BMW Serie 3 E46 (1998–2005)Faults of the mass airflow sensor

Mass airflow sensor of the BMW Serie 3 E46: problems and faults

Low severity: Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power) · BMW M47 engine
Low severity: Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power) · BMW M57 engine

Most serious fault: Low severity

Reviewed on 30 October 20261 source How we work

Faults by engine

From most to least important. Check the affected years and versions on each page.

Serie 3 E46 BMW M47

- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)On the 2.0 M47 diesel the air flow meter appears among parts that can fail with age and cause loss of power or judder. It is fixed by replacing the sensor; other causes must be ruled out first.Repair (garage): €100–€300

Serie 3 E46 BMW M57

- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)The air flow meter is a known fault on six-cylinder M57 diesels: over time it loses accuracy and the car pulls less. It is a cheap repair compared with the turbo or injection.Repair (garage): €100–€300

Symptoms these faults cause

How much the repair costs

Depending on the fault, at an independent garage it ranges from €100^[1] (faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)) to €300^[1] (faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)), including VAT. If the fault is caught in time, the repair is usually much cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

What faults of the mass airflow sensor does the BMW Serie 3 E46 have?

In the BMW Serie 3 E46 there are 2 documented faults of the mass airflow sensor: faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power) (BMW M47 engine) and faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power) (BMW M57 engine). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and how to check for it.

Mass airflow sensor of the BMW Serie 3 E46: how much does the repair cost?

Depending on the fault, at an independent garage it ranges from €100 (faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)) to €300 (faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)), including VAT.

Which engines of the BMW Serie 3 E46 have faults of the mass airflow sensor?

The documented faults affect the BMW M47 and BMW M57 engines. Check the years and versions on each page: they do not always affect every unit.

Have you had a fault of the mass airflow sensor on your BMW Serie 3 E46? Tell us at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish