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Bmw 318ci

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I've got a BMW 318ci convertible and recently it's cost me over £2500 it's had a total engine rebuild. And now there saying the catalytic converter is on it's way out roughly (£800) from main dealer. The car was great until 78k then one thing after another. I hardly drive it now rely on my old Astra but anyone else had issues with BMW???? I was expecting reliability! But It's a bottomless money pit

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not at all I've had 3 now and swooped at 4 years old without one bit of trouble.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Wish I could afford too, mines on a 53plate so older then yours. But the engine in mine is supposed to be the worst engine as it has loads of sensors that are likely to fail.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Wish I could afford too, mines on a 53plate so older then yours. But the engine in mine is supposed to be the worst engine as it has loads of sensors that are likely to fail. "

Well at £3300 it sounds like its a cheaper option to change regularly. How ever you do it cars are not cheap to run.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

Yep your right not cheap at all, if I was to sell mine I wouldn't get back anywhere near what I've spent on it, so the dilema is either to sell it get what I can and run! or keep it hope nothing goes wrong with it and enjoy a couple of trouble free years lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have had our bmw for 4 months and it's just problem after problem now the cam shaft sensor has gone more bloody money! I think by the End of the year we would of replaced most parts!

Miss s x

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By *eMontresMan
over a year ago

Halesowen

[Removed by poster at 30/05/14 23:06:26]

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By *eMontresMan
over a year ago

Halesowen

They just don't seem to make any cars to last these days. I've had several old Bms and Mercs over the years and they've been great - I usually spend less than £1k and keep them until they die.

Older cars are simpler and easier to work on and maintain.

Last merc I had cost me £700, plus about £300 in non routine repairs, most of which I did myself, until the ECU died after 3 years. I did 70k miles in it, and it had 230k miles on the odo when it died

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I wouldn't have a BMW.

know a few people who have one and have had loads of problems. One totalling £6000 over the years

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A faulty catalytic converter can cause damage to an engine apparently so it might not be best to ignore it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

yup doesn't matter what make of car now,the days of running an owld un are limited,egr,dpf electronics etc one lil valve goes wrong n more than cars worth,cant just go to scrappy and get a bit like you could for mini escort cortina lol,cynical would say its as much to do with 'pricing poor off road'and ensuring people don't hang on to old motors when they could be buying new?as it is with 'progress'????

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

My camshaft sensor went too. It's the worst car I have had. It's nice to look at but just a headache.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I had a vauxhall once and it pulled like a train. I think it had a Isuzu Diesel engine and never let me down. I wish I kept that one. Only got rid because it started looking a bit dated

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 31/05/14 00:21:36]

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By *entaur_UKMan
over a year ago

Cannock

I got a BMW 318i had it at around 74,000 miles and its now done around 95,000 miles, never really had any major problems with it (touch wood) just the usual stuff at MOT's like tyres, brake pads, etc, general wear and tear really. Also had a BMW back in the 1990's and never had a problem with that one either. Found them to be good, reliable cars. Before buying a car i usually get a mechanic friend of mine to give the car the once over before i buy it, well worth getting an expert to check out any potential new buy, he warned me off buying what he called a "wreck" a few years ago, lol.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I drive Alfa Romeo's and even I wouldn't touch a BMW!!

Currently your best option for the catalyst is to fit what's called a de-cat pipe. It's just a piece of pipe that fits where the cat would usually be. The won't pass an MOT but it won't cause any damage and you'll even get a few extra ponies out of it. It will also give you time to source a more reasonably priced cat (there's no shame in buying one from a scrap yard). Carparts4less or eurocarparts are great for new parts and often heavily discounted, just type your ref number in and it'll show the parts for your car.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


" well worth getting an expert to check out any potential new buy, he warned me off buying what he called a "wreck" a few years ago, lol. "

Sound advice.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

I had a 323i convertible, straight 6 for many years.

Very reliable and ran like a dream.

Newer is not always better.

A

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By *ourbonKissMan
over a year ago

a land up north..... of leicester

I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x"

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?

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By *ourbonKissMan
over a year ago

a land up north..... of leicester


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?"

No electrics whatsoever, so I can't start the car. to be honest it may not come to a grand, the garage I'm using a are trying to source a refurbished ecu at a fraction of the price

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?

No electrics whatsoever, so I can't start the car. to be honest it may not come to a grand, the garage I'm using a are trying to source a refurbished ecu at a fraction of the price"

When you say no electrics what do you mean? A fragged ECU won't affect a lot of the ancillary electrics it's main job is for optimal engine performance.

Some cars have multiple ECU's such as body, abs, aircon and airbag (the airbag is an ACU) So knowing which one is faulty is vital.

I'm guessing, with it being a VW, that the ECU's are made by Bosch and there's a common fault with them, I capacitor inside the housing often fails, it takes 30mins to fit a new one and only costs a couple of quid.

Also worth checking eBay for a used one but bear in mind you may also need one with a set of locks and keys.

It's also a good idea to check owners forums to see if other members have had similar problems and found solutions.

I'm only up the road from you so pm me if you need any help.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I drive Alfa Romeo's and even I wouldn't touch a BMW!!

Currently your best option for the catalyst is to fit what's called a de-cat pipe. It's just a piece of pipe that fits where the cat would usually be. The won't pass an MOT but it won't cause any damage and you'll even get a few extra ponies out of it. It will also give you time to source a more reasonably priced cat (there's no shame in buying one from a scrap yard). Carparts4less or eurocarparts are great for new parts and often heavily discounted, just type your ref number in and it'll show the parts for your car."

Get rid of the back box too and just have a straight through pipe

What mrwho said Is good advice though main dealer parts are ridiculously priced.

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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago

warrington

You can source a second hand ecu for over 90% of any model car and simply clone all the information from the original to the new second hand unit. no need to change keys and locks, we do dozens of them every day. that goes for ABS, Air Bags and body controlers as well.

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By *igSuki81Man
over a year ago

Retirement Village


"They just don't seem to make any cars to last these days. I've had several old Bms and Mercs over the years and they've been great - I usually spend less than £1k and keep them until they die.

Older cars are simpler and easier to work on and maintain.

Last merc I had cost me £700, plus about £300 in non routine repairs, most of which I did myself, until the ECU died after 3 years. I did 70k miles in it, and it had 230k miles on the odo when it died"

This has been my experience too. Older german cars were built like tanks and lasted for a long time but over the last 10 - 12 years that reliability has evaporated

OP if i was in your position i'd try sourcing parts from a breakers yard (there's loads around brum & black country) & save yourself a few quid doing so but the Cat is something you'll want to change quick if it really has gone. Plus dont go to a dealer and try getting a 2nd opinion from a local mechanic. Good luck with it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"You can source a second hand ecu for over 90% of any model car and simply clone all the information from the original to the new second hand unit. no need to change keys and locks, we do dozens of them every day. that goes for ABS, Air Bags and body controlers as well.

"

I've never seen anyone cloning an engine ECU I'm sure loads of members of the Alfa Romeo forums would love to know about this service considering many ECU types are rare or difficult to get hold of. The only way I knew to replace an old ECU with a used one without changing the locks was to have it virginalised. This basically sets it back into its default state and allows it to be fitted to any car of the correct model.

ABS, airbag and body computers are usually interchangeable.

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By *teborahCouple
over a year ago

warrington

We invested £1000s into equipment that can read and write to ecu's directly and not through the OBD port so because of this the main dealers say this can't be done and you must buy a new one from them for ££££s. With these readers you can get around the "Anti Tune" measures that the manufacturers fit when being built.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"We invested £1000s into equipment that can read and write to ecu's directly and not through the OBD port so because of this the main dealers say this can't be done and you must buy a new one from them for ££££s. With these readers you can get around the "Anti Tune" measures that the manufacturers fit when being built. "

I've seen those machines before, you're talking about 'flashing' the ECU and virginalising it. Essentially the same as a brand new ECU from the manufacturer but at a fraction of the cost. My car is remapped and the tuner flashed my ECU first, then put it on a rolling road, rewrote the engine mapping and then put it back on the rolling road. I now have three power and torque settings I can choose from.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"We invested £1000s into equipment that can read and write to ecu's directly and not through the OBD port so because of this the main dealers say this can't be done and you must buy a new one from them for ££££s. With these readers you can get around the "Anti Tune" measures that the manufacturers fit when being built.

I've seen those machines before, you're talking about 'flashing' the ECU and virginalising it. Essentially the same as a brand new ECU from the manufacturer but at a fraction of the cost. My car is remapped and the tuner flashed my ECU first, then put it on a rolling road, rewrote the engine mapping and then put it back on the rolling road. I now have three power and torque settings I can choose from. "

There's been a massive rise in remappers offering to remap at home or at your work and people stupidly have it done

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"We invested £1000s into equipment that can read and write to ecu's directly and not through the OBD port so because of this the main dealers say this can't be done and you must buy a new one from them for ££££s. With these readers you can get around the "Anti Tune" measures that the manufacturers fit when being built.

I've seen those machines before, you're talking about 'flashing' the ECU and virginalising it. Essentially the same as a brand new ECU from the manufacturer but at a fraction of the cost. My car is remapped and the tuner flashed my ECU first, then put it on a rolling road, rewrote the engine mapping and then put it back on the rolling road. I now have three power and torque settings I can choose from.

There's been a massive rise in remappers offering to remap at home or at your work and people stupidly have it done "

Yeah, they're the ones to avoid, especially when it comes to power remaps.

Mine was done by a renowned Alfa Romeo tuner and I couldn't be happier with the results.

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By *ourbonKissMan
over a year ago

a land up north..... of leicester


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?

No electrics whatsoever, so I can't start the car. to be honest it may not come to a grand, the garage I'm using a are trying to source a refurbished ecu at a fraction of the price

When you say no electrics what do you mean? A fragged ECU won't affect a lot of the ancillary electrics it's main job is for optimal engine performance.

Some cars have multiple ECU's such as body, abs, aircon and airbag (the airbag is an ACU) So knowing which one is faulty is vital.

I'm guessing, with it being a VW, that the ECU's are made by Bosch and there's a common fault with them, I capacitor inside the housing often fails, it takes 30mins to fit a new one and only costs a couple of quid.

Also worth checking eBay for a used one but bear in mind you may also need one with a set of locks and keys.

It's also a good idea to check owners forums to see if other members have had similar problems and found solutions.

I'm only up the road from you so pm me if you need any help. "

The car won't start, there's no lights on the dash whatsoever when you turn the key. The guy at the garage says that they can't communicate with the existing ecu at all so it definitely needs replacing

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?

No electrics whatsoever, so I can't start the car. to be honest it may not come to a grand, the garage I'm using a are trying to source a refurbished ecu at a fraction of the price

When you say no electrics what do you mean? A fragged ECU won't affect a lot of the ancillary electrics it's main job is for optimal engine performance.

Some cars have multiple ECU's such as body, abs, aircon and airbag (the airbag is an ACU) So knowing which one is faulty is vital.

I'm guessing, with it being a VW, that the ECU's are made by Bosch and there's a common fault with them, I capacitor inside the housing often fails, it takes 30mins to fit a new one and only costs a couple of quid.

Also worth checking eBay for a used one but bear in mind you may also need one with a set of locks and keys.

It's also a good idea to check owners forums to see if other members have had similar problems and found solutions.

I'm only up the road from you so pm me if you need any help.

The car won't start, there's no lights on the dash whatsoever when you turn the key. The guy at the garage says that they can't communicate with the existing ecu at all so it definitely needs replacing"

From the fact you have no lights on dashboard and no comms to engine ecu sounds more like the main realy has failed common fault on older VW's relay has 402 painted on it under drivers side of dashboard also fuseboxe plays up from time to time... doesn't sound like just engine ecu fault...sounds like someone is guessing not diagnoising properly... You as others have said can fit secondhand ecu's to all the VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda vehicles of any age range, ideally look for a company that uses 'AUTOLOGIC' diagnostic system in your area as most people with them have a good degree of knowledge and the back up from Autologic is second to none, at least you can be sure your in need of the right parts for your fault !

Hope it helps have Autologic and own garage for many years in diagnostics...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just another thought ignition switch failure/wears out often !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have also had the 318 convertible, but it only had about 30k miles on the clock, sold it when it got to 60k, since then i have had the 330d, 320d, M3 & now the 2008 320i convertible no major issues apart from the M3 which was kind of expected as it was the SMG tiptronic, I normally buy ex demo- low milage & sell after they get to 60k on the clock

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I'm having having to spend about grand on a new ecu for my golf, so I'm feeling your pain too op x

Mate, no need to spend that much.

What's wrong with it?

No electrics whatsoever, so I can't start the car. to be honest it may not come to a grand, the garage I'm using a are trying to source a refurbished ecu at a fraction of the price

When you say no electrics what do you mean? A fragged ECU won't affect a lot of the ancillary electrics it's main job is for optimal engine performance.

Some cars have multiple ECU's such as body, abs, aircon and airbag (the airbag is an ACU) So knowing which one is faulty is vital.

I'm guessing, with it being a VW, that the ECU's are made by Bosch and there's a common fault with them, I capacitor inside the housing often fails, it takes 30mins to fit a new one and only costs a couple of quid.

Also worth checking eBay for a used one but bear in mind you may also need one with a set of locks and keys.

It's also a good idea to check owners forums to see if other members have had similar problems and found solutions.

I'm only up the road from you so pm me if you need any help.

The car won't start, there's no lights on the dash whatsoever when you turn the key. The guy at the garage says that they can't communicate with the existing ecu at all so it definitely needs replacing

From the fact you have no lights on dashboard and no comms to engine ecu sounds more like the main realy has failed common fault on older VW's relay has 402 painted on it under drivers side of dashboard also fuseboxe plays up from time to time... doesn't sound like just engine ecu fault...sounds like someone is guessing not diagnoising properly... You as others have said can fit secondhand ecu's to all the VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda vehicles of any age range, ideally look for a company that uses 'AUTOLOGIC' diagnostic system in your area as most people with them have a good degree of knowledge and the back up from Autologic is second to none, at least you can be sure your in need of the right parts for your fault !

Hope it helps have Autologic and own garage for many years in diagnostics..."

Could also be something really simple like a dead battery or bad earth (often the engine/gearbox earth).

If the dash isn't lighting up then there's no power, if there's no power you can't connect to the ECU unless you remove it from the car and use the correct equipment to test it.

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