new e46 owner-few issues and help as i'm scared!
Discussion
bought e46 t plate 318i, looks great on new bmw 18" alloys, very clean, inside not worn, 66k but no service history, paid too much and very nervous, how do i get service history to check if its dodgy and if cambelt done etc?
also heater barely warm, engine not warming up, presume this is thermostat and might get under 12 mth warranty
also strange wheel wobble, when braking and also generally, nothing awful but offputting, had wheels balanced and tracking ok, still bit nervous,
also when should cambelt be done, on a t probsably overdue even if miles are low but this is why i need any service history.
also and lastly gears are very stiff from cold, first always difficult and reverse needs a hard push, could this be an oil change for the box or clutch or ?
Very nervous and grateful for any help!!!!!!!!!
cheers
also heater barely warm, engine not warming up, presume this is thermostat and might get under 12 mth warranty
also strange wheel wobble, when braking and also generally, nothing awful but offputting, had wheels balanced and tracking ok, still bit nervous,
also when should cambelt be done, on a t probsably overdue even if miles are low but this is why i need any service history.
also and lastly gears are very stiff from cold, first always difficult and reverse needs a hard push, could this be an oil change for the box or clutch or ?
Very nervous and grateful for any help!!!!!!!!!
cheers
I have a couple of BMWs so can offer some advice but there will be others along who can offer more:
Wobbling - if discs ae fine then t may well be the front / rear suspension bushes. An easy and cheap fix and well known on older BMWs.
Gearbox - mine can be a little hard when cold into first gear but fine when warm. I can live with it but changing the oil can improve matters.
Service History - BMW may be able to trace if it is Main Dealer. If not it is difficult unless the previous owner can help you out where it was serviced.
Cambelt - always worth doing now if you have no history. Waterpump and tensioners ar same time. Mine all have chain driven cams so no requirement to change.
Wobbling - if discs ae fine then t may well be the front / rear suspension bushes. An easy and cheap fix and well known on older BMWs.
Gearbox - mine can be a little hard when cold into first gear but fine when warm. I can live with it but changing the oil can improve matters.
Service History - BMW may be able to trace if it is Main Dealer. If not it is difficult unless the previous owner can help you out where it was serviced.
Cambelt - always worth doing now if you have no history. Waterpump and tensioners ar same time. Mine all have chain driven cams so no requirement to change.
E46 models are all chain drive so no cambelt to worry about.
Thermostat has probably broken the retaining lugs and stuck open.
Gears stiff is either a sticking clutch plate or warped clutch plate, either way it is gearbox out to check the clutch for wear and run out, if you are lucky you can clean the splines and put it back but that is really only a viable option if you are doing it yourself, if you have to pay you may as well put a new clutch kit in while the box is out.
Wobble under braking check the front TCA bushes and ball joints on the lower wishbones.
Thermostat has probably broken the retaining lugs and stuck open.
Gears stiff is either a sticking clutch plate or warped clutch plate, either way it is gearbox out to check the clutch for wear and run out, if you are lucky you can clean the splines and put it back but that is really only a viable option if you are doing it yourself, if you have to pay you may as well put a new clutch kit in while the box is out.
Wobble under braking check the front TCA bushes and ball joints on the lower wishbones.
Edited by fixedwheelnut on Thursday 31st December 00:34
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