Chris' 3.0

[ChrisGUK]

It’s an easy DIY upgrade from 3.0i 300mm discs to 3.0Si 325mm discs and it’s well worth it in my opinion. The only problem is getting hold of the parts. You need discs (and pads, obviously), callipers and calliper carriers. Everything else is common.

Great. Little research suggests that the 3.0si shared carriers/calipers with the e46 325 and up. Loads out there and reasonably priced. For consideration.

Edit. Oh, and the X3.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Great. Little research suggests that the 3.0si shared carriers/calipers with the e46 325 and up. Loads out there and reasonably priced. For consideration.

Edit. Oh, and the X3.

I'm not sure it did, I think only the E46 330i and 330d had the larger brakes because I used to run my 325ti on 16" winters but 16s weren't an option on 3.0Sis.

 

[ChrisGUK]

I'm not sure it did, I think only the E46 330i and 330d had the larger brakes because I used to run my 325ti on 16" winters but 16s weren't an option on 3.0Sis.

Okay, thanks for that. More research needed!

In other news…
What’s this? I can’t see a purpose for it at all.
It seems to be a hollow tube with a rubber flap at the end. It doesn’t seem to be attached to the sound generator, although leads to the area behind the glove box in the same way.

 

[patriot66]

It's the rainwater drain from around the air intake for the cabin heater under the scuttle panel on that side. Pour a decent quantity of water in the gap by the bonnet hinge and some of it will exit from the rubber flap The rest drains down inside the wing and if you're unlucky fills the sill panel with water

 

[ChrisGUK]

It's the rainwater drain…

Well, that’s a useful but far less interesting item than I guessed!

 

[x-driver]

Is it just me or does the car look a little bit to high for a M sport suspension?

Have you thought about removing the "french fries" from the tail lights? They really don't do any good on brighter cars...
Without would look something like this:

 

[Unitedleeds1919]

Is it just me or does the car look a little bit to high for a M sport suspension?

Have you thought about removing the "french fries" from the tail lights? They really don't do any good on brighter cars...
Without would look something like this:
_MG_29781.jpg

what is the french fries? I’m back in Slovenia next week I’ll be near Bled

 

[x-driver]

Is it just me or does the car look a little bit to high for a M sport suspension?

Have you thought about removing the "french fries" from the tail lights? They really don't do any good on brighter cars...
Without would look something like this:
_MG_29781.jpg

what is the french fries? I’m back in Slovenia next week I’ll be near Bled

It's the plastic trim that divides the tail lights in half. I photoshopped the picture without it.

Oh nice! with a Z?

 

[ChrisGUK]

Have you thought about removing the "french fries" from the tail lights? They really don't do any good on brighter cars...

I didn’t know that was a thing, is it reversible?

 

[x-driver]

It is unless you break it

Look here: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=107073

 

[ChrisGUK]

Alignment day… lots out all over the place and to my utter lack of surprise the tie and track rods are completely seized and needed cutting off. Expecting new camber bolts needed at the back too.

Apparently some plonker only changed one of the front dampers in the past, so the OSF is original. Honestly, why would you only change one?? I bet after 21 years it’s doing a great job… sodding cheapskates.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Cheapskate as you say, but I suppose it's useful to find out so you can rectify it.

My track rods ends were seized solid too when I had my car aligned, but they had been on the car for 16 years!

 

[Unitedleeds1919]

Is it just me or does the car look a little bit to high for a M sport suspension?

Have you thought about removing the "french fries" from the tail lights? They really don't do any good on brighter cars...
Without would look something like this:
_MG_29781.jpg

what is the french fries? I’m back in Slovenia next week I’ll be near Bled

It's the plastic trim that divides the tail lights in half. I photoshopped the picture without it.

Oh nice! with a Z?

no mate, I’m in the van, I’ll be in Vienna Wednesday then head down for a couple of weeks maybe a bit less if I get collections pop up somewhere and need to get back to the uk

 

[x-driver]

what is the french fries? I’m back in Slovenia next week I’ll be near Bled

It's the plastic trim that divides the tail lights in half. I photoshopped the picture without it.

Oh nice! with a Z?

no mate, I’m in the van, I’ll be in Vienna Wednesday then head down for a couple of weeks maybe a bit less if I get collections pop up somewhere and need to get back to the uk

I see if you need some suggestion where to go around Slovenia, feel free to ask

 

[Unitedleeds1919]

It's the plastic trim that divides the tail lights in half. I photoshopped the picture without it.

Oh nice! with a Z?

no mate, I’m in the van, I’ll be in Vienna Wednesday then head down for a couple of weeks maybe a bit less if I get collections pop up somewhere and need to get back to the uk

I see if you need some suggestion where to go around Slovenia, feel free to ask

thank you but we have a house in Ribno for 15 years or so, I am no expert on Slovenia but I do see quite a lot of the country, I love Slovenia

 

[x-driver]

 

[ChrisGUK]

Few updates.

I had a full alignment performed, which required new track rod ends and tie rods as it was all completely welded together. Rather scarily after I drove about 3 miles and got on the motorway I then noticed the car was pretty wayward and the steering wheel was about 10° away from straight. I’m not sure if it just took me a couple of miles to realise or if it changed, but I was doing some speed at the time as I had a meeting to get to so didn’t go back until later in the day. Concerningly, when I got the call from the garage after another inspection, they said that the tie rod adjuster screw had failed (part defect apparently) and it was loose!! Feels like I had a lucky escape!

After they replaced the parts, realigned the car, and balanced the wheels (that I had asked them to do before but they forgot) the car is now handling absolutely lovely. Sharp on turn in, absolutely planted mid corner, and bang true on the straight.

I celebrated by spending five days and 1500 miles hooning round the Scottish Highlands. I was treated to Perfect cloudless blue skies and wonderful sunshine.
Anyone who hasn’t gone up there, I can thoroughly recommend it. I didn’t do the NC500 as that’s a bit too far north and also somewhat overwhelmed with slow tourists now (allegedly). There are some truly super roads up there, but the highlight for me in terms of driving was the Old Military Road south from Tomintoul past the Lecht and Glenshee ski resorts via Balmoral. For scenery the road from Fort William to the Mallaig ferry may have taken it.



Of course we had to do the Skyfall photo!

 

[ChrisGUK]

Route…

 

[ChrisGUK]

Update time.

After realising that my OSF damper was original a few months back I then proceeded to ignore it completely while complaining all the time that it was a bit 'crashy' over bumps and also noting the arch liner was getting mildly eroded (my wheels are a little stanced). Finally I have put 2 and 2 together and taken a proper look at it.


This bump stop has seen better days, but the spring seems solid. I've gone and ordered Bilstein B4 shocks and some generic (Monroe) dust covers and stops. I'm concerned that the top mount is corroded, but we'll see if it comes off ok. I'm fine with leaving the car up on jackstands in the garage for a few days if I have to order more parts.

 

[enuff_zed]

I assume you are fitting new top mounts as well? Lemforder are good.
And get new lower knuckle joint bolts as the old ones will be corroded and probably need some persuasion to come out without shearing.