E46 faults at 3yr mark?

[hetraa]

Hi all,
wondering is it common for e46 to have faults when its coming to the 3 yr mark?
Right now my bimmer is in the PML workshop.
My coolant tank leaks, and sometimes in D after driving off,
my gear fails to engage to 2nd gear. RPM goes all the way up..

PML says they gonna replacethe coolant tank, coolant pump, a sensor (for the gear shift)
and topping up of some gear oil.

charging me for just the oil...rest are covered...

i read that the coolant leak is quite common...

what about you guys?

Xavier

 

[kenntona]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

Hi there, which model of E46 are you driving? The 1.9 or valvetronic model? For the 1.9-litre model, I have to have my leaky radiator change (damage about $500, covered). As for the valvetronic model, I have not come across any problem at all.

 

[TripleM]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

Hi all,
wondering is it common for e46 to have faults when its coming to the 3 yr mark?
Right now my bimmer is in the PML workshop.
My coolant tank leaks, and sometimes in D after driving off,
my gear fails to engage to 2nd gear. RPM goes all the way up..

PML says they gonna replacethe coolant tank, coolant pump, a sensor (for the gear shift)
and topping up of some gear oil.

charging me for just the oil...rest are covered...

i read that the coolant leak is quite common...

what about you guys?

Xavier

Experienced coolant leak before too. My car was YOM 2000 PFL 318, the leakage happened in early 2004.

 

[hetraa]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

wow , lotsa mods on yr ride..
yup mines the valvetronic one..

cos if the car parts gonna wear and tear so often, i would rather trade it in for a e90 in 2 yrs time..then can drive hassle free for another 3 yrs..

holding back mods becos of this...

 

[eggz]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

I sold my E46 coupe (328ci) just before it hit 4 years, this is the most trouble free car I've ever owned. Even at close to 4 yeas old, no rattles, nothing needed replacement...nada, zip, never even replaced the battery! only changed tyres and I think wiper blades and a couple of rear brake light bulbs.

It was sent in for servicing when the lights came on. OK must add, I never tracked it and unless I was out late, will drive it like a kuniang

Mileage when sold was just 27,000 KM

My most memorable drive was from work at Science Park to Orchard, I was returning home from work very late (after 1am). The entire journey took 7 mins, traffic lights and all. Hit 185km/h on the AYE, and averaged 120km/h on normal roads....that was one hell of a rush!

 

[hamz]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

mine 2001 valvetronic version......coolant tank burst on the way back from KL -lucky to see the coolant warning lights came up once i parked-reached home.
that was in may this year -yes very common!!!

 

[maverick]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

My previous E46 318i Valvetronic's aircon died on its 3rd birthday and soon after that the oil gasket started to leak. Managed to claim warranty on the aircon but gasket repair cost me $600 at an outside workshop. Got rid of the car soon after....

 

[calvin]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

ok... mine 02 valvetronic step by steps problem
1. Gear box faulty - 9 mths old (claimed PML)
2. Air-cond died - 2.10 years (cost me 1K, outside workshop)
3. Spare tank leak - 3rd year (few hundred, outside workshop)
4. Radiator tank leak - 3 yrs 1 mth (few hundred, outside workshop)
5. Cooling system along engine block leak - 3 yrs 1.5 mth (few hundred, outside workshop)
6. Cooling host... same time with no.5
7. Power Windwos motor (3 windows), same timing as 5 as well...
8. sold off my car 3.5 years...

still miss it...

 

[NTY]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

I had 3 BMWs before. From my experience some common faults after third years are:

1. Radiator
2. Water Pump
3. Viscous fan
4. Auto gearbox (Depending on mileage)
5. Air-con evaporator coil
6. Air-con compressor
7. Some engine sensors

 

[hetraa]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

wah so many faults!
i think not worth it to keep on modding the aesthetics, since that the car wouldnt last long anyway..
damn, and i thought conti cars can last longer...
auto gearbox spoilt, thats a expensive problem to solve..

well, got my car back today, had to pay $69+ for topping up of transmission fluid.
rest of the faults are covered by warranty...thank god..
hate car repairs...

 

[TripleM]

Re: E46 faults at 3yr mark?

Yep
BMW is a great handling car and probably a leader in its class but anything other than that is definitely not particularly impressive. But people still wanna own a BMW and I m no exception.