My E46 Touring

[WIDEOPN-X5]

We're almost there. Since this was taken the car went to be cleaned inside and have the smash&grab redone (lifting in places) and should be ready to pick up early next week.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Grabs of a video sent to me at the detailing place

 

[Benji]

A touring...lovely

I think you are missing some important details regarding the drivetrain etc

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

A touring...lovely

I think you are missing some important details regarding the drivetrain etc

Indeed. We are running a 330d setup with 6spd manual shifter. Big intercooler fitted during the build so next stage is downpipe and exhaust + mild software. This is the 150kw 410nm stock drivetrain and am hoping to bump that closer towards 175/180kw (flywheel) and 480/500nm so as to retain reliability. My personal opinion wrt software is a lot of the "gains claims" are very optimistic and on a 310k km engine I don't want to stress things too much. As stock its already nice but a little more would be nicerer

Looking at coilover options at the moment and not coming right so input there would be greatly appreciated. In this regard, the stock shocks all round are tired so need replacing anyway and the stance isnt exactly what I want. (sits a bit too high in the front). So either its stock shocks with a 10 to 15mm lower front spring .... (did the e46's have Msport lower springs like the e90's??) or coilovers set up correctly. Still mulling that one over.

Since I am sooooo deep into the red on this build now, its a "forevermobile" so i figure just get it to exactly what I want it to be and enjoy it on rotation with my restored Cortina v6 Pickup and the Pug Gti Pocket Rocket

Recently found a unicorn 2015 X5 30d (Msport with all the bells and whistles but NO RATTLE ROOF and under 100k km with FSH at BMW) which Mumsy drives and I steal every now and then. Its really good to have the BMWs in the garage again I must say. That x5 is a sublime long distance car I must say. Totally hooked and bags of space in the boot.

 

[rodga]

Indeed. We are running a 330d setup with 6spd manual shifter. Big intercooler fitted during the build so next stage is downpipe and exhaust + mild software. This is the 150kw 410nm stock drivetrain and am hoping to bump that closer towards 175/180kw (flywheel) and 480/500nm so as to retain reliability. My personal opinion wrt software is a lot of the "gains claims" are very optimistic and on a 310k km engine I don't want to stress things too much. As stock its already nice but a little more would be nicerer

Looking at coilover options at the moment and not coming right so input there would be greatly appreciated. In this regard, the stock shocks all round are tired so need replacing anyway and the stance isnt exactly what I want. (sits a bit too high in the front). So either its stock shocks with a 10 to 15mm lower front spring .... (did the e46's have Msport lower springs like the e90's??) or coilovers set up correctly. Still mulling that one over.

Since I am sooooo deep into the red on this build now, its a "forevermobile" so i figure just get it to exactly what I want it to be and enjoy it on rotation with my restored Cortina v6 Pickup and the Pug Gti Pocket Rocket

Recently found a unicorn 2015 X5 30d (Msport with all the bells and whistles but NO RATTLE ROOF and under 100k km with FSH at BMW) which Mumsy drives and I steal every now and then. Its really good to have the BMWs in the garage again I must say. That x5 is a sublime long distance car I must say. Totally hooked and bags of space in the boot.

Tell more about this intercooler please
Ive been looking into getting a bigger one and doing the same mods that you plan
Also have a 330d touring 5 speed manual 135kw though

Msport suspension was available on the e46 platform, my touring is an msport - so different shocks and springs, but im on bilstien b8 and eibach which are also very tired and I need to get them serviced.

 

[Benji]

Indeed. We are running a 330d setup with 6spd manual shifter. Big intercooler fitted during the build so next stage is downpipe and exhaust + mild software. This is the 150kw 410nm stock drivetrain and am hoping to bump that closer towards 175/180kw (flywheel) and 480/500nm so as to retain reliability. My personal opinion wrt software is a lot of the "gains claims" are very optimistic and on a 310k km engine I don't want to stress things too much. As stock its already nice but a little more would be nicerer

Looking at coilover options at the moment and not coming right so input there would be greatly appreciated. In this regard, the stock shocks all round are tired so need replacing anyway and the stance isnt exactly what I want. (sits a bit too high in the front). So either its stock shocks with a 10 to 15mm lower front spring .... (did the e46's have Msport lower springs like the e90's??) or coilovers set up correctly. Still mulling that one over.

Since I am sooooo deep into the red on this build now, its a "forevermobile" so i figure just get it to exactly what I want it to be and enjoy it on rotation with my restored Cortina v6 Pickup and the Pug Gti Pocket Rocket

Recently found a unicorn 2015 X5 30d (Msport with all the bells and whistles but NO RATTLE ROOF and under 100k km with FSH at BMW) which Mumsy drives and I steal every now and then. Its really good to have the BMWs in the garage again I must say. That x5 is a sublime long distance car I must say. Totally hooked and bags of space in the boot.

Proper car that Congratulations, something really unique and awesome

I am running sedan 325i M-sport springs (the 330 front springs apparently sit a bit higher than 325i) I think the front can go a bit lower - I'll do this by installing either Z4 front strut mounts (about 10mm lower) or E90 iX mounts (about 6mm)




ISC does decent coilovers for around 20k, but for a daily, I would suggest a new set of Bilstein B4s (around 6-7k at GW) with the M-sport springs (around 2k at a scrapyard)

 

[individj]

Proper car that Congratulations, something really unique and awesome

I am running sedan 325i M-sport springs (the 330 front springs apparently sit a bit higher than 325i) I think the front can go a bit lower - I'll do this by installing either Z4 front strut mounts (about 10mm lower) or E90 iX mounts (about 6mm)

View attachment 25820
View attachment 25821

ISC does decent coilovers for around 20k, but for a daily, I would suggest a new set of Bilstein B4s (around 6-7k at GW) with the M-sport springs (around 2k at a scrapyard)

those wheels

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Proper car that Congratulations, something really unique and awesome

I am running sedan 325i M-sport springs (the 330 front springs apparently sit a bit higher than 325i) I think the front can go a bit lower - I'll do this by installing either Z4 front strut mounts (about 10mm lower) or E90 iX mounts (about 6mm)

View attachment 25820
View attachment 25821

ISC does decent coilovers for around 20k, but for a daily, I would suggest a new set of Bilstein B4s (around 6-7k at GW) with the M-sport springs (around 2k at a scrapyard)

Thanks Benji. I think what also impacts on the slight "raised" front appearance is the installation of the strengthening plates inside the shock tower. From what I understand the stock front strut towers were prone to deformation / cracking and this plate spreads the loading but is about 10mm thick so effectively raises the front end.

If the Msport springs are 10mm lower then, theoretically at least, we would be back to stock "Exclusive model" ride height. The issue then is that with new shocks fitted things may go up and I don't want it looking like an X3. Conversely I don't want it that low that I am afraid of car park speed bumps

Tell more about this intercooler please
Ive been looking into getting a bigger one and doing the same mods that you plan
Also have a 330d touring 5 speed manual 135kw though

Msport suspension was available on the e46 platform, my touring is an msport - so different shocks and springs, but im on bilstien b8 and eibach which are also very tired and I need to get them serviced.

Will ask about the intercooler.

 

[individj]

ya as stated there was a 10mm or 15mm Lower oem spring. I would probably do fresh shocks and eibachs to be honest ...the front drops nicely with the eibach and sport shock.

 

[Benji]

Thanks Benji. I think what also impacts on the slight "raised" front appearance is the installation of the strengthening plates inside the shock tower. From what I understand the stock front strut towers were prone to deformation / cracking and this plate spreads the loading but is about 10mm thick so effectively raises the front end.

If the Msport springs are 10mm lower then, theoretically at least, we would be back to stock "Exclusive model" ride height. The issue then is that with new shocks fitted things may go up and I don't want it looking like an X3. Conversely I don't want it that low that I am afraid of car park speed bumps


Will ask about the intercooler.

If Im honest, I have hit the floor of my car more than I'd like to admit...It is a lot better since I fitted the 18s (slightly larger outer diameter) but the odd bump will still catch you off guard.

 

[Mytfine]

On my wagon i had Koni shocks with h&r springs, ride was almost stock, handled like it was on rails, but due to how long the wagon is you will be driving sideways over most speed bumps. There was one particular bump on the way to sun city that had the car like a see saw.

 

[rodga]

On my wagon i had Koni shocks with h&r springs, ride was almost stock, handled like it was on rails, but due to how long the wagon is you will be driving sideways over most speed bumps. There was one particular bump on the way to sun city that had the car like a see saw.

ah man that one bump shifted my intercooler and radiator a few mm, just enough for the fan to catch on the one lower hose and slowly start eating away at it!

 

[Mytfine]

ah man that one bump shifted my intercooler and radiator a few mm, just enough for the fan to catch on the one lower hose and slowly start eating away at it!

I had that too, shifted my expansion tank as well and it rubbed a nice gash on the pulley. Man , i loved/hated that car.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Okay so some answers to questions emerging. Intercooler is a Mr Turbo universal unit which Gizmo fabricated / modified the end tanks to suit the couplings for the 330d application. In terms of suspension I'm going to look into the Koni / B4(B6) / H&R springs route as an alternative to the coilovers which are pricey whichever way we go. Gizmo has chimed in on upgrading the anti-roll / swaybars as well and that makes a lot of sense in terms of sharpening up the handling.

I haven't mentioned is previously but the attention to detail in the whole build is top drawer and I have certainly benefited from being the second build of a similar wagon. My daughters boyfriend bought the first but was warned it was a prototype and he anyway wanted a "project" to complete / fettle so he's happy. There's a lot to be said for the feeling of driving a "classic" which is a rare sight (except there are 2 in Hilton in the same street ) on the roads and knowing that its one of only 2 that I know of so far. Are there any other e46 330d Tourings in SA?

The cosmetic stuff I've done has been totally OCD related and not really necessary but dayam she looks great now

 

[rodga]

Okay so some answers to questions emerging. Intercooler is a Mr Turbo universal unit which Gizmo fabricated / modified the end tanks to suit the couplings for the 330d application. In terms of suspension I'm going to look into the Koni / B4(B6) / H&R springs route as an alternative to the coilovers which are pricey whichever way we go. Gizmo has chimed in on upgrading the anti-roll / swaybars as well and that makes a lot of sense in terms of sharpening up the handling.

I haven't mentioned is previously but the attention to detail in the whole build is top drawer and I have certainly benefited from being the second build of a similar wagon. My daughters boyfriend bought the first but was warned it was a prototype and he anyway wanted a "project" to complete / fettle so he's happy. There's a lot to be said for the feeling of driving a "classic" which is a rare sight (except there are 2 in Hilton in the same street ) on the roads and knowing that its one of only 2 that I know of so far. Are there any other e46 330d Tourings in SA?

The cosmetic stuff I've done has been totally OCD related and not really necessary but dayam she looks great now

Ah thanks for the intercooler info.
Will keep an eye on this thread to follow any future mods.


Yes there are. I have a factory msport 330d touring in manual.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Ah thanks for the intercooler info.
Will keep an eye on this thread to follow any future mods.


Yes there are. I have a factory msport 330d touring in manual.

Was that a special import rodga??

 

[rodga]

Was that a special import rodga??

Previous owner stayed in the UK and brought back to sa when he moved back here. Afaik I know the rule is you need to own the car for more than 2 years before they allow you to bring it back. Still a mission to do though.

 

[WIDEOPN-X5]

Previous owner stayed in the UK and brought back to sa when he moved back here. Afaik I know the rule is you need to own the car for more than 2 years before they allow you to bring it back. Still a mission to do though.

Aah right. Yeah we weren't spoiled with diesel wagons here as far as I could establish. I remember doing a track day with my brother in his Lotus Elise up at Donnington and getting trouble in a straight line from an e90 Touring that turned out to be a 335d. What a car....