M3 and 330d - die Bruder Deutsch
Discussion
After my recent acquisition of an M3, I thought about doing a little post about my current fleet. I am not necessarily obsessed with BMWs, but when thinking of what car to buy next, they seem to always fit the bill. Now I know about potential inferiority when it comes to build quality of the German rival Aucedes, but I am an engineer, and dynamics are my thing, and that's why I seem to turn to BMW of late. RWD and straight-six is also one of my favourite formulas, found in my classic toy too.
My first BMW product was a MINI One back in 2006 (last of the old shape). I had this remapped with my bluefin unit which took it approximately up to cooper levels of power and torque. I still miss this car, but i sold it for really good money and at the time it was the right thing to do. Any other hatchback at the time just didn't feel that exciting, the old school hydraulic EPS topped it off. By no means a hot hatch, but way better than any MINI One rival!
When our Volks T4 saw its departure date from my 3 year tenure, I needed something relatively fast, frugal and large for lugging crap around. It must be also easy to work on myself. Aside the Honda civic, the e46 BMW must be one of the most written about and documented motors on the internet - many enthusiasts means a highly regarded car, or a regular on the hard shoulder. I told myself the former. Enter the 330d touring then, Manual (it had to be), 170k, an un-offensive colour, a tow bar, a big tank, and 200hp with a bluefin soup-up. Mine for not a lot of money. Have done: the front control arms, thermostat, rear trailing arm bushes, and rear shocks. I really cant fault this old nail, i love it.
My first BMW product was a MINI One back in 2006 (last of the old shape). I had this remapped with my bluefin unit which took it approximately up to cooper levels of power and torque. I still miss this car, but i sold it for really good money and at the time it was the right thing to do. Any other hatchback at the time just didn't feel that exciting, the old school hydraulic EPS topped it off. By no means a hot hatch, but way better than any MINI One rival!
When our Volks T4 saw its departure date from my 3 year tenure, I needed something relatively fast, frugal and large for lugging crap around. It must be also easy to work on myself. Aside the Honda civic, the e46 BMW must be one of the most written about and documented motors on the internet - many enthusiasts means a highly regarded car, or a regular on the hard shoulder. I told myself the former. Enter the 330d touring then, Manual (it had to be), 170k, an un-offensive colour, a tow bar, a big tank, and 200hp with a bluefin soup-up. Mine for not a lot of money. Have done: the front control arms, thermostat, rear trailing arm bushes, and rear shocks. I really cant fault this old nail, i love it.
Then came the silliness, you know that thing you need to get out of your system. A chance test drive and one deposit left my pocket before I could think. That saying 'dont buy the first one you see' was met with addendum 'unless you know its a corker and you'd be an ar5sehole to miss out'. SO I did. 50k, 1 owner, and full BMW SH. It won't be getting black grills, it wont be getting smoked lenses, or a cheap airbox. Maybe some very subtle changes down the line - suggestions welcome. I was thinking some small wheelspacers, but not sure how tight the concentricity tols are on them which puts me off. Anyway.
Edited by Trtj on Monday 14th October 23:53
I really like the gloss black trim, looks like new actually. The Alu effect trim in the touring looks a bit dated in comparison.
Absolutely won't be a chavved up motor. You have my word!
Another thing which makes it quite rare is its cloth/leather interior. The cloth is plain black, breaks up all the blackness, and won't wear as bad as full leather.
Absolutely won't be a chavved up motor. You have my word!
Another thing which makes it quite rare is its cloth/leather interior. The cloth is plain black, breaks up all the blackness, and won't wear as bad as full leather.
Change the gear knob from the horrible massive standard one for a much nicer and better weighted one.
fitted mine last week, £113 from the dealer, 15 mins to fit.
See here: http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=840...
fitted mine last week, £113 from the dealer, 15 mins to fit.
See here: http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=840...
RE: Gloss trim. The trim I was referring to is on the exterior around the side glazing. All non-M M Sports have gloss black, as does the CSL. The matt black looks cheap IMO.
Your interior trim was standard fit on all early cars (non Bi-Xenon) and optional for a couple of years later. I suppose the later 'Titan Shadow' looks more modern, but it also looks very cheap - I replaced mine.
Is
your interior? It's called 'M Alcantara'; I like it, and it is very rare because the majority of buyers paid extra for leather.
Your interior trim was standard fit on all early cars (non Bi-Xenon) and optional for a couple of years later. I suppose the later 'Titan Shadow' looks more modern, but it also looks very cheap - I replaced mine.
Is
your interior? It's called 'M Alcantara'; I like it, and it is very rare because the majority of buyers paid extra for leather.
mwstewart said:
RE: Gloss trim. The trim I was referring to is on the exterior around the side glazing. All non-M M Sports have gloss black, as does the CSL. The matt black looks cheap IMO.
Your interior trim was standard fit on all early cars (non Bi-Xenon) and optional for a couple of years later. I suppose the later 'Titan Shadow' looks more modern, but it also looks very cheap - I replaced mine.
Is
your interior? It's called 'M Alcantara'; I like it, and it is very rare because the majority of buyers paid extra for leather.
Ah i see, I know what you mean, the trim around the windows could be better. Is it easy to remove? I think the chrome trim off a regular e46 coupe might look good too.Your interior trim was standard fit on all early cars (non Bi-Xenon) and optional for a couple of years later. I suppose the later 'Titan Shadow' looks more modern, but it also looks very cheap - I replaced mine.
Is
your interior? It's called 'M Alcantara'; I like it, and it is very rare because the majority of buyers paid extra for leather.
I think the cloth inserts are called 'impulse cloth'. I like em, they still look brand new. I also read that the topaz blue was a metallic colour in an original m3 sales brochure although it does not look very metallic to me!
Trtj said:
Ah i see, I know what you mean, the trim around the windows could be better. Is it easy to remove? I think the chrome trim off a regular e46 coupe might look good too.
I think the cloth inserts are called 'impulse cloth'. I like em, they still look brand new. I also read that the topaz blue was a metallic colour in an original m3 sales brochure although it does not look very metallic to me!
I've never seen impulse, do you have any photos? I'm amazed at how many colour and trim combinations these cars were available in!I think the cloth inserts are called 'impulse cloth'. I like em, they still look brand new. I also read that the topaz blue was a metallic colour in an original m3 sales brochure although it does not look very metallic to me!
See http://homepage.ntlworld.com/j.walkden1/Main/BMW/C... for a guide on window trim replacement.
Topaz is indeed metallic, just very fine flakes
kayzee said:
Very nice! Lovely colour. Slightly off topic question... are all E46 M3's pre-facelift?
No, but the front headlamps never changed because the actual non-M facelift headlamps are out of proportion with the M body. A few people have done a facelift headlamp conversion, and it just looks wrong.Facelift M3's have the facelift boot lid, lights, and climate control.
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