BMW 330ci

Brad Smith · Oct 14, 2016

Thanks mate

yeecup · Oct 15, 2016

Lovely. I would like to see what those wheels would look like on mine. Look great on yours

yeecup · Oct 15, 2016

Lovely. I would like to see what those wheels would look like on mine. Look great on yours

Brad Smith · Oct 16, 2016

yeecup said:
Lovely. I would like to see what those wheels would look like on mine. Look great on yours

Yeah yours would look great with them on !!

Cookson · Oct 17, 2016

Disa valve swap is easy, and yours will be shagged when you remove it, believe me. i6Automotive do a great kit. The oil leak could be the rocker gasket??

You may also want to look into changing the CCV kit

Brad Smith · Oct 17, 2016

Cookson said:
Disa valve swap is easy, and yours will be shagged when you remove it, believe me. i6Automotive do a great kit. The oil leak could be the rocker gasket??

You may also want to look into changing the CCV kit

Yeah I'm definitely going to change them after I've done the service.

Cheers I'll look into that.

Brad Smith · Oct 28, 2016

Debadged the rear to tidy it up a bit. And cleaned it

ben_pf · Oct 28, 2016

Gorgeous e46, was never a fan of them in silver but this has changed that

What did you use to seal the headlights after the rub down?

Brad Smith · Oct 28, 2016

Thank you mate. Appreciate that ! This is the only colour I wanted. Would love red interior to go with the grey.

Just put ag wax and rainx seems to have done the trick.

ben_pf · Oct 28, 2016

Brad Smith said:
Thank you mate. Appreciate that ! This is the only colour I wanted. Would love red interior to go with the grey.

Just put ag wax and rainx seems to have done the trick.

Always the option to try a re dye. I've no experience with it though so couldn't comment on the results

Coby. · Oct 28, 2016

It's a lovely car but those rear shots make the plate look like it's positioned ever so slightly too low, May just be the pics though.

Brad Smith · Dec 18, 2016

Get back from work about to go out and the car won't start. I don't think it's the battery as all the lights come on and the radio but just won't turn over. Anyone have any ideas ?

TheEvilGiraffe · Dec 18, 2016

Sounds like the starter isn't engaging with the engine !?

welshname · Dec 18, 2016

Sounding very much like a fucked starter to me that.

Brad Smith · Dec 20, 2016

Yeah starter motor has now been replaced.

Brad Smith · Dec 20, 2016

Not sure how many people will approve of this. But I'm swapping my Dynavin unit for an iPad mini mount, I'm fed up of not having access to Spotify on there and google maps. With this I get access to obviously everything on an iPad, such as sky, movies, google maps, Spotify etc. The dynavin was just used for Bluetooth sat nav isn't the greatest so was always having to use my phone. I know it won't look oem but will be much more functional for me. I'm excited to get it installed. Photos below of the kit and what it should look like when installed.

Brad Smith said:

welshname · Dec 20, 2016

I like the idea of it but it just looks so out of place.

BGEarles · Dec 20, 2016

Wow, this looks great! Didn't know you could do this! [emoji102]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brad Smith · Dec 20, 2016

Yeah there's kits pre made I managed to get one off eBay. I know it's not oem but I'm really looking forward to having an iPad in the car with all its features. Much better than my current unit can't do half as much.

Brad Smith · Dec 22, 2016

Installed my iPad into the dash. Seriously impressed !!! Over the mood with it. Put the radio in the glove box so it's out the way but can still access it if need be. Sound quality is also much improved due to being a kenwood unit. Really loving it so far looks great inside. So glad I've done it. Enough talking and more pictures.

Comments as always.

welshname · Dec 22, 2016

I really really like this car. It's clean, OEM +, well maintained.

But it's a no from me on the whole stereo and iPad.

Brad Smith · Dec 22, 2016

Thank you mate. And that's fair enough didn't expect it to be to most peoples tastes and yeah doesn't look oem but I just love the functions it comes with and I much prefer using an iPad no matter how good the other unit looks just wasn't as functional as what an iPad can be. I'm really happy with how it looks. Miles better than I thought it would look. But didn't expect everyone to like it due to it not being oem. But it sounds better than the dynavin because I now have a kenwood unit. I love having access to everything on an iPad.

yeecup · Dec 22, 2016

I really like it, doesn't look out of place for me.

Brad Smith · Dec 22, 2016

It's a better install than one of those cheap Chinese units tbh. Yes it's annoying to keep taking it out. But it's so good having access to everything on an iPad. I'd recommend anyone to spend the money on this instead of one of those units because I believe this looks better than one of those units and you can use it so much better and easier. And you know with an iPad its so much more reliable.

Brad Smith · Dec 30, 2016

So took advantage of the euro car parts offer today and done a full service. First time doing one and was relatively easy took me a while as I was just taking my time. But will continue to service and do oil changes myself.

Plugs definitely needed changing.

Cabin filter seen better days.

Only thing I can't do is reset the service clock. Tried to do it where you hold the needle in and it resets but doesn't do anything.

Also getting a new abs sensor so finally my dash won't look like a Christmas tree.

Then next year I will be doing:

Wheels Powdercoaters
New rear tyres
Brake pads and disks all round
Disa valve
Vanos seals
Rocker cover gasket

Then maintenance wise should be good, then can look at doing more interesting mods. Or maybe sell...

yeecup · Dec 30, 2016

Good work mate. Had the rocker gasket done on mine as it was leaking, seems everyone on here is or has sold their 330s..... Personally I'd only sell for an e46 m3 or widetrack scoob sti ppp. Still want a 172 cup as a toy though. The 330 is a great all rounder though

Brad Smith · Jan 2, 2017

Done another problem that I've had for a while always thought it was dirty sensors or something that needed to be set on the computer due to putting bigger wheels on. But when I checked all my abs sensors to clean them I found the front passenger side had snapped inside. What a nightmare to get out. But it's all done now. Just need to go down the garage to get the light turned off.

Brad Smith · Jan 4, 2017

Got a wireless obd 2 scanner and have an app on the iPad called dashboard gives me loads of information that I'll probably never use but it does look good having it on the iPad lol. Can also read codes and clear them so that's good for the future. Have also managed to reset the service light thank god.

Some pics of the app.

Brad Smith · Jan 4, 2017

Brad Smith · Jan 6, 2017

New front and rear pads and discs arrived today now just to fit them.

Brad Smith · Jan 10, 2017

Been and got the driver side air bag replaced, really happy as he badge always looked rubbish and ruined my retrimmed wheel. Only thing now I'd look to change is the lower wheel trim as that's very tatty.

Quick picture after a clean

Brad Smith · Jan 29, 2017

Could potentially have a csl bootlid purchased. Looks a pretty good replica and everything can be swapped over. Just needs painting. What's people's thoughts....

yeecup · Jan 29, 2017

Csl boot lids are cool, contemplated one mysel

Brad Smith · Jan 29, 2017

I've basically got one purchased. Just need to pick it up and get it painted. Looks a good fit which is what I was worried about. You can fit my boot handle but might get the pre facelift one as its smaller.

Ex-User (19928) · Jan 29, 2017

Is it a real one or FRP?

Stefan. · Jan 29, 2017

Jeff simply said:
Is it a real one or FRP?

3 posts up....

Ex-User (19928) · Jan 29, 2017

sj2112 said:
3 posts up....

In that case no, not on a daily.

Brad Smith · Jan 30, 2017

So was told when I had the airbag done at BMW by the video health check that the aux belt was cracking so decided to change both of them. Was surprised at how easy it was took only about 30 mins and that was me taking my time ensuring it was all right. The smaller belt looked pretty new as if it had been changed. But the bigger one was definitely cracked and could've done with a change.

Smaller belt old

New

Big belt old

New

Not the most interesting update but one that needed doing.

Brad Smith · Feb 6, 2017

Bootlid fitted, not fully happy with how it's sitting at the moment still messing with it to get it to sit right. It still needs to come in at the bottom, but it's like I've ran out of space to adjust, won't go any further forward. But I shall continue to mess around with it to get it sitting right. Might take it to the body shop see if they can get it sitting right. So yes I'm aware the alignment is not 100% but I fitted it and got everything in place and stuck the badge on and plate. Shall update again when it's sitting how I'm happy with. Guess that's what happens when you buy a replica. But it's not far off... pictures....