Upt'North

+1 on the EGRV. They are a weak point on Beemers, amongst others. Mine lasted 5 years and 45,000 miles. Upt'North.

Emmo, just in case you are, DO Not mix BMW and aftermarket washer fluids. I don't know why BMW fluid reacts badly to others but it does. It'll set like Jelly. Sometimes it may be enough to push a hosepipe, carefully now, in to the bottle filler and give it a good rinse out but it's probably best practice to clean the filters.

On the tracking subject. I tried to get mine tracked at ATS sometime ago, they were about as much use a chocolate fireguard. It was like watching the Chuckle Brothers at work. I bit the bullet and paid a whopping £100.00 to get it done at a franchise. It transformed the car, their before and after documentation only showed minor differences but driving it was like night and day. £100.00 well spent and the strange tyre wear was well and truly sorted. I suspect it was out from new. Didn't know about the Wolverhampton plant closing I used to go past regularly on the 449 in a previous life. I know it's a separate question and I'm not expecting an answer but why does some numpty put lousy inappropriate tyres on a new'ish 330e? Probably because they're a numpty. Upt'North.

I thought your car would be on run flats? I personally find the Pirelli's OK, although they do like to track tarmac imperfections. I'd never heard of Rapid and if you can why not run with all Goodyear to see if that corrects the issue, also run a couple of PSI lower in the front if steering feel is a priority. Upt'North.

Bearings will normally be noisier when loaded, so if on the left it could be noisier on right handers and viccy verca. Upt'North.

It sounds like an aftermarket phone cradle. Have you got pictures. Upt'North.

https://www.tirerack.com/content/tirerack/desktop/en/winter_snow.html?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI2ur9psC25wIVS7DtCh15rQsyEAAYASAAEgIWEPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!282042469330!p!!g!!winter wheels&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2ur9psC25wIVS7DtCh15rQsyEAAYASAAEgIWEPD_BwE Here's one in the states that may be of use. Upt'North.

https://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/bmw-winter-wheels/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg6bcxb-25wIVBLDtCh1gfAKMEAAYASAAEgJ7a_D_BwE Try an email to here. It would be a good start. I'm guessing you'll need offset etc to get the right match. Hope it helps. Upt'North.

I know in the UK you can buy a set of 4 16" steel rims for under £200.00 delivered. They're obviously not genuine but if behind trims they should be fine. Upt'North.

Have you tried locating a set of steel winter wheels of the right size. I presume drivers in the more Northern states run steel wheels and winter tyres like they do in the UK and EU. Upt'North.

Welcome from Northumberland UK. Now that is an old girl. Upt'North.

If your garage is willing to guarantee the engine then that might be the way to go. If they gave you three months cover at least it would be time for any initial faults to show up. Upt'North.

I really haven't got a clue, which I know is no help. Perhaps post in the general discussions and maybe more will look at it, other than that I think there is a recognised body for engine repairers/reconditioners, perhaps check their list out near to you. Other than that it's Google, good luck with that. Upt'North.

If the timing chain or tensioner has imploded then metal fragments could have damaged other bits and bobs. The cost of stripping, checking, cleaning and repairing could be huge, if you can acquire a GOOD used motor then that may be the way to go. Timing chains like clean oil, not BMW's long service regime. Good luck. Upt'North.

Could be noisy if it's on permanently. Upt'North.