Putting some (s) miles on it: BMW E46 330CI Thread.

[EspenO]

7 minutes ago, Steve79 said:

TBH it wants the box ripping out and skipped and replaced with a 6-speed manual. 

This is the answer. Valid for any BMW auto, working or not.

[Spiny Norman]

Bad speed or selector sensor or voltage issue? Can't believe an autobox that had been working fine would suddenly shit itself.
Hope you get it sorted.

[Split_Pin]

Provisionally sold to a local breaker/fixer- upper.

If anyone wants to contact me going forward I'm on Instagram as Split_Pinz.

[Agila]

You've had some pretty terrible luck recently.

I don't want to comment on the issues but your threads have been excellent and an enjoyable read.

All the best and I hope your luck changes asap.

[dome]

@Split_Pin I'm off on holiday tomorrow so my diagnostic gear will be doing nothing, you're welcome to a shot of it while I'm away?

[RichardK]

These are tricky to check the fluid level on aren't they? 

I would have taken this on, I wanted a 330Ci

First rule of modern autoboxes is check the state of charge of the battery and condition of wiring to box and ECU.

Sad that it's been frustrating, I hate having cars like that, but there's always a good one in the mix to make up for it eventually

[NorthernMonkey]

I’m so sorry to see this turn out this way.

When I took it on, I was fully prepared to stick another box in it as there’s plenty around for under £300 and they’re simple to fit but when I collected it there was no trip computer, speedo, ABS, nothing.

Despite all this, I drove it up from Bristol to Lancashire with no issues whereupon I found both rear driveshaft ABS rings to be split. Once these were all replaced and new sensors fitted, it performed faultlessly…everything returned to working order (apart from the crap android head unit) and I put a few thousand miles on driving up to Scotland several times as well as Essex and the Cotswolds during which time it never once had a single issue.

With this in mind, I was convinced the previous reported issue was related to the speed sensor signal from the driveshafts!

I don’t know if it’s too late now @Split_Pin, but if you wanted to get another box, I’d be more than happy to put the car up on my ramp and fit it for you? I know it’d mean bringing the car down to Lancashire but if it means it can live on, it’d be worth it as it’s in really decent condition underneath?

[Back_For_More]

I'll also voice a hang on for a second.... Calm a bit and breathe. A box can be swapped out and when these work they're awesome.... 

I have a manual CI and I just love it. My boy so much I have to keep it as his 1st car (he's 14 now) 

I'd vote for a manual swap tbh. Iirc 6speed from the 1series diesel is the preferred choice but memory may be playing tricks on that detail. 

[Split_Pin]

Many thanks for the kind offers.

There is however now an embargo in force at my house so its the end of the Scot-owned Premium Cars Doing German Things in Falkirk Saga.

So apparently I'm now looking for a Focus or an Astra.

[MrGTI6]

5 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Provisionally sold to a local breaker/fixer- upper.

If anyone wants to contact me going forward I'm on Instagram as Split_Pinz.

If it's not too late to accept @NorthernMonkey's generous offer, I'd like to chuck a tenner towards a replacement gearbox.

This deserves to live on and you deserve to get some enjoyment out of it. 

It sounds like you've been very unfortunate with this one. Hopefully a bit of time away from cars will help clear your head.

Genuinely hope to see you back here soon. ❤️

[Rust Collector]

I’ll gladly chuck a tenner into the gearbox fund too, should it go that way.

@Split_Pin sorry to see the grief you’re having lately mate. I don’t comment on your threads enough, but your persistence on working through the adversity* that some of your cars present is one of the things that keeps me plodding along with my assortment of shite when really I feel like closing the curtains and hiding indoors 🤣

Definitely take a break if you need to, I’ll miss your content though. I’m having some time off from my cars too after the latest debacle with the XM, as it marked the end of a long stint of not much enjoyment compared to the money, time and effort being put in; so I know where you’re coming from. I’m now just enjoying running the world’s shittest but somehow still working diesel Clio, and have been spending time with my kids and partner instead. I expect once they annoy me enough, I’ll want to go back outside and play with the cars 🤣 I hope it turns around for you too mate.

[IronStar]

I’ll also gladly throw in a tenner towards a gearbox if it’s not too late.

I’m sorry that you had a string of rotten luck with cars lately. I can also echo the above sentiment of you persisting and winning the challenges your cars have been throwing at you has been a huge motivator not to set any of mine on fire or just throw a spanner through windshield in frustration.

We all love cars, but when they’re dishing out pain in succession it’s easy to get burned out. Take a break if you need to, no point starting to hate what you love.

I really hope to see you back here soon!

[cort16]

Ah man what a nightmare.  I've said to my Mrs if either her Panda or my new Mini doesn't work out in the next 6 weeks we're leasing a brand new Citroen C3 for £200 a month.

Sometime you need a break from car problems. 

[SiC]

4 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

So apparently I'm now looking for a Focus or an Astra.

Civic mk9 1.8 n/a should be new enough to not be rusty up in Scotland and they're simple while being bulletproof. Said this before but there is a good reason why my wife drives one and she loves it because it's easy to drive and utterly solidly reliable. 

Just have a good look around and find a looked after one. Ideally dealer history. Honda demographic often does when they're newer (under 10yrs old).

[bangernomics]

Many thanks for the kind offers.
There is however now an embargo in force at my house so its the end of the Scot-owned Premium Cars Doing German Things in Falkirk Saga.
So apparently I'm now looking for a Focus or an Astra.

Like for sympathy dude. Hope the embargo is self imposed otherwise we can come and bust you out of there in a mk2 transit in orange with a white roof.

[BorniteIdentity]

21 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Many thanks for the kind offers.

There is however now an embargo in force at my house so its the end of the Scot-owned Premium Cars Doing German Things in Falkirk Saga.

So apparently I'm now looking for a Focus or an Astra.

Hey bud.  I can totally sympathise and empathise - I have a swollen fleet at the moment and I've got five out of five cars needing work as of this morning.  I'm lucky that I can just drive them to (different) garages and say "Pls u fix" but it's still a burden I never experienced whilst I owned two Toyotas.

Sometimes a clear-out isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Often, the more objective view of a spouse can be helpful in restoring balance to the mind.

Keep smiling. 

[Supernaut]

I can sympathise.

I chucked a pretty decent Clio RSi last year because of a faulty hazard switch! It was just the final straw with that car.

I still see it popping up in Tickman's thread and go "hnnnnngh, no. Wee bastard can stay down in Dundee!"

 

Sometimes you've just got to sack it off and get something less stressful / more 'normal'. My Megane DCi seems to be fine so far (touch wood).

[Split_Pin]

Thanks for the kind words.

The breaker had offered to sell me a known good auto box for £350 so I had asked them for some time to ring around and see if anyone was interested.

As kind of expected round my way, nobody is in the least bit interested.

- local garage, won't touch it

- B&M BMW specialist in Glasgow, no reply

- I even contacted the chap who fitted several autoboxes to my 75 (before a working one was found)  but I got no reply

- I contacted Mackie Transmissions in Glasgow but they were pretty snooty and only wanted to overhaul the existing box. They couldn't give me a price but I'm looking at around £2500 including VAT so that's out of the question.

So it looks like the breaker is the only option now.

I also sold the A8 yesterday but at least it was a quick sale.

I normally try to be reserved with cars but I'm gonna have to bust out and say I'm heartbroken at all this and right now I can't even face looking for another car. I have wanted a silver 6 cylinder E46 with M Sport kit since 2001 when my pal had a brand new 325 Ci. This isn't how I had hoped things would turn out.

[SiC]

Just now, Split_Pin said:

So it looks like the breaker is the only option now.

What about the @NorthernMonkey option? 

He has a workshop and lift, so should be not a bad job for him with a box to hand. Especially worth the hassle if this is a car you really like. They are still around but definitely harder to find nice ones with a decent 6cyl lump. 

[SiC]

Second hand as box opened but should be just as good as brand new. About the cheapest I can find at the moment - under £40.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296646090169

 

[SiC]

Brand new but the seller is away till Tuesday 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405153313507

 

[Split_Pin]

Yeah that's an option. If it was something that I liked less I'd probably sack it off but I've wanted one of these for ages and it isn't rusty like most of them. 

I have the offer of a known box for £350 dropped at my door so I'd need to see about getting it couriered. I have no doubts the car would drive to Lancashire as it sticks in 4th but it still drives about OK-ish, especially on the motorway.

 

[IronStar]

You can limp this to @NorthernMonkey with some patience and code reader. Clear the code when it throws it and drive on. If it’s getting stuck only in fifth and doesn’t downshift, try switching to sport so it keeps it in lower gears longer and avoids fifth. 
The one I mentioned earlier in the thread was limped around like that for a month until it was booked in for a fix. 

[SiC]

Yeah if the box is being replaced anyway then just rag the shit out of the box to get it down there. Engine and diff isn't going to care and the box is being ripped out anyway.

Presumably the box is too big to fit into the boot?

You're going to have this problem on any auto BMW of this vintage. So even if you replace it with another example you'll likely need to do the same job at some point anyway. 

[Split_Pin]

21 minutes ago, SiC said:

What about the @NorthernMonkey option? 

He has a PM.

[SiC]

24 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

no reply

Don't forget right now it's the holidays. So many garages are short-staffed from staff being off. 

Couple that into the fact September is a plate change time when new cars get registered, there are many that are needing MOTs and fixing. I had to book my 3 series in for it's MOT at my favourite garage in 4 weeks advance.

[NorthernMonkey]

It’ll live on… just need to get the logistics of getting it down here sorted now then I can chuck the new box in 🙂

[NorthernMonkey]

1 hour ago, SiC said:

Brand new but the seller is away till Tuesday 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405153313507

 

I’ve got one of those kicking about in a draw somewhere at work. I’ll chuck it in the post up to @Split_Pin and he can bring it back with the injured 330

[Lord Sterling]

Ah man. Hope all goes well. Will happily chuck a couple £10ers to help if needed.

[Split_Pin]

23 minutes ago, NorthernMonkey said:

I’ve got one of those kicking about in a draw somewhere at work. I’ll chuck it in the post up to @Split_Pin and he can bring it back with the injured 330

Cheers man, that will be brilliant.

14 minutes ago, Lord Sterling said:

£10ers

Very kind of you and others Mo, I've got the A8 sale funds burning a hole in my pocket though. Better spending them on this than buying some other rammle 😅