1pcarnut

Went to start mine today and the starter has apparently crapped out. This will be my last BMW. I've had it 6 months and at 65k miles I've already rebuilt the front end, replaced the overflow tank on the radiator, spent hours trying to find a leak that turned out the be the oil filter housing assembly, the right side passenger window has developed a clunk in it, and now the starter has failed. Not to mention worrying about the rear suspension or transmission.

MDamen

I've done all those things except the starter. Has 125,000 miles now. Guess I better get the subframe inspected.

Mark Harris

I have owned this one for 3 years and literally not spent a dime on it. Fantastic car for summer fun.

Bradford

I've driven my E46 coupe for 10 years and 171,000 miles as a daily driver. No sub-frame problems and have replaced the typical problamatic parts. The car overall has been fantastic. On the other hand my daughter has an E46 4 door that constantly has problems. My E90 was in the shop twice as much as my E46, so I sold it when the warranty was up. If you can work on these cars yourself, they are not that costly to drive.

1pcarnut

I bought this car knowing some of the standard issues like the overflow tank, cooling system weakness, window regulators that fail, front suspension that wears out prematurely and a few others. They are a great driving car and I figured since I can work on it myself I'd be okay. When I got the car I went through all the things I knew to be weak but there gets a point where you get fed up. I'm at that point. I don't want to be worrying about the transmission or frame. The other stuff was peripheral but now I've been stranded with a motor that wouldn't start and it was not much fun. I've got a friend with the nearly identical sportwagon and his has been pretty much bullet proof, no issues at 80k miles. I seem to be cursed with my BMWs, so no more.

Travis

Yep, the wear and tear items do end up taking some time, but it's a great daily driver. Our 5 speed manual wagon has been doing the kid shuffle, grocery haul-asser, go everywhere car for the last 5 years.

Been dragging my feet to bring the car in for inspection because it has, er, an alternate suspension system in there right now (Eibach Coilovers, there I said it). Hope BMW doesn't see this...Doh!

ABCar

It seems there are 2 camps...breakers and tanks. My 330i (ZXP) manual has had a few problems but overall it always runs and drives great. I know some people personally who really know cars and think these are the worst ever. My wife and I are perplexed at this because it seems to do everything well.
(Engine, brakes, handling and overall enjoyability).
I do think it is time for an inspection though...thanks for the reminder.

PS. A guy put the "If you want to sell your car, call me!" note on our windsheild. Maybe I should call him...I bet I can get a great price!!!

TxnBluDvl

No wonder someone left a note -- that's a ZHP, they've almost achieved a cult status among E46 enthusiasts.

Canyon56

Yeah, I was bummed out that they offered the ZHP package the year after I bought my 330i (although I did get the ZSP)