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So I picking up a e46

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If you get an e46 m3, make sure they check the vanos. The tab often breaks and there is no clear solution. Great fun car that still looks nice.
 
Vanos hubs on all model year e46 m3s are susceptible to failure. It's got a couple discs that fit together via holes and tabs, and the holes are too big for the tabs allowing too much play, so eventually the tabs tend to snap off .. there are two and when both break off, bad things happen. AFAIK this was never fixed with a part revision from BMW, however there are plenty of permanent aftermarket solutions (Beisan systems, Dr. Vanos, Turbotoy, etc).

http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/s54_vanos_procedure.htm

Labor intensive so expect to pay a decent amount to get it done, but parts aren't bad if you want to tackle it yourself. I'm going to do it sometime in the next few years on my car, though it's only got 35k miles so I'm not too concerned just yet.
 
He meant the O-rings, the OEM ones get too brittle with age and won't fit properly anymore therefore create a lot of problems with the internal working of the VANOS assembly. Replace the O-rings, you'll be fine, given that your VANOS is still in good working order. Takes a few hours, and beers.

Another thing to consider is replacing the oil separator valve (or crank case vent valve).
 
SSSnail said:
He meant the O-rings, the OEM ones get too brittle with age and won't fit properly anymore therefore create a lot of problems with the internal working of the VANOS assembly. Replace the O-rings, you'll be fine, given that your VANOS is still in good working order. Takes a few hours, and beers.

Another thing to consider is replacing the oil separator valve (or crank case vent valve).
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You mean everything in the repomen's link? holy cow. It only take a few hrs?
 
Just doing the vanos orings is pretty easy, and that's coming from somebody mechanically stunted. It appears there are other vanos issues on the m3 though so I don't know what's involved in that.
 
The tab on the vanos will break off. There really isn't a fix for it besides after market. It really wasn't addressed by bmw.
 
Updated

Have it a couple weeks now, the good

the inline 6 is very smooth, the 2.5 has more than enough power for everyday driving, fuel econ is fine @ 26ish MPG comb I am sure it will increase over time and corning is good enough for everyday driving.

The not so good

Got my first CEL P0128 - Thermostat no big deal it come and go
Driver side windows up very slow - regulator I guess no big deal
I still think one of the engine or tranny mount is shot

The head scratching
The rear mirror don't have the flip to block light???
Just find out that the rear seat can not fold and no middle passage lol.

While I am replacing the thermostat is it a good idea to do the WP and serpentine belt/tensioner? What else?
 
Find out how old your expansion tank is, and replace it while you're at it. I replaced my entire cooling system when discovered there was a slow leak in the radiator. A lot of BMW parts websites sell whole kit for cooling system replacement, might as well and it's cheaper in the long run plus your peace of mind. Go OEM.

The mirror is automatic, should be anyways.
 
SSSnail said:
Find out how old your expansion tank is, and replace it while you're at it. I replaced my entire cooling system when discovered there was a slow leak in the radiator. A lot of BMW parts websites sell whole kit for cooling system replacement, might as well and it's cheaper in the long run plus your peace of mind. Go OEM.

The mirror is automatic, should be anyways.
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Replace the radiator as well? some ebay kit seen very economical.

Other then belt/tensioner, any other wheels I should replace?

Don't think the mirror is automatic.
 
One more thing, the "unlock all" either by double click the key or the button on the console seen to be hit or miss. sometime it won't unlock the other 3 doors, any idea why?
 
Denly said:
Replace the radiator as well? some ebay kit seen very economical.

Other then belt/tensioner, any other wheels I should replace?

Don't think the mirror is automatic.
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You probably don't want to do eBay kit, but, if budget is your concerns then it is what it is.

The latches for the rear seats fold down are in the trunk.

You probably pressed the buttons too fast, allow a second between clicks.

For the parts, try to get from getbmwparts.com, they're a BMW dealer that have a pretty good online parts department from which I bought most of my parts. You can also try http://www.bavauto.com/, they have a complete kit for less than $350 (OEM will cost you more).
Denly said:
You mean everything in the repomen's link? holy cow. It only take a few hrs?
Click to expand...
I missed this, the link in repomen's post is for an S54 engine, belongs on the M3. Yours just need to have the O-rings replaced, a bit less complicated.
 
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Denly said:
One more thing, the "unlock all" either by double click the key or the button on the console seen to be hit or miss. sometime it won't unlock the other 3 doors, any idea why?
Click to expand...


The door won't unlock is very common in e46. If I remember correctly, the proper fix is very expensive. People just send the module to a 3rd party to fix. Just goggle it.
 
Off topic

After going from Ford, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi in the 90s to early 00s then VW x2, rover, Bimmer and mini I gain great respect for America big 3. F/GM/C might issuing tons of recall but at least they have the balls to admit their mistake and fix it for you.

While all those EU brand just give you a finger for their design flaws.

Great car comes with great "responsibility" I guess.
 
You do know a lot of the those recalls from the big 3 are because of class action lawsuits where people died, right? You don't follow the news, but an example is where GM tried to bury the ignition issues for more than a decade.
 
SSSnail said:
You do know a lot of the those recalls from the big 3 are because of class action lawsuits where people died, right? You don't follow the news, but an example is where GM tried to bury the ignition issues for more than a decade.
Click to expand...

Yes I do remember that people died, Toyota also tried to bury the floor mate thing. I also remember my E36 Coolant connector blow(known issue) when I am on hwy doing 110km and I almost crash into the car in front of me because I can't see a dam thing.

I owned a first production focus and that dam thing has the most recalls ever, but the only major one is the fuel pump. The rest is like labels, interior plastic.

Not trying to start a debate, just a thought. I still love the car.
 
Did all e46s of that era just come with auto dimming mirrors? Very common failure. If your mirror has any bubbles or strange goo lines in it or something like that that's the problem. Send to radar mirror to fix for $100.
 
GoodRevrnd said:
Did all e46s of that era just come with auto dimming mirrors? Very common failure. If your mirror has any bubbles or strange goo lines in it or something like that that's the problem. Send to radar mirror to fix for $100.
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No, nothing strange about the mirror. Looks just like a mirror, I don't even see a sensor like "pin hole"
 
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