[tbouchard991]

Hey Guys! Here's my E46 323i Wagon (2000)! She's been in the family since around 2003 with 49,000 miles on the ODO when my parents purchased it for $19,000USD. It has been sitting since 2014, drove probably couple times in 2016. But it's been sitting for quite a bit. (This is an issue when your dad has 7 cars in the driveway). I'm beyond thrilled that it has been passed down to me. I grew up in the back seat. I always loved the E46 chassis, but specifically the touring. Currently has 119,200 miles. Everything is original. There's quite a bit of work that needs to be done. Already dumped 1,500 miles since late August. I will be putting her in storage for winter, living in Upstate New York is brutal on vehicles during Winter. Anyway here is the current projects and future project!


Some Info:
Paint is quite rough, there is a couple dent's on the roof from an outside garage collapsing on it one winter, pretty deep scratches around the rear and front.

Current Repair List:
- Replace Brake Light Switch
- Replace Struts/Springs
- Fluid Flush on Everything

Completed Repairs:
- Change Front Right Corner Light Socket (it got corroded)

• Change Wiper Blades haven't been changed since actually not sure
• Radio not turning on (fuse behind radio was blown)

Future Plans:
- Double Din Radio

• Remove Roof Rack
• Bit of bodywork to do, might need a good paint correction and some spots resprayed, including some surface rust to deal with.
• Give the interior a good clean, including leather seats.
• Change Corner Lenses, Side Markers, Rear Tail Lights to Euro Spec
• E46 Sport Steering Wheel, Current looks outdated.
• New set of wheels, current ones are a bit curbed rashed, and I never really them.
• replace front bumper with MTech 1 or 2 Front Bumper.
• Coilovers

Onto Images;

 

[tbouchard991]

Welcome to the club! Looking forward to what you do with her.

Sent from my tractor.

Thank you!

 

[tbouchard991]

Just bought two sets of Rear-Outer Tail Lights (Euro Spec). If anyone wants a set of Euro Spec Outer Tail-Lights, $115 and it's yours!

Here's the donor car they came from.

 

[tbouchard991]

Damn, if only shipping didn't cost and arm and a leg to get them to Canada..

Sent from my tractor.

Shoot me a PM, maybe we can figure out something! I***8217;m quite close to the US/CA border.

 

[tbouchard991]

Finally purchased (clear) front corner lights and side markers.

Here is the Rear Outer Tail-Lights!

 

[tbouchard991]

Whats new?
- Alignment done
- Battery killed itself, so onto a replacement battery!
- Needs new tires, rear tires are heavily cracked.
- Other then that, she's doing well!
- 120,300 miles on the ODO.

Plans? I'm not sure yet.
- Def upgrade to a Double Din Radio.
- Get a new right railing, since current one is damaged, and bent.
- New Tires all around
- Find a new set of rims

 

[tbouchard991]

Looks great, love the color

Much appreciated!

 

[tbouchard991]

I like the new wheels!

I've got an M3 steering wheel that I've been meaning to have re-wrapped so I can finally install it. When I do I'll have a spare sport wheel which I'd be happy to let go of, I'll try to remember to PM you when that time comes!

That would be great! Thank you so much! I still have the OEM Steering Wheel, and have been looking for a Sport or a M3 Steering Wheel!

Very clean. I love the stock look!

Thank you so much!

 

[tbouchard991]

On other news,

1) Neutral Safety Switch Issues, which has been an issue in the past.

2) Also dealing with DSC turning itself off for no reason, which my dad's BOSCH KTS340 can't view the Steering Position Sensor, or Yaw Rate Sensor, so i opt'd to get the BMW's INPA Software to see if i can find why it's causing the DSC to just go off for no reason.

3) Right Front Caliper is kinda sticking sometimes, but it comes and goes, will have to rebuild it.

4) Slight exhaust leak.

That's on the list of repairs.

 

[tbouchard991]

Found a used Yaw Rate Sensor for $30, much better then spending $600 for brand new! Hopefully this fixes this issue, onto the next issue!

 

[tbouchard991]

News:
- Bought a Double Din Radio (EONON GA9150B)(HVAC Relocation Kit). It's time to replace the factory radio!
- Changed out the headlight covers. Cleaned up the front end, and compliments the Clear Turn Signals much better!
- Replacing the Active Yaw Sensor Eventually, just need to take the seat out of the driver side.

- After digging around the E46 Forums, and Bimmerworld; i will be removing the roof rack (DIY), besides one of them is quite damaged and bent inward. Also, it's crazy how expensive the trim pieces for roof rack removal is. The total is up to $800+ , for left and right trim piece! 10 years ago they were $60 for each side!

 

[tbouchard991]

Nice work!

Are you planning on paying out the $800 for the trim pieces or will you be using a DIY solution? I've seen tape used with some success.

I'll DIY it! I found on eBay this, (For 1999-2005 BMW E46 3 SERIES BLACK ROOF TOP TRIM MOLDING KIT)

Depending if there is a gasket from the adapter for the roof railing, ill use the gasket and rescrew in the screws without the adapter, or plug up the hole a different way if there isn't a gasket, and afterward ill apply trim kit on the original trim, and it wont look as crappy as having electrical tape covering up the hole.

 

[tbouchard991]

Great find, should work perfectly especially considering your wagon is black so you won't have to worrying about painting the new trim pieces.

Actually it's Orientblau Metallic (317), However the trim piece on top is black anyway, so it's not going to be the biggest issues!

 

[tbouchard991]

 

[tbouchard991]

News! I finally changed the yaw rate sensor that was acting up, found a used one for $30, brand new they are like $400! Went on a test drive and DSC it was fine, but this will be over time to see if this issue is resolved! You can def tell on the bracket there was some sort of water that got to it. There was a point where the window gasket had a failure and it rained a couple times and water got into the floor well, wouldn't be surprised if that's the reason for the yaw rate sensor to go a-wire.

Should be getting the new radio friday, or around there, i will post install pictures and how it looks when its all installed!

 

[tbouchard991]

On today's news! New Radio, and Roof Rails were removed!

 

[tbouchard991]

Very nice car. I love the colour.
Have you though about getting silver indicator bulbs. You lose that orange haze, View attachment 779971


Sent from my iPhone using E46Fanatics mobile app

Thank you! To answer your question, i like the amber bulbs. I would have to see how white bulbs look like!

 

[tbouchard991]

I found a Sport Steering wheel with an airbag for $130, finally time to get rid of the non sport wheel that just looked awful in my honest opinion.

 

[tbouchard991]

The sport wheels are much better. Hopefully the airbag has been replaced per the recall, you may want to look into it and verify before installing it.

I keep getting mail card saying air bag recall anyway, so ill install it and book an appointment to get it replaced. :thumbup:

 

[tbouchard991]

Well, I'm not sure what they will tell you if you show up with a different steering wheel that needs a different airbag than the VIN calls for...

Good luck. Let us know. Best bet is probably to play stupid. Ultimately they need to sign off that the car is safe as far as airbags go - probably.

I read on the forum that plenty of people with swapped steering wheels bringing it to dealers for airbag recall without issues. So i don't believe its an issue.

Also here's another angle of the EONON Radio and the Dynavin relocation bracket with 2x USB Inputs.