Talk to me about E46 coupes

[dr_gn]

Touring442 said:

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.

Not heard of that, but.....

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.

It was the inner ball joints that failed on mine. Those rear bushes I've had to replace once in 70k miles. The new wishbones come with them pre-fitted. It's critical that they are pressed onto the wishbone stubs to the correct distance, and in the correct way (ie pressing close to the centre, not the outer housing) before fitting to the car, otherwise they can be over-stressed before the car turns a wheel.

[helix402]

Lemforder make the suspension bushes for BMW on the E46.

[g3org3y]

Finally got round to washing the 330Ci. First time since buying it in Sept 2019.

AG Shampoo
AG Super Resin Polish
Meguiar's Scratch X for the scratchy bits
Meguiar's Gold Class Wax





(All that effort and it still photographs like when it was dirty. Bloody silver )

No orange peel paint on this...unlike modern BMWs.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 13th July 20:33

[dr_gn]

dhutch said:

dr_gn said:

...Interior is pretty much like new apart from the gear knob, where the leather has worn off...

Genuine replacement from Cotswold BMW is about £30 and a 2min job to swap, well worth it imo.

I get the same mpg as you on regular.

Just paid £63.48 from Cotswold, and that's with some discount. I thought I might as well get a genuine one.

The original really took some removing...Heating the interior up in the sun to 40+ degrees helped.

Just waiting for my re-furbed alloys, and it'll be ready for a trip to West Wales in a couple of weeks - I hope.