Common Problems With Your E46 in BMW 3 Series Forum Posted October 7, 2011 2002 Pre-face lift E46 Coupe 318 (N42B20) 2.0ltr valvetronic engine. Recently just past 120,000 miles.Common issues that I have had were:-Control Arm Bushes - Replaced with Lemforder unitsRear Coil Springs - Replaced with Boge HD SpringsRusty Front Wings - Bought two wings from a scrapped E46 Coupe from Fab Direct (recommended BMW breakers in the Forest of Dean)Sagging Door Seal Liners - sorted (I did not buy new door seals from BMW because they wanted £250.00 per door seal!!)Flaking Interior (Plasticised Trim) - removed the plasticised material and will be sourcing replacement trim gear surround & inner door handlesOil Filter Housing Gasket Perished & Leaking - Replaced with OEM gasketAir Conditioning (Turned out to be a faulty temp sensor behind the center of the dash)Final Stage Resistor (Still need to replace as the fan blower is at erratic speeds)Specific to my engine were:-Leaking Vacuum PumpChain Tensioner - (Modified Version Available from BMW)Overall, I love this E46 Coupe! The E46 is by far the best looking of the 3 series although I am a big fan of them all.
Common Problems With Your E46
in BMW 3 Series Forum
Posted
2002 Pre-face lift E46 Coupe 318 (N42B20) 2.0ltr valvetronic engine. Recently just past 120,000 miles.
Common issues that I have had were:-
Control Arm Bushes - Replaced with Lemforder units
Rear Coil Springs - Replaced with Boge HD Springs
Rusty Front Wings - Bought two wings from a scrapped E46 Coupe from Fab Direct (recommended BMW breakers in the Forest of Dean)
Sagging Door Seal Liners - sorted (I did not buy new door seals from BMW because they wanted £250.00 per door seal!!)
Flaking Interior (Plasticised Trim) - removed the plasticised material and will be sourcing replacement trim gear surround & inner door handles
Oil Filter Housing Gasket Perished & Leaking - Replaced with OEM gasket
Air Conditioning (Turned out to be a faulty temp sensor behind the center of the dash)
Final Stage Resistor (Still need to replace as the fan blower is at erratic speeds)
Specific to my engine were:-
Leaking Vacuum Pump
Chain Tensioner - (Modified Version Available from BMW)
Overall, I love this E46 Coupe! The E46 is by far the best looking of the 3 series although I am a big fan of them all.