I think it's time that I gave everyone an update
So let's pick up where we left off.
In January I went for nice weekend away to Pringle Bay. On Sunday I get into the car to drive home, and it starts on 5 cylinders. Wow, the M54 runs terrible when on cylinder is down. Anyway, managed to limp the car home and easily diagnosed it as a failed coil pack.
23 January 2017
Diesel Electric
129300km
Replaced ignition coil pack on cylinder 1 (Bosch)
Ordered a spare from G-drive (Bosch)
So as with every E46, it is good practise to replace the cooling system. My coolant temp sensor on the lower radiator hose developed a leak. While I know that you can actually just replace the o-ring for about R2.00, I decided this was a good enough catalyst to get the whole system over and done with. I chose Genuine BMW for all the parts.
1 Feb 2017
Brilliant Mechanical Workshop
129747km
New Waterpump + Bolts (OEM)
New Radiator (OEM)
New Upper & Lower Radiator Hoses (OEM)
New Temp Sensor (OEM)
New Coolant Level Sensor (OEM)
New Main and AC Belts (OEM)
New Idler and Tensioner Pulleys (OEM)
I had always been curious about the 3.38 diff mod as people speak so highly of it. I finally decided to give it a bash, so sourced a diff from the ever-resourceful MD House and had it fitted. It definitely does give the car some fun factor when driving hard. The acceleration in 2nd and 3rd gear is a lot more satisfying. However, in normal day-to-day driving in town, its annoying that you have to change gears a lot more often. Fuel consumption is also slightly worse on the highway by about 1L/100km.
7 Feb 2017
130 000km
MD House
E46 330i 3.38 diff
15 Feb 2017
130463km
Brilliant Mechanical Workshop
Fit 3.38 Diff
Fit Diff Bush (Meyle HD)
Liqui Moly 75W-140 Diff Fluid
Liqui Moly MOS2 Gear Additive
As luck would have it, a second coil pack died. This time I was equipped with a spare, so an easy fix. Ordered another spare.
25 Feb 2017
130780km
Replaced coil pack on Cylinder 2 (Bosch)
Finally, a few months after retrofitting OEM xenons, I had an old friend code the car for xenons so that I can use autoheadlights without the car cutting power to the lights on startup. Also retained the manual vertical aim control that you normally dont have with OEM xenons.
14 April 2017
132600km
Coded vehicle for bi-xenons (PA Soft)
And because I know I will get flamed for not posting any pics, here are some that I took during golden hour.