E46 325TI Compact

[gumpertapolloss]

Overall I was really happy with the purchase. More to come!!!:ty::thumbs:

MINTER!!!
My cousin has the same car. Color and all

Look after her nicely but most of all, ENJOY IT!!

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always wondered what a E46 M3 Front would look like on a compact haha

Keep it up man looking forward to more updates

Wonder no more ... lol

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Nice dude! Mind sharing some pics?

I'll definitely take care of her! :cartel::blowheart:

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Will post up some pics of his car :thumbs:

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lovely car bud, and well done on the diy work done.
i just wanna know how you got down to 6.1/6.2 for the fuel consumption.
The best i got was 9L. i need a service etc, that might help but no way 6. that just does not seem right.

Thanks man!

Well the foot determines everything. If the foot is heavy, the consumption is going to suffer....

I have managed to get the consumption to as low as 5.7l/h over a distance of 50km's on the highway driving alone. That's with the cruise control pinned at 125km/h and not canceling the cruise control once.... I actually have a video of this....

When on the highway and I have to give it a bit to overtake, I usually get in the 6's or 7's..... Will maybe spike to 8.

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MINTER!!!
My cousin has the same car. Color and all

Look after her nicely but most of all, ENJOY IT!!

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always wondered what a E46 M3 Front would look like on a compact haha

Keep it up man looking forward to more updates

Wonder no more ... lol

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Nice dude! Mind sharing some pics?

I'll definitely take care of her! :cartel::blowheart:

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Will post up some pics of his car :thumbs:

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Howzit bud.

Thanks for posting pics of your cousins car. Nice to see there is another Alpine white 325TI roaming the streets of SA. I read on the 325ti appreciation thread that Alpine white is the most sought after ones]. Apparently there are only 3 Alpine white 325ti's produced in the UK, so I'm quite glad to have found a white one.

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Welcome bud:thumbs:

Great Thread...Can never go wrong with an alpine white Bmw:blowheart:

I see she is keeping you rather busy...keep up the great work.

Im also searching for an mtech 2/m3 steering wheel...not the easiest item to find it turns out:dunnoanymore:

Side note...I have the oem aux cable in my car...sound quality is excellent (well CD like quality, I use a samsung aux to bluetooth device...so no complaints here) ...let us know how the aftermarket cable does...will be interesting, cause the oem cable is roughly 5x the price:hammerhead:

I must also add...the style 44s really suit the car well:thumbs:

Will be following this one:thumbs:

Hey bud.

Thanks for the kind words! Overall she is treating me very well....

I have not received the AUX cable as yet, but should be here by tomorrow or early next week.

In regards to the steering, I have seen a few floating around. Most of them are in horrible condition and if I where to find one, it would be one that's mint cause re-trim is not an option I would consider...

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A bit of maintenance has been concluded in the past two days. raise:

It all started with the Oil Filter housing gasket. Bought the filter for R60 a few weeks ago, and finally decided it's time to start with the job. :hammerhead:

Stripping process:

Alternator off:

Housing off (here you can see all the oil it was leaking):

Old gasket VS new one:

So while I was busy, the usual "while i'm there, let's replace it" happened and a few other goodies where sourced.

I had a leaking waterpipe by my reservoir, so I took the pipe off and while taking the pipe off I realized that while I'm at it, I might as well replace all the o'rings in the cooling system. :cartel:

Pipe removed:

New o'rings:

The radiator pipe at the bottom left was a real PITA to remove, but in the end all the pipes got new o'rings:

While the alternator was off, I decided to source a new regulator as my car was only charging at 13.7V and no where near the factory standard of 14.2V. :hammerhead:

New Regulator:

New one was quite cheap. Was a bit difficult sourcing one, but SID's helped me and would recommend them any time of the day for any BMW electronics:

Charge back to normal::bravo:

So overall this part of maintenance set me back about R400. Gasket was R60, o'rings where R45 and the regulator was R330. Maintaining a BMW is really not that expensive, you just have to be willing to put the man hours in!:chef:

Today I will be starting with the interior. Have a few small things I need to sort out inside. Updates coming soon. And oh, I'm still waiting for the AUX cable.

 

[AlexYannoulatos]

Great work !

 

[evnmopwr]

I documented the Regulator Issue on my build thread...

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334&page=2

Was Definitely a mission to find!!
Was your part number the same as Mine??

Great work so far!

 

[gumpertapolloss]

I documented the Regulator Issue on my build thread...

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334&page=2

Was Definitely a mission to find!!
Was your part number the same as Mine??

Great work so far!

Dude, I read through your whole thread and I concluded that my regulator is also faulty.

I actually have to thank you for sharing this information, as I would have never found this issue. My friend with his 330i is also replacing his this weekend.

My part number was different. We have different altenators it seems.

E46 came with 3 different altenators.

1: Valeo 90A altenator. I think your car has this one.

2: Bosch 120A altenator. The design of this one is completely different and I think they where designed for the diesel engines.

3: Valeo 120/130A altenator. I have this one in my car. Part number: sg12b029

I really struggled to find a regulator as most goldwagens, Naskar and Midas shops only stock the one for the Bosch altenator.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[Tinuva]

I documented the Regulator Issue on my build thread...

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334&page=2

Was Definitely a mission to find!!
Was your part number the same as Mine??

Great work so far!

Dude, I read through your whole thread and I concluded that my regulator is also faulty.

I actually have to thank you for sharing this information, as I would have never found this issue. My friend with his 330i is also replacing his this weekend.

My part number was different. We have different altenators it seems.

E46 came with 3 different altenators.

1: Valeo 90A altenator. I think your car has this one.

2: Bosch 120A altenator. The design of this one is completely different and I think they where designed for the diesel engines.

3: Valeo 120/130A altenator. I have this one in my car. Part number: sg12b029

I really struggled to find a regulator as most goldwagens, Naskar and Midas shops only stock the one for the Bosch altenator.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

Actually I have the 120a Bosch alternator in my 330i. They should be interchangable between the Bosch and Valeo, and from what I have read if you have the Valeo its not a bad idea to change to the Bosch.

 

[evnmopwr]

I documented the Regulator Issue on my build thread...

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334&page=2

Was Definitely a mission to find!!
Was your part number the same as Mine??

Great work so far!

Dude, I read through your whole thread and I concluded that my regulator is also faulty.

I actually have to thank you for sharing this information, as I would have never found this issue. My friend with his 330i is also replacing his this weekend.

My part number was different. We have different altenators it seems.

E46 came with 3 different altenators.

1: Valeo 90A altenator. I think your car has this one.

2: Bosch 120A altenator. The design of this one is completely different and I think they where designed for the diesel engines.

3: Valeo 120/130A altenator. I have this one in my car. Part number: sg12b029

I really struggled to find a regulator as most goldwagens, Naskar and Midas shops only stock the one for the Bosch altenator.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

Mine is the 90A yes..
Glad it Helped :thumbs:

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I documented the Regulator Issue on my build thread...

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334&page=2

Was Definitely a mission to find!!
Was your part number the same as Mine??

Great work so far!

Dude, I read through your whole thread and I concluded that my regulator is also faulty.

I actually have to thank you for sharing this information, as I would have never found this issue. My friend with his 330i is also replacing his this weekend.

My part number was different. We have different altenators it seems.

E46 came with 3 different altenators.

1: Valeo 90A altenator. I think your car has this one.

2: Bosch 120A altenator. The design of this one is completely different and I think they where designed for the diesel engines.

3: Valeo 120/130A altenator. I have this one in my car. Part number: sg12b029

I really struggled to find a regulator as most goldwagens, Naskar and Midas shops only stock the one for the Bosch altenator.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

Actually I have the 120a Bosch alternator in my 330i. They should be interchangable between the Bosch and Valeo, and from what I have read if you have the Valeo its not a bad idea to change to the Bosch.

There was 2 Versions of the Valeo.

1 Where Regulator is Soldered in place (1st gen ones on 99 model if i recall)
1 Where regulator is Replaceable...

I was all to happy to see mine was replaceable.. Lol

 

[Fordkoppie]

Dude, I read through your whole thread and I concluded that my regulator is also faulty.

I actually have to thank you for sharing this information, as I would have never found this issue. My friend with his 330i is also replacing his this weekend.

My part number was different. We have different altenators it seems.

E46 came with 3 different altenators.

1: Valeo 90A altenator. I think your car has this one.

2: Bosch 120A altenator. The design of this one is completely different and I think they where designed for the diesel engines.

3: Valeo 120/130A altenator. I have this one in my car. Part number: sg12b029

I really struggled to find a regulator as most goldwagens, Naskar and Midas shops only stock the one for the Bosch altenator.

Every facelift 330i I have ever encountered, had the Bosch 120A Alternator.
Their OEM regulators are available from different shops.

The Valeo alternator's OEM regulator is not available.
One has to do with these fong kong regulators. I was also forced to fit one of these cheap fong kong regulators to my Z4M, but so far so good

 

[Nobz330i]

Hi

Any update on the Aux installation ? And how is the sound quality ?

 

[gumpertapolloss]

Hi

Any update on the Aux installation ? And how is the sound quality ?

Hey man.

I have a few updates, but have no time to update.

I can confirm that the aux has been installed and the sound quality is amazing!

I was astonished by how good it sounds compared to radio or even CD...

I took a lot of pics when installing, so will upload them soon.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[gumpertapolloss]

Hey guys,

I have not updated this thread in a few months because I have been in another country for about 5 months now.

In this time though, the car has undergone quite a bit of maintenance and it's slowly but surely getting where I want it to be.

I have a lot of photos and updates that I will post next weekend when I'm home.

For now though, I'm asking for some advice.....

I'm thinking of changing the wheels on the car and I have two options.

Option 1: Style 68

Option 2: Style 66

Your opinion would be appreciated.

 

[rodga]

68 are more common so you should be able to find them easier and cheaper
66 are only found on the msport e39s, so they are less common and look better imo.

although as you know im slightly biased :fencelook:

 

[CA_130]

Whatever you like mate !

Personally I would go with the style 66's or a set of style 65's if you can find them

 

[GoCart]

I've always been a fan of the 68's on a E46, and as said, will be easier to find. The 65's though, epic wheel.

 

[CA_130]

The 68's are a decent wheel, but to be honest, it just looks like another stock wheel, even though they are Msport's, and don't really echo the passion and enthusiasm @gumpertapolloss has shown for this car.

Also, considering the spec of the car, I think it deserves something special, but that's just me and my 2c :hammerhead:

not sure if these are still available

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=86373&highlight=style+66

Or he could update the look of the car with these

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=90760&highlight=style+66

 

[Fordkoppie]

The style 68 will be a straight bolt on with the same offsets as your current wheels.

The style 66 wont. First of all, the e39 is the odd ball with a 74mm centerbore on the hub whereas all other 5 lug BMWs are 72mm, so the wheel wont center itself on the hub. This can be overcome with Spigot rings which I am not a fan of.

Secondly - the style 66 will have an offset of ET20 compared to the 68's ET41 in front and ET50 in the rear respectively, so in the rear the wheel will protrude 30mm more than the style 68 or your current style 44. It will rub, and I hate that stance look.
In front it will protrude 21mm more, and cause tramlining

 

[danieltau]

:fencelook:

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=91609

 

[gumpertapolloss]

Hi guys. Huge update incoming......

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Let me start by making a list of things I have done in the past few months.

Completed:
*Installed aux cable to factory sat nav unit.
*Changed reverse gear sensor on gearbox.
*New brake pad front.
*Replaced all cooling pipes, radiator, expansion tank and expansion tank frame.
*Little rubber screws that keep radiator in place.
*Gearbox mounts.
*Goodyear eagle F1 Asym 5 all round.
*New Battery.
*Slight changes to the exhaust.
*Added a few features to the factory MS43 ecu (Fuel cut overrun, rev limit 6800rpm, vanos advance and timing advance)

Things to do:
*Install poly RTAB mounts that I imported.
*Change thermostat and waterpump (preventative maintenance)
*Engine mounts
*T.cover gasket and while I'm at it I want to do vanos seals.
*Look at exhaust mani options......
*Paint less dent removal on some small dings around the car.
*Go through vacuum pipes and intake boots.
*Possibly look at replacing starter as it can act up some times.
*Do a proper detail on the car as it needs some love.
*Possibly respraying the front bumper.

Onto the pictures:

The aux install-
I don't have a lot of pictures of the install and as you guys can see the screen on my satnav unit has some burnt pixels, but the aux works like a charm and I have no regrets doing this mod.

Random pictures at the gym-
She might be old, but I simply love the way she looks.

Onto next post.

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Next up is the cooling system. I went through a lot of hassles with this part of the maintenance. Plastics and rubbers on these cars tend to crack and because of this I lost the expansion tank as well as the frame that holds the expansion tank in place. Alas, I'm glad I replaced everything as it's needed on these old cars.

Radiator end that cracked-

New radiator installed-

Radiator bracket / rubber thingy that broke and caused a lot of havoc-

What Bmw charged me for two of those rubber screws. Ended up getting two of them from Beemows for R40-

All new items and things that where replaced-

With this out of the way, I could finally enjoy the car again and she has since gone on a few long distance trips without any hassles.

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Finally onto the good stuff. Below are just some random pictures I have taken before leaving South-Africa and upon returning. I recently went on a trip down to KZN and it was a pleasure driving her down to the coast. May I add that she felt like a beast down at the coast!!

I actually managed 820km on a single tank which really surprised me. This was with two people in the car and maintaining the speed limit on the N3.

Some random pictures:

Went on a trip to Brits-

Finally lowered the car-

Just kidding, my friends are quite big and we where fully loaded with 4 guys in the car.

Pictures in KZN-

Overall I'm pretty stoked on my purchase. She's been treating me well and I absolutely love driving this car! I have no complaints and I'm sure this vehicles is going to last me a few more years to come. Even if I do decided to upgrade or change to another vehicle, I'll never be able to sell her.

Thanks for having a look at my thread. :ty:

PS: Some extra content. The sound of a 6-cyl is simply :blowheart:
[video=youtube]

 

[Riaad]

This looks too familiar :tiptoe:

 

[Salt]

I really enjoyed your thread. I respect all the time and effort you have put in to your car. I don't think anyone can argue that you don't appreciate what you have bought. You should be proud of yourself and enjoy our car to the fullest. When/if the time comes for you to sell your car...you can surely advertise it here with confidence!

 

[Dewald Basson]

Good to see a Ti receiving some love. I am very envious, I wanted a white 325ti but could not find one at the time.

It looks great :thumbs: