Discussion
Its worrying to hear of the injectors & turbo failure issue these are significant costs to incurr.
I guess one option is to buy a car who's turbo has failed already, ditto injectors??
Out of interest what is the failure rate? Is it jus the super long service intervals & comp car owners who never check their oil levels which is causing the problems - or is it just poorly designed parts?
I guess one option is to buy a car who's turbo has failed already, ditto injectors??
Out of interest what is the failure rate? Is it jus the super long service intervals & comp car owners who never check their oil levels which is causing the problems - or is it just poorly designed parts?
Turbo failure is common on E46 320ds and E39 330ds. I havent heard of it on E46 330ds.
The injectors are known to need replaced no and then, but some of that may be down to poor quality diesel like Tescos shite being used in very high line pressure injection systems.
From reading about the other turbo failures, it seems largely attributable to not letting the oil cool down after a severe kicking before switching off and also a return line filter getting clogged and it isnt on the standard servicing routine.
Replacing this regularly should help reduce the risk as would slightly more often than suggested oil services. My Golf can run variable intervals and looking at the state of the oil in it after 15k is horrific, BMW stretch it to 20k, albeit with larger sump capacity. Changing the oil twice as regularly at an independant or on your drive will only cost you an extra £50 / 10000 miles, or half a penny. Seems worth it to me.
The injectors are known to need replaced no and then, but some of that may be down to poor quality diesel like Tescos shite being used in very high line pressure injection systems.
From reading about the other turbo failures, it seems largely attributable to not letting the oil cool down after a severe kicking before switching off and also a return line filter getting clogged and it isnt on the standard servicing routine.
Replacing this regularly should help reduce the risk as would slightly more often than suggested oil services. My Golf can run variable intervals and looking at the state of the oil in it after 15k is horrific, BMW stretch it to 20k, albeit with larger sump capacity. Changing the oil twice as regularly at an independant or on your drive will only cost you an extra £50 / 10000 miles, or half a penny. Seems worth it to me.
I had a 184 330D auto and becase I used it mainly for shorter journeys, got 30 - 35 mpg, less in Winter. 40ish on a motorway run, though I've no idea what it did at a constant 70.
A 'common fault' you might not expect is the pistons which control the headlight washers fail, the flap doesn't close so the washers leak and syphon the bottle dry Dealers take bumber off to replace so a bit dearer than you'd think.
That and a new battery was all that was needed on my 51 plate in 2+ yrs, and a service @£180. Oh, and a set of Goodyear F1's which was £500.
Have a 120D now and can't believe how rough the engine seems by comparison.
Enjoy!
A 'common fault' you might not expect is the pistons which control the headlight washers fail, the flap doesn't close so the washers leak and syphon the bottle dry Dealers take bumber off to replace so a bit dearer than you'd think.
That and a new battery was all that was needed on my 51 plate in 2+ yrs, and a service @£180. Oh, and a set of Goodyear F1's which was £500.
Have a 120D now and can't believe how rough the engine seems by comparison.
Enjoy!
Ive seen a few 330D both 184bh & 204bhp and the interior of the 204's Ive seen is a much nicer place to be in.
I think the sport spec over the SE is worth it.
I have not tested any yet though.
I also popped into the VW garage and specced up a new Golf Gt Sport 140TDI £22k.... thats 231bhp 55reg territory and thats one competition that the BMW wins EVERY time.
One quick question - is there any difference in length of the saloon of the 184/204 & 231? Also do any of you have hese numbers available as I need to check to see if it will fit into my garage or if I will have to throw out the shelves.
I think the sport spec over the SE is worth it.
I have not tested any yet though.
I also popped into the VW garage and specced up a new Golf Gt Sport 140TDI £22k.... thats 231bhp 55reg territory and thats one competition that the BMW wins EVERY time.
One quick question - is there any difference in length of the saloon of the 184/204 & 231? Also do any of you have hese numbers available as I need to check to see if it will fit into my garage or if I will have to throw out the shelves.
We've had both 184 (02 plate) and 204 (54 plate) BHP e46 3 series Sports. TBH didn't really notice any performance hike with the later model. Both were autos and both had the latter front wings and indicators. The interiors were also identical. The ride was not as good as the MG ZT we had that was also on 18" Pilot Sport 2s. Now running a 335d M Sport and can certainly tell the difference plus the ride is better even on RFTs. All three BM diesels have averaged about 33 MPG on the same commute (incidently our M3 Evo used to get around 17 to the gallon on the same journey).
No problems at all on the diesels either.
Regards
Chris
No problems at all on the diesels either.
Regards
Chris
As someone has said, the 204bhp model is all you'll need. I've had 115 and 130 bhp VAG units and I'd take BMW diesels any time, especially 6 cylinder models.
I have had manuals:
a 184bhp saloon, covered 17K miles in 13 months with just a coil spring & heater resistor failure (both common). 44mpg overall.
a 184bhp touring - which I loved, did 7k miles in 4 months - new water pump and tailgate light cluster/boot release switch. 43mpg overall. Both miss that 6th gear IMO.
I currently have a E91 320D touring and I miss the 6 cylinder power. Whilst the interior aesthetics are an improvement over the E46 the car doesn't feel half as well built.
I have had manuals:
a 184bhp saloon, covered 17K miles in 13 months with just a coil spring & heater resistor failure (both common). 44mpg overall.
a 184bhp touring - which I loved, did 7k miles in 4 months - new water pump and tailgate light cluster/boot release switch. 43mpg overall. Both miss that 6th gear IMO.
I currently have a E91 320D touring and I miss the 6 cylinder power. Whilst the interior aesthetics are an improvement over the E46 the car doesn't feel half as well built.
So the general consent is that if its affordable get the 330D Sport 204bhp Touring.
Does the 204bhp AUTO have 5 speeds or 6 speeds?
Ive heard that the 204bhp is a totally different engine and not just an ECU upgrade the 184 being the 2.9ltr unit and the 204 being the 3.0ltr? Is that true?
Does the 204bhp AUTO have 5 speeds or 6 speeds?
Ive heard that the 204bhp is a totally different engine and not just an ECU upgrade the 184 being the 2.9ltr unit and the 204 being the 3.0ltr? Is that true?
Welshbeef said:
So the general consent is that if its affordable get the 330D Sport 204bhp Touring.
Does the 204bhp AUTO have 5 speeds or 6 speeds?
Ive heard that the 204bhp is a totally different engine and not just an ECU upgrade the 184 being the 2.9ltr unit and the 204 being the 3.0ltr? Is that true?
The Auto is a 5spd. Not sure about the engine. Does it matter? Just buy it!Does the 204bhp AUTO have 5 speeds or 6 speeds?
Ive heard that the 204bhp is a totally different engine and not just an ECU upgrade the 184 being the 2.9ltr unit and the 204 being the 3.0ltr? Is that true?
Drive the deal are offering std 330D M sports 231 for £28.7k vs a list of £33k thats a huge discount however when you add in the financng costs and their guarenteed future value they are anticipating @ 15,000 miles a year that in 4 years it will have cost £24k (£6.6k being loan interest) - also note that the £28.7k includes the 5 year service & maintence pack.
No other options at all.
Is this a sensible thing to do??
The deposit is only £2.8k and the monthly payments are £443.
No other options at all.
Is this a sensible thing to do??
The deposit is only £2.8k and the monthly payments are £443.
I will but need to ensure its the right car - as I intend to run it for at least 3 years & 50k ish then pass it onto the Mrs for a further 3 years & circa 15k additional milage.
Please see the other thread about the 330i vs 330d I made a detailed financial analysis of both from a neutral position.
Please see the other thread about the 330i vs 330d I made a detailed financial analysis of both from a neutral position.
You see though Im tight & like to do my bit for the Environment so I refuse to buy new and like to run cars for many miles.
I personally dont like the thought at spending £30k ish on a new 231hp and not that excited at spending £22k on a year old example.
My view is buy one with up to 60k & under 5 years old then put 65k+ onto it over a period of 6 years. There is no timing belt to worry about so all that is needed is oil/filters/pads/discs/tyres & of course any MOT failure items the other items just keep running them.
I personally dont like the thought at spending £30k ish on a new 231hp and not that excited at spending £22k on a year old example.
My view is buy one with up to 60k & under 5 years old then put 65k+ onto it over a period of 6 years. There is no timing belt to worry about so all that is needed is oil/filters/pads/discs/tyres & of course any MOT failure items the other items just keep running them.
On the look out now (no hurry) but will either need to sell my car first OR part x.
Can you please advise on "essential" options for the 330D Sport.
One bad thing though is that the Mrs stated that she would not want the 330D in 3 yrs as it would be too big for her to drive/park so additional dilema
Actually today a friend at work offered me his "04" S2000 70k as he needs to change in a few months time.... totally different car & totally unpracticle as I stated [but 9,000rpm 240bhp is quite tempting - he's giving me a ride in it soon to maybe help convince me its the car to go for also it ave 25-30mpg and 34mpg on the M Ways]
Can you please advise on "essential" options for the 330D Sport.
One bad thing though is that the Mrs stated that she would not want the 330D in 3 yrs as it would be too big for her to drive/park so additional dilema
Actually today a friend at work offered me his "04" S2000 70k as he needs to change in a few months time.... totally different car & totally unpracticle as I stated [but 9,000rpm 240bhp is quite tempting - he's giving me a ride in it soon to maybe help convince me its the car to go for also it ave 25-30mpg and 34mpg on the M Ways]
Welshbeef said:
On the look out now (no hurry) but will either need to sell my car first OR part x.
Can you please advise on "essential" options for the 330D Sport.
One bad thing though is that the Mrs stated that she would not want the 330D in 3 yrs as it would be too big for her to drive/park so additional dilema
Actually today a friend at work offered me his "04" S2000 70k as he needs to change in a few months time.... totally different car & totally unpracticle as I stated [but 9,000rpm 240bhp is quite tempting - he's giving me a ride in it soon to maybe help convince me its the car to go for also it ave 25-30mpg and 34mpg on the M Ways]
So we coach you for about 80 posts on 330d and you now thing you need an s2000. Can you please advise on "essential" options for the 330D Sport.
One bad thing though is that the Mrs stated that she would not want the 330D in 3 yrs as it would be too big for her to drive/park so additional dilema
Actually today a friend at work offered me his "04" S2000 70k as he needs to change in a few months time.... totally different car & totally unpracticle as I stated [but 9,000rpm 240bhp is quite tempting - he's giving me a ride in it soon to maybe help convince me its the car to go for also it ave 25-30mpg and 34mpg on the M Ways]
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