ewie

Have been watching a E46 CD head unit on Trademe here: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=224879672 I'm looking to swap out the factory MD player in my 318ti but can anyone tell if the CD unit will still work with the factory CD Stacker as well??

Hi Jochen.. you were close it's a 318ti with business radio/MD head unit August 2002 (update version) with the large 17(?) pin connector on the back. I had the radio out a while ago but didn't count the pins.

Hey all, was wondering if anyone would have a wiring diagram for an E46? I want to install my Nokia handsfree carkit in my compact so that it mutes the stereo and works through the car speakers rather than installing a seperate speaker etc.. also need to ID the ignition and battery wires... I have all the install instructions for the kit, just need the car-related info. Any tips?? Cheers

thanks Glenn

Anyone got some contact details for Gavin at Hi Velocity... can't seem to find him in the whitepages?? Thanks

Thanks for the help guy's... hmm, might have to man handle it a bit since it wouldn't budge with the screws removed....

Thought I'd toss my ten cents in the ring here and offer my thanks to a sponsor also... On Johno's reccommendation I had a new set of Bridgestone Potenza RE001's fitted to my new toy today.. and I cannot believe the difference over the original tyres... drives way better, little (if any) tracking and they are oh so silent.... just brilliant. Great service from the guy's over at Penrose and a great price as well.. could'nt be happier. Big thanks Johno, really appreciate it.

Because despite being loosened the vent won't come out. I think it's because of the linkage (middle wheel that controls the warm/cold air mix) that I need to get to and disconnect first. Problem is, as far as I can tell, that the "casing unit" that houses the radio and climate control console needs to come out. Radio's out.. no problem, but can't see how to remove the climate console....

Hey all.. I'm trying to figure out how to remove the a/c vent in the center of the dash, above the radio on my E46. Have managed to get a sfar as removing the radio but it looks like I need to remove the climate control console as well to get access to the back of the vent. Can anyone add any tips? Better still, anyone got a workshop manual I can borrow??

Looks like an Avon dealer's car.... ROFL

What, so are you implying that if I put an M badge on mine that doesn't make it an M3?? LOL

an E36 318ti being passed off as an M3 maybe....??

So is any of this going to apply in NZ??

Poor guy.. makes me wonder how much he got suckered when he bought it in the first place...

Very tidy run...

Hey all... being a newbi BM owner, I'm starting to relaise that not all BM's are created equal when it comes to wheel fitment. So, what basic things do I need to know or understand before looking at new wheels for my E46 compact? For example, I'm looking for some M5 style wheel like this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=218407542 in either 17" or 18". These ones the guy aparently bought for his 3 series (not sure which version) and they don't fit?? Any help would be appreciated Cheers Ewie

A little OT I know but the MAF isn't that ideal a solution if you planning on using performance filters, especially like K&N or other oil impregnated versions. My 2005 Subaru Legacy GTB ran an MAF and I had a K&N filter installed, as reccommended by Wingers at the time.. anyhoo about a month or so later the car started running really rough and would "surge".. took it into Wingers to check it out and waddya know, the MAF was malfunctioning because of fine oil mist depositing on the wire sensor.... Winger initially were'nt going to cover it under warrenty until I produced a reciept showing they were the ones that fitted it in the first place. Just thought I'd mention it...

So best to steer clear then by the sounds of it.... cheers

You guy's have probably seen this on Trademe: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=218178819 but will ti work on a "standard" E46? The speedo has a higher range and there's an oil temp guage where the economy guage is on the std version. Also, would the odometer swap from the existing cluster into this one??

thanks for the tip Glenn Ahh, right so mine would be the N42B20 then?? 1996ccHmm, I've owned a couple of Legacies, both of which were turbos... one import, one NZ new... although the Aussies did stop bringing in the "Liberty RS Turbo" as it is called there after about 1996 (ish) until only a few years ago....

thanks Glenn.. still very new to BMW's need to get more familiar with the specs

And in white too!!... C'mon I know you want one really.....

Oh well, I guess I'll find out as I go... it's also a 2ltr (M44?) not a 1.8 as discussed previously.. maybe a turbo could be in the horizon.... for now I'll just play around with what I've got and see where it takes me. You're right though you'll never get back what you spend.. I spent a small fortune restoring my GT way back when, and did'nt get anything like the money I spent when I sold it. Although I was in a "had to sell it" situation back then, wish I still had it today as they're worth a lot of money to collectors these days. I saw one go at auction in Melbourne for $98K AUD

That's the googly eyes on the E46 compact... very different to the sedans and coupes. I wasn't too sure about it myself but they're growing on me...

Thanks for that Apex, will definatly be giving those guy's a call, my last full build-up project was a 68 XT GT Falcon many moons ago and it had no ECU's, electronic gizmos or anything like that to worry about compared to modern cars so i figured there'd have to be some sort of "hack" available. Thanks for the backup DarkWolf... I chose the compact (mainly) because of the shape... simple as that, I like it and while a 325 might have been preferable, fact is there ain't many around in E46 spec, infact there's only one listed in Trademe and that's in Tauranga, done 113K and nearly $20K... too much for my budget, especially as long term it'll become a project car and I'd still be looking at spending more money on it anyway. Besides, who say's I can't slip a 2.5 into it later?? The M-Sport version also comes with the half suede sort interior, all of which is in mint condition in mine so there's nothing to be done to the interior later on.If money was no object I'd be onto one of the 850Csi's that are around at the moment but who's got $80K+ to shell out on a car and then more money to re-build or modify it?? Not me. I think a compact with some clever mods could be a very nimble little hillclimber.. and it's different. Totally agree... first order of business, if you look at my original post is to do simple tweaky stuff, like chiptuning, exhaust and air to make it a little less aesthmatic and then develop a plan for the longer term project starting with suspension, brakes and wheels. The engine/box build will start when I've got the funds to buy a long motor and strip it down.. over beer and pizza sounds like a plan, good to see that currency works on this side of the ditch too. Appreciate your opinon, but "decent" is a relative term... and who said it'll stay a 1.8 auto?? It might, it might not.. Haven't thought that far ahead yet. Plus I bought with the express purpose of becoming a project.. who know's what it'll morph into later on??Thanks everyone for the constructive comment though, really appreciate it