BMW E46 330d M-Sport Touring Manual (Anyone recognise her?)
Discussion
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Feeling pretty pleased with the progress thus far... Not looking too bad for a daily dog wagon.
Spoke to BM Autosport about their full refurb service for the rims - will be taking the plunge and having the full acid dip, shot blast & powder coat treatment as soon as I get my other car back on the road so i'm not stranded while they're being done. To say i'm excited would be an understatement!!!
Am now keenly tacking the progress of my Eibach Pro Kit order from Eibach UK
Spoke to BM Autosport about their full refurb service for the rims - will be taking the plunge and having the full acid dip, shot blast & powder coat treatment as soon as I get my other car back on the road so i'm not stranded while they're being done. To say i'm excited would be an understatement!!!
Am now keenly tacking the progress of my Eibach Pro Kit order from Eibach UK
Sf_Manta - what had you in mind??? I've already hugely exceeded my budget this month for needless/indulgent car bobbins but i'm sure the wife won't begrudge a few more pennies being diverted that way... What had you in mind???
Thanks Integraf40 - i reckon the wheel refurb is going to make a huge difference to the overall appearance and will be another significant step in steering away from the potential decline into being a scrappy, baggy shed (a fate that has sadly befallen so many other E46s)
There is a small bubbling of rust starting to appear on the tailgate by the top right hand corner of the number plate, and a similar patch coming through on the rear off-side wheel arch. I know that they're going to be slightly more tricky than the front wings to remedy - but they're not overly eye catching at the moment so i'll probably deal with them somewhen later down the line...
I've just learned that the Boxster is going to be fixed this weekend so i'll be able to put the 330d on axle stands for the week and get the rims down to BM Autosport on monday!!! Starting to feel like a kid at christmas
Thanks Integraf40 - i reckon the wheel refurb is going to make a huge difference to the overall appearance and will be another significant step in steering away from the potential decline into being a scrappy, baggy shed (a fate that has sadly befallen so many other E46s)
There is a small bubbling of rust starting to appear on the tailgate by the top right hand corner of the number plate, and a similar patch coming through on the rear off-side wheel arch. I know that they're going to be slightly more tricky than the front wings to remedy - but they're not overly eye catching at the moment so i'll probably deal with them somewhen later down the line...
I've just learned that the Boxster is going to be fixed this weekend so i'll be able to put the 330d on axle stands for the week and get the rims down to BM Autosport on monday!!! Starting to feel like a kid at christmas
OK... Been a while since i've been able to do much with the old girl due to some pretty horrendous health problems (contracted a severe campylobacter infection a while ago and it damn near finished me off), however i'm pleased to say that with the assistance of a couple of very kind pals i've managed to tick a few jobs off the 'to-do' list...
Most notably - i've had the Style 32 Alloys fully referred. I used BM Autosport in Eastbourne and could not be more pleased with the end product that they returned to me. They have been acid dipped, stripped, shot blasted, checked for cracks / irregularities and then powder coated. The difference is staggering and I would thoroughly recommend anyone who is thinking about replacing their genuine BMW OEM alloys to consider this option instead of swapping to an aftermarket set (for a fraction of the cost too).
Took some pics once i'd got them home and re-fitted them
Most notably - i've had the Style 32 Alloys fully referred. I used BM Autosport in Eastbourne and could not be more pleased with the end product that they returned to me. They have been acid dipped, stripped, shot blasted, checked for cracks / irregularities and then powder coated. The difference is staggering and I would thoroughly recommend anyone who is thinking about replacing their genuine BMW OEM alloys to consider this option instead of swapping to an aftermarket set (for a fraction of the cost too).
Took some pics once i'd got them home and re-fitted them
In addition to this i've also finally been able to get the Eibach springs fitted that I ordered quite a while back. I've had experiences with Eibach springs on an E46 before and so was utterly impressed with the improvements to ride & handling that it was a no-brainer. My weekend car is a 987 Boxster and the vast majority of the Porsche fraternity harp on about H&R (I suppose due to the Porsche / H&R OEM link) - but my one experience of their road springs on a BMW wasn't anywhere near as impressive. Each to their own I suppose.
I've only driven the car a handful of miles since having them fitted, but the immediate impression was a pretty positive one. The same solid, planted yet surprisingly comfortable and non-crashy ride that I remember from my last E46. Very pleased indeed.
I also fitted some additional uprated spring pad shims to the rear in order to avoid it sitting 'too' low. I regularly carry 4 blokes plus cricket kit across the county, so wanted a little extra room in those arches just in case.
I'm pretty pleased with the overall outcome but will definitely be getting some subtle spacers to enhance the look...
I've only driven the car a handful of miles since having them fitted, but the immediate impression was a pretty positive one. The same solid, planted yet surprisingly comfortable and non-crashy ride that I remember from my last E46. Very pleased indeed.
I also fitted some additional uprated spring pad shims to the rear in order to avoid it sitting 'too' low. I regularly carry 4 blokes plus cricket kit across the county, so wanted a little extra room in those arches just in case.
I'm pretty pleased with the overall outcome but will definitely be getting some subtle spacers to enhance the look...
Not content with this i've also now had the steering wheel re-trimmed... A friend had this done to his E46 330i cab and I was so impressed with it I asked him to do mine too!!! I guess it's a personal preference thing, but I really like the slightly chunkier feel and the perforated areas that are reminiscent of the standard wheel on the E9* series...
I also had a fairly quick bogey DIY go at improving the battle scarred centre console ashtray lid and the cupholder surround. The result is pretty reasonable for something that was a zero cost job. Will just have to see if it puts up with day-to-day wear & tear OK...
I also had a fairly quick bogey DIY go at improving the battle scarred centre console ashtray lid and the cupholder surround. The result is pretty reasonable for something that was a zero cost job. Will just have to see if it puts up with day-to-day wear & tear OK...
Thanks Gents... I'm feeling rather pleased with the progress. I even had a small 'win' yesterday evening when I decided to have a go at rectifying the odd mode that my head-unit display had suddenly adopted. For some reason it decided to turn blue with graphics resembling Teletext (?). My research indicated that this is a mode that the unit adopts when the Sat Nav unit fails...
I removed the Nav unit from it's mounting location in the boot - gave the connectors a shot of contact cleaner, and when I connected it back up it whirred into life and began to boot up!!! Result.
I've also tentatively had a go at de-yellowing my misted up headlight lenses recently. Having masked everything up I took to them with varying grades of wet/dry paper before then machine polishing with a medium grade compound and then finally spraying a few coats of clear lacquer on. The overall effect was a definite improvement and I learned from the process - but I don't think I went brave enough with my grades of wet/dry at the outset, and I didn't quite take enough off the outer layer of the plastic coating since some of the misting marks can still be seen. It's only really noticeable upon close inspection. A quick glance at them and they look fine - but I know the marks are there - so I might have another go when I get the chance...
On the topic of headlights - I noticed that the nearside one had accumulated a lot of condensation after the above process??? I suppose I did directly spray a lot of water at them to keep everything lubed up when I was using the wet/dry paper - but i'm surprised that it found its way in... It hadn't happened before (despite being driven in torrential rain frequently) so I wonder if i've disturbed a seal or damaged something???
I've tried letting it stand for 24 hrs in the sunlight with the main beam bulb removed in order to allow the moisture to evaporate out - but it doesn't seem to have made any difference at all??? Any suggestions / alternative solutions gratefully received...
I removed the Nav unit from it's mounting location in the boot - gave the connectors a shot of contact cleaner, and when I connected it back up it whirred into life and began to boot up!!! Result.
I've also tentatively had a go at de-yellowing my misted up headlight lenses recently. Having masked everything up I took to them with varying grades of wet/dry paper before then machine polishing with a medium grade compound and then finally spraying a few coats of clear lacquer on. The overall effect was a definite improvement and I learned from the process - but I don't think I went brave enough with my grades of wet/dry at the outset, and I didn't quite take enough off the outer layer of the plastic coating since some of the misting marks can still be seen. It's only really noticeable upon close inspection. A quick glance at them and they look fine - but I know the marks are there - so I might have another go when I get the chance...
On the topic of headlights - I noticed that the nearside one had accumulated a lot of condensation after the above process??? I suppose I did directly spray a lot of water at them to keep everything lubed up when I was using the wet/dry paper - but i'm surprised that it found its way in... It hadn't happened before (despite being driven in torrential rain frequently) so I wonder if i've disturbed a seal or damaged something???
I've tried letting it stand for 24 hrs in the sunlight with the main beam bulb removed in order to allow the moisture to evaporate out - but it doesn't seem to have made any difference at all??? Any suggestions / alternative solutions gratefully received...
Well... It's been a little while since my last update - but actually quite a few little jobs have been ticked off the list... Firstly - I've gotta say a massive thank you to Mr Ian Clements (m2_cool_comp on insta) who has done all the work for me recently since (a) I've recently had to turn my own garage into a home gym & (b) I wouldn't have had the technical skills to do these jobs anyway!!!
First up was the replacement of the air-conditioning compressor and a re-gas of the system. This took care of things perfectly and I'm now lucky enough to have ice-cold air conditioning. It really does feel like a luxury and a privilege to have this in an older car and I'm super chuffed for all Ian's hard work to make it happen...
Also done at the same time was a change of oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, cabin filter and a general once over whilst she was up in the air...
This led to a few more jobs being identified - which largely have also now been taken care of!!!
First up was a new set of rubber. Purchased via Camskill and fitted by my good friend Mr Clements.
Next was a pair of control arms, rear bushes and ARB drop links...
I'm also going to get a proper 4 wheel alignment done, but I've ordered some new track rod ends as the old ones look like they aren't keen on being easily adjusted LOL...
Some ARB bushes are also on order as well as a propshaft doughnut...
Once that's all done - the old girl is really going to get a treat in the form of a rolling road session and a proper re-map by East Sussex Tuning... Exciting times...
First up was the replacement of the air-conditioning compressor and a re-gas of the system. This took care of things perfectly and I'm now lucky enough to have ice-cold air conditioning. It really does feel like a luxury and a privilege to have this in an older car and I'm super chuffed for all Ian's hard work to make it happen...
Also done at the same time was a change of oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, cabin filter and a general once over whilst she was up in the air...
This led to a few more jobs being identified - which largely have also now been taken care of!!!
First up was a new set of rubber. Purchased via Camskill and fitted by my good friend Mr Clements.
Next was a pair of control arms, rear bushes and ARB drop links...
I'm also going to get a proper 4 wheel alignment done, but I've ordered some new track rod ends as the old ones look like they aren't keen on being easily adjusted LOL...
Some ARB bushes are also on order as well as a propshaft doughnut...
Once that's all done - the old girl is really going to get a treat in the form of a rolling road session and a proper re-map by East Sussex Tuning... Exciting times...
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