impin:
You want full reliability for your E46? Follow these tips. I realize some may think these are excessive but hey. You're the one who wants maximum reliability, right? Of course, nothing is absolute. But follow these tips to greatly improve your odds of reliability.
Of course you should follow all the other information in my thread for great performance, efficiency, and cooling.
Some of the information overlaps my other links, but if you want to concentrate on reliability, listen up!
This is by far the most important part of the list!
Battery, BMW part# 61218381749
If your battery is five years old or older, or you don't know - replace it. This will cost between $90 and $200. Try Autozone, Walmart, Costco, etc. Make sure the battery you purchase comes w/ a vent tube kit.
Voltage regulator, BMW part #s 12317559183 Square plug voltage regulator or 12317515319 Round/oval plug voltage regulator
You may suddenly get a battery light while driving down the road one day. It may flicker or stay on. Either way, your voltage regulator is toast. Expect to pay between $40 for a Bosch VR or $120 for a Valeo VR. You can also get a new alternator (remanufactured) which will have a rebuilt VR from alternatorpros.com. Those will run around $130. If you have a Valeo alternator, it makes sense to just replace the entire alternator. You will have to look with your eyes to see which voltage regulator you need.
Final Stage Resistor, part number 64116920365
Expect to pay about $55
Starter, manufacturer (Bosch) reman part number 70306010103
You can also try alternatorpros.com for a reman starter.
Expect to pay about $120
Key, part number 66126955748 (from 9/99)
Bring your registration and driver's license to the local BMW dealer. Order a new key. They've been known to fail and all the new parts in the world won't mean anything with a busted key. Plus a new one looks so nice. Expect to pay around $160-200.
Ignition coil spark plug boots, for Bosch coils part number 12131740477 or for Bremi coils: part number 12139067831
Ignition switch, part number 61326901961
These can sometimes go bad on BMWs. Intermittent electrical errors when you turn the key. Expect to pay about $67
Crankshaft Position Sensor, part number 12141709616
Expect to pay about $100
Camshaft Position Sensor (Intake), part number 12147539165
Expect to pay about $100
Camshaft Position Sensor (Exhaust), part number 12147518628
Expect to pay about $100
Fuel pump, part number 16146766942
*Buy a universal clamp! A member recommended size 1/4-5/8"*
Expect to pay about $130
Fuel pump sealing ring, part number 16111184084
Expect to pay about $17
Fuel pump relay, part number 61368373700
Expect to pay about $10
Crankcase vent system (complete)
You can buy them separately or as a kit. Your call. Make sure you buy ALL Genuine BMW. Do not skimp on this. Expect to pay $150.
Crankcase vent valve 11617501566
Vent pipe (attaches to valve cover) 11611432559
Vent pipe #2 (attaches to top of CCV valve) 11617504535
Vent pipe #3 (attaches to bottom of ccv and dipstick tube) 11157532649
Vacuum hose 11727545323 (attaches to side of ccv)
Vent pipe #4 11617504536
Expect to pay about $50
Clutch master cylinder, part number 21526773670
Expect to pay about $50-100
Clutch slave cylinder, part number 21526785966
Expect to pay about $50-100
Grand total manual cars: $1,096-$1,306 (depending on where you shop)
Grand total automatic cars: $956-$1,156 (depending on where you shop)
Bonus:
DME compartment. Remove cover, clean/vacuum/condition seal w/ gummipflege. Inspect for any leaves, dirt, or debris or anything weird with the wires. Never know what previous owner junked up the wires doing teenager angel eye wiring! Make sure any splices or cuts are properly joined/repaired, well protected, and insulated.
General wiring Inspect all wiring harnesses and plugs for damage or exposure. Re-wrap any exposed wiring harnesses with new loom if the loom has broken off or disintegrated. Remove all sensors and clean with electrical contact cleaner then apply dielectric grease to the pins/contacts.
If you like this thread and/or if it has helped you: remember to rate it a full five stars by clicking on the rating stars on the upper right corner!!
You want full reliability for your E46? Follow these tips. I realize some may think these are excessive but hey. You're the one who wants maximum reliability, right? Of course, nothing is absolute. But follow these tips to greatly improve your odds of reliability.
Of course you should follow all the other information in my thread for great performance, efficiency, and cooling.
Some of the information overlaps my other links, but if you want to concentrate on reliability, listen up!
Electrical and Ignition
This is by far the most important part of the list!
Battery, BMW part# 61218381749
If your battery is five years old or older, or you don't know - replace it. This will cost between $90 and $200. Try Autozone, Walmart, Costco, etc. Make sure the battery you purchase comes w/ a vent tube kit.
Voltage regulator, BMW part #s 12317559183 Square plug voltage regulator or 12317515319 Round/oval plug voltage regulator
You may suddenly get a battery light while driving down the road one day. It may flicker or stay on. Either way, your voltage regulator is toast. Expect to pay between $40 for a Bosch VR or $120 for a Valeo VR. You can also get a new alternator (remanufactured) which will have a rebuilt VR from alternatorpros.com. Those will run around $130. If you have a Valeo alternator, it makes sense to just replace the entire alternator. You will have to look with your eyes to see which voltage regulator you need.
Final Stage Resistor, part number 64116920365
Expect to pay about $55
Starter, manufacturer (Bosch) reman part number 70306010103
You can also try alternatorpros.com for a reman starter.
Expect to pay about $120
Key, part number 66126955748 (from 9/99)
Bring your registration and driver's license to the local BMW dealer. Order a new key. They've been known to fail and all the new parts in the world won't mean anything with a busted key. Plus a new one looks so nice. Expect to pay around $160-200.
Ignition coil spark plug boots, for Bosch coils part number 12131740477 or for Bremi coils: part number 12139067831
Ignition switch, part number 61326901961
These can sometimes go bad on BMWs. Intermittent electrical errors when you turn the key. Expect to pay about $67
Crankshaft Position Sensor, part number 12141709616
Expect to pay about $100
Camshaft Position Sensor (Intake), part number 12147539165
Expect to pay about $100
Camshaft Position Sensor (Exhaust), part number 12147518628
Expect to pay about $100
Fuel
Fuel pump, part number 16146766942
*Buy a universal clamp! A member recommended size 1/4-5/8"*
Expect to pay about $130
Fuel pump sealing ring, part number 16111184084
Expect to pay about $17
Fuel pump relay, part number 61368373700
Expect to pay about $10
Critical Vacuum
Crankcase vent system (complete)
You can buy them separately or as a kit. Your call. Make sure you buy ALL Genuine BMW. Do not skimp on this. Expect to pay $150.
Crankcase vent valve 11617501566
Vent pipe (attaches to valve cover) 11611432559
Vent pipe #2 (attaches to top of CCV valve) 11617504535
Vent pipe #3 (attaches to bottom of ccv and dipstick tube) 11157532649
Vacuum hose 11727545323 (attaches to side of ccv)
Vent pipe #4 11617504536
Manual cars/Clutch Hydraulics
Clutch line, part number 21526774267
Expect to pay about $50
Clutch master cylinder, part number 21526773670
Expect to pay about $50-100
Clutch slave cylinder, part number 21526785966
Expect to pay about $50-100
Grand total manual cars: $1,096-$1,306 (depending on where you shop)
Grand total automatic cars: $956-$1,156 (depending on where you shop)
Bonus:
DME compartment. Remove cover, clean/vacuum/condition seal w/ gummipflege. Inspect for any leaves, dirt, or debris or anything weird with the wires. Never know what previous owner junked up the wires doing teenager angel eye wiring! Make sure any splices or cuts are properly joined/repaired, well protected, and insulated.
General wiring Inspect all wiring harnesses and plugs for damage or exposure. Re-wrap any exposed wiring harnesses with new loom if the loom has broken off or disintegrated. Remove all sensors and clean with electrical contact cleaner then apply dielectric grease to the pins/contacts.
If you like this thread and/or if it has helped you: remember to rate it a full five stars by clicking on the rating stars on the upper right corner!!