I've got a 2004 e46 that recently had a misfire on cylinder 1. It's got 150k miles on the original coils, which is pretty good for these cars. First thing I did was clear the code and swap the coils for cylinder 1 and 2. It threw a misfire code on cylinder 2, which told me it's a bad coil. I went through your exact scenario with a cheap, crappy Chinese aftermarket coil from the local auto parts store. I found the exact same problem with the coil plug retainer not pulling the pug in like it should. I tried another after market coil and it would not "lock" onto or grip the spark plug. It would kind of pop off the spark plug. I ended up reading in an e46 forum that these cars really don't like after market electrical components. So I had the auto parts store order the Bosch coil, which was way cheaper than the after markets ones! Lesson learned! I had a problem a couple years ago when I overhauled the coolant system. My water pump started to leak, so I bought a nice high performance one that is highly rated by people in the e46 forums. I decided to do preventative maintenance on the rest of the coolant system at the same time. Found a kit with all the hoses, radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, and pulleys for $900. Did all the work myself and installed a new valve cover gasket as well. After doing the work, I could not get the car to start. Tried for days until it finally did for reason unknown. I bled the coolant system and took it for a test drive....it started to overheat. Bled the system again and it ran for a couple days just fine and then started to overheat again. It would not overheat if we turned on the heater full blast. I could not find the problem...and I tried everything, including checking all the temp sensors, fan clutch, auxiliary fan, etc. It drove me crazy. I finally decided to bring it to an Indy shop.....they said it was the aux fan. Charged me $400 for diag. and fan/labor. Still was overheating after that. Brought it back to them where they spent 2 hours to diagnose a blown heat gasket. Said it's cheaper to do an engine swap than to mess with a head gasket and all the troubles that come with that. I took the car to the BMW dealer for a second opinion. They couldn't find a problem, but told me it was a head gasket. They could not give me a reason for their diagnosis and had not even done a compression test. ....long story short, MY WIFE diagnosed the problem by finding an obscure video that talked about this very problem. If your car is overheating, try reviving the engine in park. If the temp drops, it is a sticking thermostat. Yes, sometimes thermostats will stick closed, even though they are designed to fail open. The NEW thermostat we bought in the kit was defective from the factory. Bought a new OEM thermostat and haven't had a problem since. That was 4 years ago and the car is running strong. That was an expensive lesson!

My 2002 E46 is doing this on Cylinders 1 and 5. I think it might be my coils. Thanks for this. Love that your video started with "It seems that the Old BMW is having a bit of trouble this week" haha

This helped me and i appreciate this video. Thank God you posted this video. Hope it can help many more people in a bind like me. Gid Bless.

If it misfire during cold start. It could be a hydraulic lifter from sitting for awhile. I get this problem with my E46 325i once in awhile. Best cure is to drive it over 2k rpms on the freeway to bleed the lifters so oil gets into the lifters. Hope this helps. Glad you fixed it. -Jordan

Thanks for the advice..I’ve ordered a set of Bosch coils..and I’m taking back the garbage one!

very good,,,,saved me ALOT of troubleshooting,,,,,just bought a set and having issue,,,,will check them,,,,,thanks for the video!

OEM parts are important never had any luck with aftermarket

TAKE IT BACK MAN !!!!!

I would return it, get your money back, and order a genuine one. Will save you time and money in the long run. One thing I learned of e46 ownership was not to cut corners. Same goes for the cooling system on them too.

Hey I had the same problem #5 was getting misfire and I replace all the coils just because but I kept the old ones so I noticed right of way that it wasn't connecting all of way so I put the old ones back n my problem solve I was going to buy all of the injectors but I stop. Great experience. Huh

I have the 2001 bmw 330ci 5 speed manual P1341, P1343 and P1351 (cylinder 1,2 and 5 misfire with fuel cut off) I replaced the fuel injectors, spark plugs and ignition coils along with the ignition coil harness wiring, fuel pump, exhaust camshaft sensor, intake camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, mass air flow sensor, lower and upper intake boot, disa valve, both up stream exhaust oxygen sensors, cleaned the ICV... Fixed the vacuum hoses that were in the back and one that comnects below into a little air tank, i replaced the hose thats also connected to the F on the upper intake boot... Only thing i haven't got to yet is the catalytic converter 02 sensors and i have those just not installed.. please help. Misfire is so bad its terrible. And i can smell it too... Is it oossible my cat or cats are clogged? Hard to start up the whole engine is bogging... And moving cus the misfire is so bad

Good video,my opinion is return that shoddy coil pack,if you can get a Bosch for half the price that would be my choice.Perhaps someone parting out a BMW with same engine? ,or a dismantler that you can get that part from?I'm not very familiar with BMW,just throwing out some ideas,good luck!

I have a P1347 Manufacturer Control Ignition System or Misfire code on a bmw 330i 2001. It was fine then I left a store and knew right away. Acceleration was down big time. Made a loud old school muffler noise and sort of was kicking back and forth. I opened up hood and I think it could be an air leak not sure. I already replaced the PCV valve and many hoses associated with that. New boot as well. I examined and don't see and holes in the hoses. Any idea what this could be?

Take the when you got from the auto parts store back Tell him it's defective because you've tested it and get you some OEM ones

Howsit bud. I am having a problem woth my bmw 320i e46 after replacing spark plugs the car takes a while to start up afyer being parked over an hour. Vold starts are fine . Any idea what is the issue. Car drives fine and has enough of power

Put a zip tie on it if your going to keep it. I would take it back and buy a real one. Good find brother. BTW would you mind if I add you to a shout out video I am working on ? Thanks and God Bless.

I replaced a brand new Bosch condenser on my Toyota after misfiring. Replaced points, plugs , rotor cap and distributor cap. All new , the thing just wouldn’t start. Even the mobile mechanic couldn’t find the problem. Got the wagon towed to an auto electrician. He discovered a faulty condenser. So a brand new Chinese Bosch part failed. It never occurred to me a new part could fail. Something to be aware of.

Zip tie it

Had same problem bmw bs

I put zip ties on my coil packs

So Chiness is the problem 😅

Sell the car bmw is a pain in the ass