BMW E46 330d SE Touring
Discussion
To replace my 2000 330d I have a 2002 330d. It has covered 126k miles, roughly half the last one’s mileage.
It has one previous owner, full history main dealer then independent. Not independent lee though.
I have a large history file containing all old MOTs, invoices and original purchase invoice. It was actuallly cheaper originally than the last one, that was 29k, this was 26.
Lots of commonly failing parts have been replaced including pre supply pump, n/s/f wheel bearing, f arm rear bushes, all dampers and r top mounts, r wiper motor and pivot, 3 calipers, h brake shoes.
I haven’t thoroughly checked it over yet. So far it needs a clutch (noisy release bearing), rear tyres, n/s/f window reg, 3rd brake light n/w. I’ve got a pair of P Zero Nero GTs arriving tomorrow.
Compared to the last one it feels very soft susp wise, performance is not quite as good as the other one but that may have been improved a tad.
It has new front arches and no rust on the rears. I’m not planning to modify it as much as the last one, I want it looking even more standard than that one.
It’s getting an M3 conv f arb and probably a 19mm rear bar if it’s got an 18 now (I’ve got a 19 on the shelf). If it’s got a 19 already I’ll get a 20mm from a conv.
I’ll change the lower solid hub bushes for ball joints (as M3) and put M3 trailing arm bushes in. Once that is done I’ll get a four wheel alignment to my favourite E46 specs. Not sure about springs yet, may fit a set of Eibachs. May also fit a Purple tag rack.
It has Xenons which is nice and some crazy wood trim. It also came with a set of BMW roof bars and an original Autocar test and the brochure.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/lp5bOCjc.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/tJHjylOD" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/tJHjylOD.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/tJHjylOD" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/tJHjylOD.jpg)
Edited by helix402 on Thursday 25th January 19:05
Weighted gearknob is on and lovely as always. The gearchange is sloppy compared to the last one as it has original bushes. When I do the clutch I’ll change them all.
This is what I’m planning to change:
M3 Convertible 27mm front anti roll bar (I’ve got one, just need to repaint it prior to fitting)
M3 rear trailing arm bushes (I’ve got one on the shelf already)
M3 lower rear hub ball joints (got a pair already on the shelf)
Custom wheel alignment specs
Purple tag steering rack
19mm rear anti roll bar (got one on the shelf, already repainted with new links)
Eibach springs (maybe)
I’d forgotten how much better Nappa leather is than standard leather, I miss my electric Nappa seats! Though my new ones have lumbar.
I’ve got a pair of P Zero Nero GTs ready to go on the back and a good used front bumper. 225s are a lot cheaper than 245s.
This is what I’m planning to change:
M3 Convertible 27mm front anti roll bar (I’ve got one, just need to repaint it prior to fitting)
M3 rear trailing arm bushes (I’ve got one on the shelf already)
M3 lower rear hub ball joints (got a pair already on the shelf)
Custom wheel alignment specs
Purple tag steering rack
19mm rear anti roll bar (got one on the shelf, already repainted with new links)
Eibach springs (maybe)
I’d forgotten how much better Nappa leather is than standard leather, I miss my electric Nappa seats! Though my new ones have lumbar.
I’ve got a pair of P Zero Nero GTs ready to go on the back and a good used front bumper. 225s are a lot cheaper than 245s.
I decided the phone kit was so lovely I had to have a period phone to fit it:
I’ve not tested it yet, am awaiting a SIM. So far it hooks up to the radio/cassette. I think it should work via the steering wheel controls too.
Yes, my pic is upside down. This is a special feature of modern phones such as the IPhone.
I’ve not tested it yet, am awaiting a SIM. So far it hooks up to the radio/cassette. I think it should work via the steering wheel controls too.
Yes, my pic is upside down. This is a special feature of modern phones such as the IPhone.
Sim89 said:
Great you got another. Looks in good condition and very lucky to avoid arch issues.
What is the colour name / code? Colour is Topaz Blue
Assuming you will have to do swirl flaps, vortex filter and egr blanking as normal with M57?
The 184hp manual M57 doesn’t have swirl flaps in the E46, I have tried a Vortex filter in my last 330d-it made the car smoke, this one has had regular gen BMW foam filter replacements fitted which I will continue with, I have tried egr blanking on my last one-subjectively the car lost power and it actually used more fuel-egr works well on these and is reliable, my last 330d had the original egr valve at 250k.
Lastly, I'd be interested to see your custom alignment specs for comparison with mine.
These are my wheel alignment specs, used on both my 328i and last 330d:
What are the describable differences to the OEM setup? I have all of the upgrades (polybush front lpops, new front wishbones, poly RTABs, fully new ball jointed rear arms, adjustable rear camber arms) and I am just about to begin with new rear bearings, handbrake backplates, rear shocks and top mounts, so will have alignment checked and potentially changed then.
Re rear top mounts, I recommend Bimmertune ones. Gen BMW ones are rubbish. This new 330d had gen ones fitted in Nov and they are starting to split already.What is the colour name / code? Colour is Topaz Blue
Assuming you will have to do swirl flaps, vortex filter and egr blanking as normal with M57?
The 184hp manual M57 doesn’t have swirl flaps in the E46, I have tried a Vortex filter in my last 330d-it made the car smoke, this one has had regular gen BMW foam filter replacements fitted which I will continue with, I have tried egr blanking on my last one-subjectively the car lost power and it actually used more fuel-egr works well on these and is reliable, my last 330d had the original egr valve at 250k.
Lastly, I'd be interested to see your custom alignment specs for comparison with mine.
These are my wheel alignment specs, used on both my 328i and last 330d:
What are the describable differences to the OEM setup? I have all of the upgrades (polybush front lpops, new front wishbones, poly RTABs, fully new ball jointed rear arms, adjustable rear camber arms) and I am just about to begin with new rear bearings, handbrake backplates, rear shocks and top mounts, so will have alignment checked and potentially changed then.
KM666 said:
Looks nice and clean! Do the M3 farbs make a difference then? I've got bilstein and eibach to go on mine but don't know what to do with the rest of the suspension. It's my first, I know adding a rarb to a fwd made a huge difference on my old car so it figures a farb on a rwd does something.
If you have a 330d saloon I’d go for an M3 Coupe 26mm front anti roll bar and a Conv 20mm rear bar. They make a huge improvement, reduced roll and only a very minor decrease in comfort. You do need new rear anti roll bar links. The front M3 bar links to the arb links at a slightly different angle to standard but this does not cause any problems. New bushes are a good move with any used arb. Eibach do a set of arbs, 27/21, I had 27/21 on my last 330d touring, M3 front/Eibach rear. They were great but the rear made a noticeable reduction to comfort.
I’d say 21 would be a tad much for a saloon.
If you have a 330d saloon I’d go for an M3 Coupe 26mm front anti roll bar and a Conv 20mm rear bar. They make a huge improvement, reduced roll and only a very minor decrease in comfort. You do need new rear anti roll bar links. The front M3 bar links to the arb links at a slightly different angle to standard but this does not cause any problems. New bushes are a good move with any used arb. Eibach do a set of arbs, 27/21, I had 27/21 on my last 330d touring, M3 front/Eibach rear. They were great but the rear made a noticeable reduction to comfort.
I’d say 21 would be a tad much for a saloon.
M3 f arb painted and ready to go:
It a far from perfect respray but is good enough.
I noticed the car has two different types of front indicators, one titanium one black:
Indicator bulbs are supposed to be Osram chrome/amber. I think they are fake (eBay). I prefer the titanium indicator so have ordered another one. (Carparts4less oe-we will see what arrives).
It a far from perfect respray but is good enough.
I noticed the car has two different types of front indicators, one titanium one black:
Indicator bulbs are supposed to be Osram chrome/amber. I think they are fake (eBay). I prefer the titanium indicator so have ordered another one. (Carparts4less oe-we will see what arrives).
CP4Less did well. New lamp is indeed oe:
(though in the wrong box)
I now have a matching pair of indicators. (Headlights aren’t titanium but I think the titanium indicators look better than the black)
Anti roll bars are ready to go, I picked the 19mm up from my parts storage unit:
27 is ready too:
The front bumper has laquer peel so I have a second hand one to go on:
In a Groundhog Day type of way I checked what needs doing under the bonnet, knowing the answer already. All vacuum hoses (my brief inspection found one nearly collapsed)-I already have silicon hose to replace all the vacuum pipes. The egr to intercooler house is also cracked, again I have ordered a silicon one.
I also picked up some gen BMW fuel hose as the hose to the fuel filter is a little worn. I found I had a rear window regulator on the shelf too, sadly not the side I need.
(though in the wrong box)
I now have a matching pair of indicators. (Headlights aren’t titanium but I think the titanium indicators look better than the black)
Anti roll bars are ready to go, I picked the 19mm up from my parts storage unit:
27 is ready too:
The front bumper has laquer peel so I have a second hand one to go on:
In a Groundhog Day type of way I checked what needs doing under the bonnet, knowing the answer already. All vacuum hoses (my brief inspection found one nearly collapsed)-I already have silicon hose to replace all the vacuum pipes. The egr to intercooler house is also cracked, again I have ordered a silicon one.
I also picked up some gen BMW fuel hose as the hose to the fuel filter is a little worn. I found I had a rear window regulator on the shelf too, sadly not the side I need.
Did a bit of work on the car today, polished the used front bumper, came up quite well:
The car lacked a bit of low down torque and has been doing only 40mpg compared to 50mpg from my last 330d. I have hopefully cured this today with new vacuum hoses:
I changed the worst ones but ran out of hose to do them all. The power delivery has certainly improved, I’ll see how the mpg goes. It still needs the thermostat changing. Also changed the cracked egr/intercooler hose:
Popped a used bonnet badge on:
It’s a tight squeeze changing the vacuum hoses with the manifold on:
It’s interesting going from a 250k car to a 126k car. Despite common perceptions the higher mileage car didn’t feel worn out or baggy/knackered in comparison-though I suppose it was a little like trigger’s broom. I can certainly recommend the M57 for efficient high mileage motoring.
One thought I had was that my last 330 was converted from manual to auto, autos have egr cooling, manuals don’t. I left the egr cooling on the old car-I have a feeling it was a useful feature.
The car lacked a bit of low down torque and has been doing only 40mpg compared to 50mpg from my last 330d. I have hopefully cured this today with new vacuum hoses:
I changed the worst ones but ran out of hose to do them all. The power delivery has certainly improved, I’ll see how the mpg goes. It still needs the thermostat changing. Also changed the cracked egr/intercooler hose:
Popped a used bonnet badge on:
It’s a tight squeeze changing the vacuum hoses with the manifold on:
It’s interesting going from a 250k car to a 126k car. Despite common perceptions the higher mileage car didn’t feel worn out or baggy/knackered in comparison-though I suppose it was a little like trigger’s broom. I can certainly recommend the M57 for efficient high mileage motoring.
One thought I had was that my last 330 was converted from manual to auto, autos have egr cooling, manuals don’t. I left the egr cooling on the old car-I have a feeling it was a useful feature.
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