Buying an E46 320D - What do I need to know?

[Bad Sir Culation]

Right, further to a recent What Car? I am looking to gather as much info as possible before I jump in and buy a 320D. The budget is upto £3000. The car will also be receiving a remap to make it slightly more "exciting".

Am I right in thinking that the 150bhp model is a 51 plate onwards? Also I have heard about swirl flaps. What's the story? Looking at cars with upto 110k on the clock, should swirl flaps have been replaced or removed? Should they have had replacement suspension by this point?

Any other common issues to look out for?

[Bad Sir Culation]

Nothing?

[PaulB81]

I have a 320 td (which is the compact version). Its got 90k on it, never had a single problem. Just consumables (and when I crashed it in the snow ). Its on a 53 plate so its the 150bhp version. My mrs uses it as her daily driver, i used to use it for mine. Average 50mpg all the time. Cant get it much lower even driving like a knob. It gets serviced once a year and thats the only maintenance it gets. Either I'm lucky, or its just a very solid car.

Couldnt bring myself to sell it when i bought my 330ci which is why the mrs inherited it. It just ticks a lot of boxes. Chased the mrs back from town to home yesterday and its not slow either (she had a lead foot!!)

Edited by PaulB81 on Tuesday 5th July 15:18

[Bad Sir Culation]

Nice one, that's the sort of thing I want to hear

Did you have the swirl flaps removed?

[Bad Sir Culation]

Well this is an underwhelming response!

[anonymous-user]

What you need to know is that a 320d has a couple of very important parts missing from its engine...........


(yup, cylinders 5 and 6 )

[Bad Sir Culation]

Well I already know that but it's the best of what's available to me.

[forsure]

Bad Sir Culation said:

Am I right in thinking that the 150bhp model is a 51 plate onwards?

Basically yes; the 150 engine came with the facelift in summer '01.
Might be some on a 'Y'. Look for the 'upturned' front indicators.

I used to deliver them when they were current, lively and economical cars.

Watch trim levels: the SE is high-spec, but there's also an 'ES' - sports suspension, but otherwise quite poorly equipped.

[torqueofthedevil]

Just buy one, there is nothing to put you off buying. Swirl flaps I had removed from my 330d at 150k not expensive, think they did them for free while doing something else. Bushes do go and I think they cost a few hundred quid. Only done mine once in nearly 100k. Ive wanted to buy other cars over the years but can't part with my e46.

[Pingman]

Swirl flaps should definitely be removed, if (when) they break they will damage the engine beyond repair - new engine job.

Either replace with fabricated blanking plates @ £6 each + del or take a Dremel to shaft of the flap, remove the now hanging flap and its shaft and then Araldite a screw in the hole (Screw should be external to manifold!).

I haven't seen any 150bhp 320d's for £3k though :\

Edited by Pingman on Tuesday 5th July 19:03

[Bad Sir Culation]

Pingman said:

I haven't seen any 150bhp 320d's for £3k though :\

Really? I've got 3 or 4 on my radar.....

[E30Addict]

All in all the M47 is a good engine - good economy and performance, made even better by having it chipped.

Echoing what others have said, I'd get the swirl flaps removed as soon as you get the car for peace of mind. My brother bought a set of blanking plates from www.swirlflaps.co.uk and had a local mechanic fix them. It's definitely worth doing as the engine damage caused by a broken swirl flap can render an engine irrepairable.

If you want more performance have a look at a Superchips Bluefin. The difference in torque is amazing and it allows you to return the car to its factory map at any time.

HTH

[Bad Sir Culation]

Doh, I've just noticed there are some 330d's in range now too. They won't do anything like 45 mpg will they?

[roadend1981]

They will do 45 mpg on a motorway run,but if your giving it sum expect it to go down to 35 +

[VolvoT5]

I have a budget of 3.5k and I'm also considering one of these but preferably auto....
Does anyone know what the auto versions are like - does the autobox kill what little performance the engine has?

I have seen a few 330d's in budget but the insurance quotes are crazy (£1500 @ 25 with 4yrs ncb), the 320d seems like a nice compromise.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 5th July 20:08

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 5th July 20:09

[Bad Sir Culation]

roadend1981 said:

They will do 45 mpg on a motorway run,but if your giving it sum expect it to go down to 35 +

What would the 320d do in the same conditions?

[forsure]

VolvoT5 said:

I have a budget of 3.5k and I'm also considering one of these but preferably auto....
Does anyone know what the auto versions are like - does the autobox kill what little performance the engine has?

I have seen a few 330d's in budget but the insurance quotes are crazy (£1500 @ 25 with 4yrs ncb), the 320d seems like a nice compromise.

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 5th July 20:08

Edited by VolvoT5 on Tuesday 5th July 20:09

Personally I think they work better with an auto 'box. Helps keep the revs right, especially in urban traffic.

Weight distribution is better with the four-pot so the car feels more nimble.

[AMv8 dreamer]

I have a e46 320d and it is a fantastic car. I did the swirl flaps when i first got it, also make sure it has the later vortex type breather in the engine not the paper loo roll type as these can block and cause turbo failure google bimmerforums for more info.

[6potdave]

We used to have one and sadly had a very bad experience! The car itself was a lovely motor, comfortable, a nice place to sit, well specced and reasonable performance. However we had the swirl flap issue, a blocked oil breather which caused the turbo and intercooler to fail. Then finally all the injectors needed replacing. All in all a £3000 bill! I was told by my local indy that between 2001 and 2005 these were notorious for going wrong and he had at least 1 a week in!

I'm BMW through and through but on this occasion either make sure all the above has been attended to or buy an Audi!

[roadend1981]

Bad Sir Culation said:

What would the 320d do in the same conditions?

From experience,but not my own 43+