E46 330i Auto Sport Touring Daily

[toby]

I've already said in a previous post. What is the purpose of your line of questioning? Why are asking me questions that I've already addressed? What help are you providing here? Frankly, you seem abrasive now.

[alpina123]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

[scjimbo]

I've already said in a previous post. What is the purpose of your line of questioning? Why are asking me questions that I've already addressed? What help are you providing here? Frankly, you seem abrasive now.

[e301988325i]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

[toby]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

I said I saw it happen on one car. I didn't say it was inevitable.

[toby]

I've already said in a previous post. What is the purpose of your line of questioning? Why are asking me questions that I've already addressed? What help are you providing here? Frankly, you seem abrasive now.

Are you suggesting that I'm an internet tough guy?

Speaking clearly and politely does not mean that I'm an internet tough guy. I've been on this forum for seven years not seven months. I am never aggressive or bait anyone. I come here to be helpful and share my experiences about cars.

Thanks for your appreciation.

[toby]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

Thank you for saying that. I feel I can't even be helpful here without some folk hurling abuse.

[scjimbo]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

Thank you for saying that. I feel I can't even be helpful here without some folk hurling abuse.

Just ignore him mate he's a tad aggressive with his posts. Reincarnation of maltit perhaps??

[capri_rob]

Toby thanks for the heads up

I will change the PAS fluid on my car as a precautionary measure

I too have no doubt that a new rack fitted at BMW would be stupid money - last time I had a dealer service they wanted over £150 just to change the brake fluid !

[alpina123]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

probably not but who the hell would do that anyway?

[Brianmoooore]

im just staing that your talking bull sh*it saying when the pump goes you need to change ther rack and thats two grand ???

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

probably not but who the hell would do that anyway?

A surprisingly high percentage of the general populace would.

[alpina123]

A brand new rack and pump fitted at the dealer is probably more than £2k.

probably not but who the hell would do that anyway?

A surprisingly high percentage of the general populace would.

ok............

[capri_rob]

Small update

Stat & coolant change has been done thanks to danthe - its now up temp in under a mile and a half and doesnt move off the midway spot once it gets there

Had an issue with the gearbox a couple of weeks ago where it hesitated between changes and put the engine into limp home mode - again kudos to danthe for sorting it in a few minutes in my lunch hour with his laptop - plugged it in, cleared the code and its been fine since but the ATF fluid & filters change is now top of the to-do list as soon as meatballs82 gets back to me tomorrow with the prices

Went up to the lakes at the end of september and did all the steep passes - including the hardknott which is the most evil one in what can only be described as a monsoon

Dan told me that despite it having an Inspection 1 service at BMW about a month before I bought it the air filter was filthy - changed last week and did the pollen filter too - piece of p1$$.

On my sub 3 mile commute to work its averaging 24-25mpg which isnt too bad considering - and more like early 30's on a run.

It will probably need a set of boots for the MOT next year - the tread is fine but the previous owner appears to have been careless as all the wheels are quite badly kerbed and the sidewalls of the tyres arent the best - which is a shame as they are decent ones - Dunlops on the front and Bridgestones on the back.
I will look at tying this in with a wheel refurb or possibly upgrading to a set of MV2's as I prefer them.

I expect it will be fun in the snow

On the whole though - awesome car

[bss325i]

Air filter only gets changed on an Inspection 2.

Get some cheap 17's and winter tyres for the snow.

[capri_rob]

Air filter only gets changed on an Inspection 2.

Get some cheap 17's and winter tyres for the snow.

That would explain a lot - I thought it was on both inspection services For what they cost I got no issues changing it whenever it starts to look a bit grubby

[DanThe]

Yep, for what it costs the air filter should be changed with every oil service IMO, thats how I service cars anyway. BMW are charging £140 odd for an oil change and they dont even check the air filter let alone change it!

[bss325i]

All depends on who is doing the work on how "thorough" an inspection it is.

Takes less than a minute to check/change it.

[e301988325i]

Barry why does the gear stick on our E46 manual 330 sit in front of 5th instead of 3rd sometimes? Our E36 did this but had 60k more miles.

[bss325i]

The spring loaded piston which centres the gearstick gets stuck in its sleeve as the gearbox warms up.

There is a kit to sort it.

Part number 23117542726

You need a special tool to change it though.

[e301988325i]

I'm gussing that's an inside the gbox job? Box off etc? Sorry for the hijack.

[Morat]

Actually, I'd be interested in this one too!
Sorry - double apologies for the double hijack.
The box has been vague on this E46 since we bought it, the stick moves away from first/second towards 3/4 but doesn't come back from 5th to centre. It can make it difficult to find third quickly.
Our local BMW dealer changed some shims with no effect and then said the next option was "very expensive" so we shut up

edit: after googing the part number I think I've already had that kit fitted so I guess the next step would indeed be VERY expensive! Nevermind.

[capri_rob]

Quick Update

Dan has had this turd again today for some more fettling

Changed the Transmission fluid and filter, fuel filter and properly adjusted the handbrake.

Gearchanges now seem smoother and the occasional hesitation between gears which was there before seems to have completely gone.

Dan confirmed that despite this cars genuine 76k the fluid should probably have been done ages ago as if was filthy and the magnets in the ATF sump were caked in crap

Unfortunately time up on the ramps has also revealed a weeping water pump and one of the rear shocks looks to be on its way out - Thats in addition to the pair of front tyres it could do with soon

It seems to be never ending

[appletree]

The spring loaded piston which centres the gearstick gets stuck in its sleeve as the gearbox warms up.

There is a kit to sort it.

Part number 23117542726

You need a special tool to change it though.

Pretty sure thats the kit I used to add springs to a SMG box I converted to mannual, if do I have the tools if anyone wants to borrow them.

Thread.
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=smg

[capri_rob]

More grief today

Dan's had it back to stick a new waterpump in ( cheers Matt ) and found the new stat fitted a few weeks ago has a hairline crack along one of the manufacturing seams and is leaking

The stat came from Motormec via Ebay - I've just messaged them to ask about warranty on it ( purchased 28th September ) - whats the chances of getting my dosh back ? I've ordered another one off Matt anyway ( should have done that to start with )

[darkchild]

The stat came from Motormec via Ebay - I've just messaged them to ask about warranty on it ( purchased 28th September ) - whats the chances of getting my dosh back ? I've ordered another one off Matt anyway ( should have done that to start with )

I've always used Motormec and never had any problems. They've got a good reputation so I would hope they'd resolve it quickly.

[Andyboy]

Quick Update

Dan has had this turd again today for some more fettling

Changed the Transmission fluid and filter, fuel filter and properly adjusted the handbrake.

Gearchanges now seem smoother and the occasional hesitation between gears which was there before seems to have completely gone.

Dan confirmed that despite this cars genuine 76k the fluid should probably have been done ages ago as if was filthy and the magnets in the ATF sump were caked in crap

Unfortunately time up on the ramps has also revealed a weeping water pump and one of the rear shocks looks to be on its way out - Thats in addition to the pair of front tyres it could do with soon

It seems to be never ending

I have a pair of brand new E46 Touring Boge shocks in the workshop, still in boxes.

[capri_rob]

Will have to wait Andy - need to get the cooling system sorted before the weather really turns to sh1t and it needs a pair of front boots before I can spend anything else on it - if you've still got them probably around Feb time I'll probably have them off you then though

Are the Sport shocks any different standard E46 330 dampers or do all the Tourings have the same dampers with just lower springs on the Sport models ?

[bss325i]

Dampers springs and front wishbones are all different for cars with sports suspension.

[E30BeemerLad]

Rob, how do you find the ride on the 18" rimzzzz?

I am tempted (after discovering if there are any horrors looming after a week or so of ownership) to consider some MV1 or 2's for mine. It is currently rocking the stock 16" rims wth 55 profile boots, which aren't the best, so I will either need to look in the next 3-4 months at a set of 4 new (decent brand) boots or buy a wheel & tyre combo.

I think I may prefer the extra comfort of the 16's for speed humps and pot holes etc.

[Andyboy]

Dampers springs and front wishbones are all different for cars with sports suspension.

Mine are Super Touring which I think are the better ones. They fit the E36 as well, same length etc.

[bss325i]

Bilststein B4's and eiabach pro kit springs work really well on E46's. Better than factory sport suspension.

[capri_rob]

Rob, how do you find the ride on the 18" rimzzzz?

I am tempted (after discovering if there are any horrors looming after a week or so of ownership) to consider some MV1 or 2's for mine. It is currently rocking the stock 16" rims wth 55 profile boots, which aren't the best, so I will either need to look in the next 3-4 months at a set of 4 new (decent brand) boots or buy a wheel & tyre combo.

I think I may prefer the extra comfort of the 16's for speed humps and pot holes etc.

On smooth roads its great but you do feel the bumps a lot on anything other than smooth tarmac - theyre pretty low profile boots as well which doesnt help. You do really have to keep a lookout for and avoid bad potholes - I expect they are silly money to replace if you bend one. Handles very well though for such a big & fairly heavy car

I prefer the look of the MV2's really but can't be bothered with the aggro of finding and refurbing a secondhand set - they still seem to be fetching silly money for rough genuine ones and theres a lot of fakes about

Personally in your position Lee I'd stick with the 16's over the winter - maybe stick some winter boots on them - and just keep an eye on the 'bay in case some bigger ones at the right price come up

[bss325i]

There is a lot more choice with 5x120.

Alpina's, schnitzers, Hartges, MV's, Racing dynamics, all look good on the '46.

[E30BeemerLad]

I was looking at the cost of boots for the current setup and Conti ContactSports are only £65 a corner at Camskill. The alloys are immaculate so I may just stick with them. Good MV2's with decent brand boots with plenty of tread are the wrong side of £500 from what I've seen.