I see the OP is in East London - any specialists there?
I would definitely get the car to a garage that knows what they are doing - this mechanic does not seem to be making any sense! If you were closer to Cape Town then I would most definitely recommend you to Garage 808 as the others have!
I agree with Ice man:thumbs: the E46 and E90 petrol 4 cylinder engines are known for shit:thumbdo: fix it sell it and get a 6 cylinder variant 323i/325i/330i:thumbs:
I am looking to fix my 118i and get 125i or better, my vvt packed up and i have smoke coming from the bottom of the engine probably from a leaking gasket?
I am new on this forum but am a BMW owner for 14 years starting with an M5 e34 which was sheer driving pleasure. I moved on to a 328 e46 which was also bliss but then now i am driving a 2006 320i E90 which is the worst by a mile. The passenger door just jammed on me; it smokes like shosholoza ; coil once packed up etc. Now it wont start. i just want to know how much it costs to overhaul the engine in preparation for an auction sale.