Welcome #188

[Sab]

Welcome to our family.
Did the correct tracking today as it was set to the 330i.
Had a good look underneath and all looks fine for the age/mileage.

Things to do.

1. Full service exc oil & filter
2. Gearbox service
3. Return rear shocks to oem (may do all 4 + springs)
4. Replace all bushes
5. Tyres are a mish mash of all makes so a new set of Michelins
6. Need to upgrade the audio a little.
7. Get the car in for detailing/PPF

8. Enjoy your life of TLC!

[DogWagen]

Looks great Sab

What did you have in mind audio-wise?

Better front speakers make a heck of a difference (a ski-hatch sub is a further refinement) and I'm tempted by the E46-specific Alpine iLX-705

Mike

[Sab]

Thanks mate,

I’ll speak to the chap who installed the Audio in the E36 about speaker upgrades and the head unit although I kinda like the tape deck availability with the present set up and 6 cd changer.

I’ll probably although upgrade the sub and install a decent amp like a 5 channel to run all the speakers.

[MikeR]

[Sab]

Both B3’s came together today.

[JohnW]

A fantastic pair. I always have a soft spot for any E36 as that’s the first series BMW I had. The E46 was the second and honed the design. I guess performance and the interior fit and quality is a huge step up in the Alpinas.

(From your photos it’s a good job you haven’t got an X5! )

[Avtar]

I di dan audio upgrade in my E46 330 Convertible and replaced the speakers with BavSound ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMuTgbmsMaQ&t=405s

You cannot get these shipped from the US and I managed to get them from here www.team-narex.ch however the website now seems to be unavailable. Things may have changed and maybe they are now more widely available?

Great thing about these is that they are a straight replacement, no additional crossover, etc required. I paired these with a Double Din Pioneer head until and kept the existing Sub. Replacing the old paper cone speakers makes a huge difference.

[greenelekta]

They look great stacked, just need to change the number 96 to 02 now!

[simon13]

Nice, looks to be in nice condition from the pics Sab

[Sab]

Morning All,

Thanks for the comments and it’s becoming a challenge to do the work on the car but it’s coming along.

In the process of putting together a part invoice with BMW Maidenhead and the list of parts has started to grow.

I thought I may as well replace the prop shaft donut as the gearbox is being serviced. I added new top mounts to the list in readiness for the suspension: the only snag is that Alpina are out of stock for the front os strut so I am toying with the idea of sending a used set to SACHS for a rebuild. Will let you know what route I take.

Audio - not done anything yet but will send a message to my audio chap about direct replacement set ups and visit my mate who has the bav sound in his 330i.

Greenelekta - for a laugh I might just do that!

Simon - Yeah mate, she is is good shape for the age and a lovely interior with the extended leather option. I pushed her to nearly her limits on the 200 mile drive home and for a auto cruiser she did ok until I tried to throw her around a bit and thought I’m out of my depth and could’ve done with a LSD on a couple of squeaky bum moments . My mate wants me to put in a Quaife which I may do.

[Wellsy]

I pop into Sytner Maidenhead from time to time as its just down the road from work for me, I'll keep an eye out for you. Keep a look out as Normam said Sytner Maidenhead are looking to do a local Alpina meet in the new year.

[Sab]

Hey Mate,

Just paid for all the service items and the gearbox service kit so I’ll be visiting some time soon to collect them.

[Avtar]

Morning All,

Thanks for the comments and it’s becoming a challenge to do the work on the car but it’s coming along.

In the process of putting together a part invoice with BMW Maidenhead and the list of parts has started to grow.

I thought I may as well replace the prop shaft donut as the gearbox is being serviced. I added new top mounts to the list in readiness for the suspension: the only snag is that Alpina are out of stock for the front os strut so I am toying with the idea of sending a used set to SACHS for a rebuild. Will let you know what route I take.

Audio - not done anything yet but will send a message to my audio chap about direct replacement set ups and visit my mate who has the bav sound in his 330i.

Greenelekta - for a laugh I might just do that!

Simon - Yeah mate, she is is good shape for the age and a lovely interior with the extended leather option. I pushed her to nearly her limits on the 200 mile drive home and for a auto cruiser she did ok until I tried to throw her around a bit and thought I’m out of my depth and could’ve done with a LSD on a couple of squeaky bum moments . My mate wants me to put in a Quaife which I may do.

I had a Quaife installed in my D5 at Birds, massive difference and the service was unbelievable. It turned out that it did not have the diff they expected and so would have to do additional engineering work and take quite a few more days. They put this down as R&D, so no additional cost to me and lent me one of their cars. Now that's service.

[Sab]

Trip to Maidenhead BMW and Barons BMW for this lot
Costing £700.

Full service kit
Gearbox service kit
7litres of ATF4

[Sab]

Paid for the certificate of emissions so can apply for a refund on the charges already paid and loving the fact that the car will be ULEZ exempt.