e46 Issues from Standing for long time?

[e46Allen]

Hi Everyone,

A Little History is that the vehicle had been standing for about 9 months due to the previous owner taking seriously ill. Son went into dealer and said his father will not be well enough to drive again. Please sell it.

I walk in a day or two later, Look at it, and all looks fine. Dealer told me the story above aswell, btw. Took it for a drive and was Awesome. Really sweet ride.

Told Dealer I would like it and to arrange Pre Delivery Inspection and service the vehicle as it was standing for a long time then they have a deal.

Dealer sent it to a well known Indi BMW Garage and they did the service. Found that the Fuel filter (in the Tank?) was faulty, (Clogged or whatever)
Fixed that aswell. Sales guy said the service cost them ZAR 6000.00
All Fine and well.

Before I picked it up this afternoon, They took it for the Road Worthy Test and it passed with flying colours. Sales guy goes and picks it up and on the way back to his dealership, where I was already waiting, the power steering pump gave up the ghost. On Way back to dealership, he took it back to the Indi BMW Garage, and the guys there said it is shot. (probably from standing so long, the seals are dry and cracked)

As I had not taken delivery yet, the dealer where I bought the 330 from said they will cover the bill. Also another R 6000.00

Ok, I was P!ssed but what can you do?

I had to be somewhere urgently, so I took the car. On My way home this evening, the Telltale DSC light comes on with the Yellow brake light.
Manual says that the Complete regulating system for ABS, CBC, DSC etc has failed? What does all this mean?

Am taking it back in the morning for them to fit the new power steering pump. And to look at this other new error now.

Can anyone shed light on the above so I am not taken for a ride.
Also, What else should I be looking for on a car that has stood for 9 months?

 

[MikeR]

:dunno: sadly thats a problem with any vehicles that stand for long times, there are loads of issues with rubbers apart from fluids drying up and causing havoc.
the whole engine could also become compromised if there was any moisture in it - things would rust that you dont see.
Good luck I hope thats all, but the dealer should have that covered, did he offer a warrentee of sorts ?

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Have to agree with Mike, if they don't give you some type of warantee, be prepared to fish out allot of money. Anything can go wrong.
Brake lines, rubbers, seals, engine bearings, cambelt, engine oil, plugs, feul system, cooling system... hope its not as bad as I am playing it to be, but sadly a car thats not been driven for so long is bound to show some signs, so good luck. :thumb:

 

[Sankekur]

In term of the ABS/DSC system, it might just be dirty wheel speed sensors, so don't be too hasty to replace anything until that is ruled out. I am not sure what happen with brake fluid when it gets old, but it could be possible that it cligged up the ABS/DSC pump. Either way if it has not been done, a full fluid change would be in order I think, engine gearbox and diff oil, brake fluid, powersteering, and coolant.

 

[zaleonardz]

I also would not assume an all is lost situation....

Yea what they guys are saying about seals drying up and so forth is an issue, but 9 months is really not that long a time.

Think of it this way, as long as the dealer is doing all of these "preventative" items, you dont have too. You have a 30 day warentee with the car.

I would however suggest that you get the car to an independant (before you pay over your cash), pay the guy R400 and let him put it onto a lift.

Check the suspension, check the mountings, ect ect...

Sankekur could be very right in that its a sensor that went poof, it usually is.

Where are you based ?

 

[e46Allen]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Here is an update:

The Dealer sorted out the PS Pump, it was replaced. The service was all done the day before and is all cool.

The DSC and yellow brake light issue is apparently the steering column sensor.
If I look at the print out from BMW, it already had 2 replacements of this in the past.
2004 and 2006.

Funny thing is, after the PS pump was replaced, it took a while but that same evening, the lights went off and have not come on again. :dunno:

They wanted to sell me a 3 year warranty from RMI. I chose only to take a 1 Year, as I would like to do my own maintenance etc. So if any major ticket items are in need because of the standing at least some peace of mind.

But so far, she is now great and drives very well.

:excited:

Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[iifunky]

Hey Allen

My car had a problem where all the sensors were screaming, but the actual issue was that it had like a sludge build up because of standing for a while. Once cleaned only a few sensors lit up; and replaced those; car is fine now.

Have that seen to just in case; it would slow the car down. Just open your tappet cover and have a look if there is any sludge deposits. You wana steam clean all of this ; take it to a workshop where they can do this, if its the issue. Will save you tons.

Happy driving and congrats man

:thumbsup: