E46 330ci handling vague
Discussion
I have a 330ci msport, I also have a 320td compact. The 320 steering feels much more direct. I know it's a smaller car but I can't help but think the 330 should handle quite nicely, especially in msport spec. The 320 is se spec.
The steering on the 330 feels quite light and it feels like it wanders a bit.
I pulled the advisories on it's last MOT which was before I got it. I've only had it a few weeks. The advisories show that it needs bushes, bushes and some more bushes. Could this be messing up the handling that badly?
The steering on the 330 feels quite light and it feels like it wanders a bit.
I pulled the advisories on it's last MOT which was before I got it. I've only had it a few weeks. The advisories show that it needs bushes, bushes and some more bushes. Could this be messing up the handling that badly?
To put it plain and simple, YES. Replace all the bushes with OE standard, cheaper stuff doesn't last.
E46s need the chassis and suspension components to be in tip top condition in my opinion to FEEL right. It's one thing that I didn't account for to be honest, the slightest amount of degradation in any of the components can make the whole balance feel horrible. Whereas in another model of car you might not feel or notice it so soon.
They have a heavy appetite for bushes too, I only replaced my rear front wishbone bushes last summer and they need doing again by the feel of things.
Bryan.
E46s need the chassis and suspension components to be in tip top condition in my opinion to FEEL right. It's one thing that I didn't account for to be honest, the slightest amount of degradation in any of the components can make the whole balance feel horrible. Whereas in another model of car you might not feel or notice it so soon.
They have a heavy appetite for bushes too, I only replaced my rear front wishbone bushes last summer and they need doing again by the feel of things.
Bryan.
I would get the car laser-aligned first = cheap/quick results and if the handling is still shonky afterwards, you know you have some work to do. The alignment shop may also provide an opinion on the state of your bushes, shocks etc. Are these guys anywhere near you?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If you're doing the bushes, maybe worth upgrading to powerflex?
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/E46+3+Series+%...
Shocks are also one of those things that people tend to ignore, unless they're reported as leaking in an MOT.
I see loads of cars floating around on shocks with no damping left in them.
The body bouncing up and down, or the wheels pattering.
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/E46+3+Series+%...
Shocks are also one of those things that people tend to ignore, unless they're reported as leaking in an MOT.
I see loads of cars floating around on shocks with no damping left in them.
The body bouncing up and down, or the wheels pattering.
A fair point made above regarding laser aligning the car first. However, if you get it done first and they note the bushes could do with replacing, keep it'll in mind that you'll then need to get it laser aligned again after fitting the bushes as removal of the wishbones knocks the alignment back out. So in essence it's actually cost you more to get it checked first than it would have just changing the bushes.
I used to have an E46 330i that was regularly eating through OEM bushes. I upgraded to Powerflex and they lasted for a longer period. However, they degraded towards the end of my ownership and would have needed replacing. The Powerflex bushes were harder and fed every imperfection through to the steering wheel for you, though did offer marginally better response.
If I had to make the decision again I would stay OEM.
If I had to make the decision again I would stay OEM.
_bryan_ said:
A fair point made above regarding laser aligning the car first. However, if you get it done first and they note the bushes could do with replacing, keep it'll in mind that you'll then need to get it laser aligned again after fitting the bushes as removal of the wishbones knocks the alignment back out. So in essence it's actually cost you more to get it checked first than it would have just changing the bushes.
True, but a proper 4-wheel geometry check may result in 'acceptable' handling. O/P also please note the larger the wheels, the worse the handling (as a very sweeping statement!)...
This is well known E46 weakness/problem and if you done get it seen to quickly you could end up needing to replace two complete front control arms, my previous 330i touring needing this work at around 90,000 miles and once done the steering and handling was completely transformed, my advice would be to use an independent garage (as it's not a particularly difficult job) but use genuine parts.
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