ianm3

Hi Stephen, I got my car back yesterday. The head gasket had gone in 3 places when they took it apart. The head needed skimming as it was burnt slightly. The garage who have done it seam to have done a very good job with it. I drove it back yesterday about a 100 miles a it drove like a different car, a lot smoother and there is defiantly more power. The best part about it is that it's not cost me a penny as the guy I bought it off gave me 3months warranty. It's time to start enjoying it now. Here are a couple of pics of the gasket and looking at it I'm not surprised it goes it so thin.

Yeah it's been a while as I've been trying to make sure what the problem is as it's quite a journey to the garage where I bought the car from. The owner of the garage has been looking into where he can get the repair done with taking it to a main dealer. I Think once it's all sorted and I'm 100% happy with how it's running I might be tempted with a track day.

Hi it looks like you were spot on estoril x5 d sport, it's the head gasket that's gone. It going back to the garage where I bought it from on Saturday and he is taking it to a specialist on Monday somewhere near Birmingham. The garage gave me 3 months warranty so he is footing the bill which I am over the moon about. I'll be glad once this horrible noise has gone away and then I can start to enjoy my car.

Ok so here's the latest. I work at a ford dealer, so I've put it on a ramp and run the car up to try and here the noise but it sounded perfect. I've spoken to the guy I bought it off and he has mentioned the vanos unit as the car was stood for 3 months and they don't like being sat for long periods of time. He has suggested that a good run might be idea and it might make it quieten down but I'm not convinced. I'm planning a day out on bank holiday so I'll see if he's right. If not it looks like I'll be taking it back to him for him to try and sort out. The only down side is that he's 100 miles away from where I live so it might be a long walk home. Does anyone know it is the vanos unit can these be repaired or is it a case of take it off and fit a new one??

Thanks for all the advise. The more I look on these sites the more confused I get. The guy who I bought it off is a 100 miles from where I live so would like to find what the problem is before taking it back down. Think I might take it to BMW for a check over and see what they come up with. Fingers crossed.

Morning all, i collected my m3 on Wednesday this week and absolutely love it. There are a few bits and pieces I want to get sorted but on an 11 year old car it's in great shape. The only thing that's worrying me is a rattle I can here at just over 2000 rpm under load coming from the engine area. It sounds like a chattering/ flapping noise. I've tried to get it to do whilst parked up but i couldn't here it. I'm worried about what it could be. I've got three months warranty and I need to get it sorted ASAP. I know it's hard to say exactly what it could be but Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks Ian

Thanks for your help. I've just got back from buying a 2003 m3. I'm getting it on Friday and I can't wait. Just to put a question out there the car I've bought comes with a private plate on it and was wondering if anyone might be interested in it as I have my own plate to out on it. The reg is M33 KWT. Message me if anyone is interested. I'm sure one incorrect spacing would make it great for any m3. I'll will put some pictures on when I get the car. EXCITED is an understatement.

Evening all, I am looking to join you all by buying an m3. I've got a budget of about 10.5k as I've just bought my wife an a3 for her work but now think it's time to treat myself. I've looked on auto trader and seen a few. I just wondered if any of you new of anyone who might be selling one. It's got to be a manual and ideally an 03 onwards, but other than that I'm open to suggestions. Hope someone might be able to help. Hope to be showing some pictures on here soon of my new beast. Thanks Ian.