E46 325i Post Purchase Update by Newbie

[Jeffry12]

Hi all. Further to my previous post (Newbie Potential E46 325i owner requesting urgent opinions on 6 May), I m happy to report that I have finally taken the plunge, having taken possession of the car about 2 weeks ago. What I may share here may be boring for all the sifus out there who have seen, done and heard it all, but out of respect to those who took the time and effort to respond to me and in order to share with potential first time owners, I am sharing my post-purchase experience here..1. After engine diagnostic and test drive by MSpeed Ah Meng (who was recommended by some sifus (LESSON 1: Get the car diagnosed by BMW specialist using proper BMW diagnostic tools), I decided to buy the car E46 325i (dealer) despite some shortcomings as had been described in my previous post above. While awaiting for the bank loan to be approved, I told the dealer to rectify some of the small faults found.2. Upon loan approval about 1 week later, I eagerly collected the car without doing a thorough check on it coz too excited I guess. However, upon reaching home, I found that apart from some small defects in interior (front pillar cloth cover detached, sliding cover for center console broken, rubber coating for center console peeled off), I also found that both side mirrors not working exactly after I reached home (left side cannot move at all, right driver's side only left and right even that erratic, rear door seal protruding when door closed, small crack in windscreen and fuel tank cover cannot close - when doors locked OK, right angel eye (doesnt look original) not functioning - with sensor indicator on in dashboard).(LESSON 2: Write down on a check list what to check for from reading forum and follow it BEFORE driving car home). I called Ah Meng for side mirrors problem as I considered it would be expensive to repair and he told me that I should ask dealer to repair as normally they will give 1 month warranty. (I never knew that you could get warranty for second hand car?? So I never asked for it.. apparently it is the practice now.. so LESSON 3: Ask for warranty and period and get it on paper). When I called dealer he surprisingly agreed to repair the defects for me...3. After the repairs for which the car was left with him for 2 days, I took back the car after checking everything was OK. However, after the drive home, I found that the side mirror problem recurred and rubber seal also protruding again, (which when I asked the dealer he said cannot repair... coz old car) and fuel cover flapping open again. Anyway, I did not want to go back to dealer coz it was apparent that they sent the car to normal workshop and not a BMW specialist guy. I think it is better that I did the repairs myself to ensure a lasting repair and so that no further damage would be imposed on the car. (LESSON 4: Always get a BMW specialist mechanic to carry out repair). So next step was to send the car for complete medical check up and service and to repair/replace defective items. But before this, I wanted to test drive the car long distance first to see if more defects / faults.4. Before long distance test drive, I changed all four tyres at MPS Auto (also recommended by sifus) SJ and asked for original sized tyres (225/45/17), cos fitted tyres were worn out and of 'funny' size (215/50/17). I fitted Michelin PS3 and carried out alignment, off and on wheel balancing. Manji (boss of MPS) showed me that the previous owner (or more probably the dealer) has installed the tyres wrongly (side which was clearly printed on the tyre to be outward was fitted to be facing inwards). Also he found the rims to be slightly bent but could be corrected easily. Noticed also quite new yellow coloured Bilstein absorbers. On completion, when I went home to check manual for tyre pressure, was shocked to find that original design specs for 325 E46 245/40/17 for Rear and 225/45/17 for Front (I changed 225/45/17 all around!). Puzzled cos 40 for Rear and 45 for Front - i.e. car will be 'tilted' backwards?? Also worried how it might affect handling... LESSON 5: Always read car manual (can download from web) first before buying... apart from knowing what are original specs, you will also learn of any specific functions the original car came with to help you when checking the car out before buying.5. Next, I went to install tint (Llumar Diamond 6 security tint on side and Llumar Gold on windscreen and back). So no opening of windows or demister for 2 weeks (Llumar's recommendation) to allow tint adhesive to cure properly. Then I went for test drive to Ipoh, Lumut and back to KL. 6. During test drive, no alarms or fault indicators came up. I only dared to drive up to 160 and briefly 170km/h coz dont know the condition of the car. Dont know to evaluate to BM sifus standard, but for me it was very good as it stuck to the road like a leech, very sure and steady feel and no floating feel even at 170 km/h. However, when going over even normal humps in town, it scraped something in the middle of the car coz car lowered! (maybe u might be puzzled how come I did not know, but I dont know much about how low original car supposed to be). So now I know why the previous tyres were 215/50, most probably needed the height (50) to counter the lowered car. Slight vibration felt in steering on Highway at low speeds but not significant and maybe due to worn gear/engine/shaft/arm bearings... Everything seemed to function including wipers auto speed function (it rained heavily on the way). Air cond very cold and lights very bright. Only funny to see that for 2005 model BMW still using cassette player??? One problem though, after leaving it overnight and cold starting the next morning, found significant amount of shudder for approx 1 min then all OK, but no warning lights.. read in forum that it was quite a common problem for 325? (LESSON 6: Read forums thoroughy for common problems) Anyway will check it out at workshop.6. Tomorrow I am going to workshop (MSpeed) for thorough check, service and fault rectification. I have made out a priority list based on the forum recommendation and also price list to prepare me for the amount I need to prepare. However, first thing I am going to change is certainly the lowered springs (and absorbers?) back to original specs. It is so irritating and certainly spoils your 'ultimate driving' experience when you have to cringe everytime going over a hump!!! LESSON 7: Be prepared to spend a CONSIDERABLE amount of money after your initial purchase to bring the car to a reasonable standard of reliability, especially cars more than 5 years old. Ok, guess that's all for my update and hope it is of some use to those of you who will be buying your UDM soon... and thanks once again to all those sifus who responded to my post and also to all those sifus out there who willingly spent their time and effort to share their knowledge and experience to help newbies like me.. Thanks once again, guys (and gals)!! Best of luck to all u potential UDM seekers.. (and to myself too - hope my experience will be a good and pleasant one..) Cheers!!!

 

[YK9]

Sorry to hear the things that you went through.....but once all these are rectified, you'll have no regrets...congrats on your new ride.

 

[Jeffry12]

Thanks YK9, I was quite prepared for it, thanks to having gone through all the threads (100++ pages of them!!). Anyway I like your "don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of the storm... " I try to be an optimist like you.. it makes life much more pleasant... thanks for ur wishes friend..

 

[gendong]

Congrats on your new ride bro. Looks like you have been listening to her very close, and may she be restored to the glory that a 325 was, will and always be...... i am sure you'll be rewarded handsomely

 

[saifuaw]

Congrats on acquiring BMW....on the mechanics you may also visit Albert Pang of WP Auto in pandan.

 

[Iceduke]

congrats on ur new ride...on the shuddering issue for cold starts...its apparently normal as the secondary air pump injects additional air to warm up the cat converter quickly (as told by one beemer specialist). For certain models (esp imported ones) the cars come with secondary air pump, some big round thingy next to the washer fluid container. Why CBU models mostly have it coz of ECE requirements by the authorities.

You should hear a small turbine like sound when it pumps air in, should stop after about a minute or so... hope this helps

 

[Jeffry12]

Thanks gendung, saifuaw and iceduke for your wishes. Much appreciated.

 

[BlackCat]

Firstly, congratulations on your new ride! May you enjoy her in good health.

Secondly, thank you for your post #1 above. I am sure it would be useful to those starting their path

Cold starts with these rides are usually as such. Once the engine and all other anciliaries are up to operating temp, she should purr like a Siamese cat!

One other thing that you should follow strictly is the oil change, inspection I and inspection II regime. Never stinge on oil change. She would serve you well for many years to come.

Do join us for our regular TTs and get to know more drivers of the UDM like yourself and pick up pointers. And I'm sure you'll enjoy the 'racun' sessions! If you find the sessions benificial and the atmosphere friendly, just give the Committee Members a shout about your membership into the Club!

Welcome to the world of JOY Jeffry.

 

[Jeffry12]

Thanks BlackCat for your wishes, advice and invitation to TT sessions. Will certainly make an effort to join once I have sorted out the car.