BMW E46 330d SE Touring
Discussion
Decided it was time for a CD player in the dash, it’s a 2004 one so I can add a second aux in. I’ll use one for the Bluetooth and one for my Ipod.
I took out the Nokia car kit and fitted Bluetooth;
The hedgehog was playing up (fan running at random speeds) so put a used one in:
The Lidl tool was spot on for gettting the heater motor screw out:
Did a quick brief test with old school DIS to keep the laptop ticking over:
Only fault code is glow plugs. I have five new ones but am in no rush to change them.
I took out the Nokia car kit and fitted Bluetooth;
The hedgehog was playing up (fan running at random speeds) so put a used one in:
The Lidl tool was spot on for gettting the heater motor screw out:
Did a quick brief test with old school DIS to keep the laptop ticking over:
Only fault code is glow plugs. I have five new ones but am in no rush to change them.
I wasn’t happy with the o/s side skirt. It had many scratches, fortunately I had a spare silver one. So I paInted it blue:
The little mark is where I annoyingly knocked the end of the laquer can against the wet paint. 😟. Not painting it again, will touch it up.
The o/s mirror back was cracked too so I got a new one and painted it:
The little mark is where I annoyingly knocked the end of the laquer can against the wet paint. 😟. Not painting it again, will touch it up.
The o/s mirror back was cracked too so I got a new one and painted it:
Still running well, still doing less mpg than the 250k 330d it replaced! 44 against 50. Perhaps it will increase now the warmer weather is here.
I suppose on the plus side it’s still better mpg than it’s supposed to do. I’m quite pleased with the paint finish despite doing it in the garden. I think the side skirt is the largest part I’ve ever painted. I’ve done lots of little bits over the years. I did watch closely when my friend painted the rear 1/4 on the old 330 and made a mental note of his technique. I’ll fit the parts and may wet sand them depending how they look when fitted.
I suppose on the plus side it’s still better mpg than it’s supposed to do. I’m quite pleased with the paint finish despite doing it in the garden. I think the side skirt is the largest part I’ve ever painted. I’ve done lots of little bits over the years. I did watch closely when my friend painted the rear 1/4 on the old 330 and made a mental note of his technique. I’ll fit the parts and may wet sand them depending how they look when fitted.
New mirror cap on:
I wet sanded it, 1500, 2000, 3000, then this lot:
Put the re painted side skirt on too:
I’m not bothering wet sanding that as it’ll soon have little stone chips and it’s too far from the eyeline to justify the time. I’ll pop some polish on it.
Afraid I haven’t had time to clean the car.
I wet sanded it, 1500, 2000, 3000, then this lot:
Put the re painted side skirt on too:
I’m not bothering wet sanding that as it’ll soon have little stone chips and it’s too far from the eyeline to justify the time. I’ll pop some polish on it.
Afraid I haven’t had time to clean the car.
I’d noticed a little knock from the nsf. So rather than diagnose it I bought the cheapest and easiest bit to change. A gen BMW anti roll bar link for £20.
I thought I’d better check the susp too. The knock wasn’t the link. Oh well it got a new one anyway. The old one had done 38k and was 5 years old. It was a little bit worn.
The play was in the nsf control arm inner ball joint.
The brakes are in great condition:
This is where he play is:
I’m afraid I’m not paying BMW’s for a new arm so it’s getting a Febi one with a gen bush. I’ve used Febi arms before and been pleased with them. I’ve tried non genuine rear arm bushes before and been disappointed.
I fitted my second aux in cable too, so now ones for Bluetooth and one for the IPod:
I fitted my piano black trim. Which is very black and very shiny and no one is allowed to put fingerprints on it.
iPhone makes my pics go the wrong way up/round.
I thought I’d better check the susp too. The knock wasn’t the link. Oh well it got a new one anyway. The old one had done 38k and was 5 years old. It was a little bit worn.
The play was in the nsf control arm inner ball joint.
The brakes are in great condition:
This is where he play is:
I’m afraid I’m not paying BMW’s for a new arm so it’s getting a Febi one with a gen bush. I’ve used Febi arms before and been pleased with them. I’ve tried non genuine rear arm bushes before and been disappointed.
I fitted my second aux in cable too, so now ones for Bluetooth and one for the IPod:
I fitted my piano black trim. Which is very black and very shiny and no one is allowed to put fingerprints on it.
iPhone makes my pics go the wrong way up/round.
An odd clunk from the n/s/r prompted me to find the cause.
One handbrake shoe was adrift and down to the metal due to the backplate rusting through where the shoe was secured.
I did a temp fix with a bolt and have ordered new gen BMW shoes and fittings and a pair of backplates.
In the past when I’ve had E46s needing rear wheel bearings I’ve bought a used rear arm and fitted all new bushes, bearing and backplate. This saves the car being off the road for the bearing change. This time I’m trying a new approach, some may call it a bodge.
I’m just changing the backplates, via the chop a section out technique.
Just waiting for the shoes before I can fit the plates. Will see how it goes.
One handbrake shoe was adrift and down to the metal due to the backplate rusting through where the shoe was secured.
I did a temp fix with a bolt and have ordered new gen BMW shoes and fittings and a pair of backplates.
In the past when I’ve had E46s needing rear wheel bearings I’ve bought a used rear arm and fitted all new bushes, bearing and backplate. This saves the car being off the road for the bearing change. This time I’m trying a new approach, some may call it a bodge.
I’m just changing the backplates, via the chop a section out technique.
Just waiting for the shoes before I can fit the plates. Will see how it goes.
Spent the morning working on the 330. Despite the shoes and fitting kit not arriving I decided to fit the new backplate. It won’t take long to put the shoes on when they arrive.
I found my old Alfasud:
Old backplate, no need to cut it off, just pulled it:
It’s easier to change the upper balljoint with no backplate, so I did:
New backplate on:
New ball joint and backplate:
I wasn’t too sure about the chop backplate method, however I would recommend it as the pic shows most of the missing piece is covered by the caliper:
If any pics are missing it’s because I have an IPhone. I didn’t fit a ball joint to the lower hub as I didn’t have time to do the camber.
I found my old Alfasud:
Old backplate, no need to cut it off, just pulled it:
It’s easier to change the upper balljoint with no backplate, so I did:
New backplate on:
New ball joint and backplate:
I wasn’t too sure about the chop backplate method, however I would recommend it as the pic shows most of the missing piece is covered by the caliper:
If any pics are missing it’s because I have an IPhone. I didn’t fit a ball joint to the lower hub as I didn’t have time to do the camber.
Decided to finish the rear brakes today as the family were away for the weekend, I had to work.
Genuine BMW shoes on, pattern shoes are a bit rubbish in my experience.
Old shoes:
Decided to change the brake fluid whilst I was in the world of brakes:
A lot of people/garages/mechanics don’t realise that the modern BMW spec for brake fluid is not just DOT 4, but DOT 4 low viscosity. The E46 predates this but it can be used in older cars. The theory is the lower viscosity allows the fluid to pass faster through the passages of the abs/dsc unit and thus the systems to be as effective as possible.
The new backplates were painted but I redid them with epoxy paint as it’s better.
Genuine BMW shoes on, pattern shoes are a bit rubbish in my experience.
Old shoes:
Decided to change the brake fluid whilst I was in the world of brakes:
A lot of people/garages/mechanics don’t realise that the modern BMW spec for brake fluid is not just DOT 4, but DOT 4 low viscosity. The E46 predates this but it can be used in older cars. The theory is the lower viscosity allows the fluid to pass faster through the passages of the abs/dsc unit and thus the systems to be as effective as possible.
The new backplates were painted but I redid them with epoxy paint as it’s better.
I fitted the new n/s/f control arm and bush. Unfortunately I thought I’d save time by fitting the rear bush to the arm off the car. With hindsight this was an error, as without a vice to secure the arm in I couldn’t get the Bush far enough on. It was 4mm off where it should be.
I’ve done lots of the bushes before, fitting them perfectly on the car.
I like trying new things so rather than fit another standard rear bush I’m trying a different solution, M3 undertray/brace and M3 bushes.
Will it work? Probably.
I’ve done lots of the bushes before, fitting them perfectly on the car.
I like trying new things so rather than fit another standard rear bush I’m trying a different solution, M3 undertray/brace and M3 bushes.
Will it work? Probably.
Here’s the good news:
Rear brakes back together, handbrake is great. It’s true, BMWs can have good handbrakes! All you need is genuine parts and good adjustment.
Bad news, M3 bushes don’t fit non M3 control arms. The aperture is too big for the control arm. The M3 undertray would fit with a minor trim to the plastic front undertray but it’s pointless without the bushes. If anyone wants an M3 undertray and new control arm bushes drop me a pm.
I fitted the n/s rear bush in the correct position, the steering wheel is still off centre. That is what you get for fitting aftermarket parts! Febi Bilstein control arm. Odd as I’ve fitted one before without issue.
Rear brakes back together, handbrake is great. It’s true, BMWs can have good handbrakes! All you need is genuine parts and good adjustment.
Bad news, M3 bushes don’t fit non M3 control arms. The aperture is too big for the control arm. The M3 undertray would fit with a minor trim to the plastic front undertray but it’s pointless without the bushes. If anyone wants an M3 undertray and new control arm bushes drop me a pm.
I fitted the n/s rear bush in the correct position, the steering wheel is still off centre. That is what you get for fitting aftermarket parts! Febi Bilstein control arm. Odd as I’ve fitted one before without issue.
New inner and outer track rods, toe reset to 0’12” toe in.
Also fitted a new os control arm rear bush. (Gen BMW). Bolt torque for this is 60Nm. Barrier cream is ideal for fitting.
Fitted at the correct 291mm distance. 60Nm bolt torque. It was too hot to fit ball joints to the lower rear hubs.
Olden days tracking gauges:
(Still work a treat)
Also fitted a new os control arm rear bush. (Gen BMW). Bolt torque for this is 60Nm. Barrier cream is ideal for fitting.
Fitted at the correct 291mm distance. 60Nm bolt torque. It was too hot to fit ball joints to the lower rear hubs.
Olden days tracking gauges:
(Still work a treat)
Edited by helix402 on Monday 25th June 21:41
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