BMW E46 330d SE Touring
Discussion
The two key tightening torques for the job are, damper top mount nut (the big central one), 64Nm. If you go too tight there’s a washer that can get deformed. The bolt for the strut to the hub is 80Nm. It will be rusty and will probably snap if you try and undo it without an impact gun.
The Sachs dampers are good value for money but not a patch on a B6.
On another note a careless parker damaged the n/s/r door moulding:
These mouldings used to quite reasonably priced, even Euros used to sell gen ones. However they’ve gone up a lot recently. I remembered I have two spare rear doors and a set of new clips:
Sorted.
On another note a careless parker damaged the n/s/r door moulding:
These mouldings used to quite reasonably priced, even Euros used to sell gen ones. However they’ve gone up a lot recently. I remembered I have two spare rear doors and a set of new clips:
Sorted.
The car failed its MOT last week, terrible! The first failure in my ownership. It failed on handbrake efficiency. As I’ve put new back plates, handbrake shoes and discs on in my ownership I new it was just a case of strip, clean and adjust.
The parts were all gen BMW apart from the back plates as I’ve seen too many issues with non gen parts.
There was also an advisory for n/s/r caliper binding slightly. This had been an issue before and I’d put a used caliper on for a quick fix.
I’d rebuilt the original caliper and it was in my spares collection:
New caliper on and hand brake sorted, pass.
The parts were all gen BMW apart from the back plates as I’ve seen too many issues with non gen parts.
There was also an advisory for n/s/r caliper binding slightly. This had been an issue before and I’d put a used caliper on for a quick fix.
I’d rebuilt the original caliper and it was in my spares collection:
New caliper on and hand brake sorted, pass.
Nice work. I always get concerned about handbrake adjustment come MOT time. Some testers also don't quite know how to test them properly and fail them incorrectly.
I've bought used calipers before for E46s. There was a point a quick caliper swap was less than 30 mins wheels up to wheels down.
I've bought used calipers before for E46s. There was a point a quick caliper swap was less than 30 mins wheels up to wheels down.
I've made a point to always strip, clean up the shoes (80grit scuff over to clean out the rust on the pad material) and readjust the handbrake before the MOT. If i don't it's 50/50 chance I'll pass the MOT.
Still waiting on parts for mine before it goes off for rebuild and MOT'ing here.
Still waiting on parts for mine before it goes off for rebuild and MOT'ing here.
Rover 75/MG ZT uses the exact same setup (I think that they are almost identical save for the backplates and discs (5x100/5x120).
Put ours through the test last week and the same every year if I don't sort it's guaranteed to fail.
Have some new genuine MGR shoes/backplates/adjusters/springs on order from Rimmers to try to sort it, as the back plate holes are worn now and the Mintex shoes are s
te! Been through three sets so far.
Do these have auto adjusters for the handbrake?
Put ours through the test last week and the same every year if I don't sort it's guaranteed to fail.
Have some new genuine MGR shoes/backplates/adjusters/springs on order from Rimmers to try to sort it, as the back plate holes are worn now and the Mintex shoes are s
te! Been through three sets so far. Do these have auto adjusters for the handbrake?
mercedeslimos said:
Rover 75/MG ZT uses the exact same setup (I think that they are almost identical save for the backplates and discs (5x100/5x120).
Put ours through the test last week and the same every year if I don't sort it's guaranteed to fail.
Have some new genuine MGR shoes/backplates/adjusters/springs on order from Rimmers to try to sort it, as the back plate holes are worn now and the Mintex shoes are ste! Been through three sets so far.
Do these have auto adjusters for the handbrake?
The 75 does use a similar set up as it was built under BMW’s ownership of Rover. Some of the 75/MG variants share calipers or pads with the E46. The E46 doesn’t have an auto adjuster. It’s a good old toothed wheel to adjust the handbrake. My mentor taught me how to set these up during my BMW apprenticeship many years ago. Put ours through the test last week and the same every year if I don't sort it's guaranteed to fail.
Have some new genuine MGR shoes/backplates/adjusters/springs on order from Rimmers to try to sort it, as the back plate holes are worn now and the Mintex shoes are s
te! Been through three sets so far. Do these have auto adjusters for the handbrake?
helix402 said:
The 75 does use a similar set up as it was built under BMW’s ownership of Rover. Some of the 75/MG variants share calipers or pads with the E46. The E46 doesn’t have an auto adjuster. It’s a good old toothed wheel to adjust the handbrake. My mentor taught me how to set these up during my BMW apprenticeship many years ago.
Yep, I set them up fine but it doesn't last, hopefully, the genuine MG China TRW shoes (a bit wider shoe material than the ste Mintex ones) will help keep it in check, as the handbrake goes out of adjustment very bloody quick indeed!Setting them up the right way takes a while, I set them up on each side and the same amount of pressure required to spin each wheel. Only after that do you take up the slack on the lever to get the required 3-4 clicks. I think the calipers are the same, never had an E46 but the pads and shoes are E46/75/ZT on the boxes.
helix402 said:
Sounds like you’re doing it the correct way. Mine were perfect last year but obviously needed a bit of tlc this year.
In the last 4 years, I have been undoing the neglect of the previous owner - service history disappeared between 2014 when it was imported and Christmas 2016 when we bought it at 177k miles (233k miles on her now). In the last year or so it's had: rear discs, rear pads, rear drop links, rear shoes, front pads, front drop links, hydro mount, bottom engine mount, both rear and centre handbrake cable Trying to take that neglected feeling off a car isn't easy. Also, the questionable quality of a lot of eBay items too, suppose having very few "genuine" items to choose from you take your chances in the aftermarket. The first clutch lasted about 10k, though the solid flywheel and sprung clutch have lasted 30k then.
I think that in order to have a nice driving car and keep it driving nice, you need plenty of periodic maintenance and adjustment even if the mileage is small.
CarPrintGuy said:
How on earth is that possible? My 530d of the same age does 26 mpg average.
It’s possible. My last mapped 330d (5 speed manual) averaged over 50 mpg (indicated). It used to do over 600 miles per tank. My current one has always been worse, used to do 43 standard, now does 40 most of the time. (Egr delete makes mpg worse in my experience but is necessary on my current car given the state of tune).Yeah the reason you tend to get more mpg is that the map generally gives you more boost at given rpm sites.
More boost is giving you more torque
The more torque you have (unless you're booting it everywhere) then you're likely to change gear earlier
This is where your mpg savings happen
More boost is giving you more torque
The more torque you have (unless you're booting it everywhere) then you're likely to change gear earlier
This is where your mpg savings happen
mercedeslimos said:
The 400kg difference maybe. That and the fact you don't have to drive it hard to get anywhere.
Looking at the stats there's a 100kg difference and it uses double the fuel? Last time I heard yours should do 44 at best on a long run, unless all of your journeys are on downhill motorways?CarPrintGuy said:
Looking at the stats there's a 100kg difference and it uses double the fuel? Last time I heard yours should do 44 at best on a long run, unless all of your journeys are on downhill motorways?
We have an S320CDi (W220) at work, these are designed for motorway cruising. Speed limit work, it returns a very easy 50mpg, even more, if you drop it back to 60mph. 3.2-litre straight-six, doesn't have to work hard at all and a great lockup clutch box.mercedeslimos said:
We have an S320CDi (W220) at work, these are designed for motorway cruising. Speed limit work, it returns a very easy 50mpg, even more, if you drop it back to 60mph. 3.2-litre straight-six, doesn't have to work hard at all and a great lockup clutch box.
Ok there's definitely something up with my 530d haha
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