BMW E46 330d

[Zinnober325i]

Howzit gents, I made my first post a few months ago asking about potentially getting an E30 325i or an E46 330Ci.

Well, with my luck, the E30 sold before I could scoop it up and the 330Ci wasn’t quite as mechanically sorted as I would have liked.

I ended up getting a very very clean and sorted E46 330d with 190,000km on it, with the later 201hp M57. Has all the service books and records of repairs done.

I’m new to the diesel scene so I’d like to hear from current or previous owners of 330d’s on the forum about how to best care for the car? I’ve done enough research on when to have the auto box serviced and the engine as well but I’d like to find out about the more obscure things like starting it in the morning/the warming up process, and also switching it off/cool down process.

I’ve heard the turbos are fragile on these as well as the swirl flaps? Appreciate any kind of guidance, thanks. I’ve attached some pictures of the car, hope you gents like it.

 

[Nikhil]

Howzit bud

Congrats on the purchase

1) Swirlflap delete and inspect crank damper pulley aswell , replace pulley with OEM if cracked.
2) EGR delete
3) Vacuum line replacement , they will most likely crumble upon doing the above
4)remove intercooler and clean aswell as boost pipe seals , there are 2 sensors, 1 on the back of the intake manifold and the other on the boost pipe clean those along with the maf
5) oil separator
6) Gearbox service use the OEM oil and filter kit only
7) Decat or Downpipe if not done yet
8)Engine mounts it not done yet
9) Diff oil change
10) the 3 diff bushes when
11) at the current mileage I would look at the cooling system so expansion tank + cap and egr thermostat.

The turbos are solid on these cars if you arent that person who cold starts and rev limits it or puts on a crazy performance map.

 

[Nikhil]

With regards to startup and cool down I always let the car warm up till the needle moves just out the blue section and then drive it. Cool down I would usually let it idle for 2 or 3 min and then switch off after a long drive. If hooning the car then 4 or 5 to cool down

 

[Zinnober325i]

Howzit bud

Congrats on the purchase

1) Swirlflap delete and inspect crank damper pulley aswell , replace pulley with OEM if cracked.
2) EGR delete
3) Vacuum line replacement , they will most likely crumble upon doing the above
4)remove intercooler and clean aswell as boost pipe seals , there are 2 sensors, 1 on the back of the intake manifold and the other on the boost pipe clean those along with the maf
5) oil separator
6) Gearbox service use the OEM oil and filter kit only
7) Decat or Downpipe if not done yet
8)Engine mounts it not done yet
9) Diff oil change
10) the 3 diff bushes when
11) at the current mileage I would look at the cooling system so expansion tank + cap and egr thermostat.

The turbos are solid on these cars if you arent that person who cold starts and rev limits it or puts on a crazy performance map.

Awesome, thanks for all the tips. It’s already decatted and has had the expansion tank replaced. So I’ll just have to get all the other things sorted.

Planning on keeping it mechanically stock. Not putting any performance maps or upgrades, I need it to last as long as possible and be reliable for the daily commute.

 

[Nikhil]

Awesome, thanks for all the tips. It’s already decatted and has had the expansion tank replaced. So I’ll just have to get all the other things sorted.

Planning on keeping it mechanically stock. Not putting any performance maps or upgrades, I need it to last as long as possible and be reliable for the daily commute.

Ah ok awesome then you good. They are solid reliable cars. Occasionally something stupid happens at higher mileage like a rubber pipe that perishes or a seal that leaks / sweats but not a break the bank kinda issue.

One thing to note - I ran a bottle of Wynn's diesel injector cleaner at every service just as a safety measure and it has kept my fuel system healthy at its current mileage of just over 300k km with the new owner

 

[Zinnober325i]

Will keep that in mind, thank you. It feels solid and has plenty of power, will have it serviced and checked out thoroughly in the week.

 

[Zinnober325i]

Ah ok awesome then you good. They are solid reliable cars. Occasionally something stupid happens at higher mileage like a rubber pipe that perishes or a seal that leaks / sweats but not a break the bank kinda issue.

One thing to note - I ran a bottle of Wynn's diesel injector cleaner at every service just as a safety measure and it has kept my fuel system healthy at its current mileage of just over 300k km with the new owner

Will keep that in mind, thank you. It feels solid and has plenty of power, will have it serviced and checked out thoroughly in the week.

 

[///M Individual]

Congratulations bud and wish you many many happy kms!

We commented on this very same car in the "spotted for sale" thread. It has been for sale for a very long time but looked exceptionally good in the pics and for the price. Was wondering why it never sold all that time. Small world that a Fanatic purchased it and glad you already planning some good maintenance.

 

[Zinnober325i]

Congratulations bud and wish you many many happy kms!

We commented on this very same car in the "spotted for sale" thread. It has been for sale for a very long time but looked exceptionally good in the pics and for the price. Was wondering why it never sold all that time. Small world that a Fanatic purchased it and glad you already planning some good maintenance.

Yes, I also saw it on Facebook Marketplace for quite a while but I was more interested in the petrol models at the time. Glad I went with the diesel one though, it’s been loads of fun and super comfortable to drive. A great buy for sure.

 

[Rotinaj]

Howzit bud

Congrats on the purchase

1) Swirlflap delete and inspect crank damper pulley aswell , replace pulley with OEM if cracked.
2) EGR delete
3) Vacuum line replacement , they will most likely crumble upon doing the above
4)remove intercooler and clean aswell as boost pipe seals , there are 2 sensors, 1 on the back of the intake manifold and the other on the boost pipe clean those along with the maf
5) oil separator
6) Gearbox service use the OEM oil and filter kit only
7) Decat or Downpipe if not done yet
8)Engine mounts it not done yet
9) Diff oil change
10) the 3 diff bushes when
11) at the current mileage I would look at the cooling system so expansion tank + cap and egr thermostat.

The turbos are solid on these cars if you arent that person who cold starts and rev limits it or puts on a crazy performance map.

Explain point 6 please. It's a General Motors transmission. BMW is the last place in the world you want anything from when it comes to Transmissions since they don't make any.

 

[Nikhil]

Explain point 6 please. It's a General Motors transmission. BMW is the last place in the world you want anything from when it comes to Transmissions since they don't make any.

Because the quality of the replacement filter kit is horrendous and the oem kit is of superior quality compared to the Meyle replacement that's available.

 

[zubz.parker10]

great cars , see so long if you can get a cast iron exhaust manifold , the aluminium one on the m57n lasts only 100000kms more or less and will then crack