Joining the E46 family

[G10]

Hi Everyone

Took the plunge, sold my golf 6 1.4tsi and managed to find an E46 2004 318i auto with 155 000km.

Day 1 was a bust, car died on me but diagnosed a faulty MAF and car was back to normal.

It has been parked off for months at a time so there are a little nigglies to sort out but nothing major.

Planning to do valve stem seals, change out transmission oil and whatever else needs to be done. I believe in preventative maintenance so hoping to have a long happy relationship with this oldie...

Are there any issues to look out for on the E46?

 

[Swiegie]

Good Morning

Congratulation on your purchase. The E46 models are one of the most stunning shapes.

You will most probably have to look at the following:

1. Coolant Expansion tank - they tend to crack with age.
2. Lower control arm bushes, replace with genuine BMW parts, pirates does not last.
3. Vacuum pump seals, they cause an oil leak at the back of the engine.
4. Tappet cover gasket, they also start leaking.
5. I would also check the V-Belt and pulleys
6. Check when last the Fuel Filter was replaced, BMW usually only replace at 180K km. Way to long, I would also replace with genuine filter. They are expensive, but can last up 100k km.

Do not service the car only every 25 000km as per computer. Do an intermediate oil and filter change every 12 500km to prevent sludge build-up. I used Shell Helix Ultra 5W40.

You bought yourself a lovely vehicle. They drive so smooth and can easily get as low as 6.7l per 100km on the open road and that is above legal speed. Town driving it will be at 9-10l.

My mom owned hers for about 11 years.

Cheers

 

[Tinuva]

The above list is mostly 100% correct for the 6 cyl engines.

However you have a 318i in 2004, its probably the N46 or possibly the N42 engine.
Do check the cooling system, the tank is the most important and then the waterpump.

However, on the N42 and N46, the absolute most important thing you want to replace, is the timing chain tensioner. Yours could still be fine for now, but when it goes, the chain will jump and your engine will moer itself into pieces inside because it is an interference engine. Replace this to save yourself a costly engine rebuild.

So in order of importance for _preventative maintenance_:
1. Timing chain tensioner
2. expansion tank and water pump

Then you golden to prevent bad damage, everything else you can fix as it breaks.

For enjoying your ride, do the suspension, which first is bushings on the front control arms, then shocks+bumpstops and the rest of it depending on the amount of cash you want to spend.

Finally, add some pictures here of your ride.

 

[G10]

Good Morning

Congratulation on your purchase. The E46 models are one of the most stunning shapes.

Thanks alot! It really is a huge difference to the golf and I am really enjoying it so far!

You will most probably have to look at the following:

1. Coolant Expansion tank - they tend to crack with age.
2. Lower control arm bushes, replace with genuine BMW parts, pirates does not last.
3. Vacuum pump seals, they cause an oil leak at the back of the engine.
4. Tappet cover gasket, they also start leaking.
5. I would also check the V-Belt and pulleys
6. Check when last the Fuel Filter was replaced, BMW usually only replace at 180K km. Way to long, I would also replace with genuine filter. They are expensive, but can last up 100k km.

Regarding all of the above, the car is scheduled over the next few months to have things done, including the valve stem seals.
The car has been standing for a long time and it is smoking a bit, but will get it sorted asap

Do not service the car only every 25 000km as per computer. Do an intermediate oil and filter change every 12 500km to prevent sludge build-up. I used Shell Helix Ultra 5W40.

Last oil change was at 150 so 160 will be the next one for sure!

You bought yourself a lovely vehicle. They drive so smooth and can easily get as low as 6.7l per 100km on the open road and that is above legal speed. Town driving it will be at 9-10l.

Well as for consumption..... let me have a little bit of fun first, been driving like an old grandfather for years, i think its time to let loose just a little before I go back to cruising

My mom owned hers for about 11 years.

Cheers

 

[G10]

The above list is mostly 100% correct for the 6 cyl engines.

However you have a 318i in 2004, its probably the N46 or possibly the N42 engine.
Do check the cooling system, the tank is the most important and then the waterpump.

Mechanic did a full diagnostic, put it up on the lift and checked everything for me

However, on the N42 and N46, the absolute most important thing you want to replace, is the timing chain tensioner. Yours could still be fine for now, but when it goes, the chain will jump and your engine will moer itself into pieces inside because it is an interference engine. Replace this to save yourself a costly engine rebuild.

So in order of importance for _preventative maintenance_:
1. Timing chain tensioner
2. expansion tank and water pump

These will be part of the replacements in the coming months for sure

Then you golden to prevent bad damage, everything else you can fix as it breaks.

For enjoying your ride, do the suspension, which first is bushings on the front control arms, then shocks+bumpstops and the rest of it depending on the amount of cash you want to spend.

Ride is still amazing, at that mileage it checked out fine when I took it for a shock test, they said it's one of the neatest 04's they have seen in a while so I scored here! Will look into replacing suspension bits after a few thousand kms.

Finally, add some pictures here of your ride.

Attached are the ones that I have before I picked up the car.
It's a little dirty with the rainy times here in jhb earlier this week, will take some pics and post up once I do a thorough wash/wax

 

[Tinuva]

Mechanic did a full diagnostic, put it up on the lift and checked everything for me

These will be part of the replacements in the coming months for sure


Ride is still amazing, at that mileage it checked out fine when I took it for a shock test, they said it's one of the neatest 04's they have seen in a while so I scored here! Will look into replacing suspension bits after a few thousand kms.

Attached are the ones that I have before I picked up the car.
It's a little dirty with the rainy times here in jhb earlier this week, will take some pics and post up once I do a thorough wash/wax

Very nice. You got some nice options on it, like the automatic lights+wipers which is not common on the E46s. Black interior is a win too. Basically only miss out on the sport equipment.

 

[Swiegie]

Stunning Car!!

Now I miss ours

 

[G10]

Stunning Car!!

Now I miss ours

Thanks alot everyone, I need to just go through all the features, this is only the second day of owning it.

 

[G10]

Very nice. You got some nice options on it, like the automatic lights+wipers which is not common on the E46s. Black interior is a win too. Basically only miss out on the sport equipment.

I am quite a fan of the black interior so it was a win for me, it is quite neat, hardly any cracks as well so that is a plus.

 

[Swiegie]

Buy yourself the leather care from BMW. Give the interior a good treatment with the leather care, it is an amazing product.

 

[G10]

Buy yourself the leather care from BMW. Give the interior a good treatment with the leather care, it is an amazing product.

Would it be this one?

 

[Swiegie]

Jip, that is the one. You can use it on the dash, door panels, etc. Give the seats 3 coats, then your leather will be nice and soft again.

They also make a leather cleaner foam, if you want to go through all of that effort.

 

[G10]

Jip, that is the one. You can use it on the dash, door panels, etc. Give the seats 3 coats, then your leather will be nice and soft again.

They also make a leather cleaner foam, if you want to go through all of that effort.

Will get myself one of these packs and clean it all up

 

[G10]

So got home yday, around 45 mins later wanted to go out for supper and take the wife for her first drive in the car, refuses to start 😅

Came back later that evening and did some tests, no error codes and was doing the same thing as before MAF was replaced.

Decided to rip out the airbox like last time and it started, a little rough but ok, I called mechanic to make arrangements for today.

This morning did a test, starts up first time, idles like brand new, just told mechanic will drop it off by him tonight for a few days

 

[///M Individual]

So got home yday, around 45 mins later wanted to go out for supper and take the wife for her first drive in the car, refuses to start 😅

Came back later that evening and did some tests, no error codes and was doing the same thing as before MAF was replaced.

Decided to rip out the airbox like last time and it started, a little rough but ok, I called mechanic to make arrangements for today.

This morning did a test, starts up first time, idles like brand new, just told mechanic will drop it off by him tonight for a few days

Damn sorry bud. Now the wife thinks you should have kept the Golf....

 

[Swiegie]

I would replace the fuel filter, you mentioned that the car was standing for a while. Could be old fuel.

Also ask him to check all the coil packs.

 

[Swiegie]

is your car the N46 engine or N42?

 

[G10]

Damn sorry bud. Now the wife thinks you should have kept the Golf....

The wife must just hold on 😂 When I took the golf I had to do clutch, wheel bearings discs pads etc so a brand new second hand car will need some tlc, that is just how it goes lol

 

[G10]

I would replace the fuel filter, you mentioned that the car was standing for a while. Could be old fuel.

Also ask him to check all the coil packs.

I was thinking about that as well, when I bought it, tank was almost empty, filled R500 and ran around with it, it was sayin 80km left when I got home yesterday so it is quite possible

 

[Tinuva]

I was thinking about that as well, when I bought it, tank was almost empty, filled R500 and ran around with it, it was sayin 80km left when I got home yesterday so it is quite possible

If an E46 says there is less than 100km fuel left, consider the fuel tanks empty, unless you replace both fuel level senders (expensive).

Basically I fill up before I get to 120km left in any of my E46s.