E46 Tales

[Wayne Ferreira]

Man I enjoyed reading this. I never knew what all the fuss was about until I got my E46 320D.

I used to drive a Chev utility with 20000km on the clock (was basically brand new), drove that thing for about a year and a half and I just couldn't take it anymore. Prior to that I had a Opel Astra F 1.6 with some mods (head work, cam & vernier pully, cold air induction kit) and I enjoyed driving that car so much, the guys who did the exhaust got it just right. It produced such a nice sound and it never broke down, and it would top out at 210km/h.

So the utility was so boring compared to that, I had to get something else. Got a E46 320D with 330 000km, with full service history and very well taken care of. All the receipts were in the glove box that indicated the suspension was healthy too. Paid 60k for the car.

It had a hole in one of the boost pipes but I got away fixing it for 50 bucks.
First thing that broke was the propshaft universal (don't do burnouts)
Second thing that went was the turbocharger.

When the turbocharger went, I decided to do some upgrades while fixing it. So I did hybrid turbo, full downpipe and exhaust and software. Gained 37% power and my fuel consumption is unaltered. So all in all I paid roughly 80k for it as it is now. The reason being so cheap is my dad has been a mechanic for over 20 years now and I learned from him, although it is not my trade, but I can work on my car myself and when my knowledge or experience is not enough, dad's always there to help.

I also installed a sound system, also still have some plans on improvement there.

I still want do some maintenance and mods (swirl flap delete, decarbon, replace all vacuum lines, replace fan belts and rollers, maybe just check in what condition the bottom end is and maybe strengthen it with some ARP studs, service the injectors, CDV delete) Then I need to get a badge for the bonnet, and try and source buttons for the driver window, and the right rear door.

I would also like to add bigger wheels as the standard wheels are too small for that power, it just revs way too quickly and I'm losing a lot of time having to run through the gears so quickly. Maybe I'll also habe a look at the diff ratio.

Something that does piss me off about the car is the interior. Those clips they put on the trimmings and the trimmings themselves are quite shitty... Both rear trimmings keep coming loose and also the big one on the dash.

But other than that, I love this car man. 149kw and 432nm @ 7.3l/100km, and I like flooring it. Yes, you read that right!

E46 320D
432NM
149wkw
Up next: E92 335i

 

[MHN]

I bought my 318i 2002 Auto about 3 months ago for R38 000.
The mileage is 140 000 km.

I've spent R6400 on maintenance so far, which the seller told me about (see pic for details)
I'm also going to have the gearbox serviced soon, which will be about R3000

My last full tank of 64.7L got me 646 km.
So that's 10L/100km.

 

[Tjoppies]

got my 04 330I m-sport in april, had it checked out by Warren and he said it's the best non M car E46 he's seen.

FSH, extended leather (nappa) and in super good condition.

173 000km - 190 000km today

sofar done:
waterpump , some hoses, 1 tyre, 2 services, alternator,detail, some pulley for R700
guestimating around R12 000.00


still going to do next week (IF we get bonus):
repspray front bumper (stone chips)
tint windows
gloss black roof
another service - have warren check it if anything needs some TLC

its my highschool sweetheart - only car i'd change it for is maybe a 335i.
my wife hates the car , says i'm too protective over it...

 

[evnmopwr]

hi

I bought my 2001 E46 325i Touring in about May 2017. I bought it smashed. paid about 15k for it. It was bought as a project.

I then bought another E46 body on wheels for the Front Panels. Paid R5500 for the complete body ( It was silver too so no need to respray )

Add R250 for Roadworthy, R2500 for expired license/Transfer of ownership.
Add Another R3500 for Preventative Maintenance Parts
Another R2700 for New radiator Electric fan.

Total in on this car = R28,950.

After Selling all the spares from the Body on wheels, Scrapping the Copper and Body, I made about 13k from it..

R28,950 - R13,000 = R 15,950 in on this car.

Then i bought a complete 330i (Smashed) for R25k

Transfered All the 330i drivetrain into my Wagon.
Sold All the other spares from that car and my old 325i engine.
Recovered R28,150

In on the car - R12, 800 :cartel:

Just bought a 320d for the facelift panels 9k. to transfer to the wagon.
Its been a B**ch to try and break this car up to sell off the spares due to Time constraints.

R21,800.
Msport Seats, R1000
Msteering wheel, R1500

Final amount is R24,300

hoping to recover MOST of that 24k once i get a chance to start parting out the 320d.. (I owe some fanatics Spares.. lol)

This Project wagon must have paid for itself and be FREE toy!!!!!!

 

[Tjoppies]

raise:raise:raise:

post of the thread!

 

[Wayne Ferreira]

hi

I bought my 2001 E46 325i Touring in about May 2017. I bought it smashed. paid about 15k for it. It was bought as a project.

I then bought another E46 body on wheels for the Front Panels. Paid R5500 for the complete body ( It was silver too so no need to respray )

Add R250 for Roadworthy, R2500 for expired license/Transfer of ownership.
Add Another R3500 for Preventative Maintenance Parts
Another R2700 for New radiator Electric fan.

Total in on this car = R28,950.

After Selling all the spares from the Body on wheels, Scrapping the Copper and Body, I made about 13k from it..

R28,950 - R13,000 = R 15,950 in on this car.

Then i bought a complete 330i (Smashed) for R25k

Transfered All the 330i drivetrain into my Wagon.
Sold All the other spares from that car and my old 325i engine.
Recovered R28,150

In on the car - R12, 800 :cartel:

Just bought a 320d for the facelift panels 9k. to transfer to the wagon.
Its been a B**ch to try and break this car up to sell off the spares due to Time constraints.

R21,800.
Msport Seats, R1000
Msteering wheel, R1500

Final amount is R24,300

hoping to recover MOST of that 24k once i get a chance to start parting out the 320d.. (I owe some fanatics Spares.. lol)

This Project wagon must have paid for itself and be FREE toy!!!!!!

Let me know when you start stripping, I need a few bits and pieces for a E46 320D!


E46 320D
432NM
149wkw
Up next: E92 335i

 

[evnmopwr]

hi

I bought my 2001 E46 325i Touring in about May 2017. I bought it smashed. paid about 15k for it. It was bought as a project.

I then bought another E46 body on wheels for the Front Panels. Paid R5500 for the complete body ( It was silver too so no need to respray )

Add R250 for Roadworthy, R2500 for expired license/Transfer of ownership.
Add Another R3500 for Preventative Maintenance Parts
Another R2700 for New radiator Electric fan.

Total in on this car = R28,950.

After Selling all the spares from the Body on wheels, Scrapping the Copper and Body, I made about 13k from it..

R28,950 - R13,000 = R 15,950 in on this car.

Then i bought a complete 330i (Smashed) for R25k

Transfered All the 330i drivetrain into my Wagon.
Sold All the other spares from that car and my old 325i engine.
Recovered R28,150

In on the car - R12, 800 :cartel:

Just bought a 320d for the facelift panels 9k. to transfer to the wagon.
Its been a B**ch to try and break this car up to sell off the spares due to Time constraints.

R21,800.
Msport Seats, R1000
Msteering wheel, R1500

Final amount is R24,300

hoping to recover MOST of that 24k once i get a chance to start parting out the 320d.. (I owe some fanatics Spares.. lol)

This Project wagon must have paid for itself and be FREE toy!!!!!!

Let me know when you start stripping, I need a few bits and pieces for a E46 320D!


E46 320D
432NM
149wkw
Up next: E92 335i

Will do:ty:

---

raise:raise:raise:

post of the thread!

Lol... if this is for me, There you go

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

I must have the most expensive M3 in the world then.

:biglol:

 

[DoctorJ]

I must have the most expensive M3 in the world then.

:biglol:

Quite possibly yes

 

[cato3]

when I read this yesterday , I thought how ironic , because I was also on my way to look at a facelift 2002 model 318 manual transmission non- starter on being told by my neighbour about the car . The car is a non runner with the last date being AURIC auto in 2007 at 111 000 milage under plan .Battery was flat so could not check milage. It is that darkish blue with grey leather interior . Checked no water in the oil , car is reasonably clean for what I was going to offer .Owner told me the car started jerking last year sometime and then cut out altogether , swings but does not start .I made my offer and he accepted , me figuring in cam and crank sensors , fuel pump and relay , and the obvious which I could see would be replacing of roof lining and the right rear window mechanism , thought what the hell , not much to lose and done the transfer , will go collect it this weekend .will update as I go along and add pictures.

 

[Steph745]

I got a 330Ci Coupe (Japan import) last year, this is the breakdown so far;

Car purchase _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R85k
Michelin PS4 all round_ _ _ _ R8k
Koni Yellows _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _R9k
H&R Sport _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _R4k

Strut rebuild kit (upper/lower spring pads, top mounts, rear guide supports, dustboots, bumpstops)
Front strut tower reinforment plates
Swaybar bushes + brackets (front/rear)
Swaybar end-links (front/rear) _ _ _ _ _ R10k (all OEM)

Oil change,oil filter,airfilter,cabin filter,plugs _ _ _ R4k (stealers)

New Phillips Xtreme Visions high-beam and fog bulbs _ _ _ _ _ 800 bucks I think

Owned the car for a year now have put about 20,000KMs on it. Still plenty to do but as and when funds allow. All the suspension bits listed above are still to be fitted.

- Slight oil seepage from valve-cover gasket
- Major play in the steering in straight ahead position, I assume it's a shot steering coupling.
- Partially stuck thermostat, can only be picked up on the highway though (esp. on cold days) Coolant temp drops below 75 deg. It's fine in traffic but I've never seen more than 94 degs even on a scorching day ...
- Cold start misfire. On engine startup revs stay at about 1000rpm for about a minute and then settles to a 600rpm idle where it'll then start misfiring and engine light comes on. Turning it off and restarting solves this though everytime. Weird, think it maybe a coil but might be something else...NEVER does this when warm.

Absolutely love the car, very very feelsy, awesome engine and exhaust note (I think I got it with the golf-tee mod done, haven't confirmed this though). Hope to run this car forever, it really does everything I need .

 

[AdiS]

- Cold start misfire. On engine startup revs stay at about 1000rpm for about a minute and then settles to a 600rpm idle where it'll then start misfiring and engine light comes on. Turning it off and restarting solves this though everytime. Weird, think it maybe a coil but might be something else...NEVER does this when warm.

This is likely the PCV system.

 

[Steph745]

- Cold start misfire. On engine startup revs stay at about 1000rpm for about a minute and then settles to a 600rpm idle where it'll then start misfiring and engine light comes on. Turning it off and restarting solves this though everytime. Weird, think it maybe a coil but might be something else...NEVER does this when warm.

This is likely the PCV system.

Thanks AdiS, that is also on the to-do list but thought it would be much further down the line. I'd much rather it was a bad coil though for now if I'm honest lol. Will have it checked out.

 

[Riaad]

I got a 330Ci Coupe (Japan import) last year, this is the breakdown so far;

Car purchase _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ R85k
Michelin PS4 all round_ _ _ _ R8k
Koni Yellows _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _R9k
H&R Sport _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _R4k

Strut rebuild kit (upper/lower spring pads, top mounts, rear guide supports, dustboots, bumpstops)
Front strut tower reinforment plates
Swaybar bushes + brackets (front/rear)
Swaybar end-links (front/rear) _ _ _ _ _ R10k (all OEM)

Oil change,oil filter,airfilter,cabin filter,plugs _ _ _ R4k (stealers)

New Phillips Xtreme Visions high-beam and fog bulbs _ _ _ _ _ 800 bucks I think

Owned the car for a year now have put about 20,000KMs on it. Still plenty to do but as and when funds allow. All the suspension bits listed above are still to be fitted.

- Slight oil seepage from valve-cover gasket
- Major play in the steering in straight ahead position, I assume it's a shot steering coupling.
- Partially stuck thermostat, can only be picked up on the highway though (esp. on cold days) Coolant temp drops below 75 deg. It's fine in traffic but I've never seen more than 94 degs even on a scorching day ...
- Cold start misfire. On engine startup revs stay at about 1000rpm for about a minute and then settles to a 600rpm idle where it'll then start misfiring and engine light comes on. Turning it off and restarting solves this though everytime. Weird, think it maybe a coil but might be something else...NEVER does this when warm.

Absolutely love the car, very very feelsy, awesome engine and exhaust note (I think I got it with the golf-tee mod done, haven't confirmed this though). Hope to run this car forever, it really does everything I need .

:ttiuwp:

 

[individj]

hi

I bought my 2001 E46 325i Touring in about May 2017. I bought it smashed. paid about 15k for it. It was bought as a project.

I then bought another E46 body on wheels for the Front Panels. Paid R5500 for the complete body ( It was silver too so no need to respray )

Add R250 for Roadworthy, R2500 for expired license/Transfer of ownership.
Add Another R3500 for Preventative Maintenance Parts
Another R2700 for New radiator Electric fan.

Total in on this car = R28,950.

After Selling all the spares from the Body on wheels, Scrapping the Copper and Body, I made about 13k from it..

R28,950 - R13,000 = R 15,950 in on this car.

Then i bought a complete 330i (Smashed) for R25k

Transfered All the 330i drivetrain into my Wagon.
Sold All the other spares from that car and my old 325i engine.
Recovered R28,150

In on the car - R12, 800 :cartel:

Just bought a 320d for the facelift panels 9k. to transfer to the wagon.
Its been a B**ch to try and break this car up to sell off the spares due to Time constraints.

R21,800.
Msport Seats, R1000
Msteering wheel, R1500

Final amount is R24,300

hoping to recover MOST of that 24k once i get a chance to start parting out the 320d.. (I owe some fanatics Spares.. lol)

This Project wagon must have paid for itself and be FREE toy!!!!!!

Let me know when you start stripping, I need a few bits and pieces for a E46 320D!


E46 320D
432NM
149wkw
Up next: E92 335i

Will do:ty:

---

raise:raise:raise:

post of the thread!

Lol... if this is for me, There you go

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=81334

---

i need a gearbox mount :dunnoanymore:

 

[Beemerbro]

I have 2 BMW e46 cars which have been nothing but a pleasure to drive.
One is a 325ci I bought in 2008 for R180 OOO with 40k mileage. For 5 years I changed oil and filter annually, coolant and air filter 2 yrly and replaced a battery and brake rotars and pads all round once. The car has never broken down on the road, and is super reliable. Between 2015 and now, I embarked on aggressive preventative maintenance and replaced ALL suspension components with 0E spec or better, and that was everything, springs, shocks, all bushes, steering components, control arms, FLEX DISC and hanger. I also changed gearbox and diff oil even tho BMW claims its for life. Changed all cooling system components, plus, valve cover gaskets, OFHG, DISA valve, waterpump, thermostat. I also fitted a thicker anti roll bar with polyuerthane bushes to firm up the ride and it feels a lot more planted around corners. The total cost of this work with parts and labour is about R40k.

The second is 2000 330ci auto that had the same work done on it and cost roughly the same. Its done 210 000km but feels brand new. If you have an automatic transmission on any BMW make sure to drain and replace ATF every 80 000 km or 5 years. ZF recommends 8 years. BMW recommends no change of oil. Follow BMW advice at your peril.

I bought most of my parts from Goldwagon and Europarts, and some from the UK. Stick to reliable brands that match or exceed OE spec and these cars will run forever. Stick to the best oils and use only BMW blue coolant and change every two years. Do not follow the car's onboard service computer. It calls for oil changes at a ridiculous 25000km.. . if you want your engine to last change oil annually or 15000km whichever comes first. and use only synthetic 5w30. I switched to 10w60 five years ago which is a thicker oil but that's me, and i think my engines like it more than the thinner 5W30 recommended in the manual. Your choice.
Lastly don't let anyone work on your car if they do not have experience with BMW engines

 

[Kyle]

Surprised I haven't seen this thread until now...

I have owned my 330i for around a year now, so far I've done:

Full service (OEM parts)
Valve cover gasket
Brake fluid flush
DISA valve - OEM
Steering coupling - OEM
Oil Filter gasket - OEM
Removed and cleaned ICV and TB
Replaced MAF

Cost of repairs so far is around 16k, importantly I do most of the work myself so save on labour.

 

[Beemerbro]

I bought my 318i 2002 Auto about 3 months ago for R38 000.
The mileage is 140 000 km.

I've spent R6400 on maintenance so far, which the seller told me about (see pic for details)
I'm also going to have the gearbox serviced soon, which will be about R3000

My last full tank of 64.7L got me 646 km.
So that's 10L/100km.

---

nice looking car buddy. The 318i was my first BMW back in 2001. Was really fun to drive as I'm sure you've experienced. But in time it became a really troublesome car. I had motorplan so they paid for the repairs, but it was so frequently in and out for repairs that on the last occassion i said they should keep it -I'd had enough. I ordered an E90 320i when they came out.
I later learnt from BMW forums in the UK that that particular engine. I still have an old UK magazine that talks about the issues associated with that engine, so be prepared. But who knows, you might be one of the few lucky ones..

Now looking at that receipt you've posted; allow me to be blunt to say you're being ripped off your garage.:RedNo:
An oil filter from BMW is around R155. I see you paid R179.
An air filter (Meyle) for your car is R100 at Goldwagon
A top radiator hose (fEBI Blistein) R500 at Goldwagon
Pollen Filter R180 at Goldwagon
Chances are the other parts bar the spark plugs are inflated too.

I have replaced the above parts on my E46s just this January so I'm sure of these prices

In future ask your mechanic to give you a list of parts he needs to replace and you can source them yourself. You can shop around compare BMW prices with Goldwagon, Europarts, Imcomex and decide where's the best value for money, as long as you insist on a quote for OEM spec parts so they match the original BMW specs.

Best wishes

---

Surprised I haven't seen this thread until now...

I have owned my 330i for around a year now, so far I've done:

Full service (OEM parts)
Valve cover gasket
Brake fluid flush
DISA valve - OEM
Steering coupling - OEM
Oil Filter gasket - OEM
Removed and cleaned ICV and TB
Replaced MAF

Cost of repairs so far is around 16k, importantly I do most of the work myself so save on labour.

---

Surprised I haven't seen this thread until now...

I have owned my 330i for around a year now, so far I've done:

Full service (OEM parts)
Valve cover gasket
Brake fluid flush
DISA valve - OEM
Steering coupling - OEM
Oil Filter gasket - OEM
Removed and cleaned ICV and TB
Replaced MAF

Cost of repairs so far is around 16k, importantly I do most of the work myself so save on labour.

 

[cato3]

Which sparkplugs are you guys using , I was quoted r540 for 4 plugs for the 318i with discount at Goldwagen , that makes it more expensive than both my M3 'S PLUGS , that is one of the reasons that I decided not to replace my 316i e36 daily with the 318 ie46 , because though a good looker the consumeables seem to cost much more than the e36 , I actually found this out with thew two M3'S ALSO.

 

[evnmopwr]

Best thing about the E46, You can get Original bmw parts for aftermarket prices.. LOL

Experienced this when i replaced the Camshaft Exhaust sensor on me 325i. Member on the E46fanatics Forum told me to look for the "MADE IN GERMANY" Febi brand sensor on SA. He said when i remove the sensor from the box, i will notice the BMW LOGO scratched off on the sensor..

AND IT WAS EXCTLY THAT!!!!

Apparently the manufacturer of those sensors could not Resell the parts so they Sell it to FEBI to box it as FEBI's own product..

Paid R300 for that sensor while BMW Wanted R1500+- for it..