howzit guys, im new to the forum here.
short intro and history with BMW..
im not from ZA, but from zimbabwe, next door to most of you. i have spent ALOT of time in Joburg though..during my 32 years of being alive.
Bought an ex UK E46 330ci about 2 and a half years ago. the previous owner didnt look after it all, so i managed to get it quite cheaply but was a real mess. i have spent the last two years rebuilding most of the car and catching up on basic maintenance that was never done.
its an automatic unfortunately, so not ideal... but have learned alot about these cars the last few years. for now, i've mostly been fixing issues that come up from the lack of maintenance in its 170,000 km's. i've persevered though, and have got it almost up to scratch now. most of the spares i order from the US as its much cheaper than importing from ZA..and gets here within 5 days... but to give you an idea heres a list of all the stuff i've done myself on this car so far:
- new tyres
- new shocks all round
- replaced windscreen
- resprayed bonnet, fenders and doors (outsourced)
- replaced valves on A/C gas ports, changed o-rings on drier unit and regassed
- replaced double VANOS seals and put in anti rattle bushings (beisan kit)
- imported blank key with transponder and coded new key to EWS and alarm (had no spare)
- replaced valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket
- new water pump (old one had alot of play in it)
- new belts
- new fuel pump
- new brake pads and discs all round
- changed passenger seat motors and backrest gears (some fat $#%$ killed it)
- changed ATF and gearbox filter
- new front shock mounts, control arms, c/a bushings and new outter/inner tie rods and anti roll bar links
im currently re-doing the whole cooling system due to a bleed screw that cracked.. so the car has been off the road the last week or so. but basically changing all the hoses, expansion tank, thermostat housing, the tensioners and roller.
fun times!
short intro and history with BMW..
im not from ZA, but from zimbabwe, next door to most of you. i have spent ALOT of time in Joburg though..during my 32 years of being alive.
Bought an ex UK E46 330ci about 2 and a half years ago. the previous owner didnt look after it all, so i managed to get it quite cheaply but was a real mess. i have spent the last two years rebuilding most of the car and catching up on basic maintenance that was never done.
its an automatic unfortunately, so not ideal... but have learned alot about these cars the last few years. for now, i've mostly been fixing issues that come up from the lack of maintenance in its 170,000 km's. i've persevered though, and have got it almost up to scratch now. most of the spares i order from the US as its much cheaper than importing from ZA..and gets here within 5 days... but to give you an idea heres a list of all the stuff i've done myself on this car so far:
- new tyres
- new shocks all round
- replaced windscreen
- resprayed bonnet, fenders and doors (outsourced)
- replaced valves on A/C gas ports, changed o-rings on drier unit and regassed
- replaced double VANOS seals and put in anti rattle bushings (beisan kit)
- imported blank key with transponder and coded new key to EWS and alarm (had no spare)
- replaced valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket
- new water pump (old one had alot of play in it)
- new belts
- new fuel pump
- new brake pads and discs all round
- changed passenger seat motors and backrest gears (some fat $#%$ killed it)
- changed ATF and gearbox filter
- new front shock mounts, control arms, c/a bushings and new outter/inner tie rods and anti roll bar links
im currently re-doing the whole cooling system due to a bleed screw that cracked.. so the car has been off the road the last week or so. but basically changing all the hoses, expansion tank, thermostat housing, the tensioners and roller.
fun times!
