BMW E46 330d M-Sport Touring Manual (Anyone recognise her?)
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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
That does work well on Style 32 wheels. I'd not mind getting my hands on a set, or something fewer spokes for the winter.
Does the suspension kit come with springs and roll bars? or just roll bars? I can recommend a few items while you're in there that aren't too costly but will compliment the setup well.
Does the suspension kit come with springs and roll bars? or just roll bars? I can recommend a few items while you're in there that aren't too costly but will compliment the setup well.
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
captain_beaky said:
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???
Well for giving a decent handling setup, getting the fundamentals right helps. So doing the springs, bushes and ball joints is a good place to start. A lot of people think "oh get coilovers, first, the car will handle great" but neglect the basics.So..
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Front+...
For up front - Lolipop bushes, you can get offset ones to dial in more caster, but i stuck with concentric ones
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+T...
RTA bushes, I found mine at just over 60k were already delaminated, given yours is higher miles, good chance they're going bad.
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Rear+S...
There's this kit or 12mm , depending on the damper rod diameter, comes with a re-forcing plate to prevent the rear damper turret from failing (Common fault in E30-E46s)
And these for when budget allows
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/product-details/Adjust...
I'd recommend this and changing the lower bush on the rear trailing arm from a bush to a ball joint, part number is the same as the upper but this will give a very much more planted rear end as a result. They are a bit of a sod to get in, as you have to loosen the diff to get access to the bolts but it's doable with spanners while on axle stands.
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...
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