This Listing
Let`s make sure you are clear on what this listing offers, exactly.Basically
This listing offers an exterior handle carrier.Driver or Passenger Side
The part being offered here is for the passenger side in the context of the US market.Front or Rear
The part being offered here is for the front of the vehicle.Fitment
The part being offered here is expected to fit- a BMW 3 Series, 4th generation. Another name for this model series or body style is E46.
For the US market, the part being offered here does not fit the entire model series range. Please see the fitment chart.
This part does not fit all of the years for this model series. It only fits: 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
This part does not fit all of the body styles for this model series. It only fits the 4-Door, and Touring and only for the years indicated.
This part does not fit all of the model names for this model series. It only fits the 320i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi and only for the years indicated.
Part Number
The part number officially assigned for this part is 51217044840. The parts literature sometimes shows the first four digits of the part number separate from the last seven digits, like this: 5121 7044840. Sometimes they use periods and dashes in the part number; sometimes not.Pictures
The pictures you see on this listing might be of the actual part you would be buying, or it might not be, due to how multi-item listings work.Specifically Included
Sometimes it is not clear what is included in the listing, so we are mentioning what we specifically include: Bowden cableNot Included
The listing specifically does not include: For many buyers, their exterior handle base is not missing, just damaged but the related parts are intact. Many buyers are fine with transferring these from their existing part.But, for buyers who need to replace the related parts too, we offer them for sale separately:
Genuine BMW E31 E32 E34 E36 E38 E39 E46 Blind plug 51211975404. Set of 2: for front doors
Genuine BMW E46 Blind plug. For 15mm hole. Set of 2: for rear doors
Genuine BMW E46 Bracket. Bowden cable. Front 51217033777
Genuine BMW E46 Exterior handle gasket. Frontmost. Passenger 51217012768
Genuine BMW E46 Exterior handle gasket. Rearmost. Passenger 51217012770
Tech Notes
Variations
Through 2000, the design of the exterior handle and related parts is different than 2001 and on.However, the exterior handle base from 2001 and on has some design differences too. On the rear doors, for this type of part, the cables on 2001 vehicles are blue with yellow tips, whereas for vehicles made in 2003 and on, the cables are green with green tips. For 2002, it seems more likely than not that they are like 2003, but we are not certain.
The two types of parts are not interchangeable. The cable lengths are different. The green cables are shorter.
Also, the slanted Allen head screw is a 5mm size for 2001, and 4mm thereafter
Quality
The part we are offering here is a used but genuine BMW part. It was most likely original equipment (OE) installed at the factory when the car was manufactured. The company who supplied this part is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).Finally ...
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