2004 e46 BMW 330i Sport Touring 6 speed
Discussion
So on Friday, this happened:
2004 e46 330 Sport Touring with the later 6 speed box.
I'd been looking for something practical for work/family duties, capable of long motorway slogs but also able to entertain as required. I can't think of a better all rounder to be honest. I've enjoyed my e36 cab so I was looking at BMW tourers in general - e36s are too old, e91s too expensive, e39s too automatic... And then this came up. It's slightly leggier than I wanted (145k miles), but still feels very tight and pulls well. Spec is pretty good, no nav/heated seats/xenons but I can live with that.
Cosmetically it is OK - couple of bits of lacquer peel, ding on one front arch, and a spot of rust on one arch which apparently hasn't got any worse. A few little marks and scuffs, but it's a 13 year old car. Passes the "10 feet" test
I paid a little bit more than I had intended to, but the manuals are rare, and I'm hoping with a little work it will make a presentable and fun family workhouse for 4 or 5 years.
There are a few things that need addressing:
PDC doesn't work - one sensor doesn't tick so I'm going to swap that out with an LR Disco3 one which are apparently the same. Refreshingly it's the near side one so the bumper doesn't need to come off.
The glass tailgate doesn't stay up - I have a nasty feeling this is something to do with the hinges which have an integral spring. They're cheap on ebay, not sure how much hassle to change...
Rear washer pours water down the rear screen - hopefully just a pipe off inside the spoiler...
Load cover has seen better days - it works but the plastic handle is busted and the hardboard bit is snapped. It works but it's tatty. Don't really want to buy a new one as the interior is grey and it looks harder to source. Hopefully some araldite and a new bit of hardboard will sort!
Slight judder from brakes under medium to hard braking that I didn't notice on the test drive - hopefully nothing disc/pads won't sort. Pulls up fine.
The interior is pretty grimy. Started with a good hoover today but I think the carpet needs a proper shampoo. Leather needs a good clean too but it is just too cold today. Cleaned out the load area which looks like it's seen some use! Hoping a carpet shampooer is going to do the job but a little bit concerned as I don't want to make the the carpet too wet, especially as it will take an age to dry in this weather.
Couple of MOT advisories - rear ARB bushes, play in inner steering joints, and a small oil leak from the diff, hopefully just a seal.
Current plans are to sort the parking sensors/rear washer, give it a deep clean, and run it for a couple of months to see what comes up. Then get it in for a service and checkover - sort out the brakes and MOT advisories, and take it from there. Maybe get a nice double DIN touchscreen stereo, maybe a new pair of wings (to get rid of lacquer peel/wheelarch ding), and keep on top of the rust...
Early days as yet but really chuffed with it. Unfortunately now we have 6 cars on the drive so selling something is now a priority!
Will update with some photos once I have given it a proper wash and a clean!
2004 e46 330 Sport Touring with the later 6 speed box.
I'd been looking for something practical for work/family duties, capable of long motorway slogs but also able to entertain as required. I can't think of a better all rounder to be honest. I've enjoyed my e36 cab so I was looking at BMW tourers in general - e36s are too old, e91s too expensive, e39s too automatic... And then this came up. It's slightly leggier than I wanted (145k miles), but still feels very tight and pulls well. Spec is pretty good, no nav/heated seats/xenons but I can live with that.
Cosmetically it is OK - couple of bits of lacquer peel, ding on one front arch, and a spot of rust on one arch which apparently hasn't got any worse. A few little marks and scuffs, but it's a 13 year old car. Passes the "10 feet" test
I paid a little bit more than I had intended to, but the manuals are rare, and I'm hoping with a little work it will make a presentable and fun family workhouse for 4 or 5 years.
There are a few things that need addressing:
PDC doesn't work - one sensor doesn't tick so I'm going to swap that out with an LR Disco3 one which are apparently the same. Refreshingly it's the near side one so the bumper doesn't need to come off.
The glass tailgate doesn't stay up - I have a nasty feeling this is something to do with the hinges which have an integral spring. They're cheap on ebay, not sure how much hassle to change...
Rear washer pours water down the rear screen - hopefully just a pipe off inside the spoiler...
Load cover has seen better days - it works but the plastic handle is busted and the hardboard bit is snapped. It works but it's tatty. Don't really want to buy a new one as the interior is grey and it looks harder to source. Hopefully some araldite and a new bit of hardboard will sort!
Slight judder from brakes under medium to hard braking that I didn't notice on the test drive - hopefully nothing disc/pads won't sort. Pulls up fine.
The interior is pretty grimy. Started with a good hoover today but I think the carpet needs a proper shampoo. Leather needs a good clean too but it is just too cold today. Cleaned out the load area which looks like it's seen some use! Hoping a carpet shampooer is going to do the job but a little bit concerned as I don't want to make the the carpet too wet, especially as it will take an age to dry in this weather.
Couple of MOT advisories - rear ARB bushes, play in inner steering joints, and a small oil leak from the diff, hopefully just a seal.
Current plans are to sort the parking sensors/rear washer, give it a deep clean, and run it for a couple of months to see what comes up. Then get it in for a service and checkover - sort out the brakes and MOT advisories, and take it from there. Maybe get a nice double DIN touchscreen stereo, maybe a new pair of wings (to get rid of lacquer peel/wheelarch ding), and keep on top of the rust...
Early days as yet but really chuffed with it. Unfortunately now we have 6 cars on the drive so selling something is now a priority!
Will update with some photos once I have given it a proper wash and a clean!
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 12th February 17:57
HybridAero said:
Nice, estates very good looking and manual 330 is rare. How much did it set you back and what's the mpg like? Heard these are quite efficient.
I paid £3k - quite hard to price a manual given the rarity, but I understand that they wear the miles well so no reason it shouldn't crack 200k with preventative maintenance.Not sure about MPG, only done a couple of hundred miles so far, and mostly motorway cruising. Looks like I will get 400 or so from a tank, which was about £70. MPG is reading in mid-high 20s I think at the moment. TBH if I can average 25mpg I'm happy.
Quick update:
Parking sensor arrived - turns out it's £90 odd from BMW, but Land Rover Disco 3 is identical and half the price supposedly. Local LR dealer had them for £88, so turned to ebay where I got a genuine (well, in LR packaging) one for £25. Plugged it in and error beep has stopped and it seems to work normally, except the sensor on the other side doesn't seem to beep when you put a hand in front (although it is ticking). Will test in the "real world" but might just order another sensor. At least it partly works! The good news is that the bumper didn't need to come off for the outer ones.
Rear washer pipe plugged back in and works fine now. Had a look at the hinges on the glass tailgate and can't see anything obviously wrong with the springs or hinges. Is it supposed to raise and hold itself with the strength of the springs, or does it lock mechanically at the top?
Anything amiss there?
Parking sensor arrived - turns out it's £90 odd from BMW, but Land Rover Disco 3 is identical and half the price supposedly. Local LR dealer had them for £88, so turned to ebay where I got a genuine (well, in LR packaging) one for £25. Plugged it in and error beep has stopped and it seems to work normally, except the sensor on the other side doesn't seem to beep when you put a hand in front (although it is ticking). Will test in the "real world" but might just order another sensor. At least it partly works! The good news is that the bumper didn't need to come off for the outer ones.
Rear washer pipe plugged back in and works fine now. Had a look at the hinges on the glass tailgate and can't see anything obviously wrong with the springs or hinges. Is it supposed to raise and hold itself with the strength of the springs, or does it lock mechanically at the top?
Anything amiss there?
Also wanted to ask:
How easy is it to retrofit xenons and heated seats?
I suspect I know the answer to both - heated seats need all the wiring installing, and the pads are integral to the seat covers so it's not just finding some seats and swapping the covers over. And as for the xenons, I have headlamp washers but I understand the stock ones have auto leveling which means the sensors and wiring needs to be installed for that. I understand that they can be programmed to work with the built in manual level control, but is that legal/MOT pass?
I guess the answer is yes it is possible but is it worth it?
Also, in terms of audio, what is the best way forward. I don't have the HK system (is it actually worth having?). Considering one of the double DIN units, but is it worth having a separate amp and replacing speakers?
How easy is it to retrofit xenons and heated seats?
I suspect I know the answer to both - heated seats need all the wiring installing, and the pads are integral to the seat covers so it's not just finding some seats and swapping the covers over. And as for the xenons, I have headlamp washers but I understand the stock ones have auto leveling which means the sensors and wiring needs to be installed for that. I understand that they can be programmed to work with the built in manual level control, but is that legal/MOT pass?
I guess the answer is yes it is possible but is it worth it?
Also, in terms of audio, what is the best way forward. I don't have the HK system (is it actually worth having?). Considering one of the double DIN units, but is it worth having a separate amp and replacing speakers?
Thanks for that - would xenons pass the MOT like that or do they need auto levelling? I want to go as stock as possible but I would like a car with decent lights. Maybe I should just look at upgraded bulbs...
Interior upgrade is an option, but a lot of faff changing all the lower dash and carpets, and touring interiors are going to be rare I would think...
Had hoped the steering parts were separate from the rack - will see what the garage say at service time...
Interior upgrade is an option, but a lot of faff changing all the lower dash and carpets, and touring interiors are going to be rare I would think...
Had hoped the steering parts were separate from the rack - will see what the garage say at service time...
Rsdop said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Also, in terms of audio, what is the best way forward. I don't have the HK system (is it actually worth having?). Considering one of the double DIN units, but is it worth having a separate amp and replacing speakers?
Your limited on what you can fit, there isn't the space for a proper double DIN so your options are basically the Chinese Android devices, the Parrot Asteroid or Alpine ILX-700 (could be others now but that was it last year when I was looking).I went with the Alpine and even though the I haven't got round to changing the speakers yet it was a big improvement in sound quality. It bypasses the amp in the boot which are known to become crap over time. Standard speakers are garbage though so if you like your audio they will need swapping out too.
One other thing I've noticed and I wonder if other 330 Touring owners can confirm, it is quite boomy on the motorway, if you're at a constant throttle at 70 or 80. Wondering if I have a blow from the exhaust or if they are all like that. Truth be told, it's quite annoying on a run...
I can see that an auto box would suit the character of the car well - however, most of my fun driving tends to be "on the way" to somewhere else, and in the past I have been frustrated to be in the wrong car. We'll see how it goes. It feels very well insulated (apart from said boominess) and the linear power delivery hides the power well. It picks up speed quickly but doesn't feel overly dramatic, so not exciting exactly, but hopefully will deliver thrills as required (as much as the family car can!).
Anyway, gave it a thorough clean today so some pics are due. Gave the underneath a good wash/wax with a chassic cleaner, and snow foamed/washed. Some welded on bird lime that I had to take a razor blade to in the end
Clay bar (paintwork felt like sandpaper), and a thorough polish. No time for wax unfortunately. Also cleaned and fed the seats (improvement but not perfect), and shampooed the mats. Carpets themselves good do with a clean, and I am going to get some rubber mats to preserve them.
Anyway, pics.
The state of the clay bar when I had finished!
The paintwork came up pretty well - a few scratches and dings, but nothing major. Bottom front of N/S rear arch has a rust blister, as does the tail end of the O/S rear arch. Some lacquer peel on O/S front wing, and stone chips on the bonnet and the front bumper. I will probably get the rust seen to, and perhaps get the wing sprayed at some stage. Wheels are a mess, corrosion and flaking paint. OK from a few feet away though. Tempted to see if I can find some decent looking 17" wheels with fewer spokes that will be easier to look after.
Anyway, gave it a thorough clean today so some pics are due. Gave the underneath a good wash/wax with a chassic cleaner, and snow foamed/washed. Some welded on bird lime that I had to take a razor blade to in the end
Clay bar (paintwork felt like sandpaper), and a thorough polish. No time for wax unfortunately. Also cleaned and fed the seats (improvement but not perfect), and shampooed the mats. Carpets themselves good do with a clean, and I am going to get some rubber mats to preserve them.Anyway, pics.
The state of the clay bar when I had finished!
The paintwork came up pretty well - a few scratches and dings, but nothing major. Bottom front of N/S rear arch has a rust blister, as does the tail end of the O/S rear arch. Some lacquer peel on O/S front wing, and stone chips on the bonnet and the front bumper. I will probably get the rust seen to, and perhaps get the wing sprayed at some stage. Wheels are a mess, corrosion and flaking paint. OK from a few feet away though. Tempted to see if I can find some decent looking 17" wheels with fewer spokes that will be easier to look after.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Saturday 18th February 23:40
Had a few Vartas which lasted well, last one was a Bosch S4 from ECP which came in well on price.
Took a vid of the rear hatch hinges as raise/lower it. Can somebody compare with theirs and tell me if it looks right? They seem to operate as intended, but I can't see how any tension can be built/released in the springs as they move with the hatch...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T35SLQm4mi0
Took a vid of the rear hatch hinges as raise/lower it. Can somebody compare with theirs and tell me if it looks right? They seem to operate as intended, but I can't see how any tension can be built/released in the springs as they move with the hatch...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T35SLQm4mi0
helix402 said:
Have a look at my 330d thread if you want any inspiration. Just passed 234567 miles.
Thanks, I had been following and have just reread!Had a look at the exhaust today, all looks standard. vacuum line attached so no extra noise from the golf tee mod.
Noticed that the headlamps look a state - anybody tried one of those polishing kits?
350 miles over the last 24 hours, didn't miss a beat, droning didn't seem so bad. Computer was saying mid-30s mpg until I hit a diversion off the A1 last night! Very comfy place to soak up the miles too.
Headlamps seem pretty reasonable for halogens but will try Philips Xtreme at some stage. Had them fitted to my other cars and while they are well respected, I've never noticed a huge difference. Had a slight panic moment with the cruise when I went to brake and it didn't disengage and I could feel the car fighting the brakes I'm not a stranger to cruise (my old Saab 900 has it as does Mrs.NCoTs Qashqai) but I wonder if as I returned my right foot to the pedals I ended up on the wrong pedal. Not sure - but it should definitely disengage at the slightest touch on the brake so I might check the switch position... Never happened to me before though!
Although the A/C makes a gurgling noise and is definitely alive, it's clearly not working very efficiently so I am assuming a leak and low on refrigerant.
The car had the original grey BMW carpet mats that look nice but I like rubber mats to stop the carpets getting grimy. Ordered a set off ebay but not that happy. They do the job but are very shiny and don't look good in black. Turns out BMW did official ones in grey but they are N/A from dealers so not sure if I will be able to track any down.
Bought a load liner as well which is much more satisfactory, but irritatingly doesn't fit properly on the LH side - the removeable side panel for toolkit/etc. gets in the way. I think my car originally had a CD changer so I suspect this is the issue...
Headlamps seem pretty reasonable for halogens but will try Philips Xtreme at some stage. Had them fitted to my other cars and while they are well respected, I've never noticed a huge difference. Had a slight panic moment with the cruise when I went to brake and it didn't disengage and I could feel the car fighting the brakes
I'm not a stranger to cruise (my old Saab 900 has it as does Mrs.NCoTs Qashqai) but I wonder if as I returned my right foot to the pedals I ended up on the wrong pedal. Not sure - but it should definitely disengage at the slightest touch on the brake so I might check the switch position... Never happened to me before though!Although the A/C makes a gurgling noise and is definitely alive, it's clearly not working very efficiently so I am assuming a leak and low on refrigerant.
The car had the original grey BMW carpet mats that look nice but I like rubber mats to stop the carpets getting grimy. Ordered a set off ebay but not that happy. They do the job but are very shiny and don't look good in black. Turns out BMW did official ones in grey but they are N/A from dealers so not sure if I will be able to track any down.
Bought a load liner as well which is much more satisfactory, but irritatingly doesn't fit properly on the LH side - the removeable side panel for toolkit/etc. gets in the way. I think my car originally had a CD changer so I suspect this is the issue...
Well, I am just over a month and 2000 miles in and I'm getting to know the car a bit better. Turns out it likes a drink of oil in true M54 fashion - Early days as yet but I suspect a litre every 800-1000 miles. Wondering whether it's worth doing the CCV...
There are a few things still be sorted and quite a long list of things I'm going to ask the garage to have a look at!
Inspection 2 + Brake fluid (have receipts for oil/filters over the last few years but nothing more)
Investigate juddering brakes (pads/discs?)
Investigate/fix MOT advisories (diff seal leak, front ARB bushes, steering rack inner joints)
Do CCV if necessary
Possible new water pump/stat (had a radiator a couple of years ago) due to chocolate BMW cooling system.
Give it a good check over and see if there's anything else that needs doing (DISA, etc.)
I think it is going to be expensive, but if I'm going to be piling on the miles with my family in it I want to make sure it's safe and running right. Hopefully there will be enough preventative stuff there to keep it in good health for a while.
Some little annoyances - can't track down a decent load cover for sensible money. Bought a boot mat but it's for cars without CD changer. The changer is no longer there so I need a bit of boot trim that I can't track down! Had to sling the mats I bought as they stank of rubber so badly that they made my wife feel sick!
Bizarrely I keep finding ants on the centre console
so I guess somebody has spilled something sticky at some stage...
One other thing - is there a particular mileage when cam chains need looking at or is just waiting until they get noisy?
There are a few things still be sorted and quite a long list of things I'm going to ask the garage to have a look at!
Inspection 2 + Brake fluid (have receipts for oil/filters over the last few years but nothing more)
Investigate juddering brakes (pads/discs?)
Investigate/fix MOT advisories (diff seal leak, front ARB bushes, steering rack inner joints)
Do CCV if necessary
Possible new water pump/stat (had a radiator a couple of years ago) due to chocolate BMW cooling system.
Give it a good check over and see if there's anything else that needs doing (DISA, etc.)
I think it is going to be expensive, but if I'm going to be piling on the miles with my family in it I want to make sure it's safe and running right. Hopefully there will be enough preventative stuff there to keep it in good health for a while.
Some little annoyances - can't track down a decent load cover for sensible money. Bought a boot mat but it's for cars without CD changer. The changer is no longer there so I need a bit of boot trim that I can't track down! Had to sling the mats I bought as they stank of rubber so badly that they made my wife feel sick!
Bizarrely I keep finding ants on the centre console
so I guess somebody has spilled something sticky at some stage...One other thing - is there a particular mileage when cam chains need looking at or is just waiting until they get noisy?
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Wednesday 15th March 00:34
Thanks chaps. Rest assured that all of the revs are being explored. It's a slightly odd engine in that it doesn't feel torquey to me and if you are in the wrong gear it feels a little bit gutless (I suspect this is just that it feels insulated and I am used to turbos, as the numbers on the dials increase in a satisfactory manner)
Wasn't getting anywhere with the glass tailgate hinge issue I was having so decided to have a closer look. I can see now that the funny cam thing seems to be flipped about face on the RH hinge so it's not working properly. Took it off the car wondering if I could flip it but it doesn't seem so. Really bizarre as I can't see how it got like that, I wonder if it has had some sort of impact at some stage. Of course now I can't find any on ebay to replace it with so have refitted it for the time being.
In other news, exhaust started blowing massively yesterday, could feel the hot air coming out at the bottom of the downpipe. Had a closer look and it seems that at least a couple of the studs don't have nuts on them. All very rusty so clearly been like that a while. Also a very bent looking bracket of some sort down there. No obvious cracks or broken welds so I am hoping it's just a case of drilling out the bolts and putting in new ones. Weirdly it was quiet later, but after a 150 mile journey last night, blowing a lot. Then quiet again this am. I guess it's a heat think opening up a gap. Hoping it might explain it being a bit boomy on the motorway.
Taking it down to my local exhaust place later; fingers crossed they can do something without having to replace the manifolds or anything!
ETA: air con checked and regassed last week - no obvious leaks and icy cold now!
In other news, exhaust started blowing massively yesterday, could feel the hot air coming out at the bottom of the downpipe. Had a closer look and it seems that at least a couple of the studs don't have nuts on them. All very rusty so clearly been like that a while. Also a very bent looking bracket of some sort down there. No obvious cracks or broken welds so I am hoping it's just a case of drilling out the bolts and putting in new ones. Weirdly it was quiet later, but after a 150 mile journey last night, blowing a lot. Then quiet again this am. I guess it's a heat think opening up a gap. Hoping it might explain it being a bit boomy on the motorway.
Taking it down to my local exhaust place later; fingers crossed they can do something without having to replace the manifolds or anything!
ETA: air con checked and regassed last week - no obvious leaks and icy cold now!
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 10th April 12:57
£35 later, knackered bolts replaced and bent bracket replaced. It looks as if it was caught on something; as I am looking at it I remember an incident at a school I visit - automatic gates with a metal "stop" in the middle that sticks up from the ground. I am always very careful to crawl over it and go "off-centre" but I remember grounding out a couple of weeks ago.
Makes me fume - perfectly normal unmodified family estate car. Not the first time it has happened to me either, and the last time when I complained I just got laughed at
Anyway, fixed now, although if that was the cause then my hopes for motorway boominess to be reduced are probably unfounded as it was doing that before the incident!
Makes me fume - perfectly normal unmodified family estate car. Not the first time it has happened to me either, and the last time when I complained I just got laughed at
Anyway, fixed now, although if that was the cause then my hopes for motorway boominess to be reduced are probably unfounded as it was doing that before the incident!
Well given that I have a rotary-engined thirst for oil, I am wondering where I can buy oil cheaply. So far I have put in a 1 litre of Castrol Magnatec 5w30 (LL04), and a litreof Shell Helix 5w40 (LL01). I thought the 5w40 might slow the thirst for oil.
Anyway, I have seen that Euro Car Parts have got their cheapie brand "Triple QX" fully synth 5w40 (LL01) for £31.29, and with the Bank Holiday discount code it's £21.78 for 5 litres.
Given it's going to get burned off (doing about a litre every 1000-1500 miles) is there anything wrong with it if it meets BMW LL-01?
Also, in other news my vibrating brakes are definitely down to an offside front warped disc as I have had the wheel off. Not sure if the caliper has been binding, seems to be warmer on that wheel after a drive. Wheel was welded to the hub when I tried to have it off for a look, left it as it was only on a trolley jack and I didn't fancy smacking it! It's in for a service in 10 days so will get them to have a look.
Anyway, I have seen that Euro Car Parts have got their cheapie brand "Triple QX" fully synth 5w40 (LL01) for £31.29, and with the Bank Holiday discount code it's £21.78 for 5 litres.
Given it's going to get burned off (doing about a litre every 1000-1500 miles) is there anything wrong with it if it meets BMW LL-01?
Also, in other news my vibrating brakes are definitely down to an offside front warped disc as I have had the wheel off. Not sure if the caliper has been binding, seems to be warmer on that wheel after a drive. Wheel was welded to the hub when I tried to have it off for a look, left it as it was only on a trolley jack and I didn't fancy smacking it! It's in for a service in 10 days so will get them to have a look.
helix402 said:
I buy oil in 20l drums from TPS (VAG). Meets LL04 and VW 507. It's called Longlife 3. Normallly only sold to the trade. Very good and very cheap.
I know that LL04 supercedes LL01, but anything wrong with LL-01? It's what BMW specified in the owners manual... Not sure I will use 20 litres!Sf_Manta said:
Have you done the CCV and breather system replacement yet?
If it's drinking hideous amounts of oil, good chance that the breather's are clogged and it's forcing the oil up through the rings.
I mentioned it to the specialist and he said that if it's not noticeably burning oil (blue smoke etc) then it's ok, but maybe he just doesn't want to do it as i gather it's a pig of a job.If it's drinking hideous amounts of oil, good chance that the breather's are clogged and it's forcing the oil up through the rings.
Hoping using 5w40 will slow down the consumption
OK, just back from its Inspection II and they seemed to think it was a decent enough car which is encouraging.
List of todos from them:
I know it's only a £3k car but I think I might as well get it done otherwise it will just get worse. Any thoughts on the other bits?
List of todos from them:
- slight runout on front brake discs (so that would account for the judder and I will renew those and pads)
- diff output seals leaking x2
- trailing arm bushes perished
- small crack in subframe mounting point (20mm) (NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- slight leak from thermostat housing
- oil filter housing gasket leaking
I know it's only a £3k car but I think I might as well get it done otherwise it will just get worse. Any thoughts on the other bits?
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