Timo_E46

Hellloooo, Just looking for some tips and things to watch out for when slamming an E46, I am aware of the shortened drop links required and have those on order along with my horrendously cheap JOM coilovers that will probably only last me 12 months but hey ho. Basically all my OEM shocks are shot and a rear coil spring is broken, so seems like a natural time to do this, but having not dropped a BMW before do I need to know anything? I should point out it won't be me doing the work, but I don't want to turn up at the garage, drop car and goods off and then get a phone call later saying "erm sir we have a problem" if that makes sense. Any help appreciated, if it's not obvious I'm doing this on a poor scamp budget (I spend all my money on rock and roll, apparently) so no fancy wheels and tyres just good old OEM 318ci everything. Thanks.

Had a good look at the innards yesterday with the wheels on full lock. Looks like it was the drop links that were replaced recently, they're shiny and new in comparison. Nothing looked like it was about to fall off = good. Bad= most recent MOT there was an advisory for 'slight play in nearside front rear wishbone bush' So Gavin you were spot on. I'd imagine the slight play is now more substantial if there's knocking... however not being awfully clued up on suspension, is it still safe to do a 200 mile round trip this weekend? Would this also explain the ride being quite 'spongy' in an uneven sense, or would this be more a sign the shocks are foobarrd? If you havn't already guessd it..this E46 was a rush buy :unsure:

Thanks everyone. Gavin when you say that shocks will need doing soon, how soon is soon, 100k?

Just bought an E46 318ci with 85k on the clock. Seems to run fine (although no mention of a waterpump change in the history, gulp) but there definitely is a clonking sound coming from the front right over certain kinds of bumps, not a constant. Heard this was common but just wanted more info as to what it is and the costs involved. Also if someone could confirm that it is not perilously dangerous, got a lot of driving to do soon. The guy I bought it from said he's just had work done on the front right, unfortunately as I type this I do not have the paperwork in front of me as to what exactly was carried out, but clearly still something wrong. Any info would be great, cheers

Hey everyone, Just picked up my E46 last night, needs a bit of work but all in all happy I finally have a 'man' car. Have just come from a long line of unreliable but a lot of fun cars most of which were lowered and had low profile tyres so driving the bimmer is so weirdly smooth and comfy, will take a bit of getting used to I think, and hope it proves to be a reliable mile munching steed. Couple of things I need to check straight away.. whats with that bit of trim around the door that always comes loose in just about every single E46 I've seen? Does that even need to be there? very irriatating with the windows down- flapping about. Secondly... clutch feels weird. I read that it's do with the CDV (?) thing that BMW use to make the gear changes smoother..well I don't like it it gives the clutch zero feel and with an already high biting point, a bit urgh. Have many of you taken this off and is it worth doing without consequences? Cheers