A couple of 130i questions
Discussion
Test drove a 55 plate 130 this morning, 89k, in really good nick externally and internally, drove perfectly, but there were a couple of other concerns popped up on the test drive.
Gearbox felt like it was from a russian tractor, really clunky and notchy around the gate, bit of internet research shows this should be an easy fix with some new (or m3) gearbox mounts? Sounds like i should change the oil and lose the clutch delay valve too, that did feel a bit clumsy?
Quite loud ticking on startup, i assume this is the valve lifters, judging by the rust on the brakes it looks like the car has been stood for a few weeks, went entirely after driving for a bit. I've never experienced it in my other e46 330, but having done some research into the ticking, it seems like its a fairly common problem.
Most of the results coming up are from new owners in a flap because their <30k mile cars are ticking after driving regular short journeys and trying to get them warrantied, theres a lot of doom mongering, speculation and panic, but there dont seem to be any real symptoms other than the noise and i cant find any evidence of terminal failure as a result?
How concerned about this should I be? My daily commutes 80 miles of motorway bimbling, so from what ive heard it should be happy as larry with this sort of treatment.
Any advice appreciated, ta.
Gearbox felt like it was from a russian tractor, really clunky and notchy around the gate, bit of internet research shows this should be an easy fix with some new (or m3) gearbox mounts? Sounds like i should change the oil and lose the clutch delay valve too, that did feel a bit clumsy?
Quite loud ticking on startup, i assume this is the valve lifters, judging by the rust on the brakes it looks like the car has been stood for a few weeks, went entirely after driving for a bit. I've never experienced it in my other e46 330, but having done some research into the ticking, it seems like its a fairly common problem.
Most of the results coming up are from new owners in a flap because their <30k mile cars are ticking after driving regular short journeys and trying to get them warrantied, theres a lot of doom mongering, speculation and panic, but there dont seem to be any real symptoms other than the noise and i cant find any evidence of terminal failure as a result?
How concerned about this should I be? My daily commutes 80 miles of motorway bimbling, so from what ive heard it should be happy as larry with this sort of treatment.
Any advice appreciated, ta.
My 330 (same engine) has had the ticking for the past month or so when cold. It soon goes when the engine gets up to temp as you say. The Issue is unique to the N52 engine so you wouldn't have seen it on the E46
If it's being used everyday there is no tick but once it's been left for 2+ days it starts again
Doesn't affect the way the car drives and it only seems to be in the colder weather (never happened in the summer)
It is a bit annoying but I'm just getting on with it, no warranty or anything to fall back on and I believe BMW when they say it does no harm.
If it's being used everyday there is no tick but once it's been left for 2+ days it starts again
Doesn't affect the way the car drives and it only seems to be in the colder weather (never happened in the summer)
It is a bit annoying but I'm just getting on with it, no warranty or anything to fall back on and I believe BMW when they say it does no harm.
Edited by Smiley198700 on Thursday 26th February 18:22
The ticking is the hydraulic lifters not receiving sufficient oil pressure. M N54 does it occasionally for a minute or so when it's cold and hasn't been used for a couple of days, but at tickover when hot the only noise you can hear is the injectors. Only be concerned if your engine ticks when it's at full operating temperature after a long run.
My car does the ticking thing occasionally from a cold start, but it's not often and goes once it's up to temperature. It's a known issue with the N52 but doesn't seem to cause any real harm, and overall these engines are bombproof.
I find the gearshift really nice normally but they can be a bit stubborn from 1st to 2nd, mainly when cold. If it's seriously crude and notch feeling I'd want it looked at.
I find the gearshift really nice normally but they can be a bit stubborn from 1st to 2nd, mainly when cold. If it's seriously crude and notch feeling I'd want it looked at.
Don't worry about the noisy valve lifters. Mine has done it regularly since I bought it 4 years and 58k miles ago (now on 111k miles) and it's still sweet as a nut once warmed through and pulls like a train.
Change of gearbox oil improved shift quality on mine, CDV mod didn't make much difference but I know some swear by it.
Brilliant little cars!
Change of gearbox oil improved shift quality on mine, CDV mod didn't make much difference but I know some swear by it.
Brilliant little cars!
All my research suggests most 130i's will suffer with the ticking noise if not used/ at first on cold starts and with the level of failures reported of the engine (I've never heard of one?) I really don't think it's an issue to be concerned about.
Re the gearbox, I think the gearbox in mine is nice and direct? maybe a little notchy but seems to get better after driving for a while. Or maybe I've just gotten use to it now?
I commuted from Sheffield to Leeds for 6 months (70+ miles per day) and it was a great car to cruise in, all the power you'd need and very comfy. I returned about 29mpg but towards the end of the journey on the M1 it would be stop start so this affected it a little.
If your doing 80 miles a day think i'd consider a 123d tbh as due to the small fuel tank I was filling up the 130 2 times a week which started to grate after a while and each journey takes out huge chunks from the fuel gauge - it felt like you could literally watch the needle drop as you drove.
Re the gearbox, I think the gearbox in mine is nice and direct? maybe a little notchy but seems to get better after driving for a while. Or maybe I've just gotten use to it now?
I commuted from Sheffield to Leeds for 6 months (70+ miles per day) and it was a great car to cruise in, all the power you'd need and very comfy. I returned about 29mpg but towards the end of the journey on the M1 it would be stop start so this affected it a little.
If your doing 80 miles a day think i'd consider a 123d tbh as due to the small fuel tank I was filling up the 130 2 times a week which started to grate after a while and each journey takes out huge chunks from the fuel gauge - it felt like you could literally watch the needle drop as you drove.
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