325 tds engine
Discussion
Hi,
I am after some advice on the 325 tds engine - I have been given some conflicting advice. Some say the engine is very robust, economical, a fair turn of pace and can do huge miles with no issues, others say quite the opposite. I have seen a few sub 100k, FSH, manual 325 tds around for 1200 pounds. All I need is a cheap car to do a 100 mile commute (see previous threads) and I am looking at an E36 diesel/petrol for the job. Stick with the proposed 323i or go for the 325 tds?
I am after some advice on the 325 tds engine - I have been given some conflicting advice. Some say the engine is very robust, economical, a fair turn of pace and can do huge miles with no issues, others say quite the opposite. I have seen a few sub 100k, FSH, manual 325 tds around for 1200 pounds. All I need is a cheap car to do a 100 mile commute (see previous threads) and I am looking at an E36 diesel/petrol for the job. Stick with the proposed 323i or go for the 325 tds?
I have always thought that the E36 still looks good but the Omega has also aged well. I was looking at the Elite Omega version which has all the toys and is a good, cheap motorway hack. I just like the solid feeling of a BMW (just sold a 1993 325i after 8 months for the same price I paid, a great car) and thought a 325tds may be a good bet for the motorway thrash. Having said that, if you set a limited budget of say 1500, you can get some serious metal and have a lot of fun searching for the elusive well kept example or something from far left field - old turbo supras for example!
E36's are a world apart from Omega's to drive, a lot sharper. It's a stonking engine in an E36, even more so since fitting a tuning box and taking it up to 170bhp and 250lb/ft (up from 143bhp and 200lb/ft) will do 40 mpg at a FAST cruise, average knocking around is about 32-34mpg but I do have a heavy right foot.
The TDS engine can suffer hot start issues, and the timing chain can get a bit rattly with age. If it's done around 100k then it can be worth getting the injectors reconditioned, made mine pull like new again for about £150 and fitted them myself in an evening (whilst the manifold was off also changed the glowplugs)
Any more questions feel free to ask.
The TDS engine can suffer hot start issues, and the timing chain can get a bit rattly with age. If it's done around 100k then it can be worth getting the injectors reconditioned, made mine pull like new again for about £150 and fitted them myself in an evening (whilst the manifold was off also changed the glowplugs)
Any more questions feel free to ask.
Thanks for that - I like the sound of the tuning option. Is it similar to a DMS remap and does it effect reliability etc? Hot start issues seem strange, I would have thought cold start issues may have been more of an issue? I basically need a reliable and comfortable hack for the motorway commute for Mrs T to use whilost I am away. We both loved the E36 325i we had and the petrol models seem to have a better spec and, so I have been told, are more reliable?
junglie said:
Thanks for that - I like the sound of the tuning option. Is it similar to a DMS remap and does it effect reliability etc? Hot start issues seem strange, I would have thought cold start issues may have been more of an issue? I basically need a reliable and comfortable hack for the motorway commute for Mrs T to use whilost I am away. We both loved the E36 325i we had and the petrol models seem to have a better spec and, so I have been told, are more reliable?
The plug in tuning box does a similar thing to a remap by making the fuel pump inject more fuel (hence more power) but a lot cheaper than a remap. Mine was £150 second hand on Ebay but they are about £300 new www.tuningbox.com for more details, although there are several other brands to choose from.
Cold starting is never a problem, but what happens sometimes is something happens in the electrics that makes the car not reckonise that it's being started. Even on a hot start it needs the glowplugs and extra fuel injected to make it fire first time. If you've got the problem then it can take several seconds of turning over before it fires. Have a search on some P38 Range Rover forums as they seem to be the most common car with this engine (M51)
I've got both petrol and diesel E36 325's. When on full boost the diesel will accelerate harder than the petrol but when taking into acount the time spent changing gear and getting back on boost the petrol will make greater peak speeds within a given distance. Both cars from a standing start on a long runway, the '25i hit 130mph where the '25tds hit 120mph. Top speed for the diesel is about 130mph, but more importantly it's rock steady and quiet at 120mph and still returning 30mpg at that speed. Once over 60 mph and there's bearly an audiable differance between petrol and diesel.
Not sure on spec levels but surely a diesel SE will have tha same kit as a petrol SE for arguments sake? I don't tend to bother with aircon on older cars as I've never had one that works. I've had 5 E36's (still got 3!) and all have had 10CD changer, electric windows + roof, electric heated mirrors, remote locking and trip computer. With older cars I think it's more important to buy on condition rather than trying to seek out a car that may have more kit and bigger wheels or whatever but not be in as good a condition as a well maintained but more basic model.
It's a shame you're all the way down in Hampshire or I'd say pop round and have a go in mine to see what you think, but the offer's there if you ever are up this part of the World. I'll probably be getting rid of of my '94 325td (non intercooled so only 115bhp) in the new year. It's done 174k but it still runs great, would make a great shed for someone.
They are not especially economical!!
I've had various Omega's over the years, the 3.0l Petrols are only a bit less economical on the motorway. Mine always struggled to better 40mpg where as I'd often get 30 plus from the V6's
Nice engine, but all of mine gave me some bother, theres a common fault with the engine/ecu plug at the manifold area & hot starting was an issue with two of them at least.
VX ergonomics are far better then beemers & the seats are Omega's are about the best you'll ever get!
I've had various Omega's over the years, the 3.0l Petrols are only a bit less economical on the motorway. Mine always struggled to better 40mpg where as I'd often get 30 plus from the V6's
Nice engine, but all of mine gave me some bother, theres a common fault with the engine/ecu plug at the manifold area & hot starting was an issue with two of them at least.
VX ergonomics are far better then beemers & the seats are Omega's are about the best you'll ever get!
cptsideways said:
They are not especially economical!
The Omega is a bigger heavier car than a E36, and the way I see it is I can't find a petrol as powerfull that returns similar MPG. With 250lb/ft at 2200 rpm it tows car transporters with ease which I couldn't do as easily with a petrol: 
Driven at similar speeds the tds will return 40mpg where the i would be returning 30mpg, factor in the 10/12% more that diesel costs per litre and the difference is equivalent to only about 5mpg. If you could get a cheap 328i I beleive they return better mpg than a 325i, but I've not had a 2.8 so not completely sure.
cruising along I can get around 45-48mpg. On the m25 I used to be able to get 50mpg and over as I couldnt get over 60mph due to traffic.
Trashing it seems to be about 32-38mpg
I'm just about to hit 200k, I think it could do with an injector clean but otherwise seems very healthy.
Not sure in what the tuning options are as its a mechanical diesel you can't do a chip remap can you??
Trashing it seems to be about 32-38mpg
I'm just about to hit 200k, I think it could do with an injector clean but otherwise seems very healthy.
Not sure in what the tuning options are as its a mechanical diesel you can't do a chip remap can you??
Batfink said:
cruising along I can get around 45-48mpg. On the m25 I used to be able to get 50mpg and over as I couldnt get over 60mph due to traffic.
Trashing it seems to be about 32-38mpg
I'm just about to hit 200k, I think it could do with an injector clean but otherwise seems very healthy.
Not sure in what the tuning options are as its a mechanical diesel you can't do a chip remap can you??
Sounds about right mpg wise, unfortunately I'm a bit of a "Larry leadfoot" so it's more like 32 mpg for me.Trashing it seems to be about 32-38mpg
I'm just about to hit 200k, I think it could do with an injector clean but otherwise seems very healthy.
Not sure in what the tuning options are as its a mechanical diesel you can't do a chip remap can you??
Injector refurb would definitely be worthwhile at that mileage if you can do it yourself. I can recommend a great place near Shrewsbury, PM me if you want details.
The injection system uses a computer controlled pump and fly by wire throttle so can certainly be tuned by either a chip, remap or plug in box.
sniff diesel said:
With 250lb/ft at 2200 rpm it tows car transporters with ease which I couldn't do as easily with a petrol:
Out of interest, whats the maximum towing weight of an E36 estate, as you must have about 2 tons on the back there including trailer?!Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 12th November 18:51
Honest John says the 2.5tds engine isn't very economical, and a mate recently got a 525tds touring and his mpg reading was 24mpg when I looked at it. Ok it's heavier than an E36 but my 530i Touring is no worse on fuel so I'm not convinced by that engine personally.
In fact there are people on here with 4.4 V8's that get the same mpg as that and their fuel is cheaper!
In fact there are people on here with 4.4 V8's that get the same mpg as that and their fuel is cheaper!
sniff diesel said:
LocoBlade said:
Never suggested you did, I just hope you don't come flying up behind me as we slow for some traffic lights on our private test road 
TBH I find the trailer brakes better with some weight on it, not sure how that works. 
Edited by LocoBlade on Thursday 13th November 13:27
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