Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 Having owned this wagon nearly eleven years (purchased 28 Mar 2012) and mentioned it several times over the years on this forum, "why not start a showroom thread" I wondered aloud yesterday - so here we are. A potted history I wanted another BMW, having sold my e30 325i Touring back in '01. Needed a replacement for our family car (A32 Maxima) and fancied an e39 Touring e39 eliminated as Mrs Olaf thought them ugly e46 fitted the bill, though in 2012 330i tourings were very rarely sold, and 325i's were generally ~$15-20k from dealers. e91 6 cyl were still over $20k and beyond my budget. This one had dropped from ~$16k to the $12k range. 112k kms, fresh import from Japan, good order, best colour - Orientblau metallic. Got it inspected, flew to Auckland and bought it. Drove it to Wellington, it broke down the next day (fuel gauge issue later sorted with replacement pump). Remedial maintenance sorted by BMW Specialist in Welly. Did an Easter Tour to Auckland and back laden with family and it performed flawlessly We've had lots of fun with it over the years and done a shedload of maintenance on it. Here it is about a fortnight after we bought it, after I'd spent time on full body detail. More later. 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 11, 2023 36 minutes ago, Olaf said: e39 eliminated as Mrs Olaf thought them ugly Does she need glasses? They almost look the same. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leonf 162 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 e46 Touring. Peak BMW, imo. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 7 hours ago, Eagle said: Does she need glasses? They almost look the same. You must already know the correct answers to this: 1. My wife is of course perfect, how could one question her eyesight? Now, we shall step outside and discuss this like gentlemen as you've cast aspersions on my beloved wife (note we're not doing Will Smith). 2. The e39 is similar though sufficiently different; have you never witnessed (or participated in) the discussion of the difference between mauve and lilac? 3. In any marriage there is usually an unspoken language, where one's spouse may say one thing but mean completely another. For example the simple premise of 'that's ugly' might be code for 'looks difficult to park' or 'there's someone on the school run with one of these and I'd not be seen dead in the same car; or 'it's really ugly and I simply will not drive it'. 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 It did occur to me that some woman logic may be on display, but i thought it may simply be a case of needing some re-education on peak BMW design. 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) There will be a somewhat random and tangental listing on this thread as I recall or dredge up adventures/maintenance/experience with this vehicle. Broadly: Transmission shat the bed in late Dec 2012. Jan 2013 it was left with a local specialist for a couple of weeks while we holidayed abroad. The trans was fully rebuilt by Hutt Automatics, and a bunch of remedial maintenance addressed at the same time (the standard valve cover gasket, oil filter housing to block etc) Full set of coils. Sump gasket, engine mounts, trans mounts. Full suspension refresh (stock) with Sachs shocks. Revised suspension refresh (thanks again @Herbmiester) with MSport ARBs, e9x style 194 rims and e46 msport tyre setup MD stereo swapped for factory CD stereo. Sunroof slider repaired. Vacuum issues resolved - PCV system replacement and brake booster replaced after diaphragm contaminated by oil in the PCV system. A couple of cooling system refreshes (including metal pulley) Touch wood, it's never needed to be towed. More detail later. also replaced scrennwash pump a couple of times; then replaced the whole reservoir tank. Despite a diet of exclusively BMW screenwash for about 7 years, the tanks break down and produce a kind of white snot that clogs the pump. No issues since replacing pump and tank together. Replacement (heated) washer nozzles still await fitting. Edited March 2 by Olaf another fix recalled. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Date: 16 Sep 2022 Distance: 203,854 kms 1. Maintenance replaced VANOS Oil line (11361705532) replaced high-pressure fuel hose (13537548987) oil and filter change - 5W40 Penrite HPR5 full synthetic air filter change replaced windscreen wiper cowling (51718189100) replaced cabin filter VANOS oil line breaks down over time from engine heat, starts to drip oil around the front of your engine, so worth replacing. High-pressure fuel hose - check yours in case it's getting crusty. Spraying fuel at injector line pressure - should it split - will see you meeting the team from FENZ. Best avoided, replace! They're all ~20 years old now... Edited January 12, 2023 by Olaf added cowling P/N's, and notes for VANOS and High Pressure Fuel Hose 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Date: 11 Jan 2023 Distance: 205,567 kms 1. Maintenance Replaced leaking water pump (weeping - was just over two years old) - this time went with GRAF. Last time was HEPU, same as previously. Refilled cooling system with fresh BMW coolant and distilled water at 1:1 ratio Replaced vacuum bungs on inlet manifold 11611437560 and 11611727176 Replaced High Pressure Fuel Line clamp 13311716049 Transmission Service with ZF kit (24152333915), filter, machine flushed/refilled with Lubeguard Complete full synthetic ATF. Front Brake Pads replaced with Hawk Performance HPS Rear brake calipers replaced with rebuilt units; rear brake pads replaced with Hawk Performance HPS Full brake system flush and bleed with DOT4 brake fluid Road tested Observed the previous service agent had used gasket cement on the Auto Trans oil pan and stripped one of the bolts. BIG shout out to Begley Motor Worx in Marton for exceptional care. 2. Next steps: replace windscreen wipers and rear wipers rebuild front calipers source and fit replacement touring rear caliper carriers new headlight lenses diff seals (input, both outputs), replace diff oil back box replacement (slow corrosion at top) Fit new sunroof seal (precautionary replacement) I really enjoyed the drive home last night. Trans is shifting like butter. Brakes offer much faster retardation with better feel than the old Akebono Euro that (finally) wore enough to be replaced. Edited January 12, 2023 by Olaf images, date, distance 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 (edited) Date: 13 Jan 2023 Distance: 205,829 kms 1. Pad bed-in I took the car out early to execute the Hawk Performance pad bed-in procedure. Best done while roads are empty. I did ten moderate stops from 60km/h down to 20 km/h, then ten heavy stops from 100km/h to 40km/h. Drove the car for 25 mins to cool the brakes down, avoided dragging the brakes (not my style anyway!). Result, they're working as intended now. By the time this set of pads wear out it'll be time for new rotors. The Stop Tech slotted rotors have been nice, but they're now more than USD150 each - I won't bother again. I think I'll gather Zimmermann Sport Z-cote drilled rotors when they're on sale, in preparation. They're performing nicely on my e30, and the z-cote works nicely. I prefer slots, but not as much as to spend double! 2. Replaced wiper blades front and rear the old wiper blades had gotten hard and crusty. Genuine BMW 61610037009 (575mm and 500mm set) and 61628220828, respectively. Time to re-do the Rain-X on the windscreen too. 3. Oil top-up. 1 litre of 5W40 HPR5 added. Used a litre over the last 2000kms. I suppose that's better than average for an M54; I think BMW reckon a litre per 1000-1500kms is acceptable? 4. Interior clean-out, exterior wash. It had gotten pretty grubby in it's existence as grocery-getter. Interior thoroughly vacuumed, mats shampooed and dried, interior wiped and cleaned. Exterior washed - looks better. Next time I'll give it a thorough claybar and wax. The paint has suffered living outdoors in my ownership, particularly with pohutukawa resin and bird-sh*t. We'll describe that as patina, yeah? 5. Headlight refresh underway Bought a pair of headlights in excellent condition from @Autoglym, I'll use the lenses along with a new set of gaskets, and keep the rest for spares (ignitors and bulbs useful to have in the parts stash I think). My lenses are pretty crusty, and I noticed a somewhat reduced light output on the Hurricane Highway on way back from Marton the other night. Edited January 12, 2023 by Olaf Image, ponding oil use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 Did you use the early msport swaybars? 24mm front and 19mm rear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) I went with the following, sourced from @BM WORLD FRONT 24mm: 31351094542 (M-sport most e46) REAR 20mm: 33556751267 (from the cabrio with M-Sport) It's fairly flat. @adro can comment, I will cop as guilty (M'lud) in helping him 'see the light' for e46 Touring. He did utter something representing surprise, on driving it 😉. I think the 20mm extra rear track from the style 194 (over e46 ///msport), and 1/2" wider rims on front marry up well with the fat ARB's. Edited January 13, 2023 by Olaf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Olaf said: FRONT 24mm: 31351094542 (M-sport most e46) As i found out they messed with the sizes on the sedans and coupes around April '01. Everything incl msport went 23.5\18mm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 (edited) Take a look on the parts search on realoem for the rear bar 33556751267 https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partxref?q=33556751267&series=E46 - it shows that it was used on a bunch of models including M57 and M54 engines, sedan, touring, vert. I figured out what I needed, asked Brent if he had it in stock, lucked-out. For your clubsport, you probably wouldn't need 20mm rear as less mass behind the front seats than a Touring or Vert? [EDIT]: - unless you had a really heavy front bar, like (say) 26-28mm? Edited January 13, 2023 by Olaf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 Yeah im already running the 25mm Z4 front bar and 19mm rear. Nice subtle tweak. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 oh cool - Z4 bars fit? is that front and rear? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 Yeah the E85\E86 shares subframes etc with the E46. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 oh man, sport suspension settings for my 325i F=24mm, R-22mm! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 I think you may of misread the rear size Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 I think you're right, @Eagle! 😆 Spent too much time parts-hunting yesterday. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herbmiester 931 Report post Posted January 26, 2023 I have enjoyed reading this and to be fair, I think its time for another BMW and an E46 is on the cards. To be fair my old E46 was a very sharp handling car, sharper than my e92 or E36 (All 5 of them). Plus my daughter who will be of driving age in a year or so and usually never talks about cars said, "Dad I don't want a boring car, and I want a manual, can I drive your Purple BMW (E34540is)?" I said no you cant. "She said what about your old Blue BMW could I get one of those?". Maybe...... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted January 27, 2023 (edited) John, always a pleasure mate and it's been too long! yes there's something about them, and this one's going well, and I still love the suspension setup you mentored me into - it works well with this car. We bought the X3 for my better half, with the idea of me taking over the e46 as I just want a runaround with distance capability and load-carrying, the e46 is a habit for her and it's a fun drive to boot, even with just a 2.5. I think an M54 2.5 touring with manual would be superb - even with the obvious disadvantage of it not being an M54B30! Thinking more logically I think you should just buy my e60! 😁 PS: I think your e46 coupe was perfect. Edited January 27, 2023 by Olaf perfection. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted February 11, 2023 Date: 8 Feb 2023 Distance: 206,007 kms 1. Flat tyre and replacement Hmmmm. Friday evening 3 Feb "darling can you take a look at the car, the tyre seems a bit low at the back". "Sure I'll do that in the morning." Figure 1 I found "It's only flat on the bottom". Proceeded to remove the wheel, replace with the space-saver spare. Oh yes, it had been many, many moons since I diligently checked that. Understandably it wasn't up to much, so I didn't drive on it. Do you think I could find a tyre store to do a puncture for me on a Saturday of a long weekend? I had it in the boot of my car. Nope, visited numerous shops and they frankly could not be arsed. I'd have been happy to bring a dozen cold beers for anyone that said 'sure we can take a look at that for you'. Fast forward to Tuesday morning. My usual tyre guy hadn't opened, so I dropped in to one on the way home. They called me later, said there's cords showing inside. Not a surprise, my better half is not particularly sensitive to tyre pressures or what the car's telling her. Considered getting a pair of Michelin PS5's, but with AKL in flood clean-up, uncertainty around supply. I elected to replace like-for-like with an RE003 as they were available locally. Ooooh, cords showing and a super collection of pellets too. "Errr, that'll be f#%ked then". Weds, I collected the wheel with new tyre mounted. Got out my trusty torque wrench and 17mm wheel socket, changed over the spare for the new wheel with daughter in attendance to teach her a bit about changing a tyre, safety etc. We immediately went to the gas station to check all the pressures, including the spare. Gas station could only manage 51psi before their hose was leaking, so we returned to the tyre place for a 60psi fill. Job's a good one, though I usually replace in pairs. Hey ho. Handy blanket to save my knees! Not pictured - Teng torque wrench and socket. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted November 20, 2023 (edited) Date: 20 Nov 2023 Distance: 208,853 kms 1. WoF She sailed through a WoF with one exception - a torn RH steering rack boot. Fortunately I have rack boots in my parts stash for the e30, ready for when it gets a purple-tag rack. I've picked up a 20 litre pack of Penrite HPR 5 5W40 synthetic, may as well do an oil change while it's in the air, and give it a wash afterwards. Edited November 20, 2023 by Olaf 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eagle 1664 Report post Posted November 23, 2023 Is the your wifes handy work on the rims too? haha. Probably a good thing you haven't got a purple tag steering rack in it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olaf 3328 Report post Posted November 23, 2023 It has a purple tag rack. They're standard on all LCI e46. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
