Tell me about the E46 330d

thedazman67

thedazman67

thedazman67

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Hi all,

As title really the SX is up for sale and I am in the mood for a change. My mileage is about 18K a year so I am looking at something diesel the 28 MPG that the SX gets is starting become a bit silly considering the mileage I am doing.

I would ideally like to stay with RWD so that brings BMW into play specifically the E46 330d.

A quick scan on autotrader brings up a fair few all with 100K plus. I am not scared of high mileage but does it become a problem with these at all?

What price am I looking to pay to get a decent one for? I should have around 6 - 7K to play with.

Anything to look out for when looking at them and testing driving?

Also servicing I am quiet handy with a spanner and would like to service it myself if its not a total arse to work on.

Finally should I go directly for the Sport trim or is the SE OK?

Thanks all.

Daz
 
My opinion is that a cheap 330d is now a completely pointless choice for somebody who wishes to save money on fuel costs. All you will do is replace the money you currently spend on fuel with money you will soon spend on fixing a broken 3 Series.

They are too old now to offer hassle free economical motoring.
 
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thedazman67 said:
What traditionally goes wrong with them?
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Swirl flaps on the manifold on certain models. Injectors at £250 each just for the part (There are 6 remember) on all of them. At 100k+ and 6+ years old the turbocharger is also on borrowed time.

None of this stuff is cheap. The commonrail turbodiesels are complicated engines and not much is cheap or easy to repair on them.
 
The 2.0d has many of the same problems.

If you are doing big miles then unless you mind paying out an old BMW isnt the right car to do it in.
 
I did, and i dont regret doing so. I am dare I say getting bored of it. All i do is go up and down the M6 all week so not really using it to its full potential and the fuel costs are starting to get a bit much.
 
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Injectors can be had from 200, but as fox said there are 6. Once one has been changed expect the rest to start going soon after.

If you are looking to save money, an old 330d isn't the place to do it.
 
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The vast majority of cars that fit your spec are automatics. I would have thought you're likely to be seeing 32-34 mpg. I appreciate that they are different cars altogether than your SX but is it worth going the diesel route, paying the premium and ending up with something that only gives you an extra 4-6 mpg? If you go for an 'i' rather than a 'd' you'll get a newer car or at least have more choice and be likely to get a manual and you'll still have taken a significant upgrade in refinement to get you up and down the M6 with your sanity intact.
 
Morba said:
Injectors can be had from 200, but as fox said there are 6. Once one has been changed expect the rest to start going soon after.
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Diesel injectors for the x30d engines can be sourced for about £90 reconditioned by a Bosch agent (exchange units).
 
Dandle said:
Diesel injectors for the x30d engines can be sourced for about £90 reconditioned by a Bosch agent (exchange units).
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They can but then you run the risk of inferior products. I'd rather not be replacing a replaced injector too quickly :p
 
Morba said:
They can but then you run the risk of inferior products. I'd rather not be replacing a replaced injector too quickly :p
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But its not inferior if its been reconditioned to Bosch standards. Surely you wouldn't by new ABS pumps, powersteering pumps and racks, driveshafts etc because you think they are inferior for being reconditioned. Injectors are no different, service exchange is common and theres nothing wrong with it.
 
I wouldnt be concerned with service exchange either. Still not going to see change from £800-£1k for replacement of all 6 with service exchange items, mind.
 
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