BMW E46 330d SE Touring
Discussion
I did an Amy Winehouse on the headlights, back to black.
I’d fitted silver inserts, one was brand new, one used. I couldn’t cope with the difference.
I’d already replaced the o/s headlight lens so bought a new n/s one.
Magneti Marelli from Germany:
Identical to the original even down to the AL logo.
Fitted:
I’d fitted silver inserts, one was brand new, one used. I couldn’t cope with the difference.
I’d already replaced the o/s headlight lens so bought a new n/s one.
Magneti Marelli from Germany:
Identical to the original even down to the AL logo.
Fitted:
tgr said:
Helix did the headlamp units come apart easily for you to fit the lenses, and did you have to renew any gaskets?
Headlights come apart very easily. No need to remove them, just take the indicators out and pull the panel with the headlight washers forward. No need to change the gasket.
I have another question, if you don't mind: what are the best spark plugs for an Alpina 3.3? The current front runner is NGK BKR6EIX-11 Iridium (3764)
Re the Alpina their website has a parts listing for all models which should cover the plugs. Synter used to be helpful with Alpina parts advice so may be worth a call.Headlights come apart very easily. No need to remove them, just take the indicators out and pull the panel with the headlight washers forward. No need to change the gasket.
I have another question, if you don't mind: what are the best spark plugs for an Alpina 3.3? The current front runner is NGK BKR6EIX-11 Iridium (3764)
I did one more thing today ready for the 6 speed swop. The reverse light switch is in a different place on the two boxes. Rather than cut and extend the standard wiring I made an extension loom:
It’ll save time too, just plug it in. Just need to speak nicely to my friend and use his workshop to fit the thing now!
It’ll save time too, just plug it in. Just need to speak nicely to my friend and use his workshop to fit the thing now!
On Monday I decided that rather than use my friend’s workshop and lift for the 6 speed swop I’d do it at home on my drive.
(Social distancing etc, this was pre lockdown).
I got as far as exhaust off, prop off but seized to diff before calling it a day. I decided that being on my back under a car on stands hammering a prop off was not fun and the potential for bad things to happen was too high.
I did plug my reverse light wiring extension loom in and cable tie it back, it works.
The conversion can wait for a lift and post Coronavirus times.
Here are lovely pics of parts waiting to go on:
(Social distancing etc, this was pre lockdown).
I got as far as exhaust off, prop off but seized to diff before calling it a day. I decided that being on my back under a car on stands hammering a prop off was not fun and the potential for bad things to happen was too high.
I did plug my reverse light wiring extension loom in and cable tie it back, it works.
The conversion can wait for a lift and post Coronavirus times.
Here are lovely pics of parts waiting to go on:
kevburner said:
If you want to sell the 5 speed box drop me a pm , as mine has got the 5 gear lean and I want something I can drop straight in
Thanks, will do. I’ve got a spare 5 speed box you can have for free if you want, it has a damaged output shaft bearing. Apart from that has nothing wrong with it. JakeT said:
I don't blame you for not doing it, Helix. if you need parts of the like it means the car is out of action while you get them too, and all over the counter places are shut too, so an even longer wait. I'll be all the better when you do decide to do it.
Cheers, in the current climate I would’ve been foolish to take risks. Better to quit while I was ahead and keep mobile and not take unnecessary risks. I’m grateful to still have a fast, reliable economic car and more importantly a job that pays regularly and helps others.Exciting update of the day. My fuel cap had a sticker which was peeling. I could have bought a new sticker from my local dealer.
I can’t as they’re closed due to the virus. I looked at other BMWs and chose a cap I liked.
Old cap (library pic):
New cap (X5 E70 used part):
Despite the photo the car is clean!
I can’t as they’re closed due to the virus. I looked at other BMWs and chose a cap I liked.
Old cap (library pic):
New cap (X5 E70 used part):
Despite the photo the car is clean!
I decided it was time to make a couple of changes appearance wise to my car.
The front bumper was a tad tatty. Time for a sport one. This needed new wiring for the fogs and new brake cooling ducts and bumper mounts.
It also needs a different fuel cooler duct-to be sorted. I painted it myself. I might wet sand it, not quite decided yet.
I put a genuine Alpina bumper on my last 330d, it was maybe a bit not subtle:
Today’s fitment:
Old bumper (someone has been driving into kerbs-not me):
I decided the chrome trim was a tad dated so bought a set of shadowline, fitted some but obviously not the gutter trim yet:
When lockdown ends I may even get time to fit my 6 speed box and go back to 262hp/606Nm rather than my current detuned 250/550. (It may well be 270/650ish).
Which will do till it’s 335d time. The white bits which look like 1980s fag ash covering the car are in fact 2020 neighbour’s bonfire.
The front bumper was a tad tatty. Time for a sport one. This needed new wiring for the fogs and new brake cooling ducts and bumper mounts.
It also needs a different fuel cooler duct-to be sorted. I painted it myself. I might wet sand it, not quite decided yet.
I put a genuine Alpina bumper on my last 330d, it was maybe a bit not subtle:
Today’s fitment:
Old bumper (someone has been driving into kerbs-not me):
I decided the chrome trim was a tad dated so bought a set of shadowline, fitted some but obviously not the gutter trim yet:
When lockdown ends I may even get time to fit my 6 speed box and go back to 262hp/606Nm rather than my current detuned 250/550. (It may well be 270/650ish).
Which will do till it’s 335d time. The white bits which look like 1980s fag ash covering the car are in fact 2020 neighbour’s bonfire.
eezeh said:
How much diff oil does a standard manual diff take? newtis says both 0.85l and 0.9l and people online claiming 1l.?
Just that i only have 0.9l laying around!
In theory around a litre. I always play it safe and make sure I have 2l around when I do a diff oil change. (Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75w90 off the top of my head)Just that i only have 0.9l laying around!
Early diff plugs have washers to be changed, later ones have an o ring on the plug-new plugs needed.
Shadowline nearly done, need to respray a few bits before fitting:
The front of the car is high in one pick as I’d just jacked it up to fit the new fuel filter duct. As UK dealers are shut I bought the duct from Latvia.
The non sport duct goes straight to the bumper. There’s no where obvious on the sport one for it to go. I guessed it must be fed from the n/s brake cooling duct. I removed the duct and BMW had done one of their great tricks I’d forgotten about.
The brake duct had a template on it to mark where an opening should be cut for the fuel cooler duct. One Stanley knife cutting session later, sorted.
I’m rather pleased with the bumper and trim updated look. It was a long drive to Latvia though.
I have the original price list for my car. Shadowline was a £310 option.
Here’s what is costs now (for a saloon):
I bought mine used for a whole lot less than the new price.
The front of the car is high in one pick as I’d just jacked it up to fit the new fuel filter duct. As UK dealers are shut I bought the duct from Latvia.
The non sport duct goes straight to the bumper. There’s no where obvious on the sport one for it to go. I guessed it must be fed from the n/s brake cooling duct. I removed the duct and BMW had done one of their great tricks I’d forgotten about.
The brake duct had a template on it to mark where an opening should be cut for the fuel cooler duct. One Stanley knife cutting session later, sorted.
I’m rather pleased with the bumper and trim updated look. It was a long drive to Latvia though.
I have the original price list for my car. Shadowline was a £310 option.
Here’s what is costs now (for a saloon):
I bought mine used for a whole lot less than the new price.
Edited by helix402 on Thursday 7th May 23:31
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