My E46 in the USA

[inferno nexus]

Hi All,
I'm currently in Atlanta and I just wanted to share some pictures of my 2003 325i. I could also post pics of other bimmers and meets over here if you all are interested. These pictures were taken over the weekend after I washed the car:

Some of the mods/upgrades I have done are:
Piano black kidney grills and new headlight lenses from Khoalty: BMW E46 OE+ Shadowline Kidney Grilles for BMW E46 (99-06 3 Series) BMW E46 Headlight Lens Replacement for BMW E46 (99-06 3 Series) by Bosch
And to protect the headlight lenses from yellowing/rock chips I applied Lamin-X films which I got from Amazon.

New TSW Max wheels from Discount Tire Direct: Wheel Details - Discount Tire Direct
Also, there's no front license plate because it's not required in this state.

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Here are some pictures of the interior of my car:

It's an auto, but hopefully my next car will be a manual

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

A few months ago during the summer I replaced the valve cover gasket because oil was leaking down the front of the engine. One good thing about owning an old car is that most of the problems that can occur have already been trouble-shooted by others, so there are plenty of DIY's on the forums and blogs.

You may notice that the CCV hose over the fuel rail looks old and brittle, so that's on my to-do list. Already got the CCV parts, just need to find the time to tackle this PITA.

Vanos looks like its leaking...I think I might have to do the Vanos seals some time in the future:

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

And everytime I popped open the hood I would see this eyesore:

So I got both sides replaced with new ones from ECS Tuning:

One less thing to annoy me

 

[totoseow]

Re: My E46 in the USA

wow u DIY ur car?

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

wow u DIY ur car?

I try to, especially if I dont have to jack up the car. Tools and parts are cheaper here than in Sg. Labor at an independent shop averages US$95 an hour. Dealership labor is so expensive I dont dare to ask.

 

[totoseow]

Re: My E46 in the USA

well done. keep posting. quite interesting to see...altho I hv no idea how to do a car up.

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Took this some time ago when I reset my trip meter in advance to coincide with the odometer:

Cool huh?

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: My E46 in the USA

I got my vanos o rings from Beisan - think he is still selling that.

The stock ones isn't cutting it .....

A few months ago during the summer I replaced the valve cover gasket because oil was leaking down the front of the engine. One good thing about owning an old car is that most of the problems that can occur have already been trouble-shooted by others, so there are plenty of DIY's on the forums and blogs.

You may notice that the CCV hose over the fuel rail looks old and brittle, so that's on my to-do list. Already got the CCV parts, just need to find the time to tackle this PITA.

Vanos looks like its leaking...I think I might have to do the Vanos seals some time in the future:

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: My E46 in the USA

I think it's cool to DIY ..... Keep it coming ......

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

I got my vanos o rings from Beisan - think he is still selling that.

The stock ones isn't cutting it .....

I know, it's about 60 USD for the kit and they have a comprehensive DIY too. I'll do that if I keep the car long enough...

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

My E46 in the USA

Saw the challenge you mentioned about being able to access the top of the engine - Was thinking of getting the 56" race ramps ..... Will get me just enough headroom to get to the bottom of the ride. I think will help with the oil change looking at the angle it elevates the ride .....

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Thanks. In other related news, when new workshops and service centers open they sometimes have an open house to raise awareness. Here are some pics I took at an open house. Not photoshoot-quality pics, but should be interesting enough:

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Saw the challenge you mentioned about being able to access the top of the engine - Was thinking of getting the 56" race ramps ..... Will get me just enough headroom to get to the bottom of the ride. I think will help with the oil change looking at the angle it elevates the ride .....

My condo doesnt allow maintenance in the parking lot, so I try to keep my DIYs discreet. Raising the car is going to attract a lot of attention....
For oil changes I use a MittyVac: Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator : Amazon.com : Automotive The hardest part is cleaning it after I pour out the old oil.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Thought about it before .... I think it sucking it out from the top is going to leave the crud in the sump.

I have the same issue with my condo.

My condo doesnt allow maintenance in the parking lot, so I try to keep my DIYs discreet. Raising the car is going to attract a lot of attention....
For oil changes I use a MittyVac: Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator : Amazon.com : Automotive The hardest part is cleaning it after I pour out the old oil.

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Thought about it before .... I think it sucking it out from the top is going to leave the crud in the sump.

I have the same issue with my condo.

The mittyvac hose goes into the oil dipstick tube and I push it all the way in until it goes no farther. Does that reach the bottom of the sump? I can't tell from the engine diagrams. Anyway, I think that as long as I use the recommended oils and keep to a 5k mile OCI, it shouldn't be an issue. My cylinder head looks golden brown and I dont see crap like that: Photos of dirty engines : theTHROTTLE

 

[Terras14]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Here are some pictures of the interior of my car:

It's an auto, but hopefully my next car will be a manual

why is it i feel the new steering wheel found in f10 and m6 is a faclift version of the e46 and the older z4?

 

[casper77]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Thanks. In other related news, when new workshops and service centers open they sometimes have an open house to raise awareness. Here are some pics I took at an open house. Not photoshoot-quality pics, but should be interesting enough:

Totoseow... can we have such session in ur ws????? (run......)

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

why is it i feel the new steering wheel found in f10 and m6 is a faclift version of the e46 and the older z4?

Because it has the same 3-spoke design I guess. Two at the sides and one at the bottom. I think for car design its better to be evolutionary than revolutionary, so that you dont lose your current customers

 

[inferno nexus]

Re: My E46 in the USA

Heated seats may not be relevant in Sg, but they're a blessing when it's freezing outside...