25 BMW E46 COMMON PROBLEMS

Welcome to ShopLifeTV!
In this video I go through the most common BMW E46 problems. 330i, 323i, 325i, 328i.

Instagram: @ShopLifeTV

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List of Common Problems:
1. Valve Cover Gasket
2. CCV
3. Vanos Seals
4. Oil Filter Housing Gasket
5. Vacuum leaks/ Air boots
6. Secondary Air System
7. Disa Valve
8. Plastic cooling system
9. Burning Oil on 330i's
10. Headlight bulb burning out
11. Kidney Grills
12. Windsheild Cowl/ Rubber seals/ air noise
13. Water Leaks
14. Door Lock Cylinder
15. GM Module
16. Ambient Temperature Sensor
17. Headliner Sag/Pillars/Sunroof shade
18. Seat Occupancy
19. Cluster Knobs
20. Window regulators
21. Control Arm Bushings
22. Oil Level Sensor
23. Wheel Speed Sensor
24. Differential bushings
25. Subframe Mounting Points


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[AgaEra]

50% of the comments are like "i've driven my e46 for 300 years and never had a single problem"
other 50% are like "im buying me e46 tommorrow and i've already replaced 137% of the car, biggest mistake of my life"

[Wipsplash]

Congratulations, You have just purchased one of the finest automobiles ever made. To help you enjoy your new purchase, please use the following guidelines. Do not park it in direct sunlight nor shade. Do not operate it in an environment that will allow it to get wet or dry. Do not touch it or look at it wrong. Following these suggestions will allow you to have many years of enjoyment admiring your BMW from a distance. In the event you have actually entered the vehicle and attempted to operate it, you will find service center and towing business numbers in the trunk that you promptly can call at your own expense. You also will find a full tool set and massive towing hook that the tow truck driver will find useful.

[jaybob]

Love ShopLifeTV!!! I have 2002 325I and thanks to your videos ive done alot of the repairs myself. Being a woman, it makes me laugh to look over &see my dad & my boyfriend watch me in amazement working on my car, and that i know what Im doing!! 😆

[kps]

I own a 2000 E46 sedan and I was like, "That happened. That happened too, " the whole video. I think sub-frame issues might be the only thing mentioned that I haven't experienced yet. That being said, I sure have enjoyed driving and fixing my E46 the past 18 years I have owned it.

[tombrown]

I'm an old dealer mechanic now retired. E 46 was my favoritecar. I have 40 years experience. Retired now. Btw never bnever never buy a mini Cooper. Please

[Doug-tcpx]

Cooling tip, replace the water pump with an aftermarket steel impeller pump and at the same time replace the expansion tank with an oem tank.

[swiggyswoozie]

replaced on my e46 about 55% of items he said. He pretty much talked about every part of the car lool.

[joeontheroad]

Congratulations and Thank You....just found your informative site. I am the Original Owner of one of the very first E46's 330ci in the USA. I ordered it On-Line (wow, in 2000) from the German BMW factory....I was a Soldier stationed overseas, and took delivery at a Dealership in Colorado on Nov of 2000 of a 2001 model year. The Dealership had not appropriated yet for one and had it on display when I came into the US to pick up my car. Your video is spot on for all the repairs I have had accomplished over the last 20 years (a little too much plastic). With the addition of my Check Book, this E46 has been bullet proof and is still the most dependable car I own. It has followed my all around the globe, and luckily there are BMW techs/Dealerships available to perform repairs. OK, could I have purchased a 2001 Toyota or Honda and had great transportation for the last 20 Years, YES. ....but this BMW has style, comfort and grace, has never let me down, still looks classic, and it loved at car shows. So I'll keep it another 20 years. VIN: WBABN53461JU32560 ....my daily driver is a nice...newer M5. Joe

[adgaladotwav]

this car has made me a great mechanic. It has also given me more things to talk about at the bar. I love my E46 so much, But its really getting down to working on it every month... Im changing my cats now. If you guys have a bad thermostat, CHANGE IT ASAP. Other wise be ready to melt your cat. converters

[oriondragos]

The extensive use of plastics in newer cars in general will eventually cause more problems. Plastic manifolds, thermostat housings, gears, chain guides etc etc in a high heat environment doesn't bode well.

[hjable]

I have had a 2003 E46 330ci for 15 years. Fairly easy car to maintain on your own. I have replaced the cooling system (radiator(changed to aluminum), pump, and hoses), air intake boots, fuel pump and filter, DISA valve, and valve cover gaskets. Parts weren’t that expensive and they all were fairly easy to work on. I love the lines of the car and enjoy driving it (5 speed) and overall maintenance has not been bad for a 17 years old vehicle. Now my e46 M3s, great cars but definitely needs more maintenance. And for those who are wondering, no, I don’t owned these cars because I can’t afford a newer vehicles. I owned them because I like how they look and they are pretty straight forward to work on. Also, I am not really all that I impressed with the looks of most of the newer cars that are currently available; well not impressed enough to give up my funds for one, LoL.

[renragged]

I just happened to come in possession of an E46 a couple years ago. It needed a lot of work so I started looking around and found so many videos on YouTube about fixing them. That had me a little worried, because I figured it meant they had LOTS of problems. But actually I think it is because people really like them, and working on them isn't all that hard. I've done so many DIY repairs to it over the years and have been really happy with it. The only thing I haven't been able to do (probably COULD have, but didn't want to) was replacing the transmission. I had that done at a local BMW shop that I really like.

[wrenchesinmotion]

Loved the vid. Just got an 04 325i, and already spent what I spent on the car for parts. Lots of deferred maintenance, oil filter housing seal, window regulators, etc. manual trans makes it fun to drive

[zacharyboston]

I have an e46 and an e36 and your channel has literally kepts my cars on the road. Thank you so much!!

[jay-jacob]

Another great video bro. You should do a E46 Sedan vs Coupe Pros and Cons Video. Oh and stay with the E46's..

[lizabethlynch]

This guy is terrific! There is no one in line with a more detailed an in-depth knowledge. Keep it up.

[danhaynes]

I have done every one of these repairs one my wife's 325xi. Thank you for your great videos and honest assessment of the e46. Don't let life get you down! You are an extremely talented tech and you never cease to amaze me. Tons of love from Canada.❤

[NathansBMWWorkshop]

The Cheap fix for burning oil is the catch can, The Best and most expensive fix is the M56 valve cover swap, this completely fixed the 3.0 I swapped last year from using oil, good video guys I am glad to see others doing videos about these cars, I wish you luck with the channel, I subbed and maybe we can work together in the near future.

[erniemarquez]

Dude, you are the man. I've been a mechanic for over 35 years and I was always afraid of working on BMWs. I purchased an e46 and love it. Everything you said that would fail did. I've been maintaining the 2004 325i that I purchased for my wife with online parts and so far it's been cool and cheap. The BIG ISSUE IS THAT ITS A SULEV WITH THE NON SERVICEABLE FUEL PUMP. It hasnt failed yet, but I would love to see your thoughts on this expensive journey incase this pump would fail. Please make a video on a sulev pump fail and a fix for it. I think your subscribers would love to here the history and theory of what's going on with the m56 engine no one seems to talk about.

[wakjob]

I can't believe how inexpensive parts are for the E46. I just bought one...my first BMW, and yes to all this video.