Another E46 330d Touring
Discussion
Possibly inspired by Helix, or more that I was just flat bored of my Mk6 Golf GT TDi I went back to my BMW roots. Having previously owned a 330d saloon and a 330i coupe, all that was left was to get a touring. Ideally would have been the petrol variant, but I do too many motorway miles to justify.
So, after a cheeky early £1,250 offer this is what I got:
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
The brake caliper seized on my journey home from buying it. £130 later and a great RAC patrol had replaced it and I was on my way.
It's a facelift 330d, which means 204bhp and 6 speed manual. My only two requirements when looking really. Done 182k across 4 owners. Needs a really deep clean, 3/4 arches are showing signs of rust. Wheels are scuffed and unmatching tyres. Needs a good service. Prop guibo is shot. And it's not pulling as hard as my old one.
But beggars can't be choosers! I've seen mint low milers now at £6k plus. And I can't justify that spend with the miles I'll put on it. So best buy one already run in and cheap and treat as a rolling project.
Day off tomorrow, so let the cleaning commence...
Here for the help as much as the comments!
So, after a cheeky early £1,250 offer this is what I got:
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrUntitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrThe brake caliper seized on my journey home from buying it. £130 later and a great RAC patrol had replaced it and I was on my way.
It's a facelift 330d, which means 204bhp and 6 speed manual. My only two requirements when looking really. Done 182k across 4 owners. Needs a really deep clean, 3/4 arches are showing signs of rust. Wheels are scuffed and unmatching tyres. Needs a good service. Prop guibo is shot. And it's not pulling as hard as my old one.
But beggars can't be choosers! I've seen mint low milers now at £6k plus. And I can't justify that spend with the miles I'll put on it. So best buy one already run in and cheap and treat as a rolling project.
Day off tomorrow, so let the cleaning commence...
Here for the help as much as the comments!
duds100 said:
Loss of power on mine was mainly down to the perished vac lines. Bought 5m of 4mm ID line and swapped the lot for peace of mind.
Yours was another thread I've had a good read of. On my old saloon I gave that a proper suspension and bushing sort out too. Just don't think I'll have the budget this time. Plans mechanically are:
Replace all fluids, incl. coolant and brake.
Replace all filters, incl. vortex breather
EGR clean (not delete - CBA with codes)
Prop shaft guibo
Tyres (hopefully on some decent condition 2nd hand wheels)
And yes, sort the loss of power. Boost leak was my first thought.
Thanks for the positive responses all.
One week in and it's had a deep clean and two successful trips to London and back to Devon.
First things first, it needed a damn good clean. I'm rubbish with before and afters. So here is a during and after.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
It is definitely a 10ft car!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
New (replica) badge on order.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Likewise fog lights and surrounds. I'll also have a go with a rattle can to tidy up the lacquer peel until it gets a front end respray.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Optional crusty arches. I'll bolt on some pattern parts for c.£200 painted in due course.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
More lacquer peel and rust. I'll do the same to the rear bumper as the front. Rust will have to wait. I'll keep an eye on it and get a family friend on the case.
The interior was minging. Leather and all trim black and grimy. This is the worst in the centre console.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
But I spent a lot of time in here with Dettol, Persil, scrubbing brushes, leather conditioner, etc and it's now a nice place to sit!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on Flickr
Plans for this weekend: Fit my Apple CarPlay headunit - BMW nav just can't compete with Waze! And start investigating the boost leaks - very poor performance under 3k, then really picks up.
Also, MPG real world is c.39mpg. Why does the dash read 52mpg?!
One week in and it's had a deep clean and two successful trips to London and back to Devon.
First things first, it needed a damn good clean. I'm rubbish with before and afters. So here is a during and after.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrUntitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrIt is definitely a 10ft car!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrNew (replica) badge on order.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrLikewise fog lights and surrounds. I'll also have a go with a rattle can to tidy up the lacquer peel until it gets a front end respray.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrOptional crusty arches. I'll bolt on some pattern parts for c.£200 painted in due course.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrMore lacquer peel and rust. I'll do the same to the rear bumper as the front. Rust will have to wait. I'll keep an eye on it and get a family friend on the case.
The interior was minging. Leather and all trim black and grimy. This is the worst in the centre console.
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrBut I spent a lot of time in here with Dettol, Persil, scrubbing brushes, leather conditioner, etc and it's now a nice place to sit!
Untitled by Darren Jasper, on FlickrPlans for this weekend: Fit my Apple CarPlay headunit - BMW nav just can't compete with Waze! And start investigating the boost leaks - very poor performance under 3k, then really picks up.
Also, MPG real world is c.39mpg. Why does the dash read 52mpg?!
Thank you for the offer though. [quote=XRMike]Your low rpm lag could be due to the egr valve. It can easily be blanked off with a coin with no side effects.]
My experience is a little different with the M57 egr. I’ve tested a 330d with an egr delete and got worse mpg and subjectively less power. I refitted the egr. The egr valves are very reliable on the E46 330d. I had one with 250k and the original valve.
A more common lack of low end power is due to perished vacuum hoses, (change the lot for silicon) faulty air mass meter (don’t bother cleaning it or using a used one or a non BMW/Bosch one), faulty turbo pressure converter, leaks from boost pipes/intercooler.
My two 330d threads cover all these faults.
My experience is a little different with the M57 egr. I’ve tested a 330d with an egr delete and got worse mpg and subjectively less power. I refitted the egr. The egr valves are very reliable on the E46 330d. I had one with 250k and the original valve.
A more common lack of low end power is due to perished vacuum hoses, (change the lot for silicon) faulty air mass meter (don’t bother cleaning it or using a used one or a non BMW/Bosch one), faulty turbo pressure converter, leaks from boost pipes/intercooler.
My two 330d threads cover all these faults.
helix402 said:
XRMike]Your low rpm lag could be due to the egr valve. It can easily be blanked off with a coin with no side effects. said:
My experience is a little different with the M57 egr. I’ve tested a 330d with an egr delete and got worse mpg and subjectively less power. I refitted the egr. The egr valves are very reliable on the E46 330d. I had one with 250k and the original valve.
A more common lack of low end power is due to perished vacuum hoses, (change the lot for silicon) faulty air mass meter (don’t bother cleaning it or using a used one or a non BMW/Bosch one), faulty turbo pressure converter, leaks from boost pipes/intercooler.
My two 330d threads cover all these faults.
A more common lack of low end power is due to perished vacuum hoses, (change the lot for silicon) faulty air mass meter (don’t bother cleaning it or using a used one or a non BMW/Bosch one), faulty turbo pressure converter, leaks from boost pipes/intercooler.
My two 330d threads cover all these faults.
Learn something new every day! I've only ever had positive results when removing the egr or blanking it on past diesels but the M57 must have a better appointed set up.
Will follow for an update.
Not a 330, but I found a relative a facelift E46 325i Sport Touring in Imola Red a couple of years ago to replace his 325ti Compact when he became a dad and he loves it!
They are just such good cars. I got carried away last year and bought an E91 325i as a daily. It may not look as good, but will hopefully avoid the crusty wheel-arches!
They are just such good cars. I got carried away last year and bought an E91 325i as a daily. It may not look as good, but will hopefully avoid the crusty wheel-arches!
XRMike said:
Learn something new every day! I've only ever had positive results when removing the egr or blanking it on past diesels but the M57 must have a better appointed set up.
Will follow for an update.
This certainly feels like a leak of some sort. Last car I had with these symptoms had a hole in the intercooler.
Might get it booked in for a smoke test to identify the leak. Wasted a lot of money on the aforementioned car replacing unnecessary parts.
Sf_Manta said:
It's surprising seeing how many 330i and 330d tourings are showing up.
Good seeing them being saved, both practical and fun cars
I think the E46 is one of the best looking BMWs. From a time when crash regs and safety didn’t swell their size and prevent low bonnet lines. Good seeing them being saved, both practical and fun cars
Plus, everyone knows estates are cool!
Darren1101 said:
Also just realised a double-din won't fit without serious bodging, which I'm more than capable of(!), but want to retain my HVAC.
Errr..... I think you will find it will, but it needs a "smokers pack" from the dealers which lowers the HVAC panel. I think its £65-ishI can put a picture of mine up if you want - although I had mine professionally fitted.
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