Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Any landies of that age on an original chassis?

Back to black plastic trim renovator recommendations?

Carguys gets good reviews and supposedly isn't too awful for the planet, any others i should look at?

Way up thread, but can still recommend Owatrol

half and half on our Pluriel Charlston

I don't know your exact car application but I belive it would be better to bleed it properly. You might not notice that you have air pockets within the system, but that can create cavitation which basically destroys the inside of the water pump.

question to @Fixedwheelnut (who I remember has been in touch with BMW) and other BMW users/experts, what would be the best engine for the E46 for petrol and diesel?
Currently contemplating an E46 purchase for the next car, not looking for power at all just looking for best reliability in the E46 range?

Will have a look tomorrow and give the water pump bleed method a go (keys turned but engine off, top up until no air bubbles, remove some from expansion tank so float is in the right position.

Not fixedwheelnut, but his advice to me was N47 engines are crap and prone to problems.

M47 more reliable. Swirl flap failure much more common on 6 cylinder (m57) vs 4 cylinder, and he said that he hadn't seen many m47 engines with swirl flap failure.

Also, from what I've read, the manuals are more reliable than the autos.

I don't find N47 engine on E46, maybe a typo error?
So the M47 diesel engine is a good first lead then, cheers!
if anyone has also other inputs that would be great :)

The n47 is the successor to the m47 - think you’re right about them not being in any e46.

Either way, you’re definitely best off waiting for someone more clued up to weigh in!

Serviced my Civic myself a while back, did oil change, replaced all filters etc. Dead proud, obvs.

But now I have one of these full of oil I need to take to the tip:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00S18BI9A?ref_=pe_3187911_248764861_302_E_DDE_dt_1&sa-no-redirect=1

Will I be able to take it to the tip and empty it into their container? Or do I need to transfer it to something else first? I don't want to bin it.

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They normally have a big container for engine oil one, but your local tip may vary

Well done!!

They have a big tank (the size of a shed) where you pour your used engine oil into, so you won't have to dispose of that handy container. I assume you also will use the one next to the big Leyton sign, B&Q etc. I can't remember the name of it.

PSA: You may need to book a slot in (to the tip) in advance. The one just off Holloway Rd had this during the first lockdown.

pissing mudflap came off subsequent to all the super hardcore, ultra manly off-roading i've been doing*

(*picking up the shopping at waitrose)

There's a fair old few - more luck than anything else I think. Lots patched up etc.
There was a wrangle with Land Rover about the patents a while ago, as they were thinking of providing new chassis through Land Rover Reborn, meaning that it was impossible to get a new one for a number of years. In the end LR decided not to do it and opened it up again to Richards and others.
I managed to get one before that happened - they have approximately doubled in price (£4k for one now) since I managed to get mine in 2012 though, which is pretty eyewatering.

@paulbiche pretty much, I am not a fan of 4 cylinder engines after the M44 all N series engines seem to suffer chain issues of some sort, Valvetronic engines are also prone to finger wear in the valve train that can be expensive.
The M54 6 cyl is a reliable lump, they can suffer with water pump and vanos trouble but other than that pretty good.

Hackengineering do a good modified vanos service with improved machined components if ever you do get trouble.
https://www.hackengineering.co.uk/

To bleed the cooling system
1/ undo bleed screw top up coolant 50/50 antifreeze until coolant comes out of bleed screw.
2/ put on ignition and set heater to hot, top up again until coolant comes out of bleed screw.
3/ start engine, top up until coolant comes out of bleed screw, tighten bleed screw, top up coolant to correct level.
4/ road test vehicle, to warm {fan cut in] then allow to cool and recheck level.

ok so good leads are M47 for diesel and M54 for petrol. many thanks!

Yes with E46
Petrol = 6 cylinder good 4 cylinder bad
Diesel = 4 cylinder good, 6 cylinder bad

cheers!

We're thinking of getting something new (second hand, but newish). If you wanted something small, lairy and AWD, what are the alternatives to an Audi S1 2.0 quattro?

Are there any? The obvious candidates - Fiesta ST, Polo R, corsa VXR, Clio rs etc - are all front wheel drive.

S54

Happy to help

As I am a prick and I’ve just topped it up in a fairly loose fashion, should I really drain it fully and start again?

Also, should it be, top up until coolant comes out of EGR thermostat bleed screw, tighten that one, and continue topping up until coolant comes out of the bleed screw by the coolant cap?

Wait a bit for a GR Yaris?

I used to have a 6 cyl M54 E46 touring. It was a 325i but always wanted a 330. Mine was super reliable. Loved that car!

Until some prick wrote it off while parked and fled the scene...