Bmw 330ti

[josh-cg608]

Picked up this 330ti around a month ago now, car is a 325ti with 116k, its had the m54b30 conversion, the engine on 89k.

Heres a couple of pics how its is now after a fair bit of work and refreshing over the last month. Will try and do step by steps on the way.

[josh-cg608]

This is the car the evening i picked up, its a decent spec silver grey, full black leather, its had factory oem cenon headlights fitted. Also got an eonon android headunit. the previous owner who did the conversion recently put new rad, water pump, thermostat and expansion tank. After a check over things needed doing, oil filter housing gasket, coils and plugs, ccv valve and hoses, oil and filter, wheel refurb, it had one brand new mich ps4 and 3 naff so 3 ps4s to match also some paintwork to make it presentable.

First weekend i got chance i gave the interior leather and surfaces and deep clean and condition. Interior was shiny and grubby but it came up well.




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Really happy with how it came up considering how it was when i picked up. Ordered a e46 clubsport weighted gearknob and a new gaitor. Plus eventually will want to get the steering wheel sorted through royal steering wheels.

[josh-cg608]

Next up i booked the car in for a wheel refurb and ordered 3 mich ps4’s to make a nice matching set. Sent the car up at work on axle stands and dropped the wheels off. While it was all in the air did an oil and filter change. A week earlier i took the car on a 100 mile or so run to get a feel for the car. Glad i did as it started misfiring and also the ride was very crashy and the wheel seemed to have a mind if its own. So while the car was up with wheels iff i noticed the front shock absorber offside was leaking and the osr spring had cracked. So a bit prematurely than i expected i ordered x4 oem sachs sport shocks, eibach pro springs, x4 top mounts, all the washers and spacers for the rear and 2 new front anti roll bar links.



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Few pics of before and Afters, didnt manage to get pics if the front and was in a bit of a rush in between work haha

[Jimmy Recard]

Looks like a lot of fun!

These things seem to have aged nicely into really cool little cars

[Court_S]

I have a soft spot for these despite my 325ti destroying my wallet constantly! They look smarter in sport trim than SE.

[njw1]

I've been considering doing a 3.0 compact conversion myself for a while, I've been keeping an eye out for a cheap 325ti locally but they seem to be very rare! Anyway, that looks a nice one OP, following with interest.

[josh-cg608]

Court_S said:

I have a soft spot for these despite my 325ti destroying my wallet constantly! They look smarter in sport trim than SE.

Hahaha yeah this was intended as a cheap 2nd car which lasted about a day now the parts prices seem to be racking up but im happy with how its turning out

[gregs656]

I love my 325. With a 330 it must be a peach.

That colour suits them too.

Quite jealous!

[daniel-5zjw7]

Really good job so far! Silver Grey is a great colour.

These are great cars but of course like the majority of 17+ year old cars by this point they really do need going through completely to experience them at their best, however it is a worthwhile process imo. When you do the oil filter housing gasket remember to get a new dipstick o ring and I'd suggest getting a new rocker cover gasket set unless its been done recently and doing that at the same time. Aliminium disa valve kit from the likes i6 automotive is a good shout too.

I got my 325ti 3 years ago and I've been fairly busy, having replaced every single suspension component/rubber mounting one way or another and upgrading wherever possible, plus covering 30k in it in the process, so if you have any questions on bits to change let me know. CDV delete is almost a must, and other quick wins like the weighted clubsport gearnob/retrimmed steering wheel you already have planned make a really positive difference. Moving on from that the likes of E9X M3 engine mounts & polybushed diff carrier make for big improvements to the drive.

Enjoy!

[Mr Tidy]

That's the Compact BMW should have made.

I loved my 325ti Compact - with a 330i installed it must be great fun!

Enjoy getting it how you want it.

[drdino]

That's a very nice car, enjoy it!

I do hanker after a facelift sport with a 6speed in 330 guise.

[josh-cg608]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Really good job so far! Silver Grey is a great colour.

These are great cars but of course like the majority of 17+ year old cars by this point they really do need going through completely to experience them at their best, however it is a worthwhile process imo. When you do the oil filter housing gasket remember to get a new dipstick o ring and I'd suggest getting a new rocker cover gasket set unless its been done recently and doing that at the same time. Aliminium disa valve kit from the likes i6 automotive is a good shout too.

I got my 325ti 3 years ago and I've been fairly busy, having replaced every single suspension component/rubber mounting one way or another and upgrading wherever possible, plus covering 30k in it in the process, so if you have any questions on bits to change let me know. CDV delete is almost a must, and other quick wins like the weighted clubsport gearnob/retrimmed steering wheel you already have planned make a really positive difference. Moving on from that the likes of E9X M3 engine mounts & polybushed diff carrier make for big improvements to the drive.

Enjoy!

Thanks mate appreciate it, yes dipstick o ring purchased and also have rocker cover gasket set aswell.

[josh-cg608]

Thanks for all the replies.

Next part i got all the suspension fitted a wheels back from refurb. All fitted and roadtested and car drive like a dream. Also fitted new gearknob and also a new disa unit o ring but forgot to take any pictures.

[josh-cg608]

Next up the weekend just gone i finally got time to give the car a good thorough clean and decon, firstly jacked up and wheels off and cleaned up the arches. Then moving on to door shuts and boot shut then finishing in the exterior. Car was snowfoamed with garage therapy decon shampoo then hand washed with same product. De tarred, then fallout removal with bilt hamber korrosol finally claybarred using bilt hamber regular clay. Will be giving the car a machine polish when i get chance but for now quick spray of car peo hydro lite and garage therapy quick detailer.

Interior i scrubbed the carpets and floor mats and also coated the interior grab handles with gtechniq c4 which brought then back to life also used this on the b pillar trim and door mirror base.






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[Court_S]

Looks like it’s scrubbing up really well OP.

[Andrew-b90y3]

Great little car that op and comes up a treat!!

[daniel-5zjw7]

josh-cg608 said:

Thanks mate appreciate it, yes dipstick o ring purchased and also have rocker cover gasket set aswell.

Good stuff, prepare to be patient with the dipstick o ring, the new one can be a pain to seat properly.

Rocker cover gasket is a straight forward job, but i would suggest using a gasket sealer on the on the corners of the half moons at the front and back of the engine, some will say you don't need to but when I've tried it without I've had oil leaks. Also watch when tightening the rocker cover back down, the nuts bottom out on the studs so no need to torque, just tighten till they stop but do it with a small ratchet as its possible to snap the studs if too heavy handed.

[cerb4.5lee]

I do love how well you're sprucing this up.

[Leins]

Love this OP, hope you enjoy it!

Mr Tidy said:

That's the Compact BMW should have made.

It was actually what BMW planned to do, according to mag reports back in 2000, but they changed to the 2.5 then for some reason.

While I always enjoyed the performance of mine, it would have been even nicer with an extra 40hp. And maybe an LSD

[ZX10R NIN]

Great work OP that's a very nice car.