'Oddjob' aka 2002 330i Touring

[Darren1101]

Sf_Manta said:

Thank you everyone who's given comments, it's quite something to see my work has inspired others to start their own threads.

Yours is the one we all want, but we’ve had to make do with diesels! Lack of availability (don’t want another 330 Auto) and amount of miles I do went against me.

Did find one in Scotland with 200k on the clock for £4k. You must have an agreed value policy in that case?

[Sf_Manta]

I do, and it'll be reviewed when i go to renew in a month or so time.

BMW club insurance is well worth paying the membership fee for.

[Sf_Manta]

Gulp... Photos of the car in the bodyshop have been aquired.

















It looks horrendous at the moment, but from what the guys at the bodyshop have said, this was one of the cleanest E46's they've had to date, almost no major rust bar one front wing needing some pin holes taking care of but otherwise.. that's it
Will have to wait another week before it's finished so got a Mini Cooper S to get around in.

[Darren1101]

I must be tidy if they’re reusing the original front wings!

Mine are beyond that. And the rear will require new metal.

Will be minty fresh when done.

[Sf_Manta]

Darren1101 said:

I must be tidy if they’re reusing the original front wings!

Mine are beyond that. And the rear will require new metal.

Will be minty fresh when done.

When you said Minty fresh... yes.. very very fresh and pictures from today

A very big thank you to Lee and his Staff at https://www.lapaintworks.co.uk/ for the work so far.

















Should be getting it back as of next Monday / Tuesday

Edited by Sf_Manta on Thursday 14th March 18:03

[helix402]

Looking good!

[Sf_Manta]

And I'm not finished yet.
Just received all the previous work on the inside surfaces, all rust was media blasted / treated, pin holes welded up, and primed, then coated in UPol's Raptor bed paint which is a extremely tough polyurethane paint, as good or better than some stone guard products.

[Max M4X WW]

Exciting stuff! Looking forward to seeing finished photos.

[Sf_Manta]

And after 2 weeks and a few days... and a sizeable bill later.. my card is still smoldering









A heartfelt and massive thank you to LA Paintworks of Ampthill for doing the work, yes it came in higher than estimate however it's absolutely amazing in person to see.

[alec.e]

Does look stunning! The colour is interesting, looks blue/purple then black?

[helix402]

Super! 330 Tourings really are one the best cars around. My d goes back to the bodyshop next month for one door and front wing respray.

[Sf_Manta]

alec.e said:

Does look stunning! The colour is interesting, looks blue/purple then black?

It's BMW Orient Blue, given the low light levels this evening, it looks almost black. I'll try and get some in the daytime.

[Mr Tidy]

Wow - that looks stunning!

My nephew has an Imola Red E46 325i Sport Touring and he loves it - actually being honest I prefer it to my E91.

I wish I had been patient and found an E46 330i, especially after reading this!

[LanceRS]

That looks absolutely stunning.

[d_a_n1979]

It looks fantastic, a real credit to you

Can I ask which alloys you’re running?

[Sf_Manta]

d_a_n1979 said:

It looks fantastic, a real credit to you

Can I ask which alloys you’re running?

BBS CHR's , 8 x 18in fronts, 9 x 18in rears.

Credit goes to the guys at LA Paintworks for the sheer amount of work and time spent to get it to that

[d_a_n1979]

Sf_Manta said:

BBS CHR's , 8 x 18in fronts, 9 x 18in rears.

Credit goes to the guys at LA Paintworks for the sheer amount of work and time spent to get it to that

Thanks; thought they were.

I’d love a set in 18” for my 5 touring, but the offsets are too deep & I don’t want to run daft spacers.

May look at 19s though

[Sf_Manta]

d_a_n1979 said:

Sf_Manta said:

BBS CHR's , 8 x 18in fronts, 9 x 18in rears.

Credit goes to the guys at LA Paintworks for the sheer amount of work and time spent to get it to that

Thanks; thought they were.

I’d love a set in 18” for my 5 touring, but the offsets are too deep & I don’t want to run daft spacers.

May look at 19s though

Best check what offset is available I'd be very surprised if BBS didn't offer the correct offset, these fitted fine least till i added the Porsche calipers.

And one more picture in the light

[Sf_Manta]

Small update today, ordered some missing clips for the bottom of the rear bumper, seems those have gone walkies.
Also got some camber plates being shipped in from Turner Motorsport in the US.. not sure when those arrive.

And thanks to LanceRS for tipping me off on this kit for the DISA valve, which should be fitted this weekend.

[d_a_n1979]

Sf_Manta said:

Best check what offset is available I'd be very surprised if BBS didn't offer the correct offset, these fitted fine least till i added the Porsche calipers.

And one more picture in the light

Hi pal

Unfortunately nowhere in the UK has the offsets I’d need for my E39 (ideally 15-25) in 18”, 19” alloys aren’t too bad, offset is 30/35 IIRC, least with those I can use 15mm spacers etc... Plus 19s do suit the E39s well