School Me on E46 IX Tourings

[mikeedler]

transfer cases are a bit on the weak side, I have done a few in the last few years. Cooling system stuff, and CV boots like stated. Not bad cars at all.

[nrubenstein]

I've always been told that the e46 awd is just a series of open diffs with traction control attempting to control wheel slip, which if it is true, sounds pretty shitty to me.

On the plus side, there's nothing to break or wear out. It's shitty in performance situations, but it actually works great in the snow. For your average non-enthusiast, it's better.

[kung fu jesus]

Be cautious of the automatic transmissions. Read up on the issue(s). A few techs told me they are notoriously problematic. The ZF ones in the early models suffer a few more failures than the GM-made units. Primarily is the reverse solenoid and a few other items. Although they share the same transmission as the e39, one tech suspected the issues stem from the lack the large heat exchanger the 5s have.

This is an interesting thread about that: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=713780

I looked into getting one for my wife, decided to look into the IS300 Sportcross for the reliability alone. It's a shame.