discussion Is my BMW E90 N46 far gone?

[Sabretooth tiger]

I was just joking about the 2JZ unless the OP has the pockets for it and the car means that much to him.

If it was my car I would find a reputable mechanic and then look at the costs of the repair vs buying another/newer car. Based on that I would decide to repair or cut my losses. Thing to keep in mind is future reliability. At some point to keep throwing money at a older car starts becoming financially unwise.

 

[Mr Krabs]

At the end of the day it will come down to your own decision and how much value you place on the car.

If the rest of the car is in good condition, the interior is clean, it is great to drive then for me (personally) I would (and did) put the effort and money in to repair.

You never know what you are going to get with a second hand engine which you still need to inspect, do compression and leak down tests, then service, completely remove your motor and swap for the new one before installing and you still don't know whether it is a ticking time bomb.

People are going to advise you to run and invest in something faster, more powerful, has more bragging rights but this is your car and your decision to make. Ask questions, do research, become informed and only then look at all your alternatives and the associated costs and risks.

The reason I rebuilt my car was it had never been in an accident, is near perfect inside, drives beautifully, handles brilliantly, I feel safe on the road and get out after a long trip without aching. Knowing I have a brand new engine, albeit in an older car is a huge comfort.

I also had to face the reality just after taking a massive COVID bath. What can I get for similar money that offers what I already have - with a bit of time and money? With a stuffed engine my car was worth maybe R15k and I could have parted it out and maybe made R75k being left with a lot of undesirable items all over the place.

I am so glad I put the effort in because I learned so much, can do anything on my own now and have a car that drives like a dream. It did take a long time, mostly because I bought parts as and when I could afford them, and I had to replace a lot of general service items at the same time, but I'm super happy.

Make your own decision based on your own needs and desires, guided by the input and knowledge of others.

I had that replacement planned, then i sold the car after a truck pushed me into the bushes and i broke all my wheels.

But ye it was about 10K back then through an independant.

To the OP id cut my losses and buy something newer , even in the same e90 family like a 320D or 330D if you can find one.
Life is MUCH better without a 320i.

There is also the other option of putting another Axis powers engine in there, 2jz or and LS v8 - these also come with their headaches.

Thanks everyone for all their inputs and thoughts. It is much appreciated.

This car is actually, my mother's and our only means of transportation, and her means to get to work, and provide for the family.

I have been looking after the car, and assisting her where I can to help alleviate costs. Can only do the minor tasks like filter changes, nothing major. Currently buying a new car or another 2nd hand car is not an option and finances are a bit tight at the moment. Especially now with uni fees for my brother and I. There was a major health crisis last year which took a lot of our savings, and we were slowly starting to recover until the current car costs now. I feel personally, we fix the seals and see what happens afterwards. Hopefully cylinder 2 comes back normal.

I originally planned to have the timing chain and guide replaced due to the milage of the car, and have the oil, fuel pump and injectors inspected.

 

[Dbn540i]

Thanks everyone for all their inputs and thoughts. It is much appreciated.

This car is actually, my mother's and our only means of transportation, and her means to get to work, and provide for the family.

I have been looking after the car, and assisting her where I can to help alleviate costs. Can only do the minor tasks like filter changes, nothing major. Currently buying a new car or another 2nd hand car is not an option and finances are a bit tight at the moment. Especially now with uni fees for my brother and I. There was a major health crisis last year which took a lot of our savings, and we were slowly starting to recover until the current car costs now. I feel personally, we fix the seals and see what happens afterwards. Hopefully cylinder 2 comes back normal.

I originally planned to have the timing chain and guide replaced due to the milage of the car, and have the oil, fuel pump and injectors inspected.

OP, sad to hear this.

Please note you are taking a bigger risk by fixing the Valve Stem Seals and hoping everything will fall into place again.

You are literally throwing money away in a time when you need it the most.

Best of luck.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Sorry to hear about the misfortune Mr Krabs. I suggest you get a reputable mechie to give you an estimation of the repair cost. Don't band aid it. Might just end up making things worse.

 

[Mr Krabs]

Thanks, everyone. I understand that band-aid solutions aren't ideal, but it feels like we're left with no choice right now—especially with the cost of Ubers at R600 per day. We looked into rentals, but the prices were just too high. BMW has indicated they want to replace the valvetronic motor under warranty due to its failure, but they can't proceed until the valve stem seals are replaced as well. Currently seeing if Brilliant Mechanical Workshop is a good candidate. Garage808 not an option due to milage of car.

 

[Mr Krabs]

But how often are engine rebuilds successful? The previous car we had was an E36 3 series, and the rebuild on the engine through an independent mechanic who sent it to engineers, worked for a few months and the problem came back on that car. Parents are bit hesitant on the rebuild on the E90 due to history with failed rebuilds.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Thanks, everyone. I understand that band-aid solutions aren't ideal, but it feels like we're left with no choice right now—especially with the cost of Ubers at R600 per day. We looked into rentals, but the prices were just too high. BMW has indicated they want to replace the valvetronic motor under warranty due to its failure, but they can't proceed until the valve stem seals are replaced as well. Currently seeing if Brilliant Mechanical Workshop is a good candidate. Garage808 not an option due to milage of car.

I will pm you a number for the only person I trust with my car since I see you in the Cape Town area. give him a call.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

But how often are engine rebuilds successful? The previous car we had was an E36 3 series, and the rebuild on the engine through an independent mechanic who sent it to engineers, worked for a few months and the problem came back on that car. Parents are bit hesitant on the rebuild on the E90 due to history with failed rebuilds.

Problem is most often the assemble part. You get average mechanics, ones who think they are and then the odd occasion you find good ones who take pride in their work.

 

[TurboLlew]

Problem is most often the assemble part. You get average mechanics, ones who think they are and then the odd occasion you find good ones who take pride in their work.

100%

You have mechanic A that is charging double because he is replacing every gasket, using correct sealants in the right amount, replacing stretch bolts, using the correct torque specs and checking clearances all along the way. I have lost many of these individuals over the years to New Zealand where they can earn much higher salaries than they do in SA.

Then you have mechanic B that is WAY cheaper but assembling the car by feel and with gasket maker. They are not replacing stretch bolts (if they even know which bolts are single-use or not), not checking clearances, "gutenteit / good & tight" approach to assembly... not replacing parts along the way... even if customer has paid for them and saving money by basically glueing the whole engine together with silicone.

In both cases (especially on a budget) you can end up not fixing the underlying issue. I've paid these school fees (fortunately on a Honda motor, these are small) and seen many guys go down this road. The motor may have failed because of some other component. You are fixing the symptom (spinning bearings, ring failure, valvetrain failure etc) but not necessarily the cause (faulty electronic control, leaking injectors, cracked/internally broken oil pickups/pumps, worn or faulty items in other parts inside or outside of the motor).

In theory if you have a competent mechanic and sufficiently deep pockets to fix the root cause together with the broken parts, engine rebuilds would be nearly 100% successful. Unfortunately if you have misdiagnosed something then you could buy a brand new short-block from BMW and have the same issue recur. MUCH less likely to happen with a competent mechanic though.

 

[Nick]

These engines also Sludge up badly if you dont change oil every 8k-10k. who know whats going on in there untill in in pieces on the workhop floor...

 

[///M Individual]

Thanks everyone for all their inputs and thoughts. It is much appreciated.

This car is actually, my mother's and our only means of transportation, and her means to get to work, and provide for the family.

I have been looking after the car, and assisting her where I can to help alleviate costs. Can only do the minor tasks like filter changes, nothing major. Currently buying a new car or another 2nd hand car is not an option and finances are a bit tight at the moment. Especially now with uni fees for my brother and I. There was a major health crisis last year which took a lot of our savings, and we were slowly starting to recover until the current car costs now. I feel personally, we fix the seals and see what happens afterwards. Hopefully cylinder 2 comes back normal.

I originally planned to have the timing chain and guide replaced due to the milage of the car, and have the oil, fuel pump and injectors inspected.

Sorry about the situation bud.

Contact @Sabretooth tiger 's mech and get a second opinion and possibly a more reasonable cost to repair.

Good luck and hope it all works out 🙏

 

[Mr Krabs]

These engines also Sludge up badly if you dont change oil every 8k-10k. who know whats going on in there untill in in pieces on the workhop floor...

Yeah. The whole service life of this car was at a BMW dealership. Will see my options.

Sorry about the situation bud.

Contact @Sabretooth tiger 's mech and get a second opinion and possibly a more reasonable cost to repair.

Good luck and hope it all works out 🙏

Thank you. I am going to see if I can get 2nd opinions. Appreciated yall.

 

[SubLoaded]

Hello,

I assume you don't live in a pineapple under the sea?

area?

 

[Mr Krabs]

Hello,

I assume you don't live in a pineapple under the sea?

area?

CPT

 

[Mr Krabs]

So we're fixing the car. But out of interest, are the F30s post 2015 any good? No timing chain issues? Reliable?

 

[TurboLlew]

So we're fixing the car. But out of interest, are the F30s post 2015 any good? No timing chain issues? Reliable?

B48 and B58 address all the concerns from the N series motors. Best for owners to chime in though.

 

[Mr Krabs]

B48 and B58 address all the concerns from the N series motors. Best for owners to chime in though.

I notice a lot of the 2nd Hand F30s motorplans are expiring soon or expired. So would this car model without motor plan last for at least 5 years with normal services, nothing major. Naturually there is preventative maintenance and such.

 

[Mytfine]

I would get a second opion from another workshop, then decide what route to go

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

B48 and B58 address all the concerns from the N series motors. Best for owners to chime in though.

I daily a tuned B48. 15 000km since the tune and the car is flawless. I just keep up with regular maintenance as in service every 10 000km and the car is now on 115 000km and never skips a beat. Get a well maintained car, and if its only had the BMW services immediately service it and again soon after. 20 000km service intervals has never been a good idea.

 

[///M Individual]

So we're fixing the car. But out of interest, are the F30s post 2015 any good? No timing chain issues? Reliable?

Bud honestly based on your post on current financial situation stay away from BMW's until that improves. As much as certain BMW's are very reliable you do have to spend on maintenance from time to time and preferably with oem or good quality parts which can be costly.

You need a Toyota Corolla 160i GLE or something along those lines that are cheap as chips to maintain and super reliable.