Matth5

Not that I noticed, the slop isn't too bad even though I'd prefer it to be firmer. But sometimes there is no feedback when moving into 5th (as in I can't feel it 'lock' into position even though it does). Might be more common when cold but I'm not sure.

Had engine mounts replaced at the same time. My mechanic advised it would be a bad idea to only do the tranny mounts at the time. Hmm maybe it is stuffed bushes causing the linkage to shift sideways or messing with my feel somehow.

I'll have someone looks at it when I get the water pump done.

no such thing as shift points moving. Itll be the play in the shifter bushes. New OEM bushes are cheap and will do the trick.

Really? To me it feels like the whole transmission is moving. Before I had my mounts replaced it was so bad that sometimes even 1st gear would be centered, where 3rd normally is.

What places would be able to replace shift bushes and about how much can I expect to spend?

I've seen DIY guides but I'm not too confident in dropping the exhaust, driveshaft ect and working under there myself.

It's not the slop that's the problem (I have that too of course), but it feels like the shift points move sideways. If I rest my hand on the shifter I can feel it moving around a bit when driving. Not just vibrating but it can actually move so that the gears are not in the right spot.

New tranny mounts reduced to a minimal amount it but it's still there. Like it wont move so that 5th actually rests where 3rd is, but in extreme cases it can move close enough so that the spot where 3rd should be, becomes the spot between 5th and 3rd almost.

Although, I've been looking at the UUC kit including double sheer shift rod. Looks awesome but it's a lot of money. In my wishlist but heaps of things to fix before I go looking at things to improve.

And yea, looks like I better make plans for a new waterpump then. Putting that at the top of my maintenance list.

Got a few random questions.

Owned my E46 328i for nearly a year now and have taken care of the biggest headaches (subframe, rebuilt driveshaft and a few others).

Got some smaller issues now.

1. Is it normal to have a small amount of shifter movement? Replacing mounts drastically reduced this but did not eliminate it. It used to be bad as the mounts were stuffed, 5th would be right where 3rd should be sometimes. It's only a little bit now and doesn't happen often, but it's still irritating and can mess up my shifting.

Should I have gotten stiffer than OEM mounts instead? Or does this indicate that my mounts need tightening or something? (I'm not a mechanic...)

2. Small coolant leak that has been there as long as I've had the car. Seems to be coming from water pump. Harmless? Considering it could have been there for over a year easily. Only visible when parked for a few days

Best image I could manage:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w305/Maddmatth/coolant.jpg

Stuck my hand in there to see if it's coming from above, feels dry so seems to be the water pump itself?

3. Power steering hoses are covered in a layer of dirt/residue. Dried ATF? Worth getting these replaced? If so, where can I get it done at a decent price? Got quoted about $250 just for the hose from a place in Auckland which seemed silly, surely these kinds of hoses can be made cheaply and we don't need a BMW branded one? PS ATF level isn't going down so suppose there's no need to worry?

Seemed good when I was there to grab some parts a while back, helped me diagnose a faulty aux fan, sold me a used one cheap and told me it was easy enough to install myself (which it was). Unlike another place which told me it was a big job and would cost $500 excl. parts.

Wish they replied to emails though... I've sent a few and have never heard back.

Yea heavy steering and pedal is normal in the 328s. You learn to love it that way. It makes everything else I drive feels like a kids toy

My feedback...You are pretty much dreaming on a manual 330i. I looked for years and didn't see one. And if you do find one the premium would likely be huge.

Hence why I was very close to converting one... Could be a good option if you are stuck on manual.

If you can handle auto, bang for buck, they are in a mean sweet spot now.

Man I saw one on Trademe a while back. Only not with motorsport kit.

Same colour as mine and also sedan. If I had the spare cash I would have bought it, then swapped bodykit, wheels ect with mine, then sold my 328i as a non-sport. Could have broke even if it's maintenance was decent.

But alas I was broke

Temp wheels I used until I had my original wheels fixed.

You can see them on Trademe here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=755022772

Fixed, tyres re-mounted, wheels back on the car with good tyres.

Looking like this again:

Dropped them off at Brugar Engineering for repair. Not the cheapest, but they're near a friends place who I visit so it's not out of my way.

If I went to Macweld I would have spent much of the difference on petrol, sadly.

Hi Evo30, care to send me his details? Decided to get them fixed as I don't like the new set I've got, nothing looks better to me than the style 32s.

Haven't got around to dealing with it yet as work has been sending me all over the place so I've barely even seen my own car lately...

Well I've decided to get another set because I actually found another set that I liked (AC Type 3 Racing, 17 inch knock-offs that look pretty decent).

Macwelds quote was good (~140 each, Jason's estimate based on email pics). So I'll see if someone else would like to buy them and take care of that

If anyone is interested:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?ed=true&id=731109544

Would love to have it, but nowhere near being able to afford it.

To be honest if I was in the market to spend over $30k on a car, it would be hard to justify buying an E46 M3 over an E90 335i...

I'd probably still get the M3 though...

Got a quote from Jason at Macweld so far.

Looks like it'll be cheaper than replacing them so I reckon I'll get them fixed.

Thanks guys

Some brand new ones were on Trademe, seller "apexeffects".

Link might not work as listing expired:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=719959243

Probably too late but might be worth texting the guy:

http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/47464-style-32-genuine-bmw-wheels-tyres/

How did I find these? I've been searching for them in 18x8.5

$150? May as well just buy new headlight lenses. For the older (non-facelift) e46 a pair of new OEM lenses is about $150 including shipping from Ebay.

Locals wrecker are probably much cheaper for a good secondhand set.

I should have mentioned, I'm in Auckland. Sending it to Palmy wouldn't be worth it unless it was my only option, then I suppose I could arrange something.

Thanks, I sent them an email.

Interesting to see the local parts suppliers ect are on this forum. I've purchased some parts from you before.

Hi,

Any recommendations on what to do about this?

BMW Style 32 wheels, 18 inch.

Pic below is the right rear wheel. Left one has a crack starting to develop as well.

Who can repair these and at what cost?

I believe these are cast aluminium which might be difficult to weld.

If anyone has some used replacements I'd be interested as well. Not paying for brand new ones.

Specs: 18 x 8.5J, IS 50

Bottom pic isn't mine, mine aren't quite that perfect. Just showing what they look like.