BMW E46 330d SE Touring

BMW E46 330d SE Touring

Author
Discussion

kevburner

126 posts

187 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
Hi
Have you got a link to the fault code reader you use ?

I’m thinking of doing a suspension refresh new damper springs etc any recommendations? B6s

Great reading , really enjoy your posts


helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
The code reader I use is this one:





It’s a very handy little tool, quick and easy to use with live data and fault code reading and clearing.


The last photos of the abs fault were from the Carly app on my IPhone. I also use DIS and ISTA D.

Re springs and dampers, I’ve had B8s (B6s with less travel for lowered cars) with Eibach and H&R springs. The front B8s were amazing, better ride than standard with an internal bumpstop giving an amazing ability to absorb road imperfections.

B8s on the rear were terrible, rock hard, each bump like a punch to the kidneys. I’m trying B6s on the back as they were cheapish used. Budget doesn’t stretch to B6s for the front at the moment.

Re springs both Eibach and H&R (the least drop possible with both makes) were similar and gave a slightly firmer ride. My current E46 is staying on standard springs.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Friday 11th January 2019
quotequote all
1 wheel done:



Not perfect but pretty good for a diy job.

New wheel for comparison:


therusterman

127 posts

120 months

Friday 11th January 2019
quotequote all
Coming along nicely

captain_beaky

148 posts

240 months

Friday 11th January 2019
quotequote all
Very nice DIY job on those rims...

That's another task on the 'never-never' list for mine then!!!


I took your advice and bought a few metres of Ramair silicone hose in order to renew my vacuum lines... Any chance you could point me in the direction of a guide or any instructions for the job???

If the weather stays dry tomorrow i'm going to make some excuses to the wife about house work and get out there to do some spannering!!!


helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Saturday 12th January 2019
quotequote all
Re vacuum hoses I’m afraid I’m not aware of any online guides. The simple way to do it is to remove one hose at a time and cut the new one to match.


helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Thursday 17th January 2019
quotequote all
Another wheel done, better than the last as I learnt from my mistakes:


helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
The cd/radio head unit packed up. It wouldn’t turn on. I checked the fuse on the back, ok.

Removed unit, checked for -ve, switched and perm live. All ok, I ordered a used eBay replacement for £20:

Old and new together:



New one:



It powers up fine but the CD player doesn’t work. I’m not too fussed about it but obviously paid for a working unit. I rang the vendor and suggested a half refund for it, he agreed so it cost me £10. I tend to mostly stream Bluetooth to the aux input from my phone.

I got a tyre put on my refurbished wheel:



Unfortunately the tyre fitter chipped the wheel doing it. I was briefly sad but later touched it up. On the positive side when I refurb it next time it won’t take much prep. I didn’t moan as a relative fitted the tyre for free (I gave him a good bottle of red).

I am currently tempted by an M57tu (or M57N on real oem) turbo conversion but am resisting.

Edited by helix402 on Thursday 31st January 19:32

JakeT

5,439 posts

121 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
What does a turbo conversion do? Better spread of power? Or just more of it?

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Thursday 31st January 2019
quotequote all
I think the later turbo with a remap gives more power than a remap with the existing turbo.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Tuesday 5th February 2019
quotequote all
Parts ready for the next Oil Service in 2k miles:


helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Oil ready for the Oil Service (£48 for 20l):


tgr

1,134 posts

172 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Hi Helix - any particular advantage to the Frecious cabin filter? And do you think the Mann oil filters are still ok now that they've changed the washer? (some prefer Hengst who have stayed with copper)

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
The frecious filter just filters more than normal. It’s new so I thought I’d try it.

Re oil filters I bin the alloy washers that Mann now supply and buy a bag of Febi Bilstein copper washers.

I use Mann or Mahle filters, whichever are cheaper when I’m buying.

tgr

1,134 posts

172 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Ta - interested in your reactions to the cabin filter (I tend to buy the activated charcoal one - seems a good idea. The frecious one is a jump more expensive). Good plan on the copper washers, I'll look them up

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Thursday 14th February 2019
quotequote all
New front discs today:



ATE Powerdiscs. I have no need for increased stopping power I just fancied a change from gen BMW discs (+these are cheaper). I’ve painted and lacquered the discs centres to keep them looking good.

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Wednesday 20th February 2019
quotequote all
Oh dear:



A neighbour drove into my car again. He says he’s going to do a Prince Philip and stop driving now.

I’m awaiting a quote from my chosen bodyshop. (Door is dented, wing just scratched). I know a lot of the wing damage will polish out but it won’t match the resprayed door.

kevburner

126 posts

187 months

Monday 11th March 2019
quotequote all
Hi
Great thread , look forward to your turbo upgrade build 😎 gbw tuning is your man for mapping the turbo in , get a mpss reader off eBay reads and Writes to ecu , you need map sensor upgrade e90 320d 1 fits with a slight mod can read higher boost ,
Hope this helps if you didn’t already know this

helix402

Original Poster:

7,875 posts

183 months

Monday 11th March 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply and map sensor tip, what needs doing to the sensor to use it (apart from the map)?

kevburner

126 posts

187 months

Monday 11th March 2019
quotequote all
You just need to shave a small part of the plastic off , nothing major your know as soon as you see it what bit needs doing

The stock 184 map sensor can only read 2.5 bar the e90 320d can read 3.5/4.5 bar I’m not sure if them fig are exactly right as been a while since I done mine but it’s along those lines

If the boost goes above 2.5 bar the ecu can’t read the sensor and the car can overboost pulling all the oil through the turbo into your inlet manifold pressurising it and pushing oil through every gasket and making a right mess happened to me twice

, you can’t use the 204 bhp model map sensor as it’s a different fitment

Obviously this all depends how aggressive you are with the map

204 turbo good for 300 bhp but you wont see that on a 184 model as the fuel pump is the limiting factor 270max
But the torque is insane