Just got done putting my car thru all the motions since the overhaul... Running great... Been dropping the top everyday since Saturday ending yesterday... Also fixed a fastener on the vert top... Forgot to buy new brake pad sensors so my car thinks the brand new Brembo (low dust) pads are worn out, when they just broke in and feel great I might add, even on the stock / used rotors, noisy break in, didn't bite like the dust clouds at first, now broken in feels great... Strongly recommend... Used them on my x drilled M5 rotors on the Dinan5 but had no stock rotor ref until now... All thumbs up
Last edited by angeleye540i; 03-03-2016 at 02:58 PM.
Got my pre-painted 442 colored spoiler from eBay in the mail... Looks good but nervous to put it on as we all know once it's on it's on...
Yesterday, I finished replacing the front struts on my 330xi... that was also a F'ing bitch! Well, at least I didn't break anything (by the way, I did replace the end links on my rear stabilizer bar because I broke one). I won't go into details (too embarrassing), but I actually had to replace both struts more than once. I'm pretty good at it now.
Today, I replaced the windshield cowl. That was pretty easy, but I had a HELL of a time getting the wiper arms off. I really could've used a puller, but PB Blaster and a lot of swearing managed to get it done.
Tomorrow morning--alignment!
Replaced the god awful aftermarket front axles with GKN's. 4 issues solved by 3 parts.
Last edited by dhurley34; 03-07-2016 at 05:50 PM.
Helped my twin brother get his first BMW - 2001 325i.
I brought it in for 4-wheel alignment, but only the fronts were out on toe. The steering and road feel bring tears to my eyes. Except... when I said I didn't break anything, I was wrong--I broke the wire to the brake pad wear sensor, so I have one of those coming (thank goodness it's a $10 part and a breeze to replace).
Mainly, I replaced the struts (shock portion only--saved the springs which were free of any significant corrosion), because they looked 110,000 miles old and, once I got them out, they definitely did need replacing (no action whatsoever). I bought the front and rear kits for shocks/springs and struts from FCP Euro (note that you can probably save a few bucks by piecing it all out and saving the old spring seats). The main reasons I purchased these kits were they promised to replicate stock configuration (which I thought important for an xi), price, and it just made it a little easier. I will say that the car feels DAMN GOOD--I'm a spirited driver and no racer, but I sure appreciate the firm yet forgiving ride that allows me to tackle backroad turns with abandon. By the way, and I don't mean offense to any car owners out there, but I test drove a 2008 335xi yesterday, and I'll take my 2004 330xi any day (albeit definitely slower)--it' less insulated. I hate to say it but it felt just like a very nice 2009 Audi A6 turbo I test drove last fall.
Last edited by Reasoned1; 03-07-2016 at 07:59 PM.
Got sunburned driving with the top down the past 3 days
Last edited by angeleye540i; 03-10-2016 at 08:36 PM.
I cleaned mine up real good. I was so excited I got the springs and shocks done, I had to take it to work, and got caught by a nasty little snow storm, so the roads got messy and did a job on my car. Then, I made the mistake of letting my teenage daughter in it, who had mud all over her feet (mud season in Vermont) and, apparently, little knowledge of what floor mats are for.
I finally replaced my worn and leaking parking lights--the fit was AWFUL, and the originals weren't much better. I used a closed cell strip of rubber gasket material to make a nice seal between the lens and body.
Last and least, I replaced two missing screws in the front belly pan.
I'm still waiting patiently for my new brake pad sensor.
Last edited by Reasoned1; 03-13-2016 at 09:18 PM.
Put on front seat belt guides on my 328Ci.
The last month: Trans fluid change, CVC, throttle body o ring, disa O-ring, fuel filter, valve cover gasket, every vacuum lines, vanos rebuild, engine mounts, steering and drive shaft guibo, GM 5L40E Fuel pump bearing and reverse solendoid, cleaned the fuel injectors and replaced o-ring, air distribution box O rings, oil dipstick to engine o-ring, dipstick o rings, radiator, water pump, t-stat, all cooling hoses, intake manifold gasket, and the oil pan gasket.
Next month - New ***** stereo, struts, springs, and shocks then all new bushings (front and rear), right front seat leather replacement (this is not fun). Then I give the car to wife as it will be her daily driver ;-)
Doing all of the above for the wife so I can get an M3. Daughter wants a Green Mini with a British flag on the roof. Good thing Dad likes to work on cars
Did the same for my wife. We bought an E46 in 2014 that I pretty much completely restored from top to bottom. The car was awesome. She was in an accident last Nov. and after seeing how well it held up in an impact, we bought another. I'm in the middle of restoring another E46 so she can have it. The only things i have left are the rear diff seals, driveshaft swap (rear u joint is going bad), and replacing the sunroof shade.
Finished oil pan gasket/oil filter housing gasket...so far so good, ran it up to temp and drove to buy a used MAF off some guy who parts out e46s (LOL he "threw-in" an after market chinese MAF for free...FOR FREE)
Also changed steering guibo.
Next up: front right caliper swap (w/new hose), fuel filter, expansion tank retainer and the last two 'harder' cooling hoses (better not be any more leaks after that...).
Future: Front Shocks (ugh), maybe DISA.
Replaced front rotors with brembo blanks $110 shipped, akebono pads $56 shipped, OEM pad sensors $12, 7 quarts of 5w 30 synthetic oil $39, old filter $10, total cost of labor for everything $130. Next on the list is replacing the water pump thermostat, pulleys, and hoses
2001 BMW 330 CI
2006 Merc C230
Drained the oil catch can. The stuff coming out of the can was a mustard colored oily goopy liquid. I'm sure glad that wasn't sent back in the crankcase by the poorly designed CCV!
All hail the oil catch can!
Btw, the engine (M54B30 with ~116k miles) burns zero oil now. Thank you Mishimoto!
Exercised her on some back roads... WEEEEEEEEEE! Ran like butter...
Did the oil change and brakes/rotors last week.
Changed the front control arm bushings to powerflex and replaced the rest control arms. Runs like new now!!
Next is fan clutch replacement. Might do it in a month or so.
Sent from mTalk
Finally replaced the brake pad sensor. I was surprised to discover that, while it nicely extended from one connector to the next, one of the middle strain reliefs weren't positioned properly, and I had to use a couple of zip ties to keep it in place.
Guess what... driver's window regulator is starting to go, so now I have that to look forward to. Still drives like a dream though...
What did you do to your E46 today?
I bought it!
Last edited by All2kool; 03-23-2016 at 12:21 PM.
Trans fluid and filter change at 150k. No sludge or metal shavings on the magnet..... knock on wood!
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