E46 mechanics buying guide
Discussion
Evening,
Just wondering if you guys could help out.
Potentially my mechanic is going to look over a 2003 E46 3L petrol manual touring on the weekend. A 2.8L is on the cards too.
Does anyone know of a technical checklist which I can just hand to him to check. I'm guessing he will have a fair clue, but I'm just wondering if there is anything already compiled? I have little to know technical knowledge you see.
I have looked a bit but can't find a definitive list that is fairly new, and I'm running out of time as I need to work on the house.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So far I have the following:
• The water pump, tensioner, belts, and control arm bushings have been replaced. First three should be done by 80,000, second every 45-50,000.
• Is the suspension still original?
• Make sure all the windows go up and down as they should as does the sunroof. Window regulators tend to go out.
• If you are buying an 01 330 be aware of the over boosted steering (it is soft)
• Check all of the vin numbers on the panels to make sure they line up
• Check for rear subframe damage. It will be under the car, between the wheels and around the differential. a torn subframe
• Inspect (plastic) fan blades on high mileage cars (>100K???). They've been known to come flying off (although I seem to recall hearing that this was more common on E36s).
• Inspect radiator expansion tank. It sometimes cracks and starts leaking.
• Rough idling. I seem to recall that there's a TSB on replacing Bremi coils with Bosch, or something like that. Other causes may include bad sensors (camshaft, etc.), bad VANOS (bad news if it is), bad motor mounts, etc.
• You should also mention that the windows should not make any click/clack sounds when going up or down, as that is another sign of impending regulator death.
• Door handles...lol...check the door handles and see if they've been repaired, and by who. From what ive been searching for online (since mine had an issue late last week that has since been fixed) the door handles tend to have issues on some E46's.
• Cam position sensors
• Ignition coils. okay these get tricky cause you can't really bust open the engine covers to check, but the original BREMI pencil coils are trash if they have the plastic bodies, the updated ones will have a metal shielding.
• Front lower control arm bushings. That annoying "clunk" you hear every time the brakes are applied is the sound of the Lower control arm bushings deteriorating, Trust me REPLACE THEM IF THEIR BAD, the consequences of letting them go too far are expensive.
• Right and left frontal underbody covers: every dits that has run over a parking lot bumper in a parking space risks tearing off these parts. they will house the exterior temp sensor and the heated washer nozzle temp sensor (the long skinny one is exterior temp) and if the Ext temp sensor is missing, guess what, you have no A/C.
• Main Belt tensioner: this one get's tricky to explain. the regular mechanical tensioner is spring loaded to hold tension on the belt, the UPDATED tensioner is hydraulic and act's like a shock. the mechanical type will over time make a horrific howling noise.
• Strut mount Pins: Okay this one is iffy. there are pins in the strut tower from the factory that require "punching out" before an alignment is performed, so if they are missing, the car MAY have been in a wreck, it is not sure fire, but it should raise your eyebrows if they are missing
• Door seals on Coupe's. These seals are known for pealing off at the edges, they are fairly expensive @ $200 for one seal not including labour, but it happens. so if your buying a coupe, get ready for this repair
• Window Regulators. One of the most predominant problems with bimmers. These regulators are a light weight design and break often. if you hear a tell-tale clicking in the window when moving up or down, it's gonna need a regulator soon
• Bulging strut towers
Just wondering if you guys could help out.
Potentially my mechanic is going to look over a 2003 E46 3L petrol manual touring on the weekend. A 2.8L is on the cards too.
Does anyone know of a technical checklist which I can just hand to him to check. I'm guessing he will have a fair clue, but I'm just wondering if there is anything already compiled? I have little to know technical knowledge you see.
I have looked a bit but can't find a definitive list that is fairly new, and I'm running out of time as I need to work on the house.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So far I have the following:
• The water pump, tensioner, belts, and control arm bushings have been replaced. First three should be done by 80,000, second every 45-50,000.
• Is the suspension still original?
• Make sure all the windows go up and down as they should as does the sunroof. Window regulators tend to go out.
• If you are buying an 01 330 be aware of the over boosted steering (it is soft)
• Check all of the vin numbers on the panels to make sure they line up
• Check for rear subframe damage. It will be under the car, between the wheels and around the differential. a torn subframe
• Inspect (plastic) fan blades on high mileage cars (>100K???). They've been known to come flying off (although I seem to recall hearing that this was more common on E36s).
• Inspect radiator expansion tank. It sometimes cracks and starts leaking.
• Rough idling. I seem to recall that there's a TSB on replacing Bremi coils with Bosch, or something like that. Other causes may include bad sensors (camshaft, etc.), bad VANOS (bad news if it is), bad motor mounts, etc.
• You should also mention that the windows should not make any click/clack sounds when going up or down, as that is another sign of impending regulator death.
• Door handles...lol...check the door handles and see if they've been repaired, and by who. From what ive been searching for online (since mine had an issue late last week that has since been fixed) the door handles tend to have issues on some E46's.
• Cam position sensors
• Ignition coils. okay these get tricky cause you can't really bust open the engine covers to check, but the original BREMI pencil coils are trash if they have the plastic bodies, the updated ones will have a metal shielding.
• Front lower control arm bushings. That annoying "clunk" you hear every time the brakes are applied is the sound of the Lower control arm bushings deteriorating, Trust me REPLACE THEM IF THEIR BAD, the consequences of letting them go too far are expensive.
• Right and left frontal underbody covers: every dits that has run over a parking lot bumper in a parking space risks tearing off these parts. they will house the exterior temp sensor and the heated washer nozzle temp sensor (the long skinny one is exterior temp) and if the Ext temp sensor is missing, guess what, you have no A/C.
• Main Belt tensioner: this one get's tricky to explain. the regular mechanical tensioner is spring loaded to hold tension on the belt, the UPDATED tensioner is hydraulic and act's like a shock. the mechanical type will over time make a horrific howling noise.
• Strut mount Pins: Okay this one is iffy. there are pins in the strut tower from the factory that require "punching out" before an alignment is performed, so if they are missing, the car MAY have been in a wreck, it is not sure fire, but it should raise your eyebrows if they are missing
• Door seals on Coupe's. These seals are known for pealing off at the edges, they are fairly expensive @ $200 for one seal not including labour, but it happens. so if your buying a coupe, get ready for this repair
• Window Regulators. One of the most predominant problems with bimmers. These regulators are a light weight design and break often. if you hear a tell-tale clicking in the window when moving up or down, it's gonna need a regulator soon
• Bulging strut towers
helix402 said:
If you want to know what to look for read my E46 threads in readers cars. There is one on a 328i saloon and two 330d touring threads. Between them nearly all common E46 6 cylinder faults are covered.
Ok thanks may take a look.That particular car has gone now, so may keep my options open to be honest... will keep an eye on that section too.
Definitely look very closely at the cooling system, check for a notchy gearbox if a auto.
Power steering fluid leaks and definitely rust, rust is the main reason I would say for e46's coming off the road, everything else is reasonably easy to fix and preventative maintenance will go far on a 6cylinder model.
Power steering fluid leaks and definitely rust, rust is the main reason I would say for e46's coming off the road, everything else is reasonably easy to fix and preventative maintenance will go far on a 6cylinder model.
corozin said:
I agree with all of the above. Potentially this is not going to be an expensive car to buy and that is a lot of pre flight checks if you're paying hourly for the mechanic.Better just to find a documented car with bills and go through them I would say.
Or just buy a newer model! 
Given that most things were getting rusty/crusty on my E46 I sold it and got an E91 this year - fingers crossed!
Mr Tidy said:
Or just buy a newer model!
Given that most things were getting rusty/crusty on my E46 I sold it and got an E91 this year - fingers crossed!
Hey Mr TidyGiven that most things were getting rusty/crusty on my E46 I sold it and got an E91 this year - fingers crossed!
It's Theog from Zed4 forum haha
Yes I'm kinda swerving back to the E91 again as it's newer / safer (for kids) and potentially sounds better with the N52 set up.
The 3L E46 was really pleasing to drive though!
Annoyingly the seller said he would take deposits, but didnt in the end, then sold it to someone else.... hey great... so re thinking the idea now. It was going for ~£1.9k but there were some serious scratches / bumps and was the colour of what looked like bile haha
I saw this come onto the market and was quite interested, but ideally looking for an E91 N52 3L with light interior - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the link dies it's a 2006 E91 330I SE Touring manual... only 25k on the clock... kinda makes me wonder what it's been doing that whole time.
Has anyone driven the E91 3L N52 back to back with E46 3L? I have to say, I prefered the driving experience of the E46 touring in comparison to the F31 335D... I'm thinking it has to be petrol / manual. Also hydraulic steering I guess is a must too, which kinda limits it a bit that's for sure.
theog87 said:
Hey Mr Tidy
It's Theog from Zed4 forum haha
Yes I'm kinda swerving back to the E91 again as it's newer / safer (for kids) and potentially sounds better with the N52 set up.
The 3L E46 was really pleasing to drive though!
Annoyingly the seller said he would take deposits, but didnt in the end, then sold it to someone else.... hey great... so re thinking the idea now. It was going for ~£1.9k but there were some serious scratches / bumps and was the colour of what looked like bile haha
I saw this come onto the market and was quite interested, but ideally looking for an E91 N52 3L with light interior - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the link dies it's a 2006 E91 330I SE Touring manual... only 25k on the clock... kinda makes me wonder what it's been doing that whole time.
Has anyone driven the E91 3L N52 back to back with E46 3L? I have to say, I prefered the driving experience of the E46 touring in comparison to the F31 335D... I'm thinking it has to be petrol / manual. Also hydraulic steering I guess is a must too, which kinda limits it a bit that's for sure.
Hi Theog. It's Theog from Zed4 forum haha
Yes I'm kinda swerving back to the E91 again as it's newer / safer (for kids) and potentially sounds better with the N52 set up.
The 3L E46 was really pleasing to drive though!
Annoyingly the seller said he would take deposits, but didnt in the end, then sold it to someone else.... hey great... so re thinking the idea now. It was going for ~£1.9k but there were some serious scratches / bumps and was the colour of what looked like bile haha
I saw this come onto the market and was quite interested, but ideally looking for an E91 N52 3L with light interior - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
If the link dies it's a 2006 E91 330I SE Touring manual... only 25k on the clock... kinda makes me wonder what it's been doing that whole time.
Has anyone driven the E91 3L N52 back to back with E46 3L? I have to say, I prefered the driving experience of the E46 touring in comparison to the F31 335D... I'm thinking it has to be petrol / manual. Also hydraulic steering I guess is a must too, which kinda limits it a bit that's for sure.
I'm pretty sure that is lord trumpton's 330i as someone said there is a thread about it - in Readers' Cars IIRC. I don't think he's had it long but it doesn't really suit his needs, so who knows what it was doing before that?
I've driven E91 325i back to back with E46 325ti as I replaced my 325ti with an E91, so it's the same N52 to M54 comparison - just in 2.5 litre format!
IMO the E91 is much more refined than the E46 in every respect, even the "thunk" when you close a door. And it's much quieter, but when you push on a bit the E91 is just as good as the E46 - it just doesn't encourage you to do it as much, although it works equally well when you do! The E91 has longer gearing and the N52 needs to be revved much more than the M54, but when you do it feels every bit as quick - possibly slightly quicker.
The bonus with an N52 engined E91 is it may well have HPAS rather than EPAS - my 2006 E91 has HPAS and it's better than my E46 in that respect (and much better than the EPAS on my Z4).
I thought about a 330i E91, but all that I saw were nearly twice the price of 325is so I compromised - I've got the Z4 if I'm in a hurry! And manual petrol straight 6 Tourings of any model are pretty hard to find.
I bought my 325i in February with 132K miles on it for around £3K and it drives really well (so far).
Plus it sounds like you'd like the colour scheme - Sparkling Graphite with Lemon leather.
Apologies to anyone else for wandering a bit off-topic.
Mr Tidy said:
The E91 has longer gearing and the N52 needs to be revved much more than the M54, but when you do it feels every bit as quick - possibly slightly quicker.
Sorry I thought I replied to this.Quite interesting. Still undecided though so I have left the autotrader notifications on and waiting for a miracle to come up.
One thing that's interesting is that my mechanics place was originally set up by his dad (who is now retired). He has a e46 2.5L touring with cream interior and silver outside. It's done 140k on the clock, but I know those guys keep their cars really nice.
He has an e30 touring which looks good as new.... so I may have a look at that when it's next in the garage. He said hes just putin new shocks and a few other things so I would like to think it would be a good example regardless of it not being a 3L.
I'm starting to care less about the speed now. I am still very interested in petrol / sounding good / nice reving though. That in combination with nice weighty steering with good feel is basically what I'm after.... that might be an e46 or an e91.
Will keep you posted regardless
theog87 said:
I'm starting to care less about the speed now. I am still very interested in petrol / sounding good / nice reving though. That in combination with nice weighty steering with good feel is basically what I'm after.... that might be an e46 or an e91.
They are quite different in character to be fair. On Thursday I went on a 350+ mile round-trip to buy some wheels for my Z4 - that's when an E91 comes in handy!
My nephew came along as he had a day off. He has a 54 plate E46 325i Sport Touring and was surprised at how quiet my E91 325i was! The E46 seems to pull better at lower revs, the E91 only tends to get lively above 4,000 rpm and that's when you finally get to hear it!
His E46 works well for him as it's his only car, my E91 works well for me as a daily - it really depends what you want.
Good luck finding the one that suits you.
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