that came off..
Upon reassembly I found a few vacuum lines were perished and one snapped as I was trying to move it.. Silicone replacement duly ordered and fitted. Went with purple..
Am I the only one who didn't realise this panel unbolted and came out by hand..?! Would have been handy if I had realised earlier!
Oil and filter service whilst there, seeing as the oil in there is likely contaminated with moisture. Used 5W-40 Millers EE Nanodrive. Swear by Millers and use it in all my cars.
Random inlet cap found perished, so ordered and replaced..
Buttoned back up, coolant refilled and burped.
Test drive shows it was a complete success.. New Millers oil means the engine sounds so quiet. Idle issue gone. Smoother throttle response/transition, the surge at 3k is gone, feels much stronger at low revs/light throttle. Which considering how much difference the DISA rebuild made, is remarkable. Basically, it drives absolutely brilliantly!
Finished it up and took it to work the next day, where I had to popped to a local Co-Op at lunch.. And some woman proceeded to drive into it whilst I was sat in it, and apparently didn't notice as she was driving off as I jumped out the car and accosted her! Luckily very little damage, I'll be able to machine most of it out, the car is in very good condition, but is 18yrs old so has a few marks already, so other than calling her out on it, I let it go after taking her details..
d_a_n1979 said:
All in; a great job well done
I haven't done the CCV on my touring yet; but a few pipes have been taken off to have a look and their spotless (probably due to the warmth of the weather in Japan etc)
I do have the Febi kit from C3BMW on my spare parts shelf; along with Elring Inlet mani gaskets (it's easier IMO to do the CCV kit with the inlet mani off)
Cheers man.. I try..I haven't done the CCV on my touring yet; but a few pipes have been taken off to have a look and their spotless (probably due to the warmth of the weather in Japan etc)
I do have the Febi kit from C3BMW on my spare parts shelf; along with Elring Inlet mani gaskets (it's easier IMO to do the CCV kit with the inlet mani off)
I didn't find it particularly hard with the manifold gasket on.. I started with trying to take it off, but went with leaving it in the end.
If the car has done longer journeys in a warmer climate that will help massively!
helix402 said:
Jhonno said:
Cheers man.. I try..
I didn't find it particularly hard with the manifold gasket on.. I started with trying to take it off, but went with leaving it in the end.
If the car has done longer journeys in a warmer climate that will help massively!
Cars and repairs are looking good. Re the Ccv kit there is a choice of normal or cold climate version. You have the cold version, which reduces the likelihood of condensation build up in the winter. I didn't find it particularly hard with the manifold gasket on.. I started with trying to take it off, but went with leaving it in the end.
If the car has done longer journeys in a warmer climate that will help massively!
Small update..
I sold my brilliant E61 530d and bought...
A Leaf!
To cover most of the daily duties, sharing with the missus, mostly to save some money..
The 330i has been in regular use.. It's had a pair of new rears, Goodyear Assymetric 5's, however I swapped to a 235/40 from a 255/35 which was a great choice! The car feels much better to drive and visually you probably wouldn't even notice.
I have bought new bushes to rebuild the gear linkage, but so far they sit in the kitchen still..
End of last week I left work and it dropped a cylinder.. I limped it home and as I pulled into my drive the misfire cleared.. However I stuck the laptop on it and it gave a cylinder 4 misfire fault.
In a moment of parts cannon I ordered a set of plugs, and got a coil into my local ECP..
However, I went out, swapped the coil to No.1 and cleared the code and the misfire didn't return.. However seeing as I had already ordered the plugs I fitted them when they arrived..
Old plugs - Nothing too exciting looking other than a damp plug, which was on 5.
Quick go down the road and you have to love the placebo effect, obviously it felt sharper and smoother..
Other than that, MOT due next month and returning around 30mpg.. Do really enjoy driving it. With the Leaf for most daily duties though, I do feel it is a waste I don't have a V8 "2nd" daily!
I sold my brilliant E61 530d and bought...
A Leaf!
To cover most of the daily duties, sharing with the missus, mostly to save some money.. The 330i has been in regular use.. It's had a pair of new rears, Goodyear Assymetric 5's, however I swapped to a 235/40 from a 255/35 which was a great choice! The car feels much better to drive and visually you probably wouldn't even notice.
I have bought new bushes to rebuild the gear linkage, but so far they sit in the kitchen still..
End of last week I left work and it dropped a cylinder.. I limped it home and as I pulled into my drive the misfire cleared.. However I stuck the laptop on it and it gave a cylinder 4 misfire fault.
In a moment of parts cannon I ordered a set of plugs, and got a coil into my local ECP..
However, I went out, swapped the coil to No.1 and cleared the code and the misfire didn't return.. However seeing as I had already ordered the plugs I fitted them when they arrived..
Old plugs - Nothing too exciting looking other than a damp plug, which was on 5.
Quick go down the road and you have to love the placebo effect, obviously it felt sharper and smoother..
Other than that, MOT due next month and returning around 30mpg.. Do really enjoy driving it. With the Leaf for most daily duties though, I do feel it is a waste I don't have a V8 "2nd" daily!
Edited by Jhonno on Wednesday 15th December 20:05
Court_S said:
That looks like a lovely example. I like the E46 and love a touring, so it’s a great combo especially one with a manual gearbox and a good spec.
I really wanted an E91 ages ago and again this year but lots are dogs having been work horses or have a woeful spec.
They have reached an age when a lot have died at the hands of abuse of various forms.. Don't see many manual 330i Tourings for sale. Nevermind 6 speed M-Sports with a nice spec.I really wanted an E91 ages ago and again this year but lots are dogs having been work horses or have a woeful spec.
E91's are terrible for spec often! Shame as great cars, but, I don't find them as good/fun to drive as an E46.
Sf_Manta said:
Doing some digging around on 'How many left' to get an idea how many E46 Tourings with manuals are left around that originally hit the road.
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/bmw_330_i_se... - Seems there's only 28 left of SE versions and 39 off Sorned
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/bmw_330_i_sp... 148 on the road and 43 sorned.
Looks like in total it's not even 200 cars, so quite an exclusive club to be in
If you break that down further.. There is 88 2003-2006 330i M-Sport Tourings.. So considering 2003 is a crossover year for the 6 speed could be looking at around 55-60 330i M-Sport Tourings with a 6 speed left.https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/bmw_330_i_se... - Seems there's only 28 left of SE versions and 39 off Sorned
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/bmw_330_i_sp... 148 on the road and 43 sorned.
Looks like in total it's not even 200 cars, so quite an exclusive club to be in
Inspired by reminding myself I had a linkage rebuild kit sitting waiting.. I set about getting on with it..
My floppy shifter issue..
https://imgur.com/1bkI4Dq
So I set about removing the lever from inside the car, and disconnecting it from underneath..
Can be done just removing the gearbox mount, albeit a little fiddly..
Once removed..
The other end of the issue..
https://imgur.com/hStlZyM
Wear on the socket
Bushes removed from the gearbox end of the arm
I bought poly bushes for to replace the rubber bushes, but they need a little more effort to press in the standard ones!
All done..
I'd like to say refitting was the reverse of removal, and to an extent it was.. However, the 2nd linkage pin into the box was a nightmare.. For some reason it seemed to have a minor, undetectable to anything you could try and feel it with misalignment on the inner ear, and 4hrs of swearing later I gave up for night.. A moment of inspiration for the morning and I knocked a little off the edge of the chamfer on the end of the pin and it went straight in (no effect on the function, it still has full engagement and contact.
Mounts all bolted back up and I have a transformed shift, nice and tight and direct.
https://imgur.com/wPupHqT
My floppy shifter issue..
https://imgur.com/1bkI4Dq
So I set about removing the lever from inside the car, and disconnecting it from underneath..
Can be done just removing the gearbox mount, albeit a little fiddly..
Once removed..
The other end of the issue..
https://imgur.com/hStlZyM
Wear on the socket
Bushes removed from the gearbox end of the arm
I bought poly bushes for to replace the rubber bushes, but they need a little more effort to press in the standard ones!
All done..
I'd like to say refitting was the reverse of removal, and to an extent it was.. However, the 2nd linkage pin into the box was a nightmare.. For some reason it seemed to have a minor, undetectable to anything you could try and feel it with misalignment on the inner ear, and 4hrs of swearing later I gave up for night.. A moment of inspiration for the morning and I knocked a little off the edge of the chamfer on the end of the pin and it went straight in (no effect on the function, it still has full engagement and contact.
Mounts all bolted back up and I have a transformed shift, nice and tight and direct.
https://imgur.com/wPupHqT
Obligatory look at me I washed the car pics..
Switching between this and the Leaf for daily duties.. Do really appreciate the experience of the relatively powerful 6 cylinder/manual/rwd/light-ish/hydraulic steering combination, especially coming from the Leaf.. But it is something that you can't really buy these days.. It is great fun to wind up the M54 and make some quicker progress, and the E46 chassis is great.
Did you even wash your car if you don't take a snow foam shot?
Switching between this and the Leaf for daily duties.. Do really appreciate the experience of the relatively powerful 6 cylinder/manual/rwd/light-ish/hydraulic steering combination, especially coming from the Leaf.. But it is something that you can't really buy these days.. It is great fun to wind up the M54 and make some quicker progress, and the E46 chassis is great.
Did you even wash your car if you don't take a snow foam shot?
BSSBMW said:
Just found this thread and read through it Dan. A nice find and looks to be responding nicely to treatment!
Cheers Barry.. A rolling refurb. If it ends up half as good as your efforts it will be doing well!Court_S said:
I actually think the touring is my favourite variant these days.
I generally prefer Tourings in general.. Love a fast estate!d_a_n1979 said:
Agree; the E46 M-Sport and E39 Sport tourings, IMO, are the best looking out of the lot of them.
I do like the F11 touring, but for classic lines etc, the E46s and E39s are unbeatable
Yeah! I would agree.. I do like the F11 touring, but for classic lines etc, the E46s and E39s are unbeatable
helix402 said:
Having owned 3 series since the E36 I agree that the E46 is great. A Retropower E46 Touring, maybe with an M2 engine would be great.
Yeah that would be a great build.. Don't give me ideas! alistair267 said:
Lovely car, and I had a near-identical 6 speed manual version which I still miss, some 4.5 years after selling it. I'm now in an E61 550i, which is a fantastic car but I miss hustling the 330 along.
Pic of mine:
Nice!! Could be the same car.. Yeah, my E61 530d was fun, but not as fun as this! Pic of mine:
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