Mat's tatty moon-mileage E46 330d M Sport
Discussion
Well, I've finally gone mad and bought something even more ridiculous than my Phaeton.
I was browsing Facebook late one evening, and spotted a friend selling this - usually I'd skim past, however I'd had a few scoops and to the beer-monster version of me it seemed like a fantastic idea.
She's a BMW 330d, bought on 272,000 miles (just ticked over 278,000 now) - complete with about 2 inches of receipts, a very fruity straight through exhaust (cat still present, of course) and it did have the world's most un-co operative gearbox (but I fixed this myself, thankfully! It has the chocolate GM 5L40E Autobox).
I'd read many threads on here about issues with the automatic gearbox on these models - and given I run a business in the automotive sector with a fairly strong focus on improving and repairing rather than just replacing, I thought I'd start to learn about and stock spares for the BMW application of the 5L40E.
My business focuses on MG Rover vehicles - part of the reason for the purchase was the Rover 75 and MG ZT share a good few bits and pieces with the E46.
Having them both side-by-side has been incredibly useful for expanding this component list, and I'm now stocking several new parts designed for the E46 that fit the 75/ZT too.
Anyway, enough yapping! Here's some pictures. The front end has one crusty arch and one just starting to go, a bit of light keying to the bonnet and a few scuffs.
The rear is the only end of the car that looks semi presentable - even if the number plate is knackered! A bit of rear arch rust, but they all do that sir...
Blooming in the middle of the LCD screen - not the end of the world, but annoying...
It does have HK though, which I have to say is absolutely fantastic for a standard car audio system.
And finally... it's been to the moon! Currently on the return journey.
Light warnings are active because it's been fitted with LEDs rather than conventional bulbs.
Need to rectify that, or fit a decoder.
Scabby as hell, but for £650 it drives spot on.
I was browsing Facebook late one evening, and spotted a friend selling this - usually I'd skim past, however I'd had a few scoops and to the beer-monster version of me it seemed like a fantastic idea.
She's a BMW 330d, bought on 272,000 miles (just ticked over 278,000 now) - complete with about 2 inches of receipts, a very fruity straight through exhaust (cat still present, of course) and it did have the world's most un-co operative gearbox (but I fixed this myself, thankfully! It has the chocolate GM 5L40E Autobox).
I'd read many threads on here about issues with the automatic gearbox on these models - and given I run a business in the automotive sector with a fairly strong focus on improving and repairing rather than just replacing, I thought I'd start to learn about and stock spares for the BMW application of the 5L40E.
My business focuses on MG Rover vehicles - part of the reason for the purchase was the Rover 75 and MG ZT share a good few bits and pieces with the E46.
Having them both side-by-side has been incredibly useful for expanding this component list, and I'm now stocking several new parts designed for the E46 that fit the 75/ZT too.
Anyway, enough yapping! Here's some pictures. The front end has one crusty arch and one just starting to go, a bit of light keying to the bonnet and a few scuffs.
The rear is the only end of the car that looks semi presentable - even if the number plate is knackered! A bit of rear arch rust, but they all do that sir...
Blooming in the middle of the LCD screen - not the end of the world, but annoying...
It does have HK though, which I have to say is absolutely fantastic for a standard car audio system.
And finally... it's been to the moon! Currently on the return journey.
Light warnings are active because it's been fitted with LEDs rather than conventional bulbs.
Need to rectify that, or fit a decoder.
Scabby as hell, but for £650 it drives spot on.
After a few weeks, I got a feel for some of the issues that led to the car being sold:
- Thudding on acceleration (turned out to be the prop support bearing)
- Torque converter lockup not working properly (RPM not locking at cruise speeds)
- Horrific brake judder (lovely warped front discs)
- Play in a lower arm ball joint (I didn't notice this at all - I knocked the arm when rolling around under the car and saw it move!)
So, playtime!
A full 7 hour day with both me and a mechanically minded friend, on proper ramps so the car was overhead - gave us time to get most of the important issues dealt with.
First up, thudding on acceleration - turned out to be a rather dead prop bearing:
This looks original, so it's done well to get to almost 280,000 miles.
Next up, one of the front arms had play in an outer ball joint - I only noticed when I knocked the arm with the car in the air some days previous.
Looks original, too! Replaced with Meyle HD.
The car had absolutely horrific vibration on braking, so off with the discs and on with some fresh metal:
Finally, one of the main reasons I waited until I had a lift to hand.
I've learned a lot about the GM 5L40E gearbox - and I've even got a spare in the shed I'm fully rebuilding in my spare time.
For now, I'd like this one to last a little longer - so I set about changing all of the solenoids (I sell them, so plenty to hand) and the filter, gasket, ATF etc.
ATF is blimmin awful stuff, and by the end of the day I was covered from head to toe.
Sneaky pic of the valve body, where the magic gubbins are kept:
All in all, a great day. The torque converter lockup solenoid must have been faulty as suspected, as I had no lockup - now it works beautifully, sitting at a gracefully low RPM at motorway speeds and not changing RPM with gradient.
I've also fitted Bluetooth to the car (a pain with the OE 16:9 Nav system combined with HK) but all working OK.
The HK system in these cars is absolutely fantastic for a standard set-up (at the risk of repeating myself).
Now driving absolutely spot on, in a straight line and with all functions working as expected. Fantastic.
Currently covered just over 6,000 miles, and it's a fantastic little motor for under a grand including all work above.
- Thudding on acceleration (turned out to be the prop support bearing)
- Torque converter lockup not working properly (RPM not locking at cruise speeds)
- Horrific brake judder (lovely warped front discs)
- Play in a lower arm ball joint (I didn't notice this at all - I knocked the arm when rolling around under the car and saw it move!)
So, playtime!
A full 7 hour day with both me and a mechanically minded friend, on proper ramps so the car was overhead - gave us time to get most of the important issues dealt with.
First up, thudding on acceleration - turned out to be a rather dead prop bearing:
This looks original, so it's done well to get to almost 280,000 miles.
Next up, one of the front arms had play in an outer ball joint - I only noticed when I knocked the arm with the car in the air some days previous.
Looks original, too! Replaced with Meyle HD.
The car had absolutely horrific vibration on braking, so off with the discs and on with some fresh metal:
Finally, one of the main reasons I waited until I had a lift to hand.
I've learned a lot about the GM 5L40E gearbox - and I've even got a spare in the shed I'm fully rebuilding in my spare time.
For now, I'd like this one to last a little longer - so I set about changing all of the solenoids (I sell them, so plenty to hand) and the filter, gasket, ATF etc.
ATF is blimmin awful stuff, and by the end of the day I was covered from head to toe.
Sneaky pic of the valve body, where the magic gubbins are kept:
All in all, a great day. The torque converter lockup solenoid must have been faulty as suspected, as I had no lockup - now it works beautifully, sitting at a gracefully low RPM at motorway speeds and not changing RPM with gradient.
I've also fitted Bluetooth to the car (a pain with the OE 16:9 Nav system combined with HK) but all working OK.
The HK system in these cars is absolutely fantastic for a standard set-up (at the risk of repeating myself).
Now driving absolutely spot on, in a straight line and with all functions working as expected. Fantastic.
Currently covered just over 6,000 miles, and it's a fantastic little motor for under a grand including all work above.
Good choice. I have two 330d threads, one past, one present. You beat my 250k record!
Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
Edited by helix402 on Thursday 6th September 10:02
helix402 said:
Good choice. I have two 330d threads, one past, one present. You beat my 250k record!
Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
Thanks for the pointers - swirl flaps have been blanked, the vacuum hoses are on the to do list, and sadly the EGR has already been bypassed - but to be honest, she's still very pokey and returns nudging towards 50MPG on a run so I'm happy enough for now. Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
Edited by helix402 on Thursday 6th September 10:02
If the 'box does go bang, I have a spare in the garage. I'm used to Rover ownership - always keep a spare handy...
Must say I have never heard anyone call the e46 HK speakers anything but pants. I had an e46 330dA for just over a year, lovely car but that bloody gearbox, the thing of nightmares for me to be honest. It went into limp mode once shortly after I purchased it with a gearbox fault but never did it again in my ownership and many thousands of miles, yet threw the same fault on 2 test drives when I was selling the thing.
The other killer was the rust, I would still love another but this time a coupe and a manual.
The other killer was the rust, I would still love another but this time a coupe and a manual.
Welcome to BMW ownership 
I take it you're DMGRS (or something like that; Southport way)? Bought parts off you myself moons ago for MG Its I owned; but once I bought an E38 728i; I haven't looked back from BMWs
I loved my 2004 MG ZT 190+ I had with the red Alcantara interior (gunmetal paint, it was an ex-managers car I picked up from a dealers in Poulton-le-Fylde years ago); but I can't cope with pudding sticks any more and like a decent auto
Your E46 looks a great buy for the price; there's always issues at that price and mileage; but clearly you're the right guy to fix it!
I take it you're DMGRS (or something like that; Southport way)? Bought parts off you myself moons ago for MG Its I owned; but once I bought an E38 728i; I haven't looked back from BMWs
I loved my 2004 MG ZT 190+ I had with the red Alcantara interior (gunmetal paint, it was an ex-managers car I picked up from a dealers in Poulton-le-Fylde years ago); but I can't cope with pudding sticks any more and like a decent auto
Your E46 looks a great buy for the price; there's always issues at that price and mileage; but clearly you're the right guy to fix it!
Another vote for HK system in our 2002 330i convertible. I think it sounds great.
Our mileage is now on a dizzy 78k (we have owned since 2009). I have found the car very reliable, with just suspension bushes replaced in that time. We had to replace tyres all round due to mileage. Ours drives nicely on Goodyear Eagle f1 AS2.
MPG can just about crack 30 on a long run.
Enjoy.
Our mileage is now on a dizzy 78k (we have owned since 2009). I have found the car very reliable, with just suspension bushes replaced in that time. We had to replace tyres all round due to mileage. Ours drives nicely on Goodyear Eagle f1 AS2.
MPG can just about crack 30 on a long run.
Enjoy.
Quick update, due to the Phaeton being a pain in the **** this hasn't had much love recently - but to cut a long story short there was an awful vibration on the way back from a trip to Wales, then an almighty bang and it suddenly stopped.
Drove home with no issues. A few days later a metallic grating appeared on acceleration, now it's there all the time.
I think something propshaft related has let go in a rather violent way, ramp time booked in 2 weeks so I can have a look.
Drove home with no issues. A few days later a metallic grating appeared on acceleration, now it's there all the time.
I think something propshaft related has let go in a rather violent way, ramp time booked in 2 weeks so I can have a look.
Hi Mat,
Came across this thread researching oil leak on my zt (got sidetracked). Have the ZT booked in garage to sort leak but got me thinking about other mods I need to get on with.
As you have experience of both ZTs and BMW 3s, please could you advise if the E46 speaker adapters commonly available will fit in place of the ZT speaker pods to allow for aftermarket fitment?
Cheers,
Chris
Came across this thread researching oil leak on my zt (got sidetracked). Have the ZT booked in garage to sort leak but got me thinking about other mods I need to get on with.
As you have experience of both ZTs and BMW 3s, please could you advise if the E46 speaker adapters commonly available will fit in place of the ZT speaker pods to allow for aftermarket fitment?
Cheers,
Chris
jamesson said:
Sp00ks said:
Must say I have never heard anyone call the e46 HK speakers anything but pants.
I had HK in my E46 and thought they sounded great! It doesn't reach the heights of the 11-speaker Alpine/Dynaudio Dolby setup in my old Volvo C70, but it's a solid factory system.
Kristo19 said:
Hi Mat,
Came across this thread researching oil leak on my zt (got sidetracked). Have the ZT booked in garage to sort leak but got me thinking about other mods I need to get on with.
As you have experience of both ZTs and BMW 3s, please could you advise if the E46 speaker adapters commonly available will fit in place of the ZT speaker pods to allow for aftermarket fitment?
Cheers,
Chris
Why can't you just drill some holes in the mounts that are already there?Came across this thread researching oil leak on my zt (got sidetracked). Have the ZT booked in garage to sort leak but got me thinking about other mods I need to get on with.
As you have experience of both ZTs and BMW 3s, please could you advise if the E46 speaker adapters commonly available will fit in place of the ZT speaker pods to allow for aftermarket fitment?
Cheers,
Chris
Well, a very boring update - the car is still fine and sailed through an MOT earlier this year with only minor issues.
Current homework list is a slightly warped front drive flange (keeps warping discs) and a slight wheel bearing noise on the nearside rear.
MPG over my ownership checking out at about 41 so far.
What a lovely car these are!
Current homework list is a slightly warped front drive flange (keeps warping discs) and a slight wheel bearing noise on the nearside rear.
MPG over my ownership checking out at about 41 so far.
What a lovely car these are!
d_a_n1979 said:
Welcome to BMW ownership
I take it you're DMGRS (or something like that; Southport way)? Bought parts off you myself moons ago for MG Its I owned; but once I bought an E38 728i; I haven't looked back from BMWs
I loved my 2004 MG ZT 190+ I had with the red Alcantara interior (gunmetal paint, it was an ex-managers car I picked up from a dealers in Poulton-le-Fylde years ago); but I can't cope with pudding sticks any more and like a decent auto
Your E46 looks a great buy for the price; there's always issues at that price and mileage; but clearly you're the right guy to fix it!
Sorry, have only just seen this!I take it you're DMGRS (or something like that; Southport way)? Bought parts off you myself moons ago for MG Its I owned; but once I bought an E38 728i; I haven't looked back from BMWs
I loved my 2004 MG ZT 190+ I had with the red Alcantara interior (gunmetal paint, it was an ex-managers car I picked up from a dealers in Poulton-le-Fylde years ago); but I can't cope with pudding sticks any more and like a decent auto
Your E46 looks a great buy for the price; there's always issues at that price and mileage; but clearly you're the right guy to fix it!
That is indeed me, however in less than a week the business will be with its new owner and I’ll be retiring (for now!)
Going back to the start of your ownership - your thudding under acceleration. Was that something that felt a bit like driving over rubstrips on the back? My high miler 335d is doing that, normally when accelerating a bit hard from lower revs. I'm assuming it's done manner of prop doughnut/support thing - or a driveshaft maybe!
helix402 said:
Good choice. I have two 330d threads, one past, one present. You beat my 250k record!
Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
As a fellow E46 330d-er i'm curious to know the rationale behind why the removal / bypassing of the EGR valve is considered such a 'no-no' by you Mr. Helix - especially given that it is something that is almost universally acknowledged (in other makes/models) as being a sensible & beneficial alteration...Re bulb monitoring you can turn it off with Carly for BMW or PA soft. My threads have lots of useful tips including how to convert your 330dA to manual when the box blows up.
Just remembered my three top M57 tips,
1. Remove swirl flaps, use metal blanks not plastic
2. Replace all vacuum hoses for silicon ones
3. Do not remove/unplug/bypass the egr-you will lose power and use more fuel
Edited by helix402 on Thursday 6th September 10:02
I have nothing but vast respect for your knowledge & experience in relation to these cars - so i'm really looking to educate myself as opposed to starting a debate, since I don't have any technical knowledge at all to make an argument to the contrary!!!
Please don't make your rationale too compelling though as my 330d has already had a bypass pipe installed and the last thing I need is another job on the list of things to do
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff