Found the E90 320d replacing the E82 120d

[DRCraig]

Update time

3 months in with my new alternator and the same battery that experienced overcharge with the old alternator.

I've noticed the rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) smell again few days ago. Luckily I was in Cape Town, so I took the car to SMG Century City to have them check it out.

I was informed that my battery (2018) is on its wat out (I have not really experienced any electrical issues), hence the alternator is trying to overcharge it.

Bmw quoted me R6.1k for a new battery hoping that thereafter the alternator charge would stabilize to 14.2V.

Is it likely that the old alternator damaged my battery and now it is affecting the operation of the new alternator?

Any advice going forward?

 

[AshG108]

Update time

3 months in with my new alternator and the same battery that experienced overcharge with the old alternator.

I've noticed the rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) smell again few days ago. Luckily I was in Cape Town, so I took the car to SMG Century City to have them check it out.

I was informed that my battery (2018) is on its wat out (I have not really experienced any electrical issues), hence the alternator is trying to overcharge it.

Bmw quoted me R6.1k for a new battery hoping that thereafter the alternator charge would stabilize to 14.2V.

Is it likely that the old alternator damaged my battery and now it is affecting the operation of the new alternator?

Any advice going forward?

Did you code the battery when the alternator was changed? Coding aligns the battery to accept a new alternator and vice versa from my understanding.
Secondly, does your car have a DP or not because normally that smell is when the cat is blocked.

 

[DRCraig]

Did you code the battery when the alternator was changed? Coding aligns the battery to accept a new alternator and vice versa from my understanding.
Secondly, does your car have a DP or not because normally that smell is when the cat is blocked.

Thanks for the response.

Yes, the car has a downpipe, but that burned battery smell is so distinctive. BMW changed the battery and the alternator charge stabilized thereafter. Think the old battery took a knock with the previous prolonged overcharge.

Will monitor closely.

 

[DRCraig]

Update

After four years of ownership, I still can’t bring myself to part ways with this car—not that I want to. She’s just ticked over 254,xxx km and is still being kept in tip-top condition for her age.

I’m still commuting 130km weekdays, and the 320d does it without breaking a sweat. There are a few cosmetic bits I’ll sort out as time goes on, like replacing the headlight lenses. Still the best affordable daily imho. No frills, no fuss it just gets the job done.

 

[unobeat]

One clean 320d this one and if i looked at its neatness and you told me the mileage.

I would not believe it until i looked at the cluster.

Sent from my SM-A307FN using Tapatalk

 

[1 Eyed Monkey]

Hi Craig, any updates? You havent posted in a while.

 

[DRCraig]

Howzit bro

Thanks for the interest. Not much to report since my last update, but hitting a personal milestone: I’ve owned the car for over 100 000 km now, and it’s been a solid ride.

Maintenance done during my ownership (besides regular services):

1. Vibration dampener pulley, tensioner, and drivebelt
2. Shocks and mountings
3. Coolant flange hose
4. Upper radiator hose and expansion tank
5. Battery and alternator

I’ll need some new rear tyres soon—planning to replace them after the school holidays. My Goodyear Eagle F1 AS2 have been amazing, so I’ll definitely stick with those.

The attached picture was taken on the N7, 10 km south of Clanwilliam Dam, on our way back to the West Coast after a family trip to Namakwaland in the Northern Cape.

So yeah, just enjoying the 320d for what it is.