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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
320d e46 Maintenance
- Thread starter kyton
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BMW M
///Member
If your looking at a 318i, you might as well concider a 325i. The diffrence in fuel consumption (When not driven like its stolen) between the two models versus performance gains, are huge then a 318i just wont cut it...plus you get that BMW straight 6 sound to boot. :excited:
The 320d's are great, just make sure you get a copy of the cars service history from BMW. Phone them up and give them the vin number of the car you are looking at buying, almost all dealers will provide the history. Look for comments and notes and big replacements like turbos and transmissions. Also make sure that all recall bulletins have been done on the car. See the threads on here that talk about things to look out for when buying a e46, they are very accurate and detailed.
If you can get your hands on a 2004 with low mileage consider extending the years on the motorplan for extra peace of mind.
Just my 2c worth.
The 320d's are great, just make sure you get a copy of the cars service history from BMW. Phone them up and give them the vin number of the car you are looking at buying, almost all dealers will provide the history. Look for comments and notes and big replacements like turbos and transmissions. Also make sure that all recall bulletins have been done on the car. See the threads on here that talk about things to look out for when buying a e46, they are very accurate and detailed.
If you can get your hands on a 2004 with low mileage consider extending the years on the motorplan for extra peace of mind.
Just my 2c worth.
Just trying to get some feedback. I do approx 10000km a year. drive on average during the week about 10-20km a day. I just get mixed answers from people about if they are costly cars to maintain when out of the maintenance plan. One guy i know has a 2001 330d that i drove over the weekend and really enjoyed driving it compared to the Toyota. He tells me that they are not expensive to maintain.
BMW M
///Member
Kyton,
All would depend on how the car was looked after by the previous owner(s). Ive sold my 330d with just over 200000km on and apart from services she did not cost me a single cent inbetween. My 325i on the otherhand I had to replace radiator, 2x power steering pumps, transmission and other small bits and pieces.
The 325i was a bit of an impulse buy, I did not check her service history, later went to check it and she only had a service history with BMW up to 45000km. I bought her with 95000km on, transmission packed up at 123000km. So service history definately played a role on that car.
All would depend on how the car was looked after by the previous owner(s). Ive sold my 330d with just over 200000km on and apart from services she did not cost me a single cent inbetween. My 325i on the otherhand I had to replace radiator, 2x power steering pumps, transmission and other small bits and pieces.
The 325i was a bit of an impulse buy, I did not check her service history, later went to check it and she only had a service history with BMW up to 45000km. I bought her with 95000km on, transmission packed up at 123000km. So service history definately played a role on that car.
Hellas
///Member
BMW is not expensive to maintain compared to your 2008 Corolla. Seriously. One of the biggest little misconceptions in the automotive trade.
A 320d's performance (compared to the 1400 Corolla) will put a smile on your face until next year.
It does not sound right to 'downgrade' from 2008 to 2004 and from 45k to 120k for roughly the same money, but some solid homework on the history of the BMW plus an added extension to the motorplan and you are good to go. :thumbsup:
A 320d's performance (compared to the 1400 Corolla) will put a smile on your face until next year.
It does not sound right to 'downgrade' from 2008 to 2004 and from 45k to 120k for roughly the same money, but some solid homework on the history of the BMW plus an added extension to the motorplan and you are good to go. :thumbsup:
NoddyBadge
///Member
I'll drop the same info, that I came across when buying my 320d.
2004 onwards is better deal, as the turbos from '01-'03 were prone to give issues and this was resolved with the '04 models.
I got mine on 90000kms, still in motorplan.
Took into BMW for a thorough look and had the turbo replaced as they felt it was running weak, new oil separator and they serviced the injectors.
Otherwise, never had an issue in the 13 months I've owned the car *touch wood*
Oil service done, Inspection next and replacing the fuel filter.
Still a lovely car, but I feel I need to get myself a double cab as I'm going camping way too often and I don't like the fact that I get my car full of sea sand all the time - I don't like it when my baby's dirty :cursin:
Hopefully I'll find a way to own both
2004 onwards is better deal, as the turbos from '01-'03 were prone to give issues and this was resolved with the '04 models.
I got mine on 90000kms, still in motorplan.
Took into BMW for a thorough look and had the turbo replaced as they felt it was running weak, new oil separator and they serviced the injectors.
Otherwise, never had an issue in the 13 months I've owned the car *touch wood*
Oil service done, Inspection next and replacing the fuel filter.
Still a lovely car, but I feel I need to get myself a double cab as I'm going camping way too often and I don't like the fact that I get my car full of sea sand all the time - I don't like it when my baby's dirty :cursin:
Hopefully I'll find a way to own both
I found a private sale of a 2003 320d with 119k on the clock. full service history at BMW and accident free. the guy wants R95000 for it. just need to get of the corolla first before i take the plunge. any ideas if these motor-rite plans, etc are any good. I just find my 1.4 feels like i need to get out and push when going up hills. My drive from work to home is all up hill. need to get something with a bit more vooma for the uphill i get everyday.
NoddyBadge
///Member
Go and get more info from BMW with VIN number of that car, 2003 diesels were prone to turbo blowouts.
119k on the clock, is like the perfect time to sell those cars.
I might very well be wrong to be so sceptical about it, but you've got no motorplan to play around with.
Also - you're doing 10-20km per day, a 1.4 is perfect for that IMO anyway.
Personally I'd say, if you really want to move to a diesel Beemer, add another R20k to your budget and look something with a touch of motorplan to give you piece of mind. Also jumping back from an '08 to a '03 doesn't make sense to me.
EDIT: I think MiniMike can also hook you up with the history of the car if you PM him the VIN number.
119k on the clock, is like the perfect time to sell those cars.
I might very well be wrong to be so sceptical about it, but you've got no motorplan to play around with.
Also - you're doing 10-20km per day, a 1.4 is perfect for that IMO anyway.
Personally I'd say, if you really want to move to a diesel Beemer, add another R20k to your budget and look something with a touch of motorplan to give you piece of mind. Also jumping back from an '08 to a '03 doesn't make sense to me.
EDIT: I think MiniMike can also hook you up with the history of the car if you PM him the VIN number.
J
johnscott
Guest
kyton said:
I would rather have a 2003 (320d) model BMW than a 08 1.4 Corolla twice the power - 10 x the comfort -way lighter on feul and a touch of class addes to the value, I am selling my diesel Bmw e46 as well,only to replace it with the same e90 (nothing else) - only once you have owned one of these will you understand the conversation
Anyway - good luck with your choice
John
freerider
Honorary ///Member
when I first got my 320d, i absolutely loved it. Then the motorplan expired and everything started going wrong. It ran up a 30k + bill in the space of 4 months thanks to injectors, engine mounts, propshaft coupling... The list goes on.
I traded the 2002 320d in at 166k on the clock, and bought my current 2003 320i at 92k on the clock, 3 yrs later it now has 144k on it and has cost me a total of just on 10k, including the cost of new brake discs, tyres, radiator, waterpump, vanos seals, control arm bushes and some other stuff. I'm actually scared to trade this car on something else for fear of getting another money pit like the 320d.
It seems to be a mixed bag when it comes to the E46 320d, but experience tells me that there are more negative than positive experiences with them, and I dont know if you willing to take the gamble on getting one of the good ones. I would personally get a 325i or 330i, and smile everytime you put petrol in, because you know that the extra it costs you now, will save you big in the long run.
I traded the 2002 320d in at 166k on the clock, and bought my current 2003 320i at 92k on the clock, 3 yrs later it now has 144k on it and has cost me a total of just on 10k, including the cost of new brake discs, tyres, radiator, waterpump, vanos seals, control arm bushes and some other stuff. I'm actually scared to trade this car on something else for fear of getting another money pit like the 320d.
It seems to be a mixed bag when it comes to the E46 320d, but experience tells me that there are more negative than positive experiences with them, and I dont know if you willing to take the gamble on getting one of the good ones. I would personally get a 325i or 330i, and smile everytime you put petrol in, because you know that the extra it costs you now, will save you big in the long run.
kyton said:
As you only do 10k kilo a month I would opt for a 325i, you will avearge +-9litres per 100 kilos and you will not sound like a farmer with the diesel engine:thumb:.
The reliability of an e46 325i is amazing, a very strong and efficient motor, and the maintenance is not bad.
Oil service (R900 - reputable non dealer)\
Inspection 1 (R3 000 (brakes incl - reputable non dealer)
The 325i also holds value in the long term as they are very scarce vehicles, so finding a clean one is like gold, a sportpack version is like platinum
If you are set on a 320d, stay away from 320d's post 2002, as this was when the recall occurrred, try and find a six speed 320d, I think these were came out in 2003 and 2004, and try to get a warranty or extension on mplan for "in case S**t happens".
Rossouw
New member
Good day Kyton
Welcomr to the forum. I purchased a 320d 2003 model myself at one of my local dealers with +-240 000km on the speedo. Did a full service with all the filters and fluids( bmw originals) and labour cost= R3000.(thanks to Hellas to mentioned the oil seperator filter inside the tappet cover). Turbo was reconditioned 6 months before with slips of all work done.Now one year later still no problems as yet.(touch wood).
My opinion cheap to run, very very economical, just let her warm up before driving and cool down/ idle for at 2min after each trip will spare your turbo and cost.
Hope it will help.
Welcomr to the forum. I purchased a 320d 2003 model myself at one of my local dealers with +-240 000km on the speedo. Did a full service with all the filters and fluids( bmw originals) and labour cost= R3000.(thanks to Hellas to mentioned the oil seperator filter inside the tappet cover). Turbo was reconditioned 6 months before with slips of all work done.Now one year later still no problems as yet.(touch wood).
My opinion cheap to run, very very economical, just let her warm up before driving and cool down/ idle for at 2min after each trip will spare your turbo and cost.
Hope it will help.
Iceman007
Active member
Rossouw said:
Turbo usually last in genral 120k if looked after well on bmw. point is all that money you save on fuel and extra added will go into repairs when it brakes:banghead::banghead::banghead::nono: so what is the point of buying a diesel, seriously how far can you drive on R15 000 of petrol. So the bit you save on diesel to get to the amount of R15 000 will be imposseble.
Point is buy a petrol
Phoenix
New member
Did the research as i was looking at buying a 2003 320d last month...really, don't do it. Turbo problems galore if the car wasn't maintaned properly. And you got to worry about something breaking along with the faulty turbo. The only e46 diesel i'd buy is the 330d. if you looking around the 95k mark. e46 325i or 330i. both very, very nice cars!
BMW is known for it's amazingly strong petrol 6 cylinders. Best is to buy what they do best IMO.
BMW is known for it's amazingly strong petrol 6 cylinders. Best is to buy what they do best IMO.
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