I put my new oxy-acetylene torch outfit and MIG welder to use today--repairing a small, rust spot in the frame of my 330xi-6MT. Discovered it while replacing the oil pump (lost the nut on the drive sprocket)... found out first-hand how horrible it is to remove the oil pan (my mechanic refused to do it). Honing my skills in preparation for flooring reinforcement...
2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats
There's no soldering or fuse boxing involved when it comes to retrofitting lumbar in the E46. If you can source seats that have lumbar support then it's just plug and play. I have done this with my last ZHP and also my M3. In both cases, all I had to do is swap seats out for ones with lumbar support and it was done. It's that easy.
Started ordering parts for the step -> 6MT swap in the future.
Based on the research and the way the car lost oil pressure but continued to run (for a short bit before turning it off), I suspected the nut, and I found the little culprit just sitting on the bottom of the oil pan. As for whether I stopped in time remains to be seen. The car was running fine when I stopped it, and I didn't find any evidence of over-heating or engine damage when I had it apart, so I'm optimistic. If she doesn't run, the disassembly process will begin...
2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats
Coincidentally, it occurred in tandem with a rather aggressive downshift from 3rd to 2nd hitting a turn... : )
The new sprocket is safety-wired on.
2004 BMW 330i ZHP (52k miles), Jet Black with black leather, MFactory LSD (3.38) with Z4 cover, 18"x8.5" ET38 APEX Arc-8's (Anthracite) with 245/40 Michelin PSS', Koni Sports with factory springs and front and rear reinforcement plates, Shark Injector, Corsa TSE3 cat-back exhaust, TMS under-driven pulleys (water & steering), CDV delete, TMS CF strut brace, K&N CAI, GAS DISA rebuild, TMS pedals, Wheelskins steering wheel cover, roller tray center console, black-out grilles, and WeatherTech mats