My Wife's '03 E46 320i - collected today!

[zaleonardz]

Have the following checked out properly

1. Tyres
2. Balancing of wheels
3. Shocks front and back
4. Brakes and or discs, and or brake fluid - Include into that the inside brake pads for the handbrake (The stuff is so cheap, just put in new if they are slightly dodgy)
5. Rear subframe bushes
6. Control arms and that wierd mount in front.

I replaced the above as new, and that car feels as tight as a 16 year old on... wait... never mind imp:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Well she has just taken the car to Glassfit for the insurance inspection and I am going to see if I can get hold of this guy who's selling those 17" wheels which apparently has new-ish tyres on, but mainly interested in the wheels. Will have the shocks checked, brakes seem fine although I can see the disks are fairly worn - will just replace all round, handbrake is weak, so if it can't be adjusted also just replace the wear items. I actually recently read about the rear subframe issues - quite scary stuff when I got to the part where they discussed cracks that can for on the rear subframe! But yes, will definitely have the suspension thoroughly looked through and sorted out - our winter rainy season is upon us!!

LOL, "shnice and tyt!" :mmm:

 

[Mufasa]

They getting scarce in that condition,good buy!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Thanks!

Just came back from Precision Wheel Alignment in Parow - they inspected all the rubber bushes on the suspension, gearbox, diff mount and subframe. Only thing that needs replacing is the front lower control arm bush on both sides - quite significant play which is of course dangerous! Was quoted R1.5k for this...

I asked them to check closely around the rear too because often there is a bit of a "thud" sound between not so perfect gear changes. If it isn't the bushes in this area what else could be causing this?

 

[zaleonardz]

Shocks, Could be the diff itself, but its more likely a mount.....


The only issue with those two mounts in question that you speak of in front, depends how long they have been worn, but over time, the pin from the control arm that goes into the bush actually gets damanged, so even with a new bush, its never perfect, and depending ont he damage, can cause vibrations and crap as well as premature wear (or so I have been told)

Thats why I replaced the control arms as well

 

[Philip Foglar]

Shocks, Could be the diff itself, but its more likely a mount.....


The only issue with those two mounts in question that you speak of in front, depends how long they have been worn, but over time, the pin from the control arm that goes into the bush actually gets damanged, so even with a new bush, its never perfect, and depending ont he damage, can cause vibrations and crap as well as premature wear (or so I have been told)

Thats why I replaced the control arms as well

Hmm, makes sense. Will have to let them advise me when I take the car in tomorrow. Does make sense to replace the entire lower control arms and bushes.

I have been reading a lot on the E46 common problems linked site. Ripped or Failed Guibo: "A torn guibo (Flex Disc) will result in a perceivable 'drivetrain elasticity'. Acceleration will be preceded with a loud clunk as the guibo bolts bind together." This fits with what I am noticing at the moment. There is a bit of a thud sound, but more noticeably the 'drivetrain elasticity' is what I am aware of...

 

[Philip Foglar]

Okay, took the car through to Precision Wheel Alignment in Parow for the lower control arm bushes and alignment - R1585 expense. They checked and showed me the Guibo (Flex Disk) and it seems to be fine. Not sure what is causing the dull clunk noise from the rear - a bit of back-lash from the diff or gearbox maybe? On smooth gear changes and from throttle off to on you don't hear this clunk, but on slightly "spastic" gear changes you can hear this clunk. Also can slightly hear it when engaging a gear from neutral while standing...

Now I can't wait to get those 17" wheels and fit them. The current wheels and tyres are as is (have not been balanced or rotated) and now there is a distinct vibration on the steering wheel at speed, whereas before it was only at lower speeds. Otherwise the car drives very nicely!