E46 M3 Passenger door not opening - United Bimmer Community

**EWR14** · 11-08-2009, 04:52 PM

My E46 M3 passenger door won't open form the outside. Also, the window won't go down all the way. When it gets about 50% down, it opens the door! Clearly there is something loose in the door that's causing the window to open the door. Any ideas what is wrong and what I'm up against when I go to the dealer??

Big Evil · 11-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Sounds like the linkage to the door handle has popped off and the window is pushing on it and opening the door for you when you roll it down. Generally a quick easy fix.

**EWR14** · 11-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Thanks. I went to a local BMW shop and he thought the same.

**Cuse330Ci** · 11-15-2009, 10:11 PM

This has happened to me twice, the linkage is terrible. Pretty much if someone tries to open you door while it's locked there's a 50/50 chance it will break.

**bristolbmw** · 02-09-2010, 12:04 AM

My door lock problem on my E46 is proving very problematic. I lost my key and ordered a new one from BMW. The car was locked and the mechanical lock on my car had frozen up in the bad weather. The Key seems to just turn loosely now so I suspect the catch inside is broken. I can't use the new key remote as it needs to be initialized by inserting it into the ignition key and performing some magic incantations.

I managed to get an aluminum rod through the top of the door gap to depress the centre console central door lock switch but nothing happened (it definitely depressed correctly). I guess the ignition key needs to be inserted to make this switch active. The hazard warning switch next to it was active and could be switched on and off by this method.

So kind of running out of ideas to get into the car and use my nice new very expensive key to start using the car again. If I could get in then I would replace the mechanical lock on the drivers side door. There is no passenger door lock. The trunk will open with the key (not the remote as initialize problem stops that). The back of the trunk is welded so no way of entering the car that way either.

This car is apparently the first ever RHD 330D made so there are a few things on it which are out of sequence for the year of manufacture (was owned by BMW for a year as a Press demonstrator car).

Any ideas other than a carefully aimed hammer through the window?

Thanks in advance.

**karimMsalama** · 02-09-2010, 02:18 PM

you may need to go to a local BMW shop