Introducing My 2004 E46 330i M-Sport

[Legacy]

The squeaky clutch pedal is an E46 oddity but it comes and goes, mine does it as well and I am used to it. Why would you want to replace the gearbox oil? You know the oil in there is working 100% and if its not broken why try and fix it. I would not screw with the 6 speed gearbox, it is perfect atm so there is always a chance you make something worse.

 

[AdiS]

The squeaky clutch pedal is an E46 oddity but it comes and goes, mine does it as well and I am used to it. Why would you want to replace the gearbox oil? You know the oil in there is working 100% and if its not broken why try and fix it. I would not screw with the 6 speed gearbox, it is perfect atm so there is always a chance you make something worse.

Well there seems to be a fair amount of debate as to the credibility behind bmws claim that the gearbox oil is in fact 'lifetime', or what in fact the definitipn of 'lifetime' actually is. I just want what's best for the car. Would changing the fluid cause potential harm?

 

[Legacy]

Well I have some horror stories about E46's who change gearbox oil and then 1000km later the box dies. Personally I would check the level, if it is fine leave it alone.

If you are dead set on changing the oil search this forum, LZ or Clutchplate posted a comprehensive thread about the correct procedure to flush a gearbox, it comes down to changing the oil in the region of 5 or 6 times to properly clean it out if I recall correctly.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Well I have some horror stories about E46's who change gearbox oil and then 1000km later the box dies. Personally I would check the level, if it is fine leave it alone.

If you are dead set on changing the oil search this forum, LZ or Clutchplate posted a comprehensive thread about the correct procedure to flush a gearbox, it comes down to changing the oil in the region of 5 or 6 times to properly clean it out if I recall correctly.

Yep, it's a well known issue with automatic gearboxes that you change the oil and any and all fine metal particles that have collected and clung to the inner surface lands of the gearbox are then allowed to move around and get into the mechanicals - fill with fresh oil and it then becomes a grinding solution rather than lubricating. I am going to be in the same boat with that old Volvo that I want to fix up - gearbox oil is also a lifetime type, so my aim is to get the correct and equivalent oil that would have been used when the car was made in 1968, then simply top it up gently. I was actually talking about this with my father in law just the other night, and we both agreed that it is just looking for trouble changing gearbox oil, especially if it is not part of the typical service regimen.

On a personal note, my ex-Corolla's gearbox had become slightly noisy by the time that I bought it, then a few years later I had the gearbox oil changed with the then recommended Castrol VMX 80 - the gearbox did become more noisy as time went on, but mostly because of wear I reckon, but can't help but wonder if this is what happened! :idea:

 

[rick540]

The squeaky clutch pedal is an E46 oddity but it comes and goes, mine does it as well and I am used to it. Why would you want to replace the gearbox oil? You know the oil in there is working 100% and if its not broken why try and fix it. I would not screw with the 6 speed gearbox, it is perfect atm so there is always a chance you make something worse.

There is no filter in a manual gearbox, only a small magnet on the drain plug. So all non magnetic wear particles and metal from the synchros remain in suspension. To see what I mean drain your gearbox oil and shine a torch into it, you will see it looks like metallic paint.

I now change my own manual gearbox oil every 30K km

 

[Sankekur]

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.

Just be careful when removing the dash trim is only held in with a friction fit of aluminium studs into plastic and metal plugs. When the removed the plastic that holds the studs in places sometimes pries open a little bit (sometimes it breaks) resulting in a looser fit. The plastic plugs also sometimes come out when you remove the trim and they just never go back in as tight as they were before.
The end result of this is squeaky trim every time you go over a bump or that pulls out by itself ever now and then :argh:

Personally I would just try and push it back in a bit deeper, by pushing it on the right and on the bit of trim just to the left of it (the bit above the radio is help in by one pin and one of the pins of the trim piece just to the left of it) if this works then you are sorted.

 

[AdiS]

Ok I might start a separate thread to discuss this. (gearbox oil)

 

[Fordkoppie]

.. I might start a separate thread to discuss this. (gearbox oil)

Get ready for a 30 page thread and no conclusive solution

 

[Andy1GP]

.. I might start a separate thread to discuss this. (gearbox oil)

Get ready for a 30 page thread and no conclusive solution

+1

I've seen those cars and boxes do major major mileage with no whining or trouble, never been opened.

Like Legacy said, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Bavs108]

Adis I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I just read through all 4 pages of it and I can so relate to it from post 1:rollsmile::roflol: I went through almost the exact same process when I got my car, from pestering the seller and all other parties involved in helping me finalize the deal daily, seeing the car for the first time only when I took delivery, replacing my windscreen in the 1st week after delivery, servicing, changing all the necessary fluids and getting a full inspection done just for peace of mind:idea: If I didn't know any better I'd say we bought the same car:roflol::biglol:

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Subscribed to this thread. Will be keeping a close eye on any new developments with your car:idea:

 

[AdiS]

Adis I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I just read through all 4 pages of it and I can so relate to it from post 1:rollsmile::roflol: I went through almost the exact same process when I got my car, from pestering the seller and all other parties involved in helping me finalize the deal daily, seeing the car for the first time only when I took delivery, replacing my windscreen in the 1st week after delivery, servicing, changing all the necessary fluids and getting a full inspection done just for peace of mind:idea: If I didn't know any better I'd say we bought the same car:roflol::biglol:

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Subscribed to this thread. Will be keeping a close eye on any new developments with your car:idea:

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Haha, cool. Got a few updates coming. I'm actually a little jealous of yours, you got the colour I wanted (and a sunroof), but the condition and mileage of mine is simple phenomenal so it was totally worth it.

 

[Rapido WP]

Well done! Now all you need is to fit a Sprint Booster to your juice pedal

 

[Bavs108]

Adis I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I just read through all 4 pages of it and I can so relate to it from post 1:rollsmile::roflol: I went through almost the exact same process when I got my car, from pestering the seller and all other parties involved in helping me finalize the deal daily, seeing the car for the first time only when I took delivery, replacing my windscreen in the 1st week after delivery, servicing, changing all the necessary fluids and getting a full inspection done just for peace of mind:idea: If I didn't know any better I'd say we bought the same car:roflol::biglol:

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Subscribed to this thread. Will be keeping a close eye on any new developments with your car:idea:

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Haha, cool. Got a few updates coming. I'm actually a little jealous of yours, you got the colour I wanted (and a sunroof), but the condition and mileage of mine is simple phenomenal so it was totally worth it.

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Lol you'll never get everything you want from a used car. I would've loved a white one and Harman Kardon. What's the mileage on yours at the moment? I've been putting on mileage like crazy:yuck: I think I need to alternate cars every other week or so.

 

[AdiS]

Adis I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I just read through all 4 pages of it and I can so relate to it from post 1:rollsmile::roflol: I went through almost the exact same process when I got my car, from pestering the seller and all other parties involved in helping me finalize the deal daily, seeing the car for the first time only when I took delivery, replacing my windscreen in the 1st week after delivery, servicing, changing all the necessary fluids and getting a full inspection done just for peace of mind:idea: If I didn't know any better I'd say we bought the same car:roflol::biglol:

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Subscribed to this thread. Will be keeping a close eye on any new developments with your car:idea:

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Haha, cool. Got a few updates coming. I'm actually a little jealous of yours, you got the colour I wanted (and a sunroof), but the condition and mileage of mine is simple phenomenal so it was totally worth it.

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Lol you'll never get everything you want from a used car. I would've loved a white one and Harman Kardon. What's the mileage on yours at the moment? I've been putting on mileage like crazy:yuck: I think I need to alternate cars every other week or so.

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87000km. Bought it with 83000.

 

[Jakkals_F30]

Stunning car and congrats
:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Bavs108]

Adis I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I just read through all 4 pages of it and I can so relate to it from post 1:rollsmile::roflol: I went through almost the exact same process when I got my car, from pestering the seller and all other parties involved in helping me finalize the deal daily, seeing the car for the first time only when I took delivery, replacing my windscreen in the 1st week after delivery, servicing, changing all the necessary fluids and getting a full inspection done just for peace of mind:idea: If I didn't know any better I'd say we bought the same car:roflol::biglol:

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Subscribed to this thread. Will be keeping a close eye on any new developments with your car:idea:

---

Haha, cool. Got a few updates coming. I'm actually a little jealous of yours, you got the colour I wanted (and a sunroof), but the condition and mileage of mine is simple phenomenal so it was totally worth it.

---

Lol you'll never get everything you want from a used car. I would've loved a white one and Harman Kardon. What's the mileage on yours at the moment? I've been putting on mileage like crazy:yuck: I think I need to alternate cars every other week or so.

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87000km. Bought it with 83000.

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Mine is currently on 121000km. Bought it with 116000km. 5000km in 1 month:yuck: 1000km of that was delivery mileage:yuck: Planning to drive up to jhb next week so will put on another 2000km for that trip:yuck:

 

[AdiS]

So had my 330i detailed over teh weekend. Couldn't be bothered to find a location so just took some quick snaps.

Enjoy.

 

[Johnny8Bit]

Awesome story, nicely done! A true Fanatic. Big respect.

 

[Bavs108]

Awesome:thumbs: Did you detail it yourself or did you have it done by someone else?

 

[AdiS]

Awesome:thumbs: Did you detail it yourself or did you have it done by someone else?

A friend of mine did it for me.