E46 Touring - 320D or 330D

[Silver993tt]

So, I'm contemplating an E46 touring but not sure between the 320D or 330D. Obviously I know the 330 has more grunt. I'm looking at a budget of under £10k, so what should I expect for that regarding mileage/year etc?

Are there any specific mileage related 'biggies' that I should be aware of?

Any BMW specialists in the Surrey area?

Thanks for any tips

Edited by Silver993tt on Tuesday 21st April 11:36

[ipwn]

I have an e46 330d M sport with around 117 on it.

probs:

turbo - £600
gearbox - £1300
xenon ballast thingy - £220
rubber pipe thing - £400 I think.

Around 2-3 years of ownership.

18 run flats give it an extremely harsh ride.

However the car is awesome, I love it to bits.

[Silver993tt]

ipwn said:

I have an e46 330d M sport with around 117 on it.

probs:

turbo - £600
gearbox - £1300
xenon ballast thingy - £220
rubber pipe thing - £400 I think.

Around 2-3 years of ownership.

18 run flats give it an extremely harsh ride.

However the car is awesome, I love it to bits.

What's the low down with the Steptronic gear box? I notice that quite a few up for sale have this fitted. Should I go for a manual box instead? Was yours a manual box or auto that needed fixing/replacing?

[ipwn]

Silver993tt said:

ipwn said:

I have an e46 330d M sport with around 117 on it.

probs:

turbo - £600
gearbox - £1300
xenon ballast thingy - £220
rubber pipe thing - £400 I think.

Around 2-3 years of ownership.

18 run flats give it an extremely harsh ride.

However the car is awesome, I love it to bits.

What's the low down with the Steptronic gear box? I notice that quite a few up for sale have this fitted. Should I go for a manual box instead? Was yours a manual box or auto that needed fixing/replacing?

Auto.

It's certainly not an unusual occurance. It's just a risk you take when buying a higher mileage car. However it should be strong for the next 100k.

I forgot to add, I had swirl flaps changed aswell. THat was more precautionairy.

I much prefer driving this type of car as an auto over a manual tbh.

[Zead]

If you want performance, 330 all the way and have it mapped. If you want reasonable performance and economy get a 320, but get it mapped anyway. Autos sap the power a little bit and the economy. Thrash a chipped 330 around and you'll get 26-7mpg. Do the same in a petrol you'll get 19-20 mpg. But the auto is sweet and IMO a nicer drive. I have had a 330D step auto for nearly three years and no major bills, 77K. Maf was replaced but I think it was misdiagnosed as the fault did not go until I change no2 fuel pump. Other than that just bushes and ball joints. Easily get a good car for £10k. Go for a high spec, sport with leather.

[Silver993tt]

Zead said:

If you want performance, 330 all the way and have it mapped. If you want reasonable performance and economy get a 320, but get it mapped anyway. Autos sap the power a little bit and the economy. Thrash a chipped 330 around and you'll get 26-7mpg. Do the same in a petrol you'll get 19-20 mpg. But the auto is sweet and IMO a nicer drive. I have had a 330D step auto for nearly three years and no major bills, 77K. Maf was replaced but I think it was misdiagnosed as the fault did not go until I change no2 fuel pump. Other than that just bushes and ball joints. Easily get a good car for £10k. Go for a high spec, sport with leather.

Thanks for the tips. Do you know any good inependent garages in Surrey that I can take a look at for some examples or is it simple enough to buy privately? If private, who could I get to inspect a car?

[ipwn]

You could buy a BMW ODB kit that plugs into the car from your laptop.

That will throw up all the info you need in that area wise.

Also check how much torque the box can handle before remapping. Otherwise you're looking to fk up your own box quicker

[Sods Law]

I have a E46 320d M-sport saloon 2004, and have to say Im impressed 92k on the clock when purchased and I have put 4k on it since Jan, icluding a trackday,

Very good handling fuel economy is good. I have looked in to remapping and after the service next week I will be having it done. so far a good thumbs up fpr me, I wanted a 330d but opted for a 320 for work & emissions issues.

HTH

D

[Zead]

I'd buy privately for the age you're most likely to get for the money, BMs are easy to dress by stealers. PH classifieds or Autotrader. Get an indi BM specialist to give it the once over local to where the car is. The AA used to give reports but I heard they are not worth much as they are not vehicle specific. They check all the things normal petrol heads would check anyway. They wouldn't tell you if the turbo was about to go pop.