Advice on BMW 320d e46

J

JOSH.B.M.W

Member

• Apr 22, 2013

• #1

Hi guys. Im new to the forum. Need some advice on buying a bmw 320d e46. 2004 msport model. Has 136000km and service history from agents. Are these cars reliable? should i go for a 325i instead? Im buying the car from a friend so i know it has been well taken care of. Just have some concerns about future reliablity so i thought i should ask the experts. help is highly appreciated.

 

Rayzor

Well-known member

• Apr 22, 2013

• #2

Welcome come, there are a few e46 diesel owners here, im sure you`ll get the help you need. What price are you getting it for if you dont mind me asking? :thumbs:

 

J

JOSH.B.M.W

Member

• Apr 22, 2013

• #3

Hi. Sorry about the duplicate. beginers error. lol. guy wants 92k for the car.

 

Dopi

New member

• Apr 22, 2013

• #4

Hi there

I drive a 2001 320d
They are awesome cars

On the 2004 if I am correct changed the turbo wich was much more reliabil.
I you here in Gauteng I would go for the diesel. I had a dice with a 325i the other day on a "private road" and won and that is with the 100kw prefacelift version.
Fuel consumption also great on these cars.

Kilos on that car sounds very good but still think you shouldnt pay more than 85k

 

milu

New member

• Apr 22, 2013

• #5

Listen out for the turbo, else you can look at ~ 7L/ 100km so consumption is good:thumbs:

 

J

JOSH.B.M.W

Member

• Apr 23, 2013

• #6

thanks guys for the responses. drove the car yday. must say i didnt expect a diesel car to go like that. think im gona try to drop the guys price abit. as dopi suggested the price is high.

 

thatogaobuse

New member

• Apr 23, 2013

• #7

firstly check inlet manifold to see if there is a barcoded sticker, if it is there that means bmw changed their problematic manifold with the faulty swirl flaps that would break and get sucked in the engine messing it up. Then you will need to do a de-cat(i put a downpipe in my car was R500), change CRANKCASE BREATHER VALVE AND CLEAN EGR(repeat this every fourth oil service it will make your turbo last). If you do all this you will enjoy the car and it will be reliable. i bought mine on 171000km on the clock now i am on 244000km still in good condition and very reliable.So if you want to experience 4,6l/100km highway and 6l/100km urban not stressing when fuel increases get the diesel.Plus the perfomance is very good.GET THAT 320D YOU WONT REGRET IT,don't listen to the fear mongers that talk shit about diesels:thumbs:

 

Andy1GP

///Member

• Apr 23, 2013

• #8

The facelift 320d's are much better, my co worker has one and doesn't treat it kindly at all. He bought it from his father and he hammers the car from cold and doesn't idle it before shutdown after giving it stick. It's a 2003 model and sitting on 188k+ km and no problems. Original turbo and clutch and flywheel.

 

P

Pfw28

New member

• Apr 24, 2013

• #9

:thumbs: Go for it, you won't be sorry. The price is a little high, but perhaps worth it since you know the car. Just do a decat and EGR delete, then a software tickle to tune for the new conditions, and you're set. Enjoy! :rollsmile:

 

J

JOSH.B.M.W

Member

• Apr 30, 2013

• #10

very useful information guys. thanks again. getting the car in a few days time. managed to drop the guys price to 85k. i will need to take a look at that manifold. any idea how much does it cost to get those swirl flaps removed? will feel much safer having those out. :ty:

 

T

Tyx

Member

• May 10, 2013

• #11

Got a 2002 320d facelift with 345k on the clock. Bought it on 180k in 2009 and only had minor stuf like EGR replacement(pipe burnt through and was noisy), injector leaking(had to replace the diesel return pipe), crank case breather replace and crank puley(vibration damper) replacement( Aircon belt kept on jumping of). If you service your diesel regurlarly with the right oil and original parts, it should give you years of trouble free kilos. Never had any turbo issues although the previous owner(bought car as demo) mentioned that the car was recalled for work on the turbo at about 60k.

I'm happy with my E46 320d:=):

 

P

PhoenixGG

Member

• May 10, 2013

• #12

I love mine too before I traded up. Just check the exhaust. I had problems with it coming loose on that rear bracket a couple of times.

 

GregSW

Member

• May 10, 2013

• #13

Have owned both, 320d for the wife and 325i for me. We still have the 320d not the 325. 325 gave lots of problems. 320d has been great. I personally don't like driving it in town but on the open road it kills the 325.

Price seems slightly high?

 

Photokid

New member

• May 11, 2013

• #14

85k is a good price

 

Dhp507

///Member

• May 11, 2013

• #15

Had mine for 6 years as the second owner -04 with exclusive pakage.

Thats a great price with that spec. Go for it and test it out for the first few months then put the dp and software. I have done both and with a modified exhaust = 160Kw and over 400nm.