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-   -   My 2001 BMW 328i (E46) build thread | EDIT: New video & upgrades on page 15 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/189534-my-2001-bmw-328i-e46-build-thread-edit-new-video-upgrades-page-15-a-14.html)

Just realised hadn't posted a single picture of my E46's interior yet, so here goes;

NEW VIDEO;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSGzs7ezv2Y

The video starts off on an emotional note and then moves on to celebrate the love for driving this timeless machine. This video also debuts my customised TEAM-BHP's LIVE TO DRIVE T-shirt;



Some POV Driving;



Some Lightning Quick Gear Changes;



Highlights all the critical mods which constitute Project E46 to in a way give a summary of this long thread, this screenshot talks about one such mod i.e. KW Coilovers;



& Some more Driving;



P.S. - This Video is the last part of the Project E46 modification series :thumbs up

Excellent thread! Thanks for the detailed info on the mods. How are the KW coilovers for spirited driving? I understand that the comfort is well represented but what if you want to set it up for some good workout? What damping setting do you normally use with the car?

Thanks !

Great, in fact they surprise me with the balance they have in extreme situations particularly during downhill twisty roads. Most action has been captured in the video posted above.

These KW's are having damping setup from 1 to 16 clicks.

Towards 1 it is softer
Towards 16 it gets hard

I have tried 2 settings so far;

Option 1;

8 front & 8 rear - This is the balance / best of both the worlds.

Option 2;

8 front & 10 rear - As the car is low the tyres (rear) were scrubbing the wheel well area on undulations hence went slightly harder at the rear. 2 clicks made me feel the difference in the setup being harder. However the tyres still scrape sometimes hence will have to raise the car (But will try adjusting the rear camber i.e. adding more negative camber).

I think 225 section tyres will be the ideal size for your setup and power levels, so once you wear these out(shouldn't take long :D) you may consider 225 section tyres. I'm assuming you're mostly alone in the car, so I suppose raising the rears a bit should solve it for now.

For Indian roads, one really has to play around a lot with the coilover stiffness settings before finding an ideal setting. Too stiff, and it just skips over uneven surfaces, and you get even less grip than with stock dampers. Too light, and you can bottom out as the car is lowered and have that floaty feel at 100+ speeds on the highway. Just more excuses for more early morning drives to find that perfect setting. :uncontrol

I know 225 mm would be ideal, but selected 245 mm for many other reasons (looks included).
Im running a 245 mm squared setup & there is no scraping at the front
In fact the ZHP sedan runs 255 mm at the rear hence accommodating 245 mm at the rear is not an issue, its just that its too low & the camber may need adjusting.

Attaching a pic for reference where the rear is under stress while being parked on the shoulder of the road;



:) Well im in that phase & hopefully the next set of adjustment/s should be that sweet spot :D

Yesterday (Sunday) had organised a early morning drive/meet of our German Car Group, here's a group pic at Marine Drive;

Its been a while the car has been running a straight pipe exhaust system, which is pretty aggressive & L-O-U-D.

Most people who have heard it LOVE it, but some people did not like it too much. In fact at the last TEAM-BHP drive the car had just got an oil change done with new spark plugs etc, hence the car was not sounding the best as it sounded better before the oil change with lots of pops and bangs. However this set up was only a stop gap arrangement & its time to make way for something BOLT ON, something which is made for this car/engine. Hence after a lot of research & considerations i have ordered the MAGNAFLOW full catback exhaust system;



:thumbs up

So finally the Magnaflow exhaust for the E46 arrived.

I had ordered this particular exhaust (Magnaflow Part No. 16532) from N1 Racing Mumbai as they are the official dealer for Magnaflow in Mumbai. This particular exhaust is made for the E46 chassis for the 6 cyl engines 323,325i upto 328i.



Fitting was supposed to be done at Automech, Lower Parel.

Car on the lift;



Old Setup was a straight pipe post the OE Cat;



Old v/s New;



^ New goes all the way upto the Manifold, then a resonator then a X-Pipe (Cat Delete), finally the Muffler;

A close up of the end can/muffler;



Though a bolt on but some minor modifications were required;



Final tweaks for a tight fit;



INSTALLED;



Ready to roll out;



Special thanks to Anant (N1 Racing) & Automech team for the good work.

1st Drive impressions;

Its always a pleasure to hear the 1st growl, the 1st drive after installation of an upgrade, specially if its an EXHAUST System :D

The car now sounds much better and it gets better with W-O-T & in the VANOS zone.
The car previously sounded like a loud modified car, but now it sounds like a sports car.
Thanks to the x-pipe there is a burble (V8-ish).
Overall this exhaust is similarly loud (may be 10% lower on db) in the cabin which is a slight disappointment & the drone is lesser but noticeable.
Other than the sound there is a marginal increase in performance & throttle response majorly because of the larger diameter of the piping, better design & construction material in this new system.
Its just been about 30 odd kms post installation, another few 100 odd kms the sound should settle & would be best to judge and do a proper video.

Upgraded the headlight with OSRAM bulbs for better visibility during Mumbai monsoons;

As a part of continuous preventive maintenance for the Project E46, i ordered new wheel hubs & bearings;



Fitment has been initiated :thumbs up

One of my favourite cars, and I think this is one of the best BMWs to drive. Alas, they have diluted the driving package with the new 3-Series. This beauty remains a wet dream for me, and I have to say that this car is lucky to have found a loving owner like Karan sir! :) Hope you have some great times with this machine.

Hi BZ25, thanks for the kind words & good wishes :thumbs up

BTW, i have made a separate thread in the DIY forum & a new video covering all the DIY Tools i've bought to maintain my E46 & all the DIY jobs done so far;

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...ools-jobs.html

Finally after almost 2.5 months as we in Mumbai are now in the Unlock 1.0 phase, with relaxed relaxations (no epass requirement for MMR) took the e46 out for a drive;



^ blessed with a 6 Cyl NA to row the 5 speed Manual Transmission on the open roads this Sunday Morning.

Also it was great to hear the Magnaflow after a long time;



Another good capture clicked in the morning;



Unlocked :thumbs up

Quite an enjoyable read this thread is. Its nice that you have gone with a quality build and mostly original and OEM parts rather than Aliexpress!