E46 2.2i Msport........ what to look for now & in future
Discussion
Hi guys ive finally managed to secure a 3 series that im happy with.....
I didnt go for an E90 as planned. As soon as I saw a mint looking E46 with only 84,000 miles I just had to have it. And at a decent price of only £2650! I just prefer the look of a mint E46 compared to the E90!
E46 Msport 2.2i, 4 doors with auto gearbox.
Ive had a mechanic mate come with me & he test drove the car. He says its a very very good example and sound. Not one spec of rust is visable!
Im not a mechanic or know alot about cars...Especially BMWs... So what should I be looking out for leading upto 100,000 miles with this engine? Is there anything that should be replaced now that may not have been done so? I heard something about coilpacks & plugs?
Prevention is cheaper than the cure etc!
Any advise is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
I didnt go for an E90 as planned. As soon as I saw a mint looking E46 with only 84,000 miles I just had to have it. And at a decent price of only £2650! I just prefer the look of a mint E46 compared to the E90!
E46 Msport 2.2i, 4 doors with auto gearbox.
Ive had a mechanic mate come with me & he test drove the car. He says its a very very good example and sound. Not one spec of rust is visable!
Im not a mechanic or know alot about cars...Especially BMWs... So what should I be looking out for leading upto 100,000 miles with this engine? Is there anything that should be replaced now that may not have been done so? I heard something about coilpacks & plugs?
Prevention is cheaper than the cure etc!
Any advise is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Congratulations on buying a naturally aspirated straight 6 with rear wheel drive - they are a dying breed!
Just a quick observation, but some are a bit precious about the "M" bit, and AFAIK there is no M-Sport E46 - it was a few years later BMW started sprinkling the "M" fairy dust over 318s and 114ds!
I bought a 325ti Sport Compact last year and it may have "M" badges on the sill covers, wheels, steering wheel and gearknob but it is a Sport, not an M-Sport!
Anyway mine had done about 80,000 miles and needed a cooling system refresh as the radiator had bowed at the bottom which is a common problem (also had a new temperature sensor, expansion tank, thermostat, auxiliary drive belt, etc. as preventative work). Suspension generally gets a bit sloppy at this sort of mileage and some reckon a gearbox oil change is a good idea, even though BMW claim they are "sealed for life".
May have missed a few bits but I am sure someone will be along to fill in the gaps!
Regardless, a 6 cylinder E46 is a fantastic car to drive so just look after it and enjoy it!
Just a quick observation, but some are a bit precious about the "M" bit, and AFAIK there is no M-Sport E46 - it was a few years later BMW started sprinkling the "M" fairy dust over 318s and 114ds!
I bought a 325ti Sport Compact last year and it may have "M" badges on the sill covers, wheels, steering wheel and gearknob but it is a Sport, not an M-Sport!
Anyway mine had done about 80,000 miles and needed a cooling system refresh as the radiator had bowed at the bottom which is a common problem (also had a new temperature sensor, expansion tank, thermostat, auxiliary drive belt, etc. as preventative work). Suspension generally gets a bit sloppy at this sort of mileage and some reckon a gearbox oil change is a good idea, even though BMW claim they are "sealed for life".
May have missed a few bits but I am sure someone will be along to fill in the gaps!
Regardless, a 6 cylinder E46 is a fantastic car to drive so just look after it and enjoy it!
thanks for the info guys.
Yes like I said im not mega clued up on BMWs, or mechanically minded.
Your right though its classed as a sport, not M-Sport!
I was originally looking for a 325i or 330i however for around the 3K mark I couldnt find anything in my area that didnt either look abit tatty, had high milage (around 125k in most cases) or rust around the arches. I also needed 4 doors which also cut down my options.
So, for the outlay I think this was the better option even though its only a 2.2.
The lad who came with me also said its a good option because its also an auto. Apparently the engine doesn't get as much wear as a manual. Would this be right? I must say though that having never driven an auto before its very strange having no clutch or gear change!
Im picking it upto tomorrow all being well so will post pics then.
Yes like I said im not mega clued up on BMWs, or mechanically minded.
Your right though its classed as a sport, not M-Sport!
I was originally looking for a 325i or 330i however for around the 3K mark I couldnt find anything in my area that didnt either look abit tatty, had high milage (around 125k in most cases) or rust around the arches. I also needed 4 doors which also cut down my options.
So, for the outlay I think this was the better option even though its only a 2.2.
The lad who came with me also said its a good option because its also an auto. Apparently the engine doesn't get as much wear as a manual. Would this be right? I must say though that having never driven an auto before its very strange having no clutch or gear change!
Im picking it upto tomorrow all being well so will post pics then.
Edited by Kev Gee on Tuesday 24th November 09:01
I had a manual one of these for a couple of years. It's not a torque high engine, but is probable the sweetest of all the 6 cylinders. Really revvy little thing. If you want to make brisk progress it will need to be revved, but they do like it and they sound great.
I would budget for a new radiator and water pump as if they have not been changed they will most certainly be on their last legs.
If the car train tracks it will need new front ball joints. Other than that they are really sweet cars. We'll done
I would budget for a new radiator and water pump as if they have not been changed they will most certainly be on their last legs.
If the car train tracks it will need new front ball joints. Other than that they are really sweet cars. We'll done
Sohlman said:
It's not a torque high engine, but is probable the sweetest of all the 6 cylinders. Really revvy little thing. If you want to make brisk progress it will need to be revved, but they do like it and they sound great.
Yeah I was surprised by this but yeah dead right. Feels odd dropping it into 3rd on the motorway, but such is life!Daniel
Sohlman said:
I had a manual one of these for a couple of years. It's not a torque high engine, but is probable the sweetest of all the 6 cylinders. Really revvy little thing. If you want to make brisk progress it will need to be revved, but they do like it and they sound great.
I would budget for a new radiator and water pump as if they have not been changed they will most certainly be on their last legs.
If the car train tracks it will need new front ball joints. Other than that they are really sweet cars. We'll done
yeah ive noticed on the auto it also likes to give it some revs!I would budget for a new radiator and water pump as if they have not been changed they will most certainly be on their last legs.
If the car train tracks it will need new front ball joints. Other than that they are really sweet cars. We'll done
Ok so now a couple of people have now mentioned the radiator so that's the first thing I will have to look at!!
Cheers for the info!!
The E46 cooling does appear to attract a lot of attention, I am not suite sure how much of an issue this.
That said, I have an E36 which has a somewhat corroded and hence bulging up, and it also weeps at the heater matrix take-off point and the union in the footwell onto the matrix itself. But the, its a 20yo with 176k on the clock and its just done it third MOT under my ownership with limited drama.
Daniel
That said, I have an E36 which has a somewhat corroded and hence bulging up, and it also weeps at the heater matrix take-off point and the union in the footwell onto the matrix itself. But the, its a 20yo with 176k on the clock and its just done it third MOT under my ownership with limited drama.
Daniel
Ok so ive picked the car up & its pretty sweet.
As mentioned its lacking torque (no biggy as i knew this at purchase)
The last car I had was turboed so I reckon this could be why Im feeling less pull as im used to turbos! It still shifts when needed...
After doing a VIN check the power is coming out at 120... Is that correct? Seems alittle low for a 2.2 petrol?
Its a really nice drive.. feels really solid. The engine loves to rev loads and when i plant my foot it whacks up the revs... Maybe this is due to my inexperience with auto gearboxes. (this is my first auto) I do get the impression that sometimes the auto gearbox is trying to make up its mind what it wants to do when i floor it....
Im pretty pleased with it and for 84k miles I feel ive got a great car at great value and its a BMW!!!
As mentioned its lacking torque (no biggy as i knew this at purchase)
The last car I had was turboed so I reckon this could be why Im feeling less pull as im used to turbos! It still shifts when needed...
After doing a VIN check the power is coming out at 120... Is that correct? Seems alittle low for a 2.2 petrol?
Its a really nice drive.. feels really solid. The engine loves to rev loads and when i plant my foot it whacks up the revs... Maybe this is due to my inexperience with auto gearboxes. (this is my first auto) I do get the impression that sometimes the auto gearbox is trying to make up its mind what it wants to do when i floor it....
Im pretty pleased with it and for 84k miles I feel ive got a great car at great value and its a BMW!!!
Power on these engines is 170bhp
It's a strong gearbox, which was good in its time, but not as responsive as a manual or dsg box
When you hit the kick down button it should change down pretty quickly. If it's being slow a gearbox oil Change will improve things. They are supposedly sealed for life, but that's rubbish.
Good colour enjoy
It's a strong gearbox, which was good in its time, but not as responsive as a manual or dsg box
When you hit the kick down button it should change down pretty quickly. If it's being slow a gearbox oil Change will improve things. They are supposedly sealed for life, but that's rubbish.
Good colour enjoy
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