E46 318i - common problems

[andrewbuch]

Hello Guys
"Car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth. Cold start is also horrendous."

I am new to the Forum to ask some advice on the following. I have a 2005 E46 318i Individual with 102k km on the clock.

Cold start is very bad, as if it is only firing on 2 of the 4 cylinders almost. After the 3rd or so try normally get it started, once I can get rev's to 2000rmp it idles fine. Car is on 102k km and problem has become much worse, when it was in 95k range had in in twice, no errors found and valves set - somewhat better for a week or so, then issue again as be4. I'm about to go on an expensive sensor replacement spree as technicians can't seem to pinpoint.

Further info
The car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth as it should be right up to the red line. Between 1000-2000 rpm the car bogs and kicks when put under heavy load. If you ask for light acceleration then it is not so bad but when you ask for some grunt it just stews.

The worst it possibly behaves is when in slow moving city traffic when you would expect the engine to be at its warmest.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards, Christiaan

I am experiencing a similar problem with a 2000 E46 318i 134000km.. Having the E36 sorted out next week then going to get them to check the e46 after that..

 

[RR Booi]

Hello Guys
"Car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth. Cold start is also horrendous."

I am new to the Forum to ask some advice on the following. I have a 2005 E46 318i Individual with 102k km on the clock.

Cold start is very bad, as if it is only firing on 2 of the 4 cylinders almost. After the 3rd or so try normally get it started, once I can get rev's to 2000rmp it idles fine. Car is on 102k km and problem has become much worse, when it was in 95k range had in in twice, no errors found and valves set - somewhat better for a week or so, then issue again as be4. I'm about to go on an expensive sensor replacement spree as technicians can't seem to pinpoint.

Further info
The car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth as it should be right up to the red line. Between 1000-2000 rpm the car bogs and kicks when put under heavy load. If you ask for light acceleration then it is not so bad but when you ask for some grunt it just stews.

The worst it possibly behaves is when in slow moving city traffic when you would expect the engine to be at its warmest.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards, Christiaan

Have exactly the same issue as well. If get more info will let you know.
Thanks to all the other guys for your input.

Anyone solve the above problem yet??

Dealer I took the car too couldnt figure It out , they suspected it was because of the clutch that was slipping , but the clutch was changed and still experiencing the same issue. They useless though, (took two weeks to do clutch and diff and one week for a service and brakes).

Going to try and take to to another BMW dealer when I get some time. Will keep you guys posted if something comes up.

@ andrewbuch , please let us know if anythying comes out of this .

 

[freerider]

:rofl: one week for service and brakes :spit:

Name and shame, name and shame.

 

[RR Booi]

:rofl: one week for service and brakes :spit:

Name and shame, name and shame.

Ok , not a whole week but 5 FULL working days. (Service , control arm bushes and brakes)

Vaal Ridge BMW. Complained about their terrible service yesterday(not once did I get a call saying that they were delayed) and the fact that they could not rectify a funny Thud noise coming from the rear of the car (both times when the car went in - app 3 weeks.). The service Manager promised to call me today to help with my issues. Will see if he calls.

 

[Yulz9081]

Another prob i was having on my 318 F/L auto was the fuel consumption was unusually high. 2 trips to town which is +/- 80km and quarter tank was out. BMW couldn't for the life of them diagnose the problem. They had everything reset,had a new computer box fitted (Don't ask me why,they did it and I didnt complain,was my last month of motorplan anyway ) and retuned suspension etc etc.
Had an ex BMW trained mech to look at it. Within 10min he diagnosed an apparent common e46 fault, the 'crank vent valve' or breather valve, just below the manifold. This was the cause for my car smoking everytime it was cold and the fuel smell. Set me back R900 only with labour. Fuel consumption dropped a fair amount from 14.8l/100km to 11.9l/km. Normal city driving.

Oh oh and the best part about BMW, I told them I was hearing a constant droaning hum when I drive, I thought it was diff hum. They changed my diff. I still got the noise a day later...it was rear wheel-bearings! Which I ended up changing at my cost...

 

[Ricky318i]

:rofl: one week for service and brakes :spit:

Name and shame, name and shame.

Ok , not a whole week but 5 FULL working days. (Service , control arm bushes and brakes)

Vaal Ridge BMW. Complained about their terrible service yesterday(not once did I get a call saying that they were delayed) and the fact that they could not rectify a funny Thud noise coming from the rear of the car (both times when the car went in - app 3 weeks.). The service Manager promised to call me today to help with my issues. Will see if he calls.

Vaalridge Auto BMW: Had two of my cars repaired/serviced there and bought my current one there: not too bad service i guess. Had my moments with them and luckily my Motorplan covered their extremely high cost. Their Workshop manager is a real nice guy and was always helpful.

 

[andrewbuch]

Another prob i was having on my 318 F/L auto was the fuel consumption was unusually high. 2 trips to town which is +/- 80km and quarter tank was out. BMW couldn't for the life of them diagnose the problem. They had everything reset,had a new computer box fitted (Don't ask me why,they did it and I didnt complain,was my last month of motorplan anyway ) and retuned suspension etc etc.
Had an ex BMW trained mech to look at it. Within 10min he diagnosed an apparent common e46 fault, the 'crank vent valve' or breather valve, just below the manifold. This was the cause for my car smoking everytime it was cold and the fuel smell. Set me back R900 only with labour. Fuel consumption dropped a fair amount from 14.8l/100km to 11.9l/km. Normal city driving.

Oh oh and the best part about BMW, I told them I was hearing a constant droaning hum when I drive, I thought it was diff hum. They changed my diff. I still got the noise a day later...it was rear wheel-bearings! Which I ended up changing at my cost...

Sounds about right, in the 2000 E46 318i Manual I get about 160 KM on the first 1/4 tank. then about 350 on the full tank

 

[RR Booi]

:rofl: one week for service and brakes :spit:

Name and shame, name and shame.

Ok , not a whole week but 5 FULL working days. (Service , control arm bushes and brakes)

Vaal Ridge BMW. Complained about their terrible service yesterday(not once did I get a call saying that they were delayed) and the fact that they could not rectify a funny Thud noise coming from the rear of the car (both times when the car went in - app 3 weeks.). The service Manager promised to call me today to help with my issues. Will see if he calls.

Vaalridge Auto BMW: Had two of my cars repaired/serviced there and bought my current one there: not too bad service i guess. Had my moments with them and luckily my Motorplan covered their extremely high cost. Their Workshop manager is a real nice guy and was always helpful.

True , manager seems like a nice Guy , He was on leave at the time the car went in , so couldnt help much. They did some work on the car and for that I am most appreciative. Mainly upset about the fact that they did not let me know (for whatever reason) that the car was going to take so long to get repaired.

 

[RR Booi]

Following up on Vaalridge autos terrible service ........ whilst the car was there , they changed the clutch due to the clutch slipping . Now a few weeks later , with less than 1000km done on the new clutch , sitting in traffic , clutch goes. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE ?

Car is at Autoglen at the moment , excellent service thus far. WONT GO TO VAALRIDGE AGAIN and definately wont recommend them to any1 either.

On the issue of Low Power at under 1000RPM , according to the autoglen okes , this comes standard with the facelift 318 and not much can be done to rectify it.

If however any1 does find a resolution , please post.

 

[Bullzeye.za]

Hello Guys
"Car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth. Cold start is also horrendous."

I am new to the Forum to ask some advice on the following. I have a 2005 E46 318i Individual with 102k km on the clock.

Cold start is very bad, as if it is only firing on 2 of the 4 cylinders almost. After the 3rd or so try normally get it started, once I can get rev's to 2000rmp it idles fine. Car is on 102k km and problem has become much worse, when it was in 95k range had in in twice, no errors found and valves set - somewhat better for a week or so, then issue again as be4. I'm about to go on an expensive sensor replacement spree as technicians can't seem to pinpoint.

Further info
The car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth as it should be right up to the red line. Between 1000-2000 rpm the car bogs and kicks when put under heavy load. If you ask for light acceleration then it is not so bad but when you ask for some grunt it just stews.

The worst it possibly behaves is when in slow moving city traffic when you would expect the engine to be at its warmest.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards, Christiaan

This is going to sound silly, but.. Try Caltex fuel for a few tanks, it cleared up my old man's 740i which had only 5/8 cylinders firing on a cold start.

That techron stuff might just be legit

 

[Bullzeye.za]

And the water bottle is supposed to start wearing out soon ( My service center warned me that it could around 120 000 KM's, up to 150 000 now and it's fine though )

 

[Nadeem]

Hi There

I am having the same problem with my car. Which mech have you taken it to? Please give me his details

Regards
Nadeem

 

[RR Booi]

Hi There

I am having the same problem with my car. Which mech have you taken it to? Please give me his details

Regards
Nadeem

Nadeem , took the car to dealer again , no one seems to be able to rectify the problem. If you get it fixed, please let us know.

 

[xiixvi]

Hi There

I am having the same problem with my car. Which mech have you taken it to? Please give me his details

Regards
Nadeem

Hi Nadeem...

are you in cape town?


Nadeem , took the car to dealer again , no one seems to be able to rectify the problem. If you get it fixed, please let us know.

---

To which dealer did you take it?

 

[RR Booi]

Hello Guys
"Car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth. Cold start is also horrendous."

I am new to the Forum to ask some advice on the following. I have a 2005 E46 318i Individual with 102k km on the clock.

Cold start is very bad, as if it is only firing on 2 of the 4 cylinders almost. After the 3rd or so try normally get it started, once I can get rev's to 2000rmp it idles fine. Car is on 102k km and problem has become much worse, when it was in 95k range had in in twice, no errors found and valves set - somewhat better for a week or so, then issue again as be4. I'm about to go on an expensive sensor replacement spree as technicians can't seem to pinpoint.

Further info
The car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth as it should be right up to the red line. Between 1000-2000 rpm the car bogs and kicks when put under heavy load. If you ask for light acceleration then it is not so bad but when you ask for some grunt it just stews.

The worst it possibly behaves is when in slow moving city traffic when you would expect the engine to be at its warmest.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards, Christiaan

I am experiencing a similar problem with a 2000 E46 318i 134000km.. Having the E36 sorted out next week then going to get them to check the e46 after that..

Ok so , BMW technical division checked the car out to establish what cause of the problem (lack of power under 2000rpm) is...... guess what , no luck. Searched the web for resolution of the problem and although there are many with the same issue , a resolution has yet to be found , even by bmw themselves.

 

[Bmw- WP]

Hello Guys
"Car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth. Cold start is also horrendous."

I am new to the Forum to ask some advice on the following. I have a 2005 E46 318i Individual with 102k km on the clock.

Cold start is very bad, as if it is only firing on 2 of the 4 cylinders almost. After the 3rd or so try normally get it started, once I can get rev's to 2000rmp it idles fine. Car is on 102k km and problem has become much worse, when it was in 95k range had in in twice, no errors found and valves set - somewhat better for a week or so, then issue again as be4. I'm about to go on an expensive sensor replacement spree as technicians can't seem to pinpoint.

Further info
The car hesitates under acceleration, in all gears, up to 2000 rpm, beyond which it is as smooth as it should be right up to the red line. Between 1000-2000 rpm the car bogs and kicks when put under heavy load. If you ask for light acceleration then it is not so bad but when you ask for some grunt it just stews.

The worst it possibly behaves is when in slow moving city traffic when you would expect the engine to be at its warmest.

Anyone ever experience anything like this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind Regards, Christiaan

I am experiencing a similar problem with a 2000 E46 318i 134000km.. Having the E36 sorted out next week then going to get them to check the e46 after that..

Ok so , BMW technical division checked the car out to establish what cause of the problem (lack of power under 2000rpm) is...... guess what , no luck. Searched the web for resolution of the problem and although there are many with the same issue , a resolution has yet to be found , even by bmw themselves.

I had this issue with my 318i.
The problem was with the fuelpump thats was busy packing up.

 

[///M_POW]

Guys check this part.... Tank ventilation valve also called " breather valve" i think.....

 

[frikkieh]

Hi Chaps,

Car hesitant under 3k rpm may be attributed to a vanos failure.
I repaired mine and was very pleased with the results. Refer to www.beisansystems.com for details.

Kind regards,

Frikkie

 

[andrewbuch]

as far as I know the 318i does not have vanos ?

 

[frikkieh]

as far as I know the 318i does not have vanos ?

Correct, my wrong - 318i = 4cylinder.