My BMW E46 330i - The stuff of dreams

[nirvash]

So while removing the exhaust manifold (Re: Decat) I noticed that my drivers side engine mount was in surprisingly good condition, however the same can't be said for the passenger side, which was completely torn apart.

So, E46 owners, check your engine mounts! You may be experiencing unnecessary vibrations from your engine.

FYI: The dealership sells replacement engine mounts at about the same price as aftermarket options, here's the prices I was quoted on 23/11/2015

Goldwagen Centurion- Febi - R420
Bemow Pretoria-"Some German brand" - R495
Imcomex Centurion - Moto Euro - R470
Imcomex Centurion - Meyle HD - R550
BMW Leo Haese Centurion - OEM ~ R447

Can you DIY this?

Absolutely.

Loosen the two nuts on either side of the engine mounts (I think they're 19's, and you'll need a long extension and a universal joint to make your life easier) and then jack up the engine a small bit to relieve the weight of the engine off of the mounts. Obviously remove whatever items are in the way if they prevent access. On the passenger side you'll need to remove the airbox to give yourself some room and from beneath obviously you'll need yo remove the sump protector and splash guard. FYI, the exhaust side engine mount has a heat shield on top of it.

thanks!
that sounds easier then i expected,
i cant imagine that my 15 year old, 175k kms mounts are doing that well, and with my suspension feeling so good atm i think my car could benefit from this,

will definitely do in the near future

nice one

 

[Dewald Basson]

So while removing the exhaust manifold (Re: Decat) I noticed that my drivers side engine mount was in surprisingly good condition, however the same can't be said for the passenger side, which was completely torn apart.

So, E46 owners, check your engine mounts! You may be experiencing unnecessary vibrations from your engine.

FYI: The dealership sells replacement engine mounts at about the same price as aftermarket options, here's the prices I was quoted on 23/11/2015

Goldwagen Centurion- Febi - R420
Bemow Pretoria-"Some German brand" - R495
Imcomex Centurion - Moto Euro - R470
Imcomex Centurion - Meyle HD - R550
BMW Leo Haese Centurion - OEM ~ R447

Can you DIY this?

Absolutely.

Loosen the two nuts on either side of the engine mounts (I think they're 19's, and you'll need a long extension and a universal joint to make your life easier) and then jack up the engine a small bit to relieve the weight of the engine off of the mounts. Obviously remove whatever items are in the way if they prevent access. On the passenger side you'll need to remove the airbox to give yourself some room and from beneath obviously you'll need yo remove the sump protector and splash guard. FYI, the exhaust side engine mount has a heat shield on top of it.

thanks!
that sounds easier then i expected,
i cant imagine that my 15 year old, 175k kms mounts are doing that well, and with my suspension feeling so good atm i think my car could benefit from this,

will definitely do in the near future

nice one

Same here, if it can be done DIY then I might as well do it for 1000 bucks.

I presume (I hope) the gearbox mounts are the same?

 

[Zound]

So while removing the exhaust manifold (Re: Decat) I noticed that my drivers side engine mount was in surprisingly good condition, however the same can't be said for the passenger side, which was completely torn apart.

So, E46 owners, check your engine mounts! You may be experiencing unnecessary vibrations from your engine.

FYI: The dealership sells replacement engine mounts at about the same price as aftermarket options, here's the prices I was quoted on 23/11/2015

Goldwagen Centurion- Febi - R420
Bemow Pretoria-"Some German brand" - R495
Imcomex Centurion - Moto Euro - R470
Imcomex Centurion - Meyle HD - R550
BMW Leo Haese Centurion - OEM ~ R447

Can you DIY this?

Absolutely.

Loosen the two nuts on either side of the engine mounts (I think they're 19's, and you'll need a long extension and a universal joint to make your life easier) and then jack up the engine a small bit to relieve the weight of the engine off of the mounts. Obviously remove whatever items are in the way if they prevent access. On the passenger side you'll need to remove the airbox to give yourself some room and from beneath obviously you'll need yo remove the sump protector and splash guard. FYI, the exhaust side engine mount has a heat shield on top of it.

thanks!
that sounds easier then i expected,
i cant imagine that my 15 year old, 175k kms mounts are doing that well, and with my suspension feeling so good atm i think my car could benefit from this,

will definitely do in the near future

nice one

Same here, if it can be done DIY then I might as well do it for 1000 bucks.

I presume (I hope) the gearbox mounts are the same?

Gearbox mounts even easier and about R125 each from Bemow Pretoria. Same idea, loosen them, then raise the gearbox slightly and replace.

 

[Zound]

Have plastidipped center console and ashtray console. Very impressed with the results. Looks like new!
Pictures to follow

---

And another picture of the angel eyes :rollsmile:

 

[Preston2711]

Looking good!

 

[Captain_Stealth]

Nice one looks great


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[Zound]

A quick question before I start a thread on the topic.

Regarding E46 engine management:

Since my car, as specc'd from the factory, did not come with oxygen (02) sensors, neither pre-cat nor post-cat, how does it adjust the air fuel mixture if there is unburnt oxygen being exhausted from the engine? So does my car run perpetually in open loop based on a fixed air-fuel ratio map depicted entirely by the mass air flow sensor?

 

[Fordkoppie]

So does my car run perpetually in open loop based on a fixed air-fuel ratio map depicted entirely by the mass air flow sensor?

Yes.
And throttle position, RPM, intake temperature, coolant temperature.

 

[Karthik]

Spotted you on University road today, car is looking very good.

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[Zound]

Spotted you on University road today, car is looking very good.

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Thanks mate! Just finished Engineering week (Tests) :rollsmile:

 

[vanHunks]

E46 330i is an all-time top car - will be looking for one myself in the next few months.

 

[Sankekur]

Spotted you on University road today, car is looking very good.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Thanks mate! Just finished Engineering week (Tests) :rollsmile:

I think you have that the wrong way round, engineering week finishes you.

 

[Zound]

Spotted you on University road today, car is looking very good.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Thanks mate! Just finished Engineering week (Tests) :rollsmile:

I think you have that the wrong way round, engineering week finishes you.

The truth. :roflol::thumbdo:

 

[Zound]

So car has new clear indicators, new bonnet emblem and my wheels have new BMW stickers (Custom 45mm order)

Sorry, car is filthy, but stickers!

 

[Teebag]

:chef:

 

[Bmw.wp]

Good workraise: she looks lovely.

 

[Zound]

Bmwfanatics.co.za stickers!

 

[Dewald Basson]

That is 15wkw extra that :clapper:

 

[harris008]

I have a E46 318i Motorsport Individual and have loved it from the day it was purchased...

I am busy eying out a Titanium Silver E46 330i Motorsport Individual, awesome vehicle to drive if you enjoy a drivers vehicle.

Enjoy.... can't wait to be among the ranks.

 

[KyleCT]

Congrats