Bmw e46 upgrades and maintenance

[Jetubeb]

do you have a video of how putting the radiator back on?

[e46gabe]

@Jetubeb No i dont but i have installed at least 4 radiators on these cars in the past, it is very easy just take your time as it's easy to damage the radiator!

[clark2002jc]

They have so many problems the list could fill a text book, I'm not even sure why i love mine so much.. They are seriously the most problematic cars ever. but there's just something about them that makes you love it.

[e46gabe]

@clark2002jc I fell out of love with mine, i sold it in favor of a new impreza but i do miss the bmw's handling a feel.

[e46gabe]

@clark2002jc The e30 and e36 cars are great, than bmw went bad with the e46 cars:~(

[EddyKicksAss]

M50 Also has plastic pulleys?

[e46gabe]

@EddyKicksAss yes

[ballstowallsdimian1]

is it plastic on 05 m3 to ????

[e46gabe]

@ballstowallsdimian1 I know that on the M3 the water pump is completely different than a 330ci pump.

But I'm not sure about the pulley i would imagine its plastic because BMW got plastic happy with there cars.

[AHC63AMG]

@e46gabe

Yeah man...its sucks but probably its because of the weight and cost saving

[e46gabe]

@AHC63AMG I finally got tired of all the minor problems and sold the car recently, bought me a new impreza:)

[AHC63AMG]

@e46gabe

you know Im doing Automobile Engineering...So I want to buy a E46 328i...Maybe get it properly together again...better than factory :D . I jus love working on cars more then working on girls . LOL

[e46gabe]

@AHC63AMG Well if you love working on cars the e46 is perfect then!! and working on girls is rewarding also:)

[AHC63AMG]

@e46gabe

lol . I take the job you take the reward :D

[bimmersgarage]

Here's the details/facts that backs up my Warning on those aluminum thermostats : HERE & Here (There's more links, but Youtube won't let me list them all because the URL strings are too long.) Guess I'll have email you those, if you are interested.

[e46gabe]

@bimmersgarage Yes please vidaurri246@comcast.net thanks for the heads up:)

[bimmersgarage]

Good job on the maintenance.

I would keep an eye on the aluminum Thermostat (as stated by devenking) The body itself is great. However, (unfortunately) they have a low quality electronic/circuit board that have been know to short-circuit/melt - causing erratic/poor coolant flow. That's why so many have gone back to the composite thermostat units. Just a heads up.

[e46gabe]

@bimmersgarage That's a scary thought! i will keep an eye on it!

[mavidatt]

great video thanks. ive been considering buying a bmw, but always hear about awful maintenance costs and havent gone through with it yet, but this helps give me a better idea of what i could be dealing with. (already own a 89 vette and do lots of work on it myself under hood for preventative maintenance and it really isnt that much different from these european cars from what i have seen)

[e46gabe]

@mavidatt Well they are great cars, but honestly the cooling system is weak as are the pulleys and tensioner's but just keep a eye on these things and they are well worth it.

[dcjcanuck]

Great vid thanks Gabe!

[devenking]

Have you had any problems the aluminum thermostat housing? I bought one, but then found out that people were having problems with either the electronic sensor or having leaks. I just bought an OEM thermostat as I didn't want to take the risk.

By the way, there are a few aluminum radiator manufacturers:

1) CRX Racing -- cxracing(.)com/mm5/merchant.mv­c?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CXR&P­roduct_Code=RAD-BMW-E46

2) CFS -- vividracing(.)com/catalog/radi­ator-parts-radiators-c-4288_48­99.html

[e46gabe]

@devenking I haven't noticed any leaks yet but then again i only use the car on my days off so time will tell.

And as for the radiator i want to eventually replace it also but so far it has held up fine in this car thanks for the links!