e46 320d's - Should I be worried?

[Buzzkill]

Due to the distance I'm communting now and for the foreseable future I'm looking at diesel and in particular the e46 320d's. Two things concern me:

1. Turbo failiure - Was this addressed on models after 2004 as I've read/heard?
2. Swirl flaps in the inlet manifold - Was this addressed on models after 2004 as I've read/heard?

Budget is 6k and looking at the Saloon ES models 54 plate.

Any info greatly appreciated

[martin mrt]

Turbo failure, is sometimes down to the oil feed pipe, replace it and it's one less thing to worry about.

Swirl flaps, get rid of them with a delete kit from PMC (I am sure that's the name of the company) problem solved on that front

[paprika]

Yup oil feed pipe and swirl flaps fit with blanks. Once again, www.swirlflaps.co.uk

[S800VXR]

I know of 2 failures of the flaps and one almost so get them taken out ASAP!

I also know of 2 immaculate 320d sports which are for sale, first ones an individual saloon sport (52)which I used to own, sold to a mate who dropped the flaps whilst driving it, had the engine rebuilt- new turbo etc etc and then sold it to the guy who owns the garage. He is now selling as wants a van for the kids football playing. Same mate then brought a 320d sport estate (53) which has just had the flaps done - they fell out as the manifold was taken off!!!, also done the egr thermostate and it runs really nice now but he has a Co car on the way so its going.

Great cars so long as you do those few things listed.

[Fox-]

Reliability concerns aside, please do not buy an ES model. The specification is absolutely dire - it doesnt deserve a BMW badge. An SE wont be much if at all more expensive. The ES has the same standard equipment level as a mid range Ford Fiesta.

[jw golf mk4]

paprika said:

Yup oil feed pipe and swirl flaps fit with blanks. Once again, www.swirlflaps.co.uk

+1 get the work done quick! Otherwise could be looking at a £4K engine bill

[jw golf mk4]

Fox- said:

Reliability concerns aside, please do not buy an ES model. The specification is absolutely dire - it doesnt deserve a BMW badge. An SE wont be much if at all more expensive. The ES has the same standard equipment level as a mid range Ford Fiesta.

Correct, look for SE or Sports spec!

[Buzzkill]

Yer SE included just didn't add in op - it's the sports I'm not looking at. I'm not greatly concerned with creature comforts/toys as I would just see them as things to go wrong on a car I don't particularly want to spend much on. How much should you expect to pay roughly for the swirl flap removal or removal and instalation of the above? If it's such a major issue I'd quite like the paperwork to go with come re-sale and don't mind forking out some in that respect.

[Fox-]

If you are so worried about things going wrong you'd buy a poverty spec ES then a 320d is the wrong car for you.

None of the extra equipment fitted to an SE ever really goes wrong - it's little touches like cruise control, climate, multifunction wheel, etc.

[Buzzkill]

Fox- said:

If you are so worried about things going wrong you'd buy a poverty spec ES then a 320d is the wrong car for you.

None of the extra equipment fitted to an SE ever really goes wrong - it's little touches like cruise control, climate, multifunction wheel, etc.

It's part of the reason, not soley the reason. SE's 04 onwards are harder to aquire compared with ES's at sub 70k and under 6k from what I can tell. The fact I want a recent service, long MOT & tax, full or near full history and specific colours on the car doesn't help either. I'd also say the ES models generally have the nicer wheels of the two and I'd put that above being able to adjust the volume of the stereo on the steering wheel as opposed to having to move my arm a foot.

[Fox-]

Buzzkill said:

Fox- said:

If you are so worried about things going wrong you'd buy a poverty spec ES then a 320d is the wrong car for you.

None of the extra equipment fitted to an SE ever really goes wrong - it's little touches like cruise control, climate, multifunction wheel, etc.

It's part of the reason, not soley the reason. SE's 04 onwards are harder to aquire compared with ES's at sub 70k and under 6k from what I can tell. The fact I want a recent service, long MOT & tax, full or near full history and specific colours on the car doesn't help either. I'd also say the ES models generally have the nicer wheels of the two and I'd put that above being able to adjust the volume of the stereo on the steering wheel as opposed to having to move my arm a foot.

The differences are far more than simply having a remote on the steering wheel.

Your reason is nonsensical - there is nothing on an SE that isnt on an ES that would go wrong and cause you any hassle.

ES models are a bit cheaper because they are crap. Do you want a car or do you want a BMW badge?

Would you not be better off with a Ford Mondeo instead of an absolutely bottom of the range poverty spec BMW? You'll get a newer car for the money.

Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 15th December 20:12

[Buzzkill]

Fox- said:

Buzzkill said:

Fox- said:

If you are so worried about things going wrong you'd buy a poverty spec ES then a 320d is the wrong car for you.

None of the extra equipment fitted to an SE ever really goes wrong - it's little touches like cruise control, climate, multifunction wheel, etc.

It's part of the reason, not soley the reason. SE's 04 onwards are harder to aquire compared with ES's at sub 70k and under 6k from what I can tell. The fact I want a recent service, long MOT & tax, full or near full history and specific colours on the car doesn't help either. I'd also say the ES models generally have the nicer wheels of the two and I'd put that above being able to adjust the volume of the stereo on the steering wheel as opposed to having to move my arm a foot.

The differences are far more than simply having a remote on the steering wheel.

Your reason is nonsensical - there is nothing on an SE that isnt on an ES that would go wrong and cause you any hassle.

ES models are a bit cheaper because they are crap. Do you want a car or do you want a BMW badge?

Would you not be better off with a Ford Mondeo instead of an absolutely bottom of the range poverty spec BMW? You'll get a newer car for the money.

Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 15th December 20:12

If interiors and gadgets float your boat and that's a primary reason you buy a bmw that's fine. I'll buy one because I want a half decent driving experince (note rwd counts massively here) compared to comparable cars, regardless of if I can't control the air temperature to the nearest half degree and instead have to use a dial. I drive an e36 you realise... Dated, gagetless interiors don't bother me at all providing the build quality is there.

[BRMMA]

i had a 2004 (53) plate 320CD and took it from 68K to 115k and nothing ever went wrong with it mechanically though i regularly read or the turbo and swirl flaps issue

[jw golf mk4]

Buzzkill said:

Fox- said:

Buzzkill said:

Fox- said:

If you are so worried about things going wrong you'd buy a poverty spec ES then a 320d is the wrong car for you.

None of the extra equipment fitted to an SE ever really goes wrong - it's little touches like cruise control, climate, multifunction wheel, etc.

It's part of the reason, not soley the reason. SE's 04 onwards are harder to aquire compared with ES's at sub 70k and under 6k from what I can tell. The fact I want a recent service, long MOT & tax, full or near full history and specific colours on the car doesn't help either. I'd also say the ES models generally have the nicer wheels of the two and I'd put that above being able to adjust the volume of the stereo on the steering wheel as opposed to having to move my arm a foot.

The differences are far more than simply having a remote on the steering wheel.

Your reason is nonsensical - there is nothing on an SE that isnt on an ES that would go wrong and cause you any hassle.

ES models are a bit cheaper because they are crap. Do you want a car or do you want a BMW badge?

Would you not be better off with a Ford Mondeo instead of an absolutely bottom of the range poverty spec BMW? You'll get a newer car for the money.

Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 15th December 20:12

If interiors and gadgets float your boat and that's a primary reason you buy a bmw that's fine. I'll buy one because I want a half decent driving experince (note rwd counts massively here) compared to comparable cars, regardless of if I can't control the air temperature to the nearest half degree and instead have to use a dial. I drive an e36 you realise... Dated, gagetless interiors don't bother me at all providing the build quality is there.

+1 hows the search for the car going!?