E46 330ci

[Gaygle]

Am I the only one who always preferred the pre-facelift coupes? Especially the wheels.

Yes The pre facelift E46 coupe is looking a bit tired now.

The later MV2's never looked as good to me.

lies.

 

[[TW]Fox]

MV2's are horrendous wheels.

 

[Skilid]

MV2's are horrendous wheels.

Only downside to wanting a facelift

 

[Cristian]

You don't. You just remove the old bulb holders and slide the new ones in. No disassembly required.

Doesn't the 330Ci have those as standard irrespective of whether it has Xenons or not?

Yes, 330ci has headlight washers as standard, even those who come without xenons.
And yes, you slide the bulbs in - the only issue is drilling a hole in the back of the headlight for the balast wires (as they shouldn't be sitting inside the headlight - it's too hot.

I bought them from here http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/canbus-terminator-hid-kit-slim-35w/
no errors - works perfectly.
I have a facelift 330ci and just fitted mine last week.


By the way 330ci facelifts come with 6 speed gearboxes (I think they started fitting it to the 3L engines in late 2002 or so?), well at least mine does so "never" is a bit odd. 325i on the other hand doesn't have it.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Loads of M54's came with a 6 speed box so I've no idea what mjt is on about saying none of them ever did - there was a wide range of models available with a 6 speed box - facelift E46 Coupe, Saloons and Tourings post 03/2003, Z4, E60 5 Series, etc.

Infact IIRC the only M54 fitted car to never gain a 6 speed box was the Z3 and the E39.

 

[mjt]

Loads of M54's came with a 6 speed box so I've no idea what mjt is on about saying none of them ever did - there was a wide range of models available with a 6 speed box - facelift E46 Coupe, Saloons and Tourings post 03/2003, Z4, E60 5 Series, etc.

Infact IIRC the only M54 fitted car to never gain a 6 speed box was the Z3 and the E39.

Indeed. Sorry!

 

[Sanchez]

The final stage resistor for the heater fan unit sometimes dies and doesn't regulate the fan speed properly. Cheap part...not so nice a job to replace!

I'd have to diagree with this. I replaced the FSR on mine and with the right tools it takes about 45 minutes. Not the worst job by far, and I'm not at all handy with the spanners.

 

[Tesla]

Loads of M54's came with a 6 speed box so I've no idea what mjt is on about saying none of them ever did - there was a wide range of models available with a 6 speed box - facelift E46 Coupe, Saloons and Tourings post 03/2003, Z4, E60 5 Series, etc.

Infact IIRC the only M54 fitted car to never gain a 6 speed box was the Z3 and the E39.

How is fuel economy with the 6-speed? Is it just shorter gearing all round or lower rev's at motorway speeds in 6th?

 

[Cristian]

I haven't driven a 5 speed but the gears are quite "long" my 6 the speed. I'd hazard a guess that 1-5 are the same, just they added an extra gear.

1st goes at 6500rpm around 35 mph
2nd goes 60-64mph
3rd around 100mph
6 gear @ 3000 rpm is around 85-90ish mph.

Although long it will happily star pulling from 1.5k rpm in 3rd - it is a very linear engine.

 

[Six6siX]

You don't. You just remove the old bulb holders and slide the new ones in. No disassembly required.

Well that couldn't really be easier - definitely not an issue then

I'd have to diagree with this. I replaced the FSR on mine and with the right tools it takes about 45 minutes. Not the worst job by far, and I'm not at all handy with the spanners.

Its not that difficult on the face of it - its just as its so awkward to get to it made me really frustrated - even with my lady like hands

How is fuel economy with the 6-speed? Is it just shorter gearing all round or lower rev's at motorway speeds in 6th?

This site is quite useful for a comparison:

http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/e46_gear_ratio_calculator.htm

 

[Frenzy]

This site is quite useful for a comparison:

http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/e46_gear_ratio_calculator.htm

That link is REALLY good, it seems to be spot on.