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Repair Summary
The following article gives detailed instructions on performing an engine tune up on an E46 3 series car with the M52 or M54 six cylinder engine. Even though we have used a 2001 BMW 330ci to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any E46 3 series with the M52 or M54 engine with minor modifications.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E46 3 Series 325ti
E46 3 Series 318td
E46 3 Series 320td
E46 3 Series 318ti
E46 3 Series 330xi
E46 3 Series 330i
E46 3 Series 330xd
E46 3 Series 330d
E46 3 Series 316ti
E46 3 Series 328i
E46 3 Series 325xi
E46 3 Series 325i
E46 3 Series 320i
E46 3 Series 323i
E46 3 Series 320d
E46 3 Series 318i
E46 3 Series 318d
E46 3 Series 316i
E46 3 Series M3 CSL
E46 3 Series M3
E46 3 Series 330Ci
E46 3 Series 330Cd
E46 3 Series 325Ci
E46 3 Series 323Ci
E46 3 Series 320Ci
E46 3 Series 320Cd
E46 3 Series 318Ci
E46 3 Series 328Ci
E46 3 Series 316Ci
E46 3 Series 323i 2.4
E46 3 Series 316i 1.9
E46 3 Series 316i 1.6
A BMW E46 tune up will take you about an hour and can save you hundreds of dollars by avoiding a trip to the dealership.
Doing a BMW E46 tune up is actually one of the easiest service repairs you can perform on your 1998-2006 3 series car. Many BMW E46 owners pay outrageous amounts at their local dealership and repair shops to have their E46s tuned up. Why? Usually because the term "tune up" invokes thoughts of a complicated repair on an imported car. Nothing could be further from the truth.
A BMW E46 tune up involves replacing the six (or four on certain models) spark plugs and coils in your engine. BMW uses what is referred to as "coil on" or "pencil" type ignition coils in the E46. Each individual spark plug has its own coil mounted to the top of it, allowing the high voltage pulse from the ignition to be fed directly into each individual cylinder, minimizing power loss and maximizing performance. It is highly recommended that both the coils and the spark plugs be replaced when performing a BMW E46 tune up.
In 2001, BMW changed engines in their 3 series 6 cylinder vehicles from the M52 to the M54 motor. The change created a difference in the coil style as well; the M52 engine coil uses two bolts to keep it anchored inside the spark plug tube, whereas the M54 engine eliminated the two bolts and is held in place simply by the spark plug.
The BMW Repair Guide used a 2001 BMW 330ci with the M52 (bolt-on coil) engine for the images in this repair article. We have also included additional instructions and images for the M54 engine when required, even though both repairs are identical other than the removal of the coil bolts.
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
Before starting this repair, you must have the following required parts.
All M52 engines. M54 engines with production date to 09/2002
If your engine is experiencing misfire codes, it might be due to faulty ignition coils. Ignition coils give your vehicle the spark it needs to make power. If the spark is weak or nonexistent, power will decrease as your engine is misfiring or not utilizing a cylinder. To restore that lost power and eliminate the misfire, replace your's now.
M54 engines with production date from 09/2002
If your engine is experiencing misfire codes, it might be due to faulty ignition coils. Ignition coils give your vehicle the spark it needs to make power. If the spark is weak or nonexistent, power will decrease as your engine is misfiring or not utilizing a cylinder. To restore that lost power and eliminate the misfire, replace your's now.
All BMW E46 M52 and M54 engines
Bosch platinum plugs are engineered for up to twice the service life of other spark plugs.
All BMW E46 models
Made to reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and allergens making it's way into the cabin, this carbon filter will keep everything out of your interior. By filtering out dust and dirt, those contaminants don't make it into your HVAC system, making everything work easier and cleaner.
Section 1 - Removing and Installing the Coils and Plugs
- Using a metal pick, remove the small plastic caps covering the mounting bolts on the right engine cover.
- Remove the motor oil filler cap. Using a 10mm socket wrench, remove the two nuts securing the right engine cover.
- Remove the cabin air filter housing at the back of the engine by detaching its cover and taking out the four T20 torx screws that mount it to the firewall.
- Unplug the coils from the ignition by a) M52 engine - lift silver metal clip and unplug coil or b) M54 engine - raise black plastic clip and unplug coil.
- Detach coils from spark plugs and remove from engine: a) BMW E46 tune up with M52 engine - remove the two 10mm bolts anchoring the coil to the cylinder head cover and pull coil out of engine (note location of grounding straps...these MUST BE REINSTALLED EXACTLY as found) or b) BMW E46 tune up with M54 engine - there are no coil bolts on the M54 engine...just pull coil directly out of engine. If coil is stuck, use a ratchet extension to help pull the coil out of tube (see image below).
- Using a 16mm spark plug socket with socket extension, remove the spark plugs from the cylinder head.
- Spread a little anti-seize lubricant on the threads of the spark plugs and hand tighten using the spark plug socket and extension.
- Torque spark plugs to 25 Nm (18 ft-lb).
- Install the new ignition coils. Make sure to push coils down firmly with the palm of your hand to insure they are properly seated on the spark plug. Using dielectric grease on your ignition coils is not recommended by the BMW Repair Guide. This may cause the ignition coil to slip off of the spark plug causing a misfire.
- Reassemble the engine following the above steps in reverse order.
BMW E46 Tune Up Finished
