BMW E46 330d M-Sport Touring Manual (Anyone recognise her?)

[kevburner]

Helix I’ve just read through your threads on your e46s very impressive, you certainly know your stuff

Yer the 204 gt 2260 turbo is slightly bigger and allows you to run more boost 300bhp safely , the 184 turbo gt2256 can only handle 220/40bhp with other mods
The limiting factor on the 184 model is the fuel pump max 270 bhp with the gt2260
I’ve not fitted it yet as I want to get the oil leeks sorted 1st and will fit it when doing the rocker cover gasket
Yes it will need remapping to suit but hoping for 260/70 bhp and an insane torque figure
On the 184 turbo I’m running 230/40 bhp but you need a few other mods to get this

[helix402]

kevburner said:

Helix I’ve just read through your threads on your e46s very impressive, you certainly know your stuff

Yer the 204 gt 2260 turbo is slightly bigger and allows you to run more boost 300bhp safely , the 184 turbo gt2256 can only handle 220/40bhp with other mods
The limiting factor on the 184 model is the fuel pump max 270 bhp with the gt2260
I’ve not fitted it yet as I want to get the oil leeks sorted 1st and will fit it when doing the rocker cover gasket
Yes it will need remapping to suit but hoping for 260/70 bhp and an insane torque figure
On the 184 turbo I’m running 230/40 bhp but you need a few other mods to get this

Thanks for the info, I’ll certainly consider the 2260 if I ever need a turbo.

[captain_beaky]

Ok... Minor update...

My Grom Audio USB2 Plus (with Bluetooth) has arrived but the connecting lead that it’s supplied with bears no resemblance to the connectors on the back of my head unit. My car is fitted with Harman Kardon & Nav and I suspect that the connector supplied is for the more popular BMW head unit...

Grom Audio have responded very promptly to my email suggesting that I ‘might’ need the alternative connector that is used to connect to to CD Changer plug in the boot...

I’m feeling a little bit out of my depth here as I was expecting a nice simple case of unplugging the CD Changer and just plugging this in in its place!!!

I’ve had a quick look at the gubbins in the boot but I can’t readily see anywhere that the CD Changer would plug ‘in’ to...

The only place I can see that’s possible is the connector that goes in to the black box that I assume is the amp - but the plug connector on it looks like one giant big thing that deals with lots of wires not ‘just’ an input for the CD Changer.

Can anyone shed any light on where the CD Changer might plug in???

Will try to upload some pics to illustrate...

[captain_beaky]

This is the thing that I’m assuming is the amp???

The DVD Nav & CD Changer have been removed in this pic.

Is that big connector on the side where the CD Changer plugs in???

[captain_beaky]

This is the head unit (the circular thing on the screen is just a magnetic phone mount)



And these are the only two connectors on it...

Can’t see that one specific part of those would be for the CD Changer - more likely it would be a couple of the pins/wires and that it shares the plug with other connections???

[captain_beaky]

Well... it's been a while since I've had the time to provide any updates, (or in fact actually do any little jobs) but over the last few weeks I've managed to find the time and some much needed expertise from an infinitely more skilled friend to be able to get some of the 'to-do-list' ticked off...

Firstly - I eventually worked out how to connect up and install the Grom Audio Bluetooth module. I'm really pleased with the result. Bluetooth music streaming and handsfree calling all with no visible alteration to the OEM set up is exactly what I was after. The sound quality is perfectly good to my ear and I really couldn't be more chuffed considering the relatively modest cost.

I've also recently put some nice new shiny Pagid discs & pads on the front and changed a rumbly N/S/F wheel bearing. Gave everything that I could access inside the front arches a good clean up as well whilst I was in there and just generally felt a bit happier now i've done so and bonded with the old girl a little in the process.

The heavily corroded front wings have now been changed for brand new (and freshly painted) versions which has completely transformed the look of the whole car. I then gave her a 2 stage polish all over paying particular attention to restoring the colour of the panels adjacent to the new wings as I didn't want the brand new sparkly sapphire black paint on them to make the surrounding bodywork look dark grey in comparison!!! The overall effect was remarkable and has made me fall in love with the car even more... Pics to follow as soon as I get a chance...

Sadly (for my wallet) this markedly increased level of smartness has somewhat forced my hand in terms of the alloy wheel situation... I originally bought this as a daily commuter / dog transporter and wasn't overly fussed about the slightly scabby state of the 18" Style 32s - but now that the rest of the car is looking a bit more shiny and presentable I really feel as though a full acid-dip, shot blast & powder coat refurb is a necessity...

The vacuum hoses have also been swapped for silicone versions (as advised by Helix!) and I have to say the difference in acceleration (especially under partial throttle openings at low RPM) is amazing. So glad I took that advice and prioritised that upgrade. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!!!

A handful of other minor cosmetic touch up jobs have also been completed such as new number plates from my local BMW dealer, replacement of a missing headlamp washer cover, gentle cleaning / resto of the leather seats, new gear knob, replacement exhaust tips with 325i/330i style ones (as I just prefer the look to the downward swept 330d ones) and a few other little bits that i've probably forgotten about now!!!

Basically I've found my mojo for getting this awesome car back to its former glory and am really enjoying the process!!!

She's booked in for the full alloy refurb service and i've also ordered a set of Eibach Pro Kit springs with some poly shims / spring pads for the rear as I really don't want it to sit too low at the back. I expect i'll chuck some hub centric spacers on too once the Eibachs are on just to make sure that the arches look adequately filled, and get a 4 wheel alignment done for peace of mind. I don't want the slammed euro-rider look - just something that's a bit OEM+... I think the Eibach Pro Kit only lowers the front by 20mm on the M Sport models - and with the poly shims at the back it probably won't actually reduce the ride height more than a few mm max.

That might be it for a while due to a rapidly emptying wallet - but I think an air-con service is in order for the impending hot weather... I can't imagine for one moment that a simple re-gas will be all that is needed on a 17yr old car... A new condenser and/or various seals will be needed i'm sure!!!

[helix402]

Glad it’s going well.

[d_a_n1979]

captain_beaky said:

Firstly - I eventually worked out how to connect up and install the Grom Audio Bluetooth module. I'm really pleased with the result. Bluetooth music streaming and handsfree calling all with no visible alteration to the OEM set up is exactly what I was after. The sound quality is perfectly good to my ear and I really couldn't be more chuffed considering the relatively modest cost.

So, what was the fix for this then?

[captain_beaky]

Was a simple fix in the end... Turns out I had the wrong lead supplied with the Grom Audio unit. I can't give enough credit to the people at Grom Audio though - they responded to all of my emails virtually immediately and used the pics that I sent to correctly work out which lead & connector i needed for my set-up.

I was very impressed with their customer service - especially since I had only bought the unit second hand off eBay! rather than directly through them.

Would definitely reccomend

[Sim89]

Nice car, I wanted a manual touring when I was looking back in 2015, ended up with a saloon.

Your A/C will most likely be fine if the condenser is not leaking - not a big job to change it either. Just vacuum test it.

I'd recommend the decat (does smell on idle mind, probably kills small animals) and map (End Tuning). I did 80k in a manual E46 330d over 4 years (to 160k) and would easily get 55 day to day and pretty much 60 on a run (mpg). Granted, new wheel bearings and good tyres all round probably helped.

[helix402]

I’d keep the cat unless you’re having a lots of power remap. As mentioned removing it makes it a bit stinky at idle and small animals may have trouble breathing.

[Sim89]

My original reason for decatting was due to the flexi of the original cat splitting and resulting in the stinky smell inside the cabin, a common issue. I think the decat was around £90, so not in question from a cost perspective - the gains were an additional plus.

[mattyprice4004]

Yessssss, lots of E46 love here! I’m pottering about in a moon mileage 330d automatic at the mo.

I’m surprised at the level of enthusiasm for manual M Sport 330d models though - I’ve been trying to sell my convertible LCi for weeks with no luck

[helix402]

Sim89 said:

My original reason for decatting was due to the flexi of the original cat splitting and resulting in the stinky smell inside the cabin, a common issue. I think the decat was around £90, so not in question from a cost perspective - the gains were an additional plus.

I see your point! You won’t gain anything with a standard map and a decat, apart from making clutch changes easier.

[Sim89]

helix402 said:

Sim89 said:

My original reason for decatting was due to the flexi of the original cat splitting and resulting in the stinky smell inside the cabin, a common issue. I think the decat was around £90, so not in question from a cost perspective - the gains were an additional plus.

I see your point! You won’t gain anything with a standard map and a decat, apart from making clutch changes easier.

I would agree, mine was in combination with the map so to identify decat alone gains is not possible. Loads more room though!

[captain_beaky]

The previous owner told me that it has had an EGR bypass and a remap done, and i'm inclined to believe him (a) because he was a good egg / fellow BMW enthusiast with a lovely E39 M5 on his driveway & (b) because having had a look under the bonnet there is indeed a bypass pipe instead of an EGR valve and it just generally goes like an absolute rocket.

I have a little suspicion that it has already been de-catted too as there is a fairly pronounced smell of diesel at idle... To the point where my chocolate labrador retreats back into the house when I start her from cold. Plus it seems content to pull away in virtually any gear at any speed (especially now that those crispy crumbly vacuum hoses have been replaced).

Well I promised a few pics - so here we go. Didn't have my 'proper' camera with me - just stopped on the spur of the moment on the side of the A27 whilst I was out running a few errands this evening so good old iPhone pics will have to suffice for now...

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]