2003 BMW 330i (E46) Project

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2017-03-28 22:37:39 +0500 #1

From Celica GT to BMW E46 330i

I had a 2003 Toyota Celica GT for past 3 years (driven 22,000 miles) and was about time to upgrade to a Sedan - I found this one owner 2003 BMW 330i with Premium and Cold Weather Packages with around 110,000 miles and some oil leaks and other issues. So I'll be taking care of the issues and documenting in this thread.

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Here's the old Celica

1ZZ-FE

And here's the new acquisition

The first day I got it

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 19:14:50 +0500 #2

It's been a while since I posted on here. So here's a bit of catch up on the progress I've made on this daily beater.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 19:18:44 +0500 #3

Right when I bought it - it had a bunch of oil leaks. So below is a list of things that I replaced.

Oil pan gasket
Engine mounts
All radiator hoses
All power steering hoses
All air filters
Fuel filter
Pulleys/ Tensioners
Both serpentine belts
Thermostat assembly
Heater Control Valve
Secondary Air Valve
Intake boots
Transmission mounts
Transmission fluid flushed & filter replaced
Differential fluid
Brake fluid
Control arm bushing
Oil pressure sensor
Oil level sensor
Camshaft position sensor
Spark plugs
CCV system
CCV hoses
VANOS oil feed line
Oil filter gasket
Valve cover gasket
Oil change

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 19:22:17 +0500 #4

Repainted the wood trim to metallic black.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 19:24:34 +0500 #5

Replaced Projector lenses.

Old Projector Lense

New Morimoto Projector Lense

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 19:47:42 +0500 #6

Quick visit to the junkyard.

Found a cheap K&N intake system.

UAHMAD (UAHMAD) 2021-05-25 19:59:43 +0500 #7

Great progress. With all the repair work done car must be like new now.

How is its resale where you live?

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:05:47 +0500 #8

Brake service - by this time, I had put about 25,000 miles on the car and it was in need of brake pads.

Brake pads replaced
Rotors replaced
E brake shoes replaced
Painted the calipers
Pad sensors replaced
Brake lines replaced with steel braided lines
Brake fluid flushed

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:07:44 +0500 #9

Resale value is not that great to be honest, these E46s range from $1,000 - 8,000 depending on mileage and condition. This is a daily driver for me and I love how this thing drives.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:18:26 +0500 #10

Replaced the entertainment system with aftermarket Android unit - bought it used for half the retail price.

Found a deal on OEM lug nut locks.

Since I did the brakes and new pads pushed the calipers farther out than they previously were, and balancing weights on 17" wheels rubbed against the caliper. So I had to upgrade to 18" wheels and found a killer deal on these APEX EC-7 wheels for $300 (they retail for $2,400) and they truly transformed the look of the car.

Staggered Setup:
Front - 18x8.5" ET31 - 225/40
Rear - 18x9.5" ET25 - 255/35

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:21:15 +0500 #11

Junkyard find for $10 and $7 for the wrap.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:31:00 +0500 #12

Found some cheap used aftermarket LED Taillights.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:41:42 +0500 #13

Hood and trunk lift support shocks started to show signs of end of life, so I went ahead and replaced both.

Sway bar support end links replaced.

My old workhorse - 2018 Toyota Highlander.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-25 20:45:55 +0500 #14

E46 M3 and 330i - Met up with a buddy.

This darn thing has come a long way.

UAHMAD (UAHMAD) 2021-05-25 21:21:05 +0500 #15

A nice thread involving real restoration work.

Keep on posting and updating.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-26 00:52:16 +0500 #16

Instant flat at 75mph and this is what you get.

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-26 00:53:45 +0500 #17

New tags!

Moderator (Moderator) 2021-05-26 10:15:35 +0500 #18

Moderator (Moderator) 2021-05-26 10:15:49 +0500 #19

welcome back @intoxicated

intoxicated (Intoxicated) 2021-05-26 10:21:35 +0500 #20

Thank you more DIYs coming up.