HIGHEST MILEAGE N42B20 ENGINE

[Die_Miek]

Seeing that the N42 has a reputation for NOT being one of the best engines BMW has made I thought I’d start a thread and see how bad they really are.

So anyone who have/had a car with this engine please share at what mileage you had major problems. (engine overhaul, valve stem seals etc)

Mine is on 156000km, and uses a bit of oil and apart from the 1000-2000 rpm issue and the occasional flat spot is still going strong.

I feel comfortable in getting in it now and driving a 1000km’s.

cheers

 

[Gizmo]

I can see this thread being 5pages in no time...:nonono:

 

[Stephanv]

mine- 2003 e46 touring 318I n42 auto, current millage 254k an going strong.:rollsmile:
is currently using sum oil and has a slight smoke but i think it might be that my oil is to thin as the car only smokes when it's at normal temp. i will make a post tomorrow if it has stoped after the oil service tonight.:thumbs:

 

[///MALCOLM325]

Here's a helpful N42 thread, well it helped me a bit when I had a Touring N42 318. 150000km when sold.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=18650

 

[zaleonardz]

Wife's car is at 220 or something....

 

[Spy007]

Gopher had 200k Steptronic 2005 when I traded her.

 

[Die_Miek]

thanks for the replies.

@malcolm325
im aware of that thread, but i wasn't trying to find out how bad the N42 engine was, i just wanted to see how long they last.

i know they are troublesome to diagnose once they give a problem.

@spy
gopher was a N46 right???

so it seeems the highest one is 254k

 

[Stephanv]

thanks for the replies.

@malcolm325
im aware of that thread, but i wasn't trying to find out how bad the N42 engine was, i just wanted to see how long they last.

i know they are troublesome to diagnose once they give a problem.

@spy
gopher was a N46 right???

so it seeems the highest one is 254k

:joy::joy: im winning. oh and after the oil chage no more smoking problems:joy::joy:

 

[wikk3d88]

Friend had an E46 318i f/l manual that had over 200k before it died (he did drive it hard though)

 

[Chucky]

Friend had an E46 318i f/l manual that had over 200k before it died (he did drive it hard though)

How did he kill it or what broke?

 

[wikk3d88]

Friend had an E46 318i f/l manual that had over 200k before it died (he did drive it hard though)

How did he kill it or what broke?

It overheated (spectacularly), last i heard he sold it for spares.

 

[Syl]

233000km.
Replaced cam / crank sensors, fuel filter, oil seperation pipe, resonator box. Car is giving DME problems, but mechanically theres nothing wrong with it. Great engine, k@k electronics.

 

[davo]

Hmm, I had 158000km when this happened this weekend.

Edit:
If anyone has any ideas what I do from here it would be appreciated. I'm in jhb. What kind of price am I looking at for a transplant or sub assembly etc.
Thanks

 

[Legacy]

Wow OUCH!

Best bet would be replacement engine IMO.

 

[ChrisK169]

I bought my 2003 318i exclusive (e46 +n42 engine) at 154,000 kms 5 years ago.
The only thing I have had to do was to replace the clutch at +- 176,000 kms.
Just last week at 369,000 kms and without any warning the engine started running on 3 cylinders near my home in Hartbeespoort (no smoking, less performance or any other warning prior to this)
I have had it checked locally and cylinder 1 has 0% compression and cylinder 2 +- 40% - 3+4 fine.
Can anybody advise on the best course of action please - repair or engine replacement.

The only car in my life that I had less problems with was my Alfa 2000 Executive that has 742,000 kms on it and never had any major repair done to it - now resting on my brother's farm.
I am 64 years old now and have had a quite few cars over this time - this little BMW has been an absolute pleasure!

 

[Chucky]

Currently on 299000kms bought it on 98000kms and actually a pleasure to drive still going strong(201 000 kms done since ownership)

Parts replaced and major repairs in 10 years of ownership.

Vale stem seals
Radiator and hoses
Water pump
Fuel Pump
Vacuum Pump
Crank Sensor
Cam sensors(Previous owner under mplan)
Valvetronic motor
Control arm bushings
Blown Head Casket(Repaired; head nor block didn't suffer any damage)

In all this service items replaced:

Brakes(Discs allround and Pads)
Coils(Many sets:thumbdo
Tyre's last replaced with Contis 2011 currently they still have 30-40% life left. As this became a secondary car and work moved much closer to home(14ks round trip)

 

[michael.joseph]

Alfa Romeo 2000 with 742000km

raise:

Thats beyond amazing

 

[F30Sline]

2003 e46 f/l 318i N42

Bought at 98000 kms

118000kms - replaced both camshaft sensors
124000 kms - replaced crankshaft speed sensor
145000 kms - replaced valvetronic motor and coolant expansion tank
160000 kms - replaced oil cooler gasket, valve cover gasket, vacuum pump O-Ring (all oil leaks), brake booster and vacuum pipes.

180000 kms - sold