E46 330 Ci tuning options?
Discussion
I bought my E46 as a sensible mile-muncher. It's brilliant in that role, and I suspect I will leave it standard, but there is clearly a lot of latent potential in both the chassis and the engine. And that got me wondering if there were any relatively easy/affordable tuning options? Do they respond well to re-mapping?
On a related note, has anyone tried putting an aftermarket air filter on to release a bit more induction noise? I know that makes me sound like a 17 year old in Halfords, but part of the reason I bought it was that glorious straight six and it's a tiny bit muted. I have no intention of fitting a full exhaust system, but a bolt-on intake kit might be a possibility if it was a) reversible and b) reasonably discreet while cruising.
On a related note, has anyone tried putting an aftermarket air filter on to release a bit more induction noise? I know that makes me sound like a 17 year old in Halfords, but part of the reason I bought it was that glorious straight six and it's a tiny bit muted. I have no intention of fitting a full exhaust system, but a bolt-on intake kit might be a possibility if it was a) reversible and b) reasonably discreet while cruising.
Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 13th December 13:24
Don't these have an exhaust flap you can leave open?
Cams and remap for 240bhp iirc, same as club sport spec, no idea on price.
Straight remap on super unleaded might get you a real 10-15bhp tops.
Induction no idea, but I'd leave as is if you want to keep power and torque.
Foam or k&n types are 'ok' but need regular cleaning and oiling, and I know from experience they let fine particles through still, so I avoid them.
I have same engine in my Z4 and I just decided to go ESS TS1/2 or leave it standard.
Given the price it was left standard haha!
Cams and remap for 240bhp iirc, same as club sport spec, no idea on price.
Straight remap on super unleaded might get you a real 10-15bhp tops.
Induction no idea, but I'd leave as is if you want to keep power and torque.
Foam or k&n types are 'ok' but need regular cleaning and oiling, and I know from experience they let fine particles through still, so I avoid them.
I have same engine in my Z4 and I just decided to go ESS TS1/2 or leave it standard.
Given the price it was left standard haha!
I've been one of the silly people to try the above and on a few cars. Not a 330Ci however.
My thoughts?
-A remap will give you even on a 330i about 5-7BHP tops in the real world I would suspect. The difference however will be the drivability or a tad more top end power, maybe both. If it makes the car driveable you won't notice the top end addition as much and it won't give you enough of the legs on other cars. The figures given by remappers can be very open to interpretation ; operating conditions and a careless dyno operator can sway the figures.
-The exhaust *can* give you more power if your car has a pattern item fitted. But over a stock item? Unlikely but it will sound nicer.
-A cone filter will either make the car sound like a turd like it did on my 323i or make it sound amazing ; my 306GTI-6 was the latter ; it almost sounded like it was on throttle bodies! But it can harm a little power in town and not really make much of a difference unless the intake is massively restricitve ; I doubt it is on a 330i. I think Colin F used to do a cone filter/heat shroud kit for not much money.
I thought the 330Ci CS used the same engine spec as a normal 330Ci
For what the above would cost I'd see how much supercharger kits are TBH! I believe AC Schnitzer used to do a kit for these.
My thoughts?
-A remap will give you even on a 330i about 5-7BHP tops in the real world I would suspect. The difference however will be the drivability or a tad more top end power, maybe both. If it makes the car driveable you won't notice the top end addition as much and it won't give you enough of the legs on other cars. The figures given by remappers can be very open to interpretation ; operating conditions and a careless dyno operator can sway the figures.
-The exhaust *can* give you more power if your car has a pattern item fitted. But over a stock item? Unlikely but it will sound nicer.
-A cone filter will either make the car sound like a turd like it did on my 323i or make it sound amazing ; my 306GTI-6 was the latter ; it almost sounded like it was on throttle bodies! But it can harm a little power in town and not really make much of a difference unless the intake is massively restricitve ; I doubt it is on a 330i. I think Colin F used to do a cone filter/heat shroud kit for not much money.
I thought the 330Ci CS used the same engine spec as a normal 330Ci
For what the above would cost I'd see how much supercharger kits are TBH! I believe AC Schnitzer used to do a kit for these.
SebringMan said:
For what the above would cost I'd see how much supercharger kits are TBH! I believe AC Schnitzer used to do a kit for these.
I know people have had good results supercharging the M3 (appreciate it's a different engine!) For me, though, it's supposed to be my sensible car and it's a nice original example, so I don't want to do anything too major. Did a quick search and it seems someone else actually lost power with a cone filter...Mr Whippy said:
Don't these have an exhaust flap you can leave open?
Cams and remap for 240bhp iirc, same as club sport spec, no idea on price.
Straight remap on super unleaded might get you a real 10-15bhp tops.
Induction no idea, but I'd leave as is if you want to keep power and torque.
Foam or k&n types are 'ok' but need regular cleaning and oiling, and I know from experience they let fine particles through still, so I avoid them.
I have same engine in my Z4 and I just decided to go ESS TS1/2 or leave it standard.
Given the price it was left standard haha!
Clubsport has the same engine as a standard 330. Also they are actually heavier than the standard car (surprising but true)Cams and remap for 240bhp iirc, same as club sport spec, no idea on price.
Straight remap on super unleaded might get you a real 10-15bhp tops.
Induction no idea, but I'd leave as is if you want to keep power and torque.
Foam or k&n types are 'ok' but need regular cleaning and oiling, and I know from experience they let fine particles through still, so I avoid them.
I have same engine in my Z4 and I just decided to go ESS TS1/2 or leave it standard.
Given the price it was left standard haha!
Chris71 said:
SebringMan said:
For what the above would cost I'd see how much supercharger kits are TBH! I believe AC Schnitzer used to do a kit for these.
I know people have had good results supercharging the M3 (appreciate it's a different engine!) For me, though, it's supposed to be my sensible car and it's a nice original example, so I don't want to do anything too major. Did a quick search and it seems someone else actually lost power with a cone filter...If that's the case I'd just go with a good service in your position and then keep the rest tip top 
.
Yup, people do have good results with airbox and S/C mods on the E46 M3. Neither are what you would call a bargain however. But 20BHP from an airbox with a remap and almost 100 from basic supercharger kit is impressive.
For chassis mods I'd change the subframe bushings at this age. Either go with Poly replacements from SuperPro or get a set of M3 spec items from BMW. Going poly on my M3 here transformed the car's dynamics.
.Yup, people do have good results with airbox and S/C mods on the E46 M3. Neither are what you would call a bargain however. But 20BHP from an airbox with a remap and almost 100 from basic supercharger kit is impressive.
For chassis mods I'd change the subframe bushings at this age. Either go with Poly replacements from SuperPro or get a set of M3 spec items from BMW. Going poly on my M3 here transformed the car's dynamics.
Edited by SebringMan on Wednesday 13th December 15:35
SebringMan said:
For chassis mods I'd change the subframe bushings at this age. Either go with Poly replacements from SuperPro or get a set of M3 spec items from BMW. Going poly on my M3 here transformed the car's dynamics.
I've got recent polybushes on the front wishbones. If it weren't for those I probably wouldn't notice it, but I think the rears could do with being done; the front is super precise and the back occasionally fidgets a bit over bumps. Didn't think about the actual subframe assembly itself. I honestly wouldn't bother. I remapped a 323ci (M52TU engine) years ago and it didn't really make any real world difference,from about 170hp to just under 190.
Cone filters and the like will probably rob you of power if they aren't insulated from heat.
Stick a panel filter in the original air box if you must, give it a good service and it'll be as good as it'll get.
There is the "golf tee" mod which makes it a bit more "boomy" around 1K-3K revs but again, not a massive difference.
It's an executive car with a smooth and quiet drive train, embrace it! Or maybe I'm just getting old.
Photo for nostalgic reasons:
Cone filters and the like will probably rob you of power if they aren't insulated from heat.
Stick a panel filter in the original air box if you must, give it a good service and it'll be as good as it'll get.
There is the "golf tee" mod which makes it a bit more "boomy" around 1K-3K revs but again, not a massive difference.
It's an executive car with a smooth and quiet drive train, embrace it! Or maybe I'm just getting old.
Photo for nostalgic reasons:
Here’s my E46 chassis mods advice:
I have the following on my 330d Touring:
On the 330ci/i I’d recommend thinner arbs as it’s lighter and has an alloy block. 24mm front and 19 or 20 rear work well. Check your existing bars first.
Other bits to change, fit rough road package front turret reinforcement plates, Eibach springs are good too-a little softer than the H+Rs, change rear hub ball joints, change the solid lower rear hub bush for a ball joint.
Go for poly bushes if you want but I don’t see the need. Despite this I have some on the rear anti roll bar, only as they were supplied with the Eibach bar. There is no need for adjustable anti roll bar links. Don’t be tempted by cheap coil over kits. Change all anti roll bar links and bushes. Don’t buy any suspension part made by Meyle, their HD is anything but.
Make sure all your wheels are round and you have good quality tyres. When all new parts are on go for a 4 wheel alignment.
I have the following on my 330d Touring:
On the 330ci/i I’d recommend thinner arbs as it’s lighter and has an alloy block. 24mm front and 19 or 20 rear work well. Check your existing bars first.
Other bits to change, fit rough road package front turret reinforcement plates, Eibach springs are good too-a little softer than the H+Rs, change rear hub ball joints, change the solid lower rear hub bush for a ball joint.
Go for poly bushes if you want but I don’t see the need. Despite this I have some on the rear anti roll bar, only as they were supplied with the Eibach bar. There is no need for adjustable anti roll bar links. Don’t be tempted by cheap coil over kits. Change all anti roll bar links and bushes. Don’t buy any suspension part made by Meyle, their HD is anything but.
Make sure all your wheels are round and you have good quality tyres. When all new parts are on go for a 4 wheel alignment.
Chris71 said:
I bought my E46 as a sensible mile-muncher. It's brilliant in that role, and I suspect I will leave it standard, but there is clearly a lot of latent potential in both the chassis and the engine.
Interested in why you think there clearly should be latent potential in an old n/a six? There is potential.
320bhp ESS TS1 kit
Probably feels like a 4.4 V8 but also makes it revvier with 6800rpm power peak.
Not sure on 330Ci, but on my Z4 there were secondary cats.
I removed them and had flanges made up etc for £200 for MOT time but it's never needed them in about 7 years.
It made the car sound loads gruffer and made the exhaust do proper backfires rather than the muffled woofles it did standard.
It probably added a bit of power too.
Well worth doing if a 330Ci has them imo.
I could swear the 330Ci CS had 240bhp and a bit less torque via cams and ecu.
Maybe a USA thing then?
320bhp ESS TS1 kit
Probably feels like a 4.4 V8 but also makes it revvier with 6800rpm power peak.
Not sure on 330Ci, but on my Z4 there were secondary cats.
I removed them and had flanges made up etc for £200 for MOT time but it's never needed them in about 7 years.
It made the car sound loads gruffer and made the exhaust do proper backfires rather than the muffled woofles it did standard.
It probably added a bit of power too.
Well worth doing if a 330Ci has them imo.
I could swear the 330Ci CS had 240bhp and a bit less torque via cams and ecu.
Maybe a USA thing then?
Billy_Whizzzz said:
Chris71 said:
I bought my E46 as a sensible mile-muncher. It's brilliant in that role, and I suspect I will leave it standard, but there is clearly a lot of latent potential in both the chassis and the engine.
Interested in why you think there clearly should be latent potential in an old n/a six? My 2p too.
It's a strong engine right through the rev range but it'd have been better in the 'sporty' cars to have given up bottom end for top end a bit more.
The later valvetronic engines were perfect in that regard.
Such a shame BMW and emissions b
ks stopped those because in the real world they were amazing.
Even the m54b30 is amazing imo given the power and economy on tap!
It's a strong engine right through the rev range but it'd have been better in the 'sporty' cars to have given up bottom end for top end a bit more.
The later valvetronic engines were perfect in that regard.
Such a shame BMW and emissions b
ks stopped those because in the real world they were amazing.Even the m54b30 is amazing imo given the power and economy on tap!
Mr Whippy said:
I could swear the 330Ci CS had 240bhp and a bit less torque via cams and ecu.
Maybe a USA thing then?
You may be thinking of the ZHP package the U.S. got?Maybe a USA thing then?
BMW Performance cams, reprogrammed DME to raise rev limit to 6800 plus the convertible FDR of 3.07
Also got a different backbox ( not the BMWPE one though which is different )
Supposed to add about 10bhp
Various interior bits and bobs and a few different chassis bits
Supercharge it, that's what AC Schnitzer did to them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yINp7dxlFWo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od-_SaV7ou8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yINp7dxlFWo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od-_SaV7ou8
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