E46 330ci 'vert, european wallet muncher
Discussion
Not another e46 thread. This one isn't even an M3!
A lot of this has been in other threads, however I figured I'd rewrite it all into an actual RR thread, mostly to help me keep track! I'll brush over what has already happened and keep it updated periodically. I'm driving to the alps this winter so should make for an interesting read over Christmas..
I bought this car in spring 2016 to cruise around Europe in and drive enthusiastically at the weekend. I've always had BMWs, previously owning a 318, an e34 525i and an e39. This however was my first decent one. The first thing I had to do was replace the wheels. It came on the usual MV1s, which were leaking air and kerbed to hell. I replaced with a set of refurbished MV1s and treated her to a matching set of coopers all round. Never heard of the brand before (more on that later)
I then proceeded to drive around Europe with a mate. I went through Germany, France, the alps (which were fantastic) on to Lake Como, Rome and finally southern Italy for the beaches. I came back via Cannes and Paris. The car developed a number of faults, including a broken alloy, a broken fuel gauge, stuck open thermostat...
She limped home and I left her in the Garage whilst I got sent to the Falklands for the winter...
Upon my return I had 5 weeks off and spent it all skiing, so the car was neglected. I did however buy some new wheels and got round to doing a basic service.
The broken alloy being my main concern, I bought a set of deep dish cades alloys and got a matching set of uniroyal rainsport 3s on them. Absolute convert to these tyres, would not entertain anything else within that price range now.
With the car driving correctly, the next issue was the brakes. I'd absolutely fried them in the alps and they were fit for the scrappers.
New brake pads and discs in hand, I set to them. It turned out the original calipers had corroded to the point where they were binding and not releasing. 140 pounds later, I had a set of new calipers and hoses to go with. I used brembo for all, however I've found that the pads are horrendously dusty and that they leave deposits all over the discs. This in turn makes them grabby and unpleasant.
Recommendations for new pads?
A lot of this has been in other threads, however I figured I'd rewrite it all into an actual RR thread, mostly to help me keep track! I'll brush over what has already happened and keep it updated periodically. I'm driving to the alps this winter so should make for an interesting read over Christmas..
I bought this car in spring 2016 to cruise around Europe in and drive enthusiastically at the weekend. I've always had BMWs, previously owning a 318, an e34 525i and an e39. This however was my first decent one. The first thing I had to do was replace the wheels. It came on the usual MV1s, which were leaking air and kerbed to hell. I replaced with a set of refurbished MV1s and treated her to a matching set of coopers all round. Never heard of the brand before (more on that later)
I then proceeded to drive around Europe with a mate. I went through Germany, France, the alps (which were fantastic) on to Lake Como, Rome and finally southern Italy for the beaches. I came back via Cannes and Paris. The car developed a number of faults, including a broken alloy, a broken fuel gauge, stuck open thermostat...
She limped home and I left her in the Garage whilst I got sent to the Falklands for the winter...
Upon my return I had 5 weeks off and spent it all skiing, so the car was neglected. I did however buy some new wheels and got round to doing a basic service.
The broken alloy being my main concern, I bought a set of deep dish cades alloys and got a matching set of uniroyal rainsport 3s on them. Absolute convert to these tyres, would not entertain anything else within that price range now.
With the car driving correctly, the next issue was the brakes. I'd absolutely fried them in the alps and they were fit for the scrappers.
New brake pads and discs in hand, I set to them. It turned out the original calipers had corroded to the point where they were binding and not releasing. 140 pounds later, I had a set of new calipers and hoses to go with. I used brembo for all, however I've found that the pads are horrendously dusty and that they leave deposits all over the discs. This in turn makes them grabby and unpleasant.
Recommendations for new pads?
That's a beaut mate, any other modifications to be made now? I've had a few E46's in the past, the last one being a velvet blue convertible which I still miss. Just keep an eye on the cooling system and it'll be a reliable car once those niggles are out of the way - the parts are cheap and its easy to work on if anything does go! Another thing to look out for is rust, I undersealed my rear arches and popped off the side skirts to have a clean in there on each one I owned.
I always just used Pagids on all of mine, they were fine for daily use and a bit of hard driving - they absolutely died at the ring, but that's to be expected. I think yellow/red/blue stuff pads were held in good regard for hard driving & track use, I can't remember which is the right colour to go with there.
Little pic of my old one (spot the badly repainted front wings)!
I always just used Pagids on all of mine, they were fine for daily use and a bit of hard driving - they absolutely died at the ring, but that's to be expected. I think yellow/red/blue stuff pads were held in good regard for hard driving & track use, I can't remember which is the right colour to go with there.
Little pic of my old one (spot the badly repainted front wings)!
matthias73 said:
Not another e46 thread. This one isn't even an M3!
A lot of this has been in other threads, however I figured I'd rewrite it all into an actual RR thread, mostly to help me keep track! I'll brush over what has already happened and keep it updated periodically. I'm driving to the alps this winter so should make for an interesting read over Christmas..
I bought this car in spring 2016 to cruise around Europe in and drive enthusiastically at the weekend. I've always had BMWs, previously owning a 318, an e34 525i and an e39. This however was my first decent one. The first thing I had to do was replace the wheels. It came on the usual MV1s, which were leaking air and kerbed to hell. I replaced with a set of refurbished MV1s and treated her to a matching set of coopers all round. Never heard of the brand before (more on that later)
I then proceeded to drive around Europe with a mate. I went through Germany, France, the alps (which were fantastic) on to Lake Como, Rome and finally southern Italy for the beaches. I came back via Cannes and Paris. The car developed a number of faults, including a broken alloy, a broken fuel gauge, stuck open thermostat...
She limped home and I left her in the Garage whilst I got sent to the Falklands for the winter...
Upon my return I had 5 weeks off and spent it all skiing, so the car was neglected. I did however buy some new wheels and got round to doing a basic service.
The broken alloy being my main concern, I bought a set of deep dish cades alloys and got a matching set of uniroyal rainsport 3s on them. Absolute convert to these tyres, would not entertain anything else within that price range now.
With the car driving correctly, the next issue was the brakes. I'd absolutely fried them in the alps and they were fit for the scrappers.
New brake pads and discs in hand, I set to them. It turned out the original calipers had corroded to the point where they were binding and not releasing. 140 pounds later, I had a set of new calipers and hoses to go with. I used brembo for all, however I've found that the pads are horrendously dusty and that they leave deposits all over the discs. This in turn makes them grabby and unpleasant.
Recommendations for new pads?
Looks really nice OP, and a good example. What are the arches like on the front and back? A lot of this has been in other threads, however I figured I'd rewrite it all into an actual RR thread, mostly to help me keep track! I'll brush over what has already happened and keep it updated periodically. I'm driving to the alps this winter so should make for an interesting read over Christmas..
I bought this car in spring 2016 to cruise around Europe in and drive enthusiastically at the weekend. I've always had BMWs, previously owning a 318, an e34 525i and an e39. This however was my first decent one. The first thing I had to do was replace the wheels. It came on the usual MV1s, which were leaking air and kerbed to hell. I replaced with a set of refurbished MV1s and treated her to a matching set of coopers all round. Never heard of the brand before (more on that later)
I then proceeded to drive around Europe with a mate. I went through Germany, France, the alps (which were fantastic) on to Lake Como, Rome and finally southern Italy for the beaches. I came back via Cannes and Paris. The car developed a number of faults, including a broken alloy, a broken fuel gauge, stuck open thermostat...
She limped home and I left her in the Garage whilst I got sent to the Falklands for the winter...
Upon my return I had 5 weeks off and spent it all skiing, so the car was neglected. I did however buy some new wheels and got round to doing a basic service.
The broken alloy being my main concern, I bought a set of deep dish cades alloys and got a matching set of uniroyal rainsport 3s on them. Absolute convert to these tyres, would not entertain anything else within that price range now.
With the car driving correctly, the next issue was the brakes. I'd absolutely fried them in the alps and they were fit for the scrappers.
New brake pads and discs in hand, I set to them. It turned out the original calipers had corroded to the point where they were binding and not releasing. 140 pounds later, I had a set of new calipers and hoses to go with. I used brembo for all, however I've found that the pads are horrendously dusty and that they leave deposits all over the discs. This in turn makes them grabby and unpleasant.
Recommendations for new pads?
Here is mine a 323CI which seems to be solid underneath but needs a lot of TLC as the previous owner didn't take care of it very well and lots of niggling things which im either replacing or having to fix. Seems never ending at the moment.
Whats the ride height on your front to back? Mine looks very high in the front compared to the back, I am suspecting worn shocks/springs but its got an MOT next month so holding out till then before I start spending lots of money on suspension.
The ride is very low all round. It's also getting somewhat crashy. I'm investigating the best way to refresh the suspension, I suspect a coilover kit is the most cost effective. Maybe we can both look into this after your MOT?
The only rust is the front offside wing. Being an individual colour it's impossible to get it colour matched, but for the winter I decided to spray a new wing in something that looked about right with the intent of getting the front end sorted in a year or so.
I've thought about it long and hard and decided I'll keep the car regardless of issues. Nothing on the market short of 10k can replace the e46 for what I need it for. (A good e93 sport that isn't due maintenance is around that much)
My current budget is around 1500 to sort all issues. I had a good look at her this evening and decided if I want it Perfect, there's a lot to do.
The entire cooling system is due a refresh. No point spending money and then breaking down abroad. This includes belts. If anyone can point me towards a kit, that would be ideal. I'll do this myself if I have all the parts.
02 sensors (post cat) i won't have a ramp and u don't want to f
k it up so garage job.
Diff fluid. There's also play in the prop shaft doughnut. Will probably need to do that plus diff seals.
VANOS has started rattling. I think a rebuild from an indy is the best bet.
Suspension bushings are suspect.
Shocks seem tired.
Exhaust isn't loud enough. That's my inner 16 year old getting through though...
Overall a lot of work to do. The question is, do I go ahead and do it all or just cure issues as they arise. I think we all know the answer..
The only rust is the front offside wing. Being an individual colour it's impossible to get it colour matched, but for the winter I decided to spray a new wing in something that looked about right with the intent of getting the front end sorted in a year or so.
I've thought about it long and hard and decided I'll keep the car regardless of issues. Nothing on the market short of 10k can replace the e46 for what I need it for. (A good e93 sport that isn't due maintenance is around that much)
My current budget is around 1500 to sort all issues. I had a good look at her this evening and decided if I want it Perfect, there's a lot to do.
The entire cooling system is due a refresh. No point spending money and then breaking down abroad. This includes belts. If anyone can point me towards a kit, that would be ideal. I'll do this myself if I have all the parts.
02 sensors (post cat) i won't have a ramp and u don't want to f
k it up so garage job.Diff fluid. There's also play in the prop shaft doughnut. Will probably need to do that plus diff seals.
VANOS has started rattling. I think a rebuild from an indy is the best bet.
Suspension bushings are suspect.
Shocks seem tired.
Exhaust isn't loud enough. That's my inner 16 year old getting through though...
Overall a lot of work to do. The question is, do I go ahead and do it all or just cure issues as they arise. I think we all know the answer..
matthias73 said:
The ride is very low all round. It's also getting somewhat crashy. I'm investigating the best way to refresh the suspension, I suspect a coilover kit is the most cost effective. Maybe we can both look into this after your MOT?
The only rust is the front offside wing. Being an individual colour it's impossible to get it colour matched, but for the winter I decided to spray a new wing in something that looked about right with the intent of getting the front end sorted in a year or so.
I've thought about it long and hard and decided I'll keep the car regardless of issues. Nothing on the market short of 10k can replace the e46 for what I need it for. (A good e93 sport that isn't due maintenance is around that much)
My current budget is around 1500 to sort all issues. I had a good look at her this evening and decided if I want it Perfect, there's a lot to do.
The entire cooling system is due a refresh. No point spending money and then breaking down abroad. This includes belts. If anyone can point me towards a kit, that would be ideal. I'll do this myself if I have all the parts.
02 sensors (post cat) i won't have a ramp and u don't want to fk it up so garage job.
Diff fluid. There's also play in the prop shaft doughnut. Will probably need to do that plus diff seals.
VANOS has started rattling. I think a rebuild from an indy is the best bet.
Suspension bushings are suspect.
Shocks seem tired.
Exhaust isn't loud enough. That's my inner 16 year old getting through though...
Overall a lot of work to do. The question is, do I go ahead and do it all or just cure issues as they arise. I think we all know the answer..
I'll let you know what the MOT says about the suspension and go from there. Currently I have replaced the droplinks, and lower control arms, not sure if the tie rod ends need replacing? The only rust is the front offside wing. Being an individual colour it's impossible to get it colour matched, but for the winter I decided to spray a new wing in something that looked about right with the intent of getting the front end sorted in a year or so.
I've thought about it long and hard and decided I'll keep the car regardless of issues. Nothing on the market short of 10k can replace the e46 for what I need it for. (A good e93 sport that isn't due maintenance is around that much)
My current budget is around 1500 to sort all issues. I had a good look at her this evening and decided if I want it Perfect, there's a lot to do.
The entire cooling system is due a refresh. No point spending money and then breaking down abroad. This includes belts. If anyone can point me towards a kit, that would be ideal. I'll do this myself if I have all the parts.
02 sensors (post cat) i won't have a ramp and u don't want to f
k it up so garage job.Diff fluid. There's also play in the prop shaft doughnut. Will probably need to do that plus diff seals.
VANOS has started rattling. I think a rebuild from an indy is the best bet.
Suspension bushings are suspect.
Shocks seem tired.
Exhaust isn't loud enough. That's my inner 16 year old getting through though...
Overall a lot of work to do. The question is, do I go ahead and do it all or just cure issues as they arise. I think we all know the answer..
We seem in a similar boat in terms of looking after the car. Im still undecided if I want to plough money into it to make it perfect, or fix up the urgent things and then punt it in the spring. Kids are on the horizon so may need something more pratical.
So far my list is:
MOT 22nd Oct
Cooling System - Upgrade
AirCon Regas
Wheel refurb
Leather seat scratch repair
Potential suspension upgrade
Slight oil leak somewhere
Door Handle sticking
Diff Oil change
Fuel Filter
Front wings slight signs of rust bubbles under the paint work
Trying to do some of the quick and easy things now.
matthias73 said:
Corned beef, that looks superb. What do you drive now?
Another poorly painted wing pic:
Thanks Matthias, I do miss it but it went to a good owner which I'm glad about. Regarding your comments on coilovers, mine was on HSD Dualtechs which were pretty good - fairly firm but not crashy, and the car felt really composed around the twisties. You can also finance them which is handy if you want to spread it out a bit like I did! For the cooling system I went with Meyle HD parts which did the job.Another poorly painted wing pic:
I swapped mine out for a 335D when my mileage went up with a new job, which is a great car to commute about in but a tad bit numb after the E46! So I've recently bought a toy on the side
Glad to see another 330ci getting used properly. I've owned two, and I honestly think that there isn't much that can compete for performance/practicality at this price level. Yes the bodywork loves to bubble a bit, but it's easily rectified with replacement panels. Yes, they are known to destroy cooling circuits at a certain vintage, but that's par for the course when owning an old car.
On the subject of the brakes, I've just had a set of Brembo pads and discs fitted to the front of mine, and they appear to be excellent. They didn't show much sign of fade on a recent highlands trip, and don't appear to be tragically dusty either.
If you get the opportunity, sling the standard airbox in favour of a RamAir foam filter and cut out the valve on the RH exhaust tailpipe (which is probably seized closed anyway). It doesn't make it sound like a NASCAR, but the exhaust adds a little low-down bass while the intake makes the top-end more vocal.
On the subject of the brakes, I've just had a set of Brembo pads and discs fitted to the front of mine, and they appear to be excellent. They didn't show much sign of fade on a recent highlands trip, and don't appear to be tragically dusty either.
If you get the opportunity, sling the standard airbox in favour of a RamAir foam filter and cut out the valve on the RH exhaust tailpipe (which is probably seized closed anyway). It doesn't make it sound like a NASCAR, but the exhaust adds a little low-down bass while the intake makes the top-end more vocal.
matthias73 said:
I'm considering getting a chavtastic back box from eBay.
Help me ...
I'll get a thread up about my Clubsport at some point (yup, another E46), but for now:Help me ...
Don't do it!!! I had an Eisenmann back box on my previous 330Ci and it was hands down the nicest sounding exhaust I've heard for one yet - though they aren't cheap. I got mine s/h but unused off ebay for a song. Then sold that car a few months later...
The Clubsport had an advisory for a minor blow on the centre exhaust when I got it, so in the interests of economy I figured I'd try a 'well recommended' specialist fabricator and have a cat back system made up. I specifically stated I didn't want it to drone but that I wanted to be able to hear it more. I'll add here that this was by no means a cheapo system and I thought I'd done my homework. Only afterwards did I finally find a post on here somewhere stating something along the lines of 'poor quality exhausts at premium prices'.
I ended up with what can only be described as the most awful sounding exhaust I have ever heard. It was so bad that I considered removing it and binning it rather than taking it back for them to sort as I couldn't face another long journey in it (I work away from home). Eventually I calmed down and took it back to them, where they agreed to put in another silencer. It got slightly quieter but was still headache inducing at 2-3k rpm, which is where you sit most of the time.
Incidentally, the Eisenmann on the old 330 was louder than this Mk2 custom version on this, but with no drone at all.
After another 300 miles or so, I'd had enough and it came off in favour of a Scorpion system from Roadrunner motorsport off the 'Bay. This I can't recommend enough at the price - it's not overly loud by any means, so if you want proper noise look elsewhere, but there's no drone and it's a nice deep note that can be heard from the inside a little more but is sweeter from outside. This I imagine would be ideal for your convertible.
Also, once the cack custom system was off and the Scorpion one on, it became clear that the custom system had totally spannered the breathing and the car felt so much fitter and keener to rev again once it was off. Upon close examination of it once it was on my garage floor, the two pipes were not exactly equal length, so half of the engine would've been breathing differently to the other half.
In short and from my experience, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON CHEAP CHAV EXHAUSTS. It'll cost you extra when you then have to buy a better one afterwards.
In addition, I also have Brembo discs and pads on mine. I fitted them after the original brakes went grabby following pad transfer to the discs (or warpage as I first thought). Then these did the same thing. A bit of googling led me to believe the temporary MV2 wheels I'd fitted whilst my split rims were being refurb'd were poorly powder coated and not allowing heat to dissipate correctly, leading to the pads imprinting on the discs. Sure enough having put my split rims (newly refurb'd) back on, the Brembo's are starting to clean up and not grab. After I bought another set that are now sat on my garage floor...
If yours are transferring pad material to the discs and leaving pad shaped outlines after fitting your new wheels (but not before?) then I'd consider your wheels may be doing what mine did.
Apologies if that was rambling, just figured I'd share some of what I'd learned the hard way!
matthias73 said:
I'm considering getting a chavtastic back box from eBay.
Help me ...
I have it on good regard from my slightly sheddy E46 coupe that a drilled backbox can make quite the difference Help me ...
I chucked on a 'UUC TSE3' exhaust bought from a forum member on E46Zone too which was a bit much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8PXQClROqs
It does seem that Eisenmann make some of the best sounding/quality exhausts and I always wanted one, but they're bloody expensive.
Getting the car back tomorrow. The chap has said that the usual suspects in the cooling department were being suspect 
Now that is all changed, the one thing left to do is sort out the rear diff's slow leak. I've done around 3000 miles since I noticed it as an issue, and it's likely been an issue for a while longer. It required a quarter of a litre to fill it back up, which means it's likely done no damage and confirms that it is indeed a very slow leak. Therefore not a pressing issue and I can do it when I get more time, although I'd like to do it reasonably soon.
Now, the question of winter tyres spring to mind. As it stands, the car sits on some highly polished deep dish alloys. I bought these new and keep them in excellent condition. I'm not going to use these on an alpine road covered in salt and snow.
So I'm either going to buy some steelies, some used BMW wheels with winter tyres already on or some new BBS.
Steelies lose out massively on looks, a set of good OE alloys already shod on winter tyres sounds like a reasonable idea, however I've been bitten in the past by old BMW alloys. I'm leaning towards getting a new set of BBS alloys and tyres however I can be persuaded by a solid argument. Whatever I get is going to be in 17'.
These are £600. I'll see how much the repair bill for the cooling system comes to.
Wheels aside, my next consideration is what tyres I'm going to run. Prices for winter tyres varies massively, as do reviews, so it's not as simple as throwing money at the problem.
Now that is all changed, the one thing left to do is sort out the rear diff's slow leak. I've done around 3000 miles since I noticed it as an issue, and it's likely been an issue for a while longer. It required a quarter of a litre to fill it back up, which means it's likely done no damage and confirms that it is indeed a very slow leak. Therefore not a pressing issue and I can do it when I get more time, although I'd like to do it reasonably soon.
Now, the question of winter tyres spring to mind. As it stands, the car sits on some highly polished deep dish alloys. I bought these new and keep them in excellent condition. I'm not going to use these on an alpine road covered in salt and snow.
So I'm either going to buy some steelies, some used BMW wheels with winter tyres already on or some new BBS.
Steelies lose out massively on looks, a set of good OE alloys already shod on winter tyres sounds like a reasonable idea, however I've been bitten in the past by old BMW alloys. I'm leaning towards getting a new set of BBS alloys and tyres however I can be persuaded by a solid argument. Whatever I get is going to be in 17'.
These are £600. I'll see how much the repair bill for the cooling system comes to.
Wheels aside, my next consideration is what tyres I'm going to run. Prices for winter tyres varies massively, as do reviews, so it's not as simple as throwing money at the problem.
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