BMW 330 Clubsport

[daveco]

LanceRS said:

s m said:

daveco said:

What a great thread!

I'm lucky to have a 330ci sport with the 6 speed manual but the clubsport always intrigued me.

Where was the 20kg stripped from?

The engine insulation on the underside of the bonnet weighs nowt so genuinely curious as to where it was lightened.

Exhaust system flanges......

Apparently so

The sound insulation is missing from the bulkhead and/or floor. There is definitely more cabin noise than the standard, although it’s not unbearable.

I’ve only had a quick look but it seems that decent replacement manifolds for these are a bit thin on the ground. The main problem being clearance for the steering, most are listed as LHD only.

Thanks for the info

Any clubsports I've heard do seem to sound better from the outside, so I did think something had been tinkered with the muffler/exhaust on them as well!

[LanceRS]

And I’m still being kept occupied. The EML has come on and with the codes read it seems that the Tank ventilation valve 000044 has packed up. I have learned that the Americans call it a purge valve and it appears to be located at the bottom of the inlet manifold. YouTube suggests that this is a quick and easy job (somehow I have my doubts).
The question now is, do I buy an original BMW part or one of the Febi Bilstein parts?

[LanceRS]

In happier news, I've been experimenting with the new Turtle Wax Graphine spray wax.

Apologies for the phone photo in the dark, but I was quite pleased when I had finished and I forgot to take any out in the sun earlier.

[d_a_n1979]

LanceRS said:

And I’m still being kept occupied. The EML has come on and with the codes read it seems that the Tank ventilation valve 000044 has packed up. I have learned that the Americans call it a purge valve and it appears to be located at the bottom of the inlet manifold. YouTube suggests that this is a quick and easy job (somehow I have my doubts).
The question now is, do I buy an original BMW part or one of the Febi Bilstein parts?

Febi Bilstein are good parts. Never had any issues with their parts on nearly 10 years

[LanceRS]

Febi Bilstein part ordered, should be here in the next couple of days. I’m hoping that the weather stays good

[LanceRS]

New part fitted, codes cleared and EML is off.

Fitted this too, a productive day

[s m]

LanceRS said:

In happier news, I've been experimenting with the new Turtle Wax Graphine spray wax.

Apologies for the phone photo in the dark, but I was quite pleased when I had finished and I forgot to take any out in the sun earlier.

Looking nice Lance

Recommend the wax?

[LanceRS]

Thank you.
The wax seems good so far. I just gave it a quick spray after washing it rather than doing the job properly. It was easy to use and I await some rain to see how the water beads.
When the weather is a bit more reliable I shall make a decent effort.

[LanceRS]

First proper drive after clearing the codes and I get some new pretty lights to look at.

I am guessing that a wheel speed sensor has died.

[shalmaneser]

LanceRS said:

First proper drive after clearing the codes and I get some new pretty lights to look at.

I am guessing that a wheel speed sensor has died.

Most likely, easy and cheap to diagnose via an obd reader. Old one will most likely need to be removed in pieces, just drill it out if necessary.

[Sf_Manta]

shalmaneser said:

LanceRS said:

First proper drive after clearing the codes and I get some new pretty lights to look at.

I am guessing that a wheel speed sensor has died.

Most likely, easy and cheap to diagnose via an obd reader. Old one will most likely need to be removed in pieces, just drill it out if necessary.

Usually the bolt will give a lot of fight, good allen keys are a must and a good dose of Plus gas to free things up. Usually worked on all the ones i've done and a large set of mole grips to wiggle the sensor free of the hub.

[therusterman]

Replaced a osf abs sensor on my M3 last weekend, to be fair went quite smoothly. The Allen bolt came out in one piece and used some water pump pliers to coax the sensor out. The abs sensor even came out in one.

[LanceRS]

Thanks Gents.
I tried the cheap reader that I have, no relevant codes. I shall borrow a Carley tomorrow and see what I find.
The lights are intermittent, I had to go shopping earlier and upon leaving they had gone out again only to reappear about a mile down the road.

[Sko77y]

Almost bought one of these in this exact colour, always been an almost car for me, so really enjoying reading about your experience.

[LanceRS]

Thank you, it’s quite therapeutic to be able to share and you can usually be sure that someone knowledgeable will be along to help. I’ve had it now for nearly 6 years and over 60k Miles now (would be more but we all know what the last year has been like).

Anyway, codes read and it is the front left that’s causing the problem. Had the car up in the air quickly and nothing visible. The car is getting a signal, the problem appears at about 50 mph which is when all the lights come back on.
I shall try to get a new sensor and hopefully have a go at the weekend.

[therusterman]

If a replacement sensor doesn't cure it, the abs tone ring might be kaput. This unfortunately necessitates removal of the front wheel bearing. Fingers crossed the new sensor does it.

[LanceRS]

I have a horrible feeling that it will not just be the sensor. The issue reared it’s head over some broken tarmac, making me think that it must be the result of a jolt or vibration. Also it only comes on at over 45 mph suggesting to me that it’s more likely to be a moving part causing the problem. And thirdly, experience has taught me over the years that it is rarely the simplest fix that solves things.

The wallet draining also continues as having the car in the air has also highlighted how worn the RTABs are. Having seen this has made me more acutely aware of the wayward back end when I am driving, so some poly bushes are on their way.

[shalmaneser]

The rtabs are a easy job, drill out the rubber and get the hacksaw with a sharp blade out!

[helix402]

LanceRS said:

I have a horrible feeling that it will not just be the sensor. The issue reared it’s head over some broken tarmac, making me think that it must be the result of a jolt or vibration. Also it only comes on at over 45 mph suggesting to me that it’s more likely to be a moving part causing the problem. And thirdly, experience has taught me over the years that it is rarely the simplest fix that solves things.

The wallet draining also continues as having the car in the air has also highlighted how worn the RTABs are. Having seen this has made me more acutely aware of the wayward back end when I am driving, so some poly bushes are on their way.

You can fit M3 rtab bushes. I don’t think PU ones are the best solution for the E46 rtab as the bush doesn’t allow the arm to move as it’s designed to.

[Koolkat969]

LanceRS said:

I have a horrible feeling that it will not just be the sensor. The issue reared it’s head over some broken tarmac, making me think that it must be the result of a jolt or vibration. Also it only comes on at over 45 mph suggesting to me that it’s more likely to be a moving part causing the problem. And thirdly, experience has taught me over the years that it is rarely the simplest fix that solves things.

The wallet draining also continues as having the car in the air has also highlighted how worn the RTABs are. Having seen this has made me more acutely aware of the wayward back end when I am driving, so some poly bushes are on their way.

It could be something as simple as cleaning the wheel speed sensor just in case you haven't tried that already and I haven't seen it mentioned. Had the same issue with my E46 330ci and took it to my local Garage ETA Motorsport a while back. He simply cleaned it and no further problems. Didn't even charge me for it though I offered and gave him a token.....great guy! No longer have the car though but I still love checking-in on E46 threads. Goodluck