E46 320d vs 330d ideas
Discussion
I'm considering buying (£12k) either a second hand E46 320d or a 330d coupe.
What I need to know is which is the best proposition once you take into consideration initial cost, tax, insurance and the amount of fun you can have.
I tend to keep my cars for a long time, so I also have to think about the stamina/longevity of driving 15k miles over 6 or 7 years. Repair bills etc.
Thoughts anybody?
What I need to know is which is the best proposition once you take into consideration initial cost, tax, insurance and the amount of fun you can have.
I tend to keep my cars for a long time, so I also have to think about the stamina/longevity of driving 15k miles over 6 or 7 years. Repair bills etc.
Thoughts anybody?
Not a great comparison I know but I had an E46 330d and my other half now has an E90 320d.
No comparison in terms of fun - 330d all the way. Performance is incomparable.
If I remember correctly I used to get around 37-38 MPG from the 330d, the current 320d (without stop/start tech) gets about 41-42 MPG. Not a big enough difference there to opt for the smaller engine in my view.
Insurance depnds on lots of variables but overall I doubt the 330d would be that much more expensive and servicing/repair bills are unlikely to be that much higher either - at the end of the day, with any used car there is an element of risk but fundamentally both a pretty solid mechanically.
At some point through a 6-7 year ownership you'd regret not going for the larger engine if you buy a 320d and once you've thought it once it'll niggle forever......
No comparison in terms of fun - 330d all the way. Performance is incomparable.
If I remember correctly I used to get around 37-38 MPG from the 330d, the current 320d (without stop/start tech) gets about 41-42 MPG. Not a big enough difference there to opt for the smaller engine in my view.
Insurance depnds on lots of variables but overall I doubt the 330d would be that much more expensive and servicing/repair bills are unlikely to be that much higher either - at the end of the day, with any used car there is an element of risk but fundamentally both a pretty solid mechanically.
At some point through a 6-7 year ownership you'd regret not going for the larger engine if you buy a 320d and once you've thought it once it'll niggle forever......
Edited by richterswil on Thursday 24th September 10:58
My wife has just sold her 06 330cd coupe- fantastic car. 330d's are much quicker and more refined than the 320d's, however I reckon you lose 5-10 mpg vs the 320d.
Ours was a manual (and great) but many prefer the Auto as it is easier to keep in the relatively narrow powerband.
Be aware that facelift 320d and 330d gained engine upgrades (around 2003/4 I think).
Final thought is that I'd advise taking out a BMW warranty as there are reports (see other threads on this forum and elsewhere) of turbo failures.)
Ours was a manual (and great) but many prefer the Auto as it is easier to keep in the relatively narrow powerband.
Be aware that facelift 320d and 330d gained engine upgrades (around 2003/4 I think).
Final thought is that I'd advise taking out a BMW warranty as there are reports (see other threads on this forum and elsewhere) of turbo failures.)
I have an E46 330d 53 touring on 124k now.
Tyres - 500-800
Repairs I've had:
Transmission 1300
Xenons ballast thing - 200
Power steering pully thing - 300-400
Thats from 2 years of ownershiop now.
I am doing around 20-30k a year and it's been great. A little bouncy on the motorway but great handling on twistys.
Had an MOT couple days ago, passed with no advisories
It's just standard running costs and will throw you a 200-400 repair bill now and then ..
Oh yeah, swirl flaps are a must.
Tyres - 500-800
Repairs I've had:
Transmission 1300
Xenons ballast thing - 200
Power steering pully thing - 300-400
Thats from 2 years of ownershiop now.
I am doing around 20-30k a year and it's been great. A little bouncy on the motorway but great handling on twistys.
Had an MOT couple days ago, passed with no advisories
It's just standard running costs and will throw you a 200-400 repair bill now and then ..
Oh yeah, swirl flaps are a must.
Edited by ipwn on Thursday 24th September 12:18
I've owned both ('04 320d SE manual, '02 330d Sport Auto, '04 330d SE Touring Auto and a '54 330d Sport Touring Auto).
If it's going to be a keeper get the 330. The 6 pot is so much smoother. Make sure you get the revised 204 bhp unit (late 2003 onwards) and get the Sport model - if only for the seats and steering wheel.
On a run my 330 does 45mpg, around town this can drop to mid 30's. With the MV2 alloys, tyres (Falken 452's) all round will be a smidge over £400.
Swirl flaps can be an issue on both the 320 & 330. If they fail and drop down it's new engine time. I'm having mine removed next week at £200. Turbos can go but if you use common sense and let the car warm up before booting it and let it idle for a minute after a run it should be fine.
The largest service (Insp2) is about £300-£350.
The auto box is excellent aswell - very very smooth.
If it's going to be a keeper get the 330. The 6 pot is so much smoother. Make sure you get the revised 204 bhp unit (late 2003 onwards) and get the Sport model - if only for the seats and steering wheel.
On a run my 330 does 45mpg, around town this can drop to mid 30's. With the MV2 alloys, tyres (Falken 452's) all round will be a smidge over £400.
Swirl flaps can be an issue on both the 320 & 330. If they fail and drop down it's new engine time. I'm having mine removed next week at £200. Turbos can go but if you use common sense and let the car warm up before booting it and let it idle for a minute after a run it should be fine.
The largest service (Insp2) is about £300-£350.
The auto box is excellent aswell - very very smooth.
emicen said:
Thought the swirl flaps issue was resolved post facelift with thicker pins in the flaps?
I thought is was all e46 and e39 diesels but I'm willing to listen to better informed views/experiences (and hopefully it might save me £200 if it's not required!).Just found this... I think it mentions a few '04 cars:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/affected-d...
Edited by mikey-r on Thursday 24th September 13:52
mikey-r said:
emicen said:
Thought the swirl flaps issue was resolved post facelift with thicker pins in the flaps?
I thought is was all e46 and e39 diesels but I'm willing to listen to better informed views/experiences (and hopefully it might save me £200 if it's not required!).Just found this... I think it mentions a few '04 cars:
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f18/affected-d...
Edited by mikey-r on Thursday 24th September 13:52
As far as I am concerned any person with a diesel BMW up to 2006 should have their swirl flaps changed. For the sake of 200 quid and the potential disaster, it really is a no brainer.
( nice car collection mike )
Edited by ipwn on Thursday 24th September 16:51
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