BMW E46 330ci track toy (£970)

[Pig benis]

Hello folks

So after so much research on what to replace my BMW 330D, I decided that yet another 330 is what I wanted. But this time with a petrol engine and a manual gearbox. A budget was set and off I went to eBay to find a fairly decent 330CI. Bidding on a few cars didn't go anywhere, and I practically gave up the search. Until I came across an advert with only a few minutes left, I popped in my highest bid and totally forgot about it for a few hours. To my surprise I won a 2000 BMW 330ci E46 for the grand total of £970.

Here she is -





The car was in Lands End which I didn't realise while bidding, but it was fun driving down there from Wiltshire. On the return trip, I had a little bump and decided to drive into a tow bar... Whoops.

The spec is pretty good for a SE model, which means I have lots of weight to remove. Thankfully the AC doesn't work so I won't feel guilty about removing it. The interior has full black leather with electric front seats, I'm desperate to remove these in favour of figure-hugging seats enough for a 31-year-old.


Over the next few days, I bought the following -

Yellowstuff pads
Dot 5.1 brake fluid
Braided lines
Black diamond discs
Oil + filters

To be continued

[Pig benis]

Part 1 of the project -

I am heading to the Nurburgring on the 30th May for an annual trip with friends, I wanted to make sure the BMW will make it there and back. I was also unsure when the oil was last changed. This was the first priority on my list and I have a very good friend who has his own car lift. I promise this isn't the only reason why we are friends



We gave the car a full check over, I was expecting the worst (coming from Land Rovers I'm always expecting rust) but all is well.. I am very surprised and chuffed with the car so far.

I don't have any pictures of the oil change, because, well it isn't overly exciting stuff lol. But I have replaced all of the oils and filters, which I genuinely have noticed a difference in the car. It feels so much more eager to rev.

Next plan - Friday this week I will be installing the brakes, it is booked in for having tracking sorted and then tyres the following week.

In terms of future plans -

1) Suspension needs to be replaced / upgraded
2) Replace MV1 wheels for a lighter setup
3) Don't crash at the Nurburgring
4) Enjoy track days around the UK

Any advice and tips would be greatly appreciated

If you're still reading, thanks

PB

[Pig benis]

That's really helpful. Would you stick with OEM cooling system parts?

The plan is to swap the suspension for a Bilstein B18 setup. Unless there are any other cheaper but effective other brands to use?

Thanks
PB

obscene said:

My main tips would be:
1. Check/change the cooling system as they're a known failure point. Thermostat, radiator and anything plastic etc. There's a guy on youtube called "the50's kid" who has amazing guides.
2. New bushes and lowering springs improve handling a lot. Probably worth getting a whole coilover kit given the age of the components.
3. Remove the clutch delay valve, makes downshifts like butter.

That would be my main tips having owned a 330ci in similar spec for 11 years.

Edited by obscene on Monday 20th May 13:03

[Pig benis]

Thanks, I'm really enjoying the car so far and with the upcoming mods it should be even more fun to drive.

I would really recommend buying one. You definitely won't regret it 👍

Jimmy Recard said:

Looks like a really fun project. I always fancied a cheap E36 328i but then they all disappeared (unless they’re junk)

I should do it with an E46 328/330 before they’re all gone

[Pig benis]

JB! said:

Yellowstuff are dusty and awful.

Mintex 1144, 1155 or Ferodo DS2500/3000

Oh are they? My friends are running the same pads + discs on their track toys (BMW Z4s) and haven't mentioned anything about excessive brake dust.

Thanks for the advice though, I'll bare it in mind for when I replace the current pad setup.

[Pig benis]

Sf_Manta said:

Good to see another 330i being rescued. they're rather good cars and excellent all rounders.

Agreed with the brake pads, would highly recommend DS2500 pads and flush the brake system with ATE TYP200 fluid. If you can get braided lines, do so as it'll make the pedal travel much more predictable and consistent with heat.
Also plenty of copper grease on the sliders to give the brakes a chance to work.

Other things to check would be the radiator as they will bow - I replaced mine not long ago and after 4 years of use, it'd had bowed out.. if your's hasn't been done , would do it to prevent blowing up at the ring along with the expansion tank for peace of mind.

Also my Touring build has plenty of tips and such if you're looking for handling and brake upgrades

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Excellent thread, Sir. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I am unsure if this car has had the coolant system changed, but I will be checking that while installing my new brakes this Friday.

[Pig benis]

iguana said:

Yellows can cope at 'ring as so much cooling, are a bit rubbish elsewhere, I ran them for years on a light e36 as I'm a cheapskate, but they did suffer when 2 up & don't really last long anyway, ds2500 I'd not touch, go for a proper pad, Ds1.11 on a budget, rs29 if not so much. (yellows are or 1144s fine for rears tho)

Ref suspension b18? Don't know that but is a separates set up? All are too soft for proper tracking tho, are tons of coilover options which have firmer spring rates as stock & easily uprated, you can run really firm & is still fine on road.

That's good to hear. I will also be running additional brake cooling (removing the fog lights) so that should help. In all honesty I won't be pushing very hard this year at the 'Ring, partly due to the car that this car isn't fully set up yet. I still need suspension, bushes and proper track day tyres.

I've looked at some coilover setups, but I am unsure which ones are best. Any advice? KW is way out of the price range for this car. I'd like to keep costs down on this car, but happy to spend a bit more on important components. Ideally, I'd like to spend £500-600 on suspension, anything less is a bonus

Thanks
PB

[Pig benis]

Hello folks

A lot has changed with the 330ci since I bought it over 1 year ago now. I really thought I would have sold it within a few weeks of buying it. This is mainly because I come from turbocharged cars, and the smooth power delivery of the straight 6 does nothing for me. But, having a cheap car which I can learn how to fix and not break the bank is fun.

So currently here is where we are -

Bilstein B12 with Eibach springs
H&R spacers
Shortened drop links
Poly bushed front wishbone bone
Polybushed anti-roll bars
Style 68 square setup alloys (17")
Michelin Cup 2 tyres (to be fitted, currently sat in my garage)
Yellowstuff pads with black diamond discs
Mobil dot4.1 race brake fluid - awaiting fitting / bleeding
Stripped rear interior
Strut braces
Dave F air filter + headshield
Rear exhaust resonator deleted
Msport front bumper
Full service (spark plugs, oil + filters)
Chavvy stickers - Completed

---

Shopping list -
Sparco QRT bucket seats
Sparco deep-dish steering wheel
Full cooling system refresh
Disa valve rebuild
E46 330d auto rear diff
Rear subframe rebuild with polybushes

The car is honestly night and day different to when I bought it. I really do like this car now and can't wait to head back to the Ring + track days.

Here is the e46 next to my daily (330d LCI E91)








I have a lot planned for the e46 over the next few weeks, so I'll be sure to keep this thread up to date

PB

[Pig benis]

Sf_Manta said:

Looks great so far, and have a few suggestions, especially given the subframe bushing.
If you're handy with a welder, or know someone who is, it's well worth getting ahold of a subframe re-enforcement kit while you're doing the bushes. I've just had the touring upgraded here (see my thread for details) by Sam who's done a damned decent job of doing the work if facilities are an issue.

With regards to the brake pads though, I'd honestly suggest swapping to Ferrodo DS2500s or a Pagid track pad when heading to the ring. I knew someone who came out in a Ford Focus RS (Mk2) with me one year, and he had EBC yellows on his car. Within 4 laps however, the pads had completely destroyed themelves and he was forced to limp home on the reminds.

Also having been to the ring, be prepared to rebuild your front calipers often or consider the Porsche Boxter upgrade as the calipers themselves are the same units as the E36 but due to the E46 being a bit more portly (+200kg heavier or so) you might find the stock calipers binding up more often. I went through 2 sets before giving up and moving to the Porsche brembos and not had any trouble since.

I'm actually midway through an E46 M3 rear subframe restoration on a friends car. We ordered the Reddish Motorsport subframe strengthening kit + full set of polybushes. So we plan on doing this to my car, once we have finished his. This should really tighten up the rear of my 330ci. Out of interest, how much does your guy charge for it?





I'm a regular at the Ring, but never with a car quite this old. So I'm slowly realising that literally most things need replacing / upgrading on these old BMWs. I had no idea you could fit Porsche brakes on an e46, that is SO cool!!! I take it you had to fit adaption plates for the calipers to fit?

That is interesting about your experience with Yellowstuff pads. I've done countless track days with this brand of pads over the years and never had a problem. But the more I read about the pads, the more I want to swap them out with the ones you've mentioned. Would you also upgrade the rear pads? I have standard pads in the rear atm, but will gladly swap them out if a big difference is noticed.

PB