E46 330i info needed

[Jandre]

The 46 uses an on board service indicator. I think it's every 25 000km, but obviously if you have a heavy foot/ town driving etc, it will adapt accordingly.

Speak to Mike about a good oil for the car.

Freerider can comment on good carcare products.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks Jandre.

I'll pm the guru's to come have a look.

 

[///Marksman]

Bud, the auto's are heavy on the gas... My 5 series (ok, a heavier car) but it was a 525i steptronic, no matter how decently i drove the car i would average between 13-15l/100k. Now, with the 330i, since i got it ive been driving it hard and i get 13l/100km. On the highway with the 5, ave is about 8l/100km whereas with the 330, cruising in 6th gear at 180km i got 5.2l/100km...

I don't think the difference is due to auto gearbox. I had a E39 525i Auto and E46 330i Auto. Drove them on the same routes to work and back, etc and the 525i was at least 30% heavier on juice than the 330i.

Thanks for the info m8, appreciate it.


Now I've got a few questions on how to keep my E46 in tip top shape.

I won't be spending hundreds of rands on shampoo's & all other crap, but I'd like to know what cheapish products will be able to keep my paint shining like a star aswell as the interior (leather car/maintenace & the dash etc) of my car?

Whats the service intervals & what should I change during this? Someone said something like every 7500km's I should do an oil change? What oil should I use? Is it worth it to spend the little extra & get a good quality oil? (liqui moly?)

Any advice, replies, suggestions welcome.

i think i said every 7.5k... thinking about it, i drove the car like a nut... service indicator was dropping just as quickly as the range
but yes, it is just a personal opinion on keeping the car healthy. bmw engines love their oil and it is relatively inexpensive considering the consistent performance and long term life on your motor.

also for DIY's where you could save some mega dough (up to 75% at times), check out e46 fanatics diy section... lots of interesting options availible

 

[George Smooth]

Congrats on the purchase. If your parents bought it for you well done to them for buying you such a safe car in comparison to a cheap new car.
By the way its a steptronic box not a tip tronic.

 

[1lum1nat1]

:hammerhead: HAHA, yeah I saw the steptronic part yesterday, well you live & you learn. For interest sake, whats the difference? Volkswagen/Audi uses Tiptronic, right?

I wish my parents were in a position to have bought it for me, but unfortunately not. This is my car, that I gave a huge deposit on & I'm making the payments etc.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Can someone maybe tell me what size mags are on my car?

If I remember correctly theres continentals on them, not sure on the specifics, but they are brand new. How much would new tyres go for & what brands should one look for?

 

[Jandre]

It is 17 inch. Width probably 225 or 235. Replacement is probably around 1700 depending on what you buy.

 

[1lum1nat1]

:shocked: Jeez, thats pretty damn expensive.

TBH, I'm not entirely sure what tires it is, I remember something in the lines of Continental or Michelins, but I can see on one of the photo's something that looks like Achilles - or something in that line. Will check when I get the car.

I see on the FordST forums that af ew guys are happy with Hankooks, how much will they cost for my mag size?

EDIT: I think I got the right mag here: http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/wheels/bmw_wheel_047.jpg

They are 225's. Are my front mags the same size as those on the back?

 

[andrewbuch]

Hankooks have been advertised lots recently. i was also wondering how they perform etc as I try to stay away from not well known makes.

 

[Gizmo]

Your car has 225/45/17 all round. They run between R900-R1400 depending on make....The big makes like Michelin are around the R2000 mark which is crazy!

BTW, I bought new E46 front control arms last week from Beras Motor Spares in Alberton for R700 each. They look top quality too.

 

[freerider]

Did those control arms come with bushes Giz?

 

[Mike1]

Hi there

Sorry for the late reply. Its been madness here...

Your car can use:

Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W30 - Needs 6.5 Litres.

Don is using this oil and seems very happy with it. It is a top spec (Latest ACEA and API performance rating) and is a longtime approved oil of up to 25 000km.

The price in total is: R580.06 Incl. VAT.

Where shall I deliver to?

Hope this helps :thumbsup:

Mike

 

[Gizmo]

Did those control arms come with bushes Giz?

No, I bought bmw ones a few months back. I don't know about if they sell the bushes, forgot to ask. But they do have Tie rod ends at good prices too. They stock alot of bmw spares from radiators, water pumps, lights and many more.

Beras Motor Spares
48 Pieter Uys Avenue, Alberton, Gauteng 1449
011 907 6931

 

[1lum1nat1]

Hi there

Sorry for the late reply. Its been madness here...

Your car can use:

Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W30 - Needs 6.5 Litres.

Don is using this oil and seems very happy with it. It is a top spec (Latest ACEA and API performance rating) and is a longtime approved oil of up to 25 000km.

The price in total is: R580.06 Incl. VAT.

Where shall I deliver to?

Hope this helps :thumbsup:

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'll contact you early January or just before the holiday starts, need to recover a bit after he car

 

[Beemah]

replaced the Tyres on my Car about a month ago. Conti Sport contact 3 for R1350 each at Mintys. I had dunlops before Sp6060 and they wore so quickly and the grip was not great.
R700 for the whole control, thats very cheap?

 

[vanos500]

Congrats! You pretty much bought the exact model I got. I have been driving it for 6 months now and have been very happy with the car thus far. It performs well, handles well... only problem is, you get used to the power so quickly.

To be on the safe side, I recently installed a new water pump, belts, front control arm bushings, fuel filter/regulator thingy, oil filter, and a "performance" air filter.

Anyway, I think you will be very happy with the car!

 

[Beemah]

Vanos500

Did you have the pump and belt fitted by the stealership or did you do it yourself?

 

[vanos500]

Vanos500
Did you have the pump and belt fitted by the stealership or did you do it yourself?

Nah, had it all done by a trusted independent mechanic.

 

[Gizmo]

Here are those E46 control arms I bought for R650 each.

 

[freerider]

Those dont look bad at all!