What to look for E46 330d?
Discussion
Hi,
Have a manual E46 330d - wanted a touring but was impossible to find at the time, so good for you!
Things to look for? Where to start...probably useful if you can code read it whilst there - will give an indication of past faults.
Obvious things;
Rough running on start up - see code reading for any injector issues
DMF rattle
Smoke on start up - should be none - if there is usually glow plugs
Coolant temperature - should get up to temp and stay in the centre but it is wise to do the secret menu and examine coolant temperature (should be 86-92 normal operating), if it is cooler it will need 2 x OEM thermostats.
Check AC working - will likely need a re-gas
Handbrake operation - awful handbrake design, guaranteed to need attention at some stage
Less obvious things but common to E46 & M57;
Swirl flap removal may / may not have been done - essential to do this
Vortex Crankcase breather - also essential
Perished vacuum lines - resulting loss of power
Snapped rear springs
Most likely work required (if not already done) based on my ownership;
New handbrake kit
New / rebuilt calipers
Worn rear trailing arm bushes / droplinks / double ball joints
Worn front wishbone bushes & balljoints
Cat flexi split - will smell of diesel inside the car on start up
The key to these cars is good evidence of regular maintenance, primarily oil changes. I'd also look for what tyres it has, usually a good indicator of the type of spending regime the car has experienced and will therefore perhaps give an insight to the extent of work you may have to do. I've always found E46's very sensitive to geometry set up and tyres. They're a relatively heavy car for their size and wear through suspension components accordingly.
Mine has only ever broken down on me once due to crank shaft sensor failure which is a engine stopper. Also a terrible job to do as it involves removing the starter motor to replace...
Good luck!
Have a manual E46 330d - wanted a touring but was impossible to find at the time, so good for you!
Things to look for? Where to start...probably useful if you can code read it whilst there - will give an indication of past faults.
Obvious things;
Rough running on start up - see code reading for any injector issues
DMF rattle
Smoke on start up - should be none - if there is usually glow plugs
Coolant temperature - should get up to temp and stay in the centre but it is wise to do the secret menu and examine coolant temperature (should be 86-92 normal operating), if it is cooler it will need 2 x OEM thermostats.
Check AC working - will likely need a re-gas
Handbrake operation - awful handbrake design, guaranteed to need attention at some stage
Less obvious things but common to E46 & M57;
Swirl flap removal may / may not have been done - essential to do this
Vortex Crankcase breather - also essential
Perished vacuum lines - resulting loss of power
Snapped rear springs
Most likely work required (if not already done) based on my ownership;
New handbrake kit
New / rebuilt calipers
Worn rear trailing arm bushes / droplinks / double ball joints
Worn front wishbone bushes & balljoints
Cat flexi split - will smell of diesel inside the car on start up
The key to these cars is good evidence of regular maintenance, primarily oil changes. I'd also look for what tyres it has, usually a good indicator of the type of spending regime the car has experienced and will therefore perhaps give an insight to the extent of work you may have to do. I've always found E46's very sensitive to geometry set up and tyres. They're a relatively heavy car for their size and wear through suspension components accordingly.
Mine has only ever broken down on me once due to crank shaft sensor failure which is a engine stopper. Also a terrible job to do as it involves removing the starter motor to replace...
Good luck!
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