E46 changes

Anyone out there know what changes were made to the E46 convertible between
2002 and 2003? I am aware of the facelift that took place after 03.

I am particularly interested in the hood. The 02 example I have driven is
full of rattles. perhaps the thing needs tightening up or attention to the
seals.

Thanks for any knowledge regarding this.

David

I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.



David Haggas wrote:

Anyone out there know what changes were made to the E46 convertible between
2002 and 2003? I am aware of the facelift that took place after 03.

I am particularly interested in the hood. The 02 example I have driven is
full of rattles. perhaps the thing needs tightening up or attention to the
seals.

Thanks for any knowledge regarding this.

David

mcquarrie wrote:

I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent on. Had both, big
difference. The E36 drove me nuts. They made a lot of progress in both
body rigidity and sound deadening, plus they made the top assembly much
quieter by using anti-squeak materials where parts make contact.

"admin" <admin (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2> wrote

mcquarrie wrote:
I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent one.

Nor does my Z4.

Tom K.

"admin" <admin (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2> wrote

mcquarrie wrote:
I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent one.

That's my question really. Do they vary? Were improvements made to hood
mechanisms on the later ones? I suspect the tyres on the sport version don't
help - 18" 225/40 front and 255/35 rear make it hard work on all body parts
including the drivers on poor roads.

I'm going to change to 17" 225/50 all round to introduce some additional
compliancy and reduce road noise.

"David Haggas" <DavidHaggas (AT) compuserve (DOT) com> wrote

"admin" <admin (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2> wrote
mcquarrie wrote:
I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent one.

That's my question really. Do they vary? Were improvements made to hood
mechanisms on the later ones? I suspect the tyres on the sport version
don't help - 18" 225/40 front and 255/35 rear make it hard work on all
body parts including the drivers on poor roads.

I'm going to change to 17" 225/50 all round to introduce some additional
compliancy and reduce road noise.

225/45R17 is the size you need (that size is the sport package on E46/325i)
If you want an even softer ride, 205/50R17; noticeably less tramlining,
softer ride and not as sharp turnin.

FloydR

"Floyd Rogers" <fbloogyuds (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

"David Haggas" <DavidHaggas (AT) compuserve (DOT) com> wrote
"admin" <admin (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2> wrote
mcquarrie wrote:
I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent one.

That's my question really. Do they vary? Were improvements made to hood
mechanisms on the later ones? I suspect the tyres on the sport version
don't help - 18" 225/40 front and 255/35 rear make it hard work on all
body parts including the drivers on poor roads.

I'm going to change to 17" 225/50 all round to introduce some additional
compliancy and reduce road noise.

225/45R17 is the size you need (that size is the sport package on
E46/325i)
If you want an even softer ride, 205/50R17; noticeably less tramlining,
softer ride and not as sharp turnin.

FloydR
I thought 205's would be a bit narrow looking on the E46. 225/45 would be an

improvement I'm sure, better still 225/50.

I have 205/55R16 Continental Sportcontact on my E30 sport and find them a
very good ride/handling compromise over poor road surfaces. These tyres have
far superior ride to the previous 205/50 Yokohama rubber previously used.

David

Tell me that when the cars are 8 years old like my E36; my wife's
choice BTW


Tom K. wrote:

"admin" <admin (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2> wrote in message
news:45AF87D8.2090202 (AT) 192 (DOT) 168.0.2...
mcquarrie wrote:
I have an E36 convertible so I can't really help you with changes to an
E46, but I will say this...

You have a convertible. Convertibles rattle. It's a universal truth.

Actually - the E46 ones don't if you get a decent one.

Nor does my Z4.

Tom K.

On 19 Jan 2007 11:12:33 -0800, "mcquarrie" <00derek (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Tell me that when the cars are 8 years old like my E36; my wife's
choice BTW

My '95 Miata R doesn't rattle.

-- Larry

"David Haggas"

"Floyd Rogers" <fbloogyuds (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote in message

If you want an even softer ride, 205/50R17; noticeably less tramlining,
softer ride and not as sharp turnin.

Seriously, the difference betw. 225/45 and 205/50 tire sidewall height is
1.25mm - not enough to notice any difference in ride softness or turn-in
response. Reduced tramlining - I can agree, as it has to do with width.

225/45 would be an improvement I'm sure, better still 225/50.

With 225/50/17, you'll be throwing off your odo and speedo. You will also
run a risk of bottoming out and tire rubbing against the wheel well since
the new size is 3.5% taller, but that risk is probably low enough.

Cheers,
Pete