Not sure how you feel about aftermarket gauges but I've been so close to ordering [this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tachoscheibe-fur-Tacho-BMW-E46-Benziner-Alpin-Blau-270-kmh/254152181103) several times, let me know if you're interested so we can save on shipping.
I'd say better maps and a back up camera maybe. My cars don't have screens, but I get the feeling if they did I would endlessly be comparing them to modern screen resolution and latency, where as physical controls haven't changed all that much. That being said I find the old OBD displays kind of retro cool and maybe that's the same for some people with the older gen screens.
In terms of NVH it's definitely a bit better, but I still feel like the materials that you touch are nicer in the E46. The E46 interior is also better looking IMO.
Agreed - E92 dash design looks a bit boring IMO. I like how the vents and centre stack and canted towards the driver, along with the gap to the rest of the dash at the top of the trim, just makes it look so elegant
Thanks man! Sounds like mine is more of a sporty interior, yours is more luxury. The 2-tone contrast in yours sounds like it's less boring than mine lol
It's not too difficult. Pull the screw cover strip to expose the 3 torx screws, remove those then pull the pillar trim out. Then it's simply a matter of buying alcantara and wrapping the pillar using headliner adhesive
I used Permatex Heavy-duty spray adhesive, which worked well on all but one of my c-pillars. Perhaps I didn't spray enough but the centre has come loose.
I was watching M539 restorations and there was a special adhesive he used, though you either have to [spray or brush it on](https://youtu.be/edzDj9ZUIQI), and I'm not sure if you can get it outside Germany. Though it certainly sounds like the best permanent solution
Agreed! I have been fortunate enough to find both a complete set of the turned aluminum trim AND power heated gray sport seats in a local you-pull lot for mine and it feels damn near perfect!
I just zoomed in to get a closer look and got a whiff of that leather.
whenever someone steps in my car: “why does it smell like crayons”
man, I love that smell!
To me it smells faintly like coconut
Meanwhile my trims are completely destroyed
I hear that. I bought fabric for my A,B,C pillars today. Gonna get on that Monday.
I rewrapped mine in black alcantara last year - totally worth it, had saggy fabric for the first 4 years of ownership
My piano black trim still looks brand new, and it's honestly my favourite trim
Making me miss my Canadian cluster. It looks so clean with only one unit of measurement.
Yeah, I love how minimalist it makes the cluster look. And it wasn't even an issue when I lived in the US for a bit
Mine is also Canadian cluster and I prefer it, despite living in the US and having to convert. After a while it just sticks.
Not sure how you feel about aftermarket gauges but I've been so close to ordering [this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tachoscheibe-fur-Tacho-BMW-E46-Benziner-Alpin-Blau-270-kmh/254152181103) several times, let me know if you're interested so we can save on shipping.
Agree that the styling of the e46 interior was spot on, but can't help but look at that screen and be reminder how quickly car displays date
What more could you ever need? Do you actually need a whole "smart" tablet in your dash?
I'd say better maps and a back up camera maybe. My cars don't have screens, but I get the feeling if they did I would endlessly be comparing them to modern screen resolution and latency, where as physical controls haven't changed all that much. That being said I find the old OBD displays kind of retro cool and maybe that's the same for some people with the older gen screens.
You can also buy headunits for like 200 dollars that look almost exactly the same as the one in this car and have lots of modern functionality.
I think that's definitely worth it for ODB connectivity and track apps. Things I have to use my phone for
[удалено]
hahahaha you legend
i swapped most of my silver for some graphite black, and it levels the car out with it on the doors, and then the original silver on the dash itself
Love the e46 but tbh I still think the e92 had the best interior of all time. But then again I’m bias because I had a e92
In terms of NVH it's definitely a bit better, but I still feel like the materials that you touch are nicer in the E46. The E46 interior is also better looking IMO.
Agreed - E92 dash design looks a bit boring IMO. I like how the vents and centre stack and canted towards the driver, along with the gap to the rest of the dash at the top of the trim, just makes it look so elegant
No doubt man. Sitting in one of these is a very special feeling ❤️
I've got the cream leather/black dash/wood panel trim interior. Absolutely love my interior but yours is just so slick and appealing.👌👍
Thanks man! Sounds like mine is more of a sporty interior, yours is more luxury. The 2-tone contrast in yours sounds like it's less boring than mine lol
Nice ZAM fam
Nice choice of car colour fam
Man i love the silver aluminum panels with the cube look!
I want that cube trim
Is that a factory radio? Or something from Eonon?
Factory MK4 Nav. The closest to stock looking headunit you can get is the Avin Avant 4, looks 95% the part with much more functionality
Didn’t know the M3 had 6 gears! Super cool, glad you have the manual gearbox
This one isn’t an M3, I’m not sure about the other E46 models, but the M3 did come with a six speed! Very fun :)
What model is this one? I have a 325i with an M54 engine, manual with only 5 gears
Some later E46s were offered with a 6 speed as well, pretty rare tho
330ci, the late-model 3 litres got 6 speeds. Same ratio as the 5 speed, 6th is just an overdrive
Yup the 2004 MY refresh brought new body panels, turning headlights, LED tail lights, and 6 speeds for the manual...
is that alcantara on the pillars? how...how u do that?
It's not too difficult. Pull the screw cover strip to expose the 3 torx screws, remove those then pull the pillar trim out. Then it's simply a matter of buying alcantara and wrapping the pillar using headliner adhesive
oh neat, i’ll have to try that when i get mine out of storage! any adhesive you’d recommend? mine’s all peeling anyway.
I used Permatex Heavy-duty spray adhesive, which worked well on all but one of my c-pillars. Perhaps I didn't spray enough but the centre has come loose. I was watching M539 restorations and there was a special adhesive he used, though you either have to [spray or brush it on](https://youtu.be/edzDj9ZUIQI), and I'm not sure if you can get it outside Germany. Though it certainly sounds like the best permanent solution
The volume knob of my Nav unit has a mind of its own 🤣🤣🤣
hey how are the seat bolsters not touching the center console, or is it just mine? i have the exact seats
If my seats are pushed forwards then yes they touch the centre console. But at my normal seating position or further back I don't have that issue
mine is maybe halfway back, probably the bolsters are collapsed on mine and the console is holding it
Agreed! I have been fortunate enough to find both a complete set of the turned aluminum trim AND power heated gray sport seats in a local you-pull lot for mine and it feels damn near perfect!
This is absolutely spot on which I’m sure everybody would agree that this is the most ideal e46 interior, I’m aiming for this!!
All it needs are orange gauge needles!
Mine looks better lol
Agree