Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by E46330 » Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:40 am

Just thought I’d give a little update on this one. The car is still in the garage and it turns out it’s a bit of a nightmare.

The cold start up issues was a cracked vacuum hose in the rear , which was the easy part. The other contributing factor was the inlet hose from the manifold to the air box and the garage ordered it in , turns out they sent a plastic BMW part , when in fact it takes an uprated metal Alpina specific hose. Now BMW UK have none , same goes for Germany , the literal only option is to have one manufactured in Germany and wait the 2-3 weeks for postage. Apparently they are maybe asked for about 3 of these a year. Pricing for this I have no idea , but it’s not sounding cheap.

The issues with the gearbox was the gear position sensor , funny story again , BMW were adamant it’s a standard BMW part , but when delivered it did not fit , so when called back they had to search their systems for a couple of hours and managed to find the alternative part , and luckily there is 1 in stock. The BMW part is £50 whereas the Alpina one is £307.

Clicking steering wheel is related to a pin/ring for the indicator stalk. Which is an easy cheap fix.

Condensation is being narrowed down to vapour barriers as all door and window seals are fine , and there’s no wetness on the carpets.

Indicators have just been rewired back up.

Finally and not least the traction control was just constantly flashing which is the ABS sensors on the rear wheels so again easy fixes.

Just waiting for it all to be finished off , and dreading the final total bill. I’m not desperate for the car back so I think I’ll leave it with them until the inlet hose arrives. It has been patched up for the meantime so I can pick it up Tuesday and it’s driveable but makes sense to get it back in the one go.

P.S - both front shocks are weeping , but ever so slightly , probably could get another 9 months out of them. Which I’m thinking to get sorted come summer.
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by Rav » Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:32 am

Wow. Thanks for the update. This makes for grizzly reading, but at least you are making progress. Keep going and I assure you that it will be worth it. During lockdown, i have been thinking of downsizing fun fun fleet to a single car, but when i do drive the Alpina, even for a short journey, I confirm to myself that this is a life keeper.

I am not sure where you are based, but if you would like to try any of the parts on my car to see if errors are fixed on your car to confirm which parts are needed, you are most welcome. As long as you dont have to take my engine or gearbox out :D

Please keep us updated.
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by BarryM » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:21 am

E46330 wrote:
Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:40 am
Just thought I’d give a little update on this one. The car is still in the garage and it turns out it’s a bit of a nightmare.

Condensation is being narrowed down to vapour barriers as all door and window seals are fine , and there’s no wetness on the carpets.
Well it sounds like the garage is making progress so that’s encouraging, just a quick point to say that if the vapour barriers fail the water tends to migrate under the top carpets so it’s not immediately apparent how much water is sitting underneath and the top being dry is no guarantee it’s not soaked underneath!
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by E46330 » Mon Apr 05, 2021 3:37 am

Rav wrote:
Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:32 am
Wow. Thanks for the update. This makes for grizzly reading, but at least you are making progress. Keep going and I assure you that it will be worth it. During lockdown, i have been thinking of downsizing fun fun fleet to a single car, but when i do drive the Alpina, even for a short journey, I confirm to myself that this is a life keeper.

I am not sure where you are based, but if you would like to try any of the parts on my car to see if errors are fixed on your car to confirm which parts are needed, you are most welcome. As long as you dont have to take my engine or gearbox out :D

Please keep us updated.
Thanks for the concern haha ! I’m yet to feel the sting , waiting on this pipe from Germany. Then I’ll see if it’s a heart attack. But will keep posting as I know more

All jokes aside , I think that the costs of running and keeping an Alpina are totally justifiable , given the ride and the beautiful engine note , oh and the torque. Given how much I paid for her in the beginning I always did have a little wiggle room for this kind of thing.

I am based in Scotland , how about yourself ?
Thanks for the offer but I won’t be needing those , however I might pinch the little 3.3 badge on the engine rail ! Just kidding. However when she is back I do intend on glamming her up with things like original carpets , wax , polish , valet , re-leather the steering wheel (it’s cracked at the top and flaking)
Any thoughts ?
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by ScooBeeFive » Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:46 am

This sounds fairly painful so soon into your Alpina ownership experience. Glad to hear that it hasn’t dampened your enthusiasm for the brand. Fingers crossed that once these issues are sorted, you’ll have a clear run and be able to enjoy the car over the summer.

These cars are worth investing in as I’m sure you’d agree. It’s nice to see it’s in the hands of someone who’s prepared to get it sorted. Good luck!

Edited to add: There are quite a few recent threads on here regarding steering wheel refurbishment, so a quick search should give you some ideas. Royal and MPM Trimming have been mentioned....
Last edited by ScooBeeFive on Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by hashluck » Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:49 am

Good progress, you will get there

This is news to me

"The issues with the gearbox was the gear position sensor , funny story again , BMW were adamant it’s a standard BMW part , but when delivered it did not fit , so when called back they had to search their systems for a couple of hours and managed to find the alternative part , and luckily there is 1 in stock. The BMW part is £50 whereas the Alpina one is £307. "


I don't remember that at all or anything like that price when the issue was fixed on my B3S

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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by Bob » Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:21 pm

hashluck wrote:
Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:49 am
Good progress, you will get there

This is news to me

"The issues with the gearbox was the gear position sensor , funny story again , BMW were adamant it’s a standard BMW part , but when delivered it did not fit , so when called back they had to search their systems for a couple of hours and managed to find the alternative part , and luckily there is 1 in stock. The BMW part is £50 whereas the Alpina one is £307. "


I don't remember that at all or anything like that price when the issue was fixed on my B3S
There is certainly nothing listed in the ALPINA part list for the 3.3 about the gear position sensor, but it may not be the standard one for your base/donor car either since the gearbox itself is ALPINA specific. Presumably it’s a ZF but don’t know which model.

http://www.klinika-bm.pl/alpina-pdf/kat ... 6-b333.pdf
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by DogWagen » Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:11 pm

I had mine replaced shortly after purchase for a similar fault. The transmission is a ZF 5HP19 but the position switch is a BMW part: 24107507818
Screenshot_20210405-150752.png
Screenshot_20210405-150752.png (172.58 KiB) Viewed 1623 times
Hope that helps/clarifies

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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by E46330 » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:44 pm

DogWagen wrote:
Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:11 pm
I had mine replaced shortly after purchase for a similar fault. The transmission is a ZF 5HP19 but the position switch is a BMW part: 24107507818 Screenshot_20210405-150752.png

Hope that helps/clarifies

Mike
Thank for this , that’s very helpful, I did double check with the mechanic and he made a mistake it wasn’t £300 for part , was more like £200 with fitting , and the part is an alternative part for the gearbox not a special one.
Last edited by E46330 on Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by E46330 » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:59 pm

Most likely the final update for now as will be picking the car up tomorrow.

Hose still hasn’t arrived but is charged at normal retail and is £24 so that’s a big bonus ! Will pick up the car and wait for hose to arrive as it will only take 20 minutes to fit and I am starting to miss the old girl. The temporary seals on the hose are holding well enough and all start up gremlins are gone.

The drivers side door vapour barrier was damaged but is replaced now and the door was moved on the hinge to get a tighter fit , condensation has not reappeared since.

Gearbox cog light doesn’t come back so position sensor sorted this.

ABS sensors were replaced too and did not completely fix the issue , the ABS rings were shot and needed changing too so those are done now also. Turns out this is a long job and labour intensive.

Clicking steering wheel is a part that I cannot remember the name of but will ask tomorrow as this was not done due to time constraints but will sort out.

With all the work gone into this my total bill is coming in at £900 incl. labour and tax. A bit more than I wanted but this will tide me over a long time , the final thing needing doing will be the front shocks by winter. But from now and then I shall be focusing on the aesthetics , like purchasing original Alpina mats all round , re-upholster the steering wheel and sort little rust spots by the wheel arches and petrol cap. I want her looking showroom ready and hopefully can come along to some meet ups when things are picking up. Will be nice to put some names to some cars haha
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by Charles » Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:02 am

I think you were unlucky that all these things happened at the same time but, given the list of issues, a £900 bill is pretty good - you should see my invoice folder!

Now you can get out and make the most of your car 😄
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by hashluck » Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:56 pm

Charles wrote:
Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:02 am
I think you were unlucky that all these things happened at the same time but, given the list of issues, a £900 bill is pretty good - you should see my invoice folder!

Now you can get out and make the most of your car 😄
Agreed, sounds reasonable

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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by ScooBeeFive » Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:50 pm

Glad to hear you're nearly sorted - these cars are definitely worth investing in.
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by E46330 » Sat Apr 17, 2021 12:17 am

Well , got a call early this morning from the garage and the ABS sensors from BMW don’t fit (they do fit but aren’t giving a reading) and they don’t have any alternative parts listed so he’s trying to source some of those , is this something any one has come across ?

I don’t mind the expenditure , considering the car and the feel it gives. Definitely worth every penny. Plus I bought at a reasonable price so there was always room for some bills

Edited - sorry I wrote the ABS sensors didn’t fit
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Re: Cold Start Up Problem and Cog of Death - Alpina E46 B3.3 2002

Post by Charles » Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:16 pm

Might be worth doing a continuity check to make sure there isn't a poor connection or broken wire. Had this on mine recently.
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