my uncle called me and wanted to know if I knew anything about a clicking noise being a common problmen on the E46. He has a 2002 M3 with the SMG Transmission. When he drives, he hears a clicking noise coming from the transmission tunnel. Has this happened to anyone else. DO you know what it is? He's probably going to go to BMW and get it fixed under warranty but wants to know if its something simple. It's only got 7k Miles on it and he's not the type to beat it around. Any thoughts?

Originally posted by BiMmEr JoN
my uncle called me and wanted to know if I knew anything about a clicking noise being a common problmen on the E46. He has a 2002 M3 with the SMG Transmission. When he drives, he hears a clicking noise coming from the transmission tunnel. Has this happened to anyone else. DO you know what it is? He's probably going to go to BMW and get it fixed under warranty but wants to know if its something simple. It's only got 7k Miles on it and he's not the type to beat it around. Any thoughts?

That's a puzzler. My first guess is it's not the tranny. Best get it to Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers.:) I'd be interested to know what they find out.

what type of clicking noise is it? because it could just be the transmission switching gears. i hear my car switch gears all the time. i might just be that. i dont know.

Ive never experienced any of that in my car, but i do hear my clutch engaging all the time.
The E46 M3 has a loud clutch.

Originally posted by JaWeb
Ive never experienced any of that in my car, but i do hear my clutch engaging all the time.
The E46 M3 has a loud clutch.

I 2nd that one. I hear my clutch when it engages.. It sounds like a *bump* or *pop*, sorry for the bad impressions :dunno . However I do not here a *click*. :dunno That would be my only guess as well.
Ask if it sounds like a *cheeeckk* , Then he might have dropped his transmission.. J/K :D

-Art

Sounds like what he is hearing is the infamous M3 "clunk". If he got his dealer to fix it, he would be the first one to have ever had it fixed. Good luck.

He brought it to Prestige BMW in North New Jersey and they said that they are going to change the transmission. They don't know what the sound is but they are replacing the whole unit. The clicking sound was just an annoyance. If he finds out what it is or when the dealer does, i'll pass on the news!

He brought it to Prestige BMW in North New Jersey and they said that they are going to change the transmission. They don't know what the sound is but they are replacing the whole unit. The clicking sound was just an annoyance. If he finds out what it is or when the dealer does, i'll pass on the news!