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Thread: Any suggestions on which forum or site is good for 330 info?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Montreal, Canada
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    Default Any suggestions on which forum or site is good for 330 info?

    thanks!
    ^°^ ><((({º>°°

  2. #2
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    Default

    Chris, what do you want to know?

    I've worked on a few of them.


    best, whit

  3. #3
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    Jul 2004
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lowell
    Chris, what do you want to know?

    I've worked on a few of them.


    best, whit
    Whit,
    General inquiry into known problems they may have, the Xi in particular, long term durability....
    I know of a guy that has replaced $u$pen$ion components a few times from hitting potholes.... are these cars "fragile"?
    Also, is there a difference between the engine of 2001 and 2002?

    I have driven quite a few 330xi models this week, mostly manual, one steptronic (yawn ) and a 330i 4 door, which was faster and lower.... but I think I prefer the X for our climate - (unless someone can tell me why not??!?!?)
    Ed has confirmed they are as safe as I thought, excellent airbag systems -which is why I am actually wanting the car - safety.

    thanks for your input!
    Chris
    ^°^ ><((({º>°°

  4. #4
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    Oct 2004
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    Default

    Shucks, I'd buy one.

    They *seem* to have all of the typical E30/E36/(and now) E46 problems: RSMs go south, rear springs die, rear subframe mounts. All of that stuff is typical and labor rates will be low(er) on repairing that stuff - an hour for each of the first two items, two or three for the latter. Other things to watch out for are rear bearings, and (of course) front control arms.

    Since you're dealing with rougher roads and lots of snow, I'd pick up an xi. They have a slightly higher ride height (achieved only through the use of fatter spring pads) that should help you out. I did an inspection II on a 325xim a few weeks ago and thought it was very decent at about 80k or whatever it had on it. As with any all wheel drive car, there are lots of other maintenance items to think about: transfer case, front driveshaft, front differential and half shafts....all will need fluid replacement and/or care. More interesting with the E46 xi cars is the fact that the front axle goes through the end of [edit -- brain fart:] the engine oil pan. I would not want to do a pan gasket on an xi, nor have to pull the engine. (others may have done it and it may be easier than I think it is, but it looks like a lot of work to me). Having said that, basic maintenance should be standard fare for a competent DIYer.

    I say travel down to the states and buy one from Ed

    best, whit
    Last edited by Kalevera; 09-03-2005 at 11:09 PM.

  5. #5
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    Jul 2004
    Location
    Montreal, Canada
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    Default

    What is a RSM?
    I drove one today, 2001, 72,000 kilometers... 45k miles.
    It seeemed fine except for the sidewalk rash on each wheel!

    Actually, under the front lip of the hood, there was paint peeling away and rust - about 8 inches long along the edge - not visible from the outside.
    I was surprised to see rust on a car that is not quite 5 years old!

    All service was performed at the dealer, the owner has plenty of cash!
    asking 27,800$ canadian
    http://pages.ebay.ca/services/buyand...converter.html
    ^°^ ><((({º>°°

  6. #6
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    Oct 2004
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    3,395

    Default

    RSM = rear shock mounts. Typical 3 series problem and not much to be done about it except replace them occasionally.

    Chris, if it's got rust on it, might as well look for another one. No sense in starting off on a bad foot, my friend. Just because the owner is loaded doesn't mean he knows how to care for and correctly maintain a car. I know plenty of business owners, doctors, lawyers, and other general affluents who buy cars outright yet, a) don't look after them because they only expect to own it for 30k miles (or 10k miles, as has been the case with a few people in my family), or b) don't know how to care for the car beyond filling it up and taking it to the dealer. These practices confound me, given what I've read by Thomas Stanley and others on the topic of wealth accumulators...The only recourse I can produce is that people are generally illogical about their cars. Also, this particular car may also be an off-lease unit that the owner bought outright with the intention of reselling (seems kind of implausible with the sort of ridiculous terms financial companies have on the practice these days)....and, well..the jury's out on off lease cars.

    I'm not completely familiar with BMW's rust protection warranty, but I intuit that it should cover rust through and perhaps major perforation at this stage in the car's life.

    time for din din. I'm outta here --


    best, whit

  7. #7
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    Jan 2004
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    4,150

    Default A few specs if your still interested in an ix

    The E46/16 introduces the return of the BMW all-wheel drive car to the United States. This
    time all-wheel drive will be an option (SA 203), available on E46 sedans and Sport Wagons
    beginning 2001M.Y.
    Vehicles with the all-wheel drive option have been given the engineering designation of
    E46/16.
    One of the significant changes from the previous E30 ix is that the E46/16 does not use a
    viscous coupling or limited slip differential. The all-wheel drive system has largely been
    taken from the X5 concept. It uses two open differentials and a single speed transfer case.
    Power distribution is 38% to the front and 62% to the rear, giving the E46/16 the feel of a
    genuine rear-drive road car.
    With it’s additional 17mm ground clearance, the xi is particularly suited to stretches of snow
    and ice covered roads and its sure footedness is made possible by the use of the Bosch
    DSC III 5.7 system, first used on the X5.
    Performance of the all-wheel drive E46 does not suffer either, this is because of a lightweight
    all-wheel drive system that only adds 100kg (220lbs). Weight distribution is largely
    unaffected at 52.7% front and 47.3% rear (2wd: 51.0% front, 49.0% rear).
    Changes from the standard drive version are:
    • A specially designed body pan with a widened transmission tunnel and modifications on
    the driver’s side to accept the transfer case.
    • Modified oil pan and engine mounts to provide access for the front axles.
    • A completely new front engine carrier.
    • Re-reinforcements for the front strut bearings.
    • A compact new transfer case (NV 124).
    • New transmission cross-member.
    • Bosch DSC III 5.7
    Chassis
    Front Axle
    The front axle has been completely re-designed over the standard drive E46. All
    components are constructed of steel.
    The front axle carrier consists of two
    square frame sections welded to two
    tubes to form a box structure. The
    axle carrier is bolted to the vehicle
    frame at both the front and rear
    attachment points.
    The steel lower control arms, which
    are smaller than the aluminum arms
    used on the 2wd model attach at the
    rear to the axle carrier.
    The pivot at the apex of the lower
    control arms are a separate ball joint
    bolted to the axle carrier.
    The purpose of the re-design of the
    lower control arms and mounting
    points is to provide clearance for the
    front axle shafts.
    The hydraulic engine mounts are
    different from the 2wd version and
    have also been relocated to provide
    front axle clearance.
    The front sway bar has been increased in diameter to 23.5mm (2wd standard: 23mm,
    sports suspension: 24mm) to accommodate the additional weight. A sports suspension
    option is not available for the xi
    The struts are shorter than the 2wd and there are reinforcement plates between the strut
    bearing and the sheet metal of the strut towers to prevent deformation when traveling on
    very poor road surfaces.
    The spring travel of the E46/16 is
    approximately 20mm less than
    the 2wd version.
    The shorter front axle spring
    travel is due to the limited angle
    of deflection of the front axle
    shafts.
    Steering
    The rack and pinion steering unit
    has been modified from the 2wd.
    It is constructed with a
    larger diameter piston.
    This is necessary to counter the
    additional drag of the all-wheel
    drive system and the wider
    standard wheels and tires.
    The lower steering spindle is
    different than the 2wd and
    connects to the steering rack via
    a double cardan joint.
    Turning radius of the E46/16 is
    35.8ft, 1.4ft greater than the
    2wd.

    Differential and Front Axles
    The differential for the front axle is bolted to left side of the engine oil pan. The differential
    is driven by a 40mm single piece drive
    shaft. The drive shaft has universal
    joints at both ends.
    Type: VAG 174
    Axle ratios: 330xi 325xi
    Auto: 3,46:1 3,46:1
    Man: 3,07:1 3,23:1
    Max torque: 2000Nm
    Weight: 40 lbs
    Lifetime fluid fill: SAF-XO
    The oil sump has been modified to accommodate the right side axle. A connecting tube is
    welded into the oil pan. A shaft runs inside of the connecting tube between the front
    differential and the axle shaft on the right side.
    Two drive shafts of equal length are used to
    transmit power to the front wheels.
    The steering knuckle is modified to
    accept the CV joint of the front axles.
    The front wheel bearings are unique
    to the E46/16 and incorporate the
    wheel speed sensor pulse wheel into
    the bearing seal.
    Rear Axle
    The complete rear axle and the rear differential are the same as the 2wd version of the 325i
    and 330i.
    Type: HAG 188N
    Axle ratios: 330xi 325xi
    Auto: 3,46:1 3,46:1
    Man: 3,07:1 3,23:1
    Max torque: 3000Nm
    Weight: 84 lbs
    Lifetime fluid fill: SAF-XO
    The rear spring/strut travel of the E46/16 is approximately 17mm less than the 2wd version.
    The reason for the reduced travel in the rear is to oppose any excessive body roll as a result
    of the higher body profile.
    The rear sway bar has been increased in diameter to 20mm (2wd standard: 18mm, sports
    suspension: 19mm) to accommodate the additional weight.
    Tires and wheels
    Standard wheel size is 17x 7.0 to ensure there is enough room for the front axles and
    brakes. Tire size is 205/50 R17 All-season radials
    Transmissions
    There are two transmission variants for the 325xi and 330xi.
    The manual transmission for both versions is
    the S5D-280Z direct gear transmission. The
    extension housing is modified to accept the
    transfer case.
    The transmission has a lifetime fill of MTF-LT1
    synthetic transmission fluid.
    The automatic transmission for both the 330xi
    and 325xi is the A5S-390 R (General Motors)
    transmission with GS 20 AGS control and
    Steptronic shifter.
    The transmission has a lifetime fill of Texaco
    8072B.
    Transmission Cross-member
    Along with the lower transfer case section, the
    cast aluminum transmission cross-member is a
    low profile design to optomize ground clearance.
    Both manual and automatic transmissions
    utilize the same part.
    Transmissions
    There are two transmission variants for the 325xi and 330xi.
    The manual transmission for both versions is
    the S5D-280Z direct gear transmission. The
    extension housing is modified to accept the
    transfer case.
    The transmission has a lifetime fill of MTF-LT1
    synthetic transmission fluid.
    The automatic transmission for both the 330xi
    and 325xi is the A5S-390 R (General Motors)
    transmission with GS 20 AGS control and
    Steptronic shifter.
    The transmission has a lifetime fill of Texaco
    8072B.
    Transmission Cross-member
    Along with the lower transfer case section, the
    cast aluminum transmission cross-member is a
    low profile design to optomize ground clearance.
    Both manual and automatic transmissions
    utilize the same part.
    Transfer Case
    The Transfer case for the E46/16 is the NV 124 manufactured by New Venture. The
    primary difference between the NV 124 and the NV 125 used in the X5 SAV is that it uses
    gears instead of a drive chain for torque transfer to the front axle.
    The reason gears are used is to produce a
    compact low profile transfer case that could
    fit in the transmission tunnel of an E46 without
    excessively limiting the forward travel of
    the drivers seat.
    Manufacturer: New Venture
    Type: NV 124
    Torque Distribution: 38%: 62%
    Maximum Torque: 300Nm
    The transfer case is only one speed and
    does not use any viscous coupler.
    The transmission ratio of the planetary gear
    set provides a fixed torque transfer of 38:62
    (front:Rear). The output speeds to the front
    and rear axle are the same (1:1).
    The input to the Planetary
    Carrier is from the output shaft
    of the transmission.
    The Sun Gear of the Planetary
    assembly is turned by the
    Planetary Gears, the Sungear
    then provides torque to the
    Transfer Gear.
    The Transfer Gear drives the
    Output via gear-to-gear
    contact. The front axle is driven
    via a flange connected to the
    output gear.
    Transfer Case
    The Transfer case for the E46/16 is the NV 124 manufactured by New Venture. The
    primary difference between the NV 124 and the NV 125 used in the X5 SAV is that it uses
    gears instead of a drive chain for torque transfer to the front axle.
    The reason gears are used is to produce a
    compact low profile transfer case that could
    fit in the transmission tunnel of an E46 without
    excessively limiting the forward travel of
    the drivers seat.
    Manufacturer: New Venture
    Type: NV 124
    Torque Distribution: 38%: 62%
    Maximum Torque: 300Nm
    The transfer case is only one speed and
    does not use any viscous coupler.
    The transmission ratio of the planetary gear
    set provides a fixed torque transfer of 38:62
    (front:Rear). The output speeds to the front
    and rear axle are the same (1:1).
    The input to the Planetary
    Carrier is from the output shaft
    of the transmission.
    The Sun Gear of the Planetary
    assembly is turned by the
    Planetary Gears, the Sungear
    then provides torque to the
    Transfer Gear.
    The Transfer Gear drives the
    Output via gear-to-gear
    contact. The front axle is driven
    via a flange connected to the
    output gear

















    Quote Originally Posted by Sharkman540i
    What is a RSM?
    I drove one today, 2001, 72,000 kilometers... 45k miles.
    It seeemed fine except for the sidewalk rash on each wheel!

    Actually, under the front lip of the hood, there was paint peeling away and rust - about 8 inches long along the edge - not visible from the outside.
    I was surprised to see rust on a car that is not quite 5 years old!

    All service was performed at the dealer, the owner has plenty of cash!
    asking 27,800$ canadian
    http://pages.ebay.ca/services/buyand...converter.html

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1,706

    Default

    Chris,

    If you want one without rust there are 158 of them between my house and Ralphs.

    http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...lor=&x=42&y=10
    Dinan chip, Bilstein sports w H&R, RD sways, RD strut brace, 750 bushings, Zimmermans/MetalMasters, O.E. M Pars, Eisenmann muffler

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    4,150

    Default Gayle, he's looking for the 330xi not the x3 of which it appears there's 18 on your

    search criteria





    Quote Originally Posted by Gayle
    Chris,

    If you want one without rust there are 158 of them between my house and Ralphs.

    http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...lor=&x=42&y=10

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    1,706

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill R.
    search criteria

    ok dumb sh-- again. I was just joking anyway. I suppose this solidifies my hold on the title of spokeperson for the clueless.
    Dinan chip, Bilstein sports w H&R, RD sways, RD strut brace, 750 bushings, Zimmermans/MetalMasters, O.E. M Pars, Eisenmann muffler

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