Home
Cooling

BMW Cooling System Parts & Accessories for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

The cooling system is arguably the weakest point in numerous BMWs. If you drive an aging BMW or plan on taking your car to the track like we do, we recommend beefing up your cooling system before going to the track. Generally, the main components in your cooling system that are prone to failure include the following: expansion tank, factory hoses, water pump, thermostat, fan (especially if your vehicle comes factory with a clutch fan), and radiator. Factory BMW expansion tanks are plastic and prone to either breaking off at connection points or combusting. As factory rubber hoses age they either crack or break over time - we offer silicone cooling hose upgrades for most applications to avoid future failures. If you have an older vehicle, your water pump likely comes from the factory with a plastic impeller - we offer upgraded water pumps with metal impellers that are far more reliable. Newer model BMWs utilize electric water pumps - BMW spent millions of dollars engineering these water pumps, but they fail so often that we recommend replacing at 60,000 mile service intervals to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. In terms of thermostats, we offer various upgraded thermostats for racing applications. If your BMW utilizes a clutch fan from the factory, we have several options available in terms of universal electric fans - we recommend replacing these to avoid sending brittle plastic fan blades through your hood. For radiators, we recommend swapping out your radiator for one that does not use plastic connection points like your factory radiator.

Sub-Categories

Sort By:

BMW E46 M54 AAF Low Temp Thermostat Kit - Partial

T#:7624632

Part#: 116211.2

In Stock

$ 85.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 85.00 USD

Add to Wish List

BMW E46 M54 AAF Low Temp Thermostat Kit - Partial is an essential upgrade for enthusiasts looking to optimize engine performance and reliability. Developed by Advanced Auto Fabrication (AAF), this kit addresses the limitations of the factory M54 thermostat, which maintains a temperature range of 80-103°C and opens the mechanical failsafe at 110°C. For race conditions where maintaining a lower temperature is crucial, this kit replaces the stock electronic thermostat with a manual unit, allowing the engine to run at a safer and more efficient temperature. This upgrade not only enhances engine longevity but also reduces stress from high-temperature operation, minimizes heat soak, and increases power.

Optimal Temperature Control: Replaces the factory thermostat for improved engine temperature management.
Enhanced Engine Longevity: Operates at safer temperatures, reducing stress and extending engine life.
Increased Power: Lower operating temperatures can lead to better engine performance.
Reduced Heat Soak: Helps prevent overheating and ensures efficient cooling.
Improved Reliability: Manual thermostat unit offers more consistent performance in racing conditions.

Partial Kit Contents:

Thermostat housing plate
Thermostat
Installation hardware

Show More Show Less

AAF Transmission Crossmembers 5-Speed - E46 Non-M

Fits ZF and Getrag Transmissions. Non-M models Only

T#:7608860

Part#: 116110

In Stock at Vendor

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Since 2010, Advanced Auto Fabrication has been producing and developing both parts and full fledged race cars. Their knowledge base covers a wide range of vehicles both domestic and imported. In the specific case of BMW, the team at AAF has a particular affinity for building and designing components for BMW race cars. Ideal for the SE46 racing series, the AAF E46 5-speed Transmission Crossmember is a heavy-duty and worthwhile upgrade. The OEM thin cast aluminum cross member has been known to fail in multiple different ways. When using stiff engine and transmission mounts, the cross member can crack out and break around these mounting points. The cross member can also break from the high amounts of load transferred through the drive train. While chassis flex from hard cornering is being applied through the engine and transmission from the front cross member, this load is sent from the transmission back into the chassis at the transmission cross member. This is simply too much stress for the OEM cross member to hold up to under the extreme punishment of road racing. The AAF E46 Transmission Cross Member is completely constructed of 1/4' thick heavy-duty aluminum plate. It is designed specifically to cope with hours of endurance racing.

Show More Show Less

AAF Low Temp Thermostat Kit - Full Kit - E46

T#:7624630

Part#: 116211

In Stock at Vendor

$ 175.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 175.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Since 2010, Advanced Auto Fabrication has been producing and developing both parts and full fledged race cars. Their knowledge base covers a wide range of vehicles both domestic and imported. In the specific case of BMW, the team at AAF has a particular affinity for building and designing components for BMW race cars. The factory M54 thermostat is electronically controlled to keep the engine running between 80-103°C, whereas race cars like to maintain 80°C or less for maximum power. Additionally, the mechanical failsafe doesn’t open up until the coolant temperature reaches 110°C, or 230°F, which is about the point when most race cars are turned off and parked which is no good for the motor! The AAF E46 M54 Low Temp Thermostat Kit is designed to give the control of proper engine operating temperature back by replacing the stock electronic thermostat with a manual unit. This allows the engine to run at the proper, and much safer, operating temperature, improving engine longevity, reduces stress from high-temp. operation, reduces heat soak, and increases power! Full Kit Contents: Thermostat housing Thermostat housing plate Thermostat install hardware sealant

Show More Show Less

Active Autowerke Sport Fan Clutch - E36 E46

T#:397219

Part#: 14-010

Ships in 1 Business Day

5% off MSRP $ 259.00

MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. This is the suggested retail price provided by the manufacturer, supplier or seller.

$ 246.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

5% off MSRP

$ 259.00

MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. This is the suggested retail price provided by the manufacturer, supplier or seller.

$ 246.99 USD

Add to Wish List

When you push your powerplant, thermodynamics push right back. The toll of high performance is higher heat load – and many stock components begin to complain. But Active Autowerke has you covered - this upgraded fan clutch increases viscous coupling of cooling fan blade speed to water pump speed, yielding increased airflow through the radiator for more efficient cooling. A simple, yet wonderful, thing.

This product fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 323i 325i 328i 330i M3
1998-2006 E46 323i 325i 328i 330i M3

Show More Show Less

AAF E46 Transmission Crossmembers - 6-Speed Non-M

For use with solid front engine mounts only!

T#:7624639

Part#: 116222

In Stock

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Since 2010, Advanced Auto Fabrication has been producing and developing both parts and full fledged race cars. Their knowledge base covers a wide range of vehicles both domestic and imported. In the specific case of BMW, the team at AAF has a particular affinity for building and designing components for BMW race cars. Ideal for the SE46 racing series, the AAF E46 6-speed Transmission Crossmember is a heavy-duty and worthwhile upgrade. The OEM thin cast aluminum cross member has been known to fail in multiple different ways. When using stiff engine and transmission mounts, the cross member can crack out and break around these mounting points. The cross member can also break from the high amounts of load transferred through the drive train. While chassis flex from hard cornering is being applied through the engine and transmission from the front cross member, this load is sent from the transmission back into the chassis at the transmission cross member. This is simply too much stress for the OEM cross member to hold up to under the extreme punishment of road racing. The AAF E46 Transmission Cross Member is completely constructed of 1/4' thick heavy-duty aluminum plate. It is designed specifically to cope with hours of endurance racing.

Show More Show Less

AAF E46 Transmission Crossmembers - 6-Speed M

For M Models

T#:7624640

Part#: 116223

Ships in 3 Business Days

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 190.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Since 2010, Advanced Auto Fabrication has been producing and developing both parts and full fledged race cars. Their knowledge base covers a wide range of vehicles both domestic and imported. In the specific case of BMW, the team at AAF has a particular affinity for building and designing components for BMW race cars. Ideal for the SE46 racing series, the AAF E46 6-speed Transmission Crossmember is a heavy-duty and worthwhile upgrade. The OEM thin cast aluminum cross member has been known to fail in multiple different ways. When using stiff engine and transmission mounts, the cross member can crack out and break around these mounting points. The cross member can also break from the high amounts of load transferred through the drive train. While chassis flex from hard cornering is being applied through the engine and transmission from the front cross member, this load is sent from the transmission back into the chassis at the transmission cross member. This is simply too much stress for the OEM cross member to hold up to under the extreme punishment of road racing. The AAF E46 Transmission Cross Member is completely constructed of 1/4' thick heavy-duty aluminum plate. It is designed specifically to cope with hours of endurance racing.

Project Cars

SELECT YOUR BMW

BMW Cooling System Parts & Accessories for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

Sub-Categories

BMW E46 M54 AAF Low Temp Thermostat Kit - Partial

AAF Transmission Crossmembers 5-Speed - E46 Non-M

AAF Low Temp Thermostat Kit - Full Kit - E46

Active Autowerke Sport Fan Clutch - E36 E46

AAF E46 Transmission Crossmembers - 6-Speed Non-M

AAF E46 Transmission Crossmembers - 6-Speed M

Select Vehicle

Category

Brand

Price

Shipping

Narrow Results