BMW 3er E46
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
204–272 PS
3.0L Magnesium Benzin
Rewarding at Every Rev
Fun to Drive!211–286 PS
3.0L Diesel Biturbo Diesel
7 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The BMW 3er E46 is available as Limousine and Touring and Coupé and Cabrio — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The BMW 3er E46 is available with 11 engine variants — from 99 to 286 hp. 7 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The BMW 318d (Diesel, 116 PS) has the M47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Stay Away!", 7 known weaknesses.
The BMW 320d (Diesel, 126–150 PS) comes with 5 different engines: M47D20 (1998–2001, Stay Away!) und M47D20 (1998–2001, Stay Away!) und M47D20 (2001–2005, Stay Away!) und M47TUD20 (2001–2006, Stay Away!) und M47D20 (2003–2006, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 320d!
The BMW 330d (Diesel, 163–184 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M57D30 (1999–2003, Stay Away!) und M57D30 (1999–2005, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 330d!
The BMW 316Ci (Benziner, 105 PS) has the M43B16 (1.6L 8V) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The BMW 318i (Benziner, 116–118 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M43B19 (1998–2001, Be Careful) und M43B19 (1998–2001, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 318i!
The BMW 318i Touring (Benziner, 116–118 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M43B19 (1999–2001, Be Careful) und M43B19 (1999–2001, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 318i Touring!
The BMW 320i (Benziner, 163–170 PS) comes with 3 different engines: M54B22 (2000–2006, Stay Away!) und M54B22 (2000–2006, Stay Away!) und M54B22 (2000–2006, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 320i!
The BMW 323Ci (Benziner, 170 PS) has the M52TUB25 (2.5L 24V) — rated: "Stay Away!", 5 known weaknesses.
The BMW 323i (Benziner, 163–170 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M52TUB25 (1998–2000, Stay Away!) und M52TUB25 (1998–2000, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 323i!
The BMW 325i (Benziner, 190–192 PS) comes with 2 different engines: M54B25 (2000–2006, Be Careful) und M54B25 (2000–2006, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 325i!
The BMW 330i (Benziner, 231 PS) has the M54B30 (3.0L 24V) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant expansion tank bursts The plastic coolant expansion tank becomes brittle through thermal cycling and cracks or bursts — on almost every E46. A typical 3–4 cm crack appears along the housing edges. Risk of engine damage through overheating. Symptoms: Sudden coolant loss; coolant smell in engine bay; temperature rises sharply; steam from engine bay. from 120,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 96 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW 3er E46 (1998–2006) — 89 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 6 problem engines: M52TUB25 (2.5L 24V), M54B22 (2.2L 24V), M47D20 (2.0L Diesel), M47TUD20 (2.0L Diesel), M57D30 (3.0L Diesel), M57TUD30 (3.0L Diesel Biturbo). Typical issues affect Cooling, Suspension, Rust, Electronics.
3er (M47D20, 1998–2001) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Turbocharger bearing failure, Swirl flap screws come loose. Power: 116 PS.
3er (M47D20, 1998–2001) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Turbocharger bearing failure, Swirl flap screws come loose. Power: 129–136 PS.
3er (M57D30, 1999–2003) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Turbocharger worn, Swirl flaps break off — risk of engine damage. Power: 184 PS.
3er (M57D30, 1999–2005) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Turbocharger worn, Swirl flaps break off — risk of engine damage. Power: 163 PS.
3er (M47D20, 2001–2005) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Turbocharger bearing failure, Swirl flap screws come loose. Power: 126–136 PS.
3er (M47TUD20, 2001–2006) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Swirl flaps break off and fall into the engine, Cylinder head cracks (M47TU variant). Power: 150 PS.
3er (M47D20, 2003–2006) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Turbocharger bearing failure, Swirl flap screws come loose. Power: 121–132 PS.
3er (M57TUD30, 2005–2008) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Swirl flaps break off (known risk), EGR cooler leaking — fire risk (recall). Power: 231 PS.
3er (M43B18, 1993–1999) — Be Careful: Thermostat and coolant hoses brittle, Timing cover gasket oil loss, Coolant flange porous. Power: 113–116 PS.
3er (M43B16, 1994–2000) — Be Careful: Thermostat and coolant hoses brittle, Timing cover gasket oil loss, Coolant flange porous / broken. Power: 99–105 PS.
3er (M52B20, 1994–1999) — Be Careful: DISA valve defective, Electric thermostat defective, Plastic thermostat housing leaking. Power: 150 PS.
3er (M52B28, 1995–1999) — Be Careful: Water pump impeller broken, Nikasil cylinder bore wear (early production), DISA valve defective. Power: 193 PS.
3er (M43B19, 1998–2001) — Be Careful: Timing cover gasket oil loss, Plastic coolant flange breaks, Oil filter housing leaking. Power: 116–118 PS.
3er (M52TUB25, 1998–2000) — Stay Away!: DISA valve defective, Double-VANOS O-rings worn, VANOS sealing rings (double-VANOS) worn. Power: 163–170 PS.
3er (M43B16, 2000–2002) — Be Careful: Thermostat and coolant hoses brittle, Timing cover gasket oil loss, Coolant flange porous / broken. Power: 102–105 PS.
3er (M54B22, 2000–2006) — Stay Away!: DISA flap valve defective, DISA valve defective, Crankcase ventilation / air leak. Power: 163–170 PS.
3er (M54B25, 2000–2006) — Be Careful: DISA valve defective, Electric thermostat defective, Crankcase ventilation — membrane tear. Power: 190–192 PS.
3er (M54B30, 2000–2006) — Be Careful: DISA valve defective, Double-VANOS O-rings worn, Piston rings coked — high oil consumption. Power: 231 PS.
3er (N46B20, 2005–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 129–136 PS.
3er (N46B20, 2005–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 143–156 PS.
3er (N46B20, 2005–2012) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 129–143 PS.
3er (N52B25, 2005–2007) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure, Oil filter housing gasket leaking — oil in coolant. Power: 170 PS.
3er (N52B25, 2005–2010) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure, Oil filter housing gasket leaking — oil in coolant. Power: 211–218 PS.
3er (N52B25, 2005–2012) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure, Oil filter housing gasket leaking — oil in coolant. Power: 190–192 PS.
3er (N52B30, 2005–2012) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Oil filter housing gasket — oil into coolant, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure. Power: 258 PS.
What to watch out for with the BMW 3er? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee