I have just swapped a new instrument cluster into the bimmer, now I just have to have the mileage corrected and it will be good to go. For anyone wondering as it may come in use for other E46 owners the coupe/convertible instrument cluster can be swapped into a saloon(sedan)/touring the only difference is on the coupe the number are slanted and only issue is the door warning won’t show up but it isn’t to much of a issue to be honest. I also believe the Bosch instrument clusters will work in place of a motometre cluster but NOT vise versa.

Where better to spend a week away with your newly wed wife than a week away in a private lodge in Cornwall. (I’m secretly surprised the car made as a a couple days before the expansion tank blew and so had to replace it)

After having the paintwork sorted it only seems right to get her cleaned and polished ready for the summer.

Part 2: Today I picked my car up from the body shop and it looks fantastic. They have repaired the rust and given it a lovely new lease of life. I would definitely recommend Verworks as they did a lovely job of fixing the paint on my car. Hopefully I will be pack soon to get the wheels refurbished and get a little bit of welding done on one of the sills.

Part 1: I finally booked my car in to get the pain and bodywork sorted at a local body shop. I was quoted £800 to get the Nearside panels and tailgate resprayed and a couple spots of rust bubbles sorted. Unfortunately after it was sanded down the inlet fuel pipe onto the fuel rail disconnected and needed replacing. I got a new one from BMW costing £40 and replaced the old pipe. Luckily the pipe was easy enough to replace as they just push on and I didn’t need to remove the intake manifold.

Something a bit different this time. A engine with parts cut out so you can see the inner workings.

I have gone out and got some quotes for the paintwork. I have found a good body work shop which will paint the front wing (Some scratch’s and a couple small rust bubbles), the near side rear door (a deep scratch on the lower part), the near side rear quarter panel ( a rust bubble) and a complete respiratory of the tailgate for £800 in cash. I am thinking about doing so that I can have the car in top condition and try to keep another E46 on the road for years to come.

I have got a lot of work to do to my pride and joy before the end of summer and the list doesn’t seem to end, I tick one thing off and another pops up. I am looking into getting a few panels resprayed as there are few patches of clear coat which are peeling and a nasty little rust bubble appeared on the rear arch which I need to get sorted before it gets too out of hand. After that I want to get the wheels refurbished and sort out a few noisy pulleys to try and keep her in the best condition I can.

Just installed by new Xtrons radio into the E46. Overall I think the radio is very good. Easy to install and boots up instantly. The sound quality is good and works as intended. My only complaint about the radio is you get a lot of glare on the screen which can be a pain if you are using it for navigation bit other than that it works great.