My Bmw E46 Problem Advice
Discussion
rallycross said:
You took it to the wrong garage for that car.
i.e. you have a cheap old run of the mill BMW which does not need to go to somewhere like ML where they specialise not just in Munich's' finest but also in extracting far more cash than is necessary from over keen enthusiasts wallets.
Take it to a local small garage for an MOT and see what they say it needs before spending a penny.
I agree with this, put the car in for a basic MOT and go from there. You will be pleasantly surprised.i.e. you have a cheap old run of the mill BMW which does not need to go to somewhere like ML where they specialise not just in Munich's' finest but also in extracting far more cash than is necessary from over keen enthusiasts wallets.
Take it to a local small garage for an MOT and see what they say it needs before spending a penny.
Edited by SMcP114 on Friday 23 August 09:58
VolvoT5 said:
The tyre prices, wheel alignment and labour rates look absolutely top whack to me. I'm sure you could get budget or part-worn brand tyres for considerably cheaper
You don't need to fit budget or part warn tyres - you can get really decent premium tyres for less than those prices quoted quite easily.Fox- said:
VolvoT5 said:
The tyre prices, wheel alignment and labour rates look absolutely top whack to me. I'm sure you could get budget or part-worn brand tyres for considerably cheaper
You don't need to fit budget or part warn tyres - you can get really decent premium tyres for less than those prices quoted quite easily.Lovely car though chap - but then I would say that, I've also got a velvet blue e46, and we've even got the same door mirrors - I've never seen another set.
OP you need to find out why it is using oil. It could just be a faulty breather system, another fault the E46 is known for.
An aquaintance bought an E46 which used 2 litres in 500 miles, it was the breathers. After replacing all the pipes it hardly used a drop of oil even with 150K miles on it.
The other faults are typical E46 but it is not worth throwing money at it unless the engine is sound, you might be lucky and the engine is not terminally damaged. Where is the noise coming from? Could be big ends, mains, piston slap, timing chain/Vanos or something cheap and easy like alternator bearings or belt tensioners.
Get a second opinion, whereabouts are you?
An aquaintance bought an E46 which used 2 litres in 500 miles, it was the breathers. After replacing all the pipes it hardly used a drop of oil even with 150K miles on it.
The other faults are typical E46 but it is not worth throwing money at it unless the engine is sound, you might be lucky and the engine is not terminally damaged. Where is the noise coming from? Could be big ends, mains, piston slap, timing chain/Vanos or something cheap and easy like alternator bearings or belt tensioners.
Get a second opinion, whereabouts are you?
To echo other posts - MOT it. If it passes just drive it as it is and monitor the oil. If the oil is OK after a month or so then consider doing the important safety bits (which by the looks of it is primarily tyres).
Some of those prices are rip-off levels from what is still an independent, not a BMW dealer.
Some of those prices are rip-off levels from what is still an independent, not a BMW dealer.
Mate of mine is a BMW indy specialist in Fulham. Check him out, I used him for my 330ci, M3 etc. Worth a second opinion in my book.
http://www.chelseaautoworx.com/
http://www.chelseaautoworx.com/
Firstly, I'd definitely try another BMW specialist for a quote. Nothing against Munich Legends, but as you say in your original post, it is a bit of a petrolhead's mecca. For example, I get my E90 serviced by this guy working out of a barn down the road, but he's BMW trained, a very intelligent and nice guy and really knows his stuff. I'd probably take an immaculate M3 to ML, but for a boggo E46, try somewhere else for a quote, and also a chat about what's essential and what isn't.
Secondly, welcome to running older cars! I've run everything from nearly new to super high mileage and the general story seems to be that if you want the older car to drive like a new one, expect to pay for quite a few bits to be replaced over the years - in a bad case this can be as much as the depreciation on a 2/3 year old car and in a good case it'll still be four figures per year. Before someone quotes me on that and says it's rubbish - that's if you want the older car to drive like new. If, however, you want your older car to drive like an older car, then you probably don't really need to get half the stuff done a garage will quote you for - again, find somewhere you trust and chat with them about what's most effective with your money. For example, my current E90 has just crossed 90k miles and I've known and driven the car since new, and bought it at 54k miles. I've felt the drive deteriorate gradually over that time and it's totally normal. It now needs new dampers all round and a number of other bits to make it drive like is used to, and that'll probably be over a grand - that's just what cars cost when they get to this age and it's why so many people buy 2 years old and then sell at 5 years old.
In summary, remember that you've bought what would be at least a £30k car today, so after 14 years it's not surprising that it needs 7% of it's initial purchase price spending on repairs. There's no such thing as a free lunch basically.
Oh, and finally, the engine noises are a bit worrying. Engine repairs get very expensive very quickly...
Secondly, welcome to running older cars! I've run everything from nearly new to super high mileage and the general story seems to be that if you want the older car to drive like a new one, expect to pay for quite a few bits to be replaced over the years - in a bad case this can be as much as the depreciation on a 2/3 year old car and in a good case it'll still be four figures per year. Before someone quotes me on that and says it's rubbish - that's if you want the older car to drive like new. If, however, you want your older car to drive like an older car, then you probably don't really need to get half the stuff done a garage will quote you for - again, find somewhere you trust and chat with them about what's most effective with your money. For example, my current E90 has just crossed 90k miles and I've known and driven the car since new, and bought it at 54k miles. I've felt the drive deteriorate gradually over that time and it's totally normal. It now needs new dampers all round and a number of other bits to make it drive like is used to, and that'll probably be over a grand - that's just what cars cost when they get to this age and it's why so many people buy 2 years old and then sell at 5 years old.
In summary, remember that you've bought what would be at least a £30k car today, so after 14 years it's not surprising that it needs 7% of it's initial purchase price spending on repairs. There's no such thing as a free lunch basically.
Oh, and finally, the engine noises are a bit worrying. Engine repairs get very expensive very quickly...
OP I would shop around for your boot floor and brake pipes, my pipes cost 200 quid, the current 330ci I did myself for 30 quid, alignment, does it need it? was it tramlining, driving bad, are the tyre excessively worn or just wear and tear, Hunter alignment costs 65 quid my way, tyres, try Vredestein, 125 a pop for the rear and very good, as said ML is a place to take E90 M3's not 13year old 330's, OP I would think long and hard about this, yes fixed you wont have the big problems anymore but is it worth spending a s
t load on, the trouble with E46's is you have to keep on top of them, little and often, shame looks a nice example.
t load on, the trouble with E46's is you have to keep on top of them, little and often, shame looks a nice example. OP - I saw a very good looking purple 330ci on eBay a while back, was very tempted to have a look myself.
Couldn't believe the odds when I realised it was yours!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-330Ci-3-Series-...
Feel sorry for you as it looks a fantastic car... just glad I didn't view it now!
Couldn't believe the odds when I realised it was yours!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-330Ci-3-Series-...
Feel sorry for you as it looks a fantastic car... just glad I didn't view it now!
OP
Big list here of Indys for London:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=796...
Though you might find labour rates are a bit cheaper if you head out of the city a little bit. Worth a ring round and a chat with a few.
Big list here of Indys for London:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=796...
Though you might find labour rates are a bit cheaper if you head out of the city a little bit. Worth a ring round and a chat with a few.
I was just about to breakdown the cost and say how much they've bent you over for the work, but then noticed the 'engine noise' part.
As a poster said above, get the engine checked out by someone who knows what they're on about, else you're throwing money at a dead horse.
In-fact, why would you even contemplate spending that sort of money to sort a car. It's mental to spend 200% of what you paid for a car to fix it!
Take the parts worth some value (wheels, mirrors, leathers) and sell it to a scrappy for £100 (they'll need to pick it up, so maybe you won't get anything for it). Sell the parts on ebay (£300/£400 I expect) and count your losses and buy another car which isn't a shed.
As a poster said above, get the engine checked out by someone who knows what they're on about, else you're throwing money at a dead horse.
In-fact, why would you even contemplate spending that sort of money to sort a car. It's mental to spend 200% of what you paid for a car to fix it!
Take the parts worth some value (wheels, mirrors, leathers) and sell it to a scrappy for £100 (they'll need to pick it up, so maybe you won't get anything for it). Sell the parts on ebay (£300/£400 I expect) and count your losses and buy another car which isn't a shed.
Edited by Teddye4687 on Friday 23 August 11:33
Deary me, every one here is really pessimistic. The list of faults on your car isn't that long, or that exasperating. If many of us with a car this age took it to a premium garage straight away, im sure many of us would get a list this long if not longer.
The most worrying thing to me is the boot floor, but this can be remedied. I don't know why you'd take a car like yours to Munich Legends. They're good, but they make cars perfect again, so expect to pay for it.
-Tyres. Go to any website, blackcircles.com and you'll find many many many tyres much cheaper (FITTED!) for your car that would be perfectly suitable. May i suggest Kumho Ectas for example.
-Brake lines. Fair enough, but many cars of your age need the brake lines replacing and many people don't bother. Take it to an independent, and offer to pay cash. You may then get a labour rate of 45-50 not 70.
- Engine noisey. Keep an eye on that, but definitely get another opinion. Replacing the oil, I can't see how thats a thorough diagnosis. On this point, im really disgusted. They have r4ped you on the simple things like 4 wheel alignment (get mine done for half what you paid plus VAT), but on the serious note of an engine problem they've just thrown some oil at it and said CBA Barry. Dear me
Anyway, if you buy an old car, and take it to a premium garage, you're always gonna be hit like this. They make cars perfect, so expect to pay for it.
The most worrying thing to me is the boot floor, but this can be remedied. I don't know why you'd take a car like yours to Munich Legends. They're good, but they make cars perfect again, so expect to pay for it.
-Tyres. Go to any website, blackcircles.com and you'll find many many many tyres much cheaper (FITTED!) for your car that would be perfectly suitable. May i suggest Kumho Ectas for example.
-Brake lines. Fair enough, but many cars of your age need the brake lines replacing and many people don't bother. Take it to an independent, and offer to pay cash. You may then get a labour rate of 45-50 not 70.
- Engine noisey. Keep an eye on that, but definitely get another opinion. Replacing the oil, I can't see how thats a thorough diagnosis. On this point, im really disgusted. They have r4ped you on the simple things like 4 wheel alignment (get mine done for half what you paid plus VAT), but on the serious note of an engine problem they've just thrown some oil at it and said CBA Barry. Dear me
Anyway, if you buy an old car, and take it to a premium garage, you're always gonna be hit like this. They make cars perfect, so expect to pay for it.
Edited by Trtj on Friday 23 August 11:35
Edited by Trtj on Friday 23 August 11:35
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