Fast Modified Diesel - M57

[LotsOfLaughs]

So Ive got a petrol Subaru Legacy R Spec.B with a 3.0 petrol flat 6. I like almost everything about it, but it drinks fuel (20-25mpg over a tank, depending on driving style etc) and Ive done a few mods and now its at the limit of how much power it'll make without spending thousands on a completely custom turbocharger setup.
So, can I get the same ever-practical estate car kicks from a diesel? Ive had a couple of diesels before (both VAGs, both slow) but never a BMW. Now, I think the one Id want is an E91 330d, but I dont know. Im open to E39s, E46s and E91s, but not E61s, theyre too ugly. Must be manual, and diesel. Petrols are of no interest, because I prefer the Legacy to the BMWs, and its quicker than all the NA E91s. The only reason to make the change is to save a few quid on fuel, and to get more pace for less cost.
So, if I wanted to match my current car's pace, its quite obvious that I should just buy a 330d and get it remapped. But I want it to be significantly quicker, say 350-400hp does it matter if I start with a 325D instead?
Also, LSDs, BMW are too mean to put them in any non-M models, so how expensive is it to add one to a diesel 3 series?
I know this is the BMW section, so dare I mention the A-word, Audi. The V6 TDI A4 Avant also looks quite tempting, so if anyone would like to comment on how it compares to the 3.0L diesel 3 series in an unbias way, Id be keen to hear what you have to say.
Thanks!

[helix402]

Have a look at Birds for lsd prices. Re the power you want a 335d will be a quicker way of achieving it. However they are auto only. If you want a manual with that power and torque I think you may need a solid flywheel. Re mpg I get 28 mpg shown on the obc from my 335d. I found with my last manual M57 the flywheel didn’t like over around 550Nm. This is why the 335d is auto only.

[d_a_n1979]

LotsOfLaughs said:

So Ive got a petrol Subaru Legacy R Spec.B with a 3.0 petrol flat 6. I like almost everything about it, but it drinks fuel (20-25mpg over a tank, depending on driving style etc) and Ive done a few mods and now its at the limit of how much power it'll make without spending thousands on a completely custom turbocharger setup.
So, can I get the same ever-practical estate car kicks from a diesel? Ive had a couple of diesels before (both VAGs, both slow) but never a BMW. Now, I think the one Id want is an E91 330d, but I dont know. Im open to E39s, E46s and E91s, but not E61s, theyre too ugly. Must be manual, and diesel. Petrols are of no interest, because I prefer the Legacy to the BMWs, and its quicker than all the NA E91s. The only reason to make the change is to save a few quid on fuel, and to get more pace for less cost.
So, if I wanted to match my current car's pace, its quite obvious that I should just buy a 330d and get it remapped. But I want it to be significantly quicker, say 350-400hp does it matter if I start with a 325D instead?
Also, LSDs, BMW are too mean to put them in any non-M models, so how expensive is it to add one to a diesel 3 series?
I know this is the BMW section, so dare I mention the A-word, Audi. The V6 TDI A4 Avant also looks quite tempting, so if anyone would like to comment on how it compares to the 3.0L diesel 3 series in an unbias way, Id be keen to hear what you have to say.
Thanks!

Don't waste your time & money on an E39 530D; the E39s a superb platform; but they're old now and you'll be chasing your tail with rust issues etc

The E61 530D is a superb car; they've gotten better with age. But finding a manual would be hard. Their looks are individual; but on the right wheels & in the right colour they're a cracking motor

The M57 is a superb lump; very reliable and tuneable as far as I'm aware; sounds like the E91 is the one for you; but how many are manuals and how many are out there, that have been looked after? That'd always be my concern...

What's your budget and any ideas what spec you're after?

[LotsOfLaughs]

helix402 said:

Have a look at Birds for lsd prices. Re the power you want a 335d will be a quicker way of achieving it. However they are auto only. If you want a manual with that power and torque I think you may need a solid flywheel. Re mpg I get 28 mpg shown on the obc from my 335d. I found with my last manual M57 the flywheel didn’t like over around 550Nm. This is why the 335d is auto only.

Yep, its a shame really, that they're only auto, so many cars I wish were sold as manuals, Jags, V8 diesel Range Rovers, Mercs, Golf R estate, the list goes on. I've never really driven an auto, but I do really enjoy a good manual. Not to crap on autos, a modern auto is qucker, I've no doubt, I just dont particularly want one.
Solid flywheel is fine, its just another cost to throw into the equation.
28mpg doesn't sound particularly impressive, is that the "spirited driving/crawling around town/in a rush" number, or is that the "on a long run" number? 28mpg is no better than my Subaru, given the price of diesel compared to petrol.

[LotsOfLaughs]

d_a_n1979 said:

Don't waste your time & money on an E39 530D; the E39s a superb platform; but they're old now and you'll be chasing your tail with rust issues etc

The E61 530D is a superb car; they've gotten better with age. But finding a manual would be hard. Their looks are individual; but on the right wheels & in the right colour they're a cracking motor

The M57 is a superb lump; very reliable and tuneable as far as I'm aware; sounds like the E91 is the one for you; but how many are manuals and how many are out there, that have been looked after? That'd always be my concern...

What's your budget and any ideas what spec you're after?

E39s are getting on a bit now, and its a shame about the rust issues, and I think they only came as 5 speeds, and they're starting to climb a bit in price as well, due to scarcity I suspect.
E61s, I have to agree, with the right camera angle, on big wheels etc they look great, especially from the back. I dont really care about the looks really, its more the weight, the E61 530d is a very heavy car, circa 1750kg, according to google, thats 200kg heavier than my Subaru, and that feels like a relatively big car - its certainly not a small car! And as you say, finding a manual isnt easy - having said that, I found one of about 60 3.0 manual subarus left, so its not impossible.

Budget and spec, well these have always been the offputting aspects of BMW ownership. Paying for a badge really isnt something I care much for, if Dacia, or even Dyson, made the car I wanted, Id buy it. And BMW were so mean with their standard equipment, getting a well equipped one second hand is never a guarantee. By comparison, all the UK-delivered legacy spec.bs came fully loaded, all had heated leather seats, sat nav, 18" alloys, unique bumpers, bigger brakes, massive sunroofs, etc etc, all you got to pick was saloon or estate, manual or auto, and the colour.
Im not really sure quite how mean BMW were by the time the E91 came out, Id want air con, electric windows, etc etc. Not fussed about seats because they arent hard to change, but my preferance is buckety cloth seats. A sunroof would be nice, but again, not a must. Sat-nav etc is all pretty pointless by now, theyll be out of date, and we've all got google maps these days anyway. I have no idea what i-drive actually does, so I doubt Id miss it. Colour, Im not too fussy, I dont want beige/brown/gold, and since its an estate Id try to avoid red and black, because they look a bit Royal Mail and herse-ish respectively. Silver/grey/white are a tad dull, but fine, blue and green are the colours Id most prefer, especially green.

[helix402]

Re. 28 mpg, that’s mixed rural driving. Short/medium distances at a variety of speeds. It’ll do 40mpg if you cruise at 70 mph on the motorway. I’ve had E46 330ds before and they were much better on fuel. One never dropped below 40 mpg and the other sat around 38. Most E46s are rusty now though.

[sortedcossie]

my E91 330d is like above, few comments on here about MPG:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...