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323i Touring (Selena)

72478 Views 535 Replies 37 Participants Last post by  JackJoachim
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  • E46 Sport Steering Wheel, Current looks outdated.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;
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I had one at work recently that was charging fine, wiring was good, just had a bad circuit in the regulator for the warning light, or an uneven field, like TerraPhantm. Unplugged it and the light would go out, ended up replacing the alternator and all is well.

Sounds good, but we need a video under load!

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Girlfriend dropped off the spare alternator in the morning, and I swapped it in. Started it up, and battery light went away. I'll try and replace the voltage regulator on my old alternator and see if I can salvage it before throwing it out.

I want to put a microphone near the exhaust and get a good pull with in-cabin footage.
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For sure! I was talking to him on Instagram and we were talking about setting something up in the future and get all the wagon owners together.
Gotta do it. East E30 picnic was a few weeks ago. Pretty sure we could line something up like that. Maybe gather at an agreed upon location (after starting a dedicated thread to that;)) and cruise along the Delaware River or something along those lines?
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Gotta do it. East E30 picnic was a few weeks ago. Pretty sure we could line something up like that. Maybe gather at an agreed upon location (after starting a dedicated thread to that;)) and cruise along the Delaware River or something along those lines?
I was there! That would be pretty fun.
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I was lurking on Facebook Marketplace and I stumbled upon a pretty rare Gruppe M Intake that was listed for 450$, and after some shrewd negotiation I snagged it for 375$ shipped. Ended up selling my K&N pretty quickly for 150$ to a fellow Touring owner, so the Gruppe M Intake came out to 225$.

Such a steal!


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Finally decided to take apart the original alternator, and take a look at the voltage regulator. I think it has seen better days, possibly why it triggered the battery light? I ordered a new voltage regulator and I'll see if it fixes it. If that fixes the issue, I'll keep the other alternator my girlfriend gifted me as a spare if mine goes out again, or if she needs it again.


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Update?

Finally installed Parts Shop Max Z32 Front Calipers. It requires a bit of modification to fit. First you need to cut a bit of the dust shield and grind down the top knuckle ear to be flush with caliper bracket. This will ensure the caliper bracket will clear the caliper.


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When running the brake lines, I had a genius idea to reuse the grommet from the old brake hose that attaches to the strut. Since the PSM Brake Lines didn't come with anything to attach it to the strut. This is definitely better then using zip ties! :LOL:

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Before - After


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Other news: Bought a new lower alternator duct. Earlier this year, when my idler pulley went poof, the belt left a lovely hole in it.

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Update?

Finally installed Parts Shop Max Z32 Front Calipers. It requires a bit of modification to fit. First you need to cut a bit of the dust shield and grind down the top knuckle ear to be flush with caliper bracket. This will ensure the caliper bracket will clear the caliper.


View attachment 935144


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When running the brake lines, I had a genius idea to reuse the grommet from the old brake hose that attaches to the strut. Since the PSM Brake Lines didn't come with anything to attach it to the strut. This is definitely better then using zip ties! :LOL:

. View attachment 935145

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Before - After


View attachment 935147

View attachment 935146

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Other news: Bought a new lower alternator duct. Earlier this year, when my idler pulley went poof, the belt left a lovely hole in it.

View attachment 935148
I have the same alt duct modification 😉
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Looks great! How’s the pedal feel?
Feels incredible! Can't wait for the pads to break-in. After I can push it on backroads and see how it feels.
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Feels incredible! Can't wait for the pads to break-in. After I can push it on backroads and see how it feels.
Are you currently running the Z32 rears? I’m trying to think of a way to keep my existing 325i drums for parking.

Seeing your setup makes me want to figure this out.
Are you currently running the Z32 rears? I’m trying to think of a way to keep my existing 325i drums for parking.

Seeing your setup makes me want to figure this out.
Not currently. However, I do want to figure out like you.. how to adapt E36 M3 Drums! :unsure:
Definitely in the hear more feedback on the Z32 setup! Clearance looks pretty good, they might actually clear my 17" wheels. M3 or 330 rotors? And I will not accept losing the parking brake as an option, so I'm curious to see what you can come up with for that.

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Definitely in the hear more feedback on the Z32 setup! Clearance looks pretty good, they might actually clear my 17" wheels. M3 or 330 rotors? And I will not accept losing the parking brake as an option, so I'm curious to see what you can come up with for that.

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We had a whole discussion earlier as to what it might take to keep the parking brake.

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We had a whole discussion earlier as to what it might take to keep the parking brake.

Yup, I read through that when it happened, but nothing has been attempted or confirmed, yet.

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We had a whole discussion earlier as to what it might take to keep the parking brake.

Yup, I read through that when it happened, but nothing has been attempted or confirmed, yet.

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For sure! Time to dig more into it, and see what the best route to take is.
Update:
I think I figured out the best way to retain the rear drums w/ Z32 Rear Calipers.

I didn't realize this but PSM sells E36/E36M3/E46 Non-M (Rear Bracket) which uses the E36 M3 rear rotors. As we discussed a bit ago, without some fabrication would be a PITA to make it function. However, they sell as-well an E46 M3 Bracket which retains the E46 M3 rear rotors (328x20).This would be a much more simple swap of sourcing E46 M3 trailing arms and CV Axels. With that said I can fully run Front and Rear Z32 calipers with no issues. 🤟

Now its sourcing trailing arms, and CV Axels. I would replace all the bushings, and both bearings on those trailing arms and get rid of any surface rust and repaint them which would clean up the underside significantly.
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On other news:
Sound clip with my current setup Borla Catback + Racing Dynamic Headers. Quite a tasteful setup, and great to daily tbh.

Hey man! I have catless and I want to put the Borla on too. How are you liking it? And how loud it is?
Hey man! I have catless and I want to put the Borla on too. How are you liking it? And how loud it is?
Honestly, I love it! If you are at 6k RPM in a tunnel or near a concrete barrier it's a bit loud, but its not ear deafening loud. When you are daily driving or idling, its actually very quiet. It's definitely worth it. It's just loud enough to not piss off your neighbors. There minimal to zero drone as-well.
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Honestly, I love it! If you are at 6k RPM in a tunnel or near a concrete barrier it's a bit loud, but its not ear deafening loud. When you are daily driving or idling, its actually very quiet. It's definitely worth it. It's just loud enough to not piss off your neighbors. There minimal to zero drone as-well.
Awesome!
Thanks for the reply!
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Awesome!
Thanks for the reply!
Here's a short acceleration clip;
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