- 3,955
- SoCal
- GTP_MooCow
Excellent taste!!
323i Touring / 323Ci
- Thread starter Kitten
- 163 comments
- 27,898 views
- 11,511
- United States
First fill-up since ownership!
There’s still a bunch of preventative maintenance to do.
Other then that she’s mint!
(Secretly inside I want to put headers and borla, same as my wagon.. then I stop myself.. it’s a daily)
--
Driverside Batwing looked like it got mangled pretty badly. Fixed it, and now it closes properly with the top up.
--
Figured out why my reverse lights weren't working... Seems like there was an attempt to repair it at some point in time with some metal butt connectors? (don't do this.. pls). I resoldered majority of the harness, and yes I did cut off those horrible metal - butt connectors! To finish off, I used some fabric tape to clean up the harness. In conclusion.. I have working reverse lights again!
- deleted amber all around and went with Eagle Eye LED Tail Lights
- fixed broken driver side c-pillar (batwing)
- Installed my old EONON Headunit. Had it laying around after I upgraded to a AVIN AVANT 4 in wagon. Eventually I'll upgrade to AVIN unit in Vert.
There’s still a bunch of preventative maintenance to do.
- VCG / CCV
- OFG / VANOS Line
- Power Steering Lines & Reservoir
- Guibo & CSB
- Possibly Oil-Pan Gasket? Will literally need to brake clean the entire underside to clean it up (Its pretty gross).
Other then that she’s mint!
(Secretly inside I want to put headers and borla, same as my wagon.. then I stop myself.. it’s a daily)
--
Driverside Batwing looked like it got mangled pretty badly. Fixed it, and now it closes properly with the top up.
--
Figured out why my reverse lights weren't working... Seems like there was an attempt to repair it at some point in time with some metal butt connectors? (don't do this.. pls). I resoldered majority of the harness, and yes I did cut off those horrible metal - butt connectors! To finish off, I used some fabric tape to clean up the harness. In conclusion.. I have working reverse lights again!
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- 3,709
- Null Island
RoFo 😍
- 11,511
- United States
Nothing really new, finally broke in the new clutch.
Still procrastinating on;
Then dealing with the rear subframe.
However.. My funds have been stolen with my 323Cic which needed some love. Speaking of which I could've done my subframe and have a LSD with the amount I invested into the Vert already. Oops. So it will have to wait till like next year!
I do want to redo my CCV Breather Hose from the M56 Valve Cover, fix my cross threaded O2 Sensor on Bank 1, and do a whole checkup. Have to figure out why the Wagon get barely 17-18mpg, and the Vert is getting 23mpg. Def got some blues clues to do! (Probably my stupid aggressive tune, which I might flash my previous tune, and compare fill ups)
I did end up replacing my inner tail lights back to OEM, snagged a brand new set of inners for like 110$. Definitely like the look of these inners compared to the aftermarket ones.
Still procrastinating on;
- Valve Cover Gasket
- Starter
- Front Wheel Hubs / Bearings
- Stud Conversion
- Fuel Pump
Then dealing with the rear subframe.
However.. My funds have been stolen with my 323Cic which needed some love. Speaking of which I could've done my subframe and have a LSD with the amount I invested into the Vert already. Oops. So it will have to wait till like next year!I do want to redo my CCV Breather Hose from the M56 Valve Cover, fix my cross threaded O2 Sensor on Bank 1, and do a whole checkup. Have to figure out why the Wagon get barely 17-18mpg, and the Vert is getting 23mpg. Def got some blues clues to do! (Probably my stupid aggressive tune, which I might flash my previous tune, and compare fill ups)
I did end up replacing my inner tail lights back to OEM, snagged a brand new set of inners for like 110$. Definitely like the look of these inners compared to the aftermarket ones.
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- 11,511
- United States
Whats new?
Wagon:
Vert:
Note: I will replace the original 5mm spring pad in the rear w/ XI 15mm spring pads. It'll bring the rear up a bit and give it a slight rake which is perfect. Its what im running on my Touring, and it gives a perfect ride height.
I also did retrofit Morimoto Bi-Xenon's w/ AEG's. (I can actually see something at night.)
I think last part is gearbox refresh w/ guibo and CSB and call it a day..
Wagon:
- Stud Conversion
- Replaced both front hubs
- Replaced VCG
- Custom Exhaust (Single 3" Vibrant Resonator and Muffler w/ DTM Tips)
Vert:
- Apex EC7's are going on Vert, and a new set of wheels are gonna go on wagon.
- Full Suspension Refresh (Identical to Wagon)
- KONI Yellows w/ Eibach Springs
- Rogue Engineering E30/E36/E46 Rear Shock Mount - Link (Highly... Highly recommend these makes removing of struts 10x easier)
- Lemforder ZHP Control Arms (Standard Control Arms use a ball joint with plastic or rubber liner, compared to ZHP which use all metal ball joins which have less slop and last much longer)
- Z4M FCABs (These add positive caster which increase high speed stability, they are solid rubber too)
- Tie Rods + Endlinks
- E46 M3 RTABS (Was going to do w/ limiters, but honestly sort of forgot to order them. oh well)
Note: I will replace the original 5mm spring pad in the rear w/ XI 15mm spring pads. It'll bring the rear up a bit and give it a slight rake which is perfect. Its what im running on my Touring, and it gives a perfect ride height.
I also did retrofit Morimoto Bi-Xenon's w/ AEG's. (I can actually see something at night.)
I think last part is gearbox refresh w/ guibo and CSB and call it a day..
- 11,511
- United States
Unfortunately, last night I hit a deer coming back from uni. The importance is im okay, and unharmed.
Selena however? Surprisingly took the hit quite well, and it could’ve been worse.
So far the damage I can see;
Surprisingly the junkyard bumper held up very well, and has zero damage.
Seems like the apron / frame rail is fine? however I won’t get the full picture until the car is torn apart.
Selena however? Surprisingly took the hit quite well, and it could’ve been worse.
So far the damage I can see;
- Passenger Headlight
- Turn Signal
- Hood
- Passenger Fender (got pushed in a few mm)
Surprisingly the junkyard bumper held up very well, and has zero damage.
Seems like the apron / frame rail is fine? however I won’t get the full picture until the car is torn apart.
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- 11,511
- United States
Since my wagon is out of commission until i find a new hood, passenger headlight and corner light.
I decided I'd be a great opportunity to lowkey steal a few parts from my wagon and put them on my 323Cic.
Apex EC7 ET35 (18x8.5) on Michelin 245/35R18
also stole the XI Spring Pads (15mm vs 5mm), vert was sitting a bit too low in the rear after I put the wheels on. So the 10mm helped raise the rear a bit.
I decided I'd be a great opportunity to lowkey steal a few parts from my wagon and put them on my 323Cic.
Apex EC7 ET35 (18x8.5) on Michelin 245/35R18
also stole the XI Spring Pads (15mm vs 5mm), vert was sitting a bit too low in the rear after I put the wheels on. So the 10mm helped raise the rear a bit.
- 11,511
- United States
Truthfully, I haven't really driven much the Vert since I bought it in April. I mostly drove it when it rained, and occasionally on nice days to enjoy having the top down.
I honestly really struggled to enjoy driving it, It felt super bland. I think a big part of it was, I kept comparing it to my 323iT. Which to be fair, driving a bone stock 323Ci with blown struts, and worn bushings and 7 year old Sumitomo A/S tires is not going to be a "fun" driving experience, when you compare it to my mostly fully sorted E46 Touring. It's definitely not quick either considering its 3500Ibs, and you can feel the weight difference in acceleration compared to my Touring (3300Ibs). You can definitely feel that extra 200Ibs.
How did I solve this? (Quick Recap)
Complete Suspension Refresh - (Koni Yellows w/ Eibach Springs, ZHP Control Arms, Z4M FCABS, M3 RTABs, End Links, Tie-Rods)
Bolt Ons - Borla Cat Back, Injen CAI
In the middle of July (2022), I did the (Koni Yellows w/ Eibach Springs, ZHP Control Arms, Z4M FCABS, and the End-Links). Middle of August I did the (RTABs, and Tie Rods). Few days later, I went to Bavarian Specialities to get an alignment done.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to drive it that much after the alignment because few days later... I went back to University in Upstate, NY to finish my last semester. However, in the time I did drive it before the alignment and doing the (tie rods, rtabs) it was a significant upgrade, and it felt a lot more nimble and a better driving experience to a certain extent. The Style 45's on 225/50R16(7 year old Sumitomo A/S) is what limited this setup.
--
Fast Forward to a week ago, with my wagon being out of service until I fix it. It forced me to drive the vert, with that said I stole the wheels from my wagon, and the rear spring pads. (The rear was sitting a bit too low for my liking) so the XI Spring pads (15mm) helped raise the rear a smidge.
The tires are Michelin AS4 245/35R18 on a 18x8.5 ET35 wheel
Friday I left for Upstate, NY (360 Miles), and honestly the vert did fantastic! It was super smooth and zero vibrations. Soon as I took Exit 30 (Keene, NY) is where I smiled for the first time driving the vert. Driving on these windy mountain roads was an incredible feeling. The car felt planted, solid and predictable. Absolutely zero dead zone in the steering wheel, whichever way you pointed the car it went with zero delay. Im slowly opening up to the vert chassis, and starting to lowkey love it.
Personally, I think:
This is probably the best OEM+ Setup for a E46 Non-M.
Once I do a gearbox refresh with a factory short shifter, I am sure it will feel even better. I am considering possibly doing headers as-well to pair with the Borla Catback. It sounded incredible on my wagon, and with top down? Im sure it would be an intoxicating combo.
The biggest annoyance currently is the Comfort Seats.. I need to source Sport Seats. I forgot how horrible comfort seats are on a long drive, my lower back is rough.
I honestly really struggled to enjoy driving it, It felt super bland. I think a big part of it was, I kept comparing it to my 323iT. Which to be fair, driving a bone stock 323Ci with blown struts, and worn bushings and 7 year old Sumitomo A/S tires is not going to be a "fun" driving experience, when you compare it to my mostly fully sorted E46 Touring. It's definitely not quick either considering its 3500Ibs, and you can feel the weight difference in acceleration compared to my Touring (3300Ibs). You can definitely feel that extra 200Ibs.
How did I solve this? (Quick Recap)
Complete Suspension Refresh - (Koni Yellows w/ Eibach Springs, ZHP Control Arms, Z4M FCABS, M3 RTABs, End Links, Tie-Rods)
Bolt Ons - Borla Cat Back, Injen CAI
In the middle of July (2022), I did the (Koni Yellows w/ Eibach Springs, ZHP Control Arms, Z4M FCABS, and the End-Links). Middle of August I did the (RTABs, and Tie Rods). Few days later, I went to Bavarian Specialities to get an alignment done.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to drive it that much after the alignment because few days later... I went back to University in Upstate, NY to finish my last semester. However, in the time I did drive it before the alignment and doing the (tie rods, rtabs) it was a significant upgrade, and it felt a lot more nimble and a better driving experience to a certain extent. The Style 45's on 225/50R16(7 year old Sumitomo A/S) is what limited this setup.
--
Fast Forward to a week ago, with my wagon being out of service until I fix it. It forced me to drive the vert, with that said I stole the wheels from my wagon, and the rear spring pads. (The rear was sitting a bit too low for my liking) so the XI Spring pads (15mm) helped raise the rear a smidge.
The tires are Michelin AS4 245/35R18 on a 18x8.5 ET35 wheel
Friday I left for Upstate, NY (360 Miles), and honestly the vert did fantastic! It was super smooth and zero vibrations. Soon as I took Exit 30 (Keene, NY) is where I smiled for the first time driving the vert. Driving on these windy mountain roads was an incredible feeling. The car felt planted, solid and predictable. Absolutely zero dead zone in the steering wheel, whichever way you pointed the car it went with zero delay. Im slowly opening up to the vert chassis, and starting to lowkey love it.
Personally, I think:
- KONI Yellows, EIBACH Springs
- ZHP Control Arms paired w/ Z4M FCABS
- M3 RTABs
This is probably the best OEM+ Setup for a E46 Non-M.
Once I do a gearbox refresh with a factory short shifter, I am sure it will feel even better. I am considering possibly doing headers as-well to pair with the Borla Catback. It sounded incredible on my wagon, and with top down? Im sure it would be an intoxicating combo.
The biggest annoyance currently is the Comfort Seats.. I need to source Sport Seats. I forgot how horrible comfort seats are on a long drive, my lower back is rough.
