Discussion
I have just brought a used one of these and am delighted with it.
There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
rharris21 said:
I have just brought a used one of these and am delighted with it.
....
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
Congrats on the new car. I would suggest it's not worth paying main dealer rates on E46's as they're getting a little old now and a trusted indy will do as good a job at a fraction of the price and it's unlikely to hurt the residuals.....
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
Enjoy.
Edited by the_smalls on Friday 23 April 12:44
rharris21 said:
I have just brought a used one of these and am delighted with it.
There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
It's a simple DIY swap, three bolts, but the oil has to be drained. Wait until your next service and get it done. The sensor is about £80 and non-OEM ones have a reputation for failing early - my GSF one packed up after about a year..There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
I went from 2 Hondas to a 330i and found the gear shift 'stiff' and generally a bit cr@p TBH but got used to it soon enough and actually came to like 'heftier' feel of it but it was never as easy to shift fast as with the Hondas.
Re the oil - don't know about the sensor but like someone else said - check you roil regularly - mine liked a drink, especially if driven hard so I kept a bottle in the boot. The car was fine and had only about 50k miles on when I got it, it just liked oil which I thought was a worry until my mate got a V10 M5 - good thing that car comes with a proper readout showing how many litres you have left!
Re the oil - don't know about the sensor but like someone else said - check you roil regularly - mine liked a drink, especially if driven hard so I kept a bottle in the boot. The car was fine and had only about 50k miles on when I got it, it just liked oil which I thought was a worry until my mate got a V10 M5 - good thing that car comes with a proper readout showing how many litres you have left!
rharris21 said:
I have just brought a used one of these and am delighted with it.
There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
E46's tend to be notchy.There are two things that I would like some advice on however.
It is my first RWD owned car and whether its just me the gearbox can be a little 'stiff' sometimes particularly going into reverse. I am still adjusting to the gearbox though so it could just be me!
Secondly, the oil level light (yellow can) comes on after I start the car and goes away about 10 seconds later. I have read on many a forum that this is common on the e46's and is just a faultly oil level sensor. The oil level is spot on and has only covered about 2k since its last oil service.
How much is a new oil level sensor? Should I get it done at BMW or is it worth saving a bit and getting it done locally?
E46's also have an oil sensor issue, it is the one on the bottom of the sump. 20 minute job but as said, oil has to be drained.
cheers guys. Yeh I have read it was quite a simple job so will probably leave it until the oil needs changing. Its lovely clean oil at the minute so don't want to change it really - would be a waste!
My manual recommends 5w 30 or 5w 40 oil - castrol. What are everyones thoughts? Tesco sell castrol oil quite cheap at the mo so have like someone said keep a bottle in the boot!
What about full servicing would you recommend taking it to a main dealer? They charge a ridiculous price for just an oil service IMO - £199 for oil service, oil filter and microfilter I think it was. My service record has only one stamp not from bmw dealer.. decisions decisions!
As for gearbox, would I need to get the gearbox oil checked? It is just first and reverse - I think I'm fighting between the two when trying to change into them both!
My manual recommends 5w 30 or 5w 40 oil - castrol. What are everyones thoughts? Tesco sell castrol oil quite cheap at the mo so have like someone said keep a bottle in the boot!
What about full servicing would you recommend taking it to a main dealer? They charge a ridiculous price for just an oil service IMO - £199 for oil service, oil filter and microfilter I think it was. My service record has only one stamp not from bmw dealer.. decisions decisions!
As for gearbox, would I need to get the gearbox oil checked? It is just first and reverse - I think I'm fighting between the two when trying to change into them both!
I've had one from new and done 130,000 miles now. 2001
Always used a bit of oil and the oil light started to come on for a few secs after start up at 80,000. Not changed the sensor.
Another common fault with higher mileage models is the spring that hold s the gear stick between 3rd and 4th looses is power.
Often discussed on BMW forum on here.
It been a very good car and hopefully only half used !!
Ex77
Always used a bit of oil and the oil light started to come on for a few secs after start up at 80,000. Not changed the sensor.
Another common fault with higher mileage models is the spring that hold s the gear stick between 3rd and 4th looses is power.
Often discussed on BMW forum on here.
It been a very good car and hopefully only half used !!
Ex77
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