Anyone have these problems?

[m3mtl]

Hi. I'm new to this site. I have read many posts. I have a 2004 m3 sport (hatchback) 75 000km. I had corssion issues myself. I had all 4 fenders (wheels wells) fixed and the dealer replaced the two back doors for free. I had a third gear problem with my manual tranny. Luckily, both large issues were fixed under warranty. I bought the car second hand.

Two concerns I have right now.

The dealer replaced the belt and the belt tensioner. they said it was making noise and the belt had wear. I think its the belt for the power steering. Since the repair I feel that my steering feels alot lighter as if the power steering is overboosted. Is that how it feels when the car is new because previously it was nice and heavy a bit? Can anyone give me any insight on this. Also, just today in first gear when a push on the gas and let go a hear a "clap sound" doesnt sound anything serious. It doesnt seem to be coming from the engine or tranny, maybe brake. Any ideas from experience?

[Harbour Rat]

The power steering is electric (ie, no belt) so changing the belt is not going to affect it directly. But, since they also replaced the tensioner it was probably the alternator belt they replaced. Using hill-billy science it is possible to theorise that the old belt was slipping a bit but with the new belt the alternator is producing full power and so the electric P/S pump works better.

More likely they just adjusted your tire pressure (most are a bit low) and this makes the steering feel a bit lighter.

Most likely is the placebo effect.


I don't know about the "clap" noise, sorry.

[5_Alive]

Steering assist is provided by an electrohydraulic rack. The electric motor simply makes the hydraulic pressure rather than providing steering assist. So, there is still a pump. Turn your wheel while idling, and you will notice the car will rev up.

In my old Cobalt, the steering was pure electric. On idle, moving the wheel affected the car none.

Your fine. If anything does happen, they are to blame.
As for the clapping noise, could be a loose/bad motor mount. I'm not 100% sure on this one though.

[m3mtl]

I think its my rotor...