Where to start on the E46

O

Oldskool

Member
Hi Guys
Decided This Panny D has got me bored and the company car isn’t cutting it. Miss the old days sliding my old Capri and E30 around, but these are too nice now. So just bought a 323i saloon E46 manual. Question.... it only cost me £500 and I only really wanna spend the same again to make it fun. Apart from welding the diff (what’s that normally cost) what other things should I do immediately. I’m keeping the interior in it, and I don’t care about making it look like a drift car. I’d like to go under the radar. In order of importance, what do you feel would make it more tail happy and is worth getting. I’ll sell it come early next year I expect. Thanks in advance

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Bucket seat to hold you in place & coilovers

Then make sure she's serviced (fresh engine oil, gearbox oil, clutch adjusted, brake pads have enough meat etc), adjust the handbrake and if there's anything left in the budget throw a decent radiator at it so you don't get stranded with a cracked tank
 
Cheers
Very fortunately this car just had £1800 spent on it by previous owner. All new rad, complete rear brake overhaul and serviced every year on the dot by a BMW specialist. Is a short shifter worth it? Linkage is sloppy and 5th and third are a bit of a blend. But 5th is like selecting reverse with how hard I have to push it to the right. On the hunt now for a second hand bucket seat and side mounts. Ideally if I find a welder to do the diff, I’ll see if I can use original runners and fit a seat.
 
Just weld the diff and send it.
In order of importance: Weld the Diff, Coilovers, Bucket Seat. Nothing else is necessary.
Short shifter isn't worth it if your only trying to spend budget money.
Unless your building a high level car you don't need lock mods on E46's other then rack spacers if you feel like it.
Can drift just fine with stock seats and a stock wheel, but get a bucket seat if you want to move around a bit less.
Coilovers are a nice addition but again you will stretch a £500 budget.
 
Cheers. Booked in with a local garage for diff weld, new throttle cable (stiff as hell) and gonna get the back box removed and straight pipe it. May throw a cheap intake on as well. Kinda didn’t wanna fit a bucket, but I’ll see how I get on.if I just to a couple bits and really get the itch again, then I’ll slap some coilovers on as well
 
I dont know if its true or not but , bmw's guru's said once the 323i have a "locked" motor to 170hp so you can "unloack it" with a remap without any mod and achieve around 200hp . I dont know if its true or not that what i hear saying. Relative to the project im gonna start one myself. 3.46 diff ,coils and bushing all the back of the car and maybe reinforce the chassi because this car's break the chassi all the time so better to start preventing. Buckets seat's i think you need to mod the rails or something like that. In terms of short shifter i feel a little bit like you , gears seems weirdo compared to schassis . Another thing i found on this cars i never drove other bmw so i dont know if is a real problem or its my head. OLDSKOOL i dont know if you gonna relate with my problem but i feel the gas pedal have alot of delay. I already reseted the throttle position but keeps with the same problem. I press the gas and takes a little bit to the engine to responde . Anyone know's what problem could be?
 
I´ve build one of them as a streetcar, done the suspension with ebay stuff (200) but added 10kg/mm springs (50) at he front. Also added my 72° lock kit, but thats out of the budget I guess. Rack spacers (10) and cut knuckles (150?) could be an option. I´m using it without a bucketseat, not ideal but it works and there is money to be safed. :) Also swapped for a single mass flywheel, it really transforms the clutch kicks, otherwise the get lost in the drivetrain... :p Again not nesscesary.
The throttle problem is just how they are, they have got a throttle cable like an old M52 but also an early DBW so the worst of both worlds really, resulting in shitty throttlefeeling....

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Im a little bit disappointed with that throttle "problem" but im aiming for a 3.46 diff it's on the top of the list , a remap and coilovers . Looking for a set of HSD on 2nd hand i think its a good option compared to 200£ stuff.
 
Pre facelift Loons FTW

I’m on D2 coil-overs - welded 2.93 - polly lollipops and rack spacers.

stock interior.

was a 1600 - swapped in a M52B28TU and ZF box I had laying about - now she’s a champ.

I’d go welded diff and coilovers to begin with. Keep it simple

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