Thats strange , my 325 wagon would slide its ass nicely on a wet road. Do you deactivate the 2nd stage of the traction control ?
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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
The new daily - E46 330i Touring
- Thread starter Benji
- Start date
Benji
Well-known member
Quick update on the daily. It has been performing its duties really well, I have already racked up 6000km in my first 3 months of ownership without any major hiccups.
I have been having intermittent central locking issues - car sometimes wont unlock on the key fob (boot and lock buttons on key fob respond, central locking button on center console works), which I suspect is the GM5 module. I sourced a used GM5 module which seems to have fixed all the central locking issues even though I never installed the "new" one. I suspect the old one has sensed the presence of the new one and decided to pull up its socks. Win!
My power delivery issues still seem to be intermittent, not throwing any codes so I am a bit stumped at the moment, not really in the position to throw parts at it (suspecting throttle pedal/throttle body/speed sensor issues), so it will just have to be fine for now.
On the positive sides, I sourced a replacement silver bonnet with good paint and a new BMW roundel for an actual song, sourced silver M-sport side skirts and bought a set of clear rear lights in Europe. Literally a week after buying the lights in Europe, a set popped up on a car being sold in Durban. Typical Murphy. @Dbn540i was exceedingly kind to go pick them up for me and send them to me. Thank you again, Fanatics really are an awesome bunch of people
Now I have a spare set of touring clear rear lights
Next up was to test the limits of the colourlock leather repair products. I used their liquid leather to fill the cracks on the steering wheel and gearlever and redyed them. I must say, considering how terrible the leather was, I am pretty impressed with how it came out. The steering wheel still needs to be recovered, but this will do for now.
I have been having intermittent central locking issues - car sometimes wont unlock on the key fob (boot and lock buttons on key fob respond, central locking button on center console works), which I suspect is the GM5 module. I sourced a used GM5 module which seems to have fixed all the central locking issues even though I never installed the "new" one. I suspect the old one has sensed the presence of the new one and decided to pull up its socks. Win!
My power delivery issues still seem to be intermittent, not throwing any codes so I am a bit stumped at the moment, not really in the position to throw parts at it (suspecting throttle pedal/throttle body/speed sensor issues), so it will just have to be fine for now.
On the positive sides, I sourced a replacement silver bonnet with good paint and a new BMW roundel for an actual song, sourced silver M-sport side skirts and bought a set of clear rear lights in Europe. Literally a week after buying the lights in Europe, a set popped up on a car being sold in Durban. Typical Murphy. @Dbn540i was exceedingly kind to go pick them up for me and send them to me. Thank you again, Fanatics really are an awesome bunch of people
Now I have a spare set of touring clear rear lights Next up was to test the limits of the colourlock leather repair products. I used their liquid leather to fill the cracks on the steering wheel and gearlever and redyed them. I must say, considering how terrible the leather was, I am pretty impressed with how it came out. The steering wheel still needs to be recovered, but this will do for now.
Benji
Well-known member
Cleaned the inside of the inner tail lights and gave them a quick polish. There was a fairly significant layer of dust on the inside of the lens - not too surprising for a 500k car.
Before:
After:
Difference:
Not perfect, but better - hopefully we can have similar outcomes at the next elections.
Before:
After:
Difference:
Not perfect, but better - hopefully we can have similar outcomes at the next elections.
How did u clean it?
Benji
Well-known member
Just with a damp cloth, I could access the entirety of the inner lens from the bulb holes. Dont know if there is a way to "unyellow" the plastic...? Stick it in the dishwasher?
TurboLlew
Honorary ///Member
Perhaps trying 'retrobrighting' - make up a tub of of 3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide and leave it in the sun a few hours? Not sure if it works on clear plastics
Ya was also going to suggest this. But apparently it does come back on normal what plastic.
Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk
Quick update on the daily. It has been performing its duties really well, I have already racked up 6000km in my first 3 months of ownership without any major hiccups.
I have been having intermittent central locking issues - car sometimes wont unlock on the key fob (boot and lock buttons on key fob respond, central locking button on center console works), which I suspect is the GM5 module. I sourced a used GM5 module which seems to have fixed all the central locking issues even though I never installed the "new" one. I suspect the old one has sensed the presence of the new one and decided to pull up its socks. Win!
My power delivery issues still seem to be intermittent, not throwing any codes so I am a bit stumped at the moment, not really in the position to throw parts at it (suspecting throttle pedal/throttle body/speed sensor issues), so it will just have to be fine for now.
On the positive sides, I sourced a replacement silver bonnet with good paint and a new BMW roundel for an actual song, sourced silver M-sport side skirts and bought a set of clear rear lights in Europe. Literally a week after buying the lights in Europe, a set popped up on a car being sold in Durban. Typical Murphy. @Dbn540i was exceedingly kind to go pick them up for me and send them to me. Thank you again, Fanatics really are an awesome bunch of people
View attachment 21224
View attachment 21225
Next up was to test the limits of the colourlock leather repair products. I used their liquid leather to fill the cracks on the steering wheel and gearlever and redyed them. I must say, considering how terrible the leather was, I am pretty impressed with how it came out. The steering wheel still needs to be recovered, but this will do for now.
View attachment 21226View attachment 21227
Always a pleasure @Benji. To any other fanatics out there that assistance, i am always willing to help.
Benji
Well-known member
This long weekend was basically dedicated to the wagon. I know, I swore not to lower this car, citing comfort and practicality, but I am weak and a lowered wagon is strong. Hence, the wagon got lowered I sourced M-sport springs and found some "brand new, used" TRS lower control arms for a steal. They are cheap GW crap - but they were dirt cheap, are temporary and better than the old shot balljoints that were making increasingly louder noises. Ride comfort has suffered a bit, but not as bad as I was expecting and can mostly be blamed on the bad shocks and perished bump stops. A full suspension rebuild is on the to-do list.
What have we here??! A 500k km BMW with no oil leaks? Weird.
Suspension work done, she went straight to the PDR doctor who did a fantastic job:
While the PDR guy was busy, I got cracking with an engine bay cleanup - I am not one of those fanatical clean engine bay people, but I hate stained paint which has not felt the soft touch of a washcloth in years. Before:
After:
Pulled out my arsenal of cleaning products, sourced from @gavsadler:
Wash, claybar, polish, seal, glass treatment. Bask is the glory with a cold one 🍻
The paint came out beautifully, as far as I can tell, it is all original paint except for the bonnet and front bumper which are now the 2 worst looking panels.
I sourced M-sport springs and found some "brand new, used" TRS lower control arms for a steal. They are cheap GW crap - but they were dirt cheap, are temporary and better than the old shot balljoints that were making increasingly louder noises. Ride comfort has suffered a bit, but not as bad as I was expecting and can mostly be blamed on the bad shocks and perished bump stops. A full suspension rebuild is on the to-do list.What have we here??! A 500k km BMW with no oil leaks? Weird.
Suspension work done, she went straight to the PDR doctor who did a fantastic job:
While the PDR guy was busy, I got cracking with an engine bay cleanup - I am not one of those fanatical clean engine bay people, but I hate stained paint which has not felt the soft touch of a washcloth in years. Before:
After:
Pulled out my arsenal of cleaning products, sourced from @gavsadler:
Wash, claybar, polish, seal, glass treatment. Bask is the glory with a cold one 🍻
The paint came out beautifully, as far as I can tell, it is all original paint except for the bonnet and front bumper which are now the 2 worst looking panels.
Benji
Well-known member
Thank you
You think so? Ive found the E46 is considerably harder to work on when compared to an E39 or even E34...
VinceM
Well-known member
The E63 I am working on, was designed by their accountant (wants you to take it to BMW). Just to remove the water pump is a mission and a half. There’s bolts unreachable unless you strip extra parts which is so unnecessary.
But yeah, older models are much easier to work on.
Your polishing skills are on point!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
But yeah, older models are much easier to work on.
Your polishing skills are on point!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Benji
Well-known member
Thank you, it is a machine polish with the Shield DA. I do not have the physical or mental fortitude for a hand polish...
The paint is not perfect, there are still a few scratches here and there, I was mostly trying to get rid of the oxidized paint, remove swirls and bring the shine back. With such old paint, one doesnt know how much clearcoat is left, so I didnt want to cut too deep into it.
Benji
Well-known member
My chinese android radio finally arrived after delays from Alibaba, applying for a refund and then ordering from Aliexpress instead.
I am so far very pleased with this unit, it looks OEM and works as OEM with the added benefit of Andoid Auto (soundcloud, spotify etc), Google assistant, 128 gig onboard memory etc. It even has the useless ability to mount a SIM card so I can make the car a wifi hotspot.
All nicely mounted with the proper HVAC relocation bracket which is in much better condition than my old one. I just need to mount the USB ports properly so that it all looks OEM:
I am so far very pleased with this unit, it looks OEM and works as OEM with the added benefit of Andoid Auto (soundcloud, spotify etc), Google assistant, 128 gig onboard memory etc. It even has the useless ability to mount a SIM card so I can make the car a wifi hotspot.
All nicely mounted with the proper HVAC relocation bracket which is in much better condition than my old one. I just need to mount the USB ports properly so that it all looks OEM:
