What to do with a recent car purchase? Persistent problems
Discussion
I've recently bought a 2004 bmw 318ci, The main reason I went for the 318 is for the money we were looking to spend all the 6 cylinder ones looked a bit tired and ropey and also given that i mainly sit in city stop/start traffic the extra 2 cylinders didn't warrant paying the extra. Also my OH is learning to drive so I wanted something she could use.
We settled on a 1 owner full BMWSH example with 72k on the clock, HPI clear and history confirmed with BMW who last serviced it in December (More on this later)
We collected the car and drove it back to Poland without any issues at all, The day after driving it back it developed a fault which triggered the emissions warning light and lost all power above 3000 rpm, This was diagnosed as a Lambda Sensor and replaced, Along with the front wishbone bushes as it was a bit "wandery"
I drove the car about 3 or 4 times over the next month and then one morning i started it and it was firing on 3 Cylinders. I diagnosed this as a faulty coilpack (By unplugging each one to determine which pack was at fault) Decided to replace all 4 along with a set of plugs.
I decided to have it serviced at the same time as it became very clear that despite only covering 3000 miles since its last main dealer "service" it needed another one! I called the dealer in question to check what they actually did and they confirmed an "inspection 2" I found the receipt in the documents folder for an "inspection 2" so this checks out, or at least I thought it did.
It appears that the air filter hasn't been changed since 2009 (According to the date stamp in the filter itself and the condition), The fuel filter on closer inspection looks quite corroded (And has been replaced) The spark plugs we removed looked like they had been in there for a while.
I'm now wondering when the car was last serviced properly despite the previous owner religiously taking it to BMW (The same dealer who did the last Service) for everything with receipts to back this up. She even bought BMW screenwash!
Now my thoughts are to get rid before anything major happens as if its effectively not been touched for years despite the previous owners best intentions there could be all manner of things lurking, Not to mention the fact I have no faith in the car whatsoever anymore. (Traction control and Amber handbrake light came on yesterday after going over some bumpy road, This has since gone off)
Now what would you do? Sell it and cut your losses or keep it as the worst is probably over?
The car itself is immaculate and I bought it from the lady who bought it new who only replaced it due to buying an e92 station wagon.
My OH thinks its junk and that I should sell it before we drive to Greece again later this year, Go and buy another Lexus from a dealer with the steering wheel on the correct side for the country we live in which should be 100% reliable like our last one was.
My thinking is given that Polish drivers are unbelievably stupid and also the majority or roads here are appalling a 3k car is plenty for the conditions.
We settled on a 1 owner full BMWSH example with 72k on the clock, HPI clear and history confirmed with BMW who last serviced it in December (More on this later)
We collected the car and drove it back to Poland without any issues at all, The day after driving it back it developed a fault which triggered the emissions warning light and lost all power above 3000 rpm, This was diagnosed as a Lambda Sensor and replaced, Along with the front wishbone bushes as it was a bit "wandery"
I drove the car about 3 or 4 times over the next month and then one morning i started it and it was firing on 3 Cylinders. I diagnosed this as a faulty coilpack (By unplugging each one to determine which pack was at fault) Decided to replace all 4 along with a set of plugs.
I decided to have it serviced at the same time as it became very clear that despite only covering 3000 miles since its last main dealer "service" it needed another one! I called the dealer in question to check what they actually did and they confirmed an "inspection 2" I found the receipt in the documents folder for an "inspection 2" so this checks out, or at least I thought it did.
It appears that the air filter hasn't been changed since 2009 (According to the date stamp in the filter itself and the condition), The fuel filter on closer inspection looks quite corroded (And has been replaced) The spark plugs we removed looked like they had been in there for a while.
I'm now wondering when the car was last serviced properly despite the previous owner religiously taking it to BMW (The same dealer who did the last Service) for everything with receipts to back this up. She even bought BMW screenwash!
Now my thoughts are to get rid before anything major happens as if its effectively not been touched for years despite the previous owners best intentions there could be all manner of things lurking, Not to mention the fact I have no faith in the car whatsoever anymore. (Traction control and Amber handbrake light came on yesterday after going over some bumpy road, This has since gone off)
Now what would you do? Sell it and cut your losses or keep it as the worst is probably over?
The car itself is immaculate and I bought it from the lady who bought it new who only replaced it due to buying an e92 station wagon.
My OH thinks its junk and that I should sell it before we drive to Greece again later this year, Go and buy another Lexus from a dealer with the steering wheel on the correct side for the country we live in which should be 100% reliable like our last one was.
My thinking is given that Polish drivers are unbelievably stupid and also the majority or roads here are appalling a 3k car is plenty for the conditions.
tricky one, but personally I would persevere.
It sounds like it has been under used and still is if you have only had it out 3 or 4 times in the period you mentioned. The price sounds about right for the age if its as clean as you say.
It is highly unlikely a dealer wouldn't change parts at a service if they are meant to be - its not worth their while.
It is of the age where things are just going to start wearing out so you might need to expect to put a bit back in, however the residuals should make it worth it.
The probs you talk about are totally normal and to be expected (especially through lack of use), its far from junk or a lemon!
It sounds like it has been under used and still is if you have only had it out 3 or 4 times in the period you mentioned. The price sounds about right for the age if its as clean as you say.
It is highly unlikely a dealer wouldn't change parts at a service if they are meant to be - its not worth their while.
It is of the age where things are just going to start wearing out so you might need to expect to put a bit back in, however the residuals should make it worth it.
The probs you talk about are totally normal and to be expected (especially through lack of use), its far from junk or a lemon!
You have had bad luck, and it sounds like the dealership's service department is either incompetent or dishonest in their work.
You could sell it and let someone else suffer, or, having discovered the problems, accept that this bit of bad luck has landed at your door and suck up the cost of putting it right.
Or you could sell it with a full admission of your concerns and let them choose whether or not to take the risk.
You wouldn't want someone to knowingly sell you a potential duffer. There are too many a-holes in the world. Please don't be one of them.
You could sell it and let someone else suffer, or, having discovered the problems, accept that this bit of bad luck has landed at your door and suck up the cost of putting it right.
Or you could sell it with a full admission of your concerns and let them choose whether or not to take the risk.
You wouldn't want someone to knowingly sell you a potential duffer. There are too many a-holes in the world. Please don't be one of them.
I think i'll be keeping it I live in a country where labour is cheap (Circa 6 quid an hour at a garage), Just booked it in for the rear wheel bearing to be sorted this afternoon as that was the latest thing and to have the slight creaking from the rear end looked at,
This is the only car i've had (Since my Peugeot 11 years ago) where every strange smell makes me thing "what next"
It does look lovely and drives very well, The increasing pressure from the OH was getting to me as she thinks everything car related is a ripoff (Never owned a car) and counts every penny out
So far I've only spent 400 quid putting it right, Including a new exhaust yesterday (The 323i backbox with the dual tips fits straight on if anyone was wondering of an OEM ish way of getting rid of the pea shooter)
The only things i really need to do now (Until the next problem) is 2 rear tyres and the wheels could do with a refurb or replacement if the right set of MV2's become available on Polish Ebay.
I'm halfway through the process of registering it here in Poland so once its on PL plates it would possibly be worth a little more than I paid/have spent on it so far, (Used cars are double the price here)
This is the only car i've had (Since my Peugeot 11 years ago) where every strange smell makes me thing "what next"
It does look lovely and drives very well, The increasing pressure from the OH was getting to me as she thinks everything car related is a ripoff (Never owned a car) and counts every penny out
So far I've only spent 400 quid putting it right, Including a new exhaust yesterday (The 323i backbox with the dual tips fits straight on if anyone was wondering of an OEM ish way of getting rid of the pea shooter)
The only things i really need to do now (Until the next problem) is 2 rear tyres and the wheels could do with a refurb or replacement if the right set of MV2's become available on Polish Ebay.
I'm halfway through the process of registering it here in Poland so once its on PL plates it would possibly be worth a little more than I paid/have spent on it so far, (Used cars are double the price here)
Small Update, Changed all brake discs and pads as they were looking a little worse for wear, 2x wheel bearings and all seemed well,
Until yesterday, We went to visit the OH's parents and on the way the DSC and handbrake light illuminated in Amber followed by the bong sound. Car still drove and behaved fine so we carried on remembering that the inlaws have a mechanics pit in one of their garages.
I took all the ABS sensors off and cleaned each one and checked the wiring for any cracks. All seemed fine. Drove home with the lights still on thinking that I'll get it to my usual mechanic today.
This morning on the way to the mechanic the lights went out but we put it on diagnostics anyway and no codes were found at all
Oh and i noticed the 2 rear suspension springs have now snapped which explains the strange noises coming from the rear. (On a brighter note all the subframe mounting points look in tact with no damage)
I bought a BMW as a sensible/reliable option, I should have just gone for that XJR I very nearly bought.....
Until yesterday, We went to visit the OH's parents and on the way the DSC and handbrake light illuminated in Amber followed by the bong sound. Car still drove and behaved fine so we carried on remembering that the inlaws have a mechanics pit in one of their garages.
I took all the ABS sensors off and cleaned each one and checked the wiring for any cracks. All seemed fine. Drove home with the lights still on thinking that I'll get it to my usual mechanic today.
This morning on the way to the mechanic the lights went out but we put it on diagnostics anyway and no codes were found at all
Oh and i noticed the 2 rear suspension springs have now snapped which explains the strange noises coming from the rear. (On a brighter note all the subframe mounting points look in tact with no damage)
I bought a BMW as a sensible/reliable option, I should have just gone for that XJR I very nearly bought.....
It's a 10-year-old car. Things break and/or wear out. Fix them and move on.
The fact that you're in Poland means it makes huge sense to run something a little older and perhaps less predictable, reliability wise.
The crappy roads will shake anything nicer to bits.
Local mechanics are cheap.
The fact that it's RHD makes it less susceptible to theft.
The fact that you're in Poland means it makes huge sense to run something a little older and perhaps less predictable, reliability wise.
The crappy roads will shake anything nicer to bits.
Local mechanics are cheap.
The fact that it's RHD makes it less susceptible to theft.
Barchettaman said:
It's a 10-year-old car. Things break and/or wear out. Fix them and move on.
The fact that you're in Poland means it makes huge sense to run something a little older and perhaps less predictable, reliability wise.
The crappy roads will shake anything nicer to bits.
Local mechanics are cheap.
The fact that it's RHD makes it less susceptible to theft.
That was my main thinking about running an old car, I've taken out ADAC cover so won't be stranded anywhere and BMW parts are pretty cheap too,The fact that you're in Poland means it makes huge sense to run something a little older and perhaps less predictable, reliability wise.
The crappy roads will shake anything nicer to bits.
Local mechanics are cheap.
The fact that it's RHD makes it less susceptible to theft.
I will keep fixing it
We could have bought a newer more expensive car but if i'd done that i'd worry too much about something happening to it, Cars here have this habit of evaporating overnight.They are all wearing parts though. Filters, sensors, bearings etc all go, and are all designed to be replaced. You're much better knowing that you've sorted them all, rather than sorting them and then chucking it out for something else which is likely to have similar problems anyway.
CDB1983 said:
Until yesterday, We went to visit the OH's parents and on the way the DSC and handbrake light illuminated in Amber followed by the bong sound.
This morning on the way to the mechanic the lights went out but we put it on diagnostics anyway and no codes were found at all
Just had this problem on my E46 & it was a faulty brake fluid master cylinder sensor. Very common by all accounts. Cost £160 to put right. Surprised the code wasn't stored on yours though.This morning on the way to the mechanic the lights went out but we put it on diagnostics anyway and no codes were found at all
I'll take it back for diagnostics if the light comes on again, 160 isn't too bad if it is that,
RE registering in Poland, The law has changed recently after it went to the European Courts and Poland has to register RHD cars now
I am thinking that now most things have been put right its worth keeping for a while.
RE registering in Poland, The law has changed recently after it went to the European Courts and Poland has to register RHD cars now
I am thinking that now most things have been put right its worth keeping for a while.
It sounds like you know what you're doing mechanically,mid suggest getting some proper time to get it up in the air and go around it. Main dealer servicing is as we all know, a complete con and joke, people pay 100 quid an hour plus for a f
kwitt with no bump to plug a computer in and read codes they don't even understand.
I know one mechanic I trust implicitly. Me! (I don't do it for a living or even anything remotely similar). But I have decent mechanical sense, I'm intelligent, do my research and don't believe a word anyone who is more stupid than I am tells me!
I me there's a lot of incredibly resourceful people in Poland, go around the car, make a list of what is imminent, what may need attention over the next year, do some research in the net and add in all the other common stuff that 'may come out the blue' then just sort the imminent stuff, diarise the upcoming stuff, and stick a few quid away for the out the blue stuff.
And just aim to keep the car for a good few years, it will then become a 'better the devil you know' machine and give years faithful service.
kwitt with no bump to plug a computer in and read codes they don't even understand. I know one mechanic I trust implicitly. Me! (I don't do it for a living or even anything remotely similar). But I have decent mechanical sense, I'm intelligent, do my research and don't believe a word anyone who is more stupid than I am tells me!
I me there's a lot of incredibly resourceful people in Poland, go around the car, make a list of what is imminent, what may need attention over the next year, do some research in the net and add in all the other common stuff that 'may come out the blue' then just sort the imminent stuff, diarise the upcoming stuff, and stick a few quid away for the out the blue stuff.
And just aim to keep the car for a good few years, it will then become a 'better the devil you know' machine and give years faithful service.
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