Rattling from a potential purchase. Will it cost a lot?
I'm thinking of purchasing a BMW 320i 2.2 2003 59k, immaculate in all respects apart from a rattle or ticking from the engine compartment that I noticed on tick over, possibly more noticeable when warm.
I've read a range of different possibilities about this from forums. Valve (intake?) wear, timing chain or pulley wear or is this something else or merely a characteristic of the engine. Beautiful car but potentially an expensive problem to fix? Is this one to avoid?
I've read a range of different possibilities about this from forums. Valve (intake?) wear, timing chain or pulley wear or is this something else or merely a characteristic of the engine. Beautiful car but potentially an expensive problem to fix? Is this one to avoid?
Asked on 5 January 2012 by mattr2506
Answered by
Honest John
Could be the Valvetronic system. Unlikely to be the timing chain unless the oil has hardly ever been changed. It's a straight six. More here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/3-series-e46-199...d
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
I have noted in your Yaris article that the manual gearbox suffers from a whine. Is this whine something that is to be accepted or is it best to repair? Do you know what causes the whine?
I went to view a car (2000 Ford Fiesta) which I quite liked. However, there was a slight gravelly sound from engine when revving, not from the exhaust. Sounded fine on tick over.
I have recently (4 weeks ago) purchased a 03 plate Mercedes C220 CDI coupe. On picking up the car (which I did test drive but didnt notice at the time) there are several things which I'm unhappy about....
Elsewhere on 
