2003 BMW 330d Touring (E46)
Discussion
Due to the news that my wife and I are expecting a baby in a few months time, I decided it would be wise to a) cut down on some outgoings and b) get an estate. Having got rid of my 125d (and having had a few BMW's previously), i had my eye on a 3 series estate (i'm not after a massive estate/load lugger, just something a bit more practical than a 1 series).
Having looked around locally, i found a silver E46 330d for sale at a local dealer and went to have a look. Being 15 years old and having covered 130,000 miles i wasn't expecting too much but was pleasently suprised. The car is a one owner (for the last 15 years) car with full service history (mainly BMW main dealer). The owner also had the automatic gearbox refurbed in September last year. Thankfully there is no rust apart from a small patch on the bottom of the offside rear wing, i've booked this in with a local bodyshop to be sorted out in a couple of weeks time.
It's going to be staying for a while and i want to make it as tidy as possible so first few things on the cards are to get the swirl flaps sorted out, give it an oil change, get the paintwork looking tidy and refurb the wheels. Will be doing everything myself, I kind of got out of doing anything to cars myself having had newer cars, but having recently bought an older Golf GTI for the wife and having carried out various bits of maintenance, i've got back into the swing of things so looking forward to spending a bit of time on it (until the baby arrives!).
Couple of pictures
Have ordered a new bonnet badge and wheel badges in prep for the wheel refurb and looking to swap out the phone holder for a cup holder ensemble.
The main thing that has struck me coming from the F21 125d to this is how cars haven't come very far in the 15 years between the two. I would say this is the better car drive wise, steering feel is so much better over the electric power steering in the 1 series, road noise and comfort is much better in the 330D, build quality is at least on a par, especially given this one has done 130,000 miles. All in all, very pleased with the decision to "downgrade" and looking forward to some tinkering.
Cheers for now!!
Having looked around locally, i found a silver E46 330d for sale at a local dealer and went to have a look. Being 15 years old and having covered 130,000 miles i wasn't expecting too much but was pleasently suprised. The car is a one owner (for the last 15 years) car with full service history (mainly BMW main dealer). The owner also had the automatic gearbox refurbed in September last year. Thankfully there is no rust apart from a small patch on the bottom of the offside rear wing, i've booked this in with a local bodyshop to be sorted out in a couple of weeks time.
It's going to be staying for a while and i want to make it as tidy as possible so first few things on the cards are to get the swirl flaps sorted out, give it an oil change, get the paintwork looking tidy and refurb the wheels. Will be doing everything myself, I kind of got out of doing anything to cars myself having had newer cars, but having recently bought an older Golf GTI for the wife and having carried out various bits of maintenance, i've got back into the swing of things so looking forward to spending a bit of time on it (until the baby arrives!).
Couple of pictures
Have ordered a new bonnet badge and wheel badges in prep for the wheel refurb and looking to swap out the phone holder for a cup holder ensemble.
The main thing that has struck me coming from the F21 125d to this is how cars haven't come very far in the 15 years between the two. I would say this is the better car drive wise, steering feel is so much better over the electric power steering in the 1 series, road noise and comfort is much better in the 330D, build quality is at least on a par, especially given this one has done 130,000 miles. All in all, very pleased with the decision to "downgrade" and looking forward to some tinkering.
Cheers for now!!
Edited by tomble22 on Tuesday 22 May 17:30
Looks good! For what it is, they are fantastic cars. I get a lot of jokes about towing a caravan, but I love it. Its comfy, decent MPG if you try (56 is my best, around 45 at the moment).
Despite spending almost £500 in two months on it (tyres/brakes), I hope to keep mine for as long as I can.
Despite spending almost £500 in two months on it (tyres/brakes), I hope to keep mine for as long as I can.
Thanks, am very happy with it. Was slightly concerned going back to an older, high (relatively) mileage car but it's stood the test of time very well.
Is yours manual or auto? My MPG is considerably less than that but i have only been doing short trips so far, it's currently sat around 25mpg.
Front badge came today so will stick that on later. Have a few things planned for this bank holiday weekend as i have 5 days off so going to give it a service, clean the MAF and EGR out and get the swirl flaps done.
Is yours manual or auto? My MPG is considerably less than that but i have only been doing short trips so far, it's currently sat around 25mpg.
Front badge came today so will stick that on later. Have a few things planned for this bank holiday weekend as i have 5 days off so going to give it a service, clean the MAF and EGR out and get the swirl flaps done.
I had an E46 330i manual but a saloon and recently moved to an E91 320d for the extra room with a 3yr to cart around.
Have to say whilst the interior is a step up in the E91, I do think the E46 drove better and not just because it had that lovely big straight 6 upfront.
If it was a tourer I would've kept it.
Have to say whilst the interior is a step up in the E91, I do think the E46 drove better and not just because it had that lovely big straight 6 upfront.
If it was a tourer I would've kept it.
tomble22 said:
Thanks, am very happy with it. Was slightly concerned going back to an older, high (relatively) mileage car but it's stood the test of time very well.
Is yours manual or auto? My MPG is considerably less than that but i have only been doing short trips so far, it's currently sat around 25mpg.
Front badge came today so will stick that on later. Have a few things planned for this bank holiday weekend as i have 5 days off so going to give it a service, clean the MAF and EGR out and get the swirl flaps done.
Mines just about to tick over to 177k! Mines a manual. My drive to work is only two miles, and it gets around the same as you. It's only when I go to my girlfriends 40 miles away it brings the average up. Is yours manual or auto? My MPG is considerably less than that but i have only been doing short trips so far, it's currently sat around 25mpg.
Front badge came today so will stick that on later. Have a few things planned for this bank holiday weekend as i have 5 days off so going to give it a service, clean the MAF and EGR out and get the swirl flaps done.
Funny enough my front badge was faded like mad when I got it...first thing I changed.
Matt_N said:
I had an E46 330i manual but a saloon and recently moved to an E91 320d for the extra room with a 3yr to cart around.
Have to say whilst the interior is a step up in the E91, I do think the E46 drove better and not just because it had that lovely big straight 6 upfront.
If it was a tourer I would've kept it.
I had an E90 320d saloon for a while a few years ago and i think you're right, the interior is probably a bit nicer but the E46 is definetly nicer to drive. Although it isn't a particularly big car by modern terms, it certainly doesn't feel like one to drive.Have to say whilst the interior is a step up in the E91, I do think the E46 drove better and not just because it had that lovely big straight 6 upfront.
If it was a tourer I would've kept it.
LosingGrip said:
Mines just about to tick over to 177k! Mines a manual. My drive to work is only two miles, and it gets around the same as you. It's only when I go to my girlfriends 40 miles away it brings the average up.
Funny enough my front badge was faded like mad when I got it...first thing I changed.
My drive to work is about the same, although I'm out driving to sites around the County most days which will help with MPG. Funny enough my front badge was faded like mad when I got it...first thing I changed.
Changed the badge last night, helps bring the front end up a bit!!
Do you use any particular oil in servicing yours? Might try and get that done at the weekend as well.
helix402 said:
Car looks good. If you want any tips on the 330d I have two readers cars threads. One on my current car, one on my old one. I wouldn’t bother cleaning the air mass meter. They either work or they don’t. They are self cleaning and can be damaged by cleaning.
Thanks, will have a read through. I'll give the MAF cleaning a miss then, i don't currently have any issues, i just read it might be useful to clean it but i'll just stick to the EGR instead.Going to pop into a local bodyshop today and get a quote for sorting out the rust patch on the rear arch.
Drove to a site up near Liskeard today (approx 100 mile round trip) and had no issues, which is always nice for a “new” car. Off to Newton Abbot tomorrow so it’s getting a good run out this week. Got up to 45mpg average today so that’s ok.
I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
tomble22 said:
Drove to a site up near Liskeard today (approx 100 mile round trip) and had no issues, which is always nice for a “new” car. Off to Newton Abbot tomorrow so it’s getting a good run out this week. Got up to 45mpg average today so that’s ok.
I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
Funny enough my rear wiper has just stopped working.I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
Good workhorses; I’ve only got the 320d but it’s been a good car. Keep an eye on the front wings - they rust badly on the lip due to the arch liner rubbing away the galvanised finish and they then rust through. I cut the liner away from the inner lip on mine with a Dremel. It means that water and mud will get behind but hopefully will prevent the dreaded bubbly arch syndrome.
I think the E46 is one of the best looking tourings BMW have made, a really nicely resolved design with none of that tinsel and tat that gets glued on new cars. 86 M badges for example. A really smart looking car you have there, hope it serves you well. It can be a pain to keep on top of E46 quirks at times, but it's worth it!
Lovely car OP!
E46s are great. I bought a 325ti Sport in 2014 and let my nephew drive it - then I had to find him one.
But a year or so on he became a dad so he needed a Touring. Found him a 325i Sport in Imola Red - gratuitous photo with my Sport Compact!
I really liked the idea of a Touring, but couldn't find an E46 that didn't have crusty wheelarches - so I bought an E91 325i!
E46s are great. I bought a 325ti Sport in 2014 and let my nephew drive it - then I had to find him one.
But a year or so on he became a dad so he needed a Touring. Found him a 325i Sport in Imola Red - gratuitous photo with my Sport Compact!
I really liked the idea of a Touring, but couldn't find an E46 that didn't have crusty wheelarches - so I bought an E91 325i!
tomble22 said:
Drove to a site up near Liskeard today (approx 100 mile round trip) and had no issues, which is always nice for a “new” car. Off to Newton Abbot tomorrow so it’s getting a good run out this week. Got up to 45mpg average today so that’s ok.
I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
If the pump isn't whirring it's likely to be that, another common BMW fault is the filter on the wash pump intakes blocks if you don't use decent screen wash. There is a pump for front and rear wipers, I had to sort it on my E91, which is a bugger because the tank is in the wheel well needing the arch liner to come off! Much easier on an E46 as its under the bonnet. I did however find out that the rear washer doesn’t work, although the wiper does. Had a google and a few people mentioned that it could be that the hose had come off, so took the cover panel off tonight and had a look but it was all ok. Can’t hear any pump working when I use the stalk so think it may be a faulty pump (all fuses are ok), will order one on eBay and give that a go.
Ordered oil and filter today so will hopefully do that over the long weekend.
Mr Tidy said:
Lovely car OP!
E46s are great. I bought a 325ti Sport in 2014 and let my nephew drive it - then I had to find him one.
But a year or so on he became a dad so he needed a Touring. Found him a 325i Sport in Imola Red - gratuitous photo with my Sport Compact!
I really liked the idea of a Touring, but couldn't find an E46 that didn't have crusty wheelarches - so I bought an E91 325i!
Thanks matey, it's funny really but I don't miss the 1 series at all, just as well really!!E46s are great. I bought a 325ti Sport in 2014 and let my nephew drive it - then I had to find him one.
But a year or so on he became a dad so he needed a Touring. Found him a 325i Sport in Imola Red - gratuitous photo with my Sport Compact!
I really liked the idea of a Touring, but couldn't find an E46 that didn't have crusty wheelarches - so I bought an E91 325i!
So pleased with this that a mate of mine is looking for a manual petrol one now, will be handy to be able to pass on the knowledge i pick up along the way!!
P.s. Love the two Imola red's, fantastic BMW colour!
Edited by tomble22 on Thursday 24th May 09:40
Matt_N said:
If the pump isn't whirring it's likely to be that, another common BMW fault is the filter on the wash pump intakes blocks if you don't use decent screen wash. There is a pump for front and rear wipers, I had to sort it on my E91, which is a bugger because the tank is in the wheel well needing the arch liner to come off! Much easier on an E46 as its under the bonnet.
Is the pump for the rear wiper in the same location as the reservoir do you know? I assumed there was a seperate tank for the rear as there is a filler cap in the boot jamb as it were.Going to have a fiddle over the weekend, have a day of swirl flap blanks and oil change planned!
On a side note, drove up to Newton Abbot yesterday for a site visit, managed 43mpg and didn't miss a beat!
tomble22 said:
Is the pump for the rear wiper in the same location as the reservoir do you know? I assumed there was a seperate tank for the rear as there is a filler cap in the boot jamb as it were.
Going to have a fiddle over the weekend, have a day of swirl flap blanks and oil change planned!
On a side note, drove up to Newton Abbot yesterday for a site visit, managed 43mpg and didn't miss a beat!
I think you're right, my E46 was a saloon so no rear washer, I just assumed it would be like my E90 which has 2 pumps in the front tank. Going to have a fiddle over the weekend, have a day of swirl flap blanks and oil change planned!
On a side note, drove up to Newton Abbot yesterday for a site visit, managed 43mpg and didn't miss a beat!
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