Unusual Green E46 Cloth Interior
Discussion
alancovkid said:
Thankfully it looks better in the flesh
Day 2 of ownership and I genuinely have to say its growing on me.
Sat in the car before washing it and its a nice place to be
Are you the same Alan who has a few Dolly Sprints?Day 2 of ownership and I genuinely have to say its growing on me.
Sat in the car before washing it and its a nice place to be
If so, hello! How are you keeping?
My car history from the Garage bit will give away who I am.
I don't mind the green too much! 328s look very cheap at the minute!
As an update to this car, having bought it from Alan, and then having it shipped down, we set about fixing the thing up in preparing for it's MOT. The front is about 99% done, and has comprised of replacing the following components,
2x new (used) front hubs, due to snapping the pinch bolt in the O/S, in spite of generous application of WD-40, and fire, didn't want to run the risk of snapping another. Typically it came out fine once it was off the car, but needed about 4ft of breaker bar.
2x new front struts, which are the Orange Koni STR.T shock absorbers, with what I believe is OE top mounts and sport springs on them
2x new front wishbones, due to getting the old ones removed from the hub, and the OE had seen 102,000 miles of use
2x powerflex lollipop/control arm/brake reaction bushes, as I think they improve the car tremendously... And don't really wear out.
2x droplinks, old ones required sawing off
Front discs and pads,
Last thing that we're waiting on is a new Caliper carrier for the N/S, as one of the bolts holding that in is well and truly stuck to the point that it may have been cross threaded when the discs were last changed... Which was by a BMW dealer...
After that it is a new rear caliper for the O/S rear as it is well and truly seized, and new suspension and brakes for the rear end... Then MOT! A garage will be fitting new tie rods too. Don't fancy tacking the rack gaiters and fitting new metal clips to them. Finally, to round it all off here is a panoramic photo a friend that's doing this all with me too of the underside with new bits in place. The steering rack isn't bent. Honest!
2x new (used) front hubs, due to snapping the pinch bolt in the O/S, in spite of generous application of WD-40, and fire, didn't want to run the risk of snapping another. Typically it came out fine once it was off the car, but needed about 4ft of breaker bar.
2x new front struts, which are the Orange Koni STR.T shock absorbers, with what I believe is OE top mounts and sport springs on them
2x new front wishbones, due to getting the old ones removed from the hub, and the OE had seen 102,000 miles of use
2x powerflex lollipop/control arm/brake reaction bushes, as I think they improve the car tremendously... And don't really wear out.
2x droplinks, old ones required sawing off
Front discs and pads,
Last thing that we're waiting on is a new Caliper carrier for the N/S, as one of the bolts holding that in is well and truly stuck to the point that it may have been cross threaded when the discs were last changed... Which was by a BMW dealer...
After that it is a new rear caliper for the O/S rear as it is well and truly seized, and new suspension and brakes for the rear end... Then MOT! A garage will be fitting new tie rods too. Don't fancy tacking the rack gaiters and fitting new metal clips to them. Finally, to round it all off here is a panoramic photo a friend that's doing this all with me too of the underside with new bits in place. The steering rack isn't bent. Honest!
Thank you. As a Diyer it's slowly but surely. Working in it during spare time in a rented garage doesn't help either!
I mean to ask your advice also. The bonnet catches are stuck. I think it's the cable. Have you any suggestions on getting it moving? Bonnet won't fully latch closed btw.
I mean to ask your advice also. The bonnet catches are stuck. I think it's the cable. Have you any suggestions on getting it moving? Bonnet won't fully latch closed btw.
No worries, thanks Helix. I think it is the cable as the plastic middle section can be opened and the cable pushed back. Thorough strip and lube needed I think.
It is a factory colour, and I think it works best with silver. green on green might be a little much green for most... Much better to the naked eye though, tough to get green cloth to photograph well!
It is a factory colour, and I think it works best with silver. green on green might be a little much green for most... Much better to the naked eye though, tough to get green cloth to photograph well!
Success! The old thing now has a valid MOT after being off of the road for the best part of 2 years. In addition to the list above, the thing needed:
2x tyres (Kumhos)
2x rear Koni STR.T shock absorbers
2x rear OE sport springs
rear discs and pads, and a caliper
An oil service, new battery, wiper blades and top up of the screenwash
rear number plate
two front tie rods (Inner and outer. DIY'ed them which was a surprisingly nice job)
2x centre caps, stolen from my stock of old BMW parts
Silver tape for the rusty front wing
And a bloody good clean. Because of some poor planning, it was presented for the MOT with moss growing on it still.
After the dousing with WD-40, the bonnet cable freed up, which was a welcome relief. The warmth from the engine running to move it around may have played a part, too.
It's been laid up on a friends drive, and I'm off to collect it tomorrow when the Insurance takes effect. The last couple of bits are the parking sensors not working, and the inoperative AC. The parking sensors is a single sensor not clicking, and as for the air, I think that there is some charge still in there as blipping the valve releases some gas. A Kwik fit regas will be done with it and then we will see how it is. To end, here's a picture of it on a friends drive, stolen from instagram.
Stay tuned, more to come.
2x tyres (Kumhos)
2x rear Koni STR.T shock absorbers
2x rear OE sport springs
rear discs and pads, and a caliper
An oil service, new battery, wiper blades and top up of the screenwash
rear number plate
two front tie rods (Inner and outer. DIY'ed them which was a surprisingly nice job)
2x centre caps, stolen from my stock of old BMW parts
Silver tape for the rusty front wing
And a bloody good clean. Because of some poor planning, it was presented for the MOT with moss growing on it still.
After the dousing with WD-40, the bonnet cable freed up, which was a welcome relief. The warmth from the engine running to move it around may have played a part, too.
It's been laid up on a friends drive, and I'm off to collect it tomorrow when the Insurance takes effect. The last couple of bits are the parking sensors not working, and the inoperative AC. The parking sensors is a single sensor not clicking, and as for the air, I think that there is some charge still in there as blipping the valve releases some gas. A Kwik fit regas will be done with it and then we will see how it is. To end, here's a picture of it on a friends drive, stolen from instagram.
Stay tuned, more to come.
Edited by JakeT on Saturday 24th June 15:01
Wow, that green interior is indeed "Individual"! 
Still at least it has the Sport seats!
Looking forward to the updates OP.
I like interiors that aren't black - I wish my E46 had grey instead of black but when you buy used you don't get to choose! At least I managed to find a Z4 with Pearl Grey leather - lovely!
Still at least it has the Sport seats!
Looking forward to the updates OP.
I like interiors that aren't black - I wish my E46 had grey instead of black but when you buy used you don't get to choose! At least I managed to find a Z4 with Pearl Grey leather - lovely!
Another update, this is now my daily. I am back at university, so didn't want to use what's a relatively nice 325ti for that sort of stuff. This is great for it. In the meanwhile, I installed an MD player, which was, at £18.50 delivered, an utter steal. It also transported me back to the 90s. Thankfully I still have my Minidisc collection!
This also facilitated the installation of an AUX input, so I got a kit and did that. £15, too.
I washed it, and then had the Air conditioning regassed, which lasted for about a month. Still though, it kept me cool throughout the hot weather we had.
And I've driven it some more... And more! About 6,000 miles in, and it's used 0 oil too! Not bad for almost 18 years worth. Managed to do some great fuel economy on the M3, too.
Finally, before coming to university, I gave both of the old things a wash, and tucked the compact away.
Up to 108,000 miles now. Still runs great. Idle hiccups at cold though, so probably needs VANOS seals.
I also sorted my own hosting. No more Photobucket!
Also, It does have powerfolds! The girls I work with said it looked funny with them folded.
This also facilitated the installation of an AUX input, so I got a kit and did that. £15, too.
I washed it, and then had the Air conditioning regassed, which lasted for about a month. Still though, it kept me cool throughout the hot weather we had.
And I've driven it some more... And more! About 6,000 miles in, and it's used 0 oil too! Not bad for almost 18 years worth. Managed to do some great fuel economy on the M3, too.
Finally, before coming to university, I gave both of the old things a wash, and tucked the compact away.
Up to 108,000 miles now. Still runs great. Idle hiccups at cold though, so probably needs VANOS seals.
I also sorted my own hosting. No more Photobucket!
Also, It does have powerfolds! The girls I work with said it looked funny with them folded.
Edited by JakeT on Wednesday 27th September 19:07
helix402 said:
Looking good. If you want a used Vanos used to rebuild and bolt straight on I’ve got one, if it’s of any interest to you drop me a pm with an offer. (Removed from 1999 328i E46 at approx 115k miles, they’re the same unit on the later M54 too).
I might have to take your offer up there, Helix. I need to inspect the subframe more first and get a rear wheel bearing that sounds like a spaceship when pulling away, but if they check out fine I'll be on to you. Thanks. 
you would be best to renew the brake-fluid on your long list too even if its been standing Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff