[arrdee]

06 plate 320si, c48k miles, total loss of compression in cylinder 3 due to cracked / delaminated cylinder lining. When the cylinder went, it took out the cat / exhaust with it apparently. Dealership ordered a new engine in June 11 - still in the courtesy car 5 months later.....

After reading this thread im considering a Detox mod on the new engine when i get the car back; my only reservation is that this would screw the mfr warranty that saved my ass from a 10k+ bill this time (BMW service dept. estimate).

Sorry to add to the woes.

RD,Bristol UK

[Daz320si]

Hi
I have a 06plate 320si. 42000miles &just gone in the garage because engine tapping really bad. The mechanic says the valve seat has dropped. But can't really tell until the cylinder head comes off. Has anyone come across this problem before. Further more does anyone know how BMW are with goodwill seen as tho this is a mechanical failure?? If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful
Thanks

[Daz320si]

Originally Posted by MAD 320si

Hi, I have just suffered the very same fate!! cylinders 2&3 hole in side of cylinder 3 and cracked liners in 2..... I have just got the good news from my BMW specialist and I don't know what to do, have you any suggestions of how to approach BMW etc.... by the way its done 47,000 miles (ring any bells) and has a FULL BMW dealer service history.... perhaps we should all band together and demand something be done .... its down to their poor workmanship on the engines that have caused this.... I am now waiting for a full report.... I'll keep you all posted

Hi

Did you have any joy with bmw? I have a 320si & its in the garage at the moment. Mine has done 42000 miles. Doesn't seem acceptable to me for a £30,000 car to die at that mileage.

[E90_320si]

Hello everyone!

I think i did the right choice!?

I sold my very beloved 320si with 43000 km after five years;( , and baught a E46 M3 SMG 2004 360HP insted, because i couldent handle the nervosite of one day my engine are going to blow up! In two years i only drove it 2000 km!

I must say that i miss my individual Carbon Black 320si..!

Best regards to everyone!

Fredrik

[cobalt]

Hi all,

i just got a warning lamp on the dashboard with check engine and the engine output was limited.
the fault codes on the dashboeard were the cruise control and cehck engine lamps.

in the diagnostic socket the results were potentiometer and MAF check.
solution that BMW suggests in this situation is engine harness change and in some individual cases ALSO throttle potentiometer change.
the fault codes were deleted and i took the car back.
the same day in the evening i got the same trouble. the car was very difficult to drive due to the fact that the engines performance was reduced almost 90%.
i took the car to the BMW dealer and we changed the engine harness as the BMW suggested.
so far so good and i dont have any more in the mornings the problems with the idling on startup.

the car has so far only 22.000KM

cost for this was approximately 560 Euros.

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by E90_320si

Hello everyone!

I think i did the right choice!?

I sold my very beloved 320si with 43000 km after five years;( , and baught a E46 M3 SMG 2004 360HP insted, because i couldent handle the nervosite of one day my engine are going to blow up! In two years i only drove it 2000 km!

I must say that i miss my individual Carbon Black 320si..!

Best regards to everyone!

Fredrik

Sounds like the right choice to me!

[Nikos120i]

Originally Posted by cobalt

Hi all,

i just got a warning lamp on the dashboard with check engine and the engine output was limited.
the fault codes on the dashboeard were the cruise control and cehck engine lamps.

in the diagnostic socket the results were potentiometer and MAF check.
solution that BMW suggests in this situation is engine harness change and in some individual cases ALSO throttle potentiometer change.
the fault codes were deleted and i took the car back.
the same day in the evening i got the same trouble. the car was very difficult to drive due to the fact that the engines performance was reduced almost 90%.
i took the car to the BMW dealer and we changed the engine harness as the BMW suggested.
so far so good and i dont have any more in the mornings the problems with the idling on startup.

the car has so far only 22.000KM

cost for this was approximately 560 Euros.

36.000km on the clock and no problems so far.

Pete, what do you mean by idle problems on start-up? What exactly happens?

Cause I have had a couple of times (seriously, only two) difficulties on start-up which I think was caused by putting in the key fob and too quickly pressing the starter button. Cause when hitting the starter button, ignition would turn, but the engine wouldn't fire-up only after about 30secs of turning.

Nothing has happened since then. The car is fine, performs great and actually the engine has "opened-up" a bit. It feels a bit faster, especially on lower revs and the sound is even better

So, what problems did you experienced?

Thanks!

[cobalt]

Originally Posted by Nikos120i

36.000km on the clock and no problems so far.

Pete, what do you mean by idle problems on start-up? What exactly happens?

Cause I have had a couple of times (seriously, only two) difficulties on start-up which I think was caused by putting in the key fob and too quickly pressing the starter button. Cause when hitting the starter button, ignition would turn, but the engine wouldn't fire-up only after about 30secs of turning.

Nothing has happened since then. The car is fine, performs great and actually the engine has "opened-up" a bit. It feels a bit faster, especially on lower revs and the sound is even better

So, what problems did you experienced?

Thanks!

just rough idling for 1-2 seconds... only at first startup when the car is cold.
i think that all the si's are facing the same problem more or less.

[Nikos120i]

Originally Posted by cobalt

just rough idling for 1-2 seconds... only at first startup when the car is cold.
i think that all the si's are facing the same problem more or less.

So it's an IDLING problem, not a start-up problem.

I've never had an idling problem.

I have had a couple of start-up problems...but never idling problems.

[Detox]

Hi All,

I can see a few messages to me, apologies for not being on the forum lately.
Happy to help with questions if you have any... best bet is to PM...

The 1-2 seconds rough idling and may be loud engine noise is fairly normal as the Vanos get filled up with oil.. There are non return valves to prevent them draining but it seems that they dont do the job after a while...

Changing the chain tensioners can help as they have been upgraded from first production... cheap fix to start with.. but it wont help if the liners are going.


Cheers
Mo

[ouch1234]

Hi Cobalt,

I had the rough idling upon start; it was really bad at one point and the car has been at BMW for 2-3 times about this. On the last occasion BMW asked me to leave the car with them for a week and their chief technician finally diagnosed the problem to be dirty solenoids - which he cleaned.

The problem recurred a few weeks later and it was then established that I was driving the car too nicely, mostly urban driving and gear changes at 2-2.5k rpm rather than 3-4k rpm. I changed my driving style and since then and have not had any more problems, even with the relatively colder winter here.

I stick to 6-8 k oil intervals and get the valves checked at every other service. Needless to say, with the new longer gear changes, the petrol bill is getting worse.

Hope this helps.

[Reggie-335i]

Hi Guys,

I bought my 06 320si in September 2011 from a Cooper dealer (approved used). 48k on the clock.

I could hear a metallic ticking noise from the engine within two weeks, took to my local Scotthall dealer who advised of some issue with the AC intake and a part had to be replaced. Done no more problem

However, the Scotthall dealer advised that the vehicle did not have genuine BMW brake pads/discs all round. As i had just purchased the car two weeks before i contacted the Cooper dealer and advised of this, they agreed to pay for replacement genuine parts to be fitted by my local Scotthall dealer.

Once this was done, i got my car back without any problems. A week later filled up a full tank for the first and noticed petrol leaking from underneath the petrol intake. Took to my local dealer and was advised that some kind of connector had torn/devloped a hole so a part had the be replaced there.

By October/November (1-2 months into ownership) i was experiencing starting problems. Cant remember what the exact diagnosis was from Scothall dealer but they done something and i got the car back. Until one morning the car just wouldnt start at all. Called emergency services and the gentleman who inspected the vehicle advised that i needed a new battery. Same battery had been in the car since new. This was replaced on the spot FOC and all was well.

Until a few weeks later more starting problems. Scotthall dealer done something and advised my car was ready to be collected, upon collection tried to drive away and car wouldnt start. Car stayed with the dealer and further investigations were done to reveal that the piston liners were cracked and i require a new engine which is to be hand made in Germany.

Stiill in a courtesy car till this day with no expected date to get my car back. I am being looked after with regards to a courtesy car of a good spec but i am not willing to take my car back even once it is fixed. I feel that having bought an approved used BMW the 120-point check had not been completed prior to selling the vehicle to me. Which has resulted in the car being in the garage for longer than ive had a chance to use it!!

Any thoughts on my chances of receiving a refund or using the initial amount pent on the car to purchase another Approved Used BMW?

Any comments much appreciated.

[Jimmer69]

Mate the fact that they've been so proactive about the new engine and that I'd be delighted. There's been some proper horror stories on here. You could probably push for some kind of refund, a mate of mine had a Z4M with a hot starting issue and was able to get a full refund after 4 months of constant issues with it.

However if I were you I'd wait for the car to be returned and just enjoy it, I love my Si and I don't think I'd change it for anything other than an M3. If after all that you still fancy a change I'd say you have a pretty sellable car considering it's service history and the new engine so hopefully you won't loose out.

On another note my one doesn't like damp mornings, starts fine every other time but when it's damp it can be a struggle!

[Reggie-335i]

Thanks for the response.
With all due respect, i have owned the car 6 months, of which just under 4 months it has been in the garage. Personally i think thats terrible.

Also, im no expert on mechanics et, but im sure it cant be good for the vehicle to be sitting there without getting used. Although the engine will be replaced what about all other parts - and rust?

I have read some horror stories on here but according to me when you own a car which is out of manufacturer warranty and something goes wrong, the likeliness is that you will not be covered.

As i mentioned i bought mine as an Approved Used BMW, and have had nothing but constant issues. Did your mate with the Z4M buy brand new or 2nd hand? approved used?
The Si is enjoyable to drive but i do feel that the 120-point check was not completed thoroughly - as a result i have had to endure a huge amount of hassle and should be entitled to a refund.

[Reggie-335i]

Thanks for the response.
With all due respect, i have owned the car 6 months, of which just under 4 months it has been in the garage. Personally i think thats terrible.

Also, im no expert on mechanics et, but im sure it cant be good for the vehicle to be sitting there without getting used. Although the engine will be replaced what about all other parts - and rust?

I have read some horror stories on here but according to me when you own a car which is out of manufacturer warranty and something goes wrong, the likeliness is that you will not be covered.

As i mentioned i bought mine as an Approved Used BMW, and have had nothing but constant issues. Did your mate with the Z4M buy brand new or 2nd hand? approved used?
The Si is enjoyable to drive but i do feel that the 120-point check was not completed thoroughly - as a result i have had to endure a huge amount of hassle and should be entitled to a refund.

[Jimmer69]

Hi mate, the Z4M was an approved used from BMW. He had to fight quite hard for it though.

I guess it's all down to personal preference at the end of the day and I appreciate that it's been a complete pain in the arse for you. All the best with it anyway, keep us posted with the outcome, I hope at the end of it you land up with the right car for you be it the si or a replacement.

[Nikos120i]

Originally Posted by Jimmer69

On another note my one doesn't like damp mornings, starts fine every other time but when it's damp it can be a struggle!

Yeap!

I have that too on cold and damp mornings some times. But that's a starting issue, not an idling issue. So I shouldn't be worried...correct?

Could it be that the battery is dying?

Other than that, no problems.

[carbonSI]

I have a few posts on here about the handling issues im getting. This is the worst car ive ever bought. It's so overrated the handling isnt anything special and is pretty slow. Oh well my own fault as i test drove it. it has got a lot worse tho the year ive had it. bad thing is tho i cant get rid of it as si's are worthless now.....

[Nikos120i]

Originally Posted by carbonSI

I have a few posts on here about the handling issues im getting. This is the worst car ive ever bought. It's so overrated the handling isnt anything special and is pretty slow. Oh well my own fault as i test drove it. it has got a lot worse tho the year ive had it. bad thing is tho i cant get rid of it as si's are worthless now.....

I have to disagree with you on that one.

The si is one of the best handling cars in its class. One of the few with cornering speeds slightly over 1g.

What tires are you running?

[Jimmer69]

I also find this very very odd, I enjoy every mile in mine!

[carbonSI]

Ignore what i said guys. Was just taking out my anger as ive had an alignment problem on mine for the best part of a year. Both front wheels are buckled so ive ordered two new motorsport 216 alloys. Im sure your si's are fine and from the reports its is one of the best handling in its class...

Btw im on falken fk452

[arrdee]

Got my si back today after 9 months one waiting for a new engine to be fitted. HavE to say that the dealership have been first class in the way they have dealt with it. Ive been in a 320d courtesy car since taking the si in and I tell you what I didn't half appreciate getting the si back. The handling , steering , smoothness and sound of the engine rips the pants off a 320d. No doubt.

Reggie - I wouldn't mind betting your new block was being built alongside mine. The dealership said that my new engine has been modified to to take account of the liner defect - ill enquire further to see what has been done differently and let you know what BMW say.

Cheers