2005 e90 320d

kyton

New member
I was looking the e46 320d at the end of last year. i decided against it as i prefer the e90 shape. how are these diesels. i know it will be a step back in year an mileage as i have a '08 corolla 1.4 with 48k on it. feels like it was a mistake to buy a Toyota. just no power for the uphills. I saw a few '05 320d with 100 - 130k on the clock in good condition. Anything i should be wary of.
 

P1000

///Member
Good call, the E46 320d's are mostly riddled with turbo issues. The E90 is better, but you will probably be replacing the turbo soon. Personally, I would look out for a 2004/2005 330d with the 6 speed manual box. Its the cheaper, repairs will cost much less and its a much better car, even the build quality is better...
 

Olorin

New member
I might be buying a diesel myself soon as the probability is high that my E90 320i will be written off. So I would be in the same boat. Definitely will look at the E90 320d (not E46).
 

msm

Well-known member
I would suggest one of the following 2 (in this order), depending on your budget:

1) E46 330d
2) E90 320d

Depending on your budget, try to get one with a sports pack/individual.
 

Olorin

New member
In terms of reliability, aren't the E46 diesels riddled with problems ? Most people I've spoken to have told me horror stories on the E46 (only the diesels, the petrol versions are fine). Personally I would go for the E90, no way am I going backwards and worrying about reliability.
 

msm

Well-known member
Vaughan said:
In terms of reliability, aren't the E46 diesels riddled with problems ? Most people I've spoken to have told me horror stories on the E46 (only the diesels, the petrol versions are fine). Personally I would go for the E90, no way am I going backwards and worrying about reliability.

E46 320d had a fair share of problems.
E46 330d was fine.

 

P1000

///Member
Only the 4cyl diesels. The 6cyl 330d's are some of the most reliable bmw's out there. My 530d is at 277kkm with all original drivetrain parts, incl turbo...
 

BMW M

///Member
e46 330d's are bulletproof. Mine had just over 200000km on the clock when I sold, Father In Laws 198000km before selling, both where still 100% original with no turbo or other failures.

If you take the 2005 e90 320d, be sure to have a manual, there is noticable turbolag with the Auto. Other than that, they are great cars! :thumbsup: I'm on my second e90 320d now and so far its all smiles :) See if you can get one with some motorplan left, always helps! :thumb:
 

kyton

New member
the one i am looking into has 105000k on the clock, manual, exclusive pack with sport-pack bumpers and sunroof. couple of cosmetic thing to fix. no maintenance plan though. A friend of mine is on his 2nd 330d this year, had endless issues. no the second on has had the turbo done and needs the fan for the air con as it has a broken blade on it.
 

Olorin

New member
105k on the clock is not that bad. If it were me I would try to get a car under 90k (if possible) but then I'm anal when it comes to motor plans and I always want peace of mind in my purchases. My 2005 320i had 88k on the clock.

Before I got the 320i the rep gave me a test drive in a 2006 320d (for R140k) with 100k on the clock, just out of motorplan. It was great, very fast, but it was a dealer breaker because the motor plan was finished. If anything goes wrong then it could cost big bucks to replace. I'm sure there are those who will convince you otherwise but for me, the risk factor was too big. Just my 0.2 c.
 

Sankekur

///Member
It is strange that people consider buying a e46 as downgrading, from what I have seen the quality and the quality of materials used in the e46 is much better than the stuff used in the e90's (and I was comparing an e90 on the dealer floor to a 10+ year old e46)

Personally I think it would be better to go for the e46 330d as you will just be getting a lot more car for your money than with a newer model. Also if you don't mind a auto box you can also look at a e39 530d.
 

Olorin

New member
It is strange that people consider buying a e46 as downgrading, from what I have seen the quality and the quality of materials used in the e46 is much better than the stuff used in the e90's (and I was comparing an e90 on the dealer floor to a 10+ year old e46)

Can I have what you're smoking ?
 

P1000

///Member
Vaughan said:
It is strange that people consider buying a e46 as downgrading, from what I have seen the quality and the quality of materials used in the e46 is much better than the stuff used in the e90's (and I was comparing an e90 on the dealer floor to a 10+ year old e46)

Can I have what you're smoking ?

Sankekur is completely correct on this one, BMW cut down on costs after the E46. And the E39 is twice the car the e46 is and 4 times the car the e90 is for less money, but it is your money...
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
And i fully agree with both P1000 and Sankekur,

The differance though to be noted is that the ones mentioned in the post are prepared to grab a spanner and do work if it needs to be done, which removes a great deal of uncertianty from the picture....

However

1 year old 320d... call it ... 300k
2 year old 320d 230k
3 year old 320d 180
4 year old 320d ...150kish
4.5 year old sitting at 97,000 on the clock with motorplan, 140k
Same car with 101 on the clock no motorplan... 120k

8 your old 320d with just as much risk as your car without motorplan... 70k.....

Many can argue about the logic above, but in principle its accurate... so as P1000 says... its your $$$....

That, and the E46 has a much nicer interior then the E90.....
 

msm

Well-known member
P1000 said:
Vaughan said:
It is strange that people consider buying a e46 as downgrading, from what I have seen the quality and the quality of materials used in the e46 is much better than the stuff used in the e90's (and I was comparing an e90 on the dealer floor to a 10+ year old e46)

Can I have what you're smoking ?

Sankekur is completely correct on this one, BMW cut down on costs after the E46. And the E39 is twice the car the e46 is and 4 times the car the e90 is for less money, but it is your money...

Agree completely with San and P1000 on this one. While the E90 is still a good car, I think the E46 is still miles ahead of it. The only challenge is that the "average" E46 is generally older than the average E90, so you have to look a bit harder to fine a clean, well maintained example.

Who remembers the BMW print ad of the E90 on launch. It's fiercest competitor was nothing less than the E46 it replaced !!!
 

Olorin

New member
I was in one of the E46 models and I didn't find the interior all that great. My E90 looks so much better inside. I can't vouch for quality, since I haven't done a serious QC check but just the look of a couple E46s put me off. Had that really old look to them. :) Hey, perhaps the 2004 model would fare better, not sure which year models I looked at, but NO WAY a 10 year old model looks better inside than an E90. Better....as in older and more stale. :hammerhead: It's all subjective.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
I cant stand the E90 interior...... Maybe the ones with the I-Drive and stuff is not too bad, but otherwise.... bleh..

This is going to go exactly like the whole chrome/black out discussion... nowhere.... Each to his own...

Edit : I actually recon, and feel free to swear at me for this, but the equiv Audi A4 or Merc' C-Class all have better interior's then the E90.

Its so.... "Clinical"
 
Top