Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: My First BMW! 03 330CI Convertible!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci

    Red face My First BMW! 03 330CI Convertible!

    Just bought my first bmw today! mixed feelings of excited and nervous.

    Soon after i drove away with my $3000 initial investment the "Service engine soon" light comes on..

    Luckily i have mechanically inclined friends that can help me through this endeavor.

    I will update you all on what the issue is tomorrow...

    The car to me seems like it still has some life left in it..

    It has 116K miles on it and some small cosmetic issues which to me would be expected in a 15 year old car..

    The one button that take all 4 windows down or up doesnt function so i have to lower each window with the individual buttons (a $78 part to fix i found)

    The shifter is chipped n broken ($59 replacement part i saw on ebay)

    the driver door doesnt unlock when i hit the unlock button i have to use my key to manually open the lock.

    The top works great ! small inside tear in the fabric but doesnt affect any function or possibility of leaks

    Before i tackle any of these small issues i need to see what the codes read tomorrow when i get it checked.

    it was inspected 2 months ago so im hoping its nothing major (fingers crossed)

    Drives great from what i can tell.. Small occasional clunky kind of sound coming from front left tire area. will have that checked out by my buddy as well..

    Sorry to talk to much like i said mildly nervous and anxious to see what the issues could be. Thanks for letting me rant. Have a great night!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,005
    My Cars
    04 ZHP, 83 320i, 00 M5
    Congrats! You did the right thing. Go to autozone borrow their code reader and figure out what codes are triggering the check engine light.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Norwich, Connecticut.
    Posts
    486
    My Cars
    E46 wag. E36 convertible
    Quote....The car to me seems like it still has some life left in it.. unquote...............Please go away...but instead....buy a KEA...they are very good cars..and although they don't look the look...You know in your heart...you bought a KIA!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    [QUOTE=charter21p5;30067821]Congrats! You did the right thing. Go to autozone borrow their code reader and figure out what codes are triggering the check engine light.

    Yes i did! here is what the codes came up with
    p0171 p0174 p1085 p1083

    System too lean bank 1 and 2
    Fuel Control limit mixture too lean bank 2 sensor 1
    Fuel Control limit mixture too lean bank 1 sensor 1

    I was told maybe vacuum leak? or 02 sensors?

    any and all suggestions would help. thanks!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Westfield, IN
    Posts
    1,313
    My Cars
    '91 e31 M70
    It’s a great car when it’s running right. If the top is working, that’s a huge win.

    Now, assuming you don’t have any service records?

    I’m more proactive on my maintenance, so assuming these things have not been done, I would do the following:

    Valve cover gasket, spark plugs, coils, rebuild DISA valve, replace all hoses and belts including CCV hoses and secondary air pump hoses.

    I would also recommend (but not as required as above) replacing the water pump, thermostat, radiator and switching the mechanical fan to an electric fan set up. But now that’s getting really proactive.

    Good luck and welcome to the club!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    '07 e65|N62 - Alpina B7 - Black Sapphire|Black|Loaded|GONE
    '02 e46|M54 - Orient Blue|Beige|'Vert|GONE
    '00 e39|M52 - Anthrazit Metallic|Grey|GONE
    '01 e38|M73 - Anthrazit Metallic|Schwarz|Shadow-Line|GONE
    '91 e31|M70 - Schwarz|Schwarz|M70|FOR SALE

    '13 328i Auto - Black Sapphire|Coral Red|Sport Line|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - Jet Black|Black|Bamboo Anthracite|GONE
    '07 335i Auto - Montego Blue|Grey|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - (Euro Delivery 7/22/05)|Black Sapphire|Auburn|GONE
    '97 528i Auto - GONE

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    First things first,
    have an intake smoke test performed,
    to verify location and cause of intake leak.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Sorry,
    forgot to welcome you to the club,
    I own a convertible myself, I'm sure you'll enjoy your new purchase!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    Thanks for the replies Guys!

    Adwebinc: I am planning on doing some of the suggested maintenance you listed. i just want to see where this vacuum leak is coming from! driving me bonkers

    It does have some service records seems decently maintained. I did have a friend of mine who owns an older 330ci convertible and he says his came up with the same codes. hes going to look deeper into mine for me... He did go out to my car with me and show me something interesting.

    He took the air intake box and jiggled it a little and the engine cut off? so there is definitely a vacuum leak somewhere where something is either punctured or not fully sealed... He also said one of those codes i listed above is one of two things.. 1 water may have gotten mixed into the engine? or 2 they previous owner used really cheap gas? i was told use sunoco gas from now on.

    He cleared all the codes and wants me to drive it and see what pops back up and hes gonna check it all again for me in a few days.

    thanks again for the warm welcoming here and im excited to learn more about the BMW world and maybe do some DIYs in the near future. thanks again!
    Last edited by 03bmw330ci; 07-20-2018 at 05:59 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2002 BMW 330Cic
    Wow man every issue you mentioned is exactly what is going on with my car lol. Except my Trunk doesn't latch..

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    INTAKE leak.
    If smoke test is not possible, try this shortcut,
    Remove intake airbox, then remove rubber intake boot,
    squeeze and carefully inspect boot for cracks, if any-REPLACE.
    After replacement clear codes, test if they return.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Westfield, IN
    Posts
    1,313
    My Cars
    '91 e31 M70
    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    INTAKE leak.
    If smoke test is not possible, try this shortcut,
    Remove intake airbox, then remove rubber intake boot,
    squeeze and carefully inspect boot for cracks, if any-REPLACE.
    After replacement clear codes, test if they return.
    Yup.... I should have been more specific in my earlier post. This is a critical part of “all hoses”. That boot cracks and is easy to replace. If it hasn’t been done recently, do it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    '07 e65|N62 - Alpina B7 - Black Sapphire|Black|Loaded|GONE
    '02 e46|M54 - Orient Blue|Beige|'Vert|GONE
    '00 e39|M52 - Anthrazit Metallic|Grey|GONE
    '01 e38|M73 - Anthrazit Metallic|Schwarz|Shadow-Line|GONE
    '91 e31|M70 - Schwarz|Schwarz|M70|FOR SALE

    '13 328i Auto - Black Sapphire|Coral Red|Sport Line|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - Jet Black|Black|Bamboo Anthracite|GONE
    '07 335i Auto - Montego Blue|Grey|GONE
    '05 545i SMG - (Euro Delivery 7/22/05)|Black Sapphire|Auburn|GONE
    '97 528i Auto - GONE

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    "INTAKE leak.
    If smoke test is not possible, try this shortcut,
    Remove intake airbox, then remove rubber intake boot,
    squeeze and carefully inspect boot for cracks, if any-REPLACE.
    After replacement clear codes, test if they return."

    Thats going to be my initial step today... On saturday i drove it to work after having all codes cleared the day before and on my way in they came back on.

    Then as i was sitting in the parking lot at work my RPMs irregularly were going up n down and at one point i even thought it was going to stall out so its definitely getting more serious imo.

    thanks again for the help and tips and ill check back once i check for the intake leak(s).

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    **UPDATE***

    giant Slice in the MAF Air intake hose. this is the culprit for all my codes. Ordered a new one today on amazon (with prime shipping lol) 20$ part

    Also ordered Complete front strut and 2 rear shocks kit my buddy said it was needed. $180 for the set

    1 new tire $100

    and thats it! The only thing he said to keep an eye on is a slight leak in the rear diff. but other then that it has a clean bill of health! He is doing all the labor for the above parts for $100

    Thanks again for all the support and ill upload some pictures when shes all fixed up!
    Last edited by 03bmw330ci; 07-23-2018 at 07:41 PM.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Nice and easy when locations are pinpointed,
    and you have a cool buddy to rely on for labor!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post
    Nice and easy when locations are pinpointed,
    and you have a cool buddy to rely on for labor!
    You aint lyin! im super excited to have a dude like him on my side. very handy to have. he told me he would do it for 50$ but i couldn't let him do that stuff for that cheap so i threw him an extra $50. Thanks again for all your help guys!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    Quote Originally Posted by MIKYZZ4 View Post

    I never really got my guy to look deep into it since he didnt seem to concerned about it.. this is the pic he took to show me . he said he can see a residue on the outside portion of the rear diff.

    He recommended something like a de-grease and dye? not exactly sure what that means but here is the pic.

    https://ibb.co/gWbWzT

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Yea doesn't look bad, I guess I would clean it up with degreaser,much easier to spot leak locations.
    Seems like gasket #2 is failing:https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=33_1034
    I suggest replacing that gasket, and performing a fluid change.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Parkesburg PA
    Posts
    9
    My Cars
    2003 bmw 330ci
    *UPDATE*

    it was the hose connected to the mass flow intake. it was dry rotted on the bottom so i replaced that and all my lights when off after a few days . also put new struts and shocks on and new spark plugs and its driving like a dream. super fun car. not upset with my investment at all.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Cool,enjoy!

Similar Threads

  1. Just bought my first BMW (2002 330Ci)
    By flag8r in forum 1999 - 2006 (E46)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 11-13-2014, 12:41 AM
  2. Purchased first BMW - 03 325i
    By sc2sick in forum 1999 - 2006 (E46)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-28-2012, 01:35 PM
  3. Replies: 9
    Last Post: 02-13-2011, 03:05 PM
  4. BMW '03 - M3 - Convertible - 36k miles - $26000
    By maghnatios in forum 3 series & Z Series
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-22-2010, 11:09 PM
  5. New Here, Just got my first BMW 03 325i (pics)
    By SoFlo954 in forum BMW Rides & Events
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 05-14-2010, 06:56 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •