E46 Common Problems?

danza · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:41

This thread is sparked by this car:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/187629.htm

I point it out to the wife, and we both feel thoroughly peeved that we don't have the cash at hand. Never mind.... BUT...

After a wee bit of digging:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=404646

It seems the axle has parted from the floor pan :eek:

According to another of his posts, the guy has had it welded up by a specialist! :eek:

Do BMW cover such things as this, as it's a known fault, by no means caused by normal use/wear and tear, even if you buy privately, and even if the car doesn't have FBMWSH? Some people seem to think they might, other think you're screwed for many quids for a proper job done by BMW.

Aside this, are there any other problems that plague the E46?

I'm a little worried

:/

rare · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:46

That problem is unfortunatly rather common on the 46. Sometimes BMW are willing to help financially if the car has a full service history. I have heard some stories of BMW paying all out for some customers while just refusing for others.

I think its more of an issue on earlier 46's but someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[TW]Fox · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:47

Awesome. So you buy an old 3 Series, get loads of free new suspension, and get 5 weeks of hooning around in a new loan car?

Dave77 · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:50

2001 and onward are fine I believe.

danza · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:52

[TW]Fox said:
Awesome. So you buy an old 3 Series, get loads of free new suspension, and get 5 weeks of hooning around in a new loan car?

Hooning? HOONING?! Thou hast been reading from the book of Penski recently, it would appear

Hmmm. Balls. I don't know what to do about this. I guess I'll start poking about the intywebz for some info on what exactly to look for.

I thought these cars were pretty much bomb proof build wise, mebbe not so...

danza · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:54

Dave77 said:
2001 and onward are fine I believe.

That's good, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD A 2001 ONWARD MODEL! :mad:

Damn.

Well, I can but it'd suck and be a 318 or something equally sporting.

NickXX · 4 Jul 2007 at 22:14

Yeah, was an issue on pre-facelift cars. Subframe just broke on a lot of them - particularly the 328. Was usually done for free by BMW, but is getting hit and miss now particularly if the car doesn't have full BMWSH.

Welding it back up will not solve the problem apparently, and now that's been done it's unlikely BMW will do anything to help you free of charge.

wassap · 4 Jul 2007 at 22:15

If you cant afford a decent Bimmer, then why buy one at all? for the badge?

danza · 4 Jul 2007 at 22:25

NickXX said:
Yeah, was an issue on pre-facelift cars. Subframe just broke on a lot of them - particularly the 328. Was usually done for free by BMW, but is getting hit and miss now particularly if the car doesn't have full BMWSH.

Welding it back up will not solve the problem apparently, and now that's been done it's unlikely BMW will do anything to help you free of charge.

Erk. This sounds bad. The last thing I need is a problem of this magnitude, at this kind of cost to rectify :/

Maybe I should stick with the original plan and buy an Astra Coop, or maybe go Jap. Perhaps I'm being a bit over-cautious though. I've looked around a few places, and can't seem to find many instances of axle/floorpan death, but some people have had sooo many niggling issues with electrics and such, it's not funny.

If you cant afford a decent Bimmer, then why buy one at all? for the badge?

I can afford a decent one. I'm looking at 2000 323 and 328CI's mainly with ~60K on the clock, at about £8k. If 8K can't buy you a 'decent' E46, then what the hell is going on? And no, the badge is the least of concern to me. BMW strive/appear to be regarded a prestigious manufacturer (again, I don't care about prestige), and apparently offer well built cars (or should baring in mind the initial purchase costs), but this doesn't seem to be the case in early E46's to some extent. Grrrr...

Rotty · 4 Jul 2007 at 23:02

left hand side xenon ignitor failure is quite common

jammir · 5 Jul 2007 at 03:16

oh and if you have a sport or m3 be prepered to buy new bumpers well in north london anyway had 3 sets lifted off my car

Clarkey · 5 Jul 2007 at 03:31

jammir said:
oh and if you have a sport or m3 be prepered to buy new bumpers well in north london anyway had 3 sets lifted off my car

christ do you live in some kind of ghetto, i've never heard of people stealing bumpers off cars, let alone 3 times on the same one, incredible!

Scania · 5 Jul 2007 at 04:34

jammir said:
oh and if you have a sport or m3 be prepered to buy new bumpers well in north london anyway had 3 sets lifted off my car

3 complete sets of bumpers? i.e. front & back?

Male Cow Poo.

As for the chassis detatching issue, I smell more cow droppings.

I've not found anything after a quick scan through my back issues of BMW Car & Total BMW Magazines. :confused:

My mums early e46 has had no such issue, neither has the e46 my sister owned - yet!

danza · 5 Jul 2007 at 07:46

R124/LA420 said:
3 complete sets of bumpers? i.e. front & back?

Male Cow Poo.

As for the chassis detatching issue, I smell more cow droppings.

I've not found anything after a quick scan through my back issues of BMW Car & Total BMW Magazines.

My mums early e46 has had no such issue, neither has the e46 my sister owned - yet!

The chassis issue is well documented. It sucks hard. Just google "e46 subframe axle", and you'll find a few results at least

There's no greater likelihood of it happening to people who hammer their car than those who drive like a grandad - it just happens out of the blue, it seems.

Scania · 5 Jul 2007 at 08:07

danza said:
The chassis issue is well documented. It sucks hard. Just google "e46 subframe axle", and you'll find a few results at least

There's no greater likelihood of it happening to people who hammer their car than those who drive like a grandad - it just happens out of the blue, it seems.

Glad I've not got an e46 in that case!

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2007 at 08:14

R124/LA420 said:
I've not found anything after a quick scan through my back issues of BMW Car & Total BMW Magazines.

Thats becuase these magazines are worthless and their technical advice and model history/buying guides are not worth the paper they are written on

Kreeeee · 5 Jul 2007 at 08:31

R124/LA420 said:
Glad I've not got an e46 in that case!

Are you not going to apologise for claiming BS on everyone?

Dogbreath · 5 Jul 2007 at 08:34

danza said:
I thought these cars were pretty much bomb proof build wise, mebbe not so...

If you want bomb proof, buy jap.

[TW]Fox · 5 Jul 2007 at 10:09

Dogbreath said:
If you want bomb proof, buy jap.

Becuase Toyota Supras and Subaru Imprezas never break.

wassap · 5 Jul 2007 at 10:12

[TW]Fox said:
Becuase Toyota Supras and Subaru Imprezas never break.

No but the E46 equivalent jap mobile will be not far off bomb proof.

Tbh Danza save up some more cash and get a newer E46.Facelift ones look much better.