Discussion
Bought a 2015 2.0i BMW Z4 at auction yesterday, everything looked good, bodywork was very clean, roof worked, engine sounded good, no smoke etc etc.
Had a couple of bids but I ended up winning it provisionally. One phone call later and it was mine at £2,000 under the estimate.
Picked it up today, driving home the engine started to misfire after about 1 and a half miles then almost immediately cut out. No noise, no drama, it just stopped working. I managed to get into a layby and tried restarting it but nothing, it would just click and lights would come and go on the dash. I got a battery starter pack onto it but still nothing.
Rang my brother who was great and came straight out to tow me home. When we got into my street I tried bump starting it and the back wheels locked up. Bugger...
Took it to my local mechanic who confirmed the engine is seized but no obvious signs as yet, he'll be taking it apart tomorrow though to see what's going on. My first experience of buying from an auction isn't a great one right now.
The battery is shot, it couldn't even keep the hazards on on the journey to the garage so I've got a new one and hope that might work as they do suffer all sorts of issues if the battery is pants but that wouldn't really explain the seizure, or would it? (Hoping...)
Had a couple of bids but I ended up winning it provisionally. One phone call later and it was mine at £2,000 under the estimate.
Picked it up today, driving home the engine started to misfire after about 1 and a half miles then almost immediately cut out. No noise, no drama, it just stopped working. I managed to get into a layby and tried restarting it but nothing, it would just click and lights would come and go on the dash. I got a battery starter pack onto it but still nothing.
Rang my brother who was great and came straight out to tow me home. When we got into my street I tried bump starting it and the back wheels locked up. Bugger...
Took it to my local mechanic who confirmed the engine is seized but no obvious signs as yet, he'll be taking it apart tomorrow though to see what's going on. My first experience of buying from an auction isn't a great one right now.
The battery is shot, it couldn't even keep the hazards on on the journey to the garage so I've got a new one and hope that might work as they do suffer all sorts of issues if the battery is pants but that wouldn't really explain the seizure, or would it? (Hoping...)
croyde said:
Hopefully just the battery. Many cars and bikes I've owned get very unhappy if the battery is getting on.
Always think it's ridiculous that many new cars need trickle chargers if you want them to be dependable.
Hopefully, the battery was rubbish so it definitely needed cha ging but Im scratching my head as to why the engine locked up. I guess I'll know more tomorrow so will update when I hear back from the garageAlways think it's ridiculous that many new cars need trickle chargers if you want them to be dependable.
This sounds really crappy; sorry to be reading this...
Never dealt with anything like this; so don't know the why's and wherefores etc; but do CoPart get treated like a dealer, in a sense of being able to reject the car for a full refund etc?
And in layman's perspective; I cannot see how a duff battery would lock up an engine (unless it's an auto and that has something to do with it, maybe)?
Never dealt with anything like this; so don't know the why's and wherefores etc; but do CoPart get treated like a dealer, in a sense of being able to reject the car for a full refund etc?
And in layman's perspective; I cannot see how a duff battery would lock up an engine (unless it's an auto and that has something to do with it, maybe)?
I was going to ask if it's an automatic.
AI says:
A bad battery in a BMW will not physically lock up (seize) the engine, but it can make it appear locked up by causing a no-start condition with a single click, or a slow crank. The engine itself, however, remains physically capable of turning unless there is a mechanical failure, such as a broken timing chain or lack of oil.
AI says:
A bad battery in a BMW will not physically lock up (seize) the engine, but it can make it appear locked up by causing a no-start condition with a single click, or a slow crank. The engine itself, however, remains physically capable of turning unless there is a mechanical failure, such as a broken timing chain or lack of oil.
vw_99 said:
Seized alternator maybe?
Had this on 3 cars not bmws. But all 3 cars would not crank and appeared seized engine wise until alt belt was removed.
That's my hope, I popped down to the garage this morning to check progress and unfortunately he hasn't been able to get it onto a ramp but I took the pil filler cap off and the chain is still there, sat nicely and taught so hoping that its not the chain that's let gp.Had this on 3 cars not bmws. But all 3 cars would not crank and appeared seized engine wise until alt belt was removed.
More updates as and when but thanks for the interest and concern 🤞👍🙌
Hope all goes well with getting it fixed.
I've owned two cars from auctions A Volvo S70 that I bought from a mate who had bought it from auction, had that a couple of years, and a LR Defender that I bought from the auction and had for 15yrs. No problems with either, but then I did know the cars prior to them ending up in the auction house. Not sure Id be confident buying blind from an auction.
I've owned two cars from auctions A Volvo S70 that I bought from a mate who had bought it from auction, had that a couple of years, and a LR Defender that I bought from the auction and had for 15yrs. No problems with either, but then I did know the cars prior to them ending up in the auction house. Not sure Id be confident buying blind from an auction.
Well I had some bad news regarding the engine, it was seized as suspected. The garage managed to get hold of another engine which, remarkably, had even fewer miles than mine so that was a result. They said that when they drained the oil prior to taking the original engine out, the oil was cream in colour, indicating a lot of water in there which is odd as I looked inside the filler cap prior to the auction and it looked fine so no idea what went on inside. I told them not to waste any time investigating it further, it wouldn't change anything and just crack on with fitting the replacement engine.
Had the car back yesterday and it's running really well so time to put it behind me.
Had the car back yesterday and it's running really well so time to put it behind me.
The BMW N20 engine (2011 2017) is primarily known for premature timing chain guide failure, which can cause catastrophic engine damage, especially in models before 2015. Other common issues include oil leaks from the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets, electric water pump failures, and plastic charge pipe cracking.
I know this form experience. My 320i seized at 32,000 miles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N20
I know this form experience. My 320i seized at 32,000 miles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N20
Edited by Opel-GT on Wednesday 18th February 20:58
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