Bmw 3 series diesel touring
Discussion
Google BMW swirl flaps, and get to know the issue, other than that, good luck !
eg ; http://www.swirlflaps.co.uk/
eg ; http://www.swirlflaps.co.uk/
What model are you looking at buying, E46 or E91
I have both, the E46 is a 330d, early model, manual with no swirl flaps, I think it's possibly the pick of the E46 330d range as it doesn't have auto box issues or swirl flaps to worry about, that if either fails can write one of these cars off in once swift hit. BTW it has also done 180k and has been reliable so far.
E91 is my favourite 3 series, I'm on my 3rd one now, they have all been 6 cylinder diesels and have all been faultless as a whole, current car has required a gearbox software update, red boost hose replacement and diff input seal, all covered under warranty, which is currently only £44 per month so worth having IMO
If it was me I'd buy a 330d, slightly heavier on fuel than a 320d, but it's a small price to pay for the better car.
I have both, the E46 is a 330d, early model, manual with no swirl flaps, I think it's possibly the pick of the E46 330d range as it doesn't have auto box issues or swirl flaps to worry about, that if either fails can write one of these cars off in once swift hit. BTW it has also done 180k and has been reliable so far.
E91 is my favourite 3 series, I'm on my 3rd one now, they have all been 6 cylinder diesels and have all been faultless as a whole, current car has required a gearbox software update, red boost hose replacement and diff input seal, all covered under warranty, which is currently only £44 per month so worth having IMO
If it was me I'd buy a 330d, slightly heavier on fuel than a 320d, but it's a small price to pay for the better car.
I agree with Martin,the 330d is a great car.If you're thinking of the 330d as an option and buy the 320,you may quickly feel that you should have bought the other...
Also,if your after an auto,why not just get a 335d?(!)
Re winters.If you do not have the use of another car,I would strongly advise getting some winters.
If you do decide on a car,budget for a set of winter wheels and tyres-you can get 2nd hand wheels quite easily and cheaply from ebay.Research and buy some tyres in September(when they tend to be released)-don't wait for the bad weather to come as limited stock and high prices as poor weather hits,will make it difficult to source anything decent.
I've a set of vredestein wintrac extremes and they haven't put a foot wrong in 2 years.
A set of winters should last 4 years before they start to degrade and can be sold on at a premium,so you can recoup some cash.
Also,if your after an auto,why not just get a 335d?(!)
Re winters.If you do not have the use of another car,I would strongly advise getting some winters.
If you do decide on a car,budget for a set of winter wheels and tyres-you can get 2nd hand wheels quite easily and cheaply from ebay.Research and buy some tyres in September(when they tend to be released)-don't wait for the bad weather to come as limited stock and high prices as poor weather hits,will make it difficult to source anything decent.
I've a set of vredestein wintrac extremes and they haven't put a foot wrong in 2 years.
A set of winters should last 4 years before they start to degrade and can be sold on at a premium,so you can recoup some cash.
I run the 320d version.Great car and ideal for my needs,albeit I no longer require a diesel engine but why change just for the sake of getting petrol is my thinking atm.
Late 2006,one of the very last updated manifolds before the 177 bhp 320d was introduced.
I have zero worry about the flaps buying this model and year,earlier than that I would be a little more worried.
Dodgy thermostats can screw the mpg on them too.My main thermostat is due to be changed as it's faulty and the coolant won't go above 80°C,optimum running temps are 90°C-94°C.MPG on motorway runs gone from mid 50's to low 40's so it's worth checking.
Late 2006,one of the very last updated manifolds before the 177 bhp 320d was introduced.
I have zero worry about the flaps buying this model and year,earlier than that I would be a little more worried.
Dodgy thermostats can screw the mpg on them too.My main thermostat is due to be changed as it's faulty and the coolant won't go above 80°C,optimum running temps are 90°C-94°C.MPG on motorway runs gone from mid 50's to low 40's so it's worth checking.
I would go 330d all the way, we have a e90 330d & its all the car you will ever need imo, i have a 2009 520d & the engine is a very poor relative to the 6 pot diesel by a long way.
Its worth paying the extra for the better engine & i dont rate the 20d engine much, its louder less smooth & lacks power & the difference in economy between our two cars is one mpg.
I think its better having a 3 litre that has to work less hard than having a 2 litre thats struggling its backside off!
Its just my opinion but in this case bigger is better.
Its worth paying the extra for the better engine & i dont rate the 20d engine much, its louder less smooth & lacks power & the difference in economy between our two cars is one mpg.
I think its better having a 3 litre that has to work less hard than having a 2 litre thats struggling its backside off!
Its just my opinion but in this case bigger is better.
Ive had an 07 325d Touring and loved it. I had it mapped in the end so now would definitely go with a 330d. The sound is so much more cultured. You could barely notice it was a diesel most of the time, especially when warm.
You wont get the fuel efficiency of the 320d but IMO its worth the extra.
You wont get the fuel efficiency of the 320d but IMO its worth the extra.
LukeSi said:
The 09 onwards 325d is mechanically identical to the 330d so if you can get one of them and remap it they are the exact same car.
AFAIK so was my 57 plate 325d(it was the 3.0 TDI common rail engine). Ive read that the only difference was the injectors and possibly the clutch/flywheel. Were these items exactly the same on the '09 onwards?boyoM3 said:
AFAIK so was my 57 plate 325d(it was the 3.0 TDI common rail engine). Ive read that the only difference was the injectors and possibly the clutch/flywheel. Were these items exactly the same on the '09 onwards?
Yup, mechanically identical, simply a 330d running a lower engine map (204bhp).Put 130k on this;
Only major drama was front pulley shearing at 100k which lead to this;
Never needed winter tyres on it just turn the traction off and the torque on tickover got it out of anywhere.
This is now on 113k (330d)
No real dramas, bit boring though.
Had this for a couple of months (320d)
Most boring BMW i've ever driven, total waste of combustion. If you have choice, get a 335d, they don't need mapping, and are good fun on track, the difference in fuel compared to a 330d is negligble.
Only major drama was front pulley shearing at 100k which lead to this;
Never needed winter tyres on it just turn the traction off and the torque on tickover got it out of anywhere.
This is now on 113k (330d)
No real dramas, bit boring though.
Had this for a couple of months (320d)
Most boring BMW i've ever driven, total waste of combustion. If you have choice, get a 335d, they don't need mapping, and are good fun on track, the difference in fuel compared to a 330d is negligble.
LukeSi said:
boyoM3 said:
AFAIK so was my 57 plate 325d(it was the 3.0 TDI common rail engine). Ive read that the only difference was the injectors and possibly the clutch/flywheel. Were these items exactly the same on the '09 onwards?
Yup, mechanically identical, simply a 330d running a lower engine map (204bhp).The LCI facelift
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