BMW E46 330d SE Touring

[therusterman]

What does the 291mm distance relate too?

[helix402]

[helix402]

My steering wheel returned from Royal Steering Wheels today:



After covering 270k I thought it was time for a refurb. (It’s been on two of my E46s).

[therusterman]

Ah now makes sense. Thanks. Recently had my wheel done by Royal, also very pleased.

[helix402]

I have ordered a gen BMW lower arm as I’m not happy with the Febi Bilstein one. When I changed the track rods I also found the steering rack was leaking. I have a used rack to fit when the lower arm arrives.

At least the rack is quick to change, five bolts and the track rods to unbolt, sorted.

[helix402]

New n/s control arm arrived today:



I know it’s technically the wrong one for my car as it’s an “ M” bro. However it has the same dimensions and was a lot cheaper than from a dealer. Just got to get under my car in 30 deg heat now to fit it!

[therusterman]

Where did you get the arm from? Any plans to replace the opposite one or has this been done recently

[helix402]

The arm was from eBay. The o/s arm is fine so I’ll leave till it wears out. I have changed the rear bush on the o/s control arm as I got one for free due to an eBay vendors mix-up.

[helix402]

New rack and n/s control arm fitted. Took two hours in the lovely heat. I can’t cope with two different arms so have ordered a new o/s arm!

[JakeT]

I agree. I like to fit in pairs. Sods law seems to mean the other will need doing soon after. Shame the M3 undertray didn't fit easily.

[helix402]

New lower rear hub ball joints today to replace the old bushes:











Tightening torque for the pictured nut is 110Nm.

This arrived today so I have a pair to fit now:



M3 (E36/46/Z4M) trailing arm bush

[helix402]

Just changed the o/s control arm so there’s a matching pair on. I put a Lemforder Sport spec one on to match the gen BMW one on the n/s.

Shame it’s a waste of a new control arm rear bush. The moral of the story is always replace control arms in pairs.

There was an axle stand present. It’s not in the pics.

[haggishunter]

helix402 said:

My steering wheel returned from Royal Steering Wheels today:



After covering 270k I thought it was time for a refurb. (It’s been on two of my E46s).

That looks great, what’s the rough cost of having it recovered?

[helix402]

haggishunter said:

That looks great, what’s the rough cost of having it recovered?

It was £130 for Nappa leather, just as standard. No extra thickness thumb grips etc.

[anonymous-user]

helix402 said:

It was £130 for Nappa leather, just as standard. No extra thickness thumb grips etc.

I'm toying with the idea of having mine re trimmed. How do you find the nappa leather over the patterned leather?

[helix402]

eezeh said:

I'm toying with the idea of having mine re trimmed. How do you find the nappa leather over the patterned leather?

It feels very good.

[haggishunter]

helix402 said:

haggishunter said:

That looks great, what’s the rough cost of having it recovered?

It was £130 for Nappa leather, just as standard. No extra thickness thumb grips etc.

Bugger, I was hoping it was going to cost a lot more than that. I’m off to pick out what trimming options I fancy.

Thanks for the info.

[helix402]

I reset the steering angle sensor today as it was out with the new arms, which feel lovely.

Out with the ISTA D and the ICOM:





Too busy changing parts to hoover it!



Usual IPhone picture orientation joys.

[helix402]

The rear discs are still looking good with the Titan Silver paint and laquer:




I also changed the air mass meter for a new genuine Bosch one as it was only £50 on eBay.

[helix402]

Today I changed some more boost hoses, there’s only one BMW one left now. That’s the egr valve one, which is a pain to do with the manifold on.

Old hoses:



New hoses in situ:





The new air mass meter has given a good improvement in low rev response and the car feels more powerful overall too.

I also changed the boost valve for a later one as I had a spare one.