E46 upgrades

[robbo86]

I have recently acquired an e46 on a w plate. M43b18 with slushbox. Won't set the world alight but with summer and winter wheels and a genuine 63k with full service history I couldn't say no really.

I intend to keep the car for around a year and just want some ideas on the typical oem upgrades.

OBC stalk. Understand this is a job of simply swap it out and get the software flashed?

Cruise control. I know the m43 was fitted with them but is a more complex retrofit than the newer engine models. How much more difficult? Anyone done this?

Xenon headlights, mine have the none projector type headlights. If I bought projectors is it a simple plug and play swap?

Led rear lights, plug and play?

BMW business cd. To replace the standard fit tape deck. Again is this just a plug and play? Also interested in something to work as a Bluetooth hands free/music player.

What other options for an oem type fitment are there? I looked at the DICE range, but nothing there seems to suggest it will support charging for the newer phones with lightning pin (I've got a 6plus)

Hope that makes sense

[robbo86]

You make a persuasive argument there...

[Kos]

Xenon headlights, mine have the none projector type headlights. If I bought projectors is it a simple plug and play swap?

Led rear lights, plug and play?

i am guessing yours is a saloon ?

xenon head lights, when you find projector Xenon head lights, all the looms plug in but they will not work. you'll have to have them coded in. you could use the light switch LCM from a xenon equipped car and they will work but you'll get a small dod on the mileage indicator meaning a milage discrepancy (the LCM logs the mileage on the car too)

you will also loose the manual beam adjustment for levelling from the light switch as xenons were auto levelling

rear lights will need to be coded as well

if your car is coupe, get some projector coupe headlights and retro fit an HID kit. you shouldn't get a bulb out warning

[robbo86]

Saloon. Still the non projectors are alright for halogens, seems like an awful lot to do otherwise.

[Kos]

The headlamps can be changed in a couple of hours

Just get some good osram or Philips bulbs

[robbo86]

Cheers Kos. Know anything about the other bits?

[Kos]

Negative mate

[bss325i]

1. OBC requires the stalk and the car programmed as a retro fit for OBC.

2. Cruise retro fit on a car with an electronic throttle pedal is just a case of the muti function steering wheel, one wire from the slip ring to the DME and a retro fit program.
Not sure on cable operated cars.

3. Non xenon Projector headlamps were not available for any E46 other than faclifted coupes and convertibles.

4. OEM rear LED lights only available for coupes and convertibles. Saloon ones are aftermarket and should come with the relevant voltage adaptors.

5. A business CD head unit is a straight replacement for a business tape deck.

6. The best iPod compatibility for the E46 (and E39/E38/E53) is the intravee although it works best with the factory Nav and you can use a lightning adapter with your 6S.

[Andyboy]

A W reg E46 will keep you busy enough fixing things.

[robbo86]

It's surprisingly ok actually. Makes a change for my cars to be honest. Remains to be seen if it stays that way...

[darkchild]

At least its got the M43. You don't want the hassle of a N42.