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

Nice one, thank you. This one’s the 6 cylinder which doesn’t suffer the chain guide problems of the V8. Was looking for a v8 really but these things are very few and far between in nice condition.

Thanks, yeah I’m more like that as well tbh but I feel I should try to be a more conscientious owner with this one as I’m taking a really well preserved example and putting into daily kid-moving duty.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/the-best-e46-maintenance-schedule.147441/

That’s the maintenance thread i mentioned .

Edit, it's not quite the right one. There's a link to the e46 fanatics forum in the bimmerfest thread that had a very exhaustive list, but the link doesn't work any more :(

20 years old and looks great still. Nice

Put the man @Fixedwheelnut on retainer. If he doesn't know it, no one does.

Off the top of my head (and I don't know the cars, so take this with a pinch of salt):

• Timing, whether that's belts (change) or chains (check tensioners, guides)
  
• Fresh water pump
  
• Change coolant (hard not to when swapping the water pump)
  
• Pull oil filter, check the paper for swarf, plastic granules, random bolts etc
  
• Maybe change the oil pump if being super paranoid
  
• Change the oil, send it for analysis if being super paranoid
  
• Fresh spark plugs
  
• Air filters
  
• Cabin filter
  
• Change transmission oil/fluid
  
• Change diff-oil
  
• Check the brake fluid and change if it's old
  
• Pads and discs - are the discs rusty on the inside face?
  
• Get a laser alignment done, when the cars in the air check the bump stops, the shocks and springs
  
• And see if it's missing under-body plastic shields, metal heat shields, what state are the jacking points in?
  
• Gas struts for the boot and the bonnet, are they old and lazy? If so, change them (or put a stick in the boot to prop them open in cold weather)
  
• What's in the tool-kit? Replace missing tools
  
• Is the spare tyre rooted?
  
• How old are the tyres? Get a durometer and replace them all if they've hardened up as they'll be a menace otherwise
  
• Are the tyres cheap crap? If so, maybe bin them anyway and replace with decent rubber
  
• Air-con, get it checked, replace the buggered bits
  
• Clean the rad/s out if they fill up with crap on these cars (996's hoover megatons of crap into the rads)
  
• And on and on really
  

Cool, great list thanks. Tyres will be going definitely, I’ll get the alignment done then. Might have to cover some of that incrementally!

Great list.

Replace battery too.

I reckon the prices of this era of bimmers have risen now the current crop haven’t been universally loved looks-wise and the next generation is likely to be electric focussed. I wanted to own one while it was still a viable daily, it’s not really a contender for a weekend classic for me.

Replace battery too.

Yes, not entirely sure how I forgot that *irons hands*

Thought about you today as I was thinking of getting an e46 320 touring like yours

How much money are you going to throw at it? Are you doing the work yourself?

Better go to a BMW specialist than a dealer as a car of that age you would be better going to a recommended specialist, and as recommended by fixedwheelnut.

I've bought and owned a lot of old cars in my lifetime.

Replacing the battery in a "new to you" used car is my hill to die on.

Wha about a stop / start battery at three times the price?

Guess who put a brand new, OEM battery in his C55 just before he sold it?

I can’t fault mine! Favourite car I’ve ever had. Diesel is not ULEZ tho :( not sure about the petrol.

I won’t be getting all that done at main dealer but I haven’t found an indie near me that hasn’t given me the hump and I’d rather pay more to actually get what I ask for done. I don’t do stuff myself because I live in a terraced house on a busy road. Hopefully that will change soon and I’ll have a drive to sort this stuff out on.

Yeah, i know the diesel isn't ULEZ might just leave it in France.

At the mo just want a load carrier and hopefully sell it when I get back.

Hence asking the forum BMW guru. Part of me doesn't like taking older cars to main dealers as there aren't people there that have worked on cars that age. But then I seem to have no luck with people doing work on cars or houses.

Main dealers don't bring much to the table with older cars. They're not really interested in maintaining them to a high standard.

Common fault is the heater resistor, https://www.heaterblowerresistor.co.uk/hondacivicheaterresistor.html
https://www.euspares.co.uk/parts/stark/14738609

Is there a good place to look for lhd vehicle in UK? Beyond eBay.

pistonheads

Nice which engine do you have, straight six or V8? Rocker covers on both are common causes of oil leaks, V8 front timing covers also.
Other common problems were pixels breaking up on radio and dash display but there are places that can repair them now by replacing capacitors.
TV display style OBC radios can also have non standard replacements now.

All E39 models are chain driven and were pretty reliable compared to later N series engines with chains made of wet pasta, in fact a lot of customers used to say they regretted trading up to the E60 in terms of driver enjoyment hence E39's, E46's and E30's are still popular choices.

As for BMW specialists were are you based?
I can highly recommend
BM Sport in Bexleyheath
https://www.bmsport.com/

Cragos in Dartford
https://cragos.co.uk/

Both have ex BMW trained staff and use genuine BMW parts

I'd add https://technosport.co.uk/ to the list if the North Circular is convenient.