B3 3.3 gearbox

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alpinaBT
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B3 3.3 gearbox

Post by alpinaBT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:23 pm

Hello I have a little dilemma with a e46 alpina for sale and need a little advice. Someone has offered me a 2002 model e46 b3 3.3 with just under 115k miles. I have been told the car is very tidy and the engine is perfect. Also has full service history. The seller has told me that when the car is started every now and then the gearbox light will turn on and put the vehicle into limp mode and will not allow the selection of sport/ manual mode. Once the car is switched of and switched back on all wil be normal again and this problem wil not occur while the car is being driven, only when stationary. Seller has been told it may be just a gearbox sensor or due to the fact the car isn't driven much. Any ideas? Don't want to end up with a bill for a replacement gearbox 🤷🏼‍♂️

ali
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Post by ali » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:32 pm

The gearbox on the B3 3.3 usually needs a rebuild somewhere 90k miles - 120k miles.
Check the history file and see if it has been done.
If not then you could be looking at a bill around £2k
Sluggish gear changes, occasionally going into limp mode are symptoms
Have you driven another B3 to compare what a good gearbox feels like ?
Diagnostic check would also give up some invaluable info
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
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alpinaBT
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Post by alpinaBT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:38 pm

I haven't driven the vehicle as of yet, seller has just given me this info on the phone. I very much doubt Gearbox has been done otherwise seller would have pointed this out as he pointed out of other work which has been carried out. Don't want to me spending 2k on a gearbox recon. I guess if it was a minor fault seller would of had it sorted

alpinaBT
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Post by alpinaBT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:40 pm

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-alpin ... 1274679481 That's the vehicle in question, any info would be greatly appreciated

ali
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Post by ali » Sat Nov 11, 2017 9:53 pm

According to the mot history all4 brake discs are worn do budget £600 ish for pads and discs all round
You'd need to enquire about the gearbox rebuild with the vendor.
It's done very few miles in the last 6 years which is normal for an Alpina

Interesting fail from an earlier garage that clearly doesn't know what an Alpina is Image
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
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alpinaBT
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Post by alpinaBT » Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:02 pm

Discs and pads isn't much of a issue it's the gearbox, also it's suppose to be estoril blue, am I right in thinking this is not the correct shade?

ali
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Post by ali » Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:06 pm

Looks like Estoril to me with strange aftermarket mirrors
B3 3.3 Coupe #090
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Luke33
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Post by Luke33 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 12:07 pm

I would try and get it on a diagnostics if it illuminates the gearbox light failsafe on the dash, could be a gearbox position switch that sits on the side, about £240 I believe for the part but will show on diagnostics if position sensor
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rc944
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Post by rc944 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:54 pm

wait for a better one to come along
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Post by rattusM3 » Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:01 am

Noticed no longer available.
2002 Alpina B3 3.3 #220
2006 E46 M3
1992 E30 M3 (sold - what a twat)
1986 E24 M6 (working on)
Ford Grand C-Max Family Wagon
And lots of other BMWs from the past

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