It's not that it is "blocking" its just the fan housing is too wide. One of my fellow E46 friends came over the other day, and said the same thing as-well.
323i Touring (Selena)
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)
Future Plans:
- Double Din Radio
Onto Images;
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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- E46 Sport Steering Wheel, Current looks outdated.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;
241 - 260 of 536 Posts
I had a rather productive weekend with a couple of my BMW friends! Was quite a good learning experience too, since this was the first valve cover, and cooling system refresh I have ever done.
With that being said, here is what I accomplished:
![928846]()
With that being said I'll have to rebuild the DISA, and then adjust the throttle cable since I took out the throttle body when taking the old CCV system, and I think it went out of adjustment when taking it out and back in. Other then that, sounds perfectly healthy!
![928849]()
![928851]()
![928850]()
![928857]()
With that being said, here is what I accomplished:
- M56 Valve Cover Swap (Yanked out the original CCV System)
- Rebuilt VANOS unit from DRVanos
- Cooling System refresh
- Oil Change
- Bought a OEM Fan from Prussian Motors (It fits snuggly, much better then CoolXpert one from FCP)
The other day I replaced the original DISA, it was definitely time to be replaced.
![929656]()
![929657]()
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In the following weeks, wagon is heading over to my friends shop for a suspension refresh.
ZHP Control Arms
Z4M FCAB
M3 RTABs
Sway Bar Links
Tie Rods
Steering Coupler
Last year I did KONI Yellows w/ Eibach Springs with Lemforder Strut Mounts, with XI rear spring pads (7k miles ago).
--
My next project will be diagnosing the A/C, and finding where the leak is. afaik A/C hasn't been functional for over 5-6 years.
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In the following weeks, wagon is heading over to my friends shop for a suspension refresh.
ZHP Control Arms
Z4M FCAB
M3 RTABs
Sway Bar Links
Tie Rods
Steering Coupler
Last year I did KONI Yellows w/ Eibach Springs with Lemforder Strut Mounts, with XI rear spring pads (7k miles ago).
--
My next project will be diagnosing the A/C, and finding where the leak is. afaik A/C hasn't been functional for over 5-6 years.
Remember that you will need to replace nuts (they should come with the new parts but I would check)
Also do you have a ball joint separator?
This is going to be very satisfying! When I did it I got carried away and ended up with a complete 330 suspension.
I have a problem
The ones from FCPEuro come with limiters! Thank you though.
Remember that you will need to replace nuts (they should come with the new parts but I would check)
Also do you have a ball joint separator?
This is going to be very satisfying! When I did it I got carried away and ended up with a complete 330 suspension.
I have a problem
Thats why its going to my friends shop to be done, since he can do alignments as-well.
Quite a fun weekend!
I finally decided to dive into my A/C and get it functioning. I replaced all the O-Rings, and both the High-Low Valves w/ including the Receiver Drier. After that, I vacuumed the system for an hour, then I let it sit for a couple hours since I had quite a bit of free time helping on my friends Pre-LCI 325i. I confirmed there wasn't any leaks, and started filling the system with Freon. It was a bit odd to me having A/C in the wagon, because in my ownership it never worked.
My friend 325i had a new shifter bushing kit installed, since the previous owner had quite a hot boi short shifter. I also helped with removing eBay angel eye's, installed brand new fog lights, since my old bumper had them, and weren't in use, removed the ebay smoked corners too, and the front plate holder got removed.
![931392]()
![931405]()
![931407]()
I finally decided to dive into my A/C and get it functioning. I replaced all the O-Rings, and both the High-Low Valves w/ including the Receiver Drier. After that, I vacuumed the system for an hour, then I let it sit for a couple hours since I had quite a bit of free time helping on my friends Pre-LCI 325i. I confirmed there wasn't any leaks, and started filling the system with Freon. It was a bit odd to me having A/C in the wagon, because in my ownership it never worked.
My friend 325i had a new shifter bushing kit installed, since the previous owner had quite a hot boi short shifter. I also helped with removing eBay angel eye's, installed brand new fog lights, since my old bumper had them, and weren't in use, removed the ebay smoked corners too, and the front plate holder got removed.
Unfortunately with Z4M FCAB's my front is rubbing on both sides. I need new tires anyway, so I might get a set of 235/40R18 instead of current 245/40R18 and stiffen up my KONI Yellow dampening and see if that solves the issue, if not I might have to ditch the Z4M FCAB's.
I decided to go from a 245/40R18 to a 245/35 R18, I did sacrifice some sidewall but hopefully solves my rubbing because of the offset, and caster of the Z4M FCAB.
On the 20th, its heading back to Bavarian Specialties for Tires & Alignment as-well Inspection (Finally registered to PA).
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Other then the rubbing, I have had no issues and it has driven incredibly well. I did end up driving on some incredible back roads in PA, and the overall handling characteristics is incredible. It's so nimble and even with very worn tires it was beyond planted. The overall steering feedback of the whole chassis is incredible, I was smiling like an idiot the entire time. @///Mark_D, @VpointVick
![931730]()
On the 20th, its heading back to Bavarian Specialties for Tires & Alignment as-well Inspection (Finally registered to PA).
--
Other then the rubbing, I have had no issues and it has driven incredibly well. I did end up driving on some incredible back roads in PA, and the overall handling characteristics is incredible. It's so nimble and even with very worn tires it was beyond planted. The overall steering feedback of the whole chassis is incredible, I was smiling like an idiot the entire time. @///Mark_D, @VpointVick
Dropped my wagon off at Bavarian Specialties yesterday to get an Alignment, Tires mounted, sort out my ride height issue, and PA Inspection.
Ever since my friend did my whole suspension refresh, I did notice my ride height being a bit wacked, it was 18mm higher on the passenger side, and I just couldn't figure out why. I thought it was broken spring, spring unseated itself, but nope.
The rear passenger spring unseated itself. How this happened? I am not entirely sure, did it happen when he did the RTABs? Possibly? I'm surprised I didn't catch it earlier, I'm glad the spring didn't fly off when I was driving it. I am not going to blame my friend, it could've happened earlier. It definitely made me be more careful and do a much thorough look-over of my wagon. Spring was re-seated properly, ride height issues are gone, and all 4 corners are perfectly in spec.
I decided to snag a set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 to replace my worn out General GMAX AS-05's since I don't think it would've passed inspection. The AS4's are the first set of Michelin I have ever driven on, and I am beyond impressed with how great these tires are. Definitely worth the hefty price.
With that said, last on the list is PA Inspection! It passed with no issues.
The only mention is the front brake lines which are starting to crack (which is normal for a car this age), which soon ill be upgrading to stainless with different calipers.
Whats next?
Start a parts list for Manual Swap, and Brakes!
![932147]()
![932149]()
![932150]()
Ever since my friend did my whole suspension refresh, I did notice my ride height being a bit wacked, it was 18mm higher on the passenger side, and I just couldn't figure out why. I thought it was broken spring, spring unseated itself, but nope.
The rear passenger spring unseated itself. How this happened? I am not entirely sure, did it happen when he did the RTABs? Possibly? I'm surprised I didn't catch it earlier, I'm glad the spring didn't fly off when I was driving it. I am not going to blame my friend, it could've happened earlier. It definitely made me be more careful and do a much thorough look-over of my wagon. Spring was re-seated properly, ride height issues are gone, and all 4 corners are perfectly in spec.
I decided to snag a set of Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 to replace my worn out General GMAX AS-05's since I don't think it would've passed inspection. The AS4's are the first set of Michelin I have ever driven on, and I am beyond impressed with how great these tires are. Definitely worth the hefty price.
With that said, last on the list is PA Inspection! It passed with no issues.
The only mention is the front brake lines which are starting to crack (which is normal for a car this age), which soon ill be upgrading to stainless with different calipers.
Whats next?
Start a parts list for Manual Swap, and Brakes!
Might go a tad different route.
Z32 Calipers front & rear and do overboost's hybrid parking brake idea to retain my 323i trailing arms.
I think the whole swap will be sub 1500$. Which is pretty darn cheap for a BBK Kit. For reference, Stoptech BBK Is 1300$+ just for the fronts.
I will be running E46 M3 Rotors Front, and E36 M3 Rotors Rear (which ill need to do a little fab work to get the e-brake to function)I did source a 5 speed ZF as-well for 450$, time to start a parts list for Manual Swap!
My wallet goes ->
241 - 260 of 536 Posts
