BMW 3 (E46). Manual — part 97

Remove coolant level sensor (9) by
twisting counterclockwise and pulling
out of bottom of tank.

1 - Thermostat (ATF heat exchanger)

2 - Expansion tank cap

3 - Label

4 - Radiator

5 - Mounting bracket

6 - Sealing O-ring

7 - Self-tapping screw

8 - Connector (ATF heat exchanger)

9 - Coolant level sensor

10 - Locking clip

-

Pull out expansion tank by
detaching from radiator at top.
Then pull up from mounting
bracket at bottom.

-

Installation is reverse of removal.

Do not coat O-rings with anti-seize
paste.

Fill radiator and cooling system as
described under

Coolant,

draining and filling

Tightening torques

Engine block drain
plug to block

25 Nm (18 ft-lb)

Tightening torques

Radiator drain
plug to radiator

2 - 3 Nm (18 - 27

in-lb)

200-1

General

This section covers the repairs related
to the clutch, manual and automatic
transmissions, shift linkages,
driveshafts, and transfer case (all
wheel drive vehicles only). For repairs
related to drive axles and front and rear
final drive differentials, see

311

Front Axle Final Drive

and

331 Rear

Axle Final Drive

.

Drivetrain

E46 models are equipped with a
longitudinal drivetrain. The
transmission is bolted directly to the
rear of the engine. In rear wheel drive
models, a driveshaft connects the
output shaft of the transmission to the
rear final drive. On all wheel drive
models, a transfer case is mounted to
the rear of the transmission, with drive
shafts leading to front and rear final
drive assemblies. Individual drive axles
with integrated constant velocity joints
transfer rotational power from the final
drive units to the drive wheels.

Manual transmission

Due to different power characteristics
and performance requirements, three
different manual transmissions are
used in models covered by this
manual. Manual transmission
applications are given in

Table a.

Manual transmission applications

.

Note:

For transmission gear ratio information
and repair information, see

230

Manual Transmission

.

The manual transmissions use a single
clutch disc with dual-mass flywheel.
For further information, see

210

Clutch

.

Manual transmissions have a metal ID
plate mounted on the side of the
transmission. Do not rely on numbers
cast on the transmission case for
identification.

Table a. Manual transmission applications

Model

Year

Engine

Transmission

323i/Ci
325i/Ci

1999 - 2000
2000 - 2001

M52 TU
M54

Getrag S5D 250G

328i/Ci
330i/Ci

1999 - 2000
2000 - 2001

M52 TU
M54

ZF S5D 320Z

325xi330xi

2000 -2001

M54

ZF S5D 280Z

Automatic transmission

Two different automatic transmissions
are used, depending on model and
model year and/or production date. All of
the automatic transmissions are
electrohydraulically controlled with five
forward speeds. Automatic transmission
applications are given in

Table b.

Automatic transmission applications

.

For automatic transmission repair
information, see

240 Automatic

Transmission

.

Transmission Identification codes for
automatic transmissions are located on
metal ID tags mounted to the body of the
transmission.

Note:

323 i/Ci and 328 i/Ci models