BMW 330d

[bigbloodyturbo]

After spending the last while thinking about a diesel, i'm now toying with the idea of selling the supra to get a good e46 330d. Question is does anyone know much about them, what to look for etc. The mileage seems to be quite high on them (prob because they're diesels) but maybe thats not a problem? Anyone have one or have one in the past that can give a few pointers? what to pay and what i should be looking for, manual or auto etc. Any help would be appreciated and anyone who has one for sale who wants a TT let yourself be known:)

[Guest ugp]

I had an 02 plate one. Paid 7k for it with 130k on the clock. Used it for 3 years and put another 70k on it, still drove like new. Mine was a manual, best option IMO. Auto box was rather slushy, nothing like the supra box.

 

Needless to say it was quick, topped out at 145 ish, 0-60 about 7.5-8.

 

I wouldnt swap a supra tt for one though! Then theres always the BMW driver stereotype, one of the reasons I sold it. You couldnt drive it half sprinted without being classed as a W$£:@"%!

 

Edit, oh and 40mpg average.

[bigbloodyturbo]

I had an 02 plate one. Paid 7k for it with 130k on the clock. Used it for 3 years and put another 70k on it, still drove like new. Mine was a manual, best option IMO. Auto box was rather slushy, nothing like the supra box.

 

Needless to say it was quick, topped out at 145 ish, 0-60 about 7.5-8.

 

I wouldnt swap a supra tt for one though! Then theres always the BMW driver stereotype, one of the reasons I sold it. You couldnt drive it half sprinted without being classed as a W$£:@"%!

 

Edit, oh and 40mpg average.

 

not to worried about the bmw stereotype as i got stereotyped by driving a supra turbo long ago:) Was mainly for the mpg and the performance that i want one. If i swap the TT for one then i will probably buy another TT in the future.

 

Most of the 330d's i've looked at have been auto's, although there doesn't seem to be to much of a premium for them(manuals). I think there was a facelift in 2003 or 2004, did much change? did the engine change do you know?

[bigbloodyturbo]

Anyone else got an opinion, especially the differences between the facelift/prefacelift

[ellis]

I had a 53 plate 330 petrol and my mate has a 330 diesel estate.

Both engines are strong and well built - no real problems at all. As mentioned, the autobox is shite - nothing like the Supra's. Choose manual every time and the diesel is a torquey beast!

[edge]

My sister has had injector problems with her 530d Lots of £££, someone else i know has had turbo and manifold issues and they eat swirl things in the intake. Oh and my other mates 320d is rusting like many others i have seen.

The above issues are on the 5 series so im not sure about how similar the setup is on the 3 or if the year you are looking at has these problems sorted.

It just seems that bmw are going downhill with the like of mercs.

Im wanting anther estate next year and the only make that seems worth while is audi but im still researching them.

[formatzero]

My mate had turbo and intercooler go £1800:(

[bigbloodyturbo]

Thanks a lot for the info guys. I had heard about the swirl things being a problem in the 530d's, will try and find out if they affect 330's aswell.

 

Rust is a suprise problem though! I hadn't anticipated that in a fairly newish bmw. I will check the usual places then as I dont fancy having to get into bmw approved body repairs, espceially as the car will prob be outwith its corrosion warranty.

 

As for the turbo and intercooler, I'll have another google for that, I think if that happened it would be a case of finding a breaker as loosing a turbo and intercooler on a bmw thats only 6 or 7 years old seems unusual and i would think a breaker car would prob still be in good enough condition to re-use its parts, unlike supra IC's.

 

Thanks again for the replies, unusual request on a supra forum I know:)

[JamieP]

I think paul wiffin has one as a daily driver, might be worth a pm.

[Purity14]

I had an e46 320 coupe petrol, gearbox was ok, and nice in side leathers etc.

Rust bubbles on front arch..!

Oil consumption when I bought it was normal, 30k miles later (at 110k) one of the rings was goosed and it was going though a full engine's worth of oil per fuel tank.

 

Sold it to a dealer, not worth fixing £1200+

[Carl]

I dont know about the 330d but the 320d has two main problems.

Swirl flaps in the inlet manifold can become detached and land in your engine, slightly bad news, although BMW kindly modified them from 2004 onwards.

The other problem is the engine crankcase breather filter. This can become blocked and starve oil to the turbo causing premature turbo failure, also not good.

It would seem that good service history is key if buying one of the diesel engines.

If you do buy a pre 2004 320d then you can remove the flaps, thus removing problem or else change the inlet for the updated version, about £280.

Carl

[bigbloodyturbo]

Just bought 2003 6 speed saloon with only 63000 on it almost like new, all i can say is wow! I am sold on diesels. Heaps of power and still returning 38-40mpg or more. Anyone thinking about one of these try and get some extended time to test drive one, it will convert you.

[dude]

Just bought 2003 6 speed saloon with only 63000 on it almost like new, all i can say is wow! I am sold on diesels. Heaps of power and still returning 38-40mpg or more. Anyone thinking about one of these try and get some extended time to test drive one, it will convert you.

 

Great now go get it chipped;)

[bigbloodyturbo]

Great now go get it chipped;)

 

I've been looking at a few places but i dont know who's best. DMS comes up quite frequently but some people are saying there are differences between different companies, some give more top end at the expense of low down torque. Any recommendations?

[dr_jekyll]

iv just sold my n/a and am in the market for a 320d

[bigbloodyturbo]

iv just sold my n/a and am in the market for a 320d

 

whatever you do dont drive a 330d then, i drove a 320 touring aswell and once i'd been in the 330 the 320 felt very sluggish.

[Abz]

This forum is going downhill

 

 

 

I am looking at VAG group of cars with the 1.9TDi engine

[dr_jekyll]

whatever you do dont drive a 330d then, i drove a 320 touring aswell and once i'd been in the 330 the 320 felt very sluggish.

 

i have driven both and the 330 is far more impressive, but the 320 is cheaper and i dont wat to be encouraged to go fast in it,

 

ive still got my blue supe for thrashing

[Carl]

I toyed for ages whether to go for the 320 or 330 d but in the end I decided that the main reason for me buying was for economy.

for that reason it had to be the 320d and I have no regrets.

ITs probably the best diesel I have ever owned and is both fast & comfortable.

I have a 2003 6 speed and its like new with no rust or mechanical issues.

I opted for the SE model as you get the extras, like electric windows all round, lots of buttons for climate control, reversing sensors and central dimming mirror & a CD player or multi changer.

 

Carl

[Dnk]

The 335 is the one to have

 

I have the auto 330 petrol 52 plate and the box works fine and also no rust anywhere

[bigbloodyturbo]

i have driven both and the 330 is far more impressive, but the 320 is cheaper and i dont wat to be encouraged to go fast in it,

 

ive still got my blue supe for thrashing

 

Reason i got mine was economy aswell but there isn't much in it between the 320 and 330 and i liked the smoothness of the 6. Still have my supra aswell, although its down with a headgasket at the moment.

 

335d must be awesome, bit out of my price range though:)

[ozz]

Don't be silly, you want the 330 M Sport Coupe and forget about economy...funnily enough mine is up for sale!

 

The newer shape 330d is hell of a car on paper, something like 6.2 seconds 0-60 and 40+mpg. If I was buying a diesel I'd be very tempted. I think anyone who appreciates fast cars will really struggle with a 320d unless very disciplined as you'll just end up trying to drive it fast and getting dissapointed IMO.