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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
N42 vs N46 engine (BMW E46 318i)
- Thread starter MHN
- Start date
Bmwed said:
I've heard about the valve stem seals problem before on the N46.
I thought the N46 would be better since its newer but some people say the N42 is more reliable
The main reason why I'm comparing the two engines is because I've heard that the N46 is problematic on the 320i E90.
Tinuva said:
Which one would you recommend I go for?
Did you have any big issues with yours?
MHN said:
I had minimal issues with my 318i. Had it from 142k to 197k mileage. Sold it to my brother a few months ago.
When I say minimal issues, certain things are definitely going to go wrong, have some spare cash lying around for it. Remember, these cares are now almost 20 years old, some only 15. They have many rubber and plastic components that needs replacing.
As for the valve stem seals, its such a known fix, that you get it fixed when its an issue, and then that issue won't reappear for another 150k mileage.
As for N42 vs N46 on the E46, I imagine an external VVT is easier to replace than internal one.
Rather get the car that was better taken care of maintenance wise, regardless of N42 vs N46.
Slant
New member
I have the N46 in my E90 with 380000km+. I now have to replace the VVT motor, alternator pulley and engine mountings - damn oil leaks ate into the rubber
This is me venting.
I replaced both cam sensors, auxiliary cam sensor, cleaned the Vanos solenoids, fixed oil leaks around the oil filter housing, replaced tappet cover gasket, sump gasket, oil leak around the vacuum pump, replaced tappet cover as the oil was leaking around the auxiliary sensor connector and that’s just around the engine.
Replaced radio as the pixels of the original was faded, replaced shocks - normal maintenance, disks, flywheel - original one started to have too much play, replaced gearbox output shaft seal, bushes around the shifter mechanism attached to gearbox, gearbox mountings, reconditioned the blower fan, replaced boot shocks, bootlid soft touch outside handle - the rubber separated, driver door windows control switch, passenger window push button, both cup holders - damn things break.
Other than that great car...:rage::rage:
This is me venting.
I replaced both cam sensors, auxiliary cam sensor, cleaned the Vanos solenoids, fixed oil leaks around the oil filter housing, replaced tappet cover gasket, sump gasket, oil leak around the vacuum pump, replaced tappet cover as the oil was leaking around the auxiliary sensor connector and that’s just around the engine.
Replaced radio as the pixels of the original was faded, replaced shocks - normal maintenance, disks, flywheel - original one started to have too much play, replaced gearbox output shaft seal, bushes around the shifter mechanism attached to gearbox, gearbox mountings, reconditioned the blower fan, replaced boot shocks, bootlid soft touch outside handle - the rubber separated, driver door windows control switch, passenger window push button, both cup holders - damn things break.
Other than that great car...:rage::rage:
Lets be honest here. The work he mentioned on the car, speaks volumes about the previous owners doing the bare minimum and then selling it just before all those problems become too much, leaving the next owner with a huge preventative maintenance repair bill. If you replace those things 1 to 2 things at a time (once a year), then its never a huge bill and the car will be an absolute pleasure all the time. The thing is, we live in a time where its use and abuse and then throw away as trash but still try to rip the buyers for as much as possible so that you lose as little as possible on the car. At least that is my opinion.individj said:
cato3
Member
I think at 380 000 plus k's , most motorcars today are going to need quite a bit of outlay to make it reliable , cars are much more complex now , I am very glad that my daily , a white 316i e36[m43 I think , camchain engine] does not have vanos and things , three owners and now at 330 000 k's only had to have the oil housing gasket replaced , no oil leaks. I even have a new radiator and expansion bottle in the garage but never needed to use it thus far .
I now bought a 2002 e46 318 as a non starter with 220 000 k's on clock , two documented previous owners , must still decide if it would be a replacement for my e36 daily. So also interested in the reliability of the 318 e46.
I now bought a 2002 e46 318 as a non starter with 220 000 k's on clock , two documented previous owners , must still decide if it would be a replacement for my e36 daily. So also interested in the reliability of the 318 e46.
Slant
New member
Tinuva said:
Agree with all of the above, I am the second owner and the first owner - I only found that out after buying the car - had every Jan, Piet and Paul scratch in it. So yes, someone might see an oil leak and leave it, maybe Hear a funny sound and ignore it but I can’t stand things that out of place. When you spot something out of the norm, address it and and this will save you lots in the long run. Personally I like the n46 engine, and right now the car runs like a dream and I’m changing the alternator pulley because the thing just started locking up.
