Hi Gentlemen,
I did introduce myself earlier, so its time for some history on my first BMW.![Rollsmile]( "Rollsmile")
I've been looking for a 'run around' for my wife for some time and since she does a max of 30km a day i was in no way going to get a new car and pay a monthly installment for it.
After some searching i fell in love with this 2003 E46 318i auto with 177000km with service history till 120 000km with BMW.![Inlove]( "Inlove")
Just seeing this car brought back memories our the E46's that my dad owned during my teenge years and the amount of roadtrip and family outings we did with those cars.
Knowing that car needed some work as the airbag lights, DSC lights and skid control lights were on, the car didnt have brakes ,an oil leak and the oil and water were mixing , a small dent on the rear fender. saggin hoodlining, and paintwork on the bumpers that was flaking and faded. AND A GOOD AUTO VALET
With my limited knowledge i enlisted the help of a 'reputable' BMW mechanic in Durban central for advise and estimate cost. His answer, 'this is nothing, for R 20 k this car will be back to tip top shape again, and he will service the car and do a desludge and boy was i in for a nasty surprise.
The rest of the cosmetic repairs i undertook myself.
Its not good to diss someone else at the same time dont take someone for a ride and think that all will be good.
Delivered the car to the 'mechanic' and being promised that will ready in a week. (After accepting his quotation)
So 2 weeks later my car is ready and i pick up. All is good and then problems start. The wheels start locking if the pedal is pressed hard (, there was a nasty oil burning smell coming from the engine bay (the vacuum pump was still leaking).![Thumbdown]( "Thumbdown")
Car was sent back and the vacuum pump was repaired again and the DSC control unit was replaced. (under warranty). The fault that was causing the wheels to lock could not be found. Eventually a faulty brake booster was found on the left rear wheel.
500kms and a month later that burning smell smell (vacuum pump) and the car started missfiring. There was no way i taking it back so i decided to park the car off for a month.
After surfing the internet i found this informative website/forum![Inlove]( "Inlove")
I browsed and found all that i needed to know abt the BMW and the N42 engine and problems associated with it not forgetting about the lack of good honest service providers in Durban.
In comes a techniciam from BMW whose an aquaintance of a family member, and he promises that he can help with this car. I was scared![Blah]( "Blah")
(He lived up to his word)
He first did a complete service and this car was already a different car.
He also found the vacuum pump leaking again, sump gasket leaking, timing chain loose.
After we agreed on a price i sent the car back in order to recitfy these faults.
After removing the vacuum pump and tappet cover. i was called to inspect. I had passed the anger stage and just laughed. The vacuum pump had never been repaired (previously), the engine was full of sludge. Coolant pipes were on the verge of 'busting', after the oil cooler and gearbox cooler were changed by the previous BMW Mechanic, an ordinary black hose was connected using hose clamps![Nono]( "Nono")
Long story short the car is sorted and going like a dream exept for some oversteer at the front which im living with.
Before the guys kill me,![Sorry]( "Sorry")
but i didn take pictures.
Some advise please, after recitfying these faults how reliable is the car and is there any other preventative maintenaice that i must do. The last thing i want is this car to breakdown with my wife and 5 month old stuck on the side of the road.![Cry]( "Cry")
Thank you guys for an excellent site thats helps out the less informed guys like me out.![Ty]( "Ty")
I did introduce myself earlier, so its time for some history on my first BMW.
I've been looking for a 'run around' for my wife for some time and since she does a max of 30km a day i was in no way going to get a new car and pay a monthly installment for it.
After some searching i fell in love with this 2003 E46 318i auto with 177000km with service history till 120 000km with BMW.
Just seeing this car brought back memories our the E46's that my dad owned during my teenge years and the amount of roadtrip and family outings we did with those cars.
Knowing that car needed some work as the airbag lights, DSC lights and skid control lights were on, the car didnt have brakes ,an oil leak and the oil and water were mixing , a small dent on the rear fender. saggin hoodlining, and paintwork on the bumpers that was flaking and faded. AND A GOOD AUTO VALET
With my limited knowledge i enlisted the help of a 'reputable' BMW mechanic in Durban central for advise and estimate cost. His answer, 'this is nothing, for R 20 k this car will be back to tip top shape again, and he will service the car and do a desludge and boy was i in for a nasty surprise.
The rest of the cosmetic repairs i undertook myself.
Its not good to diss someone else at the same time dont take someone for a ride and think that all will be good.
Delivered the car to the 'mechanic' and being promised that will ready in a week. (After accepting his quotation)
So 2 weeks later my car is ready and i pick up. All is good and then problems start. The wheels start locking if the pedal is pressed hard (, there was a nasty oil burning smell coming from the engine bay (the vacuum pump was still leaking).
Car was sent back and the vacuum pump was repaired again and the DSC control unit was replaced. (under warranty). The fault that was causing the wheels to lock could not be found. Eventually a faulty brake booster was found on the left rear wheel.
500kms and a month later that burning smell smell (vacuum pump) and the car started missfiring. There was no way i taking it back so i decided to park the car off for a month.
After surfing the internet i found this informative website/forum
I browsed and found all that i needed to know abt the BMW and the N42 engine and problems associated with it not forgetting about the lack of good honest service providers in Durban.
In comes a techniciam from BMW whose an aquaintance of a family member, and he promises that he can help with this car. I was scared
(He lived up to his word)He first did a complete service and this car was already a different car.
He also found the vacuum pump leaking again, sump gasket leaking, timing chain loose.
After we agreed on a price i sent the car back in order to recitfy these faults.
After removing the vacuum pump and tappet cover. i was called to inspect. I had passed the anger stage and just laughed. The vacuum pump had never been repaired (previously), the engine was full of sludge. Coolant pipes were on the verge of 'busting', after the oil cooler and gearbox cooler were changed by the previous BMW Mechanic, an ordinary black hose was connected using hose clamps
Long story short the car is sorted and going like a dream exept for some oversteer at the front which im living with.
Before the guys kill me,
but i didn take pictures.Some advise please, after recitfying these faults how reliable is the car and is there any other preventative maintenaice that i must do. The last thing i want is this car to breakdown with my wife and 5 month old stuck on the side of the road.
Thank you guys for an excellent site thats helps out the less informed guys like me out.
