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Thread: Purchased a 2004 BMW 330Xi-Need some help

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
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    6
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi

    Purchased a 2004 BMW 330Xi-Need some help

    Hi all,

    I purchased my first BMW last week; 2004 330Xi Auto, 226,000 KM. Purchased the car as is and I have some things to take care of. I took it into my mechanic and I need a front right axle and control arm.

    I have noticed when I am stopped at a red light or anywhere the car shakes (vibrates) but when I am driving no shaking at all.

    Would someone be able to recommend me where I can take my car in to get it repaired? I have been quoted $1000-$1200. I find that a bit excessive.
    My mechanic told me not to buy any aftermarket parts as it can cause issues up to transmission issues; only buy German aftermarket parts. Is that true?

    I know its a BMW and parts are expensive...

    I am in the Scarborough area..thanks..

    Some pics:


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    431
    My Cars
    2001 330i and 2005 330i
    Welcome to the club. You have a ton of miles on a car that requires scrupulous maintenance. The previous owner was prolly tired of shelling out and you just inherited whatever he left behind. If you are mechanically challenged then check out http://www.bimmers.org/. My suggestion is to get the Bentley manual and start learning.
    Owning a fully depreciated used car is not free. I spend about $100 per month on stuff for the car. That still beats the pants off of $500 per on a brand new version.
    Meanwhile, shaky idle could be plenty of different things starting with the variable valve timing system (called VANOS) or just dirty components in the throttle system like the idle control valve (ICV). All of these issues have a DIY here and on other forums...
    Johnny Murray

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Silver Spring, MD
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    130
    My Cars
    03M3 17M540 18A5SB
    Make sure you join the BMW CCA (eh, it's America, but so what?). SC and MM are probably the greatest tech resources for BMW DIY outside of Munich..and Munich won't talk to you! Seriously, email techtalk@roundel.org and ask for the long term maintenance schedule...it's a lot more comprehensive than BMW's scheduled maintenance and you're outside theirs anyway.
    Depending on how reliable you want your BMW to be/remain, it can cost a few more lunae(?) than you think.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi
    Thanks guys

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
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    2018 BMW M240i
    The first step in diagnosing a problem is to scan the engine computer (DME) for codes. The Service Engine Soon (SES) light is in onlybegrn an emissions related code is present. There’s a BMW Car Club of Canada. Join it. I bet that the website has shop recommendations. Also, get the OBDFusion app for your smartphone or tablet. Then go to E46Fanatics and search for threads on OBDFusion in which jfoj has commented. He’s the guru. It’s a great app for reading and clearing codes, logging various engine parameters and troubleshooting issues.

    The rough running is likely caused by vacuum leaks. Have a shop perform
    a smoke test on the intake.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    I'd agree with your mechanic and some of the other poster comments on repair. We recently bought a 02 330xi(105km) like you, but were fortunate that the previous owner did loads of big work(front end, etc..). Having said that, I've spent the last 6 months righting the car:
    1. new fuel system(pump, filter/reg, inj seals, etc..)
    2. new michelins a/s
    3. motor mounts, intake gaskets, vac hoses, ccv and all related hoses, 4 o2 sensors
    4. rotors, pads, hoses, fluid, sensors all round
    5. new agm battery 800cca, air filter, cabin filter
    6. repair installation of aftermarket cooling system parts (upper hose, expansion tank, trans t-stat, bracket,fresh bmw coolant, etc..)
    7. both front window regulators and motors
    Well, you get the idea. These cars need regulator influxes of parts to keep them reliable. It is a brilliant car for the $$. The car is wonderful on the highway, especially in bad weather.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Chicagoland area
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    As was mentioned above start with a BMW diagnostic scan,preferably with a BMW specific scan tool/software.
    Join a local BMW car club for recommendations on a reliable,trustworthy BMW specialist shop,
    or even a knowledgeable member who is willing to help you with repairs.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi
    Thanks for all your help. The following has been done since I got the car:

    Passenger side lower control arm, ball joint, driveshaft

    I was getting interior vibration when I was idling in gear on a stop light. Putting it neutral would be vibration free. My mechanic recommended me to change both engine mounts, the mounts on it were shot. It helped initially for a day and now its back again..what could it be?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lawrence Kansas
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    1,236
    My Cars
    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    Front axles. The inside joint wears out first and you wont hear clicking. They develop rotational play that causes vibration to be transmitted straight through the inner ball joint of the suspension and directly to the front subframe, shaking the whole car.

    Lift one side up and put your hand on the inside CV joint. With the other hand rotate the tire back and forth slowly and measure how much the tire rotates before the inside joint wants to rotate too. If the wheel moves more than a 1/4in in either direction, the axle is bad. Happens to ALL XI's. Dont buy cheap axles. Either. OEM GKN only.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lawrence Kansas
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    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    And yes, the vibration feels just like worn mounts and only happens in gear, and stopped.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    Silver Spring, MD
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    03M3 17M540 18A5SB
    Go FCP Euro...last axles you'll ever have to buy. Lifetime guarantee.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
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    Silver Spring, MD
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    03M3 17M540 18A5SB

    Not sure this makes sense since the front axles aren't moving when the car is stopped

    Quote Originally Posted by dhurley34 View Post
    Front axles. The inside joint wears out first and you wont hear clicking. They develop rotational play that causes vibration to be transmitted straight through the inner ball joint of the suspension and directly to the front subframe, shaking the whole car.

    Lift one side up and put your hand on the inside CV joint. With the other hand rotate the tire back and forth slowly and measure how much the tire rotates before the inside joint wants to rotate too. If the wheel moves more than a 1/4in in either direction, the axle is bad. Happens to ALL XI's. Dont buy cheap axles. Either. OEM GKN only.

    Just sayin'....

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Lawrence Kansas
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    2004 325XI/2008 GL320
    Yes, this is when the car is stopped.

    Because of the design of the XI suspension cradle and the fact that the front diff is mounted to the oil pan, when a front axle develops play in the interior joint, it amplifies engine vibration. The vibration is then transmitted to the engine cradle through the inner ball joint which has no cushion to absorb it.

    When the car is stopped in drive, it still applies pressure to the front wheels. This pressure is not a 100% constant force. Its more of a minor pulsing that is consistent with engine rotation. This is the main reason for the vibration when they develop play.

    Lock it in

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
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    6
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi
    I replaced the passenger driveshaft. Now I need to replace the driver's side driveshaft?

    Thanks

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Arlington, VA
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    2018 BMW M240i
    No, unless it’s acting up. Are the left axle’s rubber boots intact? What happens is the outer rubber boot gets damaged and the CV joint grease leaks out. Then the CV joint fails.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
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    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi
    Car got towed into the shop today. Coolant gauge went to red and when I tried to fill up and start the car the coolant everything leaked out.engine was shaking..Ill find out tomorrow whats the issue...I hope its a minor issue..
    Last edited by tester2013; 12-17-2018 at 12:26 AM.

  17. #17
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    Seriously, if this was a poorly maintained vehicle sold to you as-is,
    then any savings you gained in a low purchase price are going to be eaten away on neglected maintenance.
    AND this would be so if you were to DIY, add in mechanic shop charges and you're really in the red.
    If you're not mechanically inclined, bringing this vehicle up to par will be an expensive endeavor.

    A PPO would have revealed most needed repairs, then you would have had a list of the systems requiring repair.
    Systems most probably requiring replacement include cooling system,suspension system,CCV system,ignition system.
    This is an educated guess, your results may vary, but not by much I assume. Good Luck, update us on what your mechanic finds.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Scarborough, Ontario
    Posts
    6
    My Cars
    2004 BMW 330Xi
    My car is back on the road now. Rad replaced and heater hose. Luckily I didnt do any damage to the engine components.

    I will be taking the car in tomorrow to have the following recalls rectified:


    • Recall Campaign No. 2015-230: Driver-Side Front Air Bag Module (72 82 16RC)
    • Recall Campaign No. 2014-299: Passenger Frontal Air Bag System (72 80 14RC)
    • Recall Campaign No. 2011-322: Rear Lamps in Body Panel (63 81 11RC)


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