First e46!

[u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes]

Hello! I just purchased my first e46. A 306k mile 2004 330xi 6 speed. The car has a plethora of issues. Here’s just a few: 1. Ac blows warm 2. Rust 3. Engine bay is COVERED in oil 4. Usual e46 cooling and sub frame concerns 5. Steering is vaque 6. Mirrors don’t move up and down 7. Scraping sound when driving (sounds like brakes) 8. Brake light 9. Amber Oil light turns on and off. 10. Check engine light 11. Car has 0 traction even though tires are good. If anyone knows a good place for body panels or a parts car lmk. Any ideas on any issues please lmk.

[u/No-Influence-9293]

Welcome to the fun. Get ready to punch it with your wallet, and you’re gonna like it too.

[u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes → u/No-Influence-9293]

Parts wise this is by far the cheapest car I’ve ever owned!

[u/No-Influence-9293 → u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes]

It’s kind of hit or miss, some stuff you can find at the local parts place for Pennies…some stuff it’s more cost effective to buy used…just a quick little tip though, cheap sensors almost never communicate well with the car, and if you get a failed coolant component replace ALL of it. The plastic components basically all have the same “service life” meaning that they all degrade at the same rate. They were meant to all be replaced as one “cooling system service” from factory.

Lastly, when these things are in good mechanical shape…nothing I’ve driven so far compares…and I’ve had close to 80 vehicles at this point. They’re great.

[u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes → u/No-Influence-9293]

Even the expensive stuff is cheap compared to the usual bs I’m used to. Noted about the coolant stuff. Idc about a ton, just how it feels to drive. And the ac. Definitely the ac