BMW 330d Sport Coupe 2004 Scarce Manual
Discussion
E63eeeeee... said:
If it feels oddly nose-heavy have you looked at the front suspension? I think more than half of the engine is behind the front wheels, but getting the right springs can be a nightmare, and if they've just been replaced with generic E46 ones they're likely to be too soft for the heavier diesels (and the heavier verts, which is how I know this). There's a thoroughly confusing colour-coding system for the genuine ones, and I couldn't find aftermarket ones specifically for the convertible, so ended up going to BMW.
Morning, I’ve not yet looked @ the front suspension, I recall seeing an invoice for front shocks, but not sure if it’s had springs, but il get the front wheels off and see if I can see any colour codes on the springs etc. My son has the paperwork ATM and asking him to do anything is beyond Painful. From memory an M3 weight distribution is 49 % rear / 51 front, but the diesels weight is far heavier ?Quick update. Last Friday eve I drove round in the 330D to meet my youngest son in west London at a railway station. A while back I stumbled upon an E46 M3 that was going to be coming up for sale and after weeks of waiting at last we were going to see it !
The M3 was what we were expecting, it’s been dry stored for a few years so needs some recommissioning. We are not too sure re it’s interior colour though. Unfortunately the cars paperwork wasn’t available, so it means another trip back to view it. Whilst there, I nearly fell over in shock, as I saw another “ fast classic “, in need of some restoration. It’s near identical to a car that I owned way back in 1986, same colour, same model year, Reg plate etc etc and the memories came flooding back, I did feel a tear well up in my eyes in fact. Again we are waiting more details, but we are seriously interested in it. By the time we left, It was late & not wanting him to brave the delights of Londonistans railway system at night, I took my son back to his flat in central London.
As I was parking I saw a guy looking at the 330. I then noticed that he was standing beside a lovely dark metalic blue 4.7 V8 Vantage ! Sadly there was no time to stop & chat, but he lives a few doors down from my son. A 4.7 Vantage is High on the list for the future. By the time I left, it was 11pm, various roads were closed, so lots of detours were involved. This is the first long drive I’ve had in the 330 and once out into the sticks, I was able to put my foot down and the car showed me what a superb x country weapon it is. Once into a corner and it sticks like glue, it’s steering loads up beautifully & has masses of feel / feedback ( I think it’s fitted with the Purple Tag CSL rack, as was fitted to my old M3 ) the E46 chassis really is superb ( despite the tired rear shocks that I still havnt had the time to get changed )
However, coming down a very narrow lane in the pitch dark, I suddenly saw something reflected in the moon light. The road was completely flooded and it looked bloody deep ! No way was I going to attempt to drive our lovely E46 through that. As I started to slowly reverse back, a car came up fast up behind me. They stopped inches from my bumper and would not budge. After about a 5 minute stand off, the prat came alongside and she gave me an angry look. It was some kind of SUV. She then proceeded to drive through the water. After backing up about 30 feet, I managed to turn the 330 around and it took me another 40 mins to get home. Apart from this episode it was a thoroughly enjoyable eve, spending time with my son, viewing the M3, viewing the other “ fast classic “ and of course, made even more special by the 330.
The M3 was what we were expecting, it’s been dry stored for a few years so needs some recommissioning. We are not too sure re it’s interior colour though. Unfortunately the cars paperwork wasn’t available, so it means another trip back to view it. Whilst there, I nearly fell over in shock, as I saw another “ fast classic “, in need of some restoration. It’s near identical to a car that I owned way back in 1986, same colour, same model year, Reg plate etc etc and the memories came flooding back, I did feel a tear well up in my eyes in fact. Again we are waiting more details, but we are seriously interested in it. By the time we left, It was late & not wanting him to brave the delights of Londonistans railway system at night, I took my son back to his flat in central London.
As I was parking I saw a guy looking at the 330. I then noticed that he was standing beside a lovely dark metalic blue 4.7 V8 Vantage ! Sadly there was no time to stop & chat, but he lives a few doors down from my son. A 4.7 Vantage is High on the list for the future. By the time I left, it was 11pm, various roads were closed, so lots of detours were involved. This is the first long drive I’ve had in the 330 and once out into the sticks, I was able to put my foot down and the car showed me what a superb x country weapon it is. Once into a corner and it sticks like glue, it’s steering loads up beautifully & has masses of feel / feedback ( I think it’s fitted with the Purple Tag CSL rack, as was fitted to my old M3 ) the E46 chassis really is superb ( despite the tired rear shocks that I still havnt had the time to get changed )
However, coming down a very narrow lane in the pitch dark, I suddenly saw something reflected in the moon light. The road was completely flooded and it looked bloody deep ! No way was I going to attempt to drive our lovely E46 through that. As I started to slowly reverse back, a car came up fast up behind me. They stopped inches from my bumper and would not budge. After about a 5 minute stand off, the prat came alongside and she gave me an angry look. It was some kind of SUV. She then proceeded to drive through the water. After backing up about 30 feet, I managed to turn the 330 around and it took me another 40 mins to get home. Apart from this episode it was a thoroughly enjoyable eve, spending time with my son, viewing the M3, viewing the other “ fast classic “ and of course, made even more special by the 330.
Edited by SS427 Camaro on Tuesday 9th April 23:14
Wow, no wonder so few were sold!
I do have a soft spot for E46s though as my first BMW was an E46 320td Compact that was registered in April 2004 as I wanted a diesel hatch. But with less than 3,000 miles it cost me £16,995 in January 2005.
I really liked it, so in 2008 I replaced it with a 123d that was great as it had similar power to the E46 330d.
I do have a soft spot for E46s though as my first BMW was an E46 320td Compact that was registered in April 2004 as I wanted a diesel hatch. But with less than 3,000 miles it cost me £16,995 in January 2005.
I really liked it, so in 2008 I replaced it with a 123d that was great as it had similar power to the E46 330d.
E90_M3Ross said:
Sounds like you're enjoying it which is good. Does it still feel nose heavy? Have you any other plans for the car in terms of sprucing it up, or are you just going to enjoy it as it is?
I’m not the best at explaining and expressing myself, but the front end weight is still noticeable, but hustling it through say a sharp left and sharp right corners, the front end weight isn’t noticeable, if that makes sense, just the overall weight of the car, but the E46 basic chassis is just so well designed, the car feels so planted and so communicative. Time has been so short due to my parents health, but I’ve polished most of the cars bodywork up now, touched in a few stone chips. The alloys need a set of Centre caps and they need a re furb. The headlights will get a polish when the new rear shocks get fitted. I’m on the hunt for a better front bumper as well. Also, I haven’t looked back over my shoulder as I walk away from parking a car, since I sold the other Griff 2 years ago, but I do it every time I get out of the 330.
Edited by SS427 Camaro on Tuesday 9th April 23:18
Quick update on the 330. We had the new rear shocks and mounts fitted, about 4 months ago, I’ve not yet driven it, so keen to see what difference they have made. The left rear calliper is binding, so it’s going back in the next few weeks to have that sorted.
The car has been sitting for about six weeks, which flattened the expensive Bosch battery, so I went up a few weeks ago and fitted the new Yuasa battery which was ear marked for my Griff project. My son had finally decided that living in London & paying £1,150 quid a month in rent for a damp room and paying someone else’s pension pot has just got to stop. He is trying to save a deposit for his first property. So he moved out a few days ago and has been using the 330 to get to and from the station, for his 3 day a week commute. However I got a call late last night saying that there was a “noise coming from somewhere “ So I shot over there today in the RS182 to discover the near side front Good Year was flat ! Closer inspection revealed a large split in the side wall. I think the pressure was low and he must have gone down a pot hole. No idea yet if the rim has been buckled. The car came with a huge rear speaker in the boot, which weighs Lots and which I have been on at him to take to the tip ever since we bought the car. We had no idea if it had a jack, wheel brace, pump or space saver lurking under the boot carpet. However lifting up the carpet and the flap below revealed the space saver and below that an inch deep of ice sitting in the spare wheel well ! Turns out that water is getting in from the edge of the rear light units, as the sealant has failed, which is a common E46 fault. Fortunately it hasn’t appeared to be leaking long as there is only a couple of spots of surface rust. I was surprised to see that the space saver wheel has never been fitted before. Il go back next week, get the wheel off and fit the space saver. All 4 alloys need a refurb, il get the tyre taken off & get my usual tyre shop to check to see if the rim is buckled. If it’s ok, il run it in to the powder coaters for a refurb and then put a new Bridgestone on it, to match the O/Side front one.
The car has been sitting for about six weeks, which flattened the expensive Bosch battery, so I went up a few weeks ago and fitted the new Yuasa battery which was ear marked for my Griff project. My son had finally decided that living in London & paying £1,150 quid a month in rent for a damp room and paying someone else’s pension pot has just got to stop. He is trying to save a deposit for his first property. So he moved out a few days ago and has been using the 330 to get to and from the station, for his 3 day a week commute. However I got a call late last night saying that there was a “noise coming from somewhere “ So I shot over there today in the RS182 to discover the near side front Good Year was flat ! Closer inspection revealed a large split in the side wall. I think the pressure was low and he must have gone down a pot hole. No idea yet if the rim has been buckled. The car came with a huge rear speaker in the boot, which weighs Lots and which I have been on at him to take to the tip ever since we bought the car. We had no idea if it had a jack, wheel brace, pump or space saver lurking under the boot carpet. However lifting up the carpet and the flap below revealed the space saver and below that an inch deep of ice sitting in the spare wheel well ! Turns out that water is getting in from the edge of the rear light units, as the sealant has failed, which is a common E46 fault. Fortunately it hasn’t appeared to be leaking long as there is only a couple of spots of surface rust. I was surprised to see that the space saver wheel has never been fitted before. Il go back next week, get the wheel off and fit the space saver. All 4 alloys need a refurb, il get the tyre taken off & get my usual tyre shop to check to see if the rim is buckled. If it’s ok, il run it in to the powder coaters for a refurb and then put a new Bridgestone on it, to match the O/Side front one.
This post got me to check my E46.....
Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
E90_M3Ross said:
This post got me to check my E46.....
Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
Look at the edge of the rear light units ( on the boot aperture side - the black sealant on our one has dried out ) push the edge of the light unit and our lights move, which is where the water is getting in. Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
Check also below the battery and also the opposite side, our battery box was half full of water ! I’ve not yet checked the opposite side, but I bet there is water there as well
therusterman said:
Had water in the boot of my M3. The foam seal had split where it joined letting water in around the light cluster. A couple of new seals and problem solved.
I don’t recall water getting into the boot of my old 53 plate M3, but I sold it back in 17, hoping the cars present owner is aware that they leak. SS427 Camaro said:
E90_M3Ross said:
This post got me to check my E46.....
Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
Look at the edge of the rear light units ( on the boot aperture side - the black sealant on our one has dried out ) push the edge of the light unit and our lights move, which is where the water is getting in. Doh! Have mopped it up with an MF towel, there is actually zero rust there which is promising. I'll monitor it at the next rainfall, I did wash the car a couple of days ago and used the pressure washer so perhaps that was the cause, although clearly something isn't right. Annoyingly (well, not really) the car doesn't need any other work and my indy is an hour drive away... I'd like to tackle a couple of jobs at once but if there's water in there after the next rainfall it clearly needs addressing.
Check also below the battery and also the opposite side, our battery box was half full of water ! I’ve not yet checked the opposite side, but I bet there is water there as well
Thanks for the tip, I appreciate it.Update time. Turned out that the front rim had a slight buckle to it, my usual tire shop recommended a repairer in Billericay, who could also powder coat it. Just collected the rim and it’s been transformed by its fresh coat of silver !
Via Tyre Leader I ordered a new Bridgestone run flat to match the OSF one, hoping that it arrives by Saturday.
The old warrior failed its Mot on a rear calliper, rear discs and a rear flexi hose, so it’s currently in our go to garage waiting for the parts ( from GSF ) to arrive.
Via Tyre Leader I ordered a new Bridgestone run flat to match the OSF one, hoping that it arrives by Saturday.
The old warrior failed its Mot on a rear calliper, rear discs and a rear flexi hose, so it’s currently in our go to garage waiting for the parts ( from GSF ) to arrive.
Edited by SS427 Camaro on Thursday 6th February 15:26
SS427 Camaro said:
helix403 said:
It shouldn’t have run flats. No E46 should have run flats.
Says who ? The o / side front Bridgestone has been fine, good wet road grip, stable under braking, steering etc. I ran one of the first Cooper S on run flats for 14,000 miles, no problem at all. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff