Talk to me about E46 coupes
Discussion
dhutch said:
Sounds good, what actually are the issues with the N53?
Coil packs and injectors are the main issues.Touring442 said:
dr_gn said:
No I didn't call them. I'll have another go at getting the old one off first.
Twist as you pull.Plenty of decent Chinese copy gear knobs on Ebay for a lot less than 60 quid.
Had to sit on the arm rest with head sticking out the car and pull with all my weight. Previous attempts to pull it off while sitting in the driver's seat unsuccessful.
ZHP knob is definitely shorted and notably heavier.
g3org3y said:
Finally got my knob off!
Had to sit on the arm rest with head sticking out the car and pull with all my weight. Previous attempts to pull it off while sitting in the driver's seat unsuccessful.
ZHP knob is definitely shorted and notably heavier.
Coil packs go on the N52 too, I’d say the extra N53 problems are injectors and HPFP.Had to sit on the arm rest with head sticking out the car and pull with all my weight. Previous attempts to pull it off while sitting in the driver's seat unsuccessful.
ZHP knob is definitely shorted and notably heavier.
g3org3y said:
Good work! Looks like a same knob I've got on the e46, bar mine being the 5sp version. Apprently the correct original type. Looks much nicer that that silver thing!Interesting about the weights. It's not the best gear change ever, but it's not too bad.
helix402 said:
Coil packs go on the N52 too, I’d say the extra N53 problems are injectors and HPFP.
Fair enough. Presumably the injectors and hp fuel pump are serious money, fail in an annoying and intermittent way, and there are loads of them? Sounds like not the end of the end of the world ever, but also could get pricey and frustrating?Daniel
Touring442 said:
Old BMW's, old BMW problems. You swap one set of potential dramas for another. Nothing is 'safe'. Just buy what you want and ride the storm if and when it comes.
Yep. Agreed. TBH you could just say “Old cars, old car problems”. Still, no way I’m handing over hundreds of pounds a month just so I can have (or be seen in) a new car. The costs of replacing the odd part now and again - a throttle body or pair of wishbones, even if I can’t be bothered and pay my local Indi to do it - is peanuts compared with the monthly payments on something new. The 330i owes me absolutely nothing, still looks nice and gets us around, so happy days. In fact there’s something quite satisfying in owning a half decent older car. I know what’s been done on it, what’s likely to give issues and maintain as appropriate. The issue is finding a genuine, sound car in the first place.dr_gn said:
Yep. Agreed. TBH you could just say “Old cars, old car problems”. Still, no way I’m handing over hundreds of pounds a month just so I can have (or be seen in) a new car. The costs of replacing the odd part now and again - a throttle body or pair of wishbones, even if I can’t be bothered and pay my local Indi to do it - is peanuts compared with the monthly payments on something new. The 330i owes me absolutely nothing, still looks nice and gets us around, so happy days. In fact there’s something quite satisfying in owning a half decent older car. I know what’s been done on it, what’s likely to give issues and maintain as appropriate. The issue is finding a genuine, sound car in the first place.
My thoughts exactly, adore my E46 330CD, don't mind spending money on it, hell paid a £1,200 bill today, but it's the feel of the car that I love, having driven a few E90's and F series, they just didn't give me the same feelings, plus the E46, looks so much nicer. It's classy beyond compare in a way that none of the newer BMW's are.RicoOS said:
dr_gn said:
Yep. Agreed. TBH you could just say “Old cars, old car problems”. Still, no way I’m handing over hundreds of pounds a month just so I can have (or be seen in) a new car. The costs of replacing the odd part now and again - a throttle body or pair of wishbones, even if I can’t be bothered and pay my local Indi to do it - is peanuts compared with the monthly payments on something new. The 330i owes me absolutely nothing, still looks nice and gets us around, so happy days. In fact there’s something quite satisfying in owning a half decent older car. I know what’s been done on it, what’s likely to give issues and maintain as appropriate. The issue is finding a genuine, sound car in the first place.
My thoughts exactly, adore my E46 330CD, don't mind spending money on it, hell paid a £1,200 bill today, but it's the feel of the car that I love, having driven a few E90's and F series, they just didn't give me the same feelings, plus the E46, looks so much nicer. It's classy beyond compare in a way that none of the newer BMW's are.g3org3y said:
Splashed out £200 on 2x rear tyres on the 330Ci. Kumho PS71. The 255/35 R18 size significantly limits tyre options.
I'm about to get a pair of these for the front, to match the rears:https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s134p145884/Hankoo...
I think they're an old spec so not easy to find at the usual fitting places. I'm going to have my wheels re-furbed, so I'll get them to fit them. Just have to figure out how to get rid of the old ones.
On parts, I use BMW for some stuff and 'unbranded BMW' for others. Most Lemforder/Febi/Ate/Boge Sachs stuff is OE and you can often see where the BMW logo has ben ground off. Suspension stuff mainly and Febo M54 water pumps are BMW and you can see where they've removed the logo. Don't forget that BMW don't make brakes, suspension parts or water pumps. Lemgprder and Febi just buy up the oversupply.
I won't touch Meyle, too much of it is Chinese toss with a Teutonic brand name. If I want Chinese I'll pay Chinese money.
I won't touch Meyle, too much of it is Chinese toss with a Teutonic brand name. If I want Chinese I'll pay Chinese money.
Touring442 said:
On parts, I use BMW for some stuff and 'unbranded BMW' for others. Most Lemforder/Febi/Ate/Boge Sachs stuff is OE and you can often see where the BMW logo has ben ground off. Suspension stuff mainly and Febo M54 water pumps are BMW and you can see where they've removed the logo. Don't forget that BMW don't make brakes, suspension parts or water pumps. Lemgprder and Febi just buy up the oversupply.
I won't touch Meyle, too much of it is Chinese toss with a Teutonic brand name. If I want Chinese I'll pay Chinese money.
I just fitted a pair of Meyle front wishbones. They are the "go-to" brand for the guys on the E46 Technical Forum. 2 year warranty apparently. My previous (Non-Meyle) wishhbones fitted by my local indi lasted less than 18 months and 9000 miles. Only a 12 month warranty. Trash. Not the garage's fault, in fact he was very apologetic and fitted the new ones FOC.I won't touch Meyle, too much of it is Chinese toss with a Teutonic brand name. If I want Chinese I'll pay Chinese money.
I always fit genuine BMW air and oil filters - the cost difference, if any, isn't worth buying anything else IMO.
For most other stuff I'll ask on an E46 forum. Euro Car Parts usually stock a reange of suppliers. The wishbones that failed (specifically the inner ball joints which on mine weren't replacable), commonly last 60k+ miles - originals lasted 140k - I never thought there would be an issue.
For most other stuff I'll ask on an E46 forum. Euro Car Parts usually stock a reange of suppliers. The wishbones that failed (specifically the inner ball joints which on mine weren't replacable), commonly last 60k+ miles - originals lasted 140k - I never thought there would be an issue.
dr_gn said:
g3org3y said:
Splashed out £200 on 2x rear tyres on the 330Ci. Kumho PS71. The 255/35 R18 size significantly limits tyre options.
I'm about to get a pair of these for the front, to match the rears:https://www.camskill.co.uk/m61b0s134p145884/Hankoo...
I think they're an old spec so not easy to find at the usual fitting places. I'm going to have my wheels re-furbed, so I'll get them to fit them. Just have to figure out how to get rid of the old ones.
Daniel
dr_gn said:
I just fitted a pair of Meyle front wishbones. They are the "go-to" brand for the guys on the E46 Technical Forum. 2 year warranty apparently. My previous (Non-Meyle) wishhbones fitted by my local indi lasted less than 18 months and 9000 miles. Only a 12 month warranty. Trash. Not the garage's fault, in fact he was very apologetic and fitted the new ones FOC.
I’ve not heard of the E46 Technical Forum. As mentioned Meyle parts are not very good. For some reason they seem to have a great online reputation. Re E46 front lower arms, I only fit gen BMW ones after problems with non gen ones. Lately I’ve even seen premature failure of Lemforder bushes when used on the rear of the control arm bush to body.
helix402 said:
dr_gn said:
I just fitted a pair of Meyle front wishbones. They are the "go-to" brand for the guys on the E46 Technical Forum. 2 year warranty apparently. My previous (Non-Meyle) wishhbones fitted by my local indi lasted less than 18 months and 9000 miles. Only a 12 month warranty. Trash. Not the garage's fault, in fact he was very apologetic and fitted the new ones FOC.
I’ve not heard of the E46 Technical Forum. As mentioned Meyle parts are not very good. For some reason they seem to have a great online reputation. Re E46 front lower arms, I only fit gen BMW ones after problems with non gen ones. Lately I’ve even seen premature failure of Lemforder bushes when used on the rear of the control arm bush to body.
helix402 said:
dr_gn said:
I just fitted a pair of Meyle front wishbones. They are the "go-to" brand for the guys on the E46 Technical Forum. 2 year warranty apparently. My previous (Non-Meyle) wishhbones fitted by my local indi lasted less than 18 months and 9000 miles. Only a 12 month warranty. Trash. Not the garage's fault, in fact he was very apologetic and fitted the new ones FOC.
I’ve not heard of the E46 Technical Forum. As mentioned Meyle parts are not very good. For some reason they seem to have a great online reputation. Re E46 front lower arms, I only fit gen BMW ones after problems with non gen ones. Lately I’ve even seen premature failure of Lemforder bushes when used on the rear of the control arm bush to body.
E46's are now at least 15 years old and certain items (front wings) now have 'BMW Approved' stickers as opposed to 'Genuine BMW Parts'. That's the sign that they no longer make stuff but buy in the better aftermarket stuff and sell it. I wonder who made/makes the E46 bushes for BMW? Could be Lemforder or TRW, both owned by ZF.
That liquid filled rear bush was never very good though, and I'm surprised nobody makes a straight rubber E36 style version.
However:
https://www.duraflexpubushes.com/bmw-e46-front-wis...
I'd be fitting these, job done.
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