Wow, not a soul

[Ant]

I see the E46 forum is a big hit........

My name is Ant, I own an E46 330CD and I'm sorry

[Jim320i]

Hello Ant, my name is Jim & I own a E46 325i, it does not work very well and I dont intend on fixing it.

[Topblag]

I once owned an E46 325 CI. It wasn't until I bought my wife an E36 318is that I realised how much of a thirsty tank that car was.

I have forgiven myself since and now only drive E30 BMWs.

[Morat]

Hahah, I drive an E46 MTech* Touring with the mighty M54B30 on LPG.
Love it, tbh - although the E30 is more fun on the twisties unless you're insane.

*I've no idea if there even was an MTech model but it's got the wheels, gearknob and plastic fantastic skirts. Possibly springs too, it's lower than my lowered E30 according to the vicious new speed ramp at nursery.

[hennared323i]

Hi,

I have an E46 325i and it really is a souless thing to drive. Hasn't cost much yet bar fuel but I expect dramas are round the corner.

I miss my E30

[Ant]

should we have a poll on how long the current set of TCA bushes is gonna last ? lol !

TBH I like the '46 for what it is, an economical uber fast tank , I'd not own one without my own BMW DIS though as it comes in handy VERY often.

I knew there were some fellow '46 Leppers lurking on here

[Steve]

I heard you where selling yours Ant?

[Jim320i]

I'd not own one without my own BMW DIS though as it comes in handy VERY often.

Is that this? http://bmwcable.com/

I really need to buy one really, Ive got so many stupid issues with the damn car, but its still a good old chariot

The main issue right now is I cant drive it without turning the ASC off If its not turned off, it wont rev passed 2000rpm.

The missus took it in to have some tyres changed and when it came out it had that issue but she wouldnt take it back in so came home instead driving at 2000 rpm

Had to be a sensor of some sort but ive been ill/itsbeen cold/ive been busy to sort it

[Quaser]

I have a e46 leather armrest and centre console for sale

[Jim320i]

I'd like some MV1 or MV2 alloys in anyone has some sitting around. I want to pay peanuts though!

[Ant]

@Jim 320 the tyres are the right sizes and in pairs right ??

a profile change would upset the speed sensors for sure !

@ Steve, I was thinking of selling but having put all my toys for sale, its the only one left so by default its a keeper for now.

BMW DIS/SSS is a nightmare to setup unless you are familiar with running virtual machines within your windows OS - worth the effort though !

[scjimbo]

My name is also Jim. I currently have a E46 318SE and I actually quite like it.

[Jim320i]

There is a possibility they are a smaller profile! I think they were 55, and were changed to 50. Matching pair though. Easy to sort out??

[pacerpete]

There is a possibility they are a smaller profile! I think they were 55, and were changed to 50. Matching pair though. Easy to sort out??

Nothing wrong with part worns, but at least get the correct size, you tight cooont ! This may well be the cause of your problem Jim.



PS My name is pacer and I have a lovely 318ci. It has airz and leatherz and cost £300

It also has a creaky boot floor

[Jim320i]

There is a possibility they are a smaller profile! I think they were 55, and were changed to 50. Matching pair though. Easy to sort out??

Nothing wrong with part worns, but at least get the correct size, you tight cooont ! This may well be the cause of your problem Jim.



PS My name is pacer and I have a lovely 318ci. It has airz and leatherz and cost £300

It also has a creaky boot floor

They were in the yard, I did think they were the correct size and put them in the boot for the missus to get switched. When she turned up I felt like we were going for the stanced look I couldnt believe the stretch. Bruvs has started flashing at me as I go past

I will get them switched again soon, but I was wanting to get some more executive wheels so dont want to keep parting with the shekels you lined my pockets with

[Morat]

I'm not as down on the 46 as most it seems! Bought at 75k, now on 135k
So far it has had new front wishbones from bmw, 600 quid fitted! But they've done nearly 50k on country roads so far.
New rad at 110k, and some re-furbed front callipers.
The best thing is the lpg. 231bhp at 69.7ppl from the local Asda makes me very smug.
A matching set of Kumho ku31s and it sticks very hard too. You can really take the Mick and the electronics get it back if you get it wrong. Just don't take it out in snow!

[darkchild]

Had a 318ci for a couple of years. Nice to drive, good on fuel but...

Oil leaks, rusty wings, asthmatic air-con, failed sensors, broken door handles, sh!tty cheap matt paint finish in the shutlines and just a general cheap crapness. Would I have another? No thanks. Nice when new but they don't age well.

[AndyTB]

I had an E46 330i a couple of years ago for a couple months when my own car gave up the ghost, a guy who ran a business in the same building as my old studio lent it to me. The M54b30 engine was pretty fantastic, but my god was it dull to drive, so detached and soul-less, actually felt heavy too. Was already rusting and having issues, guess that's why it was going spare! Though slower, the e30 318iS i own now is WAY more fun - Obviously ;)

[law99]

I am looking at buying a 320d soon. The 150bhp model. I drive 2 hours a day and have gotten bored of my tiny Arosa TDI as eco and spritely as it is.

I like the look of the e46 compared to especially the e36. Be a shame to own one before an e30 though---

[mabz]

i looked at an e46 compact for a daily but bought an e36 compact instead,this was before i had kids now i have no e30 cab in the garage and no e36 compact as a daily just a rusty old mk4 1.2 fiesta,yay......??
fookin kid's(love em really)

[mcbonio]

Hi I'm a secret e46 owner too, I have a '04 330ci Msport, it is a magnificent chariot. I've owned a few e46s but this is the best one to date. The M54B30 engine is a masterpiece and the low end growl and torque is well worth the steep fuel usage alone.

If you ever consider getting an e46 make sure its a Msport model as the upgrades transform the car into something special.

[Morat]

Yep my touring is an MSport - not sure exactly what the upgrades are but it is very chuckable. I've resisted the (slight) temptation to go any bigger than 17" on the staggered MSport wheels. It's stiff enough already and I don't fancy dropping a profile on the tyre sizes with the potholes near me.

[Andyboy]

I fucking hate E46's with a venom, the worst car BMW ever made. The most shoddily designed and under engineered pile of festering dogshit to wear the badge. The 1.9 engine is average at best when it isn't shitting headgaskets, the valvetronic is an absolute nightmare. The 2.0 diesel is a horrid, rattling old tractor with a multitude of expensive problems which is also an absolute bastard to work on - even changing the air filter is a marathon.
The rust is inexcusable - 53 and 04 plate cars needing wings. The cracking boot floor is another master stroke. The electrics are shite with every sensor and switch a potential problem - changing the OBC stalk is a steering wheel off pain the rectum requiring the air bag light to be eliminated with diagnostics - why the OBC function should fail when E36 stalks didn't says it all. Other E46 delights include the dreaded airbag light because the poor quality occupancy mat has failed, or the oil level warning light is blinking on and off like a Christmas tree.
The Ford Sierra front suspension with that stupid 18 mm bolt that rusts in and snaps off like a carrot is a masterpiece because the E36 three bolt arangement that never caused an issue clearly had to be changed. The battery in your remopte locking key flat? Tough shit mate, £140 for a new key because unlike the E36, they're sealed.

The crashing ride makes it unpleasant to drive on potholed city streets, but the dashboard is quite nice. I had one of these almost new, and am rescuing a typically knackered ten year old one at the mo - my, what a difference ten years makes. I've seen more quality in a 20p biro.

[Andyboy]

I am looking at buying a 320d soon. The 150bhp model. I drive 2 hours a day and have gotten bored of my tiny Arosa TDI as eco and spritely as it is.

Don't, just don't. You may be lucky and get a low mileage one that's had lots of oil changes but too many are shagged out money pits. If you want a 2 litre diesel, go 1.9 TDI VAG such as the A4 or Passat. Vastly better.

[pacerpete]

I ******* hate E46's with a venom, the worst car BMW ever made. The most shoddily designed and under engineered pile of festering dogshit to wear the badge. The 1.9 engine is average at best when it isn't shitting headgaskets, the valvetronic is an absolute nightmare. The 2.0 diesel is a horrid, rattling old tractor with a multitude of expensive problems which is also an absolute bastard to work on - even changing the air filter is a marathon.
The rust is inexcusable - 53 and 04 plate cars needing wings. The cracking boot floor is another master stroke. The electrics are shite with every sensor and switch a potential problem - changing the OBC stalk is a steering wheel off pain the rectum requiring the air bag light to be eliminated with diagnostics - why the OBC function should fail when E36 stalks didn't says it all. Other E46 delights include the dreaded airbag light because the poor quality occupancy mat has failed, or the oil level warning light is blinking on and off like a Christmas tree.
The Ford Sierra front suspension with that stupid 18 mm bolt that rusts in and snaps off like a carrot is a masterpiece because the E36 three bolt arangement that never caused an issue clearly had to be changed. The battery in your remopte locking key flat? Tough shit mate, £140 for a new key because unlike the E36, they're sealed.

The crashing ride makes it unpleasant to drive on potholed city streets, but the dashboard is quite nice. I had one of these almost new, and am rescuing a typically knackered ten year old one at the mo - my, what a difference ten years makes. I've seen more quality in a 20p biro.

I'm guessing the green machine is being rather mean ?

On a positive note, at least your getting paid loads of dollarz to 'recommision' the festering foooker !

[Andyboy]

I guess there's a reason there are so many scrap E46's in UPullit now.......

Everything on these cars seems to be a pain in the arse. Every job and you think 'this would take about 1/3 as long on an E36'.

[darkchild]

the valvetronic is an absolute nightmare

Tell me about it. So bad you can tell it was designed when BMW were in bed with Rover.

[Morat]

Valvetronic causes nightmares for LPG. Therefore I'm OUT.

[darkchild]

Valvetronic causes nightmares for LPG. Therefore I'm OUT.

Mine was the biggest lump of sh!te I've ever owned. On the rare occasion it behaved itself it was OK - 42mpg and reasonably nippy. Numerous oil leaks, failed sensors and timing chain issues meant it was quickly moved on though. Every job was a pain in the ar$e and the kind that are best to pay someone else to do for your own sanity.

[Simon13]

they aren't all bad and I think your over hyping it a bit Everett. I'll admit my e34 has better rear arches than my dads 10 year old e46 did.

[Blitz]

My E34 is just starting have a bit of surface rust creeping on the OSR rear lip the arch and just above the rear bumper which Im sorting out pronto. Not bad for a near 20 year old car which has not had its arches cleaned out by its previous owners.

I had a tidy E46 2000 318i saloon last summer which started rusting on both rear arches, luckily they were not too far gone so I could wire brush it.

If the E34 goes then a very tidy E36 328i coupe would be a ideal replacement.

[Ajsingh]

Oh and they suck the inlet flaps too lol

[Andyboy]

they aren't all bad and I think your over hyping it a bit Everett. I'll admit my e34 has better rear arches than my dads 10 year old e46 did.

No, they're not all bad. It looks good and drives well, despite the poor ride. If you could find one that's not rusty, a six cylinder petrol (the only way to go with an E46) is a nice car.
I've spoken to the previous owner as well - it swallowed a flap in 2008 at 85'000 resulting in a 1400 quid bill, and had a new turbo is 2010 (yes, a new one with a 2010 date stamp) and that's just been replaced again.
I had a load of fault codes cleared yesterday which made it go better, so we'll see how long it lasts before it spits its dummy out again.

[law99]

On the 320d I know you need to remove the swirl flaps from the inlet on the 150bhp engines. Admittedly, that's not the best thing to be thinking about a potential purchase. But it's better than not knowing. I've heard turbo issues were mainly 2002-03 models. I was looking at 2004, so I'll have a look if there is any merit in that.

One thing I don't like about deisels is the egr valve nonsense and Dpf if it has one. Haven't looked into it properly yet though.

Edit: Going to look at 2004-05 120d also.

[zaust]

Hello I'm marc, I have a 330 sport touring keeping, and selling my 330i 2dr fully loaded soonish.

How ya doing Ant. Long time.