STupendous
New member
Congrats bro on an Awesome Purchase, Big Ups to All the gents mentioned!
Fantastic write up !
raise:raise:raise:
Fantastic write up !
raise:raise:raise:
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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Introducing My 2004 E46 330i M-Sport
- Thread starter AdiS
- Start date
congrats looks like the car is still in very safe hands :rollsmile:
looks like the car is still in very safe hands :rollsmile:
Fordkoppie
///Member
Nice story - Almost as good as the car itself. :rollsmile:
Having seen it in the metal one can not say anything exept that it is as near as a new car one would get.
Enjoy it and dont let it become a garage queen.
Having seen it in the metal one can not say anything exept that it is as near as a new car one would get.
Enjoy it and dont let it become a garage queen.
S
SP33DYV
Guest
Fordkoppie said:
I agree. It has to be driven!:thumbs:
Sibs Individual
Member
Nuff Said!:inlove:
S
SP33DYV
Guest
AdiS said:
And what happened to the Ford?
FaSTandFurious
Active member
COngrats. Looks in great condition
S
SP33DYV
Guest
AdiS said:
Now that's a decent upgrade!:thumbs:
AdiS
Well-known member
Update 1 - The First Week
So it's been a very exciting first week getting used to my new 330i. So far I am loving it.
During the week I noticed that the steering wheel was very slightly off centre, so I took it to TWT for wheel alignment on Thursday morning, and they seemed to do a very good job.
While I was there I noticed my front tires are fairly near to their end of life, so I enquired on tire pricing. The car has Michelin PilotSport 3s fitted all round, and TWT are running a special on them for R1895 per tired (from what i can tell the normal price is R2500). So on monday I'll be picking up two of those.
As noted in my initial post, a large crack developed from a chip presumably acquired during transit, on the windscreen while the car was parked on Tuesday so I had that replaced at PG Glass yesterday (with a genuine BMW windscreen). Very nerve wracking watching someone work on my car, but they did a really good job, even with me watching them like a hawk as they worked.
Yesterday I also went to visit Rick540 because being the paranoid new parent that I am, I spent the whole week with the radio and climate control switched off, listening out for out of place sounds and noises. Being hypersensitive to anything, I thought I picked up an out of place noise in the engine bay in the are of the intake manifold. With speculation and fear running wild, I was ready for anything from needing to clean throttle body and ICV, to replacing the PCV/Oil Separator. Talk about panic.
Rick very kindly made time (in between his full time job and studying for masters) for me to come around and visit where he had a listen. Turns out everything is normal and the car is fine.:biglol::biglol: He also then took me for a spin in his rediculous E34 M5, during which the clutch broke. :argh:
Other niggles that I have noticed so far:
Current Plans (short term)
Here's the car after its Sunday morning wash.
So it's been a very exciting first week getting used to my new 330i. So far I am loving it.
During the week I noticed that the steering wheel was very slightly off centre, so I took it to TWT for wheel alignment on Thursday morning, and they seemed to do a very good job.
While I was there I noticed my front tires are fairly near to their end of life, so I enquired on tire pricing. The car has Michelin PilotSport 3s fitted all round, and TWT are running a special on them for R1895 per tired (from what i can tell the normal price is R2500). So on monday I'll be picking up two of those.
As noted in my initial post, a large crack developed from a chip presumably acquired during transit, on the windscreen while the car was parked on Tuesday so I had that replaced at PG Glass yesterday (with a genuine BMW windscreen). Very nerve wracking watching someone work on my car, but they did a really good job, even with me watching them like a hawk as they worked.
Yesterday I also went to visit Rick540 because being the paranoid new parent that I am, I spent the whole week with the radio and climate control switched off, listening out for out of place sounds and noises. Being hypersensitive to anything, I thought I picked up an out of place noise in the engine bay in the are of the intake manifold. With speculation and fear running wild, I was ready for anything from needing to clean throttle body and ICV, to replacing the PCV/Oil Separator. Talk about panic.
Rick very kindly made time (in between his full time job and studying for masters) for me to come around and visit where he had a listen. Turns out everything is normal and the car is fine.:biglol::biglol: He also then took me for a spin in his rediculous E34 M5, during which the clutch broke. :argh:
Other niggles that I have noticed so far:
- A very faint rubbing or rattle type sound when I turn to the right. It sounds sort of metallic in a way. Not sure if its anything to worry about.
- Clutch Throw Out bearing seems to squeek when the clutch pedal is depressed. Not really concerned as it comes and goes and isnt very noticeable.
- Trim piece just around the top of the radio is protruding foward about 3mm on the right hand side (ie not sitting flush). Will have to try and refit it so its snug.
Current Plans (short term)
- Fit 35% Smash 'n Grab Tint - I like keeping the sun out in summer to keep the car cool and protect the interior materials, and I think it will look very nice with the silver.
- Have my sound system from my previous car professionally installed.
- Change the gearbox oil, power steering fluid, and brake fluid (brake fluid last done in 2010).
- Get the car detailed.
Here's the car after its Sunday morning wash.
S
SP33DYV
Guest
Adrian, really nice to see you taking care of the car.:thumbs:
Enjoy that exhaust note to the fullest.:thumbs:
Enjoy that exhaust note to the fullest.:thumbs:
Philip Foglar
///Member
Power steering fluid flush is very easy and worth doing - literally just need a turkey baster to suck out the old fluid from the reservoirs, replace with fresh fluid, run the engine and turn the steering from side to side full lock 3 or 4 times, then repeat the above sucking out the old fluid and replacing with fresh. I think it's a litre or so that you end up replacing doing this, and then you have fresh fluid in the system - made a definite difference to my Wife's car when I did this. New fluid is a nice red colour being transmission oil as required, the old fluid looked like coke!
Another thing to check are the three pre-tensioner pulleys which over time do become noisy. Then of course the usual things like LCABs if they have not been done recently, coming from a meticulous home to begin with!
You really have an awesome car there! Look after her and she will look after you! :thumbs:
Another thing to check are the three pre-tensioner pulleys which over time do become noisy. Then of course the usual things like LCABs if they have not been done recently, coming from a meticulous home to begin with!
You really have an awesome car there! Look after her and she will look after you! :thumbs:
AdiS
Well-known member
Philip Foglar said:
Hi Philip,
Thanks for the input. The lcabs were done by Morne earlier this year with Meyle HD components, and the belts and pulleys are very quiet. I will do the power steering fluid first because it's probably the easiest. I assume I just get the dexron III from the dealer?
Philip Foglar
///Member
AdiS said:
ATF Dextron III, correct! :thumbs:
Found the DIY thread that I used when I originally did this: Changing Power Steering Fluid
And then of course as always, BMW E46 Wiki...
