As the title says...
Thought I better start a Project thread. Although I’m not intending on modifying the BMW extensively or anything I’ve found others’ threads incredibly useful so I intend on ‘doing my bit’ as well.
I picked up my E46 320td Compact Sport a week or two ago. I’d owned a 320d SE saloon 3 or so years ago and loved it. It never missed a beat and with minimal servicing I managed to run it happily for 2 years & 27k miles.
A few details of my new car:
2004 '04' plate Facelift Sport
Topaz Blue
Full Black Leather Sport Interior
Parking Sensors
OEM 17" Sport Wheels (style 97)
Business Radio (needs upgrading)
I’m noticing a few differences with the 320td Compact. Firstly the M Sport suspension is a lot stiff than my previous BMW, which had Eibach Sportline Spring on OEM dampers. This may also be because of thicker anti’roll bars (I don’t know if they’re different SE vs Sport). Secondly the engine tickover is a bit louder and seems to have more ‘clatter’ to it. The previous owner was in no way an enthusiast and with 93k miles on the clock I’m not really expecting it to run like the day it came out the factory.
I’ve a full service booked for the Wednesday, along with a gearbox oil change, wishbone rear bush/mounts replacement, front wheel bearing, rear brake shoes replace/adjust and a front wheel bearing (unsure which side).
I’ve already managed to pick up a puncture in my rear tyre which led to driving in the snow on one and a half wheels (spacesaver) until last Friday (only 3 day) I got both rear tyres replaced. I threw away the Accelera budget and put on some Hankook Ventus V12 Evo’s in 245/40/17 form. I know they’re not premium tyres but their new Euro Label rates them at Fuel Efficiency = C and Wet Grip = B so I can’t really complain. Will give you my verdict on these tyres in 15k miles or so.
I also picked up Aero wipers from Costco for the front and back windows, what a difference.
Future plans:
After a mini-overhaul this Wednesday I’m gonna see what the diagnostic test says and work on increasing my mpg (currently 37mpg, old BMW high 40’s). Once I have the car running right I may look into rinsing some more power from it. I’ve just sold a Mk5 Golf GT TDi 140 which I had running 180+ bhp, full Milltek exhaust, remap, etc.
First priorities after a full service is to remove the swirl flaps and change the Turbo/Crank breather to the new shape Vortex type (if I have the old type?) I’m currently looking into deleting or disabling the EGR Valve. If I delete it can I safely remove the EGR Cooler and associated pipework? I assume I’ll need to find a way of blocking off the exit from the exhaust manifold.
Alongside the Swirl Flaps, EGR and Crank case breather I’m looking to fit a full set of braided brake hoses (HEL Perfomance) and renew the brake-fluid.
Pictures will follow (I’ll edit this post) once I get home and find all the pics on my laptop/iPad.
Looking forward to your views and advice. Especially for a remap and exhaust. I currently have a Self Tuning System (STS) from Shark Performance which will get my a remap for 75% of the RRP. But I’ve also heard good things about Ecotune in Glasgow. I’m located just outside Edinburgh so they would be my closest BMW tuner by far, I think. I notice they also do a reasonably priced decat and full exhaust for the salon/coupe 320d but not for the Compact. :-( I may have to go down the custom route.
Thought I better start a Project thread. Although I’m not intending on modifying the BMW extensively or anything I’ve found others’ threads incredibly useful so I intend on ‘doing my bit’ as well.
I picked up my E46 320td Compact Sport a week or two ago. I’d owned a 320d SE saloon 3 or so years ago and loved it. It never missed a beat and with minimal servicing I managed to run it happily for 2 years & 27k miles.
A few details of my new car:
2004 '04' plate Facelift Sport
Topaz Blue
Full Black Leather Sport Interior
Parking Sensors
OEM 17" Sport Wheels (style 97)
Business Radio (needs upgrading)
I’m noticing a few differences with the 320td Compact. Firstly the M Sport suspension is a lot stiff than my previous BMW, which had Eibach Sportline Spring on OEM dampers. This may also be because of thicker anti’roll bars (I don’t know if they’re different SE vs Sport). Secondly the engine tickover is a bit louder and seems to have more ‘clatter’ to it. The previous owner was in no way an enthusiast and with 93k miles on the clock I’m not really expecting it to run like the day it came out the factory.
I’ve a full service booked for the Wednesday, along with a gearbox oil change, wishbone rear bush/mounts replacement, front wheel bearing, rear brake shoes replace/adjust and a front wheel bearing (unsure which side).
I’ve already managed to pick up a puncture in my rear tyre which led to driving in the snow on one and a half wheels (spacesaver) until last Friday (only 3 day) I got both rear tyres replaced. I threw away the Accelera budget and put on some Hankook Ventus V12 Evo’s in 245/40/17 form. I know they’re not premium tyres but their new Euro Label rates them at Fuel Efficiency = C and Wet Grip = B so I can’t really complain. Will give you my verdict on these tyres in 15k miles or so.
I also picked up Aero wipers from Costco for the front and back windows, what a difference.
Future plans:
After a mini-overhaul this Wednesday I’m gonna see what the diagnostic test says and work on increasing my mpg (currently 37mpg, old BMW high 40’s). Once I have the car running right I may look into rinsing some more power from it. I’ve just sold a Mk5 Golf GT TDi 140 which I had running 180+ bhp, full Milltek exhaust, remap, etc.
First priorities after a full service is to remove the swirl flaps and change the Turbo/Crank breather to the new shape Vortex type (if I have the old type?) I’m currently looking into deleting or disabling the EGR Valve. If I delete it can I safely remove the EGR Cooler and associated pipework? I assume I’ll need to find a way of blocking off the exit from the exhaust manifold.
Alongside the Swirl Flaps, EGR and Crank case breather I’m looking to fit a full set of braided brake hoses (HEL Perfomance) and renew the brake-fluid.
Pictures will follow (I’ll edit this post) once I get home and find all the pics on my laptop/iPad.
Looking forward to your views and advice. Especially for a remap and exhaust. I currently have a Self Tuning System (STS) from Shark Performance which will get my a remap for 75% of the RRP. But I’ve also heard good things about Ecotune in Glasgow. I’m located just outside Edinburgh so they would be my closest BMW tuner by far, I think. I notice they also do a reasonably priced decat and full exhaust for the salon/coupe 320d but not for the Compact. :-( I may have to go down the custom route.