Mike's Old Man Car - BMW E46 320d

[MiniMike20]

Cosmetic Update!

I had considered a few options for the wheels, a set of used BMW E90 16s which I picked up for a steal. I was keen to go with a satin chrome but after hearing the paint cost decided it was overkill. I wanted gloss black around the windows and kidneys and I worried anthracite would make an executive sedan look even more executive.

Disclaimer – It is not that I don’t feel this vehicle is anything but an executive sedan, it is, but it belongs to a 31 year old who has had an Abarth with custom painted wheels, scorpions and special roof vinyl, a dude who had a MINI Cooper S with Jack Sunroof, Mirrors, interior bits and more. Cars need to be unique and there is a fine line when dealing with an executive saloon like the E46.

Too much of the boy racer antics and the car looks low class. Too much and you make a dull car look even more dull. In short, this is my car and my choices and everything is reversible. I am winging this as I go along. If the wheels look rubbish I send them to be done in anthracite or silver. If I hate the kidneys I get another used set – For now this is where I am at.

I got the wheels from the panelshop on Friday but only got my car back from a client on Saturday so I set to work with:

A rinse and wash in the bath
Quick dry down
Hand application of Autoglym Ultra Deep Shine
One layer of Gyeon MOHS Ceramic Coating
One layer of Gyeon Cure Top Sealant

And here are the results:

Will get them mounted at lunchtime today. My hubby took the car to work this morning (he works for BMW / MINI Claremont) and is having it washed as she is FILTHY from the drive to Saldanha yesterday to watch stock cars.

How’s that consumption though on a 300km round trip with 4 of us in the car.

Hoping the new wheels don’t ruin the look of the car. Thanks for reading!

 

[Anees]

Wheels look good. I would consider making the blue on the bmw badges black as well. Vinyl stickers can be gotten from @Riaad

 

[MiniMike20]

Wheels look good. I would consider making the blue on the bmw badges black as well. Vinyl stickers can be gotten from @Riaad

This is where the winging it part comes in. I have purposefully not fitted the new bonnet roundal yet for this reason.

I had carbon roundals on my X1's wheels that I loved, I wonder if I should go to We Buy Cars (where my X1 has stood for nearly two months) and go re-claim them.

 

[VinceM]

I’m jealous of that 4.5l per 100km.
Silly car I have gets 11.3l at best!

Great find man.


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[Solo Man]

Cannot remember if the swirl flaps have been removed? Would do that asap if i were you.

 

[MiniMike20]

Finally, my wheels are fitted.

First thing to keep in mind these E90 wheels are much lighter than the old E46 wheels, and the boot is filled with the E46 wheels in these pics so she is sagging a little bit.

Overall I am happy, its given it a nice sporty look without making it look cheap - I think with the gloss back window beadings and kidneys and a painted thin lip spoiler it will be spot on. The only thing I may still change long term is to go clear indicators and tails.

I dont even think it needs a drop, the arches fill out just fine.

So happy with this car, its the king of consistency and its simply over-engineered in every way - I also love that people stop and stare at it all the time. I often see people hanging around it as well which just goes to show that even at 3 generations old, the E46 is still a solid, sought after car.

 

[MiniMike20]

Cannot remember if the swirl flaps have been removed? Would do that asap if i were you.

This is on the to do list - Along with replacing the little vacuum pipes from the wastegate etc

 

[///M Individual]

Looks great with the wheels.

I think the clear lenses will pick it up nicely!

 

[MiniMike20]

Anyone got some advice on shocks? I am not keen to "drop it" but the rear is sagging a bit (even empty) and I dont like the initial body roll in corners - She sits really well but the weight transfer makes me lack confidence.

Bilsten B6 Shocks have been suggested, I see GW has the B4's and Sport Munroe's - Any other advice to stiffen the car up a bit?

 

[KPM3_30]

Excellent thread and nice to see the attention to detail! Interesting wheel choice, the style 44's look so good on the E46 but they are a bit more common.

You could look at Koni Sport Orange, I did this along with the HnR lowering springs and it made a massive difference to the car's handling and stance. Feels very flat compared to the earlier set up but that was tired at 265k.

My thread with information from when I was looking for more info: https://bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/coilovers-vs-shocks-e46-330i-sport-pack.91926/ - You will see pictures of the new suspension in my showroom thread.

 

[MiniMike20]

E46 M3 Spoiler arrived this morning so I dropped that along with new tow hook covers (mine are missing) from BMW at the panelshop to be sprayed in Alpine White.

While there, the window beadings, in gloss black were fitted along with the black kidneys. So, as she stands, tape holding the rear beadings on included:

One of the main reasons I did the beadings was because the first time I opened the back door the beading just fell off. Both sides the clips had broken off entirely so since I was halfway there why not just get it done. Besides the spoiler and tow hook covers I am calling it a day on the exterior styling - Its plenty sporty enough. Will just fit a new BMW Roundal tomorrow so the bonnet is complete.

 

[MiniMike20]

Took Thomas on his first Road Trip - had to shoot through to Pezula Private Estate, 4 up with luggage for the night for a client.

Filled the tank, set the cruise and managed Claremont to Knysna and back on one tank arriving home with 85km of range - Keep in mind we also used the car to drive to Dana Bay twice and did some running around in Knysna with it not to mention driving on the estate.

1052km from 1 Full Tank
4.6L per 100km.
R1200 in total.

If you look closely you will see the paint boot spoiler and tow hook covers are on as well. Besides a loose screw in the Passenger Rear Door which I fixed on route it was absolutely effortless. Good little tractor.

 

[MiniMike20]

Some photo's from Friday before the trip. I wish I could get the upload quality to be higher.

I gave it a light hand polish, then a glaze with Wolfgang Sealant Topped up with some Autoglym Ultra High Gloss and a layer of Rapid Detailer.

The interior continues to take shape, wanted it spotless for my passengers:

And just something small, thats probably been stolen off the car already, some black wheel valve caps.

I think the exterior is just right, the clear lights would totally suit it but its already a bit too storm trooper so I do like that the orange breaks it a bit.

 

[Bmw.wp]

Finally, my wheels are fitted.

First thing to keep in mind these E90 wheels are much lighter than the old E46 wheels, and the boot is filled with the E46 wheels in these pics so she is sagging a little bit.

Overall I am happy, its given it a nice sporty look without making it look cheap - I think with the gloss back window beadings and kidneys and a painted thin lip spoiler it will be spot on. The only thing I may still change long term is to go clear indicators and tails.

I dont even think it needs a drop, the arches fill out just fine.

So happy with this car, its the king of consistency and its simply over-engineered in every way - I also love that people stop and stare at it all the time. I often see people hanging around it as well which just goes to show that even at 3 generations old, the E46 is still a solid, sought after car.

I am Personally not a big fan of black wheels on a white car. but yours look great.

 

[TBP88]

Some photo's from Friday before the trip. I wish I could get the upload quality to be higher.

I gave it a light hand polish, then a glaze with Wolfgang Sealant Topped up with some Autoglym Ultra High Gloss and a layer of Rapid Detailer.

The interior continues to take shape, wanted it spotless for my passengers:

And just something small, thats probably been stolen off the car already, some black wheel valve caps.

I think the exterior is just right, the clear lights would totally suit it but its already a bit too storm trooper so I do like that the orange breaks it a bit.

I gave up on fancy wheel caps in CPT, every time I take my car out and park on the road they're gone 3hrs later...

Just bought 100 plastic ones on takealot for like R50, everytime I see one missing I chuck a new one on

 

[Neven]

Like what you’ve done here man. Very nice!

 

[///M3FAN]

Nicely done, seems like WBC has some hidden gems provided you know what you looking at 👌

 

[Regal]

Took Thomas on his first Road Trip - had to shoot through to Pezula Private Estate, 4 up with luggage for the night for a client.

Filled the tank, set the cruise and managed Claremont to Knysna and back on one tank arriving home with 85km of range - Keep in mind we also used the car to drive to Dana Bay twice and did some running around in Knysna with it not to mention driving on the estate.

1052km from 1 Full Tank
4.6L per 100km.
R1200 in total.

If you look closely you will see the paint boot spoiler and tow hook covers are on as well. Besides a loose screw in the Passenger Rear Door which I fixed on route it was absolutely effortless. Good little tractor.

That consumption is eye-watering. These old tractors are winners.

 

[VinceM]

Nicely done, seems like WBC has some hidden gems provided you know what you looking at

Yup….there is a Gem now and then that comes up from WBC, and this is one of them.

Saw a clean 335i recently, went same day it came in.


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[MiniMike20]

Update - Officially 200km from 200 000km and about 5000km in two months of ownership.

As an everyday car, I cannot fault the E46. The 16 inch wheels and lack of runflats means it soaks up bumps, the suspension is compliant and easy and as I have grown used to the car I am learning that even without the M Sport goodies and solid sidewalls this car is very comfortable being thrown around - Its no Abarth or MINI but the compromise in a corner with the E46 vs that of living with an Abarth or Cooper S everyday everywhere else is worlds apart and more than reasonable.

Economy has settled at 4.8L per 100km overall and that includes extensive freeway and town driving combined. Routinely see 1000km from a tank with ease and to be honest it is refreshing to "enjoy" the car rather than granny it everywhere for that economy - In other words, it could do better but I am happy with it and I like how I drive it. I have found a petrol station for a good price for diesel too which helps.

There are a few issues to deal with though. I do have a vibration that is an engine mount shitting, but the full set including gearbox is R1500 so that will be dealt with. I do think it needs a new set of shocks, thats about R5k fitted so very reasonable and I am still waiting for my Drivers Airbag recall to be completed as the bag is still on order. I have a flashing battery light but ONLY on very cold (under 8 degrees) mornings and only for the first few blocks so I need to check the earth straps, terminals and from there the voltage regulator and I have a brake pad indicator but the pads are still perfect so will swap those out, its R95 for the sensor.

I think I am likely to change the OEM Headunit to something with a screen soon as ergonomically its the only thing that really dates the driving experience.

That said, its still a R80k car once I have everything done and its an absolutely brilliant car for that value proposition.