E46 Things

B C

I have started the cleaning and detailing process. I use the term “detailing” loosely as I operate to the best of my ability.

I started by wiping/scrubbing the leather on the seats with some Mequiars leather cleaner and conditioner to help add some moisture to the leather. Then began vacuuming thoroughly, removed the cup holders, trunk trays, and ash trays to take them to the sink and scrub them good with soap, warm water, and Simple Green.

There is a passenger floormat in good shape but not a drivers mat so I will be shopping for a good set.

A previous owner (not Jordan) replaced all the bulbs with some very old and weak 8000K LEDs. They are barely useful and I will be collecting a list to replace.

When I dug through the trunk I discovered 4 stray oval lock nuts that got tossed, the battery hold down bar loose and the actual hold down plate that goes under the bar was chillin under the trunk carpet with deez nuts.

I snugged the battery, secured a couple other small bits and will be steam cleaning at least the trunk carpet tomorrow if not the interior also.

Either the horn is not working or I am deaf. i will check the fuse on that tomorrow

side note: E46 factory infotainment is unintuitive junk. Many of the buttons seem to do nothing at all.

i_love_cars

I lost 8k on this car after all the mods. Worth it to see a friend back in a BMW where he belongs.

Me putting 500 miles a year on the car wasn't going to do it justice.

That infotainment screen is indeed the worst travesty I have seen I think as far as that sort of thing is concerned. I'd rather have a non-nav unit in the car but at this point just get a modern double din for it and call it a day.

Rekpoint

Both wallets are slightly lighter, sounds like a common BMW thing to me.

YoungCR

More pricey that a standard double DIN but it’s basically plug n play with all the modern features.

https://avinusa.com/avant-4-for-bmw-3-series-e46-m3-multimedia-navigation-system.html

B C

There are 2 horn fuses, one is missing. Hopefully thats all I need to remedy to get the horn going again.

I replaced the air filter. Much to my wife's dismay, she came out into the garage and saw the hood up and parts removed (airbox) . I gave her the least effective advice ever: “calm down” I also added a bottle of Techron for good measure. (I swear the stuff works)

The carpets were shampooed. The trunk mat could use another attempt later on but its much better

The low quality license plate LEDs were replaced with some better/brighter LEDs and an interior LED kit was ordered thanks to a recommendation from @patsbimmer1

patsbimmer1

My wife has stopped asking. Between customer parts and my own parts shipping to my house she just accepts that things will be taken apart and things will be put back together. Then again, I've never owned an E30 so she hasn't been conditioned like your wife has.

B C

Woohoo! The horn works!

some previous owner must have needed a 15A fuse in a pinch and never replaced it. I may need to comb through the fuse list and make sure there isnt a 15A in a 5 or 10A spot though. Never hurts to check.

I found the tow hook bumper plug in the glovebox and snapped that in place.

I still need headlight washer nozzles, they have been deleted. I also need a factory lug wrench, jack, and tow hook to complete the trunk kit. Im guessing the E46 only ever came with a can of tire foam instead of a spare. I would like to buy a spare kit eventually.

Rekpoint

I should have a lug wrench laying around

B C

Did some more driving. Onramps can be taken a little faster than is possible in my van

i_love_cars

I love knowing the car is being driven

EDIT: i think I have the tow hook for you still it's in my garage I'm pretty sure

B C

Quick car wash. Checked wheel lug torque. I got to try out the newly replaced horn fuse on someone drunk on Culvers Butterburgers

B C

The S54 sounds like a chainsaw cutting through a pile of beer cans.

That’s all

B C

LEDs installed

B C

B C

INPA cable and CD ordered

PS reservoir siphoned and filled with fresh ATF. The steering actually feels a lot easier since regular (and dirty) PS fluid was in there. I will siphon and refill again soon just get more old fluid out to help preserve the pump and rack seals.

Tires inflated to 35psi. Winter storage and previous track time had them down around 27psi.

Reset throttle adaptations for the fun of it/to see if it would make any sort of difference. It may have flattened out the cold idle a bit

next on the list is to order a factory aux input cable and new cabin filter.

Adjusted door handle for easier opening (4mm wrench through hole shown here after removing the rubber plug)

B C

Found a love note stuck under the seat

Rekpoint

Couldn't even be bothered to add "M3" Smh

B C

License plates arrived today.

picked up a vent mounted phone mount since there are no good places for a phone here esp. on days like today where I needed to use navigation.

straight6pwr

Did you find a vent mount that actually works? Every one I've bought has been garbage

B C

https://www.iottie.com/Product/Detail/5044/Easy-One-Touch-4-Air-Vent-Mount

Did not fall off while driving this morning. I did have to spend some time finding a good location that worked well though

WIBIMMERS

E46 Things