BMW E46 330d M-Sport Touring Manual (Anyone recognise her?)

[captain_beaky]

Definitely not perfect - but it’s certainly presentable enough and I’m pleased with the knowledge I’ve gained from having a bash at it myself.

A couple of days later I treated her to a wash and a coating with some ceramic detailer stuff I bought during one of my many lockdown boredom impulse purchase moments!!!

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

First impressions are that it’s hydrophobic properties are pretty decent as the water beads really nicely...

Was easy to put on too...

To my untrained eye it also gives it a decent shine as well - but I’m not especially picky with ‘detailing’ type stuff.

Sure beats buffing wax on & off though...

This could be the future for lazy folks like me!!!

[Sf_Manta]

captain_beaky said:

That’s a serious thread you’ve got going on there!!!

What is it about the old E46 Touring that’s so addictive though??? Why are we so compelled to throw such time, effort & money on relentlessly improving them like this???

I’m hooked on mine. Just love it. The E46 represents the 3 series sweet spot to me in terms of styling. In coupe and saloon form as well touring. I can’t put my finger on it but they just have something over the others in my opinion...

First impressions of the power flex bushes are pretty positive. Can’t wait to get the ARB bushes done too.

Hopefully further updates will follow pretty soon...

Its the all rounded performance, if you want to push on , it's more than capable, and with the changes i've done, I'm still seeing mid 30's (35.8mpg on a run recently!), when you want to drive hard, these can respond to it reasonably well, all while having some decent load capacity.

Managed to wring a 9.42 BTG time from it, but now, the car's more than capable of going faster, it's my confidence that needs work.
Unfortunately any Ring trips this year are on hold given Covid19 amongst other things.

[captain_beaky]

I doft my cap to you sir...

My best (ever) time was a 9:44 BTG in a standard E36 M3 3.0 Coupe.

I haven’t been for years though. One of the guys I usually go with decided to take his Fireblade instead of his M3 and ended up in the local hospital with a broken & dislocated hip.

The wives & girlfriends haven’t been so keen for us to go again since then.

[helix402]

Looking good. I recently painted a new bumper for mine. It’s only 2 bolts to remove & a few little screws.

[captain_beaky]

If I were to do it again I would DEFINITELY remove the bumper!!!

I started off with the intention of it being a small touch up job but it ended up being a respray of about 80% of the whole bumper. Whoops.

You live and learn I suppose

Will probably whip the bumper off when I respray the remaining 20% (since it now looks dull & grey by comparison!!!)

Doh!

[captain_beaky]

A few other little jobs taken care of now too...

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

So that’s the ARB bushes upgraded to powerflex ones at last. Very impressed with them so far.

Had new track rod ends fitted too prior to a 4 wheel alignment - so she’s absolutely spot on to drive now. Everything feels new & tight and she drives perfectly straight with that nice neat responsive feeling that a decent suspension refresh gives you.

She’s also got a new prop shaft doughnut as the old one was badly worn. All these little jobs have combined to make a world of difference. She genuinely does feel as good as new now.

[captain_beaky]

And a couple of pics from a meet up this morning...

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]

[captain_beaky]