Are M52 & M54 coil packs the same?

Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:08 pm

My 2002 325i Touring has decided to reward my neglect and tonight when I left work it decided to drop onto 5 pots and the engine management light is on permanently.

I'll obviously have to get it onto a diagnostic scanner to see what fault codes it throws up. Suspecting it could be a coil pack, I do have some M52 coil packs spare, so would like to know if they are the same as the M54 parts.

Anyone know?

Looks like I'll have to chuck a few quid at the turd now as it uses a vicious amount of oil and has a leak (I suspect from around the oil filter housing area), smokes a bit if you gun it and sometimes on start up.

The suspension arms are wankered again and need replacing (my fault for buying cheap shite instead of Meyle or Lemforder arms)

Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Wed Mar 25, 2015 11:02 pm

I told you not to buy it!

There is another thread on misfires, early coils are the same but rarely fail, if you have a failed one it will most likely be the crappy later coils

Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:11 pm

Lee you need the Z4M wishbone bushes when you fit the arms. Transforms the way the car drives

Just like the E30 M3 mod these are a solid eccentric bush and give the same benefits to the e46 like they do a stock e30

Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:47 pm

Current BMWCC magazine has an article about replacing the oil seal on the M54 oil filter housing....

Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:52 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:My 2002 325i Touring has decided to reward my neglect and tonight when I left work it decided to drop onto 5 pots and the engine management light is on permanently.

I'll obviously have to get it onto a diagnostic scanner to see what fault codes it throws up. Suspecting it could be a coil pack, I do have some M52 coil packs spare, so would like to know if they are the same as the M54 parts.

Anyone know?

Looks like I'll have to chuck a few quid at the turd now as it uses a vicious amount of oil and has a leak (I suspect from around the oil filter housing area), smokes a bit if you gun it and sometimes on start up.

The suspension arms are wankered again and need replacing (my fault for buying cheap shite instead of Meyle or Lemforder arms)

Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Sounds just like what happened to my 330i recently - a new coil pack sorted it out. I don't know if they are the same as M52 ones though, sorry.

Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:51 pm

To update, I replaced all 6 coil packs with some spare M52 ones I had knocking about. Still running on 5 pots.

Changed the plugs and it sorted it out. It was #6 that was wankered.

Now to sort the creaking & groaning front suspension top mounts and new arms.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:32 am

Surprised you've still got this lee thought you would be well bored of it by now.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:35 am

I had a washing machine that held more fascination than an E46. However it worked and didn't go wrong.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:01 am

I was bored of it after 3 months, but it is transport and is comfortable. I had contemplated getting something more exciting, but with having the bike now, there's no point seeking out a "fast" car when I have 500bhp/tonne thrills on 2 wheels.

I don't "work" on cars anymore either as I just can't be arsed crawling around on the driveway in all weathers.

I may look at changing the bike this year and getting a ZZR1100.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:04 am

The smoke on startup may be something to do with the breather system if I remember right - it looked like a PITA to change when I had my 330 and was another reason I sacked it off.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:27 am

E30BeemerLad wrote:I was bored of it after 3 months, but it is transport and is comfortable. I had contemplated getting something more exciting, but with having the bike now, there's no point seeking out a "fast" car when I have 500bhp/tonne thrills on 2 wheels.

I don't "work" on cars anymore either as I just can't be arsed crawling around on the driveway in all weathers.

I may look at changing the bike this year and getting a ZZR1100.

I know that feeling well. I now have five E36's and the E32. Try keeping on top of that lot! Three in storage and three on the road is about as much as I can keep up with, always stuff to do. As well as the Very and the Touring there's there 318Ti to finish off and MOT (a mornings work really) and a 318iS track slag to complete. I've swapped the engine, done the timing chain, brake pipes, flexys, control arms and bushes....need to finish stripping the interior and find a seat and steering wheel. Bloody hard work.

However, they all cost next to bugger all and I have a Ka to run around in now.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 10:40 am

Yeah it does chuff out sometimes (not every time) on a hot start. I can't be fagged taking the inlet manifold off to do the separator valve. It also smokes a little when you give it max beans.

Everett, I feel you pain with that fleet. I have even thought about just having a little spunk box as a runabout like a Lupo or something equally gay.

The wife passed her CBT last Saturday and there is also a Yamaha YBR 125 parked on the drive now. Her poor 16V Golf is still parked on the drive minus the rear axle etc, as I left it 2 years ago

Fri Apr 03, 2015 1:40 pm

It will soon be minus some bits of bodywork too if you keep walking past it mate

Andy, how much are they paying you to drive that death trap? Did you get a free disguise?

Fri Apr 03, 2015 8:24 pm

DanThe wrote: Andy, how much are they paying you to drive that death trap? Did you get a free disguise?

Enough.

You'd be surprised what you can out brake into roundabouts with a Ka. And how upset grown men can be when you do, especially if they have a bird on board.

"Did I just make you look like a tw@t? Sorry"