I'm making this DIY for installing the factory E85 Z4 electric fan in the E46. The Z4 uses the same radiator as the non-M E46 so the mounting points are the same. The Z4 fan fits with slight modifications. You can install the Z4 fan to replace both the mechanical and auxiliary fans in the automatic E46 or to replace the regular electric fan in the manual E46. The Z4 fan may not fit in the M3 due to the thicker radiator.
Why install the Z4 fan? There isn't an E46 electric fan that has the proper cooling capability for the automatic E46. While future BMW automatic models received an electric fan, the E46 didn't receive the update. The E85 Z4 is close enough to the E46 that its fan may be used in the E46. The design of the Z4 electric fan for manual models is also an improvement over the original E46 electric fan.
Additional information: The wiring for the fan on the E46 is the same size as on the Z4, which is 6 mm2. The only differences are that the connector is different and the fuse is 60A rather than 50A.
Fan for automatic and M cars (600W): 17427542912
Fan for manual non-M cars (400W): 17427519704
-Screw (D6X40): 17117536972
-Plastic rivet: 17111712963
Electrical connector:
-Socket housing: 61136900536
-Large pins (need 2): 12521436650
-Small pin (need 1): 12521427612
-Wire seal for large pins (need 2): 12527505634
-Wire seal for small pins (need 1): 12521748973
60A fuse: 61136914636
Temperature sensor for lower radiator hose: 13621433077
-O-ring (recommended to order this genuine one if using aftermarket or OEM sensor): 13621743299
Basic steps outlined below. Detailed instructions for each step can be found in BMW's TIS (Technical Information System).
1) Disconnect battery
2) Remove old radiator fan and shroud
3) Replace temperature sensor in the lower radiator hose
4) Automatic cars: Remove auxiliary fan
-Remove air duct in front of auxiliary fan
-Remove 4 nuts securing auxiliary fan
-Unclip from top and pull forward
-Clip connector off if you can't work it through from the other side of the radiator
-Pull auxiliary fan out of vehicle
5) For 600W fan: Use dremel-type tool or saw to remove lower right arm on frame of cooling fan that will reside where the A/C compressor is located
6) Install new fan connector:
-Cut old fan connector off car (or use the pigtail from the auxiliary fan to make an adapter)
-Strip end of wire insulation off wires
-Slip wire seal over end of wire leaving bare wires exposed
-Crimp new pins onto the wire and gently onto the wire seals
-Insert brown wire pin into position 1
-Insert red/blue wire pin into position 2
-Insert small black/green wire pin into position 4
7) Install Z4 fan:
-Disconnect connector for camshaft sensor on front of engine to make more room
-Slide Z4 fan into position onto radiator
-Fasten top of fan with the screw and plastic rivet
-Reconnect connector for camshaft sensor
8) Replace fuse 37 (50A) in the glove box fuse panel with the 60A fuse
9) Optional: Extend wires for AUC (automatic recirculation) sensor to reach the mounting location on the Z4 fan. An extension adapter can be made using the following parts:
-Female socket housing (comes as wired adapter for xenon headlight vertical aim control): 61138373573
-Male socket housing (connects to AUC sensor): 61138365356
-Pins (0,2-0,5 MM²) (need 4): 61130056961
600W Z4 fan:
E46 fan shroud for mechanical fan compared with Z4 fan:
600W Z4 fan modified for E46:
New pins crimped onto wires for new connector:
New 60A fuse installed:
Z4 fan installed in E46:
Why install the Z4 fan? There isn't an E46 electric fan that has the proper cooling capability for the automatic E46. While future BMW automatic models received an electric fan, the E46 didn't receive the update. The E85 Z4 is close enough to the E46 that its fan may be used in the E46. The design of the Z4 electric fan for manual models is also an improvement over the original E46 electric fan.
Additional information: The wiring for the fan on the E46 is the same size as on the Z4, which is 6 mm2. The only differences are that the connector is different and the fuse is 60A rather than 50A.
Fan for automatic and M cars (600W): 17427542912
Fan for manual non-M cars (400W): 17427519704
-Screw (D6X40): 17117536972
-Plastic rivet: 17111712963
Electrical connector:
-Socket housing: 61136900536
-Large pins (need 2): 12521436650
-Small pin (need 1): 12521427612
-Wire seal for large pins (need 2): 12527505634
-Wire seal for small pins (need 1): 12521748973
60A fuse: 61136914636
Temperature sensor for lower radiator hose: 13621433077
-O-ring (recommended to order this genuine one if using aftermarket or OEM sensor): 13621743299
Basic steps outlined below. Detailed instructions for each step can be found in BMW's TIS (Technical Information System).
1) Disconnect battery
2) Remove old radiator fan and shroud
3) Replace temperature sensor in the lower radiator hose
4) Automatic cars: Remove auxiliary fan
-Remove air duct in front of auxiliary fan
-Remove 4 nuts securing auxiliary fan
-Unclip from top and pull forward
-Clip connector off if you can't work it through from the other side of the radiator
-Pull auxiliary fan out of vehicle
5) For 600W fan: Use dremel-type tool or saw to remove lower right arm on frame of cooling fan that will reside where the A/C compressor is located
6) Install new fan connector:
-Cut old fan connector off car (or use the pigtail from the auxiliary fan to make an adapter)
-Strip end of wire insulation off wires
-Slip wire seal over end of wire leaving bare wires exposed
-Crimp new pins onto the wire and gently onto the wire seals
-Insert brown wire pin into position 1
-Insert red/blue wire pin into position 2
-Insert small black/green wire pin into position 4
7) Install Z4 fan:
-Disconnect connector for camshaft sensor on front of engine to make more room
-Slide Z4 fan into position onto radiator
-Fasten top of fan with the screw and plastic rivet
-Reconnect connector for camshaft sensor
8) Replace fuse 37 (50A) in the glove box fuse panel with the 60A fuse
9) Optional: Extend wires for AUC (automatic recirculation) sensor to reach the mounting location on the Z4 fan. An extension adapter can be made using the following parts:
-Female socket housing (comes as wired adapter for xenon headlight vertical aim control): 61138373573
-Male socket housing (connects to AUC sensor): 61138365356
-Pins (0,2-0,5 MM²) (need 4): 61130056961
600W Z4 fan:
E46 fan shroud for mechanical fan compared with Z4 fan:
600W Z4 fan modified for E46:
New pins crimped onto wires for new connector:
New 60A fuse installed:
Z4 fan installed in E46: