I've been trying to drive the car once a day since I got it 2 weeks ago to check on things, see if I notice any new rattles or such.

I have two concerns as of right now.

#1-There is a rumbling noise that gets faster at higher speeds. It is not there when turning left, evident where going straight, and very pronounced when turning right. I'm thinking its something to do with the right side suspension?

#2-I have found a cheap, used 323i Bosal OEM replacement set of twin mufflers with the "Y" piping to split off to each and the guy says that he will hack off some of the midpipe for me so I can have it welded on mine. My question is: Are the 323i and US 320i midpipes the same length, and will the midpipe bolt up to the stock 320i "downpipe". In essence, would it be better to just pay more for shipping and get him to send the whole thing, from the midpipe back?

Thanks!:)

#1-There is a rumbling noise that gets faster at higher speeds. It is not there when turning left, evident where going straight, and very pronounced when turning right. I'm thinking its something to do with the right side suspension?
Bent wheel, most likely the left wheel and I quote, "Turning in one direction, if the car shakes or shimmies, the wheel that is bent will be the one outside the turn. Confirm this by turning in the opposite direction. This unloads the possibly bent wheel, and the car should track and ride smoothly...."


#2-I have found a cheap, used 323i Bosal OEM replacement set of twin mufflers with the "Y" piping to split off to each and the guy says that he will hack off some of the midpipe for me so I can have it welded on mine. My question is: Are the 323i and US 320i midpipes the same length, and will the midpipe bolt up to the stock 320i "downpipe". In essence, would it be better to just pay more for shipping and get him to send the whole thing, from the midpipe back?

If you've got the money, get the midpipe back. As far as the lengths go, I haven't the slightest clue. Get the whole shibang.

The wheel is very straight and true. They have been balanced and they balance perfectly with no weights. The condition is PERFECT, none of them have ever hit a curb.

Alignment maybe? Check the integrity of the bushings and suspension components.

Bad wheel bearing.

Ahhhh yeah. In case you don't know how to check for it, get it up on jack stands and try and wooble the wheel around. Any play=bad wheel bearing

Bad wheel bearing.


Yep - likely the Left Front.

bad bearing makes a constany noise. And a bump-like sound at turns. look at the top your strut mounts where they hold to the body. The big rubber bushings maybe done or completely broken. The strut will move around if its true. Very common

I've been trying to drive the car once a day since I got it 2 weeks ago to check on things, see if I notice any new rattles or such.

#2-I have found a cheap, used 323i Bosal OEM replacement set of twin mufflers with the "Y" piping to split off to each and the guy says that he will hack off some of the midpipe for me so I can have it welded on mine. My question is: Are the 323i and US 320i midpipes the same length, and will the midpipe bolt up to the stock 320i "downpipe". In essence, would it be better to just pay more for shipping and get him to send the whole thing, from the midpipe back?

Thanks!:)

323i mufflers are and system are totally different from the 320is.
So get as much as you can as already mentioned.

Checked the shock towers...are the bushings considered the black part below the cap or are they under the cap and you have to take it off to get to them?

Also...attached is a picture of the splitter pipe from the 323 system...can that be retrofitted to my midpipe as easy as the guy says?

I agree, wheel bearing, but it could also be a rear wheel bearing, likely the left side. My rear bearings were very loud at 35 mph, and got quiet when I turned. Does it sound like its coming from the back or front? With the car up on stands, you should also be able to feel or hear the bearing when spinning the wheel. Bearings do not always make a constant noise.

I thought the 323i had dual exhaust from the manifolds all the way back. Does go to a single over the subframe? If so any exhaust shop could weld that up.

I agree, wheel bearing, but it could also be a rear wheel bearing, likely the left side. My rear bearings were very loud at 35 mph, and got quiet when I turned. Does it sound like its coming from the back or front? With the car up on stands, you should also be able to feel or hear the bearing when spinning the wheel. Bearings do not always make a constant noise.

I thought the 323i had dual exhaust from the manifolds all the way back. Does go to a single over the subframe? If so any exhaust shop could weld that up.

The noise sounds like it's coming from the front right and yes I guess the duals aren't true duals. I believe they do split back to one at the midpipe and then go back out to two.

The 323i are true duals all the way back, they kinda cruntch the pipes together where they go over the cross member so they will fit threw. The center section would not bolt on to a 320i system, but they both cross the member in the same place. Either way you would need to get some welding done.

Jay

That's what I thought.

There are 3 knowledgable owners telling you bearings. Forget the ther suggestions.

Ok, i'll be looking into wheel bearings. Whats the best place to get them and what's a ballpark price each?

Also...Between ~2400 and ~3100 rpm there is a sound coming from the engine compartment that sounds like...leaves rustling? or a bunch of metal shavings in a bucket? I know those are weird descriptions but it's a weird sound. It doesn't matter if the car is sitting or moving. Any ideas? Air pump bearing or something?

Also...does everyones first and second gear whine? Are first and second straight cut gears?

Thanks!
Will

nah, unless you have a heavy duty race built transmission (straight cut gears & all), the transmission isn't supposed to whine under load. I'd replace the tranny fluid ASAP (maybe use some quality redline MTL stuff) and check for leaks.

mine was doing that for a while, and then I lost all gears.

Ok, i'll do that. What's weird is it still shifts fine and doesn't seem to be straining, it just sounds like I have a blower. It only does it in first and second, first is where its most noticable, second you can just barely hear it. It's weird. Should I do a trans filter change too? or just replace the fluid? Any idea what the rustling sound is?

trans filter? is it an automatic? if so, then yeah, might as well (i don't know much about automatics).

yeah mine sounded like a roots-type blower for a while, and then lost 3rd gear...got it back, then lost all the gears.

not sure what the rustling sound could be....if your car has a/c, maybe it's the a/c pulley or tensioner pulley???

Ok, i'll do that. What's weird is it still shifts fine and doesn't seem to be straining, it just sounds like I have a blower. It only does it in first and second, first is where its most noticable, second you can just barely hear it. It's weird. Should I do a trans filter change too? or just replace the fluid? Any idea what the rustling sound is?

That sounds like your 1st gear synchro is going out, thats what mine sounded like when I lost 1st. And if its a manual no such filter exist.

I'm going to try and get some MTL tomorrow and change it...1.1 qts is what it says in the owners manual. Is there a trans dipstick? Do you just drain out the fluid from a plug in the pan, and pour in the new?

I would suggest buying extra transmission fluid. Drain the old, put a quart in after you put the plug back in. Drive it for a day, a couple hours, then let it idle in neutral with the clutch engaged (pedal not pushed in). Turn the car off. Let it drain really well. Then fill with new. The syncros are brass and the little chuncks or flacks of brass float around in the fluid and eventually start to eat up the gears. It is best to really clean out that tranny, especially on a new to you car.

Thats a good idea, I never done that before.

Mine took almost 2 full quarts of MTL.

That's great advice. I think i'm going to buy 2 quarts, drain it out tomorrow, and look at the fluid. If it's nasty, then i'll drain the new out after a week or so, and put totally fresh in just like you said.

I have a feeling this redline MTL is gonna be hard to find.

That's great advice. I think i'm going to buy 2 quarts, drain it out tomorrow, and look at the fluid. If it's nasty, then i'll drain the new out after a week or so, and put totally fresh in just like you said.

I have a feeling this redline MTL is gonna be hard to find.

BavAuto has it for the cheapest, ships out in 5 days