330Ci Preventative Maintenance

[c3m]

Hey all,

I've put down a deposit on a 330Ci that should be arriving in my hands maybe in a week or two. I wanted to ask if there are some things that should be done immediately after I get the car:
1) I'm planning on changing the oil. The car has had an Inspection 2 done 8k miles ago and it shows another 7.5k left until the next one but I've read that it's better to change the oil more frequently. What's the best oil for this particular engine? Should I be supplying my own and if so, what's the best place to get it from?
2) Is there anything else that should be checked out? Cooling system? Suspension? Should I be supplying my own parts (e.g., from bmminiparts.com)?
3) I live quite near Brands Hatch, so using ETA Motorsport would be very convenient. How good is their service? Are their prices competitive?

Thanks.

[Neil_Sc]

c3m said:

Hey all,

I've put down a deposit on a 330Ci that should be arriving in my hands maybe in a week or two. I wanted to ask if there are some things that should be done immediately after I get the car:
1) I'm planning on changing the oil. The car has had an Inspection 2 done 8k miles ago and it shows another 7.5k left until the next one but I've read that it's better to change the oil more frequently. What's the best oil for this particular engine? Should I be supplying my own and if so, what's the best place to get it from?
2) Is there anything else that should be checked out? Cooling system? Suspension? Should I be supplying my own parts (e.g., from bmminiparts.com)?
3) I live quite near Brands Hatch, so using ETA Motorsport would be very convenient. How good is their service? Are their prices competitive?

Thanks.

I would visually inspect the bottom of the radiator for bowing and the rear coil springs as they commonly break.

If you are over 80k or 5 years, I'd be considering replacement of the water pump, thermostat, two front hoses, expansion tank and radiator (if the radiator is showing signs of bowing).

On my 2004 330i I've replaced all of those cooling system components, my radiator was bowed.

The expansion tanks can crack with age. I've heard of water pump failure, but I think I payed about £50 for one, so whilst I was doing the other components I thought it worthwhile to change.

You might want to check your front lower control arm bushes for play and renew if necessary.

[helix402]

Opie oils for oils.

[woots787]

I've got a 330i touring on 95k and did the water pump (£25 off eBay) and thermostat (£50 off eurocarparts) at the weekend, as well as a coolant change. nice and easy job to DIY, couple of hours taking it easy with tea breaks. The water temp was on the first line, now sits in the middle with a good improvement in the heater and fuel economy. I swapped the water pump for one with a metal impeller as I'd heard some scare stories. Worth checking the auxiliary belts as mine were in a right state, again easy DIY.

John

[nixon1]

Which 330 is it? Here are some tips for a E46 (as that's what i have)

Coolant bottle replacement - they like to leak, and the thermostat gives up after a while. To test this, ensure you get hot air when the car is up to temp. My engine temp never got high enough, indicating a problem (temp needle not in the 12 o'clock position).

the other thing to check/replace are the front control arm bushes. I replaced mine as whole units as they were worn and caused the handling to be a bit off. I did this DIY style and had no problems with a ratchet and a jack.
http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/ourshop/prod_45373...

Test that your rear boot button works. Mine never worked and it was only until yesterday that I discovered the fault- dashboard indicated a blown bulb on the rear. after testing them all and they were all good, I rolled up my sleeves and found the culprit. the wires going from the body into the boot lid has snapped (discovered by cutting the rubber sleeve open and having a peek. In total 4 wires had fatigued and snapped. some time spent with new wire and a soldering iron soon fixed this. Apparently it is quite common. The link is for E39 but the same applies to the E46
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

[Fox-]

IMHO there is absolutely no need to change the oil yet.

[Blair357ci]

As said by previous posters check the bottom of the radiator, replace the header tank but also check very very carefully the subframe mountings

[dooosuk]

I don't get all this preventative maintenance. Drive the car for a while and enjoy it.

Oil will be fine. No need to change it yet. Also, there are plenty of cheaper options than Opie...has always been the expensive option when I've checked their prices.

[c3m]

Thanks for all the advice, guys - it's appreciated.

[Patrick Bateman]

Regarding oil.

Changing it more frequently will never be a bad thing but can be overkill depending on how frequently.

And Castrol Edge is £35 out of Asda for 4 litres, never seen it cheaper anywhere.

[tjlazer]

It's funny with preventative maintenance, it's makes a lot of sense when you read the buyer guides and I swore I was going to do all the little bits on my330i when I bought it, particularly the cooling system etc. Instead all I've done is change the front bushes to get rid of brake judder. 6 months in it hasn't missed a beat. I'm intending to wait 'till it is in for a service now, if it runs ok I think you should just drive and enjoy. It's an old car so at some point something will need fixing, why spend now?

[sparks_E39]

It's all very well using the phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it". But if the water pump goes (has been known) suddenly and the engine overheats and leaves you with a bill with many 0's on the end of it, you would probably wish you replaced it just in case.

[Sir_Dave]

sparks_E39 said:

It's all very well using the phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it". But if the water pump goes (has been known) suddenly and the engine overheats and leaves you with a bill with many 0's on the end of it, you would probably wish you replaced it just in case.

Surely if the temp gauge starts to rise above where it normally sits, you just turn the engine off?

I agree with preventative maintenance tbh, always do an Inspection2 on my BMW's as soon as i buy them. Only costs £150 or so in fluids & filters.

[Oxhead]

Been looking at getting a 330ci myself, probably an 01ish model, what's the best way about checking the subframe mountings for damage? What else is worth keeping an eye out for when buying?

[Patrick Bateman]

Sir_Dave said:

Surely if the temp gauge starts to rise above where it normally sits, you just turn the engine off?

True.

Although for what it's worth I'd rather get it done than relying on my breakdown cover and a surprise bill.

[ant man]

Change the gearbox and diff oil too. Also a full coolant changed inc block is advised.
Millers BMW approved oil is much better than the Castrol equivalent. Check out Miller's website for some very enlightening reading.

[Patrick Bateman]

ant man said:

Millers BMW approved oil is much better than the Castrol equivalent.

In what way and why?

With the top brands it's likely to be six and two threes for all intents and purposes.

[Fox-]

ant man said:

Millers BMW approved oil is much better than the Castrol equivalent.

Thats quite a bold claim - MUCH better? Obviously you've got some detailed analysis results to share with us? Given that to most of us oil is black stuff which we pour in when the car asks for it I'm a bit sceptical as to how you can know that millers is 'MUCH better'.

[ant man]

Read their website....Some oils claiming to be full synthetic are not and in testing were only around 20% synthetic. Millers came out top around 50% or so. It was in the motoring press a few years ago.
Don't take my word for it, find out for yourselves.