What would you do?

[Subway 5]

I have what it seems to be a lemon of an e46

Its currently in with Glenn at the moment, and from the error codes its reading as the gearbox has overheated

It still drives ok, but thats beside the point, it needs to be fixed/replaced.

Ray has quoted me $1500 installed for a second hand GM box fitted which is incredibly reasonable compared with the price ranges for a recondition i've heard. Can anyone recommend a gearbox specialist in Auckland that might be able to shed any more light on the condition of my gearbox? or do you think I should just go with the second hand swap?

However, at the same time, the cooling system needs to be overhauled as the radiator has a leak (I guess I could do that myself tbh from Euro Italian etc)

I've already replaced front shocks, 2x coil packs, 2 tyres, drive belts (general maintenance stuff to be fair), it just seems to be more of a money pit.

I really like the way it drove before everything went to crap, and considering the money i've spent so far, and the money ill have to spend to get it to a saleable condition, im tempted to keep it. I really doubt ill recoup much of what I paid in the state its in at the moment unless i flick it on to turners...

I should note its an 2002 e46 2.2L 320i Auto with the GM box and 125,000kms on it.

Edited October 24, 2012 by Subway

[arros 0]

I'd probably be tempted to keep it. Glenn's report will have some say in the matter- if he comes up with lotsa issues versus just a few things to fix.

Cooling system parts- I'm going to get half my cooling system parts replaced as preventative. 'Milland' on trademe in BMW parts section quoted me cheaper than Euro Italian by 10-20%

I spent about $1600 getting a 2000 Subaru's gremlins fixed- sold a few weeks back to buy me beamer. It was a good car when I bought it and is a great car when I sold it- still got an invoice of $700 to pay even though I've sold the car! If the beamer had not become available I would have kept the car to recoup some mileage

What are comparable E46's worth...

[Subway 5]

I'd probably be tempted to keep it. Glenn's report will have some say in the matter- if he comes up with lotsa issues versus just a few things to fix.

Cooling system parts- I'm going to get half my cooling system parts replaced as preventative. 'Milland' on trademe in BMW parts section quoted me cheaper than Euro Italian by 10-20%

I spent about $1600 getting a 2000 Subaru's gremlins fixed- sold a few weeks back to buy me beamer. It was a good car when I bought it and is a great car when I sold it- still got an invoice of $700 to pay even though I've sold the car! If the beamer had not become available I would have kept the car to recoup some mileage

What are comparable E46's worth...

Its gotten to the point where i've fixed much of its problems, the suspension is good, ive replaced most of the bushings/linkages, new shocks make it ride way better. The Cooling system has been a slow leak, but it really needs to be sorted regardless, and the gearbox hasnt helped.

I paid about $13k for it last year from a (now) dodgy car dealer, ive put 25k on it, and tbh, its been a good car considering the mileage. I doubt its worth 10k on a good day all fixed, but if I sold it as is, id lose a hell of alot more IMO

[Allanw 1071]

It's probably cheaper to repair it, than buy another car which is likely to require work at some point too.

I always find it strange when people choose to spend more buying a newer car, than it would cost to maintian the old one, and justify it using cost. (not saying that about you, it just happens though). Unless you are moving up to brand new, or close to it, you have a used car that WILL require maintainance/repairs. Maybe less of it, but it could still throw a transmission or similar.

At least you'll have a car you know.

People seem to be loath to spend money on old cars, because the car isn't worth the money spent on it. It's not the way it works though. If you maintain the old car properly, it can be kept longer before you need to "upgrade". Very rare that repairs and maintainance cost more than buying a newer car.

Dads E30 has cost about $8000 over the 14 years he's had it. I don't think for a minute that that $8K would been better spent on a newer car. He'd have spent the $8K to "upgrade" AND the same amount on repairs and maintainance, probably.

[cliffdunedin 8]

I guess the lesson to be learnt would be to get a pre-inspection whether it's from a car dealer or not, was the previous work you had done covered by warranty?

I'd hang on too it and like Alan said, older cars do need maintenance which all needs to be factored in when buying, at least when you do/have all the work done you have that peace of mind knowing it's done.

[Eagle 1661]

Manual conversion time

[Subway 5]

I guess the lesson to be learnt would be to get a pre-inspection whether it's from a car dealer or not, was the previous work you had done covered by warranty?

I'd hang on too it and like Alan said, older cars do need maintenance which all needs to be factored in when buying, at least when you do/have all the work done you have that peace of mind knowing it's done.

Lesson well and truely learnt

a. Don't take a WOF sheet and a Mechanical Warranty as indications of good condition

b. Don't accept a Jansens Mechanical Warranty full stop

Glenn and the Trans guy seem to think this could be electronic, but im not so sure.

Ill keep it updated

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2132]

Manual conversion time

i dont see any other logical solution

[Dyl 4]

^^ agreed.

[Subway 5]

Now im reading suggestions that a fluid and filter change may fix it, I promise im not jumping to conclusions Glenn, just thinking aloud!

[BMWTouring 20]

The issue will most likely be in the mechatronics. many trans overhaul shops will do the hardware but not touch the mechatronics, i'd either replace the trans or make sure whoever repairs it does it properly.

It sounds like you've had some common E46 issues, i wouldn't be discouraged.. once you sort all the niggles it will be a good car in the most part.

[Subway 5]

The issue will most likely be in the mechatronics. many trans overhaul shops will do the hardware but not touch the mechatronics, i'd either replace the trans or make sure whoever repairs it does it properly.

It sounds like you've had some common E46 issues, i wouldn't be discouraged.. once you sort all the niggles it will be a good car in the most part.

Im not certain it is mechantronics

Back in April it was shifting weirdly, took it in to Glenn who diagnosed it as a wheel speed sensor and trans temp sensor, both went away after the wheel speed sensor was replaced (was also throwing up ABS error codes)

All was fine until last weekend after a reasonably big hill in the coromandel and a full car, on the way down it was downshifting/upshifting weirdly (jerking while changing), soon after went into limp mode with the cog flashing.

Turned it off and on, limp mode went away. Later on that weekend it stalled while going from reverse to drive however, not sure how related.

Drove fine back to Auckland (manual shifting fine as well in particular), Glenn scanned it with 5 fault codes coming up suggesting the box had been overheated. Its currently with a Trans specialist to see what the diagnosis is.

[*Glenn* 854]

DME: No fault codes

ABS: No fault codes

EGS:

034 Oil temp sensor

048 Torque converter clutch, to much slip

056 nondescript (Symptom G L U E )- unsure of this

049 Symptom gear check

053 Gear check 3

[HELLBM 1552]

Trans replacement $1500

Can do either 5spd or M54B30 with 6 spd. conversions as another alternative.

[Subway 5]

Just got it back from Glenn and Bellars

Seem to think it was the gearbox loom, so that was replaced, with a fluid and filter change and the adaptions cleared, seems to be running way better now, although the fuel efficiency meter isnt as responsive anymore...