E46 320d Questions

[Dewd]

Hi all.

I got my first BMW about 3 weeks ago.

It is a 2003 320d with 145 000km on. I got a reasonable deal on it (R68 0000) and it was basically a straight swap for my old double cab 4wd. After a lifetime of driving bakkies / 4wd and most recently Toyota Landcruisers, it is probably unnecessary to say that I am loving the power / comfort and fuel economy (my previous Landcruiser averaged between 18 and 20 l/100km). Also with the insane amount of mileage I do, the safety of the car gives great peace of mind as well.

I intend to do most of the maintenance on this car DIY - I have reasonable skills and equipment / facilities, so it does not scare me. What I'm looking for here is advice on what I need to replace at my first service next week. (150 000km).

Are there good resources on the web for the service schedules for these cars? What should I do just to be on the safe side? Somebody suggested a oil breather filter, but I'd like to hear from people who KNOW (a Fanatic? :=): )

Are the workshop manuals available for download (I have managed to download all of them for my Cruiser and it is great). For the Toyota, there is www.toyodiy.com that lets you browse basically the same info that the agents use and get any part numbers you might need. Is there something similar available for the BMW?

The radio has also been replaced at some stage with a poxy Jensen aftermarket POS that doesn't use the steering wheel controls. What options are there to get back to having Blueteeth and the steering wheel controls working? Ipod connectivity would be nice as well.

Thanks
Des

 

[P1000]

Workshop manual can be found at tis.spaghetticoder.org (it is however, very cryptic)

One thing you should replace ASAP is the crankcase breather. And if you stick to the sponge type, replace it every 3rd service.

Most important, you need to remove the swirl flaps.

Google for those items, or search this site, it has been discussed a few times before.

 

[Dewd]

Thanks

Getting searching on those now.

Des

 

[Dewd]

OK

Found plenty of info on the swirl flaps. Are the blanks available locally? What do most of the locals do? It seems to me that you could just remove the butterfly and shaft and the rest of the mechanism would act as the blank?

 

[P1000]

It seems to me that you could just remove the butterfly and shaft and the rest of the mechanism would act as the blank?

No, that would leave you with a plug with a hole in the middle - iow a leak in the manifold.

I think Technician on the forum might be able to manufacture a set, I actually also need a set, otherwise you either have to import a set, or remove the shaft and replace it with a self-tapper from the outside (so it cannot fall in).

 

[Bossman]

Workshop manual can be found at tis.spaghetticoder.org (it is however, very cryptic)

One thing you should replace ASAP is the crankcase breather. And if you stick to the sponge type, replace it every 3rd service.

Most important, you need to remove the swirl flaps.

Google for those items, or search this site, it has been discussed a few times before.

Does my car also have the swirl flaps, E90 330D, Manual 2006, 180kw , 520nm.?
I saw a crashed one the other day that are being rebuilt, but cannot see any sign of them, some BMW techie told me that the manual gearbox version in this car does not have them.

 

[L~C~G]

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=27409

Post #7

 

[frikkieh]

Parts catalog at www.realeom.com.
Enter the last 7 digits of your VIN and browse parts for your car.

 

[Dewd]

Frikkieh

That realoem site doesn't work for me. Is there a trick?