A foray into diesel ownership - 2004 BMW 330d

[JakeT]

After my grand old shed of a 328ci started removing it's rear subframe without my permission, I decided to sell it and buy something with the boot floor a little more in-tact. Prior to this I've had 2 E46s, and worked on a fair few. As a result of this, it only made sense for the next bus to be an E46 too. Moreso now than ever, I do a fair few miles too. The Past 3-4 years have all been 25-30,000 miles per year. It wasn't so much the cost, more the range that made me thing 'I could sort of fancy a diesel'. Never have been a diesel lover, even though I had a 530d for a short while. I knew the only diesel I'd ever own is a BMW 3.0 one. For a diesel, they're not all bad.

This is where this car stepped in, a 2004 330d sport in Sapphire Black. I've not taken any pics of it yet, so here's some from the sale advert.






The seller in question is a classic car dealer, often dealing in cars in order of magnitude more expensive/valuable than this one. Still, he was a nice chap. Job jobbed. This one is a late model, 204BHP one with the 6 speed manual. It has the standard 330d stuff, including Xenon headlights, which is nice. They make a big difference, and do away with the beam deflectors needed for driving on the continent. I usually average 4-5 trips a year.

There's a couple of 'niggles' that I need to work through with this to make it as I want it. Generally, for the most part it drives very well for one of these. The suspension is tight, as is the steering. The engine is very willing, to the point it shocked me in second. It's MUCH faster than my old 530d. Albeit that's not very hard now. Either way, the more I need to do, the more I update the thread. Not to mention I quite like working on the car. I find it quite cathartic. I know, I have been told I am certifiable. But anyway, the list of broken things'niggles' are below:

• Fit a new thermostat - the coolant temperature gauge is quite limp.
• Fix the parking sensors - none of them are clicking. I have some spares, so I'll give them a go to see if I need 4 sensors, or it's a wiring fault
• New wheels and tyres - The current MV2's are in good condition, but I prefer 17 inch wheels for a daily. I have some 17 inch style 32s to have refurbished and 'rubbered up'.
• Order a new key - It only came with 1, that makes me nervous.
• Replace the headlight washers - one of them has a slow leak, and I like my washer fluid in the container.
• A good service - the last service was in January, but I like to know it's been done. This will comprise of the relevant filters, and oils.

BONUS ITEM

• Replace the pressure sensors for the DSC system. The DSC and yellow handbrake lights came on today, indicating a fault. and the codes were for 'pressure sensor 1'.

I've already added the BMW torch back and put in the good condition floor mats from my dearly departed 328ci.

This thread will be a frank, and honest account of me running a 330d. I still believe a proper BMW has a petrol straight six, and I imagine this will be my only diesel. Currently the verdict is still out. it's better on fuel and faster than the 328ci it replaced, but I still miss that car. This one has some big boots to fill, but I am sure it'll pan out well.

Anyone that has any good tips for these engines, or generally, I'm all ears, all the time. (Mr. Helix402, I'm looking at you)

Edited by JakeT on Sunday 12th May 21:00

[col1983]

Bookmarked. I recently bought an E46 330Ci Clubsport and whilst I really like it, the range is a bit limiting for the length of journey I tend to do. It’ll be interesting to see how you get on with a manual 330d...I’m guessing 40mpg is well within reach on a run?

[jwarrens84]

I’ve been wondering when a E46 saloon would pop it’s head after the spat of E46 Touring’s & Coupes. Mines a Saloon sport manual 184 sadly.

Make sure to change the engine oil breather to the vortex style one :-)

Lovely car

[helix402]

Excellent choice! Over 50 mpg is easily possible on a run. If the average mpg drops below 40 it’s broken!

Re thermostats don’t forget to do the egr one too. Go for gen BMW thermostats or Behr/Mahle.

Basic engine tips, change all the vacuum pipes for silicon, don’t remove the egr, remove the swirl flaps. Don’t clean the air mass meter. Then get a good remap.

If you want a cheap second key to unlock but not start the car any used facelift key can be programmed to unlock your car.

Edited by helix402 on Monday 13th May 08:22

Edited by helix402 on Monday 13th May 08:26

[E34]

Before you fit a new DSC pressure sensor, unplug and reattach the connection to the sensor a few times. I had the same code last year, did the above and have been perfect since!

Lovely car too by the way!

[JakeT]

Thanks for the tips gang, my drive into work today it managed just over 41 to the gallon. I wasn't pedalling it but the gauge never showed fully warm, so I'll order a thermostat soon. I'd imagine it'll pay for itself in saved fuel in short order Helix, does a manual have an EGR cooler too? Or is it just the main 'stat? My plan is to remove the swirl flaps if they've not been done already too.


thanks for the tip E34. I did the main DSC loom this morning, and that's done nothing I'll do the sensor plus this morning and get the contact cleaner on them.

The wheels are also going sooner rather than later too. They're too big for an E46 really.

[helix402]

I think some late manuals have the egr cooler, maybe not all. My 184 does as I fitted one.

I think Touring 442 (think that’s his username) on here has some used dsc pressure sensors.

[Mexman]

Nice, I have the identical car, albeit an Auto.
Same colour, same trim level, same colour leather interior, same year, same 'cube' dash and door inserts even.
What is the official name for that leather colour, have never been able to find out.?
Some people love it and some seem to hate it.
I think it goes well with a Sapphire black exterior.

[JakeT]

helix402 said:

I think some late manuals have the egr cooler, maybe not all. My 184 does as I fitted one.

I think Touring 442 (think that’s his username) on here has some used dsc pressure sensors.

Thanks Helix. Had a look at the build sheet, and RealOEM and this is a Euro4 model, so needs both of them. I'm glad, as I want exhaust gases to be cooled before going back through the engine.

Mexman said:

Nice, I have the identical car, albeit an Auto.
Same colour, same trim level, same colour leather interior, same year, same 'cube' dash and door inserts even.
What is the official name for that leather colour, have never been able to find out.?
Some people love it and some seem to hate it.
I think it goes well with a Sapphire black exterior.

Sounds like you have good taste in cars!

The colour is called Hellbeige, which translates as Oatmeal.

I like the interior colour too, black on black is too much. I wouldn't normally buy a black car, but one can't be choosy when buying older stuff.

[Eyersey1234]

I'm not a BMW fan but that looks a tidy car OP.

[Sim89]

Mine did not have an EGR stat but was the M57N (204) manual. Great cars and I did 65k in mine, now on 151k. There are many things to keep you busy!

All has been said about the engine - do the swirl flaps, replace or fix vac lines, do the vortex filter and 12k oil changes. Await the crank pulley failing. Would recommend clutch delay valve removal and End Tuning for mapping. I had mine running a mild map (250hp/500Nm) for at least 50k and no issues.

Keep an eye out for rot, esp the rear arches, handbrake back plates, brake lines.

I would easily get 55mpg+ on a run. Combination of good map, decat, good tyres (PS4) and new wheel bearings.

I'd also rebush (RTABs and Lollipops) it and get a proper alignment done, they are sensitive to it.

[helix402]

Re RTABs, M3 bushes fit and a good upgrade without going for PU bushes.

Here’s mine:

[Mexman]

Looks very clean JakeT, can I be rude and dare ask how much?
These are such a lot of car for the money, mines a 54 plate, that had done 117k, 2 years ago when purchased, and I paid £1500.
Mine is a really clean example also, with no rust and I have been religious about keeping the underside clean.

[LanceRS]

col1983 said:

Bookmarked. I recently bought an E46 330Ci Clubsport and whilst I really like it, the range is a bit limiting for the length of journey I tend to do. It’ll be interesting to see how you get on with a manual 330d...I’m guessing 40mpg is well within reach on a run?

Thread please?

A friend of mine bought an immaculate auto one of these for £500 last year. I took it out back to back with my Clubsport and was properly impressed. A really nice thing to drive, even with the slightly older, lower powered engine.
I was gutted when it developed a starting fault and he scrapped it.
As a sport model does yours have the quicker ‘purple tag’ rack or the normal one?

[LarsG]

Get a Mondeo, good range, bullet proof, cheap, fast enough, cheap to fix.

[helix402]

Op’s car has a purple tag rack. I guess he would have bought a Mondeo if he wanted one.

[JakeT]

Mine was a top of the market money car, as these 6spd models tend to be. I paid £2900. The only other 6spd non 'cd' model was a touring a few weeks ago up for £3800, so I don't feel TOO ripped off.

Thanks for the tip RE the sensor plugs E34. Unplugged, plugged a few times and got the contact cleaner on them, and we're light free so far today.

Sim, a lot of what you say is great advice, and things I've had to do on my past E46s too, but always welcome. I might have this mapped one day, but we'll see. This ones an EU4 model, so has an EGR cooler. I ordered both genuine thermostats online for £88, and will fit them at the weekend.

This one does have a purple tag rack, all late models got this rack in the end.

As for a Mondeo, I've had a couple of Fords, and really enjoyed them. But I'd prefer a RWD car with 6 cylinders, and 6cyl Mondeos are nice, but not for me.

[Mr Tidy]

Lovely looking car OP! You did well to find a good facelift model with the M-Sport seats!

My 1st diesel was a 320td E46 Compact in 2005, followed by a 123d in 2008. If I was still doing the mileage to justify it I'd definitely have moved onto a 6 cylinder one!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Tuesday 14th May 22:54

[JakeT]

Thanks for checking in, Mr. Tidy. I figured you'd be along.

I fitted my Business MD player, and AUX in kit from my old car last night. I haven't listened to broadcast radio in a long while, and I like to be able to listen to my MD collection from time to time. The port is off centre else it fouls on the arm rest.

Edited by JakeT on Wednesday 15th May 13:53

[Sim89]

OP - Price is good in my opinion. I just sold mine (MY03, 151k but with a LOT of work done and spec) for 2,950.