E46 330D M Sport
Discussion
Hi guys,
So i'm on the market for an E46, unsure which one to go for could be the 320D or the 330D with the M Sport trims. I currently have an E60 LCI 525D M sport and have owned it for over 3 years! But it's now time to let it go, but do not fancy wasting too much on a newer model 5 series as I am currently saving up for a house.
My E60 ownership has been awesome, loved every moment and still do, but having hit 120k I do not want to be stuck with expensive bills, I have already had to rebuild the auto gearbox (££££), water pump, two shockers which has cost be a fortune, so do not want to end up paying lots more with the mileage getting higher and higher by the day, or maybe I am just being paranoid and everything that's been done will last me another few years without issues? It's always maintained etc using genuine parts, oil etc.
So moving on from the E60 I have read many good things about the E46 and found this one on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330D-3-Series-Saloon...
I've never driven this shape but it is a cheaper alternative and a Straight-6! So I want to know has anyone owned any of these? Would you say that they are reliable? Expensive to fix? Any common issues? Are they worth going for over the E46 320D?
Thanks!
So i'm on the market for an E46, unsure which one to go for could be the 320D or the 330D with the M Sport trims. I currently have an E60 LCI 525D M sport and have owned it for over 3 years! But it's now time to let it go, but do not fancy wasting too much on a newer model 5 series as I am currently saving up for a house.
My E60 ownership has been awesome, loved every moment and still do, but having hit 120k I do not want to be stuck with expensive bills, I have already had to rebuild the auto gearbox (££££), water pump, two shockers which has cost be a fortune, so do not want to end up paying lots more with the mileage getting higher and higher by the day, or maybe I am just being paranoid and everything that's been done will last me another few years without issues? It's always maintained etc using genuine parts, oil etc.
So moving on from the E60 I have read many good things about the E46 and found this one on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330D-3-Series-Saloon...
I've never driven this shape but it is a cheaper alternative and a Straight-6! So I want to know has anyone owned any of these? Would you say that they are reliable? Expensive to fix? Any common issues? Are they worth going for over the E46 320D?
Thanks!
I have an E46 330D M sport saloon with the 6 speed manual.
Overall, they are great cars to drive - plenty of accessible power and 330D is noticeably better than the 4 cylinder. Economy is also great at around 45mpg. But of course they have plenty of known problems.
The E46 is an 'old' car now, so whichever E46 you end up with, it will require work and maintenance at some stage. Perhaps the costs will be less than an E60, but they are in essence the same M57 engine.
I bought mine as a good example with 104k in March 2016 and in that time it has had the following main items (by no means is this exhaustive) and prior to my ownership there were a lot of items replaced by BMW (glowplug module, pdc system, glowplugs)
2 front wings replaced due to rust, 2 front calipers replaced, 2 rear calipers rebuilt, 2 front brake hoses, waterpump, thermostat, swirl flap removal, vortex filter replacement, vacuum lines replacement, egr cleaning, aux belt replacement, 2 rear springs, glowplug replacements, all 4 main bushes worn and replace, 4 droplinks, crank sensor.
Luckily I have had no clutch/flywheel, injector or turbo issues and the car seems strong now.
But go into it with open eyes.
Overall, they are great cars to drive - plenty of accessible power and 330D is noticeably better than the 4 cylinder. Economy is also great at around 45mpg. But of course they have plenty of known problems.
The E46 is an 'old' car now, so whichever E46 you end up with, it will require work and maintenance at some stage. Perhaps the costs will be less than an E60, but they are in essence the same M57 engine.
I bought mine as a good example with 104k in March 2016 and in that time it has had the following main items (by no means is this exhaustive) and prior to my ownership there were a lot of items replaced by BMW (glowplug module, pdc system, glowplugs)
2 front wings replaced due to rust, 2 front calipers replaced, 2 rear calipers rebuilt, 2 front brake hoses, waterpump, thermostat, swirl flap removal, vortex filter replacement, vacuum lines replacement, egr cleaning, aux belt replacement, 2 rear springs, glowplug replacements, all 4 main bushes worn and replace, 4 droplinks, crank sensor.
Luckily I have had no clutch/flywheel, injector or turbo issues and the car seems strong now.
But go into it with open eyes.
I thought those wheels were an option by 2003? It looks like you are right though and the car is a non sport version: https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/AB69359/... (You can get the VIN from the numberplate by going to the BMW warranty site to get a quote. Whether this is accurate for this car, no idea, but it gave the right one for my car.) It looks like it has the slightly lowered suspension though. Very strange. I guess somebody added the sport-style front bumper at some point as well. Maybe that's part of the fog lights option or something. I've no idea any more.
Anyway, even if you don't buy this one, the 330d is very much worth going for over the 320d, and I'd say the Sport bits are worth having too (the tighter suspension is very good, and makes it handle quite nicely; the sports seats are decent enough; the body kit is stupid, but you can't see it from the inside). If you're going to drive an old, probably slightly knackered and definitely somewhat rusty car, might as well have one that drives well (or could in theory
) with a good size engine...
Anyway, even if you don't buy this one, the 330d is very much worth going for over the 320d, and I'd say the Sport bits are worth having too (the tighter suspension is very good, and makes it handle quite nicely; the sports seats are decent enough; the body kit is stupid, but you can't see it from the inside). If you're going to drive an old, probably slightly knackered and definitely somewhat rusty car, might as well have one that drives well (or could in theory
) with a good size engine...I have a 330cdm and love it, this will be the 10th year of ownership, the longest I have held a car for. It's had it's issues and still has one fairly annoying intermittent fault that spoils it a bit but it still goes (like a train when it wants to) and is fairly economical for the performance available. Highly recommended 
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff