330d Touring Auto purchase - have I missed anything?

[mikey-r]

Hi all,

I'm going to look at a '04 330d Touring Auto at the weekend and just want to make sure I've got my figures right.....

- Real MPG (50 miles a day 80% motorway) should be about 36 if I don't welly it?
- '04 not as susceptical to swallowing the inlet valve thingy?
- at 75,000 it's due an Inspection 2 in about 5k - I'll be looking at £400/£500?
- Tax in 2010 will be £300 (unless they decide to rape us another way!)?
- it's got 18" alloys so I can expect the ride to be a little harder than normal?

Can anyone confirm I've got that right?

Also, does anyone have any tips/hints of what to look out for? I haven't driven an auto for about 15 years - should I expect it to be smooth - is there anything I can do whilst test driving it to make sure all's good with the box. It's got full BMW history by the way.

Cheers

Mike.

[ukdavvy12]

Its a little newer than my regular wheels for the last 6 years

I had never driven an auto till I tested an E46 and now Im a convert

The economy seems optimistic but only by 2-3 mpg

The service sounds main dealer rates - I have used an independent since the warranty ran out

When Im alone the 18" wheels work well
As a family car with the wife and kids on board I sometimes wish it had 17"

It is honestly all the car I have ever wanted or needed

I could think of no reason at all to change it till life took an unexpected turn recently
Id have happily kept it for another 6 years - having had it for 6 already

Its been utterly reliable and is always a treat to drive

A 335d really must be something special, as my 330d flies
(Naturally a mapped 335d.............. )

Im sure you realise its a buyers market
Thus I would insist on full leather and xenons if not sat nav too
The xenons are stunning - Id never have a car without them

Sorry I cant help with the auto worries you have
Mine just works

How much are you getting it for?

Oh and the BMW warranty was OK for a year at 400 quid (inc full Euro rescue) but at 900 quid isnt
Apparently its a flat E46 rate and after M3s started blowing up they have hiked it to twice what it was

Cheers

[Olf]

mikey-r said:

Hi all,

I'm going to look at a '04 330d Touring Auto at the weekend and just want to make sure I've got my figures right.....

- Real MPG (50 miles a day 80% motorway) should be about 36 if I don't welly it?
- '04 not as susceptical to swallowing the inlet valve thingy?
- at 75,000 it's due an Inspection 2 in about 5k - I'll be looking at £400/£500?
- Tax in 2010 will be £300 (unless they decide to rape us another way!)?
- it's got 18" alloys so I can expect the ride to be a little harder than normal?

Can anyone confirm I've got that right?

Also, does anyone have any tips/hints of what to look out for? I haven't driven an auto for about 15 years - should I expect it to be smooth - is there anything I can do whilst test driving it to make sure all's good with the box. It's got full BMW history by the way.

Cheers

Mike.

204bhp?

You'll definitely get 36 if you're doing 50 miles on the m-way.

The newer engines (post facelift) are much more reliable as far as I know.

Inspection II could be harsh especially if you're looking at new rubber and possible suspension as well. Have a look for posts on ARB bushes. (Anti Roll Bar) they need replacing every so often and do wonder for E46 handling. You'll know because it won't feel tight at the rear.

I think the chances of that tax law coming in are pretty limited. They won't dare.

Ride will be harder and they tramline as well. You have to keep a firm hand on the wheel on country roads especially.

The auto box is a gem. 5 spd and very well matched to the engine.

Not much to look out for IMO. It's a superb car and If you find one that's been loved I don't think you'll go far wrong.

Edited by Olf on Wednesday 24th September 22:53

[Ment-Al]

36... and the rest. Id be expecting nearer 45.

I think the inlet valve problem was just a 2.0 diesel problem?

With regards to inspection II, budget those figures and as long as nothing major needs doing you will easily stay under it. In comparison, my own was £250 from a BMW approved independant.

Go for it. Excellent cars. Point and fire driveability in auto form.

[mikey-r]

Thanks for the input already chaps - it's just what I wanted to hear. The MPG views vary but I expected that... it's surely all doen to how you drive it I suppose and, on the whole, I'm pretty 'light' footed.

It's got leather and lots of goodies but not sure on the Zenons. Would it be expensive to change them to zenons?

It's got full dealer history. Would going to an independant effect re-sale price?

Can anyone recommend and Indy in the Chelmsford/Essex area?

It's up for a shade under 10k - to me, that's reasonable, but what do you think?

Thanks

Mike.

[VerySideways]

Nothing to look out for really over and above standard things. Make sure the mileage looks right (i.e. check the service history stamps and dates, MOT, etc.), check tyres and brakes for haggling value, make sure all electrics work, make sure box changes up and down smoothly, try the "tiptronic" functions correctly.

I think you're spot on with the mpg, you may do slightly worse, you may do slightly better. You won't average 40mpg on a journey like that with an auto unless you do 50mph on the m'way, 45mpg is possible with a manual but not with the auto box.

Great car, as long as you buy an honest one you can't really go wrong.

[Ment-Al]

With regard to FSH, if its an independent and they use approved parts - i think you are ok?

[anonymous-user]

I have an '04 6 speed manual (105k miles), and up until last week it was a paragon of performance and reliability...............

just had:

1 x new turbo (£1080 + VAT from bmw , needless to say i didnt get it from them!)
1 x new inlet manifold £428 from bmw (only place you can get it from)
1 x new driveshaft rubber donut, reasonable at £42, but £100 to fit (+VAT)
2 x new front wishbone bushes, - £109+VAT the pair
1 x engine breather oil seperator thingy (£32)


I have fitted all the bits myself, BMW quoted £4300 to do the whole job, but still cost me the best part of £1200 DIY.

kinda wish i had stuck to a 330i now, kinda makes the 38mpg a bit pointless!

(note: inlet manifold IS later type on '04 330d, but mine was still on the verge of failure with 3 of the 6 flaps being loose on their spindles and just waiting to snap off and do £12k worth of damage.
turbo failed it's bearing pack (i knew it was worn when i checked it a few weeks back but hadn't got a chance to change it before it blew in a puff of blue smoke).

Car has been enthusiastically driven always, but still a little miffed as my 10yo french hot hatch managed 130k miles of my driving without major failure (ok, most of the trim had taken up residence in my shed by that point, but the basic mechanics where fine lol)

would i have another one? probably still yes, but if it had anything over 90k on the clock i'd be taking off the manifold for a flap check and inspecting the turbo ASAP!

edited to add: car has full bmw service history, has never missed a service (in fact it has been 2k early for most), and during the time i have had it (since 40k miles) has had engine oil and filter every 10k inbetween usual 20k services

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th September 22:50

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th September 22:51

[Sticks2]

Re the Xenons. I suspect it'd be expensive to upgrade to these but I changed mine for high performance bulbs and the improvement was good, esp relative to the time and money spent.

On short/medium journeys I used to get 35mpg in summer, 30 in winter and 40 on a Mway hurtle.

Minor point to look for - make sure if it has headlamp washers they're not leaking. The lids don't close sometimes, syphoning the washer bottle dry, and if you're not a diy-er....

That and slightly vague steering was all I could fault mine for, in contrast to the 120 I replaced it with.

[mikey-r]

Thanks again for the heads-up.

Max T.. Ouch! I'm no DIY'er - how much should I expect to pay an Indy to check the manifold flaps - is it a big job?

Thanks

Mike.

[mikey-r]

Well, the deed is done! I test drove it last night and was very very impressed. It knocked spots of the same aged Merc c220 cdi Avantgarde I drove last week. More responsive, felt 'tighter' overall and a far better place to be sat in.

Deposit paid and pick it up Tuesday - can't wait. I'll post some pics asap.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Mike.

[anonymous-user]

mikey-r said:

Max T.. Ouch! I'm no DIY'er - how much should I expect to pay an Indy to check the manifold flaps - is it a big job?

its a pretty easy job once you've done it once!

basically:
1) engine acoustic cover off (4 bolts)
2) cabin filter / HVAC air intake housing off the back of the bulkhead (3 x twist locks, 4 x torx headed bolts into bulkhead
3) Rear lower acoustic cover off (3 bolts) but may need lower bulkhead cover plate off to be able to wiggle it out of the gap between the back of the engine / bulkhead, but that is only 2 x torx bolts so easy)
4)Injector wiring loom removal (6 x injector plugs & 3x torx headed bolts)
5) dipstick mounting bolt to manifold (8mm hex head)
6) unclip MAP sensor connector
7) unclip AGR motor connector
8) unclip intake air pipe from quickfit connector on front of EGR housing
9) undo 12 10mm hex head bolts attaching uppper intake runners
10) undo 7x 11mm hex head nuts attaching lower intake runners (caution, these are NOT captive and are easy to drop down into the depth of the engine bay!!)
11) carefully lift off manifold!

EASY!
I reckon i could remove one in well under 20mins now!

when it's off, turn upside down, and carefully inspect flaps, i needed to remove them from the manifold (2x small torx headed bolts per unit) and clean them to check them properly, and i found 3 with flaps loose to their spindles)

unfortunately you can't buy just the flap units themselves, you have to buy the whole shooting match, DOH!

[fiddybux]

Max_Torque said:

(note: inlet manifold IS later type on '04 330d, but mine was still on the verge of failure with 3 of the 6 flaps being loose on their spindles and just waiting to snap off and do £12k worth of damage.
turbo failed it's bearing pack (i knew it was worn when i checked it a few weeks back but hadn't got a chance to change it before it blew in a puff of blue smoke).

Hi Max_Torque,

I just sold my Mazda RX-8 because I temporarily needed the money, but when I do get another car it will almost certainly be a 330D.

You say here that the inlet manifold problem is found on late 2004 330D's, but it this the only one that suffers? Are early 2005 models onwards all okay? Also presumably all pre-2004 models will all suffer from this problem.

How stupid are BMW for this clanger!! I expected more from them to be honest.

Apart from inlet manifold flaps, turbo failure, roll bar bushings mentioned above, the usual cam belt stuff etc, is there anything else that needs checking out on an older 330D? I heard something about rear struts / springs getting knackered.

Thanks.

Edited by fiddybux on Wednesday 6th May 11:32

[Welshbeef]

No Cambelts on BMW's cam chains instead. Thy last the life of the engine. You do however have drive belts to change but you change when they need to change unlike set milage or age.

[MattOz]

I think that the tax will still be less than £200 as the emissions are 174g/km. An inspection 2 will cost about £300 from a dealer. I've put 2 330d's through Insp.2's at a dealer and it cost that.

I've had 4 of them in the past, so I know what a fantastic all rounder they are and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Matt

[fiddybux]

Welshbeef said:

No Cambelts on BMW's cam chains instead. Thy last the life of the engine. You do however have drive belts to change but you change when they need to change unlike set milage or age.

Thanks Welshbeef for that quick reply.

So anyone on the pre / post 2004 inlet manifold issue on 330D's? Are 2005's all good?