rumatt's E46 - Page 31

Alan · 07-22-2017, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Pictures no workie.

I hope the car workie better than the pictures.

Lmao ... exactly what I was thinking

John V · 07-23-2017, 06:44 AM

They work for me! Haha, I'll try again.

kognito · 07-23-2017, 09:03 AM

work now

rumatt · 07-23-2017, 02:36 PM

Works now!

How'd the alignment go?

John V · 07-31-2017, 07:36 AM

Matt picked up his car yesterday afternoon and dropped off the white whal... I mean his 325xi wagon. So far my favorite thing about the wagon is that it doesn't need a clutch replacement

It desperately needs brakes, some exhaust work and something is amiss with the front end. This should be a quick one, though I probably won't get started on it for a couple of weeks.

We didn't have a long time to chat as Matt had a long drive to get back to NY but we did get to take a test drive in the 330i. I drove the car quite a bit to make sure everything was in good order, and was reminded that this is really how every 330i should have come from the factory. I know Nick disagrees, but the ZHP shifter is just perfect for me. Mostly, though, replacing the old, worn out lever and bushings was probably the biggest change. The Z4M front control arm bushings' added caster and firmness give some much-needed feel to the front end. The M3 wheel is meaningfully nicer than the standard sport wheel. The Koni FSD shocks are really comfortable over rough roads but the car isn't floaty over large crests and doesn't bottom in dips. The 3.15 axle ratio is really nice with the six-speed transmission... it gives a noticeable improvement in acceleration from a stop but highway cruising is still relaxed. And most importantly, the helical LSD doesn't make any additional noise over the stock diff but when you try to accelerate around a turn on slippery pavement you don't just get the DSC system fighting itself. And because of the LSD there's really no penalty for the larger H&R rear sway bar, especially paired with the large front bar Matt already had on the car. The car is much more eager to rotate around its center. Driving Matt's car really made me miss my ZHP and think that I should have put the same diff into mine.

I think Matt is pleased, but hopefully he'll post his impressions when he recovers from his trip

rumatt · 07-31-2017, 05:00 PM

It's finally home!

Short version: it's awesome. I have a crazy day today so have to keep this brief. But it's great.

The engine runs smoother than it has in many years. No hesitation in the midrange, no stalling when idling, and it's so strong. (especially compared to the wagon, which upon driving JV referred to as "dogshit slow"

I'm not going to disagree with him.

The car rides over bumps like new. No noises, creaks or bangs. And the new interior components replacing the filthy worn ones makes the cabin feel new too.

LSD: I accelerated from a gravelly corner and it took off without spinning the inside wheel.

Holy cow it's a miracle. Why the hell didn't I do this sooner? I'm still curious if I'll manage to lift a wheel and get it to spin. So far not even close, but I also havent tried very hard. And the 3.15 ratio is definitely a winner.

The only thing I'm unsure of is the fsd's. I thought the koni DA's were good but a little too stiff for bad roads and potholes. The FSD are definitely on the soft side. Aggressive steering inputs result in fairly rapid body roll (I guess it trips the high speed release?). I'm going to give it more time and see how they grow on me.

But I'm really glad we did this and very happy to have it back. Thanks JV. Can't wait to drive it another 170k miles

rumatt · 07-31-2017, 05:05 PM

Do I need to buy kidney grills or can I just drive it like this?

Nick M3 · 07-31-2017, 05:14 PM

You need to buy new kidney grilles.

wdc330i · 07-31-2017, 06:23 PM

Seems like that front end is missing a few things. But glad you have it back and mostly love it again.

rumatt · 07-31-2017, 06:33 PM

The cosmetic stuff wasn't done but I needed a car for the next couple weeks to drive people around. The wagon was sidelined with some kind of hole in the exhaust

so I asked for it back despite its external appearance. It'll get fixed though!

07-23-2017, 09:03 AM	#303
kognito older fart than ZBB Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: On the road again Posts: 8,897	work now __________________ 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 2020 Fusion Titanium

07-31-2017, 05:14 PM	#308
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,456	You need to buy new kidney grilles. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

07-23-2017, 06:44 AM	#302
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	They work for me! Haha, I'll try again.

07-23-2017, 02:36 PM	#304
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Works now! How'd the alignment go?

07-31-2017, 07:36 AM	#305
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	Matt picked up his car yesterday afternoon and dropped off the white whal... I mean his 325xi wagon. So far my favorite thing about the wagon is that it doesn't need a clutch replacement It desperately needs brakes, some exhaust work and something is amiss with the front end. This should be a quick one, though I probably won't get started on it for a couple of weeks. We didn't have a long time to chat as Matt had a long drive to get back to NY but we did get to take a test drive in the 330i. I drove the car quite a bit to make sure everything was in good order, and was reminded that this is really how every 330i should have come from the factory. I know Nick disagrees, but the ZHP shifter is just perfect for me. Mostly, though, replacing the old, worn out lever and bushings was probably the biggest change. The Z4M front control arm bushings' added caster and firmness give some much-needed feel to the front end. The M3 wheel is meaningfully nicer than the standard sport wheel. The Koni FSD shocks are really comfortable over rough roads but the car isn't floaty over large crests and doesn't bottom in dips. The 3.15 axle ratio is really nice with the six-speed transmission... it gives a noticeable improvement in acceleration from a stop but highway cruising is still relaxed. And most importantly, the helical LSD doesn't make any additional noise over the stock diff but when you try to accelerate around a turn on slippery pavement you don't just get the DSC system fighting itself. And because of the LSD there's really no penalty for the larger H&R rear sway bar, especially paired with the large front bar Matt already had on the car. The car is much more eager to rotate around its center. Driving Matt's car really made me miss my ZHP and think that I should have put the same diff into mine. I think Matt is pleased, but hopefully he'll post his impressions when he recovers from his trip

07-31-2017, 05:00 PM	#306
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	It's finally home! Short version: it's awesome. I have a crazy day today so have to keep this brief. But it's great. The engine runs smoother than it has in many years. No hesitation in the midrange, no stalling when idling, and it's so strong. (especially compared to the wagon, which upon driving JV referred to as "dogshit slow" I'm not going to disagree with him. The car rides over bumps like new. No noises, creaks or bangs. And the new interior components replacing the filthy worn ones makes the cabin feel new too. LSD: I accelerated from a gravelly corner and it took off without spinning the inside wheel. Holy cow it's a miracle. Why the hell didn't I do this sooner? I'm still curious if I'll manage to lift a wheel and get it to spin. So far not even close, but I also havent tried very hard. And the 3.15 ratio is definitely a winner. The only thing I'm unsure of is the fsd's. I thought the koni DA's were good but a little too stiff for bad roads and potholes. The FSD are definitely on the soft side. Aggressive steering inputs result in fairly rapid body roll (I guess it trips the high speed release?). I'm going to give it more time and see how they grow on me. But I'm really glad we did this and very happy to have it back. Thanks JV. Can't wait to drive it another 170k miles

07-31-2017, 05:05 PM	#307
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Do I need to buy kidney grills or can I just drive it like this?

07-31-2017, 06:23 PM	#309
wdc330i dogged Join Date: Dec 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC Posts: 13,282	Seems like that front end is missing a few things. But glad you have it back and mostly love it again.

07-31-2017, 06:33 PM	#310
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	The cosmetic stuff wasn't done but I needed a car for the next couple weeks to drive people around. The wagon was sidelined with some kind of hole in the exhaust so I asked for it back despite its external appearance. It'll get fixed though!