Opinions on 330 diesels?
Discussion
just looking as an interest really at a few 330 diesel's insurance isn't massively ott and looks nice.
Clicky (auto trader)
what are people experiences with them?
what sort of mileage can they go upto before feeling tired or costing a small fortune in repairs?
Clicky (auto trader)
what are people experiences with them?
what sort of mileage can they go upto before feeling tired or costing a small fortune in repairs?
(to both Nigel and Ben)
I have a late 04 204bhp auto sport touring. It's a great car. They don't drink like petrols either. If I drove a petrol like I drive the beemer I'd get low 20's maybe less, in the 330d I never get lower than 33. Bit of patience and that'll lift to 38+ easy.
The auto suits the engine very well and makes for a great commuter but the manual is very nice too.
The turbo is always a bone of contention but I believe the later 204 cars are more reliable. I think the advice would be to react immediately to any symptoms, i.e. smoke/lack of power etc and advise anyone else driving it to do the same. A turbo can go without ruining the whole engine It's when people drive on ignoring a problem or trying to get home that they do real damage.
In short it wasn't called the best all round car in the world for no reason. - it's a goodun and well worth a look.
The auto suits the engine very well and makes for a great commuter but the manual is very nice too.
The turbo is always a bone of contention but I believe the later 204 cars are more reliable. I think the advice would be to react immediately to any symptoms, i.e. smoke/lack of power etc and advise anyone else driving it to do the same. A turbo can go without ruining the whole engine It's when people drive on ignoring a problem or trying to get home that they do real damage.
In short it wasn't called the best all round car in the world for no reason. - it's a goodun and well worth a look.
I had the 184bhp 330d touring with an auto - to which i added a Van Aaken tuning box.
With the tuning box it had more power and a lot more torque (more than a standard 204bhp car too) and even with the auto it was quick.
I drove it like i stole it and got 33mpg average (auto remember!) so they are NOT thirsty cars. On the motorway at 85 cruise it would do about 43mpg average.
And it's the 320d that you have to watch out for turbo failure - on the 330d it's the interior of the inlet manifold (plastic) which can sometimes break off and get swallowed up by the engine. The 330d turbo failure rate is no worse than any other turbo diesel car.
With the tuning box it had more power and a lot more torque (more than a standard 204bhp car too) and even with the auto it was quick.
I drove it like i stole it and got 33mpg average (auto remember!) so they are NOT thirsty cars. On the motorway at 85 cruise it would do about 43mpg average.
And it's the 320d that you have to watch out for turbo failure - on the 330d it's the interior of the inlet manifold (plastic) which can sometimes break off and get swallowed up by the engine. The 330d turbo failure rate is no worse than any other turbo diesel car.
ALawson said:
I've been to see that car and it is stunning up close. Good choice. Olf said:
VerySideways said:
Don't think so - this is early E46 320d's, they were much better post facelift i believe (2001/2002?)
Yes it was the 136bhp engine turbos that casued most 320d problems.The other thing on those diesels is the swirls flaps in the inlet manifold(320d and 330d) which are there to enhance torque. The manifolds prior to the 2004 changes have thin spindle which have been known to break loosing one of the flaps down the inlet. Unfortunately in most occasions that mean a new engine. Have a look on bmwland.co.uk for more info.
Ranger 6 said:
Olf said:
VerySideways said:
Don't think so - this is early E46 320d's, they were much better post facelift i believe (2001/2002?)
Yes it was the 136bhp engine turbos that casued most 320d problems.The other thing on those diesels is the swirls flaps in the inlet manifold(320d and 330d) which are there to enhance torque. The manifolds prior to the 2004 changes have thin spindle which have been known to break loosing one of the flaps down the inlet. Unfortunately in most occasions that mean a new engine. Have a look on bmwland.co.uk for more info.
Few more Questions
- is about 10-11k enough?
- what sort of mileage do they start to cost money on maintenance as ill be looking at ones with about 80-90k on the clock and will look to take it to about 120k before shifting it.
- what things are there to look for on the 330d sport?
- it'll be a manual as I still want a proper gear box so is there much to be aware of with them?
- what are servicing costs like?
- remaps, are they worth it with these and what sort of realistic figures are available from them as there seem to be some wildly varying claims out there.
it'll be my 1st rear wheel drive car so are there any handling characteristics that i need to be aware of other than the usual rear wheel drive bits.
- is about 10-11k enough?
- what sort of mileage do they start to cost money on maintenance as ill be looking at ones with about 80-90k on the clock and will look to take it to about 120k before shifting it.
- what things are there to look for on the 330d sport?
- it'll be a manual as I still want a proper gear box so is there much to be aware of with them?
- what are servicing costs like?
- remaps, are they worth it with these and what sort of realistic figures are available from them as there seem to be some wildly varying claims out there.
it'll be my 1st rear wheel drive car so are there any handling characteristics that i need to be aware of other than the usual rear wheel drive bits.
Rich VRS said:
Few more Questions
- is about 10-11k enough?
- what sort of mileage do they start to cost money on maintenance as ill be looking at ones with about 80-90k on the clock and will look to take it to about 120k before shifting it.
- what things are there to look for on the 330d sport?
- it'll be a manual as I still want a proper gear box so is there much to be aware of with them?
- what are servicing costs like?
- remaps, are they worth it with these and what sort of realistic figures are available from them as there seem to be some wildly varying claims out there.
it'll be my 1st rear wheel drive car so are there any handling characteristics
that i need to be aware of other than the usual rear wheel drive bits.
Budget? Well if you're worried about initial outlay find yourself a 330i, it'll be cheaper and faster and in these days of a 10p a litre premium for diesel over unleaded you probably won't save the difference between intial outlay for the two cars.- is about 10-11k enough?
- what sort of mileage do they start to cost money on maintenance as ill be looking at ones with about 80-90k on the clock and will look to take it to about 120k before shifting it.
- what things are there to look for on the 330d sport?
- it'll be a manual as I still want a proper gear box so is there much to be aware of with them?
- what are servicing costs like?
- remaps, are they worth it with these and what sort of realistic figures are available from them as there seem to be some wildly varying claims out there.
it'll be my 1st rear wheel drive car so are there any handling characteristics
that i need to be aware of other than the usual rear wheel drive bits.
Things to look for on the sport? Well the 18" tyres wear quite quickly and cost a fortune. Suspension probably takes more abuse as well due to stiffer set-up. This is coumpunded by the fact that E46's seem to be quite hard on bushes. See other threads on here for E46 suspension.
Try the auto before you write it off. It's a good gearbox and well suite to the engine. There are also more autos than manuals out there so far as I can tell.
Servicing is like any BMW, £90 pounds an hour. You could get a discount on that if the car is over a certain age - I would just go to a specialist on a 90k car.
Seems to me that no other car benefits from the remap like these do. good gains in power and torque. Looking at that mileage I'd try and find one that's been remapped already.
Handling in neutral. Mahossive rubber on the 18" wheels (255) means you'll rarely struggle for grip unless you keep the DSC switched off. After that typical rear read drive handling - nothing scary.
Edited by Olf on Monday 12th May 13:52
If this is as good as it looks I'd negotiate hard for cash, forget the diesel and put your saving towards the fuel.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/467013.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/467013.htm
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