Black Betti: 2002 BMW E46 325ti Sport
Discussion
HugoFastmann said:
Not much changed recently on Black Betti.
On the to-buy list:
I wouldn't touch the K&N panel filter. They are no more free flowing than the paper filter, don't add power, and have a reputation for covering the MAF sensor in K&N oil.On the to-buy list:
- K&N panel filter
- Brake fluid
- Lug nut conversion kit
- 2x rear tyres, probably Dunlop Sport Maxx again.
ethomas said:
I wouldn't touch the K&N panel filter. They are no more free flowing than the paper filter, don't add power, and have a reputation for covering the MAF sensor in K&N oil.
Are any of the other panel filters worth fitting? Not looking for more power, just a little more induction noise. Lets be honest, a new filter isn't going to give noticeable gains...Krikkit said:
To be honest the OEM airbox will be so heavily de-resonated etc you probably won't get much noise out of it, I'd be looking at alternative airboxes. It'll probably hurt power a fraction, but noise is always worth a couple of hp!
Could always do the panel filter and get the hole saw out on the bottom of the air box?
cosworth330 said:
These pop up from time to time converted to E36 M3 running gear. I suppose they are quite a bit lighter than the regular coupe/ saloon.
Quite a few have been upgraded to 330i running gear too! I read somewhere that BMW thought about a 330i version, but didn't want the Compact to out-perform the 330Ci! (G*ts).
Never been a fan of compacts in general but these are growing on me! Just got an e39 530i, had an e46 325ci before so I am familiar with the M54s, this era of BMWs is very very good value for money right now.
Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
turboflutter said:
Never been a fan of compacts in general but these are growing on me! Just got an e39 530i, had an e46 325ci before so I am familiar with the M54s, this era of BMWs is very very good value for money right now.
Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
The reason I'm not dropping a B30 in mine is the effort/benefit value doesn't compute well, so I'd rather save the money for other mods and the E28 I really want. If I was going to do an engine swap it would be for something out of an M, or a 5er V8, but I don't see the point of committing to an engine swap for 40hp. It would be much more fun to throw a single turbo at it!Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
turboflutter said:
Completely understandable and valid points. Single turbo would be hilarious - I've been having similar thoughts about mine but need to hold off as I know it won't be a cheap nor easy task and I'm enjoying it far too much standard for the moment!
Someone's gotta do it at some stage. It's inevitable! Unfortunately looks like I've got some rather expensive, labour-intensive bits to get done soon.
My clutch is noisy when I press the clutch pedal (a bit of a squeak audible outside when in gear and pressing the clutch) which my local indy thinks is the clutch release bearing. I got in touch with my mechanic and he's suggested doing the bearing, clutch and flywheel at the same time. It's a few hours labour, and the parts are around £400+...
Then there's the pirate ship creak which is now progressing to something a little more like a clunk. When passing slowly (<15mph) over roads where the camber changes fairly suddenly I get a bit of a creak/clunk out of the rear end. I changed the anti-roll bar bushes a few months thinking it was them - one of the bushes was completely melted onto the anti-roll bar! - but turns out that hasn't remedied the symptoms. So I've got a feeling I'm going to need to replace the diff mount bushes and the subframe bushes (they're all in the same area so might as well do them all together) and slap in some poly bushes for good measure. But again, that's a few hours labour which I can't do at home...
And lastly I think the front control arm bushes have given up. Driving at over 40mph on roads where there's changeable surface gradients the car gets really twitchy - to the point where I'm fighting the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line! And over 70mph I've got a bit of a steering wheel wobble going on. Tell tale signs of front bush degradation!
A couple of the smaller bits I need to get done at the moment:
My clutch is noisy when I press the clutch pedal (a bit of a squeak audible outside when in gear and pressing the clutch) which my local indy thinks is the clutch release bearing. I got in touch with my mechanic and he's suggested doing the bearing, clutch and flywheel at the same time. It's a few hours labour, and the parts are around £400+...
Then there's the pirate ship creak which is now progressing to something a little more like a clunk. When passing slowly (<15mph) over roads where the camber changes fairly suddenly I get a bit of a creak/clunk out of the rear end. I changed the anti-roll bar bushes a few months thinking it was them - one of the bushes was completely melted onto the anti-roll bar! - but turns out that hasn't remedied the symptoms. So I've got a feeling I'm going to need to replace the diff mount bushes and the subframe bushes (they're all in the same area so might as well do them all together) and slap in some poly bushes for good measure. But again, that's a few hours labour which I can't do at home...
And lastly I think the front control arm bushes have given up. Driving at over 40mph on roads where there's changeable surface gradients the car gets really twitchy - to the point where I'm fighting the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line! And over 70mph I've got a bit of a steering wheel wobble going on. Tell tale signs of front bush degradation!
A couple of the smaller bits I need to get done at the moment:
- Coolant system - an intermittent problem where the radiator warning light comes on at motorway speeds and turns off after 5 minutes, not to be seen again for weeks.
- Idle Control Valve - need to pull it out and check it/clean it. Hopefully not replace it.
- Leather - needs some attention, maybe a restoration kit?
In for poly bush upgrades in the morning. Ordered rear trailing arm and front control arm bushes from Strongflex (went for the yellow Sport compound). Hopefully the RTABs will eradicate the pirate ship creak, and the FCABs will sort out the sketchy handling on B roads.
Also have a new panel filter to install, and ordered some leather restorer to sort out my rather haggard leather. Tonight she'll get a good clean, maybe a polish and wax if I have the chance, and be looking sweet for 5 minutes or so!!
Also have a new panel filter to install, and ordered some leather restorer to sort out my rather haggard leather. Tonight she'll get a good clean, maybe a polish and wax if I have the chance, and be looking sweet for 5 minutes or so!!
Put the extra time on the long weekend to good use on Black Betti this weekend.
On Saturday I took her in to KWR Services in Southampton where they fitted the Strongflex poly bushes for me, and checked the Idle Control Valve. While there I also fitted the BMC panel air filter.
RTABs: Old cheap poly bushes were corroding after less than a year - new polys have better quality sleeves and include washers for a better fit. They fit like a dream and they've tightened up the rear end perfectly!
FCABs: the Strongflex bushes are really simple to fit and the steering is now much more responsive and firm.
Air filter: old paper filter is gone, replaced with a BMC sport panel filter. It's not really changed much in engine note or throttle response, so possibly a waste of time? Fits much better than the paper filter though...
Sunday morning I gave her a quick wash with the pressure washer (and ran out of shampoo halfway through...) then tidied up the wheels with Autoglym Wheel Cleaner, followed by Poor Boys Wheel Sealant. I used some T-Cut Metallic Color Restorer on the wing mirrors, which were showing some signs of oxidisation, and they've come out quite nice. I also tried out the Carspunk Exterior Trim Dress I ordered a small bottle of a few weeks ago. It's really good stuff, and I'll definitely be ordering a bigger bottle in the future!
On Saturday I took her in to KWR Services in Southampton where they fitted the Strongflex poly bushes for me, and checked the Idle Control Valve. While there I also fitted the BMC panel air filter.
RTABs: Old cheap poly bushes were corroding after less than a year - new polys have better quality sleeves and include washers for a better fit. They fit like a dream and they've tightened up the rear end perfectly!
FCABs: the Strongflex bushes are really simple to fit and the steering is now much more responsive and firm.
Air filter: old paper filter is gone, replaced with a BMC sport panel filter. It's not really changed much in engine note or throttle response, so possibly a waste of time? Fits much better than the paper filter though...
Sunday morning I gave her a quick wash with the pressure washer (and ran out of shampoo halfway through...) then tidied up the wheels with Autoglym Wheel Cleaner, followed by Poor Boys Wheel Sealant. I used some T-Cut Metallic Color Restorer on the wing mirrors, which were showing some signs of oxidisation, and they've come out quite nice. I also tried out the Carspunk Exterior Trim Dress I ordered a small bottle of a few weeks ago. It's really good stuff, and I'll definitely be ordering a bigger bottle in the future!
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