Best products from r/e46

They are white H7 LED bulbs and I use them as my daytime running lights. I got them on Amazon and was skeptical they would work right and look great, but I was pleasantly surprised how they turned out beautiful! I love them. My mechanic put them in for me. Here's the link to them https://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Error-68-SMD-Daytime-Running/dp/B008KPU2PK/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1540777595&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bmw+e46+white+led&dpPl=1&dpID=41oxCi9i-PL&ref=plSrch

As trsireed said, the climate control gets moved to the compartment below. E46's that came stock with a nav unit had it located there to begin with. IF you move it there is a different center console that the climate control fits in properly Part # : 51 16 7 001 410, but it kinda fits in the stock one too. I haven't replaced mine yet. The correct one is available online from sites like Bavauto but it's $100+.

I bought the Volsmart Quad Core Android 5.1 Car GPS DVD for BMW E46. In my opinion it is far superior to the stock head unit as well as the single din aftermarket unit I had in there. This looks stock, plays movies, music, spotify, radio, blue tooth connects to my phone for calls and audio and can screen mirror as well. The navigation is not as good as google maps though. You have to put in an actual address. It has gas stations and grocery stores, ect. but to be honest I have had little use for it and haven't bothered to try to figure it out.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HLA4HNM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Zymol Z-507 Leather Cleaner and Z-509 Leather Conditioner (8 Ounce Each) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F7VKD4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oQlazbWW45EPW

This is the combo I use. (There may be a better deal out there, I just picked it for descriptive purposes).

Before I tried it on my beloved interior, I tried it on my black leather couch. I didn't do the whole couch just certian sections to see if it made a difference. It has been months and it still looks and feels softer then other parts of the couch! The grain is less "wrinkled" almost like it has smaller wrinkles in it where it was conditioned.

I'm getting a 2000 Mercedes e320 that has almost perfect interior since it was my mom's, (75,000 miles on it OMG), and she has never conditioned, so I am excited to use it there too. I am even more excited that she is turning from Mercedes into a real car, the 540xi new!

That sounds exactly like what is/has happened to mine. I just changed the VCG and spark plugs. It seems to help after a few hundred miles of test driving it, no more codes...well now the only code I have is camshaft timing sensor I need to replace. For codes too...do yourself a favor spend $20 on this OBD II Reader. There is a free app and you don't have to go down to borrow an OBD II from the auto parts store, it's super slick, tells you fuel trims, throttle position, a bunch of other things in real time, and allows you to clear fault codes. It's not my daily driver...just sits in the third stall of my garage and I whisper sweet things to it, hoping the rust around the wheel well will disappear one day...thanks Minnesnowta.

Another thing to do in my estimation is get yourself set up with INPA and the other various BMW scan tools. Saved my ass in diagnosing things a million times. There's a few good tutorials out there for using a windows 10 machine like mine. All you need to buy is a cable like this one (this is the actual one I have) and have a mind for computer systems. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079KC43WG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

If that rabbit hole doesn't appeal to you car.ly for BMW does most of the same stuff just integrates it into an easier to use package. Although it is much more expensive and slightly less useful.

Being an E46 owner is a lifestyle lol. But its well worth it in my book.

I used to use the panavise dash mount with an arkon phone holder, which looks like it's the same plate as that bimmian one. However, now that most phones have wireless charging, I found that mount to be a little wobbly since it's long. My current solution is to use that rennline mount with the iottie qi phone holder (iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless Qi Fast Charge Car Mount Kit || Fast Charge: Samsung Galaxy S10 S9 Plus S8 S7 Edge Note 8 5 | Standard Charge: iPhone X 8 Plus & Qi Enabled Devices | + Dual Car Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0754NDNT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YtrRCbRMZ0W60). The iottie mount fits perfectly on the metal ball of the rennline dash mount. Combined with the glovebox flashlight 12v power socket, it's perfect.

I just changed the front brakes on my 01 330xi fronts to Akebono and after about 400 miles I love them. I changed the front rotors at the same time to OEM Ate. Previous owner had Jurid on the front which were dusty as hell but had amazing stopping power. I was worried about losing braking power and to be honest it took a good 150 miles before these fully seated but now they feel great.

Amazon

Pelican Parts

I've tried Bosch quietcast on my E36 and 4.4L X5 and they are terrible. Sure they may produce less dust but the stopping power is abysmal.

It is pretty easy just difficult to reach the hose clamps, buy a long flexible extension or screwdriver it will save you huge headaches. The parts are really cheap too.

https://www.amazon.com/Uxcell-a15121900ux1672-Flexible-Extension-Screwdriver/dp/B01D4TZQ7U/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=flexible+extension&qid=1554337721&s=gateway&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DDPUQTS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have this and have been nothing but completely satisfied. easy to use, makes changing songs possible without having to take out my phone, and is nice for calling people. not only is it bluetooth, it also has an aux cord as well you can use

A-Premium Power Window Regulator... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I82ZKME?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I've used 2 of these on different cars they work great and I've heard good things about the customer support aswell

I use Meguiars Quik Interior Detailer and it does an amazing job. Plus you can buy it at Walmart, at least around me.

Edit: I always follow up with Meguiars Natural Shine on the plastic. I find it helps it not look so shitty. I hate that plastidip finish they used for the plastic.

wow they are sold out.. never would have guessed it but they have awesome products. this is the one I used, but any other brand with the same ends will work

Audi Stereo Fakra Female to ISO Female Antenna Adapter Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0WUIDJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j-q2BbMF0A7TM

So I ended up buying this fan (against all advice of not buying aftermarket). It was 1/3 of the cost of OEM and the reviews are very positive, it arrive in 2 days and fit like OEM. we will see - https://www.amazon.com/URO-Parts-17-561-757/dp/B00BQS7BJS/ref=pd_rhf_yaod_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7JQKZCJXG606A0SC4NJS

I use this KDator one and Torque Pro for Android, and it's pretty awesome. I've heard the best IOS app is OBD Auto Doctor but I've never used it.

Edit; I should add that these readers and apps to more than just reading codes. The Torque Pro app that I'm familiar with at least, lets you data log on just about anything your ECU reads. For E46 a really nice feature in particular is vacuum pressure.

Here’s the cupholder inserts i’m using, they’re holding up amazingly and add a nice touch to my interior, they would fit yours nicely especially with them being black to match the interior

Not a gearhead by any means, but I'm hoping I can just buy a cheap lens replacement instead of the entire light. Would something like this work and hopefully not be a bitch to install?

2005 325xi

Sidenote: fuck whoever did this.

This: http://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM

Hook your iphone/ipod into the aux input.

You might need these: http://www.amazon.com/Leegoal-Panel-Dashboard-Dismantle-Installer/dp/B00D7XNQHG/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1452048112&sr=1-3&keywords=panel+removal+tool

And watch this for how to install it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qmXdnFdjwk

I found this job to be pretty easy. I installed in the back of pocket below the radio. I can tuck the wire away that way.

Everyone is right about the maintenance. Stay on top of it or it will get out of control.

Take a look at your radio model number and compare it to the model numbers in this thread about aux-enabled radios. If you have one that is aux compatible, getting [an aux adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM) and routing it to the front isn't too difficult - just pull out radio trim piece, radio, AC unit, sunglasses tray.

I ended up drilling a hole in the bottom of the center console panel (empty space next to the passenger heated seat button) and pulling the aux port there, since I found that was much easier to reach than the glovebox.

If your radio is not aux-compatible (they all have the port, just some don't have aux mode enabled), you could always go for the GROM or similar units (the £150 fancy adaptor that they were talking about), use an emulator, or you could splice into the CD player lines.

If you plan on keeping the car for a while, I recommend getting this tool. It'll make next time so much easier.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B078TG1979/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_3p_dp_1 These aren't the exact ones I got, but careful which lights you order, they are different depending on if you have face lift model or not. Those are for face lift model sedans only.