E46 Touring - facelift petrol models 28/5 Got one

[bss325i]

Correct.

A single slot CD headhunt allows a £3 aux lead of the 3.5mm jack type to be used.

[capri_rob]

Magic cheers. Theres a few on ebay and that will look a lot better than going aftermarket.

[Simon13]

hows?! mine has single CD headunit and factory loom for CD changer which was never fitted

[bss325i]

Fit this into the CD changer port on the back of a single slot unit and instead of CD it comes up AUX on the display.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-BMW-E46-9 ... Sw42JWDLlh

BMW offer a retro fit but its a lot more money when this does the same thing.

[DanThe]

Ive got a single CD head unit and a changer in my E39 turd, sounds like the changers time is up as I can fit a lot more music on a micro SD than in the great hulking CD changer that takes up valuable spares space in the boot

[capri_rob]

I wish the aftermarket stuff didnt look so gash. a˜¡
I can get something with DAB, bluetooth, USB and an LCD screen with reverse camera support for next to nothing but they look like something out of a gypo's caravan a˜¡

[DanThe]

Ive got a DAB add on for mine Rob, wires up to the standard stereo and uses a remote, it was only about £80, still in the box, in the pile, 6 months after I bought it
Might get round to fitting it one day...

[Blitz]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231889358129

[capri_rob]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231889358129

That actually looks pretty good however moving the climate control panel is quite an involved job by the look of it

[DanThe]

Why does anybody need an android in their dashboard? Ive looked at a few and it seems if you want to use DAB it is via an 'app' and needs an internet connection, I've tried internet DAB via my phone and bluetooth to the stereo but the sound quality is utterly shit and if you loose internet connection (everyday on my normal journey) the music stops.

[bss325i]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231889358129

That actually looks pretty good however moving the climate control panel is quite an involved job by the look of it

I've fitted a few of these things and they are cheap Chinese garbage.

Relocating the heater panel is very easy but requires an £80 relocation panel new from BMW or cheaper used.

[capri_rob]

I will probably stick to the OEM stuff i think.
A single DIN unit with an adapter plate would be much less aggro if i went aftermarket but for what a decent quality branded unit would cost plus the fitting kit i dont think its worth it a˜•

Something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PHILIPS-CED23 ... SwKfVXKY8f

Which is pretty much the only branded single din I can find with a built in screen but doesnt have DAB or bluetooth


Plus £26 for the single din faceplate and looms

Plus another tenner for a reversing camera

Vs about £65 for a used OEM CD player with an ipod lead.

[E30spud]

single din fitting kit from BMW is NLA.

Aftermarket single din facia plates are universally gash

[capri_rob]

Quick update on this.
MOT passed a couple of weeks ago just 2 advisories for brake pads getting low all round.
Bought a complete set of Eicher pads with discount from ECP this weekend for £21 as the disks look fine and ive fitted Eicher pads on a couple of other cars for other people recently with no issues - i figure for £21 if they turn out to be rubbish in a few months time i can always fit something better then.

Replaced the cassette heead unit for a BMW business CD and added an Aux in cable which i have routed up under the centre armrest to come out in the coin tray where my old iPod fits perfectly

The only real money ive got to spend on it now is a pair of front tyres and tracking - the rears are a matched pair of Nexen which arent ideal but have loads of tread on so will have to stay for now.
The fronts however are 1 continental thats very low on tread and 1 budget which is better on tread but i managed to get a screw in close to the sidewall last week so im replacing them both with Goodyear Asymetric 3's and getting the tracking done at the same time.
Cartyres.com seems to be the cheapest all round at the moment for new tyres with fitting.

This is turning out to be a lovely car - its not too bad on fuel considering im mainly doing short journeys and is very comfortable.

[E30spud]

If you need tracking doing check rear wishbone (lollipop) bushes as any appreciable wear in them will nullify any tracking attempts.

[bss325i]

Your faith in E46's is being restored Rob!

[Simon13]

They're a brilliant car ignore Everett and the e46 haterz!

[Andyboy]

6 cyl petrols are fine, by and large.

[capri_rob]

New front tyres fitted this morning, they put the wheel alignment gear on it afterwards and found it to be spot on so no adjustment no charge - bonus

Brake pads all round done this afternoon by me. Pads i took off werent as bad as i was expecting - probably 2/3 worn. Cleaned the edges of the disks up a bit but they are still pretty good and wearing evenly and changing the pads was a doddle.

Next up will be some preventative winter maintenance - waxoy all the brake pipes and have all,teh arch liners out and clean and waxoyl under there before a full fluids and filters service.