E46 and E90 330d Engine Comparison

[S3000]

How does the modern 3 liter engine (~230 hp) compare to the older model (~184-204 hp) ?
Is the powerband wider or the MPG better ?

[mike325112]

While I dont have an e90 I do have the same engine in our x3. The newer engine is much smoother and quieter. That said I prefer the noise the old 204 in my e46. I also prefer the power delivery of the older engine but that may have more to do with the extra weight of the x3.

[Welshbeef]

MPG is a step better
Noise it's quieter
Power band well it goes up to just over 5k revs with a meaningful surge from 1,500 to I'd say 4,500 rpm
Economy well take yesterday 50mile trip 2/3rd m way I achieved 48mpg it's auto and that is rush hour M25 congestion. Pre efficient dynamics too...


The 204/184bhp 330d is great it is notably slowest really notably slower and more efficient. That said if you already have an E46 keep it and run her into the ground enjoy her.

[Mr-B]

Got an e46 330d 204bhp and had it remapped to about 240. Goes like stink, noisier than e90 and not as efficient, gonna live with that until the end which will hopefully be years away

[Welshbeef]

Mr-B said:

Got an e46 330d 204bhp and had it remapped to about 240. Goes like stink, noisier than e90 and not as efficient, gonna live with that until the end which will hopefully be years away

Don't blame you.
Am thinking to map mine get 335d power with 330d economy. Again a keeper but would love a V8.... Petrol

[Mr-B]

Welshbeef said:

Don't blame you.
Am thinking to map mine get 335d power with 330d economy. Again a keeper but would love a V8.... Petrol

I have a V8 itch to scratch too. Would love a TVR of some description (and nearly did once) but just concerned about reliability issues, etc. Think I will wait and and cure the itch with my dream car, an AM V8V, that'll do.

[Fox-]

It's actually pretty much the same engine with only minor revisions - the M57.

Not until it was replaced with the N57 in 2008 did we get a leap forward in any real, meaningful way.

[Welshbeef]

Fox- said:

It's actually pretty much the same engine with only minor revisions - the M57.

Not until it was replaced with the N57 in 2008 did we get a leap forward in any real, meaningful way.

Really? 30bhp more 6-7mpg more combined much lower CO2 as well.

Plus the 204bhp cannot increase with a remap to 306bjp whereas a 231bhp version can. The 204bjp apparently female to more or less 231bhp.

[Fox-]

306bhp from an M57? Yea, good luck with that. I doubt it'll last long. It's the newer N57 that can be reliably remapped to much bigger power.

How much the fuel economy improvements are down to manufactures increasing familiarity with the EU NEDC testing regieme and how much are credible real world fuel economy improvements is of course open to debate.

The fact remains that the basic engine is the same from 1998 to 2008.

[Welshbeef]

Fox- said:

306bhp from an M57? Yea, good luck with that. I doubt it'll last long. It's the newer N57 that can be reliably remapped to much bigger power.

How much the fuel economy improvements are down to manufactures increasing familiarity with the EU NEDC testing regieme and how much are credible real world fuel economy improvements is of course open to debate.

The fact remains that the basic engine is the same from 1998 to 2008.

The standard remap for the 231bhp is 285bhp the highest people have pushed it to is 306bhp.
Conversely there are some who have mapped the 204bhp to 275bhp again this is up to the maximum possible with the sensible territory being 230bhp.