Buying 2nd hand E46 new Facelift with N42 2.0 engine

[Forgotten_Ethnic]

Hi All, Im new into Beemer, *nvr had 1 before...need an advise on buying 2nd hand (car dealer condition) E46 New Face-lift with N42 2.0 engine. im looking at the model of 2003 and reg in msia at 2008 *recond japan spec-is this type of engine got many problem? if yes ..minor..major prob?-are there any prob with this model maybe leaking? of radiator pwr stereng, aircond comp, brake-clutch pump, gearbox, rear axle ? -are the wiring is in good condition? heard JDM cars having alot of wiring prob compare to european cars....not all but some...power window?-are the ecu and other control unit always having issue? or its a tough one ?-how good is the body and maintenance wise since its 2nd hand?-even if 2nd hand got issue one day... wud it be ok if putting in OEM parts non original bmw parts? especially engine parts? saw some brand out there fits bmw but taiwan made etc...

 

[Herbert]

Hi Forgotten,

Firstly welcome to the our forum though this is not the correct section of the forum. Please go the the Newbie section and introduce yourself to other members of the forum.

Being a newbie to Beemer, I would certainly suggest that you spend some of your free time and browse through the various e46 section in the forum as there are lots and lots of valuable information. I am sure most of your concerns and querries if not all about owning a e46 would be easily available from the said section.

Cheers

 

[anaksarawak]

Hi All,

Im new into Beemer, *nvr had 1 before...need an advise on buying 2nd hand (car dealer condition) E46 New Face-lift with N42 2.0 engine.

im looking at the model of 2003 and reg in msia at 2008 *recond japan spec

-is this type of engine got many problem? if yes ..minor..major prob?
-are there any prob with this model maybe leaking? of radiator pwr stereng, aircond comp, brake-clutch pump, gearbox, rear axle ?
-are the wiring is in good condition? heard JDM cars having alot of wiring prob compare to european cars....not all but some...power window?
-are the ecu and other control unit always having issue? or its a tough one ?
-how good is the body and maintenance wise since its 2nd hand?
-even if 2nd hand got issue one day... wud it be ok if putting in OEM parts non original bmw parts? especially engine parts? saw some brand out there fits bmw but taiwan made etc...

Welcome bro,

I am on N42B20 engine and have a few friends on the same engine, FYI the E90 320 is using N46 an updated engine of N42 but very similar in build and design.

This engine can cost you a bomb if it was not well taken care of however if it is taken care of its a very modern and economy petrol engine. Watch out for vacuum pump, back plate, seals, all rubber and plastic parts as they will fail sooner or later.

 

[zeedo]

Just get a 6 potter, price is just not much difference nowadays especially if it's almost 10 years old

 

[Iceduke]

yeap if you can afford the extra maintenance for t he 6potter go for it..the fun and power outweights the additional cost of ownership....

if not then n42 / n46 just good enough...

 

[wan e46]

bro forgotten ,

if u want low cost maintenance engine..just go for M43 1.9cc engine..but this is old technology engine if u compare to N42 engine..the power n f.c also different

 

[Iceduke]

agreed...the m43 1.9 is cheaper to maintain and has less electronics...but also less power

 

[yen187]

i think between choosing 6 potter or 1.8/1.9 you need to decide how much you are willing to spend on your maintenance first.

that will be the deciding factor i think because that will help you decide whether 6 potter or not.....

for me i'm a 6 potter and been loving it.... 400 per oil change.... other parts depends on your mods and also how you want to make it.

 

[Iceduke]

as for me...I opted for lower maintenance but with M-equipped performance :wink:

 

[Forgotten_Ethnic]

good day everyone, thanks for all ur help and recommendations....ive read tru all the new threads on newbie for beemer.....herd 1.9 engine is less headache than this N42 engine....also 6 potter i don't think i can afford plus its a sky rocket maintenance i guess...n yeah herd the power is awesome...had tested drive N42 and the old 1.9 engine previously... guess im falling in love with the N42 model..smooth silky respond and powerful than the 1.9......

conclusions is...getting that N46 compare with 1.9 engine get prepare for maintenance

btw let me intro myself in here since i don't have the chance to intro on the newbie sections as KL is living life in the fast lane...

wud prefer ppl to call me using my nick...
came from the east msia
living n working in KL few years
got a family with kid
used to own an old crappy jdm machine 6 potter but sold
* wife and family barking at me cus of engine sound, hissing noise maintenance etc etc..bla bla

well those dream will need to come to and end now and after so many think n thinking had made my mind
im looking for family car need an auto engine sedan or saloon type

reason: wife n mum can drive plus easier to bring kid to school, plus shopping time easier to carry things...

got in mind to get 2nd hand honda civic 2007 but freaking expensive rather buy new car.....

i got 2 in my mind now...
getting 2nd beemer Cheap as in budget of

 

[Forgotten_Ethnic]

thanks man...
u from the east as well? pandei klakar swak tek?

dude...might think of going for the 4 piston instead of 6..but the 4 piston 1.9 its too classic n i dont know if its always break down but ppl said N42 maintenance wise is more...than 1.9? arrghh headache...n yeah power wise is N42 is of course better....also 1.9 is single cam correct me if im worng...so N42 is twin cam engine?

btw also correct me if im wrong these engine code below are correct?

"M" engine
M40 - 4 Cylinder, SOHC
M41 - 4 Cylinder Diesel
M42 - 4 Cylinder 1.8L DOHC
M44 - 4 Cylinder 1.9L DOHC

"N" Engine
N42 - 4 Cylinder 1.8 or 2.0
N45 - 4 Cylinder 1.6 or 2.0
N46 - 4 Cylinder 1.8 or 2.0

*are these above single or twin cam?

kinda confuse??

Welcome bro,

I am on N42B20 engine and have a few friends on the same engine, FYI the E90 320 is using N46 an updated engine of N42 but very similar in build and design.

This engine can cost you a bomb if it was not well taken care of however if it is taken care of its a very modern and economy petrol engine. Watch out for vacuum pump, back plate, seals, all rubber and plastic parts as they will fail sooner or later.

 

[Iceduke]

hi bro..

the older M engines are single cam vs N which are dual cams. For e46 its either N42 or N46...N46 was plunked in the last batches of e46 circa 2005 models, just before the e90 came about. Basically the additional maintenance is the additional sensors that comes with the N series engines, other than that, regular fluid changes should cost the same as M series.

What is your budget bro?

 

[Iceduke]

M43 1.9 produces 118bhp vs N42/N46 143bhp.

 

[anaksarawak]

Why not just get the 2.2 or 2.5 6 potters? Cost of engine maintenance are ver similar la bro. If not because I can't find a convertible of 2004 or younger below 100k I will not get the 2.0 engine.

thanks man...
u from the east as well? pandei klakar swak tek?

dude...might think of going for the 4 piston instead of 6..but the 4 piston 1.9 its too classic n i dont know if its always break down but ppl said N42 maintenance wise is more...than 1.9? arrghh headache...n yeah power wise is N42 is of course better....also 1.9 is single cam correct me if im worng...so N42 is twin cam engine?

btw also correct me if im wrong these engine code below are correct?

"M" engine
M40 - 4 Cylinder, SOHC
M41 - 4 Cylinder Diesel
M42 - 4 Cylinder 1.8L DOHC
M44 - 4 Cylinder 1.9L DOHC

"N" Engine
N42 - 4 Cylinder 1.8 or 2.0
N45 - 4 Cylinder 1.6 or 2.0
N46 - 4 Cylinder 1.8 or 2.0

*are these above single or twin cam?

kinda confuse??

 

[anaksarawak]

There a nice ori 2.2 manual e46 on sale in the forum, grab that and you r free from expensive gearbox problems

 

[gc3000]

Welcome bro,

I am on N42B20 engine and have a few friends on the same engine, FYI the E90 320 is using N46 an updated engine of N42 but very similar in build and design.

This engine can cost you a bomb if it was not well taken care of however if it is taken care of its a very modern and economy petrol engine. Watch out for vacuum pump, back plate, seals, all rubber and plastic parts as they will fail sooner or later.

Bro,

normally those 'common' prob for e90 2.0 roughly how much the repair cost such as oil leak (i assume oil seals) and vacuum pump cost?

I'm currently looking for E90 but as every said, abit worried bout those 'common prob' for that car.. if got full service by Auto Bavaria i guess should be quite safe right??

Thank you..

 

[Iceduke]

the vanos solenoid oil seals are very cheap and easy to replace and so is the vacuum pump 2 o rings (right AS? ) ....you do not need to change the vacuum pump.

hope this helps.

 

[anaksarawak]

the vanos solenoid oil seals are very cheap and easy to replace and so is the vacuum pump 2 o rings (right AS? ) ....you do not need to change the vacuum pump.

hope this helps.

Gc3000

Agree, some parts are cheap some are expensive. Check astroboy's thread lots to learn there. By the way, N46 in E90 are better as they have updated the design or material used. Sadly the frustration from constant leaking, difficult repairs which increased the labour cost plus u don't get the satisfaction from the car as u don't have the power when you need it. Try going up to Genting with 4 passengers, you will understand what I mean

Due to lack of power the gearbox shifts more frequently hence wear and tear will reduce the gearbox life unless you drive like uncle and change your gearbox oil every 40,000km. Do change your engine oil every 5000 to 7000km with quality oil and ori oil filter for optimal performance and care for your sexy slim engine LOL

For the same amount of money, I will go for E60 530d or E90 320d, your car will hold it value better especially when fuel price to go up soon

 

[gc3000]

Gc3000

Agree, some parts are cheap some are expensive. Check astroboy's thread lots to learn there. By the way, N46 in E90 are better as they have updated the design or material used. Sadly the frustration from constant leaking, difficult repairs which increased the labour cost plus u don't get the satisfaction from the car as u don't have the power when you need it. Try going up to Genting with 4 passengers, you will understand what I mean

Due to lack of power the gearbox shifts more frequently hence wear and tear will reduce the gearbox life unless you drive like uncle and change your gearbox oil every 40,000km. Do change your engine oil every 5000 to 7000km with quality oil and ori oil filter for optimal performance and care for your sexy slim engine LOL

For the same amount of money, I will go for E60 530d or E90 320d, your car will hold it value better especially when fuel price to go up soon

Bro, thanks for the info.

My budget is around 100k -120k.. (probably 06/07 320i) what options do i have? i don't think 320d at this price.. hopefully can get a 325i 05/06 at this price..

 

[Forgotten_Ethnic]

cool thanks everyone....

iceduke, my budget around