what is the best year for E46 ?

[bikerbill2021]

DO NOT BUY A EARLY E46
the rear subframe tears from the mounts and is extrmely expensive to repair.
if you do get a early one make sure that there is proof that it was repaired.
i had a 200 328ci, best dd i have ever had bought it with the subframe fixed.

go late like 2004

THIS, i was dead set on getting an e36 M, but i went with my e46 (2000 323CI) instead to avoid the typical subframe issue that plague the (usually mistreated) e36 M, little did i know that early e46s are just as bad

however, i was lucky enough to get BMW to take up the tab to repair it, they had a recall for it back in 2010, $5000 tab that was no expense to me

other then that i love my e46, things an absolute tank and best DD ive ever owned, just rolled over 230k, and its never left me stranded

[slammin.e28]

Funny you mention that, mine is a 2002 but it is a facelift 4dr...must have been an early stock of the facelift models.

I second the 330i comment, the 325i feels like a pig, ask me how I know?

Whoops, my bad, lol, yeah it was 2002. IDK why I keep thinking 03. :facepalm:

[gtdragon980]

A 325 w/Sport Pack is cool...

pfft...hahaha looks cool, maybe, is cool? ehh...still would rather have the 330i.

[pandaboo911]

2002+ 330i zhp

[mikeedler]

DO NOT BUY A EARLY E46
the rear subframe tears from the mounts and is extrmely expensive to repair.
if you do get a early one make sure that there is proof that it was repaired.
i had a 200 328ci, best dd i have ever had bought it with the subframe fixed.

go late like 2004

this is not really all that true.
I have a 2000 320d touring with now about 180,000miles on it. I bought it with less than 20,000 miles and slammed it back then(when it was 2 years old) and never had a problem with the subframe. I work at a dealership and have seen plenty of facelift e46s with problems, but can't remember a single wagon at all- facelift or not. 5 years ago at work we were doing atleast 1 e46 a week as warranty work.

I prefer the look of the early M tech body panels- but the later tourings "edition 33" had awesome options!

[Wh33lhop]

Here's the deal with the subframe stuff:

-The late model E46 has an updated design that makes the subframe issue less common, but it's still an issue (my late model has a small crack).
-Cracks are most likely to manifest in the driver's side rear carrier. If you actually see a crack it is likely the tip of the iceberg.
-The cracks are mainly caused by torque cycles of the drivetrain, not just by beating on the car. This means that manuals tend to be more susceptible to cracks because of the torque, upshift, torque, upshift pattern that the drivetrain sees as opposed to the auto which is very smooth and basically has one torque cycle from every stop.

In order to fix:
-Reinforcement kits are about $150 and require dropping of subframe and tank (unless you want to weld right next to the gas tank) as well as obviously some gratuitous cutting and welding.
-Ask around and see if you can find a shop that has done the repairs before--it is not that uncommon a procedure. Around my area last I checked you could get the reinforcement done for $900 out the door.

[trackjunkie21]

(modern day E30)

[Todd Black 88]

this is not really all that true.
I have a 2000 320d touring with now about 180,000miles on it. I bought it with less than 20,000 miles and slammed it back then(when it was 2 years old) and never had a problem with the subframe. I work at a dealership and have seen plenty of facelift e46s with problems, but can't remember a single wagon at all- facelift or not. 5 years ago at work we were doing atleast 1 e46 a week as warranty work.

I prefer the look of the early M tech body panels- but the later tourings "edition 33" had awesome options!

The reason you never see a touring with a cracked rear subframe is it didn't affect the tourings apparently. I was told by my buddy who is a service manager of a BMW dealership, that the touring rear end and subframe design is different and stronger, and no issues have been found with them.

Iirc xi cars also didn't have the same issues either, but I am not certain.

[MonkeyMan]

my wife's 2005 330i sedan has just started making a terrible ticking noise under the valve cover - sounds like a lifter isn't pumping up for some reason.. I've done some research on this and there doesn't seem to be a unanimously agreed upon cause.. it just started one day out of nowhere about 3 weeks ago and hasn't stopped since.. any ideas?

the car has been rock solid besides that; we just hit 120K and still feels good and tight.. wifey loves the shit outta that car...

[nomansland92]

glad i came a crossed this tread, I nearly got a 2004 330xi last week, ended up not because i ran a carfax and it shows frame damage that the dealer didn't say anything about

I'm still looking at getting a 330xi so why is everyone saying to stay away from awd? Do they have problems or anything. And i need awd becasue there no rwd making it out of my drive way with a fresh coat of snow ;)

[Julien]

i rike my 2001 325xiT

[Todd Black 88]

glad i came a crossed this tread, I nearly got a 2004 330xi last week, ended up not because i ran a carfax and it shows frame damage that the dealer didn't say anything about

I'm still looking at getting a 330xi so why is everyone saying to stay away from awd? Do they have problems or anything. And i need awd becasue there no rwd making it out of my drive way with a fresh coat of snow ;)

I had a 2002 325xi touring for 8 years, and it never ever got stuck in the snow. 2009 brought us over 5' of snow over a three week period at Christmas, with, at one time, 2' on my road unplowed. My wagon set first tracks like a bloody ice breaker, in all seasons.
Afa awd goes, just keep an eye on front cv joint boots as they split like clockwork every 2-3 years. Miss it and you will be replacing the axle. Everything else is typical e46 crap.

I traded mine in 3 months ago on a 2012 328xit.

[Mr. Tasty]

1988. Get the DB's and the late tail lights/valence

[Herr Faust Schinken]

1988. Get the DB's and the late tail lights/valence

hey thats what i have its like the bastred child of the e30s

[Wh33lhop]

my wife's 2005 330i sedan has just started making a terrible ticking noise under the valve cover - sounds like a lifter isn't pumping up for some reason.. I've done some research on this and there doesn't seem to be a unanimously agreed upon cause.. it just started one day out of nowhere about 3 weeks ago and hasn't stopped since.. any ideas?

the car has been rock solid besides that; we just hit 120K and still feels good and tight.. wifey loves the shit outta that car...

I assume your oil level is ok...? Ticking does indeed point to a sticky lifter, but that's only if it's one (ticks once every two engine revolutions, 5x per second if idling). If all your lifters are ticking regularly that points to low oil pressure in the head, which 9 times out of 10 is due to low oil level (actually usually it means you've been revving high and cornering hard, but I doubt your wife is likely to drive like that ;)).