Newbie in need of Enlightenment

[KingZander]

:cartel:

Good day Everyone reading this thread... :withStu:

Thanks for taking the time to read my first EVER thread, anywhere...

:roflol:

Luckily us newbs here at BMWFanatics have a brotherhood ready to break open our minds and empty our cups of preconceptions we have about all things beautifully Beemer and motoring.

:hammerhead:

Now I'm done with my lame attempt at a "speech" and ready for enlightenment

:ty:

Recently I had the opportunity too purchase a very cheap "non running" beautiful black 2004 318i E46. In my noob-like-expertise I believed I had a good chance to fix her up for no more than, per say, 15gs. Upon purchasing her she didn't smoke at all. I checked the oil, and it didn't look like there was any stop smoke thrown in. Read online that the consistency of the oil mixed with stop smoke was a sticky feeling.

anyway... when purchasing her I bought her as a non runner, even though she started first time around every time, she had a real bad shuttering noice mid engine round when revved above 2000rpms. The seller told me that his mechanic said it was merely a bad bearing knock and wont cost more than 12gs to fix. His mechanic was an cheap scally local mechanic. Hate those... :RedNo:

So I took her to a more reputable one and asked to do diagnostic and open her up to have real certainty about what I have lined up for myself. After a week the mechanic caller back and had bad news. I had to bore the block and pay bigger pistons and the cam needs work and etc.
in short he quoted 25gs in total to overhaul her completely. I also just for interested sake asked what a new engine with installation would cost. Was quoted 31gs...

Now my question is if it really was that bad why was she able to start, idle and be driven 50kms to my home if she misfired on two pistons and really had damaged the sleeves? Pardon my layman terminology. Hope I have used the right reverence. Also I'm an Afrikaans Boer Boytjie

:rollsmile:

If anyone has advice or guidance or anything that they feel will be of help or direction to me please don't hesitate. I'm a proud newbie and love to be taught. I believe in order to be wise one must be the least amongst ones company and superiors.

Thanks again too everyone.

PS this is my first BMW, but also young and quite broke haha but would take the time and effort it'll take to save money and eventually have her running perfectly.

Regards
The Beemer Boer Boytjie
King Zander

---

My Midnight Beauty

 

[Lloyd09]

The body is straight! Looks really neat.
Personally.I would drop a 325i or 330i motor in, instead of working on the current motor.

 

[KingZander]

The body is straight! Looks really neat.
Personally.I would drop a 325i or 330i motor in, instead of working on the current motor.

Thanks Lloyd09

:clapper:

She's still a beauty. Just needs few scratches and bumps fixed, a nice puff on the bonnet and bumpers needs to be straighten and painted. Also all the electronics are working. Just need few trimmings inside to be fixed up or replace. Personally I feel it was good buy. Body wise I know I won't spend more than a few G's and she would be looking sexy.

:skit:

I'd love to put a larger engine. Especially something like a 328. already know that a 318 will be to slow too soon.

:crazylaugh:

Do you have any good advice for me...?
Like where is the best and safest place to buy an engine (Japan Auto etc)? Best mechanic that'll handle the whole setup and installation of the motor (Tune Tech)?

I really am quite an noob on most things engine and tuning but would really love to fix up my Midnight Beast to the standard which she is so worthy of.

Thanks in advance
KingZander

---

The body is straight! Looks really neat.
Personally.I would drop a 325i or 330i motor in, instead of working on the current motor.

Thanks Lloyd09

:clapper:

She's still a beauty. Just needs few scratches and bumps fixed, a nice puff on the bonnet and bumpers needs to be straighten and painted. Also all the electronics are working. Just need few trimmings inside to be fixed up or replace. Personally I feel it was good buy. Body wise I know I won't spend more than a few G's and she would be looking sexy.

:skit:

I'd love to put a larger engine. Especially something like a 325 or 330. already know that a 318 will be to slow too soon.

:crazylaugh:

Do you have any good advice for me...?
Like where is the best and safest place to buy an engine (Japan Auto etc)? Best mechanic that'll handle the whole setup and installation of the motor (Tune Tech)?

I really am quite an noob on most things engine and tuning but would really love to fix up my Midnight Beast to the standard which she is so worthy of.

Thanks in advance
KingZander

 

[FerdiBotha]

I know Gizmo on the forum often does engine swaps and is the guru when it comes to those thing. Maybe get in contact with him and see what he says.

 

[Jeremy.d]

Welcome. This is possibly the best Into post ever. hah:biglol:
Car looks quite neat.

As for your problem: I havent got a clue about what to do, but IF you must do an engine swap, then why not go bigger?...If, of course you can afford to run something bigger.

 

[TBP88]

Ja, check with Gizmo about E46 related work - he has a section in the advertisers part - his labour isn't cheap but if you want good work, done right and with a documented record of the work - he's your man.

 

[individj]

i would sell it and start again

---

unless you get a smashed 6 cylinder in good mechanical shape for peanuts

 

[Nobz330i]

Welcome... Car looks good outside, hope you manage to fix the issues & Enjoy It.. I would have regretted letting go of the one i have when I it got handed down to earlier this year as first car.

 

[baverianbeauty285]

If you interested in purchasing a import motor, try LDR engines. Engines is imported from England With less the 100 000 km on the clock. I own a 330d e46, had the same problem so I had to replace the engine, Cost me 25 000 for a engine with 88 000 km on. Ever since i fitted that engine there was no problems till this day.

Strongs bru.:cartel:

 

[Gizmo]

Don't waste your time or money with an engine swap on a e46 318i unless you swapping in the same engine. Sell it and buy a 328i if you want a 328i. To convert e46 318i to 328i you could buy two 328i models for the same money as the conversion.
N42/46 engines are problematic, underpowered and damn expensive to repair and maintain. You are better off cutting your losses and starting again. Find a good 325i/328i/330i and have trouble free motoring.

 

[Yuben]

If u looking for a 330i, look no further :coolShake:

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=72596

 

[KingZander]

If you interested in purchasing a import motor, try LDR engines. Engines is imported from England With less the 100 000 km on the clock. I own a 330d e46, had the same problem so I had to replace the engine, Cost me 25 000 for a engine with 88 000 km on. Ever since i fitted that engine there was no problems till this day.

Strongs bru.:cartel:

:biglol:

Ow happy days

baverianbeauty285 thanks for the encouragement.

I have had my head on a block since I bought her. All my family and friends (bigher noobs than I) said I should jus sell her and buy a small car (VW Golf or some shit) :YesNo: just to prevent all sorts of expenses. I almost did sell her. I know knew from the start that would have been a big mistake.

Going to make the effort to fix her. I'll have a reliable car I can drive for years to come. Ain't ever driving Golf again.

Men drive Beemer

:cartel:

Thanks man

---

Don't waste your time or money with an engine swap on a e46 318i unless you swapping in the same engine. Sell it and buy a 328i if you want a 328i. To convert e46 318i to 328i you could buy two 328i models for the same money as the conversion.
N42/46 engines are problematic, underpowered and damn expensive to repair and maintain. You are better off cutting your losses and starting again. Find a good 325i/328i/330i and have trouble free motoring.

:crazylaugh:

Yes the Great Gizmo himself

:cartel:

I thank you GREATLY for taking the time to respond to my noob post.

I'm saddened by your advice to my problem but appreciate it as you are the Wizard whom all speak of. I was hoping that my problem would vanish with a flick of a new engine

:roflol:


I accidentally made a typo error saying I want an 328 when I wanted to say 325 or 330

:sorry:


If a may have some more of your time...

You adviced saying the least amount of hassle would be to rather buy another 318i N42 engine. Whom is the most trusted companies to assist me in such a endeavour?

And last question. Would you advice me to buy another engine once and get it done with or try and salvage my old worn engine and bore it to a 2lt

Thank you again in advance

KingZander


:withStu:

 

[Gizmo]

Don't bother. Sell as is and get something else.

Japan Auto give a warranty on their motors so they are a usual source for my motor transplants.

N42/46 is 2.0lt already.

 

[KingZander]

My Midnight Beauty
from the side

[/quote]

and from the back

 

[individj]

totally agree...youre going to be paying like R45k for a car with a different engine number etc.

 

[KingZander]

Don't bother. Sell as is and get something else.

Japan Auto give a warranty on their motors so they are a usual source for my motor transplants.

N42/46 is 2.0lt already.

I am so embarrassed now. I don't know how ever I didn't pick up on that. didn't know 318i is a 2lt. Now I'm one thing less of a noob

:hammerhead:

If I may ask Gizmo, how much would you ask for a "transplant"?

 

[KingZander]

Don't bother. Sell as is and get something else.

Japan Auto give a warranty on their motors so they are a usual source for my motor transplants.

N42/46 is 2.0lt already.

I am so embarrassed now. I don't know how ever I didn't pick up on that. didn't know 318i is a 2lt. Now I'm one thing less of a noob

:hammerhead:

If I may ask Gizmo, how much would you ask for a "transplant"?

 

[Gizmo]

What motor do you want to transplant? Another 318i motor?

 

[ChefDJ]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you find a reasonable solution to this :=):

 

[KingZander]

What motor do you want to transplant? Another 318i motor?

Yes sir. I prefer to follow the advice of the wise. So I think to get mobile and save money and make a sound decision, I'd go with another 318. As adviced by you. The Wise.

If I do go down this road what kind of paperwork and procedures would I have to do to get her road worthy? Have no idea of what I really have to do, except something like that I'll need police clearance and import paper or something. ..?

---

What motor do you want to transplant? Another 318i motor?

Yes sir. I prefer to follow the advice of the wise. So I think to get mobile and save money and make a sound decision, I'd go with another 318. As adviced by you. The Wise.

If I do go down this road what kind of paperwork and procedures would I have to do to get her road worthy? Have no idea of what I really have to do, except something like that I'll need police clearance and import paper or something. ..?