Discussion
Hi all,
Think I started a topic a while ago.... anyway,
I'm about to turn 21 so I'm looking at getting a new(er) car.
After lots of searching and comparisons I'm really liking the 330d. It seems a good all rounder with a good balance of power and economy and looks great as well. Insurance is... fairly steep, my cheapest quote was around £1400 fully comp but its only £100 dearer per year than a BMW 318i or a 320d.
Basically I'm just after some info with regard to the running costs, common faults etc etc.
I ran a 330ci, although this gives no indication of fuel consumption, all I can say is nothing went wrong with the car, it was absolutley superb, build quality really was top draw.
Things to look out for on the diesel I would say Turbo's & Injectors. I read alot of BMW horror stories regarding injectors whilst researching injector problems for other cars.
My opineon, all 3 series HAVE to have the M-Sport package...
Things to look out for on the diesel I would say Turbo's & Injectors. I read alot of BMW horror stories regarding injectors whilst researching injector problems for other cars.
My opineon, all 3 series HAVE to have the M-Sport package...
330d is a monster engine, I used to have an e46 touring.
The worst common faults on this engine are the injectors. Over a £100 each and there are 6 of them. The one nearest the bulkhead is also a real PITA to get at.
Also, the MAF's are prone to fail but they are fairly cheap to replace, however, if you get a newer version than was originally fitted you need a software update to the ECU or else it drinks fuel.
Turbo's seem to be more reliable on the 330d than the 320d.
The worst common faults on this engine are the injectors. Over a £100 each and there are 6 of them. The one nearest the bulkhead is also a real PITA to get at.
Also, the MAF's are prone to fail but they are fairly cheap to replace, however, if you get a newer version than was originally fitted you need a software update to the ECU or else it drinks fuel.
Turbo's seem to be more reliable on the 330d than the 320d.
Edited by JonnyO on Friday 17th September 10:22
teen_cerbera said:
Things to look out for on the diesel I would say Turbo's & Injectors.
And MAF problems, and EGR problems, and plastic swirl flaps being ingested by the engine, etc; plus all the usual 3 series issues like cracked springs, wishbone bushes, etc, etc 
On a more serious note, get a good one and it will be a great all-rounder.
Edited by Risotto on Friday 17th September 10:24
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Theres the puppy that caught my eye. Full M sport package, reasonable milage, manual and sub 7k.
Finding one sub £7k with less than 100k miles is difficult it seems
Theres the puppy that caught my eye. Full M sport package, reasonable milage, manual and sub 7k.
Finding one sub £7k with less than 100k miles is difficult it seems
Great cars with the potential for big bills.
Injectors are £200 ish (£300 or so from BMW), turbos are shocking prices.
Water pumps and the fuel pumps can be an issue also (i've had both a fuel pump and water pump go in last year).
Tyres, good ones arent cheap. I have vred ultrac sessantas on mine, looking at around £150 each. More premium brands cost significantly more tbh.
Servicing isn't the cheapest, but the intervals are good. Oil service can be cheap if you supply your own oil.
Do you need a diesel? If not, get the petrol it will be more rewarding.
Injectors are £200 ish (£300 or so from BMW), turbos are shocking prices.
Water pumps and the fuel pumps can be an issue also (i've had both a fuel pump and water pump go in last year).
Tyres, good ones arent cheap. I have vred ultrac sessantas on mine, looking at around £150 each. More premium brands cost significantly more tbh.
Servicing isn't the cheapest, but the intervals are good. Oil service can be cheap if you supply your own oil.
Do you need a diesel? If not, get the petrol it will be more rewarding.
Edited by Morba on Friday 17th September 15:09
OMNIO said:
Insurance is... fairly steep, my cheapest quote was around £1400 fully comp but its only £100 dearer per year than a BMW 318i or a 320d.
I cant comment on the 330D as i've never owned or driven one.Insurance wise the e46 BMWs seem to be pretty good, but I recon you could possibly get cheaper. Have you tried tesco, they were the best I could find for my BMW and I'm 20. They seem to class my 323ci as a lower risk car than a slow N/A 2.0 golf GTI!
MAF problems
EGR problems
plastic swirl flaps being ingested by the engine
all the usual 3 series issues like cracked springs, wishbone bushes, etc, etc
the injectors
turbos are shocking prices
Thought German cars were reliable and well made!!
Are these problems assosialted with millage or age? Or do they go bang randomly?
Also I'm not 'up' on the abbreviations so whats MAF and EGR please?
Edit to answer Questions.
Yeah MPG is pretty important especially round town. If i remember my facts right the diesels have lower Co2 emmissions therefore lower Tax which is another +1 for the diseasals over the petrol verson. I think the 330ci is an insurance group higher as well which puts my premium closer to £2k a year which is more than im willing to pay
EGR problems
plastic swirl flaps being ingested by the engine
all the usual 3 series issues like cracked springs, wishbone bushes, etc, etc
the injectors
turbos are shocking prices
Thought German cars were reliable and well made!!
Are these problems assosialted with millage or age? Or do they go bang randomly?
Also I'm not 'up' on the abbreviations so whats MAF and EGR please?
Edit to answer Questions.
Yeah MPG is pretty important especially round town. If i remember my facts right the diesels have lower Co2 emmissions therefore lower Tax which is another +1 for the diseasals over the petrol verson. I think the 330ci is an insurance group higher as well which puts my premium closer to £2k a year which is more than im willing to pay
Edited by OMNIO on Friday 17th September 15:19
OMNIO said:
MAF problems
EGR problems
plastic swirl flaps being ingested by the engine
all the usual 3 series issues like cracked springs, wishbone bushes, etc, etc
the injectors
turbos are shocking prices
Thought German cars were reliable and well made!!
Are these problems assosialted with millage or age? Or do they go bang randomly?
Also I'm not 'up' on the abbreviations so whats MAF and EGR please?
Edit to answer Questions.
Yeah MPG is pretty important especially round town. If i remember my facts right the diesels have lower Co2 emmissions therefore lower Tax which is another +1 for the diseasals over the petrol verson. I think the 330ci is an insurance group higher as well which puts my premium closer to £2k a year which is more than im willing to pay
Don't go off insurance group - get some quotes - from my experience the insurance group isn't always a good indicator of what you will pay - it seems that insurance companies take many other factors into consideration. Also, make sure you try plenty of insurance websites.EGR problems
plastic swirl flaps being ingested by the engine
all the usual 3 series issues like cracked springs, wishbone bushes, etc, etc
the injectors
turbos are shocking prices
Thought German cars were reliable and well made!!
Are these problems assosialted with millage or age? Or do they go bang randomly?
Also I'm not 'up' on the abbreviations so whats MAF and EGR please?
Edit to answer Questions.
Yeah MPG is pretty important especially round town. If i remember my facts right the diesels have lower Co2 emmissions therefore lower Tax which is another +1 for the diseasals over the petrol verson. I think the 330ci is an insurance group higher as well which puts my premium closer to £2k a year which is more than im willing to pay
Edited by OMNIO on Friday 17th September 15:19
IMO, the extra you pay for tax mpg etc may outweigh the worry of diesel engine repair costs. All cars have issues, the thing about the E46 is that it feels like a quality product - just find a well looked after one.
Edited by Emeye on Saturday 18th September 01:03
Atlas 12v said:
Morba said:
My (auto) 330d around town is currently returning 23mpg on average (over last 400 miles). Something to consider..
That mileage would suggest your car may have issues. Worth getting it checked out.its about right for the driving.
Edited by Morba on Friday 17th September 15:59
Hmmm intresting points made.
How frequently does all this tend to fail? Is it a case of once in 100k miles or is it more like every 30k or whatever. It will probably end up doing ~8k a year max
What I dont want to do is get rid of the Mondeo which has been (touch wood) faultless except for two new wiper blades to buy a BMW which is going to be an expensive hassle...
How frequently does all this tend to fail? Is it a case of once in 100k miles or is it more like every 30k or whatever. It will probably end up doing ~8k a year max
What I dont want to do is get rid of the Mondeo which has been (touch wood) faultless except for two new wiper blades to buy a BMW which is going to be an expensive hassle...
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