This model was produced from March 1998 to February 2007 and was produced at the main plant in Munich-Schwabing, Regensburg and Roslin in South Africa.

Car production was also established in China - Brilliance Motors in Shenyang, Egypt - Bavarian Auto Group in the city of Stadt des 6. Oktober and in Russia - Avtotor in Kaliningrad.

The BMW E46 has become one of the best selling cars compared to its predecessor, the E36. The cabin was much stiffer and therefore more secure. The body styles available for the E46 3 Series are Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, Convertible and Hatchback.

Specifications BMW E46

BMW E46 engines

BMW E46 Facelift

In September 2001, the sedan and station wagon received a facelift (facelift), the optics were changed. In addition, a new generation of four-cylinder engines has appeared with Valvetronic variable valve timing.

BMW 3 Series E46 Touring Update - Side View
BMW 3 Series E46 Touring Update - Front View
BMW 3 Series E46 Touring update - rear view

In March 2003, the coupe and convertible were revised, and differ somewhat from the sedan in terms of optics and side wings.

Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - side view
Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - front view
Facelift BMW 3 Series E46 Coupe - rear view
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - side view
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - front view
Restyling BMW 3 Series E46 Cabrio - rear view

The BMW E46 is the 4th generation, and perhaps the most successful version in terms of external design, interior design and convenience, availability in choosing from a wide range of engines and body options.

But what kind of BMW E46 to choose, with which engine is it better to buy, 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-door version ?!

In this article, together with you, we will select the modification that is ideal for you, what to look for when examining the “troika” so as not to purchase a “bucket” and become the owner of a really well-groomed, reliable “Bavaria”, as well as consider some popular problems that may arise during the operation of the car, aware - armed.

Body

Briefly from history. Perhaps you can’t do without historical moments, since they buy, not only the current owners of the “Bavarian motors”, but also the owners, for example, of Japanese or French cars, and perhaps this brief information is relevant for them.

So, the first BMW E46 rolled off the assembly line in 1998 and was produced until 2007 (including the M3 version). This car replaced, and just like its predecessor, the new "troika" was offered in five body styles. In the future, this body was replaced by.

With what body to buy a BMW E46?! If for some reason you find it difficult to choose a body option, then perhaps it is possible to answer this question only by answering the following questions - why do you need this car, and for what purposes it will be used in the future.

The next question on the bodywork is its condition, and it’s almost impossible to find & buy one that is not broken or painted. When inspecting a car, be sure to inspect the body for corrosion, or rather its volume, which can be a good reason for bargaining if the average market price is significantly overstated.

Maybe you are lucky and you will find a BMW E46 in perfect condition, and as they say at such moments, this is a 1 in 1,000,000 chance, because very rarely a BMW fan sells his beloved, well-groomed, timely serviced Boomer in perfect condition. Would you do that?! Yes, they probably would, but in most cases this is unlikely, and the sale of a beloved car is often associated with financial need, so perfect car You are unlikely to find it, and you will have to put up with some “jambs” on the BMW E46.

So, below are the options for all body types that were available for the entire period of production of the BMW E46, as well as photos of pre-styling vs restyled models and their visual difference. This section in most cases will be useful to those who have not decided on the choice of body type, and are not familiar with the external differences between the E46s before and after the facelift.

Sedan

Perhaps standard version body and it was produced from March 1998 to February 2005. In the photo below, who cares appearance car before and after restyling - you can clearly see what external differences between cars produced before and after 2001, when the sedan and the 5-door Touring version were actually updated.

100% not a bit beautiful is in the BMW Museum. Perhaps the same one is kept by some collector, but what price tag will this exhibit have?

(E46 / 4) is probably suitable for everyone who has not decided on the body, especially since the Sedan is the most popular body not only in the BMW model range, but also among all motorists.

BMW E46 Sedan - dorestyling vs restyling

Touring

Touring (E46 / 3), also known as station wagon, was produced from October 1999 to June 2005. Just like the previous 4-door variant, the 5-door version is quite suitable for a small family, but with the advantage of extra space in luggage compartment(up to 1345 liters).

Even without the M-package and with standard wheels, it has a very attractive and modern appearance, and this fact will be confirmed by almost every station wagon fan, not to mention the fans of the brand.

External differences in the photo below.

BMW E46 Touring - dorestyling vs restyling

coupe

The 2-door version of the 4-generation “troika” cannot be called a family car, but rather a youth car, and for some motorists this model with a 6-cylinder 3-liter engine may well become the second car in the garage as a “weekend car”.

(E46 / 2) was produced from April 1999 to June 2006 and is quite popular among the fair sex.

BMW E46 Coupe - dorestyling vs restyling

Cabriolet

Not very often, but all are found on our roads (CIS) convertibles in the 46th body. Just like the coupe, this version is often a recreational vehicle, and will fully satisfy the drive desires of every car enthusiast, for example, a trip out of town or a summer evening ride around the city with open top that perfectly complements the very trip behind the wheel of a BMW.

It is also worth noting that the 46th convertible is provided with a hard one-piece removable roof (Hard Top). Which can be found and purchased separately.

"Hard" roof for BMW E46

(E46 / 2C) was produced from March 2000 to February 2007 and the cost of a car on the market is slightly more expensive, unlike the same sedan.

BMW E46 Convertible - dorestyling vs restyling

Compact

3-door hatchback, in the common people - "stub". Perhaps the most modest "wolf cub in the same Bavarian skin."

(E46/5) was produced from June 2001 to December 2004, and is available in one body style with no visual changes throughout production.

BMW E46 Compact - dorestyling vs restyling

This modification is rather youthful, and is perfect for daily use by a wonderful representative of our planet, daily trips in the heavy traffic of a million-plus city, or as the first, modest BMW. But this does not mean at all that it will be “strange” to see a young man or a man driving a hatchback, since preferences in choosing a car are a personal matter and for everyone the choice is individual, based on certain “moments”, which is not worth discussion and criticism. .

M3

For whom is this machine created, and who needs it?! Perhaps these are the wrong questions, since it would definitely be more correct to say that the one who buys knows what he needs.

This charged handsome was offered as a coupe (E46 / 2S) from 2000 to 2007 and a convertible (E46 / 2CS) from 2001 to 2006. As a concept, a touring version was developed and created in a single copy (2000).

Frequent problems

Before buying a car, be sure to check the geometry of the body, as this is perhaps the only thing that you will not be able to buy / change in the future.

The main enemy of the body for cars of our time is corrosion, which can still be successfully fought. A reliable weapon is of course - proper care behind the body, and garage storage is an integral part of it.

When examining the external condition of the car, also pay attention to the presence of small chips in the front of the car, namely the same ratio of them to the left and right side, which will be a positive factor when choosing, since, for example, a new one of the sides (wing, optics) will make it clear that there may have been some kind of incident with the car recently, for example, an accident.

In the BMW E46, weak points, just like on another car, are the inner edge of the hood and above the headlights, wheel arches (especially the inner part of the wing arch) and the edge of the trunk lid (a place above rear lights, around and under the license plate).

German or Russian assembly

The BMW E46 was produced at several factories:

• Germany (in the cities of Leipzig and Regensburg);
• South Africa (Rosslyn);
• China (Shenyang);
• Indonesia (Jakart);
• Egypt (city named after October 6);
• Russia, Kaliningrad);

As for the Russian assembly, it was assembled only in a sedan and only BMW 318i (with M43, N42 and N46 engines) and 320i (M54).

The differences between the Kaliningrad and German assembly are the presence of a “bad roads” kit (a Russian package for transport used in non-standard local conditions). This package consists of:

• increased ground clearance for increased cross-country ability;
• stiffer shock absorbers;
• reinforced front and rear stabilizers;
• improved engine start in severe frosts;
• in practice, the owners of Kalin noticed that the Russian assembly is less sensitive to the quality of gasoline, although ...;

It is possible to determine the assembly by recognizing Vehicle VIN, which is located on the right cup under the hood. VIN BMW E46 Kaliningrad assembly starts with an "X" and does not have a protective film on it.

Dorestyling vs Restyling

What are the differences between restyling and dorestyling can be seen from the photos above, the external difference between them is significant.

As for the technical part, it is worth noting the elimination of some problem areas that arose on the first E46 versions. Namely, some suspension units were updated, engines were improved and finalized, for example, the restyled BMW E46 was equipped with an M52 engine with the TU prefix, which indicates the refinement of the engine, and some engines were completely replaced with new and more powerful and economical ones.

Dorestyling or restyling - the choice is yours, since appearance is an individual matter. To some, dorestyling will seem more aggressive and ideal, someone considers restyling more interesting and more cheerful.

Unfortunately more new model it may not always be technically more reliable from an older version, and to choose an updated body or not, this is actually a second question, since when choosing a used car, its condition is the main criterion. When choosing a pre-styling version, take a closer look at cars made in 2001.

Engines & Lineup

With which engine to choose a BMW E46 ?! At this stage, you need to initially determine what you want from the car now and in the future, how important the dynamics and size of the maintenance budget are.

Some owners, having bought a BMW 320i in two months, realize that 2.0 / 2.2 liters, or rather that power (170 hp), is not enough for them, they begin to look at a more powerful 330i, or at least 325i. For other happy owners, the 318i is enough.

For everyday driving or as a first car, a 318i, 320i or 320d will suffice. good condition. For more dynamic trips, of course, more powerful versions are suitable - 323i, 325i, 328i, 330i (on average, the difference between them is ~ 1 liter in gasoline consumption per 100 km) or diesel 330d (dynamics + savings in fuel consumption, which will be an advantage in everyday use).

Quite reliable engines were installed on the E46, so the main thing is the condition of the engine and the well-groomedness of the entire car as a whole. Before buying, a comprehensive diagnosis is required, and when choosing a specific modification, you need to take into account the time that takes its own.

It’s hard to find a well-groomed “troika”, and if you still decide to buy a BMW E46 in a dubious condition, you should be aware that restoring the car to perfect condition will require no small financial investment, but at the finish you will become the owner of an ideal car for you car.

It is not uncommon to find cars in which the current owners have only changed the oil, and the new owners, due to inexperience, change levers, gaskets, fuel pump, supports, etc. in the near future after purchase. In the best case, after the purchase, you will have to replace all consumables, and not only (filters, candles, fluids, belts, rollers, chains, hoses, pads, brake discs) and then maintain the car in the right condition.

The best BMW E46 engine

Of the most reliable engines installed on the BMW E46, it is worth noting gasoline engines, and diesel engines, including their modified version with the TU prefix.

It is not worth speaking negatively about other engines, such as / / for 316i / 318i (restyling), / 318i (restyling) or 318d and 320d, since the stability of their operation directly depends on how the engine was serviced and operated (oil quality , original spare parts driving style).

For example, the four-cylinder M43, not the most powerful engine in the line, but very strong. These motors were born as the heirs of the older reliable M40 series of motors, retaining a simple proven design and reliability.

Perhaps 100 horses for someone may seem like a little for both the 3 series and for bmw car, but for the person who needs a BMW E46 to move around the city, the BMW 316i and BMW 318i are quite a good option. Another advantage in the M43 is the chain, which will last about 250,000 km or more.

You should also not forget about time, and for the purpose for which some car enthusiasts buy BMWs, for example, gas to the floor regularly at traffic lights, loads on the engine with the desire to get the dynamics of the F1 car from it, and other types of techno-violence, forgetting about one simple moment - the motor under the hood is rather weak for such maneuvers, and in this regard, it will not be easy to find a really normally working M43 motor.

M52 and M54, as noted above, are quite reliable engines, the main thing is not to overheat them and monitor the oil level during active driving. Of the frequent problems:

• failure of VANOS (vanos) - therefore, every ~ 150,000 mileage, a small and inexpensive repair is needed in the form of replacing a new repair kit;
• valve stem seals - it is recommended to install high-quality ones if you want to forget about them for a long time;
• damper DISA (DISA) - performance depends on driving style and the possibility of proper maintenance. The problem with the "disa" is solved by a repair kit;

As for the single-vane M52 from nikasil alloy, they are slightly inferior in reliability to the M54.

With restyling, the company launched its new line of N-series engines. The power units of this series, installed on the 46th body, received not much good review, and most of the owners of the E46's note them as unreliable and problematic engines.

On the other hand, few people indicate the “history of the engine”, what loads were on the engine, the quality of the oil being filled in, the originality of the replaced engine components, in general its maintenance in general and, of course, the driving style. All this affects the stability and duration of the motor, whether it is M54 or N46.

The N42 engine is a whimsical motor, but if you keep an eye on it, it will pay back in kind. When buying a BMW E46 with an H42 engine, it is recommended to pay special attention to the state of the power unit, since if you miss this moment, problems may arise in the future, for example, the engine will start to triple for no reason.

Engine problem

Who said that BMW makes perpetual motion machines?! Despite the reliability of BMW engines, there are still some malfunctions, as with engines from other manufacturers:

• increased noise in older motors;
• vibration of the engine when operating in neutral gear;
• damper problem intake manifold;
• increased oil consumption in the first generation of the E46's;
• engine overheating associated with the cooling system, namely due to the cooling impeller;
• the thermostat is to blame for the underheating of the motor;
• uneven idling mainly found on the first generations of 3-liter gasoline E46 (dorestyling). The problem is related to the fuel supply, so it is recommended to visit a specialized service center BMW to check electronic block control (ECU);
• sensitivity to contamination of the food system;
• failure of a pump with a plastic impeller on pre-styling cars manufactured before 2000;
• spontaneous change in fan speed;
• strong vibration of the motor (mainly M52TU). The reason may be related to a long downtime, but after warming up, the work returns to normal;
• excess operating temperature engine, which leads not only to premature aging of the oil, but also to wear of rubber seals. This drawback is typical for restyled cars with N-Series engines;
• a problem with the fuel level sensor is quite possible, one of which is assembled with a gasoline pump (restyling);

This list is not about a single engine, but just a list of technical annoyances, one of which may well puzzle you.

Before buying a car, be sure to check the car in a specialized service, special attention should be paid to compression and the condition of the piston group.

Suspension

The BMW E46 suspension is quite reliable and there are no special problems with it. However, not yet invented perpetual motion machine, eternal suspension should not be expected, especially on a car manufactured in the 90s and 2000s.

Weaknesses in the suspension of the BMW E46, in other words, the first contenders for replacement:

• the steering rack fails with constant movement on a bad road;
• shock absorber mounting cups;
• platform for attaching the rear beam, especially on versions with a powerful motor. The defect is recognized by the BMW factory, and is associated with small welding points on the rear beam. On the model range since 2000, this problem has been solved, but if you have a car manufactured in 1998-2000. this problem can be eliminated by welding by strengthening the joints. When inspecting the car on a lift, pay attention to the rear beam attachment site, as this place rots over time and can come off the body. If there is such a problem, it is necessary to repair the fastening of the rear beam as soon as possible by welding, so as not to be left without rear axle;
• ball joints;
• rear springs;
• a number of problems in versions before 2000 of release:
  • "Heavy steering wheel" - later it was eliminated by the manufacturer;
  • steering wheel vibration - the problem is related to the suspension ball joint;

Unlike its predecessor, the range of all-wheel drive versions is slightly expanded in the BMW E46, and when choosing - rear or all-wheel drive (models 325xi, 330xi (gasoline) and 330xd (diesel) - you need to rely on the budget allocated for maintenance, since the number of serviced auto components - Increased, but it's worth it, especially for those who know what four-wheel drive is.

The E46 with the prefix xi / xd is of course inferior in terms of cross-country ability to an SUV, or at least a crossover. On this model, all-wheel drive plays the role of increasing reliability when driving on snow-covered streets and unpaved roads.

If you are not familiar with the difference between a rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive car, ask for a test drive, then you will understand whether you need it or not.

Front suspension resource ~ 100,000 km, rear suspension ~ 130-150,000 km, but it all depends on driving style and maintenance.

Transmission

Briefly about the main thing. More reliable and a desire to get more pleasure from driving - then a manual box is just right (preferably - ZF). Mechanics — not yours, but the budget allows, then take the automatic transmission.

Problems with boxes bmw gear E46 is directly related to their past, so before buying a small test drive will not be superfluous, but mandatory.

Of the most common problems - after 300,000 runs, the gearbox is buzzing, but this problem is not in all gearboxes.

How to choose a BMW E46

Before inspecting a car, ask the current owner about the car, so you can imagine and see what you are buying. What should you ask? About everything:

• operation of the motor, box;
• the state of the suspension, the body, which was painted, changed;
• what were the problems and how they were solved;
• etc.;

Ask more questions, the more questions, the more answers. In the future, compile the information received from the owner with real external, internal and technical condition perhaps your future BMW E46

On examination:

• Body. Evenness of the body, the identity of the gaps of the hood, front and rear doors, as well as their location in the same plane with the rear wings;
• Wheels. good rubber, of the same size and from a well-known manufacturer, will tell you that they most likely did not spare money on a car. If all four wheels have uneven wear, then this is a sign of a crooked body, and if, in addition, it is also cheap, then the owner saved not only on wheels, but also on other components of the car;
• Engine. In the engine compartment, look for oil leaks;
• Interior. The wear of the interior should correspond to the actual mileage, but at this point you should not get hung up as a real one, since everything can be faked for the right “circumstances”. As for the interior, there should be no smell of oil in the cabin;

During a test drive:

• Steering. Is there any play on the steering wheel or extraneous sounds;
• Gearbox condition. How she behaves, the presence of jerks, jerks, delays, twitches. If the gearbox is manual, pay attention to the play. If the gearbox is automatic, check its operation in all modes, and the correctness of its operation - a car with an automatic transmission in good condition will move smoothly when the brake pedal is released without adding speed;
• Motor work. Extraneous sounds, dynamics in acceleration (do not forget that 1.6 is inferior to 2.5-liter);
• Electronics. The performance of the stove and the presence of noise in it, do not hesitate to switch all modes. Check the operation of all electrical appliances and air conditioning. In the end, press all the buttons that are in the cabin, because any of the functions that do not work will cause trouble for you after the purchase. And do you need it?
  If the red indicator “fastened with a fired airbag” is on on the dashboard in the lower right part, then there are two options, either there was an accident and the error was not removed, or the sensor in the seats failed.
  In electronics, frequent problems are associated with the ABS unit, pressure and oil level sensor, motor and stove hedgehog;
• Listen carefully to the operation of the differential, it is not very durable, and, like the hinges cardan shaft or axle joints, older versions with significant mileage may require replacement. Although a lot here depends on the operation: if the previous owner liked to pile on and drift, then there is a greater risk of differential wear. E46s produced before 2001 suffer from poorly designed subframe attachment to the rear of the body (manufacturing defect), cracks may occur in critical places;
• Pay attention to the lower parts of the doors, sills and gaskets. It is in these places that corrosion first appears, the only question is how much it has spread throughout the body;

After inspection, test drive and a screaming inner voice - this is my BMW E46, run diagnostics, and preferably with a person who is familiar with this body and knows all its nuances.

Finally, a few tips and useful information when operating a trio in the back of an E46.

4-cylinder engines up to overhaul run ~ 250-300,000 km, 6-cylinder ~ 400-500,000 km.

Every 100,000 km in the M52 and M54 engines, it is recommended to replace the water pump.

For normal cooling as a preventive measure, it is advisable to clean the radiator once a year.

First oil and filter change mechanical box gears at ~ 150,000 km, subsequent ~ 60,000.

Change the oil in an automatic transmission every 100,000 km.

Over time, the cups begin to “converge” and cracks appear between the front cups and the wing, so it is advisable to strengthen the front and rear cups. The benefit of the struts will be the elimination of the strut misalignment issue and slightly better handling.

Change the cap on the expansion tank once a year to avoid the problem of antifreeze leakage from the cooling system, since this cap serves to relieve pressure in the system.

After washing or rain, try to remove moisture from the gum above the headlight, as this place is the first to succumb to corrosion.

Outcome

In conclusion, I advise you to look for a well-groomed option - perhaps this is the most important criterion, and still they will lean towards the 6-cylinder M-series engine, after all it will be more reliable, but still I repeat, the main thing is the condition of the engine, suspension and body, but the choice is of course for You.

If the budget allows, then a good option would be to restore some kind of “killed” copy, thereby continuing the life of the most beautiful BMW model for a long time. But this decision is probably not suitable for everyone, but more for those who really have a BMW E46, as they say, “sunk into the heart”, and a person wants to get a triple in an individual performance, completing it for himself.

Do not forget also about such a moment as the expiration date, which is in everything, especially if it is complex technical knots vehicle. The service life of a part or a specific unit is directly related to the quality of components, driving style and, of course, the very attitude of its owner to his car, therefore it is strongly recommended to buy only original spare parts during repairs.

Good luck and enjoy driving.

The BMW 3 series e46 debuted in 1998 as a 4-door sedan. A year later, a station wagon (Touring) and a coupe joined it, and in 2000 a convertible. A little later, the Compact version appeared, which was accepted with coolness. At one time, the handling and behavior of the BMW 3 e46 were recognized as reference in the class. Troika has often won ratings that assess the degree of compliance with customer expectations and satisfaction.

The restyling carried out in 2001 brought small changes to the front of the body (headlights were updated) and the engine range. The production of the BMW 3 e46 was completed in 2005. However sports version The M3 was still on the price lists for a while.

Electrician

The electrical part of the machine is quite complicated and the owners are usually not happy. In the cabin, in the risk zone, the comfort unit responsible for the electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, and the air conditioning control unit. Their failure can punch a serious hole in the budget - even now such a unit is worth several hundred euros, and it makes sense to do repairs, rather than change to a used one or a new one.

Climate control can also please with failures of damper actuators, fan speed control unit and burn-out displays. The interior fan motor is also not the most reliable part: if the car is often stopped, and the cabin filter is not carbon and changes infrequently, then the chances of its failure are high, but in any case, its “life expectancy” is no more than four to five years.

The sunroof drives, and the wiring of the doors and seats are also brought down. Moreover, the failure of the wiring of the latter often causes airbag errors. Also, pillows often fail due to the failure of the “snail” of the steering column, so if the buttons on the steering wheel do not work every time, then this is an occasion to check for the presence of an “airbag” light bulb and bargain a bit. In the back of the car, the lamp boards most often suffer, where corrosion finishes off the conductors, and the wiring of the trunk lid - here the lighting board is combined with the electric lock button and fails all at once. Fortunately, craftsmen repair these components, and there is no need to change them entirely. Even on cars with standard parking sensors, the harness usually rots at the point of exit from the body, do not rush to change the sensors.

The real trouble is under the hood: the front wiring harness is very capricious, which entails problems with the operation of numerous sensors and, worst of all, the cooling fans. Another problem is the wiring to ABS sensors both the sensors themselves, and at the same time the body position control system on cars with xenon headlights: all the wiring under the bottom of the car is at risk, and the sensors fail due to damage due to glaciation or simple exposure to the Moscow “cocktail”.

Finally, a small surprise from BMW. “Smart” ignition keys are used here, they contain all the data about the operation of the engine, the configuration of the car, mileage, and so on. It is enough to give the key to the dealer, and he will be able to find out all the important information about the car. Unfortunately, such advanced keys are not cheap, so try to buy a car with a complete set of them. In addition, the key has a battery that is recharged when the key is inserted into the ignition. In rarely used keys, the battery is discharged, so the car will not always start correctly with it, and even more so it will open easily.

Of course, a complex key breaks easily too. But even without that, it can fail - after all, batteries do not last forever, and after 6-7 years of operation, its charge lasts only for a few hours. It is especially unpleasant if such a “surprise” lies in wait for you far outside the city, where there are no services, no shops, and the car cannot be opened in any other way.

There is a 2020 size battery inside, but in order to replace it, you will need a hacksaw and a new key case, and after replacement you will need “initialization”, which takes place when the key is inserted into the ignition switch. There are options for keys in which you can replace the battery without using a cutting tool, but if the battery is dead, then you still cannot do without initialization. The moral is simple - change the batteries in the keys on time and keep the lock cylinders in working order.

Design and interior

Even today, the "troika" is still admired. Perfectly tailored proportions look great even after a while. Attractive Coupe looks the most aggressive, and the Compact version is a little out of line with the flawless lineup.

The equipment of the basic versions of the BMW 3 series e46 (especially the first batches) is rather modest. Fortunately, over time, the number of available gadgets has grown rapidly. The interior is typical of the Bavarian school: everything is subordinated to the driver, and the quality of the finishes is excellent. Dashboard clear and concise. The fabric upholstery of the seats is well preserved even with high mileage.

The only pity is that inside is quite crowded. Transportation capabilities can be assessed as average - the trunk volume is 440 liters, and in the station wagon version - 435-1345 liters. The most modest hold in Coupe (410 liters), Compact (310 liters) and Convertible (300 liters).

Engines

The range of engines is very rich. It includes several gasoline and diesel engines with a displacement of 1.8 to 3.2 liters. In addition to the rear-wheel drive BMW 3, xDrive all-wheel drive versions were also offered, which were equipped exclusively with 6-cylinder units. The base motor does not have excellent dynamics, so it is only suitable for calm drivers. A good choice would be 2-liter modifications with a capacity of 143 and 150 hp. These motors allow you to fully reveal the capabilities of the car, without tangible costs. But you can get real driving pleasure only with the “sixes” under the hood. In addition to good dynamics, the owner also receives acceptable reliability.

In the diesel range, 3-liter engines with 184 and 204 hp deserve recommendations. They provide decent dynamics and are considered quite reliable. The disadvantage is the higher cost of operation and expensive spare parts.

transmissions

With automatic transmission, everything is fine if you have a car with a European-assembled ZF box. A five-speed ZF5HP19 is installed here, and sometimes there is a stronger 5HP24, like on the “five”, and often such a box was installed instead of 5HP19 no longer on the conveyor. These are very common automatic transmissions, and at the same time reliable. Their service has long been mastered, and even if the box is in poor condition, it will be fixed. In addition, the choice of contract units is more than decent. Change the oil, change the gas turbine engine in time, do not overheat, and it will last as long as on the e 39 With a top diesel or gasoline engine there are cases of overheating of the box, especially if there is a crankcase protection, the radiators are dirty, and the driver is inclined to “anneal” at high speed along the highway in the summer.

Unfortunately, not only ZF boxes were installed on the car: the GM5L40E machine was also installed on the “three rubles” along with all the engines, from the in-line “four” to the three-liter diesel engine. In addition to more “imposing” behavior with almost no engine braking and slower shifts, this automatic transmission proved to be much more capricious than the German one.

By the way, the box is far from being found only on American-assembled cars, because this box was also assembled in France. What exactly is installed on the car can only be found by the VIN number, looking under the bottom for reliability - often the boxes were simply changed to ZF in case of problems, but usually it is found on pre-styling cars with four-cylinder engines.

The main problems of this automatic transmission are an extremely vulnerable petal oil pump, which does not like high speeds, hot and dirty oil, and a jammed automatic transmission thermostat, leading to rapid wear linings of the gas turbine engine and no less rapid wear of the solenoids of the valve body. In addition, the friction clutches themselves are rather weak, they are also often worn out with a run of less than a hundred thousand kilometers and tend to fail during “annealing”. In general, there are enough problems, besides, what BMW owner does not like to drive fast? And it is contraindicated for this automatic transmission.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Modifications	In the city, l / 100 km	On the highway, l / 100 km	Average consumption, l/100 km	CO2 emissions, g/km	Fuel type
320d	7.7	4.5	5.7	152	Diesel
330d	9.2	5.3	6.7	178	Diesel
316i	11.2	5.9	7.9	188	Petrol
318i	11.3	6	8	190	Petrol
320i (150 hp)	12.5	6.8	8.9	212	Petrol
320i (170 HP)	12.2	6.9	8.9	213	Petrol
323i	12.7	6.8	9	215	Petrol
325i	12.8	6.9	9	217	Petrol
328i	12.5	7	9.1	216	Petrol
330i	12.8	6.9	9.1	218	Petrol

DYNAMICS

VEHICLE WEIGHT

Suspension BMW E46

No one doubts that the “three-ruble note” is capable of delivering great pleasure from fast driving, but ... The fact is that bmw suspension designed for use on good roads. But on our asphalt with a lot of joints, seams, potholes and uneven tram rails, the car is already perceived as harsh. And, of course, all this also affects reliability. And quite strongly. If in Germany the BMW 3 Series in the back of the E46 covers about 100 thousand km without breakdowns in the suspension, then we have to repair it after 25-50 thousand km.

Most often, stabilizer struts fail (about $ 50 apiece with work), as well as silent blocks of levers. Silent blocks can be repressed once, but then you have to buy a new lever, which, together with the subsequent adjustment of the wheel alignment, will cost almost $ 350 (now BMW supplies slightly modified levers for parts, which have become more reliable). It would be nice to check the shock absorbers (they are enough for about 100 thousand km), because replacing all four at a branded service station will cost $ 700-800.

But the rear suspension, surprisingly, almost does not require attention. What can not be said about the steering. And if the need to replace the steering tips (about $ 100) should not be considered as some kind of crime, then the play in the steering rack should alert. The fact is that adjusting the rail does not always help (they don’t do this at all at a branded service station), and replacing a part will cost more than $ 1000. And you need to be prepared that sometimes this operation has to be carried out every 2-3 years! As for the brakes, the pads (they are disc on all wheels) must be changed after 30-50 thousand km. They come with an ABS sensor and cost $80-100 per set.
EXCURSION

* For the first time, the BMW 3 Series appeared back in 1975 (E21 body). However, BMW sometimes says that the history of the third series should be traced back to 1966, when the first compact was introduced. BMW model 1600-2. Under the hood of this two-door sedan was a 1.6-liter engine with 85 hp. The price of the car at that time in Germany was 8650 marks.

* "Treshka" in the back of the E21 was produced until 1982, after which a new model with the E30 index was shown. The car has become somewhat larger than its predecessors, and also received new powerful engines.

* In 1985 BMW started production all-wheel drive modification 325iX with a 6-cylinder 2.7-liter engine with 122 hp. In the same year, the fastest version of the "treshka" was also shown - the M3 with a 200 hp engine. (sometimes 195 hp).

* In 1986, they began to produce a very beautiful convertible based on the BMW 3 Series, and a bit later the Touring station wagon appeared.

* In 1991, BMW stopped producing most modifications of the BMW 3 Series in the back of the E30, as it was replaced by a new model - the BMW 3 Series in the back of the E36 (the E30 was made until 1993 in the form of convertibles and station wagons) . The third E36 series had many body modifications, because in addition to sedans and station wagons, a convertible, coupe and 3-door hatchback (Compact) were produced.

* Seven years after the debut of the E36 (in 1998), it's time to introduce next model. BMW 3-series of the new generation received the designation E46. Initially, the car was produced in the form of a coupe and a sedan, but to date, the body range also includes a station wagon, coupe and hatchback. Naturally, there is also a version of the M3 (coupe or convertible), which was shown in 2000. This car has a 3.2-liter engine with 343 hp. And in 2003, BMW introduced a modification of the M3 CSL with a lightweight body and a 360 hp engine.

* In 2001, the BMW 3 Series was restyled. Modernized cars can be recognized primarily by the headlights, which have become completely transparent (before, the “turn signals” were yellow). In addition, in 2001, many new modern engines began to be installed under the hood of the three-ruble note.

Feedback from Slava, the owner of the 1999 BMW 3 318 sedan

“I bought my swallow back in 1999, as soon as I turned 20 years old. What we didn’t see with her: rust, oil problems, and machine breakdown. In general, for her age she was normally preserved, and I think there were not many problems. Compared, for example, with the cars of my friends who did not live even 5 years. When people ask me why I bought a BMW 3 E46 and not a Mercedes W 140, which was popular in those days, I say that I reviewed the Boomer. In his youth he was wildly pissed off. Nothing to regret. Now the fourth series has been released, in the coupe body. I'll take it here."

The fourth generation of the BMW 3-Series e46 was put into production at the time of the release of the past, namely in 1998. After in 2002, she was restyled and it is about her that we will talk in this review.

The model was produced until 2006, there were already 5 body versions: sedan, coupe, convertible, hatchback and station wagon. Of course, the most popular are sedan and coupe, but the rest can also be found.

Design

The appearance of the car has changed a lot, and for the better. In front, we see a raised hood, branded chrome grille and new headlights. The optics have changed in shape, but a lint-coated filling has appeared. The modified massive bumper of the model still has a black molding. There are air intakes with a chrome line and the fog lights are recessed inwards.

The lateral part of the model stands out with rather strongly swollen arches. Everything also remains a molding in the middle of the body and a line also remains in the upper part. The swift body shape looks good, there are hints of sportiness.

The back is very much like the previous generation, but the shape of the rear optics has changed. The headlights look great. On the rear bumper there is also a black molding. The form is essentially simple, but looks great.

sedan dimensions:

• length - 4470 mm;
• width - 1740 mm;
• height - 1415 mm;
• wheelbase - 2725 mm;
• ground clearance - 130 mm.

Characteristics of the BMW 3-Series e46

Type	Volume	Power	Torque	Overclocking	Max Speed	Number of cylinders
Petrol	1.6 l	105 HP	150 H*m	-	-	4
Petrol	1.6 l	115 HP	150 H*m	-	-	4
Petrol	1.8 l	115 HP	175 H*m	10.9 sec.	206 km/h	4
Diesel	2.0 l	116 HP	250 H*m	10.7 sec.	204 km/h	4
Petrol	2.0 l	143 HP	200 H*m	9.3 sec.	218 km/h	4
Diesel	2.0 l	150 HP	330 H*m	8.9 sec.	221 km/h	4
Petrol	2.2 l	170 HP	210 H*m	8.2 sec.	226 km/h	6
Petrol	2.5 l	192 HP	245 H*m	7.3 sec.	240 km/h	6
Diesel	2.9 l	184 HP	390 H*m	7.8 sec.	227 km/h	6
Petrol	3.0 l	231 HP	300 H*m	6.5 sec.	250 km/h	6
Diesel	2.4 l	204 HP	410 H*m	7.2 sec.	242 km/h	6

The model has in its lineup as many as 10 power units, there are both weak versions and quite powerful ones. Most models have rear drive, but all-wheel drive models with the system also appeared.

As you understand, mainly gasoline engines were offered, but there were also diesel options. Both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines were offered, which can be atmospheric and turbocharged. Here is the list of units:

• N40B18;
• N42B20;
• M43TUB18;
• M43TUB20;
• M54B25;
• M54B30;
• S54B32;
• M47B18;
• M52TUB20;
• M52TUB25;
• M52TUB28;
• M54B22;
• M47B20;
• M47TUB20.

The model received a complete independent suspension, MacPherson greets us in front, and a multi-link system in the back. The suspension is reliable, but not for our roads. It is also slightly harsh, but this is in favor of handling.

The reliability of the engines is not bad, but after 300,000 kilometers, serious problems begin and there are really a lot of them. As a checkpoint, 5 and 6-speed mechanics are offered, and there is also a 5-speed hydromechanical automatic machine.

BMW 3-Series e46 interior

The interior of the car has changed quite seriously for the better. The quality of the cladding and assembly materials has grown quite high. The front seats are leather upholstered and electrically adjustable. There is good lateral support and a relatively large amount of space. Behind is a sofa that is sheathed in leather, three people can easily fit there, but they will not be so comfortable. There is enough free space.

Installed 3 steering wheel with leather sheathing, which received a lot of buttons to control the audio system. Adjustment occurs both in height and in reach. The dashboard looks, unfortunately, not as modern as we would like, but nothing can be done about it. The instrument panel has many analog sensors and a light bulb at the bottom, signaling a malfunction of something.

The center console of the BMW 3-Series e46 has two rectangular air deflectors in the upper part, and under them there is a head unit with a large number of buttons, it is not bad for the modern world. The climate controls are located in the same area. Under all this we see a box for small things.

There is another box on the tunnel, also of course a large gearbox selector. There are power window buttons near the handle, unfortunately, they did not transfer them to the doors, which is more convenient. Below we can see a small alarm button and a small box. The model has, in principle, a good trunk with a volume of 439 liters.

Price

On the secondary market many options and find yourself this car not a problem. On average they sell for 400 000 rubles, but if you are really thinking about buying, then look at the more expensive options. The fact is that many options are offered in poor condition and more or less alive are much more expensive.

In general, this is a great car for a young guy that can be used for sports and casual comfortable ride. But you should be careful, because, as we have already said, there are a lot of "dead" BMW 3-Series e46. The model is excellent, but in which case it will require a lot of investment.

Video

I already talked about a couple of icons of the nineties: the classic " Fighting Machine Extortionist" - "five" in the back of the E34 and its successor with a much more respectable image in the back of the E39. The most important factor in the success of these machines was precisely the sportiness of habits and excellent dynamics. But if you want to really feel the beauty of a light rear-wheel drive car, then among the "Bavarians" you need to look first of all at the third series: it is lighter, more compact and even more driver-friendly. By the time the three-ruble note appeared in the E46 body, which will be discussed, BMW had already changed three generations of cars in this class - the E21, E30 and E36 bodies. And new car was made strictly "in the canon" of the ancestors: there is a wide choice of body types, and a large range of engines, and excellent handling, and a good interior, and equally classic tightness, especially in the rear seats.

However, the E46, released in 1998, was very different from the more old model. The new “three-ruble note” was more comfortable, much safer, and at the same time more powerful and faster. The essence of the changes was the same as that of the older brother, but the prioritization turned out to be different, they added quite a bit of comfort.

Left BMW 3 Series (E36), Right BMW 3 Series (E46)

The tightening of requirements for the passive safety of cars in Europe and the publication of the results of the Euroncap test forced manufacturers to significantly increase the strength of the bodies and change the approach to oblique frontal impact. Unlike its predecessor, the E36, the new car no longer crumpled like foil in either a frontal or side impact. The basic equipment included two front and two side airbags, and the belts were equipped with pretensioners and force limiters. The result is a four-star rating, which at that time made it possible to be at the level of leaders and even outperform competitors in some way, because the C-class in the back of the W202 scored a little less points and the same 4 stars. The payoff for a significant improvement in passive safety was an increase in curb weight: even the simplest 316i now weighed 1330 kg - almost like the "five" in the back of the E34, and in order to maintain the traditional ease of control, the car's suspension had to be significantly lightened and complicated, and at the same time greatly increase power motors.

Engines

On this generation of Bavarians, the motors are mostly still reliable. In-line "fours" on pre-styling machines are mainly represented by the M43 series, albeit not the most powerful, but very strong. These chain motors appeared as the heirs of the old M40, retaining all the advantages of a simple proven design. They are reliable, the chain runs at least 250 thousand kilometers, there are only minor problems with the intake manifold flaps, increased noise, uneven idling and sensitivity to contamination of the power system. Traditionally, for cars produced before 2000, pumps with plastic impellers are at risk, which means a chance for the motor to overheat, but since then a lot of antifreeze has flowed away and now the pump has most likely been replaced. Since 2001, the N-series engines have appeared on cars since 2001, which is considered the first unsuccessful series of engines from BMW. Main negative factor was an increase in the operating temperature of the engine, and, hence, premature aging of the oil and rubber seals, and coking. In addition, the Valvetronic system is used and highly lightweight pistons are installed. So the engines of the N45B16 series on late 316i, N42B18 on 316i and, finally, N42B20 / N46B20 on 318i are not at all cheaper to operate than cars with in-line "sixes" of the M52TUB20 series, moreover, with close power, the "six" is much faster .

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Inline six-cylinder engines are represented by the late M52 and M54 series, which are essentially very similar and, moreover, considered in detail. These motors are reliable, have a very long resource and a lively disposition. Of the minuses is the vulnerability to overheating, which entails not only the replacement of oil seals, but also causes warping of the cylinder head, which, in general, is typical for in-line "sixes". It is strongly not recommended to use pumps with plastic impellers and non-original thermostats, and the radiator pack should be flushed every year. Among other things, it is advised to change the expansion tank cap once a year, but practice shows that this is more of a placebo than a real cure for cooling system problems. Diesel engines of the M47 and M57 series are also considered very successful, moreover, they are not very susceptible to overheating. Standard "diesel" troubles did not bypass them, but in general everything is within the normal range, with proper operation they take out several hundred thousand mileage. Unless the prices for high-pressure fuel pumps and nozzles are very “biting”, but this is the misfortune of all Bavarian cars, it’s just worth remembering that the “price” of a cheap refueling can be extremely high.

transmissions

With automatic transmission, everything is fine if you have a car with a European-assembled ZF box. A five-speed ZF5HP19 is installed here, and sometimes there is a stronger 5HP24, like on the “five”, and often such a box was installed instead of 5HP19 no longer on the conveyor. These are very common automatic transmissions, and at the same time reliable. Their service has long been mastered, and even if the box is in poor condition, it will be fixed. In addition, the choice of contract units is more than decent. Change the oil, change the gas turbine engine in time, avoid overheating, and it will last just as long. With a top-end diesel or gasoline engine, there are cases of overheating of the box, especially if the crankcase is protected, the radiators are dirty, and the driver tends to “burn out” at high speed on the highway in the summer.

Unfortunately, not only ZF boxes were installed on the car: the GM5L40E machine was also installed on the “three rubles” along with all the engines, from the in-line “four” to the three-liter diesel engine. In addition to more “imposing” behavior with almost no engine braking and slower shifts, this automatic transmission proved to be much more capricious than the German one. By the way, the box is far from being found only on American-assembled cars, because this box was also assembled in France. What exactly is installed on the car can only be found by the VIN number, looking under the bottom for reliability - often the boxes were simply changed to ZF in case of problems, but usually it is found on pre-styling cars with four-cylinder engines. The main problems of this automatic transmission are an extremely vulnerable petal oil pump, which does not like high speeds, hot and dirty oil, and a jammed automatic transmission thermostat, which leads to rapid wear of the gas turbine engine linings and no less rapid wear of the valve body solenoids. In addition, the friction clutches themselves are rather weak, they are also often worn out with a run of less than a hundred thousand kilometers and tend to fail during “annealing”. In general, there are enough problems, besides, what BMW owner does not like to drive fast? And it is contraindicated for this automatic transmission.

Chassis

The suspension of the car is stiff and sporty, but not at all fragile. Enough simple circuit with MacPherson struts in front and a simple multi-link scheme at the back pleases with good mileage and a very reasonable price of spare parts. The front in the risk zone is mainly the L-shaped lever and its rear silent block. The ball joint here does not change separately from the lever, unlike the other "rubber bands", and the lever itself is hard to break. If the craftsmen squandered space for installing an abnormal ball joint from all-wheel drive or there is a non-standard lever, then do not be discouraged - handling and reliability do not suffer on a relatively light car. On all-wheel drive cars, by the way, steel levers are installed from the factory, and spherical bearing there is regularly replaced. The front strut supports are reliable and fail only on a very stiff suspension and among fans of the “rally” style of movement, and the remaining elements serve 50-70 thousand without serious intervention. Is it the stabilizer bars? roll stability may kick in much sooner. At the rear, the suspension is not much more complicated - two silent blocks of trailing arms go for a long time, besides, there are a good choice"non-original", and they do not like mostly "sagging" springs and incorrectly selected installation angles. And four transverse ball joints, sometimes called "floating silent blocks", also have a good service life, sometimes more than one hundred thousand kilometers. The bottom pair of hinges always fails first. By the way, it is recommended to change the upper hinges and bushings of the trailing arms with every second replacement of the lower hinges, even if they do not look worn out. Wheel bearings most often fail due to impacts or if used very wide rubber. Their resource on simple versions with wheels of dimension 205 / 55R16 is very large: many cars with mileage “over 300” still drive factory ones, but if you put something like 245/40 R18, you will have to change very often. And, of course, any side impact on the curb, if the car is on alloy wheels, entails their failure. The cardan shafts and drives on the machine are reliable, you just need to monitor the integrity of the anthers and the condition of the propeller shaft supports, otherwise expenses are inevitable, and the cost of new parts is very high. The rear axle gearbox is also a reliable thing, you just need to monitor the presence of oil in it and the condition of the oil seals and breather, and it is recommended to change the oil at least once every hundred thousand kilometers. However, as in "maintenance-free" manual transmissions. And again I remind you: the clutch here is with a dual-mass flywheel, it costs a thousand euros. Do not bring it to a complete collapse, change or repair the flywheel and clutch in time, fortunately, flywheels can now be repaired, which saves about half of its cost.

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BMW 3 Series Touring (E46)

Electrician

The electrical part of the machine is quite complicated and the owners are usually not happy. In the cabin, in the risk zone, the comfort unit responsible for the electric windows, mirrors and sunroof, and the air conditioning control unit. Their failure can punch a serious hole in the budget - even now such a unit is worth several hundred euros, and it makes sense to do repairs, rather than change to a used one or a new one. Climate control can also please with failures of damper actuators, fan speed control unit and burn-out displays. The interior fan motor is also not the most reliable part: if the car is often stopped, and the cabin filter is not carbon and changes infrequently, then the chances of its failure are high, but in any case, its “life expectancy” is no more than four to five years. The sunroof drives, and the wiring of the doors and seats are also brought down. Moreover, the failure of the wiring of the latter often causes airbag errors. Also, pillows often fail due to the failure of the “snail” of the steering column, so if the buttons on the steering wheel do not work every time, then this is an occasion to check for the presence of an “airbag” light bulb and bargain a bit. In the back of the car, the lamp boards most often suffer, where corrosion finishes off the conductors, and the wiring of the trunk lid - here the lighting board is combined with the electric lock button and fails all at once. Fortunately, craftsmen repair these components, and there is no need to change them entirely. Even on cars with standard parking sensors, the harness usually rots at the point of exit from the body, do not rush to change the sensors. The real trouble is under the hood: the front wiring harness is very capricious, which entails problems with the operation of numerous sensors and, worst of all, the cooling fans. Another problem is the wiring to the ABS sensors and the sensors themselves, and at the same time the body position control system on cars with xenon headlights: all the wiring under the bottom of the car is at risk, and the sensors fail due to damage due to icing or simple exposure to the Moscow “cocktail” ". Finally, a small surprise from BMW. “Smart” ignition keys are used here, they contain all the data about the operation of the engine, the configuration of the car, mileage, and so on. It is enough to give the key to the dealer, and he will be able to find out all the important information about the car. Unfortunately, such advanced keys are not cheap, so try to buy a car with a complete set of them. In addition, the key has a battery that is recharged when the key is inserted into the ignition. In rarely used keys, the battery is discharged, so the car will not always start correctly with it, and even more so it will open easily. Of course, a complex key breaks easily too. But even without that, it can fail - after all, batteries do not last forever, and after 6-7 years of operation, its charge lasts only for a few hours. It is especially unpleasant if such a “surprise” lies in wait for you far outside the city, where there are no services, no shops, and the car cannot be opened in any other way. There is a 2020 size battery inside, but in order to replace it, you will need a hacksaw and a new key case, and after replacement you will need “initialization”, which takes place when the key is inserted into the ignition switch. There are options for keys in which you can replace the battery without using a cutting tool, but if the battery is dead, then you still cannot do without initialization. The moral is simple - change the batteries in the keys on time and keep the lock cylinders in working order.

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BMW 3 Series Compact (E46)

Body and interior

So that the car does not turn out to be as Spartan as its ancestors, its interior was noticeably changed. Like the "big brother" in the back of the E39, they improved the quality of materials and removed frankly "tramp" equipment. The basic equipment already had air conditioning, electric front windows and a driver's seat lift, it was possible to order dual-zone climate control, electric seats, windows, mirrors, a rain sensor, a light sensor and all other options that rely on a car of those times. Of the rare options, there is even double glazing, which reduces the heating of the cabin in the sun and reduces noise, just do not confuse it with the “double glazing” on the W140, this is completely different. At the same time, the front seats were changed, removing the hard plastic back, which greatly interfered with the rear passengers. There wasn't much more legroom in the back, but now a ride in the second row didn't feel like a visit to a torture chamber.

Left Salon BMW 3 Series (E36), BMW 3 Series (E46) interior on the right

The quality of the interior has also grown, it is almost impossible to find cheap black plastic on the E46, a solid soft bow and soft touch, as well as very decent quality leather. But the “wood” here is by no means of Mercedes quality - it is clearly visible that this is an inexpensive painted plastic, and even prone to cracking. Fortunately, many have opted for alternative inserts "carbon look" or just silver, they retain their appearance much longer. Separate praise to the seats, they are beautiful here even on inexpensive trim levels, excellent shape and excellent quality and are able to carefully carry the driver even after 15 years of operation. Swollen front panels and door cards are most often the result of long body repairs, a wet interior or “re-covering” after accidents, but the bright sun does not really harm the finish, except that the colors fade intensively. By the way, unlike simpler cars, there are folding rear seats are not standard equipment. Moreover, often in expensive configurations, only a small hatch in the back of the seat can be folded down.

The body of the car is slightly larger than that of the "ancestors", but retained the classic shape. Corrosion protection is very good, the metal rots very reluctantly, the paint holds up well. But as time goes by, age takes its toll, pay attention to the edges wheel arches and the bottoms of the doors, where rust will appear first. But the bottom and thresholds will last longer. Unfortunately, there are innate weak spots, and one of them is extremely critical, these are the supports of the front suspension cups: they are “pulled out” over time, and they begin to crack and rust at the seams. If it were not for the body number stamped on the right body cup, this would not be so critical, but traces of welding next to the VIN number can lead to a refusal to register the car. By the way, keep an eye on the film on the body number - as practice shows, cars with damage to the film most often do not register.