E46

[zaleonardz]

So... we got her.

2002 model E46 318. Car features the N42B20 motor, has 181k on the clock, I am the third owner of this vehicle,

Purchased orignally by a elderly lady until 2007 from new, and then baught by an Indian fellow who put a lot of KM on it. This means that most of the distance over the last 3 years, which means its a long distance car.

The service history is somewhat questionble, I am not fully comfortable with the stamps in the book, but the car has been WELL kept.

THere has been very little paint repair work to this car, I am battling to find any significant proof of panel beating, seals are all original, paint is flawless (which confuses me based on the condition).

Car is not mechanically perfect, there are prob about 4 small leaks that, mainly on sensors, I dont know what all the sensors are just yet, still need to study the N42.

I of course baught this for the wife to replace the much hated VW GOlf, which is for sale incidently, but im just going to pass it onto the trade, I dont feel like argueing anymore.

Issues
Needs two front tires (Yoko's 225/40/18's ordered, will be put on tomorrow)
Discs and pads front (Not done, but I replace these out of principle... dammit but these spares are CHEAP)
Torn Engine mount R400 for a BMW original
Window regulator out (R900 from Autofever for new item, fitted)

There is however an issue I was not prepared for, from idle to on torque,the car feels like it wants to die, almost running on 3 cylinders, but overgass, and she recovers.

Research shows that its either the crank or one of the cam sensors, I will make the garage pay for this. I believe there are 2 cam and one crank sensor, if so, anybody knows the pricing, I may just make them give me the cash for the sensors and do it myself.

I overpaid for this car @ 83k , and I know it, but the condition is too good to let go, I have seen 2 year old E90's looking far worse then this car.

Mods to happen... None, nothing, nada. Just going to take that stupid tail piece and return it to stock or something more civil.

Anyway, enough ranting. here are some pic...

All of the leather is in this condition.

This is not an OEM rim is it ? (18 Inch)

 

[WyKiD]

Congrats LZ or should that be Mrs LZ, good buy looks very clean....

 

[Sankekur]

Nice and congrats, it looks in really good condition, and as I always say TiAg FTW

Those wheels are not OEM.

And welcome to the e46 club, sort of (You won't be driving it a lot I expect but you will be working on it)

 

[Philip Foglar]

Looks very nice! Very clean too! Wish me luck with my E46 hunting.

 

[Sith]

Congrats, looks lovely and very clean:thumbsup: Your wife is a very lucky lady, that e46 will knock the Golf into a cocked hat. Agree, the wheels are not OEM. You clever little boy, get the wife a 318...and yourself a M5!!! Congrats to both of you on your new cars, great choices:clap:

 

[DonovanPorter]

very nice LZ looks good :thumbsup:

 

[ZED1]

Can't...keep...up...things...happening...too...quickly! Very nice Zale, love the wheels. That should look very nice next to your. New M and the bird in collage:thumb:

 

[Nic_s]

The car looks great :thumbsup:
I was originally planning on getting an E46 and I actually still want to.

I would also get rid of that tail piece. It belongs on a lawn mower :hammerhead:

 

[SecondSkynz]

nice, congrats

 

[Hellas]

Awesome LZ. You staring up your own BMW indy shop now or what?

 

[zaleonardz]

Tankies guys. much appreciated.

Now just going to refresh brakes and tyres, and then she can have it.... :thumbsup:

I actually want to do a few nice pics, Uber was at the office the other day and he has got some fancy new lenses he needs to show off with a bit...

 

[MikeR]

:thumbsup: very nice mate
many happy kms for the wife

 

[zaleonardz]

Add to that full control arms and rear discs....

I hate it when people cant keep up the maintance schedule on a car.

I however cannot get over how cheap these parts are. like 5k for a full suspension and brake overall almost, Im just going to have it done out of principle.

 

[DonovanPorter]

E46 FTW :thumbsup:

 

[Jandre]

Very nice Leonard. Congrats.

 

[XMAX]

Great car.

Looks awesome. im not usually a fan of putting non stock wheels on an e46 but this car looks good.

Whilst youre at it, get the expansion tank replaced (if it hasnt already) as part of your preventive maintenance.

Also do an oil flush / De sludge. A fault which has occured on a few of these 318i's is that the VVT motor and sensors get screwed up due to sludge. This causes the EML light to flash, which as we know leads to limp mode.

You dont seem too happy with the service book. From experience, if something seems fishy, it usually is. And seeing as things are so much cheaper than your 750, i suggest going all out before handing this car over to the wife.... Do the Suspension, brakes, expansion tank, oil service including de sludge, and those tyres you expect to replace.


but overall, great car there.

Co incidentally im also looking for an e46 for my wife, however it has to be an automatic ( She's quite clear on this). Seeing as this is gonna be her first car, and the one she gets "Streetsmart" on, im a little apprehensive about buying a 6I.

Once again, Great car and congrats. I wish your wife many safe hours of driving.

 

[zaleonardz]

Thanks again guys,

Awesome advice there XMAX.

I visually inspected the entire cooling system, pipe work looks good, fluid level was right on the money, There was quite a bit of dust on the engine itself under the covers, but the pipes were virtually dust free, so i am not going to bother with that, expansion tank also looks fairly new.

However, the rest of the stuff for sure.

What would you guys recommend for flushing purposes. I like the Liqui Moly oils, and was going to pick up 5 Litres this weekend, according to the cluster I have 9,000km to go before my next oil service, and the oil did not look too dirty. I would have to drain and see though.

As far as errors, DIS picks up nothing on the engine, its smooth, and that cam sensor does not throw an error. However I am going to get the shop that I bought the car from sort that out for me.

But ya, new brakes and discs all around, had the rears bonded so that the handbrake works properly, new control arms and bushes. new tires and alignment, and we are sorted.

I will prob do an oil filter and liqui moly replacement this weekend. I dont think I require a flush (will check the oil when its out)

And then, sort out the golf, sell the golf, and i have shaved about 6k off my monthly household bill.... which is going to really help.

 

[Sankekur]

It will be good to do an oil change if the service indicator is at 9000km as it decreases from 25000km. Also try and find out if the expansion tank has been changed, if not then do it, as it is hard to tell their condition due to the black plastic used. I know on my brother's 318i the tank went without warning, parked the car, when he got back to it a hour or so later, the car was standing in a green puddle.

 

[zaleonardz]

will do so, maybe i just change it out of principle anyway...

Although I am getting mighty poor mighty quickly.. but new brakes and discs all round, control arms and bushes, 2 new tires,alignment, and got rid of the stupid exhaust tip and put something much more stylish on there. But I am now comfortable that the car is safe

So now lube service all round, and we shall see

 

[Sankekur]

Like everything else on a 318i it is also pretty cheap, doing the water system out of principle on any e46 is always a good thing.