E46 330 Tourings - What to look out for
Discussion
Loved my car (facelift one-owner 2002 330i SE Oxford Green Touring Auto) but had rust done once on rear arches and sills when I got it, then new front OEM wing later, then rust returned on rear arches 5 years later.
Thermostat went early on. Rear parking sensors a constant battle. Had brake pipes done. Had fuel line done. Had various bushes done when one front shock failed MOT. Had warning light (oil level I think??) sensor replaced. Had new front caliper (hot disc). One rear window (or door?) not lifting/locking and never fixed. Interior trim cheap and flakes off (beige) and gets sticky. Massive white cloud of smoke on start-up alarming but sludged-up something (experts will know) and fixed itself - mechanic said taking all the plastic apart to replace it would cause more problems.
Never just move it in the drive for a few seconds and switch off as it will mess the choke settings up and flood the plugs. AA job twice and later needed a new battery (coincidence).
Did not use much oil and averaged 25.41mpg in 6 years (2013-2019) and over 27, 583 miles.
I had a full file of bills from well-to-do Home Counties previous owner (first was BMW press car) and they were HUGE. £1000s.
Other than that... fill your boots. Great cars but flawed - the engine is superb.
Thermostat went early on. Rear parking sensors a constant battle. Had brake pipes done. Had fuel line done. Had various bushes done when one front shock failed MOT. Had warning light (oil level I think??) sensor replaced. Had new front caliper (hot disc). One rear window (or door?) not lifting/locking and never fixed. Interior trim cheap and flakes off (beige) and gets sticky. Massive white cloud of smoke on start-up alarming but sludged-up something (experts will know) and fixed itself - mechanic said taking all the plastic apart to replace it would cause more problems.
Never just move it in the drive for a few seconds and switch off as it will mess the choke settings up and flood the plugs. AA job twice and later needed a new battery (coincidence).
Did not use much oil and averaged 25.41mpg in 6 years (2013-2019) and over 27, 583 miles.
I had a full file of bills from well-to-do Home Counties previous owner (first was BMW press car) and they were HUGE. £1000s.
Other than that... fill your boots. Great cars but flawed - the engine is superb.
JakeT said:
PurpleTurtle said:
JakeT said:
Also, to add brake callipers like to seize. Stop after a run and check the temperature of the wheels. I think ive replaced callipers on every E46 I or a mate has owned. It’s an easy job fortunately.
Don't do what I did and touch them thinking they would be just a bit warm! Really hot, gave me a nasty burn. Do it from a distance, or chuck a bottle of water on them for that satisfying instant vaporisation sign to get the spanners out! As you say, a relatively easy job, but one I find weirdly therapeutic! seals can be a bit fiddly but again, handy how-to's are on YouTube.
Just to follow this up as we all hate it when the OP goes AWOL. I bought it yesterday, really happy with it, a couple of niggles to look at but nothing massive. Lovely to be back in a car with a straight 6, such an addictive noise. I am off for a lunch time cruise now just because I can 
geeks said:
Just to follow this up as we all hate it when the OP goes AWOL. I bought it yesterday, really happy with it, a couple of niggles to look at but nothing massive. Lovely to be back in a car with a straight 6, such an addictive noise. I am off for a lunch time cruise now just because I can
Congrats 
Get a Readers Cars thread going
k toogeeks said:
Just to follow this up as we all hate it when the OP goes AWOL. I bought it yesterday, really happy with it, a couple of niggles to look at but nothing massive. Lovely to be back in a car with a straight 6, such an addictive noise. I am off for a lunch time cruise now just because I can
Well done Glad you found something
For those who are interested in such things my readers car thread is up https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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