BMW E46 330d SE Touring

[g3org3y]

Nice knob. ()

[helix402]

Mr Tidy said:

Depends what you call costly - they are definitely the wrong side of £100!

The unlit ZHP 6 speed gear-knob is about £60.

£140. I had the ZHP knob. Either make a vast improvement to the gearchange.

[helix402]

This happened today:



Here is the hidden cluster data:



That’s 11.8v with the engine running. Used alternator ordered. I can buy 4 used alternators for the price of one new one. Labour is free, it’s my time.

[mercedeslimos]

Did an alternator on an M47 last year, what a swine. Hopefully it's not the same on the M57...

[helix402]

mercedeslimos said:

Did an alternator on an M47 last year, what a swine. Hopefully it's not the same on the M57...

It is, but with less room!

[kevburner]

Alternator in this weather ! Hope you got a garage !

Done mine last year , rad out job if I remember, or that may have been because I still had the left over cooler for the auto box , so I completely changed it the cooling system to manual setup whilst I was in there

On another note helix I’ve managed to source the bracket for the vacuum tank for the 2260 turbo upgrade , I assume it’s a straight bolt on ?

[helix402]

kevburner said:

Alternator in this weather ! Hope you got a garage !

Done mine last year , rad out job if I remember, or that may have been because I still had the left over cooler for the auto box , so I completely changed it the cooling system to manual setup whilst I was in there

On another note helix I’ve managed to source the bracket for the vacuum tank for the 2260 turbo upgrade , I assume it’s a straight bolt on ?

According to TIS the alternator comes out of the bottom with the rad in place. We’ll see! I’ll try and get a photo of the bracket.

[helix402]

Pics of the canister. Afraid they don’t show the bracket position, it’s tight to the a/c pipe but clears it.

[helix402]

I did a “Marmite” mod this week, 330iSE Titan headlight inserts. I have the original black ones so can change back.

[JakeT]

I think they look way better than the standard affair ones. They work well on the blue and silver cars, something I would do.

I also like the look of the 330i gauge rings, BUT they've got to be the OE ones. Lots of people fit crap looking ones.

[therusterman]

Looking smart Helix

[helix402]

therusterman said:

Looking smart Helix

Thanks, not bad for 18 years old! Just need my replacement alternator to arrive now, and warmer weather for the 6 speed swop.

[helix402]

One dead alternator:



Took an hour to remove, comes out from below. The comedy book time is 55 mins for r+r alternator. This is why I am not employed as a mechanic.

[kevburner]

Well done for getting it out the bottom , my hands must be to fat as I had to remove the rad to get mine out , I think it was because I had the auto cooler in the way

[helix402]

New alternator:



I removed the remanufactured stickers and put the original BMW sticker on.

All fitted:





And tested (14v at idle):

[helix402]

Tested:



14v at idle.

All together:

[helix402]

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:

[therusterman]

Just fitted a set of these lenses to my m3, made a huge difference to the look at the front of the car.

[helix402]

therusterman said:

Just fitted a set of these lenses to my m3, made a huge difference to the look at the front of the car.

They certainly do, a much better result than polishing the old lenses.

[tgr]

Helix did the headlamp units come apart easily for you to fit the lenses, and did you have to renew any gaskets?

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)