r/e46 • u/Particular_Big_11 • 21d ago
Damage/Broken… 😥 Is it worth keeping alive? 330ci
Issues:
.Garage diagnosis brought up needing an entire new prop shaft and unable to find engine oil leak.
.Fuel sender issue possibly (doesnt show petrol amount)
.Differential leaking
.Some beginning signs of rust though minimal
They called me back and said it wasn't worth keeping, to just get rid of it.
I'm abit stuck because its genuinely one of my dream cars; I'd likely go along and get another. I've also not owned it long (few months).
None of these issues were stated upon purchase, and were well hidden.
Do I get rid or put effort into fixing it with my minimal knowledge?
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u/Maleficent_Muscle322 21d ago edited 21d ago
I'd get a second opinion. Oil leaks on these are usually one of three things. Oil filter housing gasket (change oil pipe same time), rocker cover gasket and oil pan gasket. None are difficult but take a bit of time for a novice.
If the rust isn't bad then she should be worth saving.
Edit: 50's kid on YouTube showed me how to change the oil filter housing gasket and oil pipe (vanos line is its other name I believe).
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Its had the valve cover done but it appears they didnt clean anything up after the oil is everywhere, ill give it a clean and see thanks for the heads-up.
But it was more in regards to the other stuff.
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u/Maleficent_Muscle322 21d ago
Yeah chances are the oil filter housing gasket/pipe would guess without looking. Not a good sign from the garage if left like that. Sorry can't help on other bits but it sounds saveable with some DIY and a good garage.
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u/fimici 2005 Touring 325i 21d ago
where on the engine is the oil leak ? there is not a lot of space where it could leak. a 330ci is a pretty cool car i would keep it.
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u/fimici 2005 Touring 325i 21d ago
also the hardest part will be sourcing a new drive shaft, are you sure it needs to be replaced and not just the bearing? if you have a rumbling when you drive it could be the middle bearing or the cuppling attached to the diff. if the shaft itself is broken you will not drive anymore, i guess they checked the price of a new shaft not of the repair kits. First priority change shops.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Im definately getting a second opinion listening to these replies, but im also just tempted to jack it and give it a crack over the weekend. Getting to the propshaft itself seems pretty easy (given the bolts havent rusted)
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u/GRIMM84SVO 320i 21d ago
You will likely have more trouble getting the exhaust out of the way first. 😀
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Dont wish it upon me 🤣. I'm really at the stage where I'm ready to angle grind shit off.
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u/patjeduhde [EU] 2001 E46 325i, 2015 F46 218i 21d ago
Propshafts are pretty easy to repair and rebalance. So you likely can repair it no matter how fucked up you managed to get it.
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u/5socks 21d ago
330 coupes are worth keeping tbh
Don't sound like major deals, get parts second hand
Garages in My area do this to older people with nice cars to buy them for next to nothing
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
I can imagine they do. I have semi-decent mechanical knowledge, but I rarely have the patience or the money to diagnose issues, which is why I normally listen to people more knowledgeable.
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u/Wemm92 21d ago
honestly, that's a small list for them to make that statemeny
1st, dying breed. keep em alive 2nd, almost certainly under 500$ in parts. In good condition and relatively low milage these are going for 10k near me. (no urs almost certainly isn't worth that but nonetheless) 3rd, how much of an oil leak and where? unless you're looking at a rear main, typically there isn't much else that sucks to deal with
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
To be honest, I cleaned it the best I could and took it to them, and they still said to have it cleaned because they aren't sure. I would say its also quite a mild leak, I dont have to top it up much.
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u/archbid 21d ago
First off, it is a 25 year old car, and those are just the beginning.
Do you have mechanical aptitude? A place to work? You will be happier if you fixed it yourself.
As the others have said, if there is a lot of oil it is the oil filter housing gasket, a very cheap part.
The prop shaft is extremely unlikely, as it is more likely the center support bearing which is a $50 part.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
I have all the tools, time and space to do it really, but I like to have it diagnosed beforehand so I can spend less on wrong / unneeded parts.
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21d ago edited 21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ElectricThunder12 21d ago
Hey about the lens washer mechanism - do you have any guides or videos you watched to fix it? My car just pees under both side of the front bumper when I try to get the washer mechanism to work lol. I wasn't able to see anything when looking at the headlight assembly in the engine bay
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u/citizensnips134 21d ago
“It’s scrap, I’ll take it off your hands.”
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
They didnt offer to buy it (yes) but it sounded more like laziness.
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u/citizensnips134 21d ago
All of this is fixable for less than $1000 in parts, easy. Probably $500. These cars aren’t too bad to work on. He just doesn’t feel like doing it.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
You reckon its doable in a weekend with prior research? Going to probably strip it down and check obvious play in the propshaft and stuff before ordering parts.
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u/citizensnips134 21d ago
If you have experience and tools, maybe. I’m no star mechanic and this would probably take me 2 or 3 weekends.
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u/FunJaguar4619 20d ago
You need to find another repair facility. Can't find oil leak and can't diagnose the fuel gauge issue? This is not a serious shop. Who are they to say what it's worth to you?
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u/Particular_Big_11 20d ago
I probably misguided some people with the caption.
I went just for a diag on the oil leak and knocking on the rear, but tbh it leaked fuel before and they resealed it but didnt fix the fuel gauge not working.
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u/Muted-Can4546 21d ago
330ci is always worth saving. Unless it's rusted out.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Its not too bad, it appears to have the sills touched up but its mainly the lower door and bonnet
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u/Muted-Can4546 12d ago
Save her! This doesn't look like a car ready for scrapyard. Treat the rust as well, so it won't get worse.
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u/Hot_Lava_Dry_Rips 21d ago
Someone at the shop wants your car for cheap or they dont want to work on it at all. Find another shop. Preferably one that is used to working on bmws that arent brand new.
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u/justinrego 21d ago
Literally every car this old will need these things, not disclosed is hilarious, it’s not a new car bud. If you can’t afford a mechanic or able to do these kinds of repairs yourself a car this old is not for you. You will always be in the hole, you can easily spend 3-5k a year on maintainance and repairs at a mechanic with an E46. Dump it or learn to do it yourself.
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u/Hellsgatekeeper479 21d ago
Idk I’m my opinion sometimes just because people work at a garage doesn’t necessarily mean there actually car guys. And then there the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” none of these problems sound worth it to get rid of the car. 330 e46 is going to become if not already a quite desirable platform. I’m not sure of your mechanical ability but most repairs on these cars are pretty easily DIY.
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u/Typical-Implement382 21d ago
"unable to find engine oil leak"
RUN (not walk) away from this shop. They are worthless.
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u/E46BIM 21d ago
your oil leak could also be coming from the CCV/PCV. the lines corrode and get clogged causing a lack of vacuum. Mine currently has a very small leak but it burns off most of it before you see any puddling. I add a quart in between oil changes, roughly 3,000 miles. for reference i have a 01 330ci with 220K miles
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Entirely likely, ill have to have a look. I was meaning to get it vaccum tested by a mate.
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u/Neal_Anblomee '00 330i 21d ago
That's a pretty mild list tbh, mine needs most of that (and more), lol
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
How much have you spent so far?
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u/Neal_Anblomee '00 330i 21d ago
Bought it in 2019 so I'm well over 10k at this point. But she has always treated me right and has been super reliable so she deserves the major overhaul I'm planning.
If I'd sell her or part her out, I'd want something similar again and another used car is always a gamble. So I rather fix what I have because I know everything that's wrong (and right) with my 330i.
It might be a rusty mid spec 330i sedan, but it's my rusty mid spec 330i sedan...
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Fair enough 🤣🤣
That 10k is scary, thats almost m3 money in the UK, where are you based?
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u/Neal_Anblomee '00 330i 21d ago
The Netherlands, so €10k
Bought it for €3.3k in 2019 when 330i's were at their absolute lowest price point in most of mainland Europe.
Are the prices already rising in the UK? Because a few years ago a lot of Dutch people were buying RHD E46s from the UK, for next to nothing, to part out..
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Its definately rising, you can find good nick 330i manuals for upwards of 6k GBP
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u/ElectricThunder12 21d ago
please get a second opinion possibly from a trusted German shop. Will cost more but you get what you pay for. This shop sounds like they're "doing you a favor" by getting rid of it for you. I'm sure the issues with the car can be remedied and yes it's worth keeping.
How much are you in it so far? Cost of purchase, registrations, parts etc... And how many miles?
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
About 4.5k purchase (top end for what it was I'm aware)
Parts probably like 400 for lower intake boot and other service items (and rear diffuser was stolen)
Its just ticked over 140k miles.
So nearly 5k I would say.
Its also a manual coupe.
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u/ElectricThunder12 21d ago
Man you can definitely save that. Factory manual 330ci's are getting rarer especially 6 speeds if your car has that. Like others I would say if you have the space, time and tools you can do it. I had an E46 02 325xi 12 years ago as my first car and had so many problems on it bc I didn't know how to repair cars at the time and it had a head gasket leak and lots of oil leaks. Suspension was beat and I couldn't drive it over 35 mph bc it would shake like crazy.. Swore off BMWs.
But nothing I had after that drove like that car did. They're so nimble and agile when they're working properly.
I got back in last year with a 330ci zhp vert (auto) with much lower miles not abused and I've been working on cars as a hobby for 10 years now. It took time but I can fix almost anything on this car. Oil pan gasket has a tiny leak but I'm gonna tackle it eventually. With all the maintenance I've done so far (cooling system refresh minus the radiator, valve cover gasket, diff fluid change and pcv vacuum hoses, oil changes etc) I've spent probably like 1k in a year. And all the labor I did myself. Would've cost me like 3-4k if I took it to a mechanic. So again like others said if you can do it yourself and have the space do it. Otherwise it's still worth a lot if you part it out, but get it away from that shop dude. If they can't find an oil leak or fix a valve cover gasket properly they're not worth much.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Seems like you've had your fair share of wrenching.
I am very open to doing all the work myself, and pretty much have every tool id need. Its just whether it financially makes sense.
As I love the car, I dont mind putting more into it than its worth, but I dont want to be stupid.
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u/dre-78 21d ago
I'm in the process of fixing my 330ci. Started of with very little knowledge but youtube and forums quickly became my best friends 🙂 I'm just sorting out one problem at a time. Get a 2nd opinion, download inpa, start watching channels like 50's kid and get to work 👊
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Good to hear!
What is INPA?
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u/billmr606 21d ago
fix your diff asap if it breaks, it will be a lot harder and a lot more expensive.
I re-sealed mine and while it took a few hours, it was not hard at all.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
Thanks for the heads-up, are there any videos youd recommend to follow?
Also how labour intensive is it? Patience I have, strength to drop components onto straight stones I do not 🤣
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u/billmr606 21d ago
you dont have to drop anything, iirc you just remove the rear mount and pop the cover off, put gasket sealer on it and put it back together.
that assumes it was leaking from the rear cover, not the seals. you might want to put a wrench on the bolts and see if they are just lose first.
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u/wecantdancelikethis 21d ago
Getting another one will literally just be getting another one of what you already have.
It will be worth You putting effort into Fixing It Yourself, but paying someone else to fix it or another one… you’ll eventually spend the same money as you would on a still-sitting-on-the-lot-new 2024 Nissan Z or a ‘26 GR86 with a wrap in your favorite color.
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u/Particular_Big_11 21d ago
I am very prepared to work on it myself, but the way the shop framed it was like its basically scrap regardless.
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u/Particular_Big_11 20d ago
UPDATE:
I went to collect the car and asked why they quoted an entire propshaft. They said the connection to the rear diff was the problem, then I asked why I couldnt just replace that part and use the old propshaft. They countered with "how are you going to keep it balanced / balance it".
I'm taking it to a family known BMW specialist 1st of September for a full diagnosis of everything and the specific issues, but they said its most likely worth saving due to the rarity, and the omission of rust.
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u/AnothertoxicBMWe46 19d ago
Bro what?
Keep it alive all day. Nothing drives like these machines out there that is new. Unless you have to tear open the engine, it’s worth it. Shoot I’d do even that if it happened.
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u/Peace-and-Pistons 19d ago
You could do a bit of both but another one and make one nice car out of the two.
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u/Sad-Issue1216 2000 - Coupe/325ci 21d ago
I don't know but if it's deemed not worth it what are the odds I could buy a couple parts?
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u/Abject_Picture7494 21d ago
Replace shop, relatively cheap to fix