[John Hallen]

Recently acquired a 2001 325ci convertable with 100k on the clock. Same car BHUNT 73T sold my son's significant other back in June 2013. It has passed Md inspection, but I'm thinking what I can do to prevent a big problem on the major systems, fuel, cooling, ignition, electrical, etc. by doing some preventive maintanence. As always, I eagerly await your scholarly replies.

[Jazzbass]

Replace the cooling system.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

Replace the cooling system.

X2 and buy the BMW hoses, I had an aftermarket one from Bavarian Auto crack on me at the seal after a year.

Replace the noisy rollers on the belts.

Replace the gasket between the oil filter housing and the block. I did a write up in the tech section.

They are fine built cars. Mine has 120K on it and just drove it to Florida and back. Though, I think mine is due for a suspension bushing refresh. I replaced the shocks and springs @ 70K but I notice it's not as tight as it used to be.

Buy the Bentley E46 book. It's $100 well spent.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Buy the Bentley E46 book. It's $100 well spent.

Agreed, get the Robert Bentley book, it's very good.

And Xwhatever on replace the whole cooling system, all of it. Engine and transmission mounts are easy DIY's too and probably need replacing if you're over 100k miles.

If the suspension feels tired, replace the control arms, bushings, struts, mounts, etc. Check your oil pan gasket for leaks, and replace it at the same time along with the front suspension stuff. You have to remove the front crossmember to get at the oil pan, and that's a lot less painful if you're pulling the control arms off anyhow. I went with 330i ZHP control arms as an upgrade. They supposedly have more durable all-metal ball joints, instead of metal+plastic like the other models use.

Fluids go without saying, change them all. Brake/clutch, coolant, transmission, and differential.

[mlytle]

my condolences. i have a 2002 325 with 120k. horrible for maint items. sure you can do all the usual mechanical stuff, but the crap connected to all the computers will kill you as the dealer computer is usually needed diagnose.

at least start with the cooling system. replace it. all of it. every hose, radiator, expansion tank, temp sensor, water pump, drive belt, tensioners, etc.

then go for the in tank fuel pump.
then the ignition coils.
then the oil separator system.
then the vanos valve.
then both front CAB's
then hope the hvac control unit keeps working.
etc, etc, etc.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by mlytle

sure you can do all the usual mechanical stuff, but the crap connected to all the computers will kill you as the dealer computer is usually needed diagnose.

You do need to be able to read codes from these, so I bought a Bavarian Technic cable that works pretty well. John you're welcome to use it if you need to read/clear codes.

[John Hallen]

Wow, I had no idea I had just purchased Germany's version of the Yugo. Thanks Chris for your offer. From what I read in myltle's reply, I could become quite a regular at the Jazzbass garage. Does anyone have a recommendation for a repair manual (BMW For Dummies?) so I can acquaint myself with this particular vehicle. Thanks Guys.

[mlytle]

Originally Posted by John Hallen

Wow, I had no idea I had just purchased Germany's version of the Yugo. Thanks Chris for your offer. From what I read in myltle's reply, I could become quite a regular at the Jazzbass garage. Does anyone have a recommendation for a repair manual (BMW For Dummies?) so I can acquaint myself with this particular vehicle. Thanks Guys.

get the Bentley E46 shop manual. very helpful.

of the dozens of BMW's i have owned, the e46 has by far been the most unreliable and troublesome. 120k of near constant issues. i build race bmw's for a hobby so the mechanical issues are just work, it is all the body electric problems that kill me. way too many systems and actuators all controlled by computer modules. hvac controller, door window systems, hatch lock actuators, chafe points in the body harness, etc.

a yugo is a good analogy.

[John Hallen]

Hmmm.. seem to detect something common in all your replies. Perhaps I should look into doing a spot of work on the cooling system. Thanks all for your replies. Going to print the thread and put it in my new Beemer folder, which it seems will be shortly filling up with receipts. Got the Bentley book on order from Amazon, should be ready to go to war with all the lil' gremlins that are ready to pop up.

[smdubovsky]

The M guys replace all the lower end rod (or was that main?) bearings at regular intervals. Not sure if the non-Ms suffer the same fate. Anyway, I've seen Wonger and crew drop the oil pan and replace bearings on EVERY bmw he's had (and a bunch of others.) They undersized them starting from the E30 M3s.

Dont worry. It could be worse. You could have bought a diesel bmw