My Estoril Blue E46 320d Sport

[DanielJames]

Its been a rough couple of days.

Firstly had a puncture on the front, after driving a bit enthusiastically trying to kill the Fullrun tyre on the front, ended up killing the Kuhmo! F*ck you fullrun, your days are numbered.

Then I open my boot to find this:

Righttttttttt. Thanks BMW. Anyway that POS wouldn't go over my front brakes, so I had to put the rear on the front (which is wider than a front as they are staggered) and put the space saver on the rear.

stance!!! :dead:

I must say though, on the other hand, this has made exiting junctions when turning left MUCH FUN. I feel like I'm in an M3 sometimes!

heheh

Yesterday I ordered 2 Vredesteins to match the rear. £210 I didn't want to spend but oh well. At least I'll finally get the full run off!

Then the next day I got home, looked back at my car and saw this:

Bloody numberplate has fell off!!! Dave, this is your fault

Went to Halfords for a plate (£25 for a plain one?! - I took my chances and luckily the plate was at work this morning

Now I fit in on E46DrugDealerfromBradfordZone!

 

[Sir_Dave]

driving a bit enthusiastically trying to kill the Fullrun tyre on the front, ended up killing the Kuhmo!

F*ck you fullrun, your days are numbered.

lol, how is that thing still not buggered!!

Had 6mm on it when i bought the thing, on 103k, in Feb 2011!! Has done 21k and still not knackered :clown:

Bloody numberplate has fell off!!! Dave, this is your fault

I'm surprised it lasted that long tbh, i only used half the number plate stickys. Too tight to use a packet on either end

 

[DanielJames]

lol, how is that thing still not buggered!!

Had 6mm on it when i bought the thing, on 103k, in Feb 2011!! Has done 21k and still not knackered :clown:

No f*cking way! I measured it yesterday, and it STILL has 4-5mm across!!!

I'm surprised it lasted that long tbh, i only used half the number plate stickys. Too tight to use a packet on either end

You tight b*****d!

Got it in on the dashboard for now, hellaflush style

 

[Sir_Dave]

Love you xx

 

[DanielJames]

Yeah yeah, just make sure you keep you get your ass back in a bmw, that estoril 330 is calling your name

 

[_Tom]

Bad times. I dont get the dials pic?

 

[DanielJames]

Bad times. I dont get the dials pic?

Warning lights has been like that for the past few days, actually going to miss the space saver!

 

[_Tom]

Warning lights has been like that for the past few days, actually going to miss the space saver!

Ah right. Its only the tracktion control off. Mine looks like that most of the time..haha

 

[VeinAST]

So that's what's under the black plastic cover in the boot? Bloody tight BMW couldn't stick another alloy in!?

Looks comical though! Shame about the numberplate!

 

[jon_r]

Mine has those two warning lights on the dash at the minute but it's a faulty abs sensor causing it.

 

[DanielJames]

Ah right. Its only the tracktion control off. Mine looks like that most of the time..haha

Traction and Stability, if you press it once its just the traction, but it'll still keep you from going in hedges

Press and hold the button for a few seconds and the traction and handbreak light will illuminate yellow, turning both stability and traction off.

So that's what's under the black plastic cover in the boot? Bloody tight BMW couldn't stick another alloy in!?

Looks comical though! Shame about the numberplate!

I know! I full expected at least a full size steel wheel, my 18" alloy sat in there for a few days so there is space. Grrr.

Sorted now though.

Mine has those two warning lights on the dash at the minute but it's a faulty abs sensor causing it.

Ah, bad times hope it gets sorted mate.

I now have all 4 matching vredestein ultra tyres I'm off to Machine Mart in the morning for a Gunson Eezi bleed and the Clutch Delay Valve is coming out tomorrow or on one of my days off next week!! Looking forward to getting rid of the pesky CDV!

Dan

 

[DanielJames]

Well, the tyres have transformed the handling of the car! I'm really happy with how well it handles now!

Did another job today, CDV say bye bye!

Boom!!! Feels more like a clutch now!

If you're thinking of doing it I would say do it! It's very easy to remove, and makes shifting gears/double clutching etc feel much smoother.

Unfortunately it's still nothing like you'd get on a cable throttle clutch, but it is much better for an enthusiast.

 

[DanielJames]

Random pic from ages ago I forgot to upload

BMW E46 Saloon by DanielJames., on Flickr

 

[_Tom]

What's this CDV malarky mate?

 

[Tom]

Clutch delay valve. Its supposed to smooth out clutch operation, but in the real world its just annoying.

 

[DanielJames]

What's this CDV malarky mate?

Clutch delay valve. Its supposed to smooth out clutch operation, but in the real world its just annoying.

Pretty much as Tom said, it provides smoother shifting for spacktards who can't drive a manual. Once removed it's just like any hydraulic clutch.

The CDV can (and does) cause slip at high RPMs, since the clutch is used for a longer period of time when changing gear.

 

[_Tom]

Yeah I've looked into it. Sounds good but you have to bleed the clutch after don't you?

 

[DanielJames]

Yeah you do, tbh I did mine after and there wasn't even one proper air bubble.

I'm not saying dont bleed it, but plenty on the forums haven't bled it after and have been fine/

 

[Sir_Dave]

Pretty much as Tom said, it provides smoother shifting for spacktards who can't drive a manual. Once removed it's just like any hydraulic clutch.

On the flipside, it also ensures that the clutch is released in exactly the same way each & everytime - prolonging its lifespan massively.

I only ever found it irritating in 1st really, took quite a bit of concentration to remove the 'jerkiness'.

 

[DanielJames]

On the flipside, it also ensures that the clutch is released in exactly the same way each & everytime - prolonging its lifespan massively.

I only ever found it irritating in 1st really, took quite a bit of concentration to remove the 'jerkiness'.

I've only ever read about it wearing out the clutch faster.

Cars a lot nicer to drive with it out anyway, that 1st to 2nd jerk was horrible

 

[DanielJames]

Oh, this car is now officially the car I've owned the longest out of the few I've had.

Still don't want to get rid, yet!

 

[DanielJames]

Quick Pic by DanielJames., on Flickr

Just a quick pic for now, DIY'ing a rear wheel bearing this weekend so there will be some pics to come from that

 

[VeinAST]

Looking well still!

 

[DanielJames]

Cheers pal

 

[_Tom]

Yep does look lovely. I'm tempted to get a diesel E46 now..

 

[Donny_Dog]

I need this.
Please sell me it.

 

[DanielJames]

I need this.
Please sell me it.

Let me thrash the VTS about and I'll think about it!

 

[DanielJames]

Yep does look lovely. I'm tempted to get a diesel E46 now..

Cheers mate, they're a great motor. Some kunt round here has bought an Estoril 330d and I keep seeing it, mega annoying!

 

[_Tom]

Cheers mate, they're a great motor. Some kunt round here has bought an Estoril 330d and I keep seeing it, mega annoying!

Haha i bet. I wouldnt mind a 330d facelift coupe but they're silly money really for the age etc.

I'll stick the 330 out over summer i think. I want some sportlines on it still though.

 

[DanielJames]

Yeah the sport lines sit lovely. Probably be a bit lower with yours as I imagine it's a bit heavier

 

[DanielJames]

Well I spent around 20-25 hours working on the car this weekend, every day I was laid out in the cold.

The rear wheel bearing is the most awkard DIY I've ever done. THat said I reckon I could do it again in 3 hours, a mixture of not having the right tools/experience made the task very time consuming.

I didn't take as many pics as I hoped as I was pretty vexxed all day but here are a few

Went out for my first trip to my grandparents (3 miles)

Wasn't taking any chances

Got there and had a bit of a rumble on what I thought wasthe bearing I needed to be in York last night however which is around 40 miles away. I began to drive towards York, but the rumble just got worse and worse. I pulled in at a mates house and found, to my delight, I had just forgot to tighten the wheel bolts! Phew. Close call. Got them tightened up and the car is now purrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect

Didn't do bad on the MPG going up there either (Sticking at 60mph due to being a bit scared my wheel would fall off!)

Then this weekend I've just ordered a genuine oil and air filter for a service next weekend. Also cleaned the s**t out of the car

Tried the meguires tyre gel on my trims and well, it works!!

and tonight I've done a bit of a dirty trick

Having previously had problems with my number plate falling off, and noticing that it was about to do the same I knew I either had to:

a) screw it in (which I think looks ugly)
or
b) get some number plate holders

It took me a while to find these plate holders, especially at a good price. I was tempted by the awesomegti ones but was put off by the "tacky" white border and smaller writing.

I got these for £11.99 delivered from creation motorsport

Damn the car looks sexy without a front plate!!

fitted

 

[DanielJames]

Oh, did I mention I now have 4 matching Vredesteins?! Yeah buddy!! Epic tyres, they have transformed the car

 

[Jon.G]

Stunning car!

 

[JoeyD]

+1
It's so well looked after!
Laarvely

 

[DanielJames]

Now For Sale, will be on Pistonheads at the weekend.

If anyone's interested before it does Pm me

Still looking for a tidy 182

Dan

 

[Sir_Dave]

You plum, i pm'd you asking to buy it back only last month lol ...

Now i have a 330, which i have no interest in selling.

 

[Edd]

How much will you putting it up for? I did try and PM you but your inbox is full.

 

[DanielJames]

Deleted all my messages if you want to PM..

It's going up for £4590, just been serviced and new vredestein tyres

 

[Edd]

It still says your inbox is full....

 

[DanielJames]

Wtf. Something to do with not being a paid member anymore? Will delete the sent box as well