As with some of the other's on the board I had the same issue with fuel starve at around 1/2 tank or slightly less in my E46 330. 95% of the time was around long sweeping right hand turns such as big bend at LRP. I started looking for a solution and found out about the M3 fuel baffle that can be dropped into the tank for about $16 and decided to go for it. The other option is the dual pump setup from Bimmerworld, but you loose your factory fuel gauge which was not an option for me. The part # needed for this project is 16 11 2 229 656. I ordered mine from realoem.com and had it about a week later.
Tools and parts needed:
E46 M3 fuel baffle part #16 11 2 229 656
Small hose clamp
10mm socket and ratchet
wire cutters
misc. flat head screwdrivers
hammer
First thing's first is to gain access to the rear seat area.
To do so lift up on the front edge of the rear seat. There are clips on each side. Then Pull forward and remove the rear seat bottom from the car.
You'll be left with this.
From here, locate the pass side round cover with the wire going into as shown below.
Lift the cover and remove the 4 nuts with the 10mm socket and ratchet.
Next you need to remove the electrical connection for the pump/gauge.
To do so, slide the outer part of the connector to the left, this will release the plug so you can remove it.
Next remove the fuel line. You will need to cut the clamp off of it. This is where you will use your small hose clamp when you put things back together. Some fuel will leak out of the line when it is removed, so be ready.
After that, you can then remove the pump. To do so, use a screwdriver and hammer to tap the metal ring counter clockwise to release the pump. Once this is done remove the fuel pump from the car. You will then be looking at this.
Look straight down into the tank and you will see a black hose that goes into the plastic tray on the bottom on the right hand side. Remove the hose from the tray. It will go into the new fuel baffle once it is installed. To install the new baffle simply, drop it into the existing plastic baffle. It will clip in on the right hand side. once it is in, slide the black hose into the top of the new baffle.
Then put everything back in as it came apart and your good to go. I did mine with 1/2 tank of fuel still in the car. I would highly advise running your tank down before doing this. it is much easier the less gas you have in it. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Tools and parts needed:
E46 M3 fuel baffle part #16 11 2 229 656
Small hose clamp
10mm socket and ratchet
wire cutters
misc. flat head screwdrivers
hammer
First thing's first is to gain access to the rear seat area.
To do so lift up on the front edge of the rear seat. There are clips on each side. Then Pull forward and remove the rear seat bottom from the car.
You'll be left with this.
From here, locate the pass side round cover with the wire going into as shown below.
Lift the cover and remove the 4 nuts with the 10mm socket and ratchet.
Next you need to remove the electrical connection for the pump/gauge.
To do so, slide the outer part of the connector to the left, this will release the plug so you can remove it.
Next remove the fuel line. You will need to cut the clamp off of it. This is where you will use your small hose clamp when you put things back together. Some fuel will leak out of the line when it is removed, so be ready.
After that, you can then remove the pump. To do so, use a screwdriver and hammer to tap the metal ring counter clockwise to release the pump. Once this is done remove the fuel pump from the car. You will then be looking at this.
Look straight down into the tank and you will see a black hose that goes into the plastic tray on the bottom on the right hand side. Remove the hose from the tray. It will go into the new fuel baffle once it is installed. To install the new baffle simply, drop it into the existing plastic baffle. It will clip in on the right hand side. once it is in, slide the black hose into the top of the new baffle.
Then put everything back in as it came apart and your good to go. I did mine with 1/2 tank of fuel still in the car. I would highly advise running your tank down before doing this. it is much easier the less gas you have in it. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.