03 BMW 318ci. Advice needed.

318coupeDl

Hi,

Looking for some advice.

I just bought a 2003 318 coupe. Think its an M-Sport as has black roof cloth and all badges, however, it does noy say M-Sport on taxbook. The car has a 2.0l petrol engine.

The car had been lying up for a few years as the previous owner boiled the engine coming back from Dublin and just put her in shed. The engine starts drives but boils after 10 mins.

The engine has 100k miles and was well maintained over the years. I am wondering should I spend money scimming head etc. Or would I be better to look for a 2nd hand engine and hope its a good one.

If its worth while fixing my engine, can anyone recommend a BMW specialist in Donegal. I am in Letterkenny.

Thanks in advance.

Irish Steve

When it cools down again, has it lost much coolant? Is there any evidence of water in the oil, or oil in the water, that would indicate head gasket issues.

If not, then the issue is unlikely to be resolved by skimming the head, I'd be checking that the thermostat is working correctly, and that the radiator is not blocked, only when those 2 things have been eliminated would I start looking at the engine in more detail.

Not on a BMW, but I did have to replace a water pump recently because the impeller had lost the bond to the drive shaft, so there was no wear on the bearing to indicate a failure, but there was no water circulating, which meant that the engine overheated pretty quickly.

biko

Not DIY effort, moved to main forum.

318coupeDl

Hi irish Steve
Thanks for the reply.

The car loses quite a bit of water, if i drive the car for around 10 mins, she will be badly pressurised. The guy i bought it off told me he drove her on while she was in the red for over 50 miles. However saying that she drives perfect with plenty of power, and then boils.

I am just wondering does anyone know a good BMW specialist in Donegal, that can have a look and see if its worth fixing, I have heard of a man in Ramelton, but can not find a number for him.

if as i expect, the engine is knackered, I will look for a second hand replacement. My worries is that I buy a lemon.

The car is otherwise in very good condition, so i want to but her back on road.

Any advice???

Thanks

coylemj

318coupeDl wrote: »

Think its an M-Sport as has black roof cloth and all badges, however, it does noy say M-Sport on taxbook.

M-Sport is just a trim package, why would it be mentioned in the 'taxbook'?

Foxhole Norman

If yer man drove it in the red for 50 miles it's definitely had head gasket failure, the engine is knackered.

318coupeDl

coylemj wrote: »

M-Sport is just a trim package, why would it be mentioned in the 'taxbook'?

Hi
As i have read that it should be mentioned in taxbook. So are u saying that it wont be mentioned.

I have read the Msports have an LSD. is there anyway to tell. Without spinning wheels.


Thanks

Foxhole Norman

318coupeDl wrote: »

Hi
As i have read that it should be mentioned in taxbook. So are u saying that it wont be mentioned.

I have read the Msports have an LSD. is there anyway to tell. Without spinning wheels.


Thanks

No E46/E39 of that generation got LSD's bar the M5 and M3 everything else, Msport or not has an open diff.

commited

318coupeDl wrote: »

Hi
As i have read that it should be mentioned in taxbook. So are u saying that it wont be mentioned.

I have read the Msports have an LSD. is there anyway to tell. Without spinning wheels.


Thanks

Look up the VIN on BMWVIN.com but I highly doubt it has an LSD.