E46

Sat Dec 06, 2008 11:16 pm

looking at getting one in the new year, probably a 318, anything i should be aware of ??

Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:47 am

i have found this thread which may be useful
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=e46

i am also interested in this topic

Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:06 pm

richard-the-nutter wrote:i have found this thread which may be useful
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... hlight=e46

i am also interested in this topic

ok, so just the normal bmw problems then.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:17 pm

I have a 04 plate 318ci sport convertible that i am looking to sell if you interested

Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:04 pm

thanks for the offer rial, but i need a 4 door matey.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:09 pm

stevotheevo wrote:looking at getting one in the new year, probably a 318, anything i should be aware of ??

Be aware of old grannies on foot overtaking you

My mum has one and theyre really slow.....Sorry I know this is no help to you but just giving you a heads up.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:46 pm

e36boy wrote:
stevotheevo wrote:looking at getting one in the new year, probably a 318, anything i should be aware of ??
Be aware of old grannies on foot overtaking you

My mum has one and theyre really slow.....Sorry I know this is no help to you but just giving you a heads up.

its a family runner, ne need for speed

Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:19 pm

Dad(he's now 86 and still driving!!) bought a 'T' plate E46 two or three years back.He had a cooling problem almost immediatly,needed a water pump. Only other issue has been rear beam bushes.He commented that the sevice interval seems to be too long at some 20,000 miles between oil changes,so is having his changed once a year.Other than these points he is delighted,claiming 38mpg in air-conditioned luxury!!

Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:36 pm

daimlerman wrote:Dad(he's now 86 and still driving!!) bought a 'T' plate E46 two or three years back.He had a cooling problem almost immediatly,needed a water pump. Only other issue has been rear beam bushes.He commented that the sevice interval seems to be too long at some 20,000 miles between oil changes,so is having his changed once a year.Other than these points he is delighted,claiming 38mpg in air-conditioned luxury!!

What engine does it have?

Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:20 pm

stevotheevo wrote:looking at getting one in the new year, probably a 318, anything i should be aware of ??

The early ones with the M43 engine are superb. The engine's only real weakness is the odd head gasket but they're easy to sort on one of these. Given 8000 mile oil changes they happily plod on for ever. They have decent low down torque which makes them a pleasant everyday driver.

The later 16v valvetronic is more powerful (143bhp) and IF looked after is fine. They're not particularly fixable though and are the most requested engine in Breakers as far as I'm aware.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:36 pm

cheers for the info guys, the hunt continues for a low mileage example.

Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:46 pm

strange that the rear beam bushes go so quick just changed mine and i think they will last for years to come

Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:13 am

Stevo,
I ran a 318iSE (2001X) for 4 years and it was a superb introduction to BMW for me, excellent build quality but a little slow! Titan silver, black interior, lowered on 18" MVII's, great looking thing.....

In 3 years the only problems I had were:
1. engine warning lights - traced to dirty AFM (cleaned FOC)
2. engine warning lights - breather hose collapsed, £42 BMW
3. rear ABS sensor failure - £135 fitted at an independant garage
4. drivers window slow - new regualtor fitted £135 at an independant garage
oh yeah, had the tired front bushes replaced too, and it made a massive difference for £46!

They even depreciate less than than they used to so Id say go for it!
Make sure you post some pics....

Ste.

Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:33 am

Be aware of the Coolant Expansion bottle.

They are prone to splitting if there is the slightest of over pressure in the system.

The rear trailing arm front bushes are the same as the E36.

Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:50 am

My 2001 330i E46 Touring has been a brilliant buy - Cost me £10k with 34k on the clock and i've only spent £1000 on it in the last 2 years (£500 of that was on Inspection II alone). The ABS sensors failed once (FOC), and I had to get the rear bushes and some bulbs replaced to get it past it's last MOT (£150). The other £350 was spent on new tyres (not that you'll have many issues with that in your 318i).
I would recommend fitting Eibach springs (£120) and getting some nice BMW 18" alloys to make it look sweet!
Great cars E46's!!

Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:09 pm

cheers guys very helpfull

i've found a 2004 model on ebay its a 320d, 120k, FSH, MOT untill nov 09 looks very clean.

only problem listed is this........

..Slight noise on clutch depress which is clutch thrust bearing - it is not gone yet but you can hear it only on depressing the clutch.

what you guys think, worth a look ??

sorry no link, just incase one of you deviants gets in there before me

Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:13 pm

e36boy wrote:
stevotheevo wrote:looking at getting one in the new year, probably a 318, anything i should be aware of ??
Be aware of old grannies on foot overtaking you

My mum has one and theyre really slow.....Sorry I know this is no help to you but just giving you a heads up.

Get a convertible as a first car at 17 was the the best thing, but now am nearly 20 and have a order on the new 335i to arrive should be here in 3 weeks

Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:03 pm

If you were buying a cheaper one, buy the pre facelift car with then old M43 engine. Old Valvetronic motors can and do go wrong and you can forget pulling the head off to fix it. M43's like a head gasket but they're cheap and easy enough to do.
150 bhp 320d's need extreme caution. They go well, but have some pretty major issues, the worst being it's propensity to suck the steel inlet manifold flaps into the engine which destroys it in an instant. The manifolds are plastic with a steel spindle and a steel plate screwed on withj two grub screws. These screws drop out and when the second one comes loose, the flap works loose and it's goodbye engine. You have two choices - one is to fit a new inlet manifold, the other is to buy an Ebay kit to remove the flaps and spindles, adding small alloy caps to fill the holes. This is the best option, but just ignoring the issue means that one owner, at some point,will need a new engine.

They are also very prone to turbo failure and that means a turbo, an intercooler and first catalyst. About £2000. Assuming the bits didn't get into the engine.........

Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:18 pm

Andyboy wrote:If you were buying a cheaper one, buy the pre facelift car with then old M43 engine. Old Valvetronic motors can and do go wrong and you can forget pulling the head off to fix it. M43's like a head gasket but they're cheap and easy enough to do.
150 bhp 320d's need extreme caution. They go well, but have some pretty major issues, the worst being it's propensity to suck the steel inlet manifold flaps into the engine which destroys it in an instant. The manifolds are plastic with a steel spindle and a steel plate screwed on withj two grub screws. These screws drop out and when the second one comes loose, the flap works loose and it's goodbye engine. You have two choices - one is to fit a new inlet manifold, the other is to buy an Ebay kit to remove the flaps and spindles, adding small alloy caps to fill the holes. This is the best option, but just ignoring the issue means that one owner, at some point,will need a new engine.

They are also very prone to turbo failure and that means a turbo, an intercooler and first catalyst. About £2000. Assuming the bits didn't get into the engine.........

thanks andyboy, the 320d issue that you mentioned, is this mileage related or, at some point in time it will happen.
you've got me worried now

do bmw make an engine that wont implode on itself ??