E46 Wagon Project

[CirrusSR22]

Just picked up a 2000 323i Wagon for $3,100. It's in great shape and drives very nicely. It has the "no reverse" issue (ZF) so I'm gonna pull the transmission and give a shot at repairing it myself. Never opened an auto transmission before but from what I've read it's a pretty straightforward repair. A new, updated "D" drum (which breaks), pan gasket, o-rings, filter, fluid, and some other misc parts will run about $275 total. Should be a decent car for under $4,000 total if all goes well. Premium package, leather, heated seats, Xenons. Newer Goodyears too - one less thing to worry about.

It had new front window regulators, expansion tank, t-stats, wiper motor, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, vanos hose and other stuff done in the past year. It does need a power steering hose (not sure which one yet) though as it leaks.

I'd love to do a manual swap but I want to keep costs to a minimum. Also want an auto so other people can use it when needed.

[teetime4one]

nice find

[cooljess76]

Neutral + Left foot = Reverse.

[teen ti]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Neutral + Left foot = Reverse.

+1, nice car, I'm a huge sucker for a BMW wagon

[BimmerBum]

Another 323 wagon...

www.DSPWagon.com

[BimmerBum]

Just a warning...

This is what my wagon looked like when I got it...



My plan was to keep it stock. Plan failed.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by cooljess76

Neutral + Left foot = Reverse.

Oh yes! Done it a few times already

[CirrusSR22]

Polished the headlights today (wet sand and plastic polish). Much better, but they are crazing on the inside surface. Wonder if I should remove the lenses and try a wet sand/polish on the inside?

Also, non-black interiors suck. Spent hours with cleaner and a nylon brush cleaning the interior door panels and misc parts. The littlest bit of grime really shows up on grey

Thirdly I'm trying to charge the second key (diamond style) on a sonic care toothbrush base. I hear it works! One key's remote works but I'm not able to program the other. The car has a new general module but the previous owner didn't bring the other key to the dealer to have it programmed. Both keys start the car, so it's just the remote function on the other. If charging doesn't work I'll have to cut it open and replace the battery.

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Polished the headlights today (wet sand and plastic polish). Much better, but they are crazing on the inside surface. Wonder if I should remove the lenses and try a wet sand/polish on the inside?

Also, non-black interiors suck. Spent hours with cleaner and a nylon brush cleaning the interior door panels and misc parts. The littlest bit of grime really shows up on grey

Thirdly I'm trying to charge the second key (diamond style) on a sonic care toothbrush base. I hear it works! One key's remote works but I'm not able to program the other. The car has a new general module but the previous owner didn't bring the other key to the dealer to have it programmed. Both keys start the car, so it's just the remote function on the other. If charging doesn't work I'll have to cut it open and replace the battery.

The lenses are easy to replace. I sell complete kits with trim and new gaskets and I have them in stock.

http://www.bimmerbum.com/bmw-e46-sed...ement-k46.html

You don't need to charge the second key, you need to initialize it to the car. You have to do this with the other key near the car otherwise it will become uninitialized.

[CirrusSR22]

I should have been more clear - I tried initializing/programming the bad key for a while today and it just won't work. Judging by when the car got a new general module and its condition (better than the working one) this key may not have been used in many years. It think it's possible that the battery is dead.

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I should have been more clear - I tried initializing/programming the bad key for a while today and it just won't work. Judging by when the car got a new general module and its condition (better than the working one) this key may not have been used in many years. It think it's possible that the battery is dead.

Got it... the key charges when it is in the ignition as well.

[vsonix]

Nice car, the Steptronic box is a pretty decent compromise and can still be plenty of fun once you get the hang of timing shifts half a second or so early. Any mods planned? I must say I am a sucker for slight forward rake and some tasty split-rims on a touring!

[dahamler]

Inspiration:

[vsonix]

nice, not keen on the rims though.

[mohaughn]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I should have been more clear - I tried initializing/programming the bad key for a while today and it just won't work. Judging by when the car got a new general module and its condition (better than the working one) this key may not have been used in many years. It think it's possible that the battery is dead.

On my 2003 E39 I have to program both keys together if one goes dead and the car doesn't recognize it. You program the first one, then have to immediately do the initialization for the second one. One of my keys doesn't hold a charge very well and goes dead every now and then.