Discussion
Hello,
First topic and first post on pistonheads.
I've been a looker for few years, and now, I want to share the new project.
Firstly, excuse my english if there are mistakes, still learning the Shakespeare language every day.
2 weeks ago, I was waiting my wife to be ready and go out, and I was on this famous website where impulsive bought are possible.
And I saw this ad: BMW 330ci, convertible, runs very well but failed MOT with the description of the work to do. No mileage or transmission type wrote.
When I saw the ad, it was just published with a buy it now price. Someone place a bid before I push the buy it now button because I have asked to the seller the mileage, the gearbox, and if there are any faults.
He replied to me, and tell me the car has 98000miles, manual gearbox. Reasonable condition in and out.
Say no more, I buy it
.
Tomorrow morning, after a boat, a train, 15mn walking and a night with no sleep, I'm in London upfront the car (I have forgotten to precise, I live in France).
Exterior far from perfect, but ok, with no rust (very good point on a e46). Interior very dirty, little wear everywhere, but nothing too dramatic.
Little chat with the guy, very nice, he gave me 20£ because the car was dirty and haven't petrol. I take the key and take the road to come back in France.
Usual traffic jams in London, the cars stalled at every start-up. And it was the beginning of a christmas tree on the dash.
Washer fluid, oil, coolant, traction control, brakes. And when the rev counter hit 3000rpm, battery light is flashing. I have just 250 miles, it will be nice...
At the border office before to go in the ferry, the window switch broken down in my hand, very handful to give the passport
.
But the car droves ok to my house, it was the most important.
The next day, after a scan of the ECU and good checks: this is what I need to do:
- Good service (last service 20000 miles before, but it was in 2014...)
- AAC sensor
- Rear Brake lines
- 4 tyres (it wasn't illegal in UK to have 4 different tyres?)
- Airbag sensor
- An alternator
- A correct grill (one is black, the other one chrome)
- And maybe a paint, the lacquer has peel off at the car wash...
Good points:
- Mileage is not high (98000 miles)
- 2 previous owner
- No accident recorded, and it seems the car had some good repairs: all the A/C system, new front calipers, all the motors for the top.
It will be a slow renovation, I already own few cars, and I just bought a house and a have little girl of 3 weeks. So this car wasn't the priority but I'm very happy to bought it.
This is some pics of it:
At the ferry after a stressful journey:
A nice view on the way home:
Before the quick wash:
And after a quick wash:
I will try to keep you update of the evolution of this blue vert'.
Yannick.
First topic and first post on pistonheads.
I've been a looker for few years, and now, I want to share the new project.
Firstly, excuse my english if there are mistakes, still learning the Shakespeare language every day.
2 weeks ago, I was waiting my wife to be ready and go out, and I was on this famous website where impulsive bought are possible.
And I saw this ad: BMW 330ci, convertible, runs very well but failed MOT with the description of the work to do. No mileage or transmission type wrote.
When I saw the ad, it was just published with a buy it now price. Someone place a bid before I push the buy it now button because I have asked to the seller the mileage, the gearbox, and if there are any faults.
He replied to me, and tell me the car has 98000miles, manual gearbox. Reasonable condition in and out.
Say no more, I buy it
. Tomorrow morning, after a boat, a train, 15mn walking and a night with no sleep, I'm in London upfront the car (I have forgotten to precise, I live in France).
Exterior far from perfect, but ok, with no rust (very good point on a e46). Interior very dirty, little wear everywhere, but nothing too dramatic.
Little chat with the guy, very nice, he gave me 20£ because the car was dirty and haven't petrol. I take the key and take the road to come back in France.
Usual traffic jams in London, the cars stalled at every start-up. And it was the beginning of a christmas tree on the dash.
Washer fluid, oil, coolant, traction control, brakes. And when the rev counter hit 3000rpm, battery light is flashing. I have just 250 miles, it will be nice...
At the border office before to go in the ferry, the window switch broken down in my hand, very handful to give the passport
.But the car droves ok to my house, it was the most important.
The next day, after a scan of the ECU and good checks: this is what I need to do:
- Good service (last service 20000 miles before, but it was in 2014...)
- AAC sensor
- Rear Brake lines
- 4 tyres (it wasn't illegal in UK to have 4 different tyres?)
- Airbag sensor
- An alternator
- A correct grill (one is black, the other one chrome)
- And maybe a paint, the lacquer has peel off at the car wash...
Good points:
- Mileage is not high (98000 miles)
- 2 previous owner
- No accident recorded, and it seems the car had some good repairs: all the A/C system, new front calipers, all the motors for the top.
It will be a slow renovation, I already own few cars, and I just bought a house and a have little girl of 3 weeks. So this car wasn't the priority but I'm very happy to bought it.
This is some pics of it:
At the ferry after a stressful journey:
A nice view on the way home:
Before the quick wash:
And after a quick wash:
I will try to keep you update of the evolution of this blue vert'.
Yannick.
Northbrook said:
Welcome, Yannick. Car looks good now it's clean!
Thank you Northbrook. The car isn't clean yet, it's just less dirty. I haven't take the time to do a proper wash.
I'm living in the north of France, so it's basically the same weather than in UK ...
PurpleTurtle said:
Welcome! I am a huge E46 fan, I had a similar '51 plate 330 Ci Sport from new, I wish I still had it.
Looking forward to following the thread. Is there a particular reason you bought a RHD car and shipped it back to France?
It's not my first one too. I had a 325ci e46 m sport, silver with blue roof, I loved this car but I had to sell it to buy a more sensible car to work (60 miles a day). Looking forward to following the thread. Is there a particular reason you bought a RHD car and shipped it back to France?
I have other LHD cars (Mini Cooper S Checkmate, BMW M5 e39, BMW 525d e61 M-Sport) and UK cars are a lot cheaper than in France. I love scrolling on Ebay and when I saw the ad, I wasn't planning to buy an other car but the price was too good to say no. And I love the fact to drive different
shalmaneser said:
A e46 330i is a lovely thing. Looks wonderful as a soft-top too, the lines of the rear deck with the roof down are just perfect!
Yes I'm agree with you. I can't wait to drive it top down during spring or summer, enjoying the sound of engine 
Welcome to PH
Got a touring myself, be it highly re-engineered and carefully rebuilt. Feel free to hit up PH with any issues, and preventative maintanence.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... <-- Project thread if you wanted to read
Got a touring myself, be it highly re-engineered and carefully rebuilt. Feel free to hit up PH with any issues, and preventative maintanence.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... <-- Project thread if you wanted to read
YLJ said:
I've been a looker for few years...
Yannick.
We'll be the judge of that!Yannick.
I know a petrolhead Yannick in France. Well where else would a Yannick be? He has a garage filled with lovely metal. And he once gave me a 1990s Sony Mini system that I spotted in his man-cave and lusted after. It would be amazing if you were he!
Sf_Manta said:
Welcome to PH
Got a touring myself, be it highly re-engineered and carefully rebuilt. Feel free to hit up PH with any issues, and preventative maintanence.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... <-- Project thread if you wanted to read
I have already read your topic. Amazing touring and content, I love it. If I need help, I will you drop a message Got a touring myself, be it highly re-engineered and carefully rebuilt. Feel free to hit up PH with any issues, and preventative maintanence.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... <-- Project thread if you wanted to read
My e46 will be restore, but not upgrade like your car. It will be a sensible convertible to carry wife and kid.
I have other cars to drive a little bit faster
Kettmark said:
I've recently sold my much loved 330ci sport owned for 16 years. Took it to 250000 miles and was still running great.
Have a soft spot for e46's and hoping to replace with a csl.
You have enjoy it a long time, it's a good thing. It's one of the best in his class I think. Have a soft spot for e46's and hoping to replace with a csl.
The CSL is my teenager dream, but the price is too high for a M3 e46. I would prefer buy a very clean low mileage M3 e46 for a lot less.
g3org3y said:
Welcome to the forum. Hopefully with a bit of love and attention, will be a really nice car.
Thank you. I will try to do my best and keep you update of the progress quote=LunarOne]
We'll be the judge of that!
I know a petrolhead Yannick in France. Well where else would a Yannick be? He has a garage filled with lovely metal. And he once gave me a 1990s Sony Mini system that I spotted in his man-cave and lusted after. It would be amazing if you were he!
fastbikes76 said:
Wow , sounds like an epic journey. Look forward to the transformation into something a little more cared for and a little less abused !
Thank you. The journey was epic but it's not my first purchase in UK. And this may seem odd, but I love come in UK. My wife and I dream for a little flat or bungalow in the south of UK. Mr Tidy said:
Welcome Yannick. 
Gotta love a manual straight 6 E46! I had a 325ti Sport for over 3 years and loved it but I don't think I'd be brave enough to buy one from another country!
I hope yours treats you well.
It's very easy, it seems more complicated than it really is. Gotta love a manual straight 6 E46! I had a 325ti Sport for over 3 years and loved it but I don't think I'd be brave enough to buy one from another country!
I hope yours treats you well.
I had the same engine than your 325ti in my previous e46 convertible, great engine but terrible fuel economy with the automatic gearbox for 192bhp...
Yesterday, with lot of confidence, I have replaced the AAC sensor.
There is two, one exhaust side, the other one intake side.
I have ordered the exhaust one, and it was the intake one I need, story of my life...
New order done with all the filters, oil, alternator, to make this car mechanically great again
There is two, one exhaust side, the other one intake side.
I have ordered the exhaust one, and it was the intake one I need, story of my life...
New order done with all the filters, oil, alternator, to make this car mechanically great again
As wrote, it's a long journey for this car.
I haven't too much time but I'm enjoying browsing internet for good deals and check what I can do on this car.
The other AAC sensor (intake side) have been changed, along with a oil change, all the filters, and the wipers blades.
Next week-end, it will be rocker cover gasket and spark plugs.
Moreover, I have found new wheels from an X3 for the car. Specs seems to go straight forward on the E46, I will check as soon as I receive them.
So far so good, the car now running smoothly with the new sensor and the service (7 years and 25000 miles with the same oil..). Next oil change will be done in 1000 miles, to clear up the rest of the old oil.
I have try to clean one seat, not happy with the results, but I know now what I need to plan to restore them.
Alloys:
Before
After:
I haven't too much time but I'm enjoying browsing internet for good deals and check what I can do on this car.
The other AAC sensor (intake side) have been changed, along with a oil change, all the filters, and the wipers blades.
Next week-end, it will be rocker cover gasket and spark plugs.
Moreover, I have found new wheels from an X3 for the car. Specs seems to go straight forward on the E46, I will check as soon as I receive them.
So far so good, the car now running smoothly with the new sensor and the service (7 years and 25000 miles with the same oil..). Next oil change will be done in 1000 miles, to clear up the rest of the old oil.
I have try to clean one seat, not happy with the results, but I know now what I need to plan to restore them.
Alloys:
Before
After:
I'll be interested to know how you get on with the alloys.
Looks like Style 192: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/192
Do you think it'll be a straight on job?
Looks like Style 192: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/192
Do you think it'll be a straight on job?
g3org3y said:
I'll be interested to know how you get on with the alloys.
Looks like Style 192: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/192
Do you think it'll be a straight on job?
I think so Looks like Style 192: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/192
Do you think it'll be a straight on job?
I will see when I will collect them.
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