E46 330i manual service

[ettas13]

Howzit hope everyone is doing good. I'd like to do a full service on my 330i as the computer says it's due for inspection less than 1000km away. I'd like to do :
- Cabin filter
- Air filter
- Oil filter
- Engine oil
- Gearbox oil
- Diff oil
- Spark plugs

I know the engine is 5w30, I have a vague idea on the other oils but I'd prefer opinions from other owners on what filters and oils I should use and spark plugs. I thing all the mentioned above is correct for a full service? If I'm missing anything please let me know.
Furthermore for preventative maintance I'd like to do all the engine seals, new disks and pads.

Hope everyone has a lekka weekend!

 

[VinceM]

Your list looks good, how long have you had the car and What is the current mileage?

If mileage is towards 200k or above, use 5w40. Liqui Moly oils are good, as well as Shell. My engine runs quieter since I started using LM oil (could be placebo, have no idea but it does).

Try sticking to 10k oil change intervals, could even stretch it to mid-point of BMW 25k interval by changing oil at 12.5k - lots of tests done on oil efficacy that shows higher degradation post 12.5k kms.

Filters are cheap as chips, go BMW straight, worst case Mann filter (aftermarket).

Spark plugs lasts extremely long period, also go BMW (use NGK), worst case Bosch.

Check when last the fuel filter was replaced, the silver longish tin.

M54 is one of the most robust engines I know, they go on forever if properly looked after.

All the best.

 

[ettas13]

Your list looks good, how long have you had the car and What is the current mileage?

If mileage is towards 200k or above, use 5w40. Liqui Moly oils are good, as well as Shell. My engine runs quieter since I started using LM oil (could be placebo, have no idea but it does).

Try sticking to 10k oil change intervals, could even stretch it to mid-point of BMW 25k interval by changing oil at 12.5k - lots of tests done on oil efficacy that shows higher degradation post 12.5k kms.

Filters are cheap as chips, go BMW straight, worst case Mann filter (aftermarket).

Spark plugs lasts extremely long period, also go BMW (use NGK), worst case Bosch.

Check when last the fuel filter was replaced, the silver longish tin.

M54 is one of the most robust engines I know, they go on forever if properly looked after.

All the best.

Had the car almost a year now, since then I've only put 5k on the car, only now recently I've started to use the car more frequently. Car has 280k in clock over not long ago but the car has full service history and all things done to it documented aswell don't recall seeing anything about fuel filter replacement so I'll check into that too.

 

[rodga]

Check when last it had a cooling system refresh. That is the weak point of the m54.


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[ettas13]

Check when last it had a cooling system refresh. That is the weak point of the m54.


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I hade replaced the radiator, thermostat, expansion tank and water pipes in desember, although I do very rearly see water marks on the expansion tank but when I check the coolant level it's on its mark? I'm at sea level but I don't think that has anything to do with it?

 

[rodga]

I hade replaced the radiator, thermostat, expansion tank and water pipes in desember, although I do very rearly see water marks on the expansion tank but when I check the coolant level it's on its mark? I'm at sea level but I don't think that has anything to do with it?

Cool sounds like that's sorted then.
Have you changed the waterpump? My oem waterpump failed. The composite impeller literally breaks apart. I replaced it with one that a metal unit.

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[ettas13]

Cool sounds like that's sorted then.
Have you changed the waterpump? My oem waterpump failed. The composite impeller literally breaks apart. I replaced it with one that a metal unit.

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I haven't no, I don't hear it making any noise, on other forms says it can leak aswell or the impeller breaks like you said, so I'll have a look into it. Also I've seen some 330s with the radiator fan infront and others behind the radiator, does that make a difference?

 

[Blue Shirt]

Manual E46 cars have two electric fans, ons in front of the radiator for the a/c and one in the back for engine cooling.

Auto cars have the electric a/c fan in the front and a fan mounted to the water pump pulley on a viscous clutch.

Some auto cars may have been converted to the dual electric fan by a previous owner.

 

[danieljames]

I recently got my hands on an e90 325i. Also in the process of changing out fluids. Give ravenol a call. They're based in salt river/woodstock. Got a quote of 795 for gearbox and diff fluids. Friendly gents and they seem well informed.

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