E46 318i - common problems

[olly21]

Recently bought a e46 318 ic coupe 2.0 petrol, when i start the car up from cold the rev limiter flicks up and down and the engine stalls. Sometimes when i start it up from cold its fine, when i hold the clutch down, when i rev the engine to 4revs the engine is fine, my local garage has changed the camshaft sensor, the engine had skipped a tooth on one of the cams, had the oil changed and engine flushed.

Help ....

 

[tmoney85]

i hear you guys my problem here more or less the same, i drive 80km/h to 110km/h tops but my oil consuption is also heavy way worse than my fuel consumption and i was recently told that my fuel problems are because of the oxygen sensors posibly failing.

last saturday i was also told that my exhaust could have a leake somewhere but they couldnt tell me where

 

[JodyD]

Mine at 122k - 172k

-control arm bushes
-vacuum hose
-vacuum pump O-ring behind cylinder head leaks oil
-Crank shaft sensor (2001 - 2003 models)
-one Aircon Compressor
-Expansion tank
-oil use: about 500ml per 20 000km
-air intake boot leak
-rear light cluster ground wire burnt (x2)
-1 clutch
-2 x front brakes
-4 x ignition coils failed
-Final stage resistor failure
-Diff mountings wear

Possible problems:
-broken gear leaver linkages
-petrol pump failures
-auto transmission failures
-camshaft sensor failures

that's why is sold that car. Too many problems caused by inadequite maintenance from previous owners. :cursin:

---

Control arm bushes
Diff mounts
Radiator expansion tank

Freerider: Do not underestimate the N42B20A! :thinker:

That is not BMW's most reliable engine according to me. Although, i have seen a 2002 318i with 360k km's even if it is with Engine mounting problems. :mmm:

---

:argh::argh::argh: That's one two many problems for a bmw :thumbdo:

 

[jasiemreep]

hi guys ,im new to this site n hope to get so help here .
firstly i drive a e46 n42 318i .when start-up theres this scary rattle which
sounds like a shaking toolbox .however this sound only last about +- 2 to 5 seconds n the engine quiets down .its worst when engine is cold .the engine also shakes a lot when starting when warm .ive been told its vanos solenoids ,to vacuums pump not to mention engine mountings .
this is what ive replace so far .....

timing chain tensioner .
all the top n bottom guides .
vanos solenoids (engine sounds much smoother when idling ) .
complete oil change (liquimolly ) .
spark plugs .

need help urgently pls guys .

thanks ....

 

[Rynelray]

Hi guys, I have a 2003 318i with 154k, car is hesistant under acceleration and sometimes even up to 4000rpm and has a low idle and sometimes switches off, any idea what could be the problem? It used to be on and off but recently its become consistant, please help

 

[Die_Miek]

Hi guys, I have a 2003 318i with 154k, car is hesistant under acceleration and sometimes even up to 4000rpm and has a low idle and sometimes switches off, any idea what could be the problem? It used to be on and off but recently its become consistant, please help

When last was a service done on the car? Air filter and fuel filter included.

If it was more than 50 000kms ago I suggest first do the service.

Air filter R300
Spark plugs R320
Fuel filter R1037
Oil filter 133 these are prices at bmw.

They are very competitive except the fuel filter which you can get for R657-R800 at other places.

I just recently Learned that the facelift e46s fuel filter also contains the fuel pressure regulator, it is one unit.

And also get your codes read.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rynelray]

Hi guys, I have a 2003 318i with 154k, car is hesistant under acceleration and sometimes even up to 4000rpm and has a low idle and sometimes switches off, any idea what could be the problem? It used to be on and off but recently its become consistant, please help

When last was a service done on the car? Air filter and fuel filter included.

If it was more than 50 000kms ago I suggest first do the service.

Air filter R300
Spark plugs R320
Fuel filter R1037
Oil filter 133 these are prices at bmw.

They are very competitive except the fuel filter which you can get for R657-R800 at other places.

I just recently Learned that the facelift e46s fuel filter also contains the fuel pressure regulator, it is one unit.

And also get your codes read.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

---

Thank you Die_Miek, according to the service history the last service was done at 110k I purschased the car at 142k, had an oil service done at 152k, car is now at 154k, I took it for a diagnosis and it showed oxygen sensor ageing
But if the service as u said sorts out the problem I will be happy

 

[Die_Miek]

Everyone with power delivery, rough idle issues check the small pipe on your fuel filter.

I changed my fuel filter yesterday and saw the small pipe was torn. Nr 4 in pic(pic is taken from Haynes manual)

For those that don't know, the fuel filter is under the car, passenger side.

 

[E30 Freak]

It seems almost as if the N42 motors are sut very problematic.

or are the old school M43 motors just as bad?

 

[Die_Miek]

When I changed my spark plugs today, plug 4 was drenched in oil.

Does that mean I need a new valve/tappet covet gasket?

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[andrewbuch]

It seems almost as if the N42 motors are sut very problematic.

or are the old school M43 motors just as bad?

M43 doesn't have the issues of the N42

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tigger]

Hi Guys

So you guys would say i should rather stay away from the 318i 2003?

I can get one with 150k on clock and 1 year warranty...

Startup sounds good, drives very well...

I have had e36 with problems and this 318 runs much better...

 

[junbabar]

Good morning, gentlemen. Newbie in the forum as I am looking at purchasing a 02 e46 318i. I looked at the forum for obvious reasons. I would like to get your opinion if I should go ahead with the deal or not? I have never owned a BMW car before. I always had hondas and toyotas. Thank you very much in advance.

 

[TrevSam]

Has any one replace their VVT motors?

I replace my a couple of weeks ago. I had to recalibrate it and good was good thereafter.

 

[Tinuva]

Has any one replace their VVT motors?

I replace my a couple of weeks ago. I had to recalibrate it and good was good thereafter.

Was there a specific reason why you replaced it?