Common Issues? - United Bimmer Community

Rooz · 03-07-2006, 11:24 PM

Since I might be joining this family soon, what should I look for when purchasing an E46 02 + 330ci? Common issues? yade yada...

**dinan540** · 03-07-2006, 11:26 PM

Rooz,

email Mike miller at Roundel and ask him this question. He responds in 1-2 days. He is the tech advisor for Roundel and the Bimmer magazine. Super comprehensive. His email is aspuf2002@aol.com. At the end of your email, sign your name and city, state.

**xsperf** · 03-07-2006, 11:27 PM

yea the engines usually just like randomly fall out.. they also suffer from a symptom of UGLYITOUS, and also E36WANNABEITIOUS as well, oh and those dont apply to the m3

Rooz · 03-07-2006, 11:27 PM

Should I tell him you sent me or doesn't matter?

**Numark318i** · 03-07-2006, 11:27 PM

our battery went out after 4 years. Thats the only problem weve had.

**dinan540** · 03-07-2006, 11:41 PM

Rooz,
Doesn't matter. He answers anyones questions.

Rooz · 03-07-2006, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan540

Rooz,
Doesn't matter. He answers anyones questions.

Thank you Sir

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yours Trully

Hi there Mr. Mike Miller,

My name is Rooz, and I am a fellow BMW fanatic owner. I currently have a 96 328is (http://www.freewebs.com/rooz328is/index.htm) and I am starting to look for a new toy. I am either leaning towards purchasing my self the last year of the E36 M3 (99) or getting my self a 02 330ci.

I am fairly knowledgeable on E36's. But on the other hand, I don't know too-too much about E46's. I was referred to you by a member of Unitedbimmer.com and was wanting to know if you could help me out by either giving me your opinion or helping me out and inform me a little more on the E46, maybe some buyer tips or some common issues on those cars.

And if you get the time, feel free to check our forum out. UnitedBimmer.com and if it asks you "who referred you?" just put Rooz on there.

Thanks in Advance!

-Rooz Rafie

I'll keep ya posted on his reply

Rooz · 03-07-2006, 11:53 PM

Well... that was quick, I just got a reply:

Returned mail: User unknown

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<aspuf2002@aol.com>

**dinan540** · 03-08-2006, 09:44 AM

Sorry Rooz,

It is auspuf2002@hotmail.com. Don't forget to put city and state at the end after your name. Sorry about the typo.

Paul

Rooz · 03-08-2006, 10:34 AM

Sent, let's see when he responds

Dinan540.. am gonna kill you,

Returned mail: see transcript for details

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<auspuf2002@hotmail.com>

**doughboyea** · 03-08-2006, 11:11 AM

Well, I don't have the 330i or ci, but, just so you know, I had to dish out alot for a new Vanos. It's a factory defect that the consumer has to pay for:
Vanos Control Unit

But other than that, it's all wear and tear stuff, ie brakes, control arm bushings, etc...battery is still running quite well. And if I were you, I'd shy away from that tiptronic auto... but I'm sure you were going to do that anyway.

Oh, and if you get a dealer tuneup/Inspection, somewhere's in the $400-$1000 (depends on area and dealer) for Inspection 2. Just keep that in mind.

All of these I'm sure you are aware of, but just wanted to say it, just incase someone else was reading though this.

Dough

Rooz · 03-08-2006, 11:20 AM

I mean, am just curious to see what are the known problems on it. Kind of like how on the E36 there are known issues for cooling system, O2 sensors, saggign glovebox, you know... that kind of stuff

**doughboyea** · 03-08-2006, 11:39 AM

Hmm, well, I got one small cosmetic issue. I'm not sure if it's on anyone else's list of grips...

Floor mats fall apart.

Nothing major, I know, but I'm scrapping the bottom of the barrel here. Beyond what I mentioned, there really isn't anything else wrong with the car that I've encountered. Maybe it's because I'm only at 87k mi. Maybe some others should respond that have >>100k mi.

Dough

Rooz · 03-08-2006, 11:41 AM

So far so good then, lol

**Antiburn** · 03-08-2006, 09:36 PM

Other then your general, brakes, tires, suspension and some minor engine electronics nothing that major ever really goes wrong with E46's. If your under warranty with it all your problems are taken care of. Really only problems that Ive run into is when people start adding aftermarket products to their car. Just to list a few, CAI exhausts, rims, tinted windows ect. Im sure you dont really wana hear that but if you start adding aftermarket stuff to your E46 expect to have a few things your gona have to deal with. Tinted windows cause your windows to squeel and whine while going up and down. I say as long as you keep bmw parts on it your good to go.

**doughboyea** · 03-08-2006, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

Really only problems that Ive run into is when people start adding aftermarket products to their car. Just to list a few, CAI exhausts, rims, tinted windows ect.

What happens when the CAI and exhaust are installed?

Dough

Rooz · 03-08-2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antiburn

Other then your general, brakes, tires, suspension and some minor engine electronics nothing that major ever really goes wrong with E46's. If your under warranty with it all your problems are taken care of. Really only problems that Ive run into is when people start adding aftermarket products to their car. Just to list a few, CAI exhausts, rims, tinted windows ect. Im sure you dont really wana hear that but if you start adding aftermarket stuff to your E46 expect to have a few things your gona have to deal with. Tinted windows cause your windows to squeel and whine while going up and down. I say as long as you keep bmw parts on it your good to go.

Aftermarket parts? Me? NEVER!

am already starting to decide what bumper am gonna slap on her...

**dinan540** · 03-09-2006, 09:26 AM

Rooz,

It is auspuf2002@aol.com

Try one more time

. Sorry about that. I swear it will work this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooz

Sent, let's see when he responds

Dinan540.. am gonna kill you,

Returned mail: see transcript for details

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
<auspuf2002@hotmail.com>

Rooz · 03-09-2006, 10:33 AM

sent, hopefully, this is a good one

That was quick, got a reply within 45 minutes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Miller

Aside from the increase in size and weight, you'll find the E46 3 Series to be a general improvement in quality and durability over the E36. Build quality and parts quality improved in many areas with the E46, and stayed the same in others -- like climate control modules, climate control final stage resistor units, water pumps and radiators. The E46 has some problems the E36 didn't have, like deteriorating door gaskets up to 2003.

In terms of working on the car or tuning it for performance, there really isn't much difference between a 1999 M3 and a 2002 330Ci.

The benefit of the 1999 M3 would be that it is the last of the E36s, and the last of year of any body style BMW means it is as debugged as it is ever going to be. It also has the benefit of the Motorsport suspension, however the 330Ci sport suspension is also quite good given the right tires.

The 2002 330Ci misses out on some of the improvements BMW built into the E46 starting in 2003, including better door gaskets, better ball joints, larger control arm bushings, and updated rear toe bushings. Of course, all these things can be retrofitted and the 2002 330Ci is clearly a newer car even without the Motorsport tuning of the 1999 M3.

For me, it would probably boil down to what was available, price, whether either car had an interesting or rare color combination, options (preferably the lack thereof), manual gearbox over automatic transmission, mileage, condition, and service history if any (most used BMW have had zero maintenance other than oil changes, and those were done about every 15,000 miles -- way too long).

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Mike Miller