BMW E46 330d SE Touring
Discussion
doppelganger said:
I've really enjoyed reading through all 26 pages. Very interesting and informative. Keep it up!
Glad you enjoyed it. Here’s today’s mileage:
Only recent change has been a new pair of front wiper blades, I use gen BMW flat blades as I find they work best and last the longest.
helix402 said:
Big news. Osf abs sensor failed. After reading a thread on oe ABS sensors (I normally fit ATE) I decided to live life on the edge and fit a Chinese sensor. It cost £11 and works.
The securing bolt snapped. As usual. I think there’s only 1 factory ABS sensor left on the car now.
Bought a few Chinese ones off eBay for VW stuff, haven't had one fail on me yet. They seem to get worn away by the reluctor ring or the inside of the bearing. Worst case they last a year, they are 1/5 of the cost of a motor factor one.The securing bolt snapped. As usual. I think there’s only 1 factory ABS sensor left on the car now.
More osf news. Osf caliper started to seize. It was last replaced in 2014 at 109k miles. Now at 171k. I got a bargain from eBay, a Mintex recon caliper for £35. I never quite trust the brand new Chinese ones you can buy.
I put a new brake hose on too, at less than £7 for a Corteco I think it was a wise move.
All bled with ATE SL6.
I put a new brake hose on too, at less than £7 for a Corteco I think it was a wise move.
All bled with ATE SL6.
helix402 said:
More osf news. Osf caliper started to seize. It was last replaced in 2014 at 109k miles. Now at 171k. I got a bargain from eBay, a Mintex recon caliper for £35. I never quite trust the brand new Chinese ones you can buy.
I put a new brake hose on too, at less than £7 for a Corteco I think it was a wise move.
All bled with ATE SL6.
Same caliper was gone on mine, I got a B-Stock re-manufactured caliper for £29. Made no sense attempting to rebuild at that price.I put a new brake hose on too, at less than £7 for a Corteco I think it was a wise move.
All bled with ATE SL6.
My tailgate badge was a tad worn so I decided I needed a new one. A new one is £40 ish, too much. I realised that a new wheel centre badge was £8 and the same size. Simply remove the old badge and stick on with handy double sided tape that comes on the new wheel badge.
New part:
Fitted:
Tailgate doesn’t really look that orange peely-looks like an F31 paint job in the pic!
New part:
Fitted:
Tailgate doesn’t really look that orange peely-looks like an F31 paint job in the pic!
helix402 said:
I popped to my parts/tools storage place today and picked some bits up:
These will do the job on one rear corner. The big bush is an M3 one. I’ve picked my special tools up too so will change the bushes hopefully next week. I don’t want to do a four wheel alignment yet so will mark up and measure camber and toe before and reset as it was.
Hi, I think your posts are informative and a joy to read, i have read both your touring threads as i have a 330d touring aswell. Would you be able to set me straight on this rear bush upgrade though please, do i just need to order 4 x 33326770824 or 2 x 33326770824 and 2 x 33321092247, or am i completly wrong lol. Thanks.These will do the job on one rear corner. The big bush is an M3 one. I’ve picked my special tools up too so will change the bushes hopefully next week. I don’t want to do a four wheel alignment yet so will mark up and measure camber and toe before and reset as it was.
dab330DE46 said:
Thank you, i was totatly wrong then lol. Glad I plucked up the courage to ask. Another question if you dont mind, how do you get on with the tints? I have been holding off doing it as I was worried it would cut light to the interior and make it a little dark.
I’m pleased with the tinted windows. I’d say the only downside is that vision out of the tailgate window is reduced at night, no problems with interior darkness in the daytime. 
doppelganger said:
Looking good.
I'm sure I remember reading that you've fitted a decat pipe...but can't find which page that was on...
Any noticeable benefit or downside? Noisier? What make is it?
The car has the 2nd cat but not the 1st. Afraid I can’t remember the make of the decat pipe. It was a stainless one from eBay, I think I paid £60. It’s well made. Re pros and cons-on a standard or mildly tuned car I don’t think the de cat has any worth apart from making gearbox removal easier due to more space.I'm sure I remember reading that you've fitted a decat pipe...but can't find which page that was on...
Any noticeable benefit or downside? Noisier? What make is it?
Edited by doppelganger on Wednesday 17th February 18:18
It does make the exhaust fumes smell worse at idle. On a more heavily tuned car it is of more value as allows the car to give more power and torque if mapped without the cat.
helix402 said:
doppelganger said:
Looking good.
I'm sure I remember reading that you've fitted a decat pipe...but can't find which page that was on...
Any noticeable benefit or downside? Noisier? What make is it?
The car has the 2nd cat but not the 1st. Afraid I can’t remember the make of the decat pipe. It was a stainless one from eBay, I think I paid £60. It’s well made. Re pros and cons-on a standard or mildly tuned car I don’t think the de cat has any worth apart from making gearbox removal easier due to more space.I'm sure I remember reading that you've fitted a decat pipe...but can't find which page that was on...
Any noticeable benefit or downside? Noisier? What make is it?
Edited by doppelganger on Wednesday 17th February 18:18
It does make the exhaust fumes smell worse at idle. On a more heavily tuned car it is of more value as allows the car to give more power and torque if mapped without the cat.
I have an E39 525d which is lovely to drive, but does feel a little underpowered. Thinking of a mild remap and a decat, but I'm just not convinced that the decat is worth it.
Your posts here have been really helpful. It's nice to see a well maintained and thoughtfully modified E46.
Thanks again
As mentioned in another thread my neighbour drove into my car again:
Both n/s doors dented and scratched. Last repair after a similar incident was around £600 (new mouldings, repair and respray). Paid for promptly by my neighbour.
I decided I’d rather sort it quickly this time and save my neighbour some money. Polished the rear door-90% scratch free-very small dent left. Used front door. (New mouldings in order). £200 this time. My neighbour says he is stopping driving (again).
Used door collected:
Fitted:
Rear wheel doesn’t have +ve camber, it’s the angle of the pic. Car needs a clean now and used door is in good nick but needs a polish.
Not a bad turn around, damaged on Sun. Fixed Weds.
Both n/s doors dented and scratched. Last repair after a similar incident was around £600 (new mouldings, repair and respray). Paid for promptly by my neighbour.
I decided I’d rather sort it quickly this time and save my neighbour some money. Polished the rear door-90% scratch free-very small dent left. Used front door. (New mouldings in order). £200 this time. My neighbour says he is stopping driving (again).
Used door collected:
Fitted:
Rear wheel doesn’t have +ve camber, it’s the angle of the pic. Car needs a clean now and used door is in good nick but needs a polish.
Not a bad turn around, damaged on Sun. Fixed Weds.
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