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E46 INFORMATION THREAD - parts/mods/DIY/OIL

521K views 331 replies 168 participants last post by  E46AIN 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Well I've been stockpiling this stuff so I thought I'd share. Content is something you have all probably come across but I'm serving it up in one location. It's not exactly everything you would want to know just a bunch of stuff I like to keep handy and a lot of stuff that people seem to ask about before searching.

Feel free to add, but keep down the clutter and the OT and ask questions elsewhere.....Then again, do what you want.

-D :thanks:

E46 brochure Catalog
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/ac.../bmw_accessories_catalogue_3series_old_en.pdf

Best places to buy mods
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=324495

HOW TO tell if its real leather. PIX
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=391726

Props to a great site
http://madrussian.net/

BMW DIY Lists
http://www.bimmerdiy.com/e46

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/tech_main.htm

http://www.civil.ubc.ca/home/bohnen/adventures2.html

http://www.ultimate-bmw.com/bmw_knowledgebase/bmw_e46_diy_master_link.htm

BMW DIY PDF Files
http://www.openbmw.org/downloads/

Transmission and differential change
http://www.bmw325i.net/maint_tran_fluid.shtml

http://www.bmw325i.net/maint_rear_diff_fluid.shtml


Led Taillight Info
www.koperformance.com

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=168190&highlight=taillight

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88439

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=286464&highlight=led+diy

ablas
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=161717&highlight=taillight

Jack Points
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=178705&highlight=jack+point

Garage Boy
http://www.garageboy.com

DIY Oil Extractor
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=254289

Control Arms
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=271637

http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=40

Order Parts
http://www.bmaparts.com/

Bed Those Brakes
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

Sputtering...there are many more
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48758&highlight=sputtering


Reset Service Indicator
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=404&highlight=reset+service+indicator


Window Regulator DIY
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=104035

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=104035&highlight=door+trim


Change your spark plugs
http://www.e46touring.com/installs/index.html

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-65380.html


View in text e46fanatics/bimmerfest
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/archive/index.php/f-4-p-1.html

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/


OBDII Fault Sensor Codes
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-303141.html

Handy suspension links from JPR

Thanks JPR!

Handy Links
Alignment Info
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=416660

ZHP Suspension Info

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=439450

My Suspension Upgrade
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=404376

Swaybar Info
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=398828

BMW Spring Info
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=397880

Brake Rotor Info
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=449052


Ski Bag retrofit or removal
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=175118&highlight=remove+seat

Ski bag PDF
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1467818#post1467818

Fix That Wheel
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/wheel-repair/wheel-scuff-repair.htm

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/949926.phtml

Subframe.....many more than this
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=195602&highlight=subframe

What it looks like
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=195600&highlight=frame

Subframe on tape
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=256934&highlight=subframe+video

Subframe Petition
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?p=4034119#post4034119

Wasserman, Comden & Casselman, L.L.P. is investigating claims concerning defects in BMW 3 series vehicles manufactured between 1999 and 2005.
http://www.wcclaw.com/CM/Cases/BMW-Subframe.asp

Used BMW parts, full part cars
www.bmrparts.com

Find part numbers
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/

Torque spec revised wheel lugs
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=91281

Flexible Coupling for Steering - possible wear item
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=470103

Spark Plug replacements
http://www.bimmer360.com/diysp.htm

Full Brake Package Turner Motorsports 330
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=E46330BRAKEPAK

Dealer wants what?!

E46 330 Brake Package
Part #: E46330BRAKEPAK
Applications: 2001 - 2005 330i/Ci/Xi (E46)
Complete brake package for E46 330i/ci/xi. Front and rear rotors, pads, sensors, retaining screws and fluid! This is everything you will need to complete a brake service on your 330. Metal Master pads come standard are a small upgrade from stock. The Axxis/PBR Ultimate pads are a big upgrade from the stock pads. Choose from stock rotors or cross-drilled rotors for daily driving or choose the slotted rotors and stainless lines for track use.
Price: $330.27
Sale Price: $309.95
Savings: $20.32


Full Brake Package Turner Motorsports 325/328
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=E46BRAKEPACK

E46 325/328 Brake Package
Part #: E46BRAKEPACK
Applications: 1999 - 2004 323iC, iT, 325/328i/Ci (E46)
Complete brake package for E46 323i Convertible, and 325i/Ci and 328i/Ci. Package includes front and rear rotors, pads, wear sensors, rotor retaining screws and a liter of brake fluid. You can also add stainless steel brake lines.
Price: $289.95

Inspection II Turner Kit DIY
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/subcategory_detail.asp?modelcode=E46&subcat_id=167

IMHO: what I'm planning to do is performing the maintenance in this kit and taking iit somewhere to get a coolant flush and a visual inspection.

E46 325/330i Inspection II Package
Part #: INSP2M54
Applications: 2001 - 2004 325/330i/Ci (E46)

Inspection II Package for E46 325/330i/Ci. Click for more info.

Includes: BMW Synthetic 5W30 engine oil (7 quarts), OEM oil filter, Ate Super Blue brake fluid, A/C microfilter, Bosch spark plugs, OEM air filter, Red Line transmission and differential oil (2 quarts of each), OEM fuel filter. Optional items for the Do-It-Yourselfer are the Peake Fault Code/Reset Tool and/or a Bentley Service Manual.

An Inspection II consists of replacing all of the above parts as well as giving your car a thorough look-over. Much of the work is simply checking various parts and systems on the car which usually leads to more work that should or needs to be done. The above list is what BMW recommends to be done during an Inspection II (or every 40,000 miles). A home mechanic will have limited ability to give a car a complete Inspection II service so we recommend bringing your car to an experience BMW mechanic and having them complete the inspection for you. Keeping up with the maintenance on your car is the smart thing to do. For one thing, it prevents costly repairs in the future. For another, your car performs better, making aftermarket upgrades more worthwhile. And a well-maintained car with complete service records can add substantially to a car's resale value. Make sure you also order the Peake Code/Reset Tool -- resetting those Inspection/Service lights on your dash is the best method of keeping track of service intervals. You can also read and reset engine error codes thereby saving yourself a trip to the dealer (and the charge for reading the codes).

Price: $251.41

Landshark Automotive Indy Mechanic
http://www.landsharkautomotive.com/index.html
24 South Ave, Natick, MA 01760

For those of us in the Ma area this place looks great. Haven't been personally yet but have had heard good things from friends. They have free pre-sale inspections, free pre-track even inspections. Great service prices.

For others there are great tech tips here, these guys are fanatics.

02 Sensor Replacement
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=293116

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-313882.html

Sunroof TSB
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=388725

Final Stage Resistor
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=256286&highlight=final+stage+resistor

Throttle Adaptation Procedure .PDF
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76170&highlight=throttle+adaptation

E-Brake Adjustment
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=342878

BMW E46 - BimmerWiki
http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php/BMW_E46

differential/gear ratios
http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/index.htm

Unofficial E46 Home Page
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e46.html

e46 Alignment Knowledge:
Front & Rear Alignment Specs - Bentley Manual
TIS Alignment Ballasting Specs
TIS Alignment Ballasting Specs Vert
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=451518
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=416660
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/suspension/all_bmw_alignment_info.html

Tierod info
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=409571

Prefacelift 323i & 328i (Sedan) Manual
https://oc.bmwusa.com/publications/O...ual-3Sedan.pdf

Expansion tank replacement lessons
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=420847&highlight=expansion+tank

Coilover DIY
Has info and pics for sway bars tie rods and stry=uts. many thanks 5speedsteve
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=407443&highlight=tierod

Another one
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194689

Bluetooth installation (w/ shark fin installation and phone snap-in):
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/bt/bluetooth.htm

Interesting auto repair and diagnosis tips
http://www.aa1car.com/

Retrofit of RAZR snap-in into an e46 eject box:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/razr/razr.htm

Facelift an e46 sedan:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/facelift/facelift.htm

Compass / Auto-dim mirror retorfit:
http://www.bigpatsfans.com/mirror/compass.htm

Idle Control Valve Cleaning
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454501

All about Brakes
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/tech_white_papers.shtml

Bleeding, Warping, Bedding

Water Pump Replacement
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=162642&highlight=expansion+tank

http://tuningemotion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2471

Another awesome ETK clone:
http://bmwfans-LINK-BLOCKED-

Camshaft Sensor
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-314768.html

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/search.php?searchid=2187999

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=165718

Control Arm DIY

http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364978

The What and Why
http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=67

The How with Pics
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=335402&page=2&highlight=control+arms

Wheel Fitment/Wheel offset
The best thing to do to find out if a certain size wheel fits would be to contact gary@tirerack who has helped me and is a wealth of shoe knowledge on this site. I don't know much about anything when it comes to fitment so I take everything I read about it on the net with utmost suspicion.

Some ramblings from round the net.

325CI
http://www.mchoi.com/go/325ci/my325ci_mods.shtml
Wheel Specs
PCD: 5x120mm (bolt pattern), Offset: ET40mm , Center bore: 72.5mm
PCD: 5x120mm, Offset: ET38mm (??), Center bore: 72.5mm

330CI
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=410953&highlight=wheel+offset


M3
http://m3.madrussian.net/faq.shtml
What is the stock offset for OEM wheels?
For OEM 18's the offset is 47mm Front & 26mm Rear, for OEM 19's the offset is 41mm Front & 27 Rear

The (Self Proclaimed) ultimate wheel/tire fitment thread
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313615

Harmon Kardon Rattles/fixes
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/262483/2

Contol Arm Replacement DIY
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=335402&highlight=control+arm+diy

Broken Sunshade
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=285479&highlight=sunroof+clip

Camshaft Sensor DIY's

Some broken links up top.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=332244&highlight=sensor
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=370814&highlight=sensor
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=226899&highlight=camshaft+sensor+exhaust

Fuel Filter DIY
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=265683

Tire Pressure
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9852

Window Tint Laws by State

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

Car/Key memory options
http://www.**************/tech/glossary/tech_3carkeycfg_01.html

My330CI
http://64.177.26.92/welcome.shtml

MY330I
http://www.my330i.com/

Easter Eggs
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=44922&highlight=easter+eggs

Ultimate-BMW
A Bunch of Goodies; Some dead links though.

http://www.ultimate-bmw.com/bmw_knowledgebase/index.htm

OEM BMW Wheels All Styles
http://www.bmwwheels.com/

BMW Battery
from Autozone
Battery 49D is the exact replacement(size, amps & looks) to OEM battery for $59

LL Approved Oil
5.2 Names of approved Longlife-01 oils:

Tradename-------------Viscosity----------Manufacturer/Supplier

ADDINOL Super power MV 0537 SAE 5W-30 Addinol Lube Oil GmbH
Agip Formula LL B 01 SAE 0W-30 ENI S.p.A.Refining and Marketing Division
Agip Sint 2000 Evolution SAE 5W-40 ENI S.p.A.Refining and Marketing Division
Agip TECSINT SL SAE 5W-40 ENI S.p.A.Refining and Marketing Division
Aral SuperTronic SAE 5W-30 Aral
AXCL S-Class Motor Oil SAE 0W-30 AXCL Gulf FZE
BP Visco 7000 SAE 0W-40 BP Oil International
BP Visco 7000 Special SAE 0W-30 BP Oil International
BP Visco 7000 Turbo Diesel SAE 0W-40 BP Oil International
SBS 5.0 "Longlife-01" BMW AG - TIS 26.12.2004 21:36
Castrol Formula SLX LL01 SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Formula SLX Turbo Diesel SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Formula RS Power and Protection SAE 0W-40 Castrol Limited
Castrol Syntec SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Super Racing 0W-40 SAE 0W-40 Castrol Limited
Castrol TXT Softec LL01 SAE 5W-30 Castrol Limited
Cepsa Star Mega Synthetic SAE 0W-30 Cepsa Lubricantes S.A.
Elf Excellium LDX SAE 0W-30 Total
Formula Shell Ultra AB SAE 5W-30 Shell International Petroleum Company
Gulf Formula TLX SAE 0W-30 Total
Havoline Synthetic BM SAE 0W-30 Texaco
Igol Process Compact P SAE 5W-30 Igol France S.A.
Jet Top Level SAE 0W-40 ConocoPhillips GmbH
Labo RC SAE 0W-30 ***hs Labo Auto S.A.
Liqui Moly Longlife High Tech SAE 5W-30 Liqui Moly
megol Motoren***246;l New Generation SAE 5W-30 Meguin GmbH
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 ExxonMobil
Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel SAE 0W-40 ExxonMobil
Motorex Profile B-XL SAE 0W-30 Bucher AG
Motorex Select SP-X SAE 5W-30 Bucher AG
Motul Specific LL-01 SAE 5W-30 Motul S.A:
OMV full syn plus SAE 5W-30 OMV AG
Pennzoil European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 Pennzoil Quaker State
Pentospeed 0W-30 VS* SAE 0W-30 Deutsche Pentosin-Werke
Petronas Syntium 3000 LL SAE 5W-30 Petronas
Q8 Formula Special SAE 0W-30 Kuwait Petroleum
Quaker State European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 Pennzoil Quaker State
Satoil LazerWay B SAE 5W-30 Svenska Statoil AB
Shell Helix Ultra AB SAE 5W-30 Shell International Petroleum Company
Titan Supersyn SL SAE 0W-30 ***hs Petrolub AG
Valvoline SynPower MXL SAE 0W-30 Valvoline
Veedol Powertron LL01 SAE 5W-30 Veedol International
Veedol Syntron SAE 0W-30 Veedol International
Wintershall VIVA 1 Longlife SAE 5W-30 SRS Schmierstoff Vertrieb GmbH
Yacco VX 1600 SAE 5W-30 Yacco S.A.S.
 
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#318 ·
Castrol Formula SLX LL01 SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Formula SLX Turbo Diesel SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Formula RS Power and Protection SAE 0W-40 Castrol Limited
Castrol Syntec SAE 0W-30 Castrol Limited
Castrol Super Racing 0W-40 SAE 0W-40 Castrol Limited
Castrol TXT Softec LL01 SAE 5W-30 Castrol Limited
I believe this oil can be added to your Castrol selections:

Castrol 03101 EDGE 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil (European Formula)
 
#323 ·
They do look good. But I doubt they're authentic--that would be way too expensive (and unnecessary) on a non-M convertible. Best case is he has 4 ZCP fronts. Doubt it though. Highly doubt the M3 ZCP rears will fit on the back. If Alex sees this, he can comment. Whatever he says will be true.
 
#324 ·
Yup, that's definitely what they looked like I knew they weren't real CSL because they're 18". I'll wait to hear from Alex because I don't know if reps have spots for the M/// logo. But it wouldn't surprise me if they're real. Lot of original owners out here. Could have loved it enough to get the wheels a decade or so ago.
 
#325 ·
I think those wheels are nice but i'd feel like a target everywhere I go. If you stick with the common wheel, no dirtbag will want to take it.

Dilemma with my Lexus... i want to install Factory 19s but i'm scared it'll attract some thief off the street. Whereas my stock 18s are VERY common and nobody gives a second look.
 
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