Discussion
As a thank you for the recent attention I've given it, the Alpina has communicated with me in dash lights. A little yellow one that means "a pile of lambda codes" has popped up.
I replaced the pre cat ones with Bosch about 3 years and 9k miles ago. They supposedly have a 160k life, so I'm wondering if something was disturbed while it was being worked on. The correct pre cat lambdas are part number 0258005177, 990mm in length. They're only £120 for a pair but I don't like replacing them without knowing what's happened. So it's back to ETA later this week for diagnostics.
Engine / Motor:
- Fault: Lambda control bank 1 control block
- Code: 0000CA
- Fault: Lambda control bank 2 control block
- Code: 0000CB
- Fault: Lambda probe signal before Kat Bank 2 min value less than threshold
- Code: 00009A
- Fault: Lambda-probe signal from a shore-Kat-min-value smaller than threshold
- Code: 000097
Back at its second home- Wheelpower- as it needed an alignment again following the subtle suspension lift achieved with the BMW front rough road shims and rear spring pads (necessary since the slight lowering as a result of Eibach springs and some arch contact).
We went for a touch extra negative camber at the front, just beyond the factory spec, but nothing silly. That's the only "red" number on the final set up.
Having a poke around underneath, i spotted some weeping from the transmission sump. Will get that checked, and I may as well do a service on it as it's been 4-5 years and a huge 16,000 miles- and I live in fear of the gearbox melting.
I replaced the pre cat ones with Bosch about 3 years and 9k miles ago. They supposedly have a 160k life, so I'm wondering if something was disturbed while it was being worked on. The correct pre cat lambdas are part number 0258005177, 990mm in length. They're only £120 for a pair but I don't like replacing them without knowing what's happened. So it's back to ETA later this week for diagnostics.
Engine / Motor:
- Fault: Lambda control bank 1 control block
- Code: 0000CA
- Fault: Lambda control bank 2 control block
- Code: 0000CB
- Fault: Lambda probe signal before Kat Bank 2 min value less than threshold
- Code: 00009A
- Fault: Lambda-probe signal from a shore-Kat-min-value smaller than threshold
- Code: 000097
Back at its second home- Wheelpower- as it needed an alignment again following the subtle suspension lift achieved with the BMW front rough road shims and rear spring pads (necessary since the slight lowering as a result of Eibach springs and some arch contact).
We went for a touch extra negative camber at the front, just beyond the factory spec, but nothing silly. That's the only "red" number on the final set up.
Having a poke around underneath, i spotted some weeping from the transmission sump. Will get that checked, and I may as well do a service on it as it's been 4-5 years and a huge 16,000 miles- and I live in fear of the gearbox melting.
If the autobox leak is minor I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s the ZF box I think? 5HP19, I serviced one when I owned a car with one once. Did the entire job by the book, gen BMW parts, new bolts torqued correctly etc, still had the smallest weep 6 months later.
The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
Edited by helix402 on Monday 5th March 22:39
helix402 said:
If the autobox leak is minor I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s the ZF box I think? 5HP19, I serviced one when I owned a car with one once. Did the entire job by the book, gen BMW parts, new bolts torqued correctly etc, still had the smallest weep 6 months later.
The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
Hi Helix, thanks as always, it's good to have your inputs!The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
Edited by helix402 on Monday 5th March 22:39
In fact, in the Alpina community, we've had lots of problems with the ZF5HP19. Despite having updated Alpina parts, they often only last 80k miles before needing a torque converter, mine broke its flexplate and had a TC at 90k miles. They are a when not if item on the B3. I believe Alpina had to update some of the parts as the torque is right at the design limit of the standard box.
Anyway, MOT day today, have had the car for 5 years which was definitely not the plan! It's failed on emissions due to the lambda sensors (see my post from a couple of weeks ago) and they are being changed tomorrow morning.
While I was there, one of the owners of the MOT place showed me the 2000 325Ci he's just picked up from a customer- 45k miles, South African car with no rust, messy inside but a nice manual silver early E46. I though it looked great- ambers and everything. He's looking to sell it as he's got a Camaro, Corvette and a Sapphire Cosworth plus an assortment of bikes. Nice car though, the paint was pretty fresh- I can't imagine it's been left out in the African sun very much.
Come on, Alpina, let's have you back on the road tomorrow my old friend.
helix402 said:
If the autobox leak is minor I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s the ZF box I think? 5HP19, I serviced one when I owned a car with one once. Did the entire job by the book, gen BMW parts, new bolts torqued correctly etc, still had the smallest weep 6 months later.
The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
Hi Helix, thanks as always, it's good to have your inputs!The ZF boxes are quite reliable, even the “dreaded” GM boxes in the diesels are too. I had one which last 220k, only had one oil&filter change.
The lambda codes could be due to an air leak from split/perished vacuum hoses or inlet pipes rather than the sensors themselves.
Edited by helix402 on Monday 5th March 22:39
In fact, in the Alpina community, we've had lots of problems with the ZF5HP19. Despite having updated Alpina parts, they often only last 80k miles before needing a torque converter, mine broke its flexplate and had a TC at 90k miles. They are a when not if item on the B3. I believe Alpina had to update some of the parts as the torque is right at the design limit of the standard box.
Anyway, MOT day today, have had the car for 5 years which was definitely not the plan! It's failed on emissions due to the lambda sensors (see my post from a couple of weeks ago) and they are being changed tomorrow morning.
While I was there, one of the owners of the MOT place showed me the 2000 325Ci he's just picked up from a customer- 45k miles, South African car with no rust, messy inside but a nice manual silver early E46. I though it looked great- ambers and everything. He's looking to sell it as he's got a Camaro, Corvette and a Sapphire Cosworth plus an assortment of bikes. Nice car though, the paint was pretty fresh- I can't imagine it's been left out in the African sun very much.
Come on, Alpina, let's have you back on the road tomorrow my old friend.
Edited by Polynesian on Friday 23 March 13:49
The hallowed MOT pass with no advisories. Another year of road legal tinkery and parts replacement beckons. Hallelujah.
MOT man is keeping the 325Ci for the foreseeable and spending a bit on it so it's spot on. Pic of his Camaro to celebrate, and a freshly cleaned Alpina classic and caliper.
MOT man is keeping the 325Ci for the foreseeable and spending a bit on it so it's spot on. Pic of his Camaro to celebrate, and a freshly cleaned Alpina classic and caliper.
I'm preparing myself for another assault on Alpina's imperfectness, and have been using it in the last couple of weeks rather than replacing things. Well, except for two Michelin PS4s at the rear end. I've not replaced tyres for being worn out in a decade I think, it's always a puncture.
Anyway, I enjoyed the calm of the Alpina cabin on the way to see my dad for his 80th, and tried out his Volvo S60- no surprises, lovely seats and stereo and I was glad he'd swapped from an MGF to it! On the way up to him, I had a new immersive theatre experience on what was once the M25. You had to dodge incredibly deep craters from some sort of computer game, desperately trying to preserve your wheels, dampers and monocoque. An amazing experience but quite it involved a lot of darting, erratic manoeuvres and it left me wondering where the motorway had got to. Does anyone know?
And on the way home, Alpina soaking up the queues, I followed a strange thing. A Fiesta with a manically Vibrating wheel and suspension assembly. It looked to be violently vibrating perhaps 2 or more times a second, and left me wondering what could have caused it. This wasn't a poorly balanced wheel. It was more like a poorly balanced car. Hammering up and down- off the road surface and, whallop! Back down! Or perhaps it had simply come from the M25. What could cause the entire rear suspension on one side to vibrate so excitedly?
Thankfully, the Koni FSDs didn't catch whatever the Fiesta had.
Anyway, I enjoyed the calm of the Alpina cabin on the way to see my dad for his 80th, and tried out his Volvo S60- no surprises, lovely seats and stereo and I was glad he'd swapped from an MGF to it! On the way up to him, I had a new immersive theatre experience on what was once the M25. You had to dodge incredibly deep craters from some sort of computer game, desperately trying to preserve your wheels, dampers and monocoque. An amazing experience but quite it involved a lot of darting, erratic manoeuvres and it left me wondering where the motorway had got to. Does anyone know?
And on the way home, Alpina soaking up the queues, I followed a strange thing. A Fiesta with a manically Vibrating wheel and suspension assembly. It looked to be violently vibrating perhaps 2 or more times a second, and left me wondering what could have caused it. This wasn't a poorly balanced wheel. It was more like a poorly balanced car. Hammering up and down- off the road surface and, whallop! Back down! Or perhaps it had simply come from the M25. What could cause the entire rear suspension on one side to vibrate so excitedly?
Thankfully, the Koni FSDs didn't catch whatever the Fiesta had.
Edited by Polynesian on Thursday 3rd May 21:05
Fiesta sounds like a failed damper. In my youth I foolishly lowered my Alfasud with cheap springs (supposed to be -35mm, actually-50!) and standard dampers. Unsurprisingly the rear dampers failed massively shortly afterwards returning from Pembrey.
My friend in the racing car carrying lorry behind observed the rear wheels leaving the ground over bumps! Rather lovely yellow Konis were fitted rapidly.
My friend in the racing car carrying lorry behind observed the rear wheels leaving the ground over bumps! Rather lovely yellow Konis were fitted rapidly.
What's been going on with the Alpina? Well, I replaced a pair of Michelin's due to a puncture, so after 100 miles on the new PS4s, I have a puncture 😡.
So while ETA are investigating the return of the drivetrain vibration, the tyre guys on the same estate are taking a look at whether its repairable, and Chapell bodywork are quoting to make the worst of the paint into the best- that's a repaired and painted front bumper and spoiler and the rear spoiler finally to go back on.
There are some other pressing jobs to attend to. I've had enough of the red warning on the dash for the rear lights- one of the wires into the bootlid has broken and I've had the proper repair kit for months but not got around to it. The yellow brake sensor light is on- 2 sensor cables and it won't extinguish. I've tried the key in pos 2, door open, closed. Doing it at midnight etc.
And the f
king door seals. My god BMW should be ashamed of themselves for that one. Droopy awful seals that now have melted arborseal (a good fix for 3 years) that's attacked my headlining. They really do need doing as they are disgusting! I felt embarrassed to leave it with ETA, parked next to a shiny carbon black M3. The Alpina was sulking, even it is embarrassed by its door seals.
Pictures to show how carefully I threaded the expensive Brembo to BMW brake sensor cable before finding it hadn't reset the light, and my detailing prowess on the colourful bits
So while ETA are investigating the return of the drivetrain vibration, the tyre guys on the same estate are taking a look at whether its repairable, and Chapell bodywork are quoting to make the worst of the paint into the best- that's a repaired and painted front bumper and spoiler and the rear spoiler finally to go back on.
There are some other pressing jobs to attend to. I've had enough of the red warning on the dash for the rear lights- one of the wires into the bootlid has broken and I've had the proper repair kit for months but not got around to it. The yellow brake sensor light is on- 2 sensor cables and it won't extinguish. I've tried the key in pos 2, door open, closed. Doing it at midnight etc.
And the f
king door seals. My god BMW should be ashamed of themselves for that one. Droopy awful seals that now have melted arborseal (a good fix for 3 years) that's attacked my headlining. They really do need doing as they are disgusting! I felt embarrassed to leave it with ETA, parked next to a shiny carbon black M3. The Alpina was sulking, even it is embarrassed by its door seals.Pictures to show how carefully I threaded the expensive Brembo to BMW brake sensor cable before finding it hadn't reset the light, and my detailing prowess on the colourful bits
Ray Singh said:
Any updates on this? I loved reading about your car.
I just bought number 032 B3 3.3 saloon.
Just enjoying the car at the moment - but i do have the constant worry of big bills.
Congratulations Ray, I hope you have fun with 32 and no big bills. Though that's a bit like saying I hope you don't use it, and I don't mean that. I seem to have had all of the E46 issues and a few more, but I am slowly working through them and I am persistent. Get a reader's cars thread up about your Alpina please!I just bought number 032 B3 3.3 saloon.
Just enjoying the car at the moment - but i do have the constant worry of big bills.
shalmaneser said:
Saw this car parked up in Dulwich a couple of months ago, looking very smart.
Thanks for that. You must have been a few metres away from it. Any closer and you can see all sorts of work to do. But as of today, the embarrassing droopy door seal is not one of them.I've mentioned before that I had some success with arboseal about 3-4 years ago, a very sticky black roll of tar stuff that did hold the door seal for a few years. But this year it's been ridiculous, the while damn thing dropping down, getting arboseal on the champagne leather and generally looking shagged. A new seal is now at least £343 PER SIDE, and I very nearly caved and bought them. But a few weeks back I found a 2005 driver's side seal for £50 and I've been putting off fitting it as it was bound to be the usual nightmare that shows up my lack of vehicular talent and attracts every neighbour at the half way point in the job just as my spare time runs out.
Today I had the pleasure of peeling the s
tty 18 year old failed seal and arboseal out. I started by disconnecting the battery, nothing blew up. I peeled off the seal and didn't get arboseal on the seats. I cut the wire attaching the seal to the A pillar airbag and it didn't go off. I then removed the A pillar cover, didn't break it and did have the right torx bit for the three (surprisingly long) screws. Think it was a T15. Unplugged the wire from its connection- and didn't break the BMW connector as I usually do.I don't want to brag but I've even fitted the new seal, plugged it into the airbag wiring, tucked it all properly in position and reconnected the battery. Mad that I let that job hang around for so long. And then, with no airbag warning lights, I started the car to run the pump that filled my flat tyre. The one that's done about 1000 miles and was new this year and repaired for the usual screw through the middle just a few weeks ago. Hopefully the new valve I have coming will fix it- I noticed the current one sticking on one of my refilling adventures (struggle to get key cover off of wheel centre, open wheel centre, unscrew valve cap, fart around with electric tyre pump then mess around putting the wheel back together- the Alpina wheel centres are smart but a proper faff and dirty mess to work with).
At least it had a very exciting run to Wales this year. We went over for the dragon ride (cycling thing not a rollercoaster) and it transported 3 of us in comfort and at some pace while the bikes went in our friend's van. It can still accelerate nicely, although a hot hatch has more power and maybe even more mid range acceleration now. Sadly I didn't get to thrash it around the evo triangle or anything. Too much time on the bike instead, but that meant it was the perfect car to come home in the next morning.
And to come back to today, some ugly pictures of the ugly and now banished door seal.
The Pistonheads E46 Coupe. Door seals matter.
RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Having checked, it does (or could when new) 0-100mph in 13.6, the same as an N52 engined 130i. And an Audi S3 and Mazda MPS.
At which point a Chiron is doing 190mph
I did get a 0-130mph time in it but I can't recall it now.
...and the chrion will have proper door seals At which point a Chiron is doing 190mph
I did get a 0-130mph time in it but I can't recall it now.
Love these alpinas!
Alpina is (virtually) fighting fit now. With the new door seal making entering the car easier than getting into an Elise with the roof on, only the insane hammering of the drivetrain vibration remained on my priority hit list.
The giubo (Giunto Boschi after the engineer Antonio Boschi) and centre bearing support were both changed for BMW parts earlier this year by a specialist and yet they didn’t solve the awful vibration. Then my local garage took it in (again) and identified that it was the CV joint at the rear of the prop shaft that was utterly and completely shagged.
This is supplied by our Bavarian friends as an assembly - complete with new prop shaft. Keen to avoid bending over too far again, the garage found a place in Wales that supplies CV joints and they had it on site in 3 days from Germany, probably from a chap in a shed who supplies BMW for their prop assemblies?
The car is transformed, driving properly for the first time in too long. They also confirmed that the slow leak on my recent Michelin rear tyre isn’t the tyre, but the valve. That valve cost £32, but mainly because I had the first one sent to the wrong address and it disappeared- Alpina wheel valves are a bargain at £16. At least it was the updated part sent with a little rubber o-ring, so hopefully that is fixed too.
^that’s a wheel valve not a Giubo or CV joint :-)
The giubo (Giunto Boschi after the engineer Antonio Boschi) and centre bearing support were both changed for BMW parts earlier this year by a specialist and yet they didn’t solve the awful vibration. Then my local garage took it in (again) and identified that it was the CV joint at the rear of the prop shaft that was utterly and completely shagged.
This is supplied by our Bavarian friends as an assembly - complete with new prop shaft. Keen to avoid bending over too far again, the garage found a place in Wales that supplies CV joints and they had it on site in 3 days from Germany, probably from a chap in a shed who supplies BMW for their prop assemblies?
The car is transformed, driving properly for the first time in too long. They also confirmed that the slow leak on my recent Michelin rear tyre isn’t the tyre, but the valve. That valve cost £32, but mainly because I had the first one sent to the wrong address and it disappeared- Alpina wheel valves are a bargain at £16. At least it was the updated part sent with a little rubber o-ring, so hopefully that is fixed too.
^that’s a wheel valve not a Giubo or CV joint :-)
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 19th October 16:45
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