First time BMW owner...E46 325i
Discussion
Lift the carpet up in the boot and check the condition of the floor near the back for cracking/rust etc. The E46 is known to have a couple of issues in that area.
About the only other thing besides coolant expansion tanks splitting is that they can snap rear springs. Mine had snapped on the bottom coil so no obvious drop in ride height.
Oh and dampers are rarely as free as they look on youtube DIY tutorials.
About the only other thing besides coolant expansion tanks splitting is that they can snap rear springs. Mine had snapped on the bottom coil so no obvious drop in ride height.
Oh and dampers are rarely as free as they look on youtube DIY tutorials.
The boot floor crack is only visible from underneath - around the passenger side rear subframe mount. The rads on these can be an absolute b
d to change. The whole radiator set up is far more complex than the E36 (why?) and those push fit hoses can be virtually welded on after 10-15 years.
d to change. The whole radiator set up is far more complex than the E36 (why?) and those push fit hoses can be virtually welded on after 10-15 years. Thanks for all the replies, getting to know the ins and outs slowly, so I picked up the car yesterday and brought it home roughly 75 miles, all smooth sailing until I went back out in it last night and it threw a few dashboard warning lights at me. I had the EML, traction light and amber brake warning light all light up at once, and an amber check engine light also. 3 of the lights were gone this morning, but the check engine light remained solid amber. I have a BMW C110 code reader on the way but until then I’m just guessing, the joys of old car ownership! Hoping it’s just something like a vacuum leak, going to run the car tonight and have a listen at the DISA valve as I’m certain I could hear a rattling or ticking coming from that area yesterday. Will have a look at the intake boots and throttle body as well while I’m at it. I’m certain it wasn’t running quite right as well as it was before the light. Anyone with these issues before?
If you find the code reader doesnt want to talk to the car there is a brilliant piece of software called BMW 1.4.0, you get a disc and a usb OBD scanner for about £15 which i've found to be more reliable than a handheld reader once you get used to how fiddly the software is to set up.
Oh and the neatest 'hidden feature' i've found so far, when you turn the engine off and pull the indicator stalk as though to flash you activate the driveway/path courtesy lighting feature.
Oh and the neatest 'hidden feature' i've found so far, when you turn the engine off and pull the indicator stalk as though to flash you activate the driveway/path courtesy lighting feature.
Never got round to posting any pics so here’s one...also had a chance to properly get the car looked over now, the radiator is badly swollen at the bottom and there is a coolant leak from somewhere as there was specs of coolant all over the top of the air duct above the kidney grilles after a hard drive, maybe getting whipped up from the belts if it’s leaking at the thermostat. Going to do the stat, water pump, expansion tank and radiator, with the 2 hoses as well and just be done with it in one go. Will be using genuine parts, except for the radiator I have seen Nissens mentioned but where is the best place to pick up one of these? 
iSore said:
The boot floor crack is only visible from underneath - around the passenger side rear subframe mount. The rads on these can be an absolute bd to change. The whole radiator set up is far more complex than the E36 (why?) and those push fit hoses can be virtually welded on after 10-15 years.
It’s extremely unlikely the OP’s car will suffer from this due to being a later E46. Something like 95% of failures are in cars manufactured before a certain date in 2001.. not sure about the M3 though. d to change. The whole radiator set up is far more complex than the E36 (why?) and those push fit hoses can be virtually welded on after 10-15 years. 
helix402 said:
eBay is cheapest for a Nissens rad. Coolant is G48. A 5l concentrate will give you some spare when mixed 50/50, is your car a manual or auto?
If it’s an auto get a new autobox cooler stat as it will break when you remove the exp tank.
Manual gearbox, had a browse at the nissens ones on ebay, found this one below but couldn’t see any mention of whether for manual or auto?If it’s an auto get a new autobox cooler stat as it will break when you remove the exp tank.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
KM666 said:
......Oh and the neatest 'hidden feature' i've found so far, when you turn the engine off and pull the indicator stalk as though to flash you activate the driveway/path courtesy lighting feature.
Probably well known on here already, but if you press and hold the unlock button on the main key, the windows should all open before you get to the car (and courtesy of Jeremy Clarkson, if you hold the key to your head whilst doing it, you look a bit silly, but you double the distance that the windows operate from - It really does work! ) - Very useful for letting the hot air out of the car before you get in, during the roasting hot days we've been having recently! 
helix402 said:
Rad is the same for manual or auto, comes with a choice of fittings for both.
Brilliant that’s a great help, away to order one up now, it also doesn’t mention whether it fits a car with air-con or without, take it that won’t matter either with this Nissens one? Planning to buy genuine for the rest of the parts, away to get a quote from Cotswolds unless anyone can recommend anywhere cheaper!4rephill said:
Probably well known on here already, but if you press and hold the unlock button on the main key, the windows should all open before you get to the car (and courtesy of Jeremy Clarkson, if you hold the key to your head whilst doing it, you look a bit silly, but you double the distance that the windows operate from - It really does work! ) - Very useful for letting the hot air out of the car before you get in, during the roasting hot days we've been having recently!
Yes iv been using that trick the last week before going in the car, all 4 roll down fine with the button or key turned in the lock, only thing is when I lock it and hold only 3 of the windows go back up, the front passengers one stays down for some reason! 
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