BMW E46 Compact
Discussion
So to start things off, the Volvo S60 is still in use by my Mum. I'm currently in a MK4 2013 Ford Mondeo estate driving with Uber. It's not an exciting car, does what it says on the tin and brings in the £££. I do have a 'thread' on here but literally nothing has gone wrong so far for me to update it, so pretty boring and cost effective for me. Who wants to read that in thread? 
That being said I fancied a car to mess around with, I just can't leave them alone.
So I purchased an E46 Compact 316ti for £200 from ebay and had the car delivered for a small fee, to my last place of work while I get it road legal for now.
I have gave the car a quick clean, changed the dead battery from a 570A to 600A & gave the car a small service, sorted a misfire and refreshing the rear brakes.
Photos (excuse the phone photos of delivery day)
Plans
Once the car is road legal and can be used, I will maybe plod around in it for a little while but I am biting the bullet and going for a 330d manual conversion and ideally looking at buying a crashed 330d.
Get EVERYTHING swapped over in standard form and then start the messing around once everything is working correctly or issues are highlighted along the way.
The engine will not be completed in the garage the original photos were taken as it will take to long to leave there, it will be completed at a friends house.
Front end swap, looking at info on this as I believe it will require some form of cutting and welding on the wings.
Not going in to to much details as plans are hard to stick by and it all depends on what turns up as a bargain and when.
Why? - I drive for Uber currently and I am bored of driving a mundane car that cannot be modified. So this is my project for the next year. I was going to buy a 325ti but thought that would be to straight forward.
[U]02/01/2018[/U]
So i had an early start with work dropping a mate and couple of others to Gatwick for early doors, and picked up a job back to East London from Uber's designated waiting area. From there on I thought I would go spend a couple of hours doing a few bits on the compact and get the car on the ramp and see whats needed to get the car on the road cheaply as possible for now.
First things first was to get trims, plastics and covers off.
Oil out.
Some main dealer 5W30 (probably not the best oil but far better than the syrup that was in there and this won't be covering much miles at all) & a new oil filter later.
Air filter swap.
A friend at my old work place had a couple of spare coil packs laying around at home and brought a couple in for me to resolve the misfire, turns out the misfire was on cylinder 4, quick swap over of packs and the misfire has gone, for now at least anyway. Decided against changing the plugs.
Power Steering Fluid was pretty gunk too, so with a suction tool I removed some old fluid from the tank, refilled and circulated in the system and syphoned until the new ATF was coming out a nice clear red.
Few pictures now to just see the general condition of the 'underneath' of the car.
The brake fluid needs changing desperately but the bleed nipples on the rear calipers were seized in so for now going to try and get some new nipples and hope thats all thats needed, sure I can pick up second hand units cheap enough if needed. Going to try pump it from the ABS unit as this is a temp fix.
I started to remove some interior in the last 5/10 minutes I stuck around. Rear bench, parcel shelf with compartment, rear boot carpet and sound proof foam, scissor jack & components, rotten spare wheel and wheel well.
I have now also lined up a set of alloy wheels for the car, this is why I didn't want to set a plan as wheels were not particularly high on my list but I have fancied a set of these wheels since I owned my X1 and couldn't get them in a large enough size.
18" - 5x120 - Staggered
Should have them in a few weeks. In that time I will do a little more fiddling in the workshop.
Photos soon.
That being said I fancied a car to mess around with, I just can't leave them alone.
So I purchased an E46 Compact 316ti for £200 from ebay and had the car delivered for a small fee, to my last place of work while I get it road legal for now.
I have gave the car a quick clean, changed the dead battery from a 570A to 600A & gave the car a small service, sorted a misfire and refreshing the rear brakes.
Photos (excuse the phone photos of delivery day)
Plans
Once the car is road legal and can be used, I will maybe plod around in it for a little while but I am biting the bullet and going for a 330d manual conversion and ideally looking at buying a crashed 330d.
Get EVERYTHING swapped over in standard form and then start the messing around once everything is working correctly or issues are highlighted along the way.
The engine will not be completed in the garage the original photos were taken as it will take to long to leave there, it will be completed at a friends house.
Front end swap, looking at info on this as I believe it will require some form of cutting and welding on the wings.
Not going in to to much details as plans are hard to stick by and it all depends on what turns up as a bargain and when.
Why? - I drive for Uber currently and I am bored of driving a mundane car that cannot be modified. So this is my project for the next year. I was going to buy a 325ti but thought that would be to straight forward.
[U]02/01/2018[/U]
So i had an early start with work dropping a mate and couple of others to Gatwick for early doors, and picked up a job back to East London from Uber's designated waiting area. From there on I thought I would go spend a couple of hours doing a few bits on the compact and get the car on the ramp and see whats needed to get the car on the road cheaply as possible for now.
First things first was to get trims, plastics and covers off.
Oil out.
Some main dealer 5W30 (probably not the best oil but far better than the syrup that was in there and this won't be covering much miles at all) & a new oil filter later.
Air filter swap.
A friend at my old work place had a couple of spare coil packs laying around at home and brought a couple in for me to resolve the misfire, turns out the misfire was on cylinder 4, quick swap over of packs and the misfire has gone, for now at least anyway. Decided against changing the plugs.
Power Steering Fluid was pretty gunk too, so with a suction tool I removed some old fluid from the tank, refilled and circulated in the system and syphoned until the new ATF was coming out a nice clear red.
Few pictures now to just see the general condition of the 'underneath' of the car.
The brake fluid needs changing desperately but the bleed nipples on the rear calipers were seized in so for now going to try and get some new nipples and hope thats all thats needed, sure I can pick up second hand units cheap enough if needed. Going to try pump it from the ABS unit as this is a temp fix.
I started to remove some interior in the last 5/10 minutes I stuck around. Rear bench, parcel shelf with compartment, rear boot carpet and sound proof foam, scissor jack & components, rotten spare wheel and wheel well.
I have now also lined up a set of alloy wheels for the car, this is why I didn't want to set a plan as wheels were not particularly high on my list but I have fancied a set of these wheels since I owned my X1 and couldn't get them in a large enough size.
18" - 5x120 - Staggered
Should have them in a few weeks. In that time I will do a little more fiddling in the workshop.
Photos soon.
My dad has a completely identical 316ti to yours. Bought it as a stop gap to replace his mondeo part way through last year and he's still not got rid of it.
I replaced the coil packs on his as well. Apart from a few leaky gaskets (oil filter housing and rocker) its been faultless. But I have to admit that being a base model it does feel surprisingly cheap and dated inside for a BMW. It does handles nicely despite the lack of power though!
I replaced the coil packs on his as well. Apart from a few leaky gaskets (oil filter housing and rocker) its been faultless. But I have to admit that being a base model it does feel surprisingly cheap and dated inside for a BMW. It does handles nicely despite the lack of power though!
Looks very tidy considering the money paid!
I had a similar 316ti a few years ago. One of the main things to look out for on these is the chain tensioner, BMW released a revised part that was much firmer with a greater throw. I checked my own with a screw driver by removing the oil cap and rocking the chain slightly with the end of the screw driver. quite alarming to see that i could very nearly knock it off with the slightest touch.
Part was inexpensive at around 40 quid iirc
Edit to add; What camera are you using? I like the shots
I had a similar 316ti a few years ago. One of the main things to look out for on these is the chain tensioner, BMW released a revised part that was much firmer with a greater throw. I checked my own with a screw driver by removing the oil cap and rocking the chain slightly with the end of the screw driver. quite alarming to see that i could very nearly knock it off with the slightest touch.
Part was inexpensive at around 40 quid iirc
Edit to add; What camera are you using? I like the shots
Edited by FlatToTheMat on Tuesday 9th January 17:00
Ruffy94 said:
My dad has a completely identical 316ti to yours. Bought it as a stop gap to replace his mondeo part way through last year and he's still not got rid of it.
I replaced the coil packs on his as well. Apart from a few leaky gaskets (oil filter housing and rocker) its been faultless. But I have to admit that being a base model it does feel surprisingly cheap and dated inside for a BMW. It does handles nicely despite the lack of power though!
Yeah I can see more than enough evidence of some oil leaks, and I had coilpack issues too. Sooner this engine comes out the better. I also agree that it feels pretty cheap inside too although I was please with the black headlining and pillars, that helps a little I feel.I replaced the coil packs on his as well. Apart from a few leaky gaskets (oil filter housing and rocker) its been faultless. But I have to admit that being a base model it does feel surprisingly cheap and dated inside for a BMW. It does handles nicely despite the lack of power though!
Mr Tidy said:
Bargain! 
I had an 04 plate 320td in 2005, then bought a 52 plate 325ti 3 years ago - based on my experience why would you want a 330td?
Surely a 330ti would be a better idea!
I guess I have just become a diesel fan over the last coupe of years, can get pretty decent power out of them too. Oh and my MK5 R32 put me off N/A petrols.I had an 04 plate 320td in 2005, then bought a 52 plate 325ti 3 years ago - based on my experience why would you want a 330td?
Surely a 330ti would be a better idea!
e28525e said:
Good work, seems like a tidy car for £200.
Not too bad, could be road legal and pass an MOT for under £500 including purchase for sure.Leins said:
Nice purchase. Had one of these from new, but swapped it for a 325ti after a year
As per Mr Tidy, I think you should consider putting a petrol 6 in it rather than a diesel. 3L M54 with a few tweaks and a nice exhaust would be lovely
Not the biggest N/A fan, sorry.As per Mr Tidy, I think you should consider putting a petrol 6 in it rather than a diesel. 3L M54 with a few tweaks and a nice exhaust would be lovely
FlatToTheMat said:
Looks very tidy considering the money paid!
I had a similar 316ti a few years ago. One of the main things to look out for on these is the chain tensioner, BMW released a revised part that was much firmer with a greater throw. I checked my own with a screw driver by removing the oil cap and rocking the chain slightly with the end of the screw driver. quite alarming to see that i could very nearly knock it off with the slightest touch.
Part was inexpensive at around 40 quid iirc
Edit to add; What camera are you using? I like the shots
Yeah since doing the service on this it sounds a bit knocky / rattly so this could be quite well having those symptoms. I will have to check it out when I next play with the car.I had a similar 316ti a few years ago. One of the main things to look out for on these is the chain tensioner, BMW released a revised part that was much firmer with a greater throw. I checked my own with a screw driver by removing the oil cap and rocking the chain slightly with the end of the screw driver. quite alarming to see that i could very nearly knock it off with the slightest touch.
Part was inexpensive at around 40 quid iirc
Edit to add; What camera are you using? I like the shots
Edited by FlatToTheMat on Tuesday 9th January 17:00
I'm using a Canon 6D with a 35mm & a CPL.
Yesterday I stripped some more of the rear interior out and took them to my local tip, the lady then said next time I have car parts I should go to the scrap yard but she will let me off this time. That's me told. Luckily it was only seats, carpets and door car trims etc. Gosh it gets dirty under the seats.
17/01/2018
Not too much of an update, today I got a couple bits done on the compact. I removed the last of the trim in the rear of the car, now just leaves the sound deadening on the metal which I will probably start next week. Drained some brake fluid from the ABS pump and refilled the system via a pressure pump and topped up the coolant system with some water.
Can see from this rear show that the suspension is not level, it appear the O/S/R has collapsed but there is noise coming from the N/S/R. Luckily it will be replaced soon enough.
So some of the stuff that was removed from the rear was rear seats & bench, parcel shelf, boot carpets, rear speakers, seatbelts & buckles, rear door cards, foam and sound deadening material, rear washer bottle and tubing & a shed load of dirt and stones. Horrible what can get underneath.
I have also labelled up some of the rear wiring that is now no longer needed, this is for the o/s/r & n/s/r speakers, 12v plug, wiring for the 6 cd changer (although this never came with that option), rear wiper motor power & also the hose for the jet. Hopefully I will get to removing this lot as I don't want it sitting around in the rear of the car, and so I don't forget which cable is which later down the line.
Where the tube to fill the rear washer bottle was for now has been filled with a grommet, this is now another hole on the list to be welded.
Couple interior shots also upfront.
I have now also sourced from a friend a 330d saloon, 87k, facelift, 204 bhp, only downside which I am actually not to bothered about is the car is auto, but can be run semi automatic. The car comes on BC coilovers, has been remapped and swirl flaps removed. My friend looks after his car very well too. We have agreed to let me pay over a few instalments which I shall do soon and he wants to let the car go towards the summer which I am happy to wait for.
Not too much of an update, today I got a couple bits done on the compact. I removed the last of the trim in the rear of the car, now just leaves the sound deadening on the metal which I will probably start next week. Drained some brake fluid from the ABS pump and refilled the system via a pressure pump and topped up the coolant system with some water.
Can see from this rear show that the suspension is not level, it appear the O/S/R has collapsed but there is noise coming from the N/S/R. Luckily it will be replaced soon enough.
So some of the stuff that was removed from the rear was rear seats & bench, parcel shelf, boot carpets, rear speakers, seatbelts & buckles, rear door cards, foam and sound deadening material, rear washer bottle and tubing & a shed load of dirt and stones. Horrible what can get underneath.
I have also labelled up some of the rear wiring that is now no longer needed, this is for the o/s/r & n/s/r speakers, 12v plug, wiring for the 6 cd changer (although this never came with that option), rear wiper motor power & also the hose for the jet. Hopefully I will get to removing this lot as I don't want it sitting around in the rear of the car, and so I don't forget which cable is which later down the line.
Where the tube to fill the rear washer bottle was for now has been filled with a grommet, this is now another hole on the list to be welded.
Couple interior shots also upfront.
I have now also sourced from a friend a 330d saloon, 87k, facelift, 204 bhp, only downside which I am actually not to bothered about is the car is auto, but can be run semi automatic. The car comes on BC coilovers, has been remapped and swirl flaps removed. My friend looks after his car very well too. We have agreed to let me pay over a few instalments which I shall do soon and he wants to let the car go towards the summer which I am happy to wait for.
Mr Tidy said:
Bargain!
I had an 04 plate 320td in 2005, then bought a 52 plate 325ti 3 years ago - based on my experience why would you want a 330td?
Surely a 330ti would be a better idea!
Well you obviously have a plan, but I'm not sure how it will handle once you have taken weight out of the rear and then put some extra into the front with a 330d boat anchor!I had an 04 plate 320td in 2005, then bought a 52 plate 325ti 3 years ago - based on my experience why would you want a 330td?
Surely a 330ti would be a better idea!
Given how "billy basic" the original car was you'll need some suspension and braking upgrades as well - so I'm looking forward to the updates.
Gratuitous photo of my 325ti with my nephew's Touring, because why not?
Mr Tidy said:
Well you obviously have a plan, but I'm not sure how it will handle once you have taken weight out of the rear and then put some extra into the front with a 330d boat anchor!
Given how "billy basic" the original car was you'll need some suspension and braking upgrades as well - so I'm looking forward to the updates.
Gratuitous photo of my 325ti with my nephew's Touring, because why not?
The donor car will be supply the required chassis upgrades, arms etc will be powdercoated and polybushed, the donor comes with BC coilovers, the 330 brakes will be refreshed also.Given how "billy basic" the original car was you'll need some suspension and braking upgrades as well - so I'm looking forward to the updates.
Gratuitous photo of my 325ti with my nephew's Touring, because why not?
I am also waiting on a price on a rear cage from a friend.
GrantD5 said:
Just to update I have now located a unit to work on the car and will have the car moved in the next few weeks.
Wheels are paid for now just waiting on my mate to bring them down to London for me when he has room to do so.
Great news - I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on. Wheels are paid for now just waiting on my mate to bring them down to London for me when he has room to do so.
People have put S54s and M54 330is in these, but a 330d will be really interesting - especially if you get it re-mapped!
Back in 2005 I had an 04 plate 320td and I couldn't help thinking a bit more power would have been good, but as it was in warranty I couldn't bring myself to find out!
But when I got my 325ti I realised the Compact could easily handle a bit more grunt.
The car has already had a remap and is estimated at the 250bhp figure but this will be redone with a custom map once complete.
Update.
After a busy weekend heading to Telford to visit the Ultimate Dubs event to take some photos, I then headed up to my mate in the end towards Liverpool to collect my wheels.
Aluminium BBS RK
18 x 8.5J ET13
18 x 10J ET28
Will be fun getting these on.
Will get them bolted on and get a photo of them on the car and then the car should be ready to move!
Update.
After a busy weekend heading to Telford to visit the Ultimate Dubs event to take some photos, I then headed up to my mate in the end towards Liverpool to collect my wheels.
Aluminium BBS RK
18 x 8.5J ET13
18 x 10J ET28
Will be fun getting these on.
Will get them bolted on and get a photo of them on the car and then the car should be ready to move!
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