webster
05-25-2012, 11:14 AM
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=923563
saw this today. great thread for recently purchased E46s. here's the post:
Just bought your E46?
You just bought your non-M E46 (323/328, 325/330) and you are probably wondering: What do I do now?
Lets start with the basics, shall we?
Engine oil
Change your engine oil and filter anywhere between 7,500 and 12,000 miles. You can likely go up to 15,000 miles without any problems as our cars hold 7 quarts, however for peace of mind, follow the 7,500-12,000 guideline.
Per the BMW owner's manual, you should check the oil level 5 minutes after a hot engine has been shut down. The dipstick is calibrated to read accurately after 5 minutes has passed.
You should be using oil with a specification ACEA B3/B4 (extended drain/high performance criteria) and/or LL-01. The following oils are the most readily available proper oil for your car:
Genuine BMW 5W-30
Castrol European Formula 0W-30
Mobil 1 European Formula 0W-40
Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40 European Formula
Oil Filters
You can use any OE-spec parts store filter in a pinch, but I recommend using Mahle or Mann OE-quality/OEM filters.
Mahle supplies filters to BMWs for their ///M cars. Mann supplies for non-M. Both are fine but I prefer Mahle--the quality seems more robust/high-end. Part number: 11427512300
Spark plugs
Replace every 60,000 miles (BMW says 100,000) NGK BKR6EQUP (6)
Fuel filter
OEM Mahle. If your upper intake boot has an "F" connector with a vacuum line attached, your car has the integrated fuel pressure regulator. Most E46s come with this. I believe the M56 SULEV 325 cars use the plain in/out filter. Do this every 50,000 miles. Part number: 13327512019
Differential oil
Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil such as Mobil 1 75W-90. Your non-LSD diff holds approximately 1 quart. Do this every 50,000 miles
Transmission oil
Automatic:
You should change your automatic transmission fluid and filter with OE or OE-spec'd high-quality fluid every 50-75k miles. The type and amount of fluid will depend on your year/make/model. I will list the various types of automatic transmissions and their corresponding fluid:
323i/iS/iC 7/98-3/00, 328i/iS 6/98+ - GM 5L40 (A5S 360R) Texaco ETL 7045E, supercedes ETL 7045, BMW part number: 83220026922
323i/Ci 3/00-8/00, 325i/Ci/Cic 8/00+, 325iT 3/01+, 330i/Ci/Cic 6/00+ - ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z), Esso ATF LT 71141, BMW part number: 83229407807
325xi/xiT 8/00+, 325iT 8/00+, 330xi 8/00+ - GM GM5 (A5S 390R), Texaco ETL 8072B, BMW part number: 83220024359
Manual:
BMW MTF-LT-2, equivalent Pentosin MTF-2, or other equivalent. I use Redline D4 ATF. You can also use Redline MT-90.
Air filters
These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Use Genuine/OEM Mann. Part number: 13721744869
Cabin air filter
These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Part number: 64319071935
Clean idle control valve
http://www.bmw-planet.com/2009/01/10/diy-idle-control-valve-unit-icv-cleaning-e46/ Clean every 50,000 miles. If needs replacing, part number: 13411744713.
You might want to replace the rubber boot which seals it to the intake manifold. Part number: 11611437453.
Clean throttle body
Couldn't find a DIY, but personally I recommend cleaning it. From the outside (front) mine appeared to be spotless.
The backside was a VERY different story. Use throttle body cleaner. Requires removal of the airbox, upper and lower intake boots, and electrcial wire junction box. Four bolts hold it on. Replace the rubber throttle body gasket. Part number: 11611716174
DISA
This part can also cause vacuum leaks. It works by altering the volume of the intake manifold depending on engine operation/speed. Remove and inspect yours to ensure the flap is not loose.
You should feel resistance as you manually operate the flap. There should be no excessive noises or rattling. Part number if you'd like to replace: 11617544805. Reseal or repair using: http://germanautosolutions.com/DISA_Valve_Repair_Kit.html
Brake fluid
You should completely replace and bleed your brake system every two years or 25,000 miles or more frequently if you see track use or have overheated your brakes/fluid. I recommend ATE Super Blue (or amber if you had blue last) :
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/By_Brand/A/ATE/ES111/
Valve cover gasket
Major source of leaks. If the front or passenger side (right side) of your engine is covered in oil, then your valve cover gasket is leaking. By 60,000 miles, these are hard, dry, and brittle. Use Permatex Ultra Black at half moon areas and vanos seams. LESS IS MORE. Use very little sealant. Don't forget the 15 rubber grommets: part number: 11121437395. Up to 9/02, part number 11129070990 and 9/02+: 11120030496. If you experience repeated leaking, your valve cover could be damaged or warped.
Oil filter housing gasket
Major source of MAJOR leaks. The left side of the block will be wet and you'll have puddles in your driveway. Replace when leaking. Part number: 11421719855
Vanos line
Do this when you replace the oil filter housing gasket. Part number: 11361705532
Also replace four 14x20 copper sealing gaskets, part number: 32411093596
Power steering
Use ATF Dexron III only. Replace reservoir as it has integrated filter. Part number: 32411097164
Also trim and re-clamp (using new universal clamps) the power steering lines to the bottom of the reservoir and to the return line at the pump. The BMW clamps get loose over time and oil leaks/seeps out.
Exterior/interior
Of course, clean the exterior/interior and engine compartment. There's nothing worse than a dirty car with an engine compartment full of leaves, debris, oil, spiders, and dead rats. Cleaning also can help reveal problem areas or parts that are leaking. A clean engine is also more satisfying to work on.
And of course, last but not least, the cooling system.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=914109
These are the absolute bare essentials. There's still the suspension, drivetrain items, bushings, etc. But the above list should be the first things you do.
If there's any inaccuracies, things left out, etc. feel free to add. I'll then put this in my sig and link it to anyone who is interested.
saw this today. great thread for recently purchased E46s. here's the post:
Just bought your E46?
You just bought your non-M E46 (323/328, 325/330) and you are probably wondering: What do I do now?
Lets start with the basics, shall we?
Engine oil
Change your engine oil and filter anywhere between 7,500 and 12,000 miles. You can likely go up to 15,000 miles without any problems as our cars hold 7 quarts, however for peace of mind, follow the 7,500-12,000 guideline.
Per the BMW owner's manual, you should check the oil level 5 minutes after a hot engine has been shut down. The dipstick is calibrated to read accurately after 5 minutes has passed.
You should be using oil with a specification ACEA B3/B4 (extended drain/high performance criteria) and/or LL-01. The following oils are the most readily available proper oil for your car:
Genuine BMW 5W-30
Castrol European Formula 0W-30
Mobil 1 European Formula 0W-40
Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40 European Formula
Oil Filters
You can use any OE-spec parts store filter in a pinch, but I recommend using Mahle or Mann OE-quality/OEM filters.
Mahle supplies filters to BMWs for their ///M cars. Mann supplies for non-M. Both are fine but I prefer Mahle--the quality seems more robust/high-end. Part number: 11427512300
Spark plugs
Replace every 60,000 miles (BMW says 100,000) NGK BKR6EQUP (6)
Fuel filter
OEM Mahle. If your upper intake boot has an "F" connector with a vacuum line attached, your car has the integrated fuel pressure regulator. Most E46s come with this. I believe the M56 SULEV 325 cars use the plain in/out filter. Do this every 50,000 miles. Part number: 13327512019
Differential oil
Synthetic 75W-90 gear oil such as Mobil 1 75W-90. Your non-LSD diff holds approximately 1 quart. Do this every 50,000 miles
Transmission oil
Automatic:
You should change your automatic transmission fluid and filter with OE or OE-spec'd high-quality fluid every 50-75k miles. The type and amount of fluid will depend on your year/make/model. I will list the various types of automatic transmissions and their corresponding fluid:
323i/iS/iC 7/98-3/00, 328i/iS 6/98+ - GM 5L40 (A5S 360R) Texaco ETL 7045E, supercedes ETL 7045, BMW part number: 83220026922
323i/Ci 3/00-8/00, 325i/Ci/Cic 8/00+, 325iT 3/01+, 330i/Ci/Cic 6/00+ - ZF 5HP19 (A5S 325Z), Esso ATF LT 71141, BMW part number: 83229407807
325xi/xiT 8/00+, 325iT 8/00+, 330xi 8/00+ - GM GM5 (A5S 390R), Texaco ETL 8072B, BMW part number: 83220024359
Manual:
BMW MTF-LT-2, equivalent Pentosin MTF-2, or other equivalent. I use Redline D4 ATF. You can also use Redline MT-90.
Air filters
These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Use Genuine/OEM Mann. Part number: 13721744869
Cabin air filter
These should be replaced at roughly every 15,000 miles. Part number: 64319071935
Clean idle control valve
http://www.bmw-planet.com/2009/01/10/diy-idle-control-valve-unit-icv-cleaning-e46/ Clean every 50,000 miles. If needs replacing, part number: 13411744713.
You might want to replace the rubber boot which seals it to the intake manifold. Part number: 11611437453.
Clean throttle body
Couldn't find a DIY, but personally I recommend cleaning it. From the outside (front) mine appeared to be spotless.
The backside was a VERY different story. Use throttle body cleaner. Requires removal of the airbox, upper and lower intake boots, and electrcial wire junction box. Four bolts hold it on. Replace the rubber throttle body gasket. Part number: 11611716174
DISA
This part can also cause vacuum leaks. It works by altering the volume of the intake manifold depending on engine operation/speed. Remove and inspect yours to ensure the flap is not loose.
You should feel resistance as you manually operate the flap. There should be no excessive noises or rattling. Part number if you'd like to replace: 11617544805. Reseal or repair using: http://germanautosolutions.com/DISA_Valve_Repair_Kit.html
Brake fluid
You should completely replace and bleed your brake system every two years or 25,000 miles or more frequently if you see track use or have overheated your brakes/fluid. I recommend ATE Super Blue (or amber if you had blue last) :
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/By_Brand/A/ATE/ES111/
Valve cover gasket
Major source of leaks. If the front or passenger side (right side) of your engine is covered in oil, then your valve cover gasket is leaking. By 60,000 miles, these are hard, dry, and brittle. Use Permatex Ultra Black at half moon areas and vanos seams. LESS IS MORE. Use very little sealant. Don't forget the 15 rubber grommets: part number: 11121437395. Up to 9/02, part number 11129070990 and 9/02+: 11120030496. If you experience repeated leaking, your valve cover could be damaged or warped.
Oil filter housing gasket
Major source of MAJOR leaks. The left side of the block will be wet and you'll have puddles in your driveway. Replace when leaking. Part number: 11421719855
Vanos line
Do this when you replace the oil filter housing gasket. Part number: 11361705532
Also replace four 14x20 copper sealing gaskets, part number: 32411093596
Power steering
Use ATF Dexron III only. Replace reservoir as it has integrated filter. Part number: 32411097164
Also trim and re-clamp (using new universal clamps) the power steering lines to the bottom of the reservoir and to the return line at the pump. The BMW clamps get loose over time and oil leaks/seeps out.
Exterior/interior
Of course, clean the exterior/interior and engine compartment. There's nothing worse than a dirty car with an engine compartment full of leaves, debris, oil, spiders, and dead rats. Cleaning also can help reveal problem areas or parts that are leaking. A clean engine is also more satisfying to work on.
And of course, last but not least, the cooling system.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=914109
These are the absolute bare essentials. There's still the suspension, drivetrain items, bushings, etc. But the above list should be the first things you do.
If there's any inaccuracies, things left out, etc. feel free to add. I'll then put this in my sig and link it to anyone who is interested.