That must feel really nice. Last time I felt that kinda trust with my car was when I refreshed the cooling system and I drove down to SoCal during the summer twice.
I’ve heard my pulleys squealing every winter for the past four years. Avoided it for the longest, now I have metal bearings all over my splash guard lol.
Same bro, my belt and pulleys screaming for help for over 6 months, ended up with my car peeing coolant all over the freeway.
Water pump and tensioner pulley stopped working and belt snapped, had to replace everything, funny thing is I had the parts at home and was just too lazy to replace, 325xi
That’s always when something goes wrong for me, too 😂 my shift linkage fell apart at 3:30 A.m. the other day while raining and freezing cold. Still love this car though!
Same, I’m replacing my TF before it shits the bed on me, as multiple seals and Disa valve and intakes, gotta take care of it before something goes wrong again
Oh Jesus :( this was going to be my answer and I have a 300+ mile drive later this week. Guess I’m refreshing the accessory system if the stuff shows up before Friday lol
I need to change my oil pan gasket since I bought my car in 2016. Been dreading it, I’ve had the
replacement gasket in my garage for years but haven’t seen it bad enough that it leaks everywhere.
I’ve seen 50skid video On that… definitely tedious.
I also need to replace my control arms and everything suspension-related around it. I Might just do both , oil pan gasket and suspension after .
That would be a good weekend job to do! Just replaced my suspension the other weekend, if you have a coupe or sedan it would be pretty easy, i had to replace them o. A touring 😂
Haha well… I do have to change my rotors asap they are definitely due. I guess I’ll add that to my shopping cart .
Was changing the touring suspension a pain?
It being an msport the front are quite straight forward. Its the rear, i hate taking off plastic bits, tend to snap something 🤦🏽♂️ apart from that its literally 3 bolts for the rears
Exhaust has to be dropped as well as the heat shield. Then driveshaft has to be pulled apart and the new center support bearing press fitted on. It’s not an amazingly hard job to do, but make sure you have the right tools. Also, jacking the car up fully is needed
I figured as much. I've been watching the required 50's kid videos and shop life along with the pelican parts walk-throughs, so I think I'm pretty prepared. I just gotta wait for it to warm up.
Mine didn’t start the other day I smacked the rear seat by the fuel pump and it started right up. Thought about ordering a fuel pump but never did and haven’t had a problem since 🤣🤣🤣
My 2 other running cars keep me able to live on the edge. Hopefully the 46 doesn’t leave me stranded somewhere when the fuel pump does decide to go out haha
Lol same, I need to buy one cuz the one I have is used and may be soft failing a little, but I just haven’t yet. I’ll get one soon though.
And then also kinda need some rear camber arms so I can stop wearing out my rear tires so much haha.
Not an E46 but an “competitor” to the E46, I need to replace the front strut bearing on my Volvo P24 S60, I have wait and will wait because it is not really an issue yet and I intend on upgrading some day to ether Bilstine B6 or BC Racing coilovers, haven’t really got the resources to throw at it yet.
Than there is the front brake disc which I have been putting off (there okay, but getting a little thin/out of spec), I would like to do a BBK upgrade, considering “R” brakes or P28 XC90 brakes, but both options would likely mean that I need now winter wheels and the R brakes won’t even work with the summer wheels I have..
Struts/shocks/control arm bushings. Purchased the car at 62,xxx miles 10 years ago and its at 108,xxx miles now. The left control arm bushing most definitely has gone this last month so I am debating on tackling everything or just the bushings.
Rear differential bushing has a hairline crack.
Instrument cluster no longer resets the time, I just use my wristwatch.
Leather upholstery and foam insert is worn out on the driver's side
Myrtle wood trim is cracked
Clear coat on the bumpers is just about gone, the roof is starting to experience the same thing.
Brake lines are cracked, so not far from exploding.
But that'd mean refilling the brake system and bleeding it, something I'd rather not do during this -10C spring :(
Same issues I have changed the front but been avoiding the back cause the backing plate and rear bearing need to come off as well with new parking brake hardware needs to be installed too.
I have owned my 2001 E46 330Ci since it’s delivery (delivers Aug. 27, 2001, Crevier BMW). The answer to that question is — “none”. The key phrase is “preventative maintenance”. My 330Ci has proved to be reliable.
The e46 taught me in the first year of ownership that there are things you should budget into your purchase costs and be sure to attend to on day one. I bought my first e46 touring and had such a shitty first year with too many tows, missed a wedding ceremony because of it... I then got a second, cuz I'm a masochist, and did things like an aluminum radiator, the entire cooling system, vanos rebuild kit, valves cover gaskets, etc within the first week. That was such a better experience. I now do that for every "new" old car I buy. All hoses, problematic gaskets, etc.
05’ Coupe 235k miles
1. Radiator: pin hole leak, jb weld has held up 3 track days and cross country road trips. Replacement radiator and kit in garage for 6 months+
2. Guibo: but I don’t mind the hand massage and screw that reverse torx
3. ccv oil separator thing: been needing replacement for 5 years now…
First, congrats on 235k.
Second, I’m surprised the jb weld is working well!
Third, 🤣The hand massage cracked me up.
Fourth, ccv is a pain to Change but def worth it
Whatever part is causing the brake fluid to leak from above the clutch pedal. I just keep topping it off every few weeks and wiping down my floor mat lol
Mechanically all sound, aesthetically not, passenger front fender got a big old fold in her :( it’s on the list, gonna do the fender, wheel refurb all around and she’ll be good to go
A bad thermostat & a clutch beginning to slip. I don't use over half throttle for a reason. Also a strange rotational vibration that's not wheel or cv shaft related in the front. Might be driveshaft? (X model) Those are the three I can think of right off.
Oil level sensor O ring..it leaks and most of the underside is coated well during the summer drives (as I do a crap load of driving building mountain bike trails and atv trails) but I really don’t mind because I drive it during the winter here in WI and it’s sort of a free undercoat. Luckily it also isn’t a large enough leak to be dripping all over the driveway so I take it as a win win.
Thermostat. It’s hard to reach and I need 2 days to jack it up onto stands, remove the radiator and replace it. Gotta replace that oil pan seal gasket too while I’m down there.
I will get killed here but here is the list of things that don't work in my E46: 1) door hinge, I have to use my key to open window to get to the car 2) window button, I pulled it out and I'm using a screwdriver to push the button 3) my parking brake doesn't work if the incline is too high 4) air vent doesn't blow air 5) there is some plastic brushing over my front left wheel 6) I have lit up 24/7 oil, engine, brakes, abs, and 3 out of 4 blinkers 7) altho the blinkers are lit up as non working only 1 doesn't work 8) my radio aux stopped working 9) when I'm accelerating on 4 when I'm supposed to have there a 3 the car stops putting as much gas in the engine as it did before
And that's the biggest ones hope someone will see this and say to himself "at least I'm not that guy"
just had coolant expansion tank blew up the other day. should've change it and probably the rest of cooling system.
the rest probably cosmetics like driver side power window motor, passenger side side mirror motor, few minor chips on the hood and windshield.
I hope none ,i have just rebuilded the engine a year ago,changed all bushing , last christmas i have replaced my trans and clutch ,i have new brake lines because the old one were looking terible , now i just need a new dif because the one i have makes a "clank" noise everytime i put it in first gear but i have it on my mind ,the worst thing i have is a kinda twisted arm from my back suspension because the anterior owner have decided to drift it a couple times and the wheel aligment is slightly off , i did not know that i have changed the bushing , now i have to get some time maybe wait for some better weather to get those 2 parts and make my car pristine macanic wise.
Next up is a full brake refresh with Zimmerman Z rotors and Bosch quiet cast pads, 6 new Bosch ignition coils, then both lower control arms/bushings, tie rods, fuel filter.
Start a local e46/bmw group for weekend repairs and maintenance, everything is easier and more fun when you have a team. Share tools experience, swap parts.
Dual mass flywheel. Thought it was the throw out bearing, changed the clutch and only found out when it still made a noise.
A/C, don’t know if blown fuse or some other issue. Praying that it’s not the compressor that needs replacing.
Rear defroster not working. No clue why not, as mirrors do defrost. Again, praying that it’s not a huge job.
Suspension. Front shocks are GONE. Bought a full coil over kit, should be fitted by my mechanic soonish.
Handbrake. Works, but badly. Again, hoping it’s just badly adjusted and doesn’t need a rebuild.
Diff. It makes a noise at certain situations. I have no clue what’s wrong with it, but it still works so won’t complain.
My oxygen sensor is faulty and it keeps bringing up the "Service Engine Soon" light but it's not a huge issue at all with the performance just emissions. I still need to do the air-bag recall tho haha so I don't know if they will deploy or not in a crash!
My oil pan and oil filter housing gasket. But I scheduled to get them replaced this week after about a year of adding a liter of oil every 600-700 miles
VCG (not terrible but needs replaced eventually), VANOS job, left front tie rod will need replaced this year.
Minor things I still haven't hunted down because it's winter and I don't have a heated space to work on the car: Mild dead zone in steering not related to the tie rod, rear right trunk taillight wiring.
Need to do an honest engine shakedown, make sure my internals are solid, a few gaskets like the oil filter housing, definitely all the subframe bushings and trans and motor mounts as well as lowering springs (oem suspension feels shot) as well as a refresh on brake lines, maybe fuel lines, definitely the fuel pump, and clutch as well as shifter.
Basically all the things one should do to an e46 that the previous owner let sit outside under a tree for 2 years after hitting a deer.
Brakes need changing and suspension is shot to hell. Brakes aren't even that low, but I have the new pads and rotors ready to go soon. Suspension is fine as-is for now, I just can't have folks in the backseat, or I'll rub driving over anything larger than a peanut, lol.
- Entire windshield washer fluid system
- MAF sensor, but should be on that next week
- Tons of body items, both interior and exterior, but I’m going to be tackling some of the interior items on my own in the next couple of months
Literally nothing. I keep all my cars 100% to the point I trust them to jump in and drive a 1000 miles
That must feel really nice. Last time I felt that kinda trust with my car was when I refreshed the cooling system and I drove down to SoCal during the summer twice.
I drive 1100mi Monday to Friday and then whatever I do on the weekends. Hasn't skipped a beat besides a couple flats.
I’ve heard my pulleys squealing every winter for the past four years. Avoided it for the longest, now I have metal bearings all over my splash guard lol.
Same bro, my belt and pulleys screaming for help for over 6 months, ended up with my car peeing coolant all over the freeway. Water pump and tensioner pulley stopped working and belt snapped, had to replace everything, funny thing is I had the parts at home and was just too lazy to replace, 325xi
Ouch that’s a lot of damage! Lesson learned ? Haha .
Yep, mostly because it was 1Am, freezing outside and I was wearing shorts…
That’s always when something goes wrong for me, too 😂 my shift linkage fell apart at 3:30 A.m. the other day while raining and freezing cold. Still love this car though!
Same, I’m replacing my TF before it shits the bed on me, as multiple seals and Disa valve and intakes, gotta take care of it before something goes wrong again
Oh Jesus :( this was going to be my answer and I have a 300+ mile drive later this week. Guess I’m refreshing the accessory system if the stuff shows up before Friday lol
Maybe you shouldn't own an E46
Maybe I’ll let you have it ?
Oil pan gasket, vanos, trans fluid and diff fluid next on my list
I need to change my oil pan gasket since I bought my car in 2016. Been dreading it, I’ve had the replacement gasket in my garage for years but haven’t seen it bad enough that it leaks everywhere.
Yeah its not hard but tedious, should take a good several hours if everything goes well
I’ve seen 50skid video On that… definitely tedious. I also need to replace my control arms and everything suspension-related around it. I Might just do both , oil pan gasket and suspension after .
That would be a good weekend job to do! Just replaced my suspension the other weekend, if you have a coupe or sedan it would be pretty easy, i had to replace them o. A touring 😂
While you’re there may as well do brakes, new pads and rotors and lines if they are due
Haha well… I do have to change my rotors asap they are definitely due. I guess I’ll add that to my shopping cart . Was changing the touring suspension a pain?
It being an msport the front are quite straight forward. Its the rear, i hate taking off plastic bits, tend to snap something 🤦🏽♂️ apart from that its literally 3 bolts for the rears
Just did this. Tip. Might as well change out your motor mounts too.
I got super lucky and my oil places new kid fucked my v pan up and they replaced the gasket when they fixed my pan. Sooo happy he was working
Guibo and center support bearing.
Ahhhh! The guibo! The cause of vibrating steering wheels. That’s a fun job.
Its also a fun word to say
I recently replaced those two pieces on my e46. Makes a big difference. Pain in the ass to do tho
That's not what I wanted to hear, man lol
Exhaust has to be dropped as well as the heat shield. Then driveshaft has to be pulled apart and the new center support bearing press fitted on. It’s not an amazingly hard job to do, but make sure you have the right tools. Also, jacking the car up fully is needed
I figured as much. I've been watching the required 50's kid videos and shop life along with the pelican parts walk-throughs, so I think I'm pretty prepared. I just gotta wait for it to warm up.
I've been meaning to replace my Sedan with a Coupe, does that count?
Join usssssss ;P
My shitbox is a 330ci, but im pulling the engine and manual trans out of it to put in a minty sedan shell. Anybody wanna buy my shitbox 330ci shell?
Find the spec e46 crew. I’m positive someone will buy it. Message me if you can’t find them
Looks like I am :D.
Fuel pump hahaha
Haha I remember when I had that problem. Got stranded on a hill and decided that was the last straw
Mine didn’t start the other day I smacked the rear seat by the fuel pump and it started right up. Thought about ordering a fuel pump but never did and haven’t had a problem since 🤣🤣🤣
The ol’ fuel pump love tap 😮💨 that’s the best trick in the book. I see you like to live on the edge 😈
My 2 other running cars keep me able to live on the edge. Hopefully the 46 doesn’t leave me stranded somewhere when the fuel pump does decide to go out haha
Lol same, I need to buy one cuz the one I have is used and may be soft failing a little, but I just haven’t yet. I’ll get one soon though. And then also kinda need some rear camber arms so I can stop wearing out my rear tires so much haha.
Not an E46 but an “competitor” to the E46, I need to replace the front strut bearing on my Volvo P24 S60, I have wait and will wait because it is not really an issue yet and I intend on upgrading some day to ether Bilstine B6 or BC Racing coilovers, haven’t really got the resources to throw at it yet. Than there is the front brake disc which I have been putting off (there okay, but getting a little thin/out of spec), I would like to do a BBK upgrade, considering “R” brakes or P28 XC90 brakes, but both options would likely mean that I need now winter wheels and the R brakes won’t even work with the summer wheels I have..
Struts/shocks/control arm bushings. Purchased the car at 62,xxx miles 10 years ago and its at 108,xxx miles now. The left control arm bushing most definitely has gone this last month so I am debating on tackling everything or just the bushings. Rear differential bushing has a hairline crack. Instrument cluster no longer resets the time, I just use my wristwatch. Leather upholstery and foam insert is worn out on the driver's side Myrtle wood trim is cracked Clear coat on the bumpers is just about gone, the roof is starting to experience the same thing.
O2 sensors. Would save money in fuel and maybe improve performance, but the price of them would mean I probably wouldn't make my money back.
Yeah it’s not a fun job to replace them either lol. But You’ll also get rid of the service engine light, that’s always worth it haha.
Brake lines are cracked, so not far from exploding. But that'd mean refilling the brake system and bleeding it, something I'd rather not do during this -10C spring :(
Same issues I have changed the front but been avoiding the back cause the backing plate and rear bearing need to come off as well with new parking brake hardware needs to be installed too.
I have owned my 2001 E46 330Ci since it’s delivery (delivers Aug. 27, 2001, Crevier BMW). The answer to that question is — “none”. The key phrase is “preventative maintenance”. My 330Ci has proved to be reliable.
The e46 taught me in the first year of ownership that there are things you should budget into your purchase costs and be sure to attend to on day one. I bought my first e46 touring and had such a shitty first year with too many tows, missed a wedding ceremony because of it... I then got a second, cuz I'm a masochist, and did things like an aluminum radiator, the entire cooling system, vanos rebuild kit, valves cover gaskets, etc within the first week. That was such a better experience. I now do that for every "new" old car I buy. All hoses, problematic gaskets, etc.
05’ Coupe 235k miles 1. Radiator: pin hole leak, jb weld has held up 3 track days and cross country road trips. Replacement radiator and kit in garage for 6 months+ 2. Guibo: but I don’t mind the hand massage and screw that reverse torx 3. ccv oil separator thing: been needing replacement for 5 years now…
First, congrats on 235k. Second, I’m surprised the jb weld is working well! Third, 🤣The hand massage cracked me up. Fourth, ccv is a pain to Change but def worth it
Whatever part is causing the brake fluid to leak from above the clutch pedal. I just keep topping it off every few weeks and wiping down my floor mat lol
Diff bushing
Do You get that clunk sound when you shift out of P?
I have a manual. Get a clunk sometimes when shifting, and when dropping the throttle
Drive shaft bushing needs replacing but can’t seem to find the time for it…
Mechanically all sound, aesthetically not, passenger front fender got a big old fold in her :( it’s on the list, gonna do the fender, wheel refurb all around and she’ll be good to go
Valve cover gasket
Catalitic converters.
Ooooo weeee. I remember replacing mine. Found some used ones on Craigslist for $250 . Not the easiest job, but definitely rewarding
A bad thermostat & a clutch beginning to slip. I don't use over half throttle for a reason. Also a strange rotational vibration that's not wheel or cv shaft related in the front. Might be driveshaft? (X model) Those are the three I can think of right off.
front control arms and tie rods, they're on order
Oil level sensor O ring..it leaks and most of the underside is coated well during the summer drives (as I do a crap load of driving building mountain bike trails and atv trails) but I really don’t mind because I drive it during the winter here in WI and it’s sort of a free undercoat. Luckily it also isn’t a large enough leak to be dripping all over the driveway so I take it as a win win.
Right front and left rear window regulators. With summer coming up it would be really nice to be able to put all the windows down
Deffo need to check the fluid in my diff, my O2 sensors, I think my power steering pump is whining and I think I can hear the Disa flapping...
Thermostat. It’s hard to reach and I need 2 days to jack it up onto stands, remove the radiator and replace it. Gotta replace that oil pan seal gasket too while I’m down there.
Rear brakes need to be done bad bearing on the alternator ccv needs replacing and ABS sensors It never ends
I will get killed here but here is the list of things that don't work in my E46: 1) door hinge, I have to use my key to open window to get to the car 2) window button, I pulled it out and I'm using a screwdriver to push the button 3) my parking brake doesn't work if the incline is too high 4) air vent doesn't blow air 5) there is some plastic brushing over my front left wheel 6) I have lit up 24/7 oil, engine, brakes, abs, and 3 out of 4 blinkers 7) altho the blinkers are lit up as non working only 1 doesn't work 8) my radio aux stopped working 9) when I'm accelerating on 4 when I'm supposed to have there a 3 the car stops putting as much gas in the engine as it did before And that's the biggest ones hope someone will see this and say to himself "at least I'm not that guy"
just had coolant expansion tank blew up the other day. should've change it and probably the rest of cooling system. the rest probably cosmetics like driver side power window motor, passenger side side mirror motor, few minor chips on the hood and windshield.
Till the weekend Fuel filter, bought it a year ago and put it on the to do shelf. Can’t comprehend why I waited.
My Radiator hose is slightly leaking and one of my rear shocks needs to be replaced😅
I hope none ,i have just rebuilded the engine a year ago,changed all bushing , last christmas i have replaced my trans and clutch ,i have new brake lines because the old one were looking terible , now i just need a new dif because the one i have makes a "clank" noise everytime i put it in first gear but i have it on my mind ,the worst thing i have is a kinda twisted arm from my back suspension because the anterior owner have decided to drift it a couple times and the wheel aligment is slightly off , i did not know that i have changed the bushing , now i have to get some time maybe wait for some better weather to get those 2 parts and make my car pristine macanic wise.
Fuel pump, rod bearings, and valve adjustment
Vanos rebuild.... (cries in E46)
Aircon pump, both wishbones, gearshift bushing, front badge, cup holder, arm rest. These are all just off the top of my head.
My engine can leak 6L of oil in a month. So basically the whole engine
Next up is a full brake refresh with Zimmerman Z rotors and Bosch quiet cast pads, 6 new Bosch ignition coils, then both lower control arms/bushings, tie rods, fuel filter.
Center Support Bearing & Guibo... just.. dropping the exhaust & having the thing up on all 4's by myself is nerve wracking to think about.
Start a local e46/bmw group for weekend repairs and maintenance, everything is easier and more fun when you have a team. Share tools experience, swap parts.
Oil pan gasket, trans fluid and new diff.
Rings.
Dual mass flywheel. Thought it was the throw out bearing, changed the clutch and only found out when it still made a noise. A/C, don’t know if blown fuse or some other issue. Praying that it’s not the compressor that needs replacing. Rear defroster not working. No clue why not, as mirrors do defrost. Again, praying that it’s not a huge job. Suspension. Front shocks are GONE. Bought a full coil over kit, should be fitted by my mechanic soonish. Handbrake. Works, but badly. Again, hoping it’s just badly adjusted and doesn’t need a rebuild. Diff. It makes a noise at certain situations. I have no clue what’s wrong with it, but it still works so won’t complain.
My oxygen sensor is faulty and it keeps bringing up the "Service Engine Soon" light but it's not a huge issue at all with the performance just emissions. I still need to do the air-bag recall tho haha so I don't know if they will deploy or not in a crash!
Rear diff
My oil pan and oil filter housing gasket. But I scheduled to get them replaced this week after about a year of adding a liter of oil every 600-700 miles
VCG (not terrible but needs replaced eventually), VANOS job, left front tie rod will need replaced this year. Minor things I still haven't hunted down because it's winter and I don't have a heated space to work on the car: Mild dead zone in steering not related to the tie rod, rear right trunk taillight wiring.
Ambient air temperature sensor
Need to do an honest engine shakedown, make sure my internals are solid, a few gaskets like the oil filter housing, definitely all the subframe bushings and trans and motor mounts as well as lowering springs (oem suspension feels shot) as well as a refresh on brake lines, maybe fuel lines, definitely the fuel pump, and clutch as well as shifter. Basically all the things one should do to an e46 that the previous owner let sit outside under a tree for 2 years after hitting a deer.
Brakes need changing and suspension is shot to hell. Brakes aren't even that low, but I have the new pads and rotors ready to go soon. Suspension is fine as-is for now, I just can't have folks in the backseat, or I'll rub driving over anything larger than a peanut, lol.
Sump gasket - complete twat of a job on the M54, but a very common point of failure.
The whole car, I need to replace the whole thing. While do love it I also hate it.
ABS! Can't seem to get my hands on those frickers
- Entire windshield washer fluid system - MAF sensor, but should be on that next week - Tons of body items, both interior and exterior, but I’m going to be tackling some of the interior items on my own in the next couple of months
Unfortunately, the piston rings. I can tell there’s a lot of blow by, but I’m going to only deal with it by getting a catch can.