If you’re looking to get an E46 it’s worth knowing what the cost of owning one might be. Being so methodical, I like to know how much it’s going to cost me to own the car, besides just the regular maintenance. I created this tool by looking at the data repairpal.com has already gathered for us.
If you really want to see all the raw data I summarized, you can go here, and if you’d like to download it click here.
E46 Reports of Common Failures
by Repairpal
| Problem | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blower Final Stage Fan Resistor May Fail | 67 | 74 | 155 | 155 | 155 | 107 | 122 | |
| Check Engine Light and/or Engine Overheating | 7 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 24 | 24 | |
| Coolant Leak From Radiator | 4 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Coolant Loss Due to Leak from Expansion Tank | 9 | 157 | 157 | 157 | 167 | 167 | 157 | |
| Emergency Flashers | 9 | |||||||
| Front Control Arm Bracket Bushings May Fail | 22 | 25 | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 | 148 |
| Front Outer CV Boots May Tear and Leak at 60,000 Miles | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 71 | ||
| Multiple Power Steering Hoses May Simultaneously Fail | 55 | 29 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 83 | 39 |
| Noise From Top of Front/Rear Doors When Windows Are Fully Up | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 23 | 23 | 14 | |
| Oil Leaks From Engine Area | 14 | 246 | 246 | 246 | 246 | 246 | 246 | |
| Oil Leaks From Lower Engine Area | 124 | 124 | 186 | 186 | 186 | 186 | 186 | 186 |
| Rear Window Regulator | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | 130 | ||
| Rubbing Noise From Rear Differential When Turning | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | ||||
| TOUCHY BRAKES | 8 | |||||||
| Water Pump May Develop Coolant Leak | 11 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
SOURCE: Sources