330d 135kw vs 150kw?

[Dopi]

So I decided today that I want to upgrade my e46 320d to a 330d.
I would like to know the differances between the 135 and 150kw ones except the engine .
Correct me if I am wrong I think the 150kw came out in 9th month of 2003.
Did you get the 135 version in a 6speed or only the 150 and what is the real life fuel consumption of the 330d if you owned one?
Which one is more reliable and how did the turbos fair.
I am interested in a Manual.

 

[petrivanzyl]

As per wikipedia:

E46 330d (1999-2003) 135kw 390nm
E46 330d (2003-2007) 150kw 410nm
E90 330d (2005-2008) 170kw 500nm
E90 330d (2008-2012) 180kw 520nm
F30 330d (2012-) 190kw 560nm

Seems like the 150kw started in 09/2003 yes

 

[CamZo]

If its a 6 speed most likely its the 150 kw version. Also 330ds have proven to be more reliable then the 320d versions.

 

[msm]

If its a 6 speed most likely its the 150 kw version. Also 330ds have proven to be more reliable then the 320d versions.

+1

There's a forum member that has one with 400k km on it and still running the original turbo.

I would normally recommend an auto, but in the E46 range, the manual is the more reliable option.

IIRC, around 2003, there was also some minor changes. For example, the CD player became standard and the climate control unit, etc changed slightly. Hence, the 150kw versions have these minor updates. Can't recall all the exact details though. I'm sure some of the other members will chip in and correct me where I'm wrong.

Make sure you find one with decent service history - these engines are awesome.

---

..and what is the real life fuel consumption of the 330d if you owned one?

Here's consumption on my E90 330d auto in heavy traffic 75% of the time. E46 330d manual should be about 10-20% better than this in similar driving conditions (Ignore the after tuning part for stock car).

Source

 

[NavZ]

For a second I thought you were planning a transplant :fencelook:

 

[Dopi]

For a second I thought you were planning a transplant :fencelook:

Haha I love my current car but not that much



Thanx for all the input:thumbs:

 

[shailesh]

If its a 6 speed most likely its the 150 kw version. Also 330ds have proven to be more reliable then the 320d versions.

+1

There's a forum member that has one with 400k km on it and still running the original turbo.

I would normally recommend an auto, but in the E46 range, the manual is the more reliable option.

IIRC, around 2003, there was also some minor changes. For example, the CD player became standard and the climate control unit, etc changed slightly. Hence, the 150kw versions have these minor updates. Can't recall all the exact details though. I'm sure some of the other members will chip in and correct me where I'm wrong.

Make sure you find one with decent service history - these engines are awesome.

---

..and what is the real life fuel consumption of the 330d if you owned one?

Here's consumption on my E90 330d auto in heavy traffic 75% of the time. E46 330d manual should be about 10-20% better than this in similar driving conditions (Ignore the after tuning part for stock car).

Source

---

so you getting better consuption and power after tuning

 

[msm]

so you getting better consuption and power after tuning

Yes and no. If I drive it hard, it's worse. If I drive conservatively its better.

 

[rhett325]

I have a 150kw 330D manual in mystic blue.

On the econometer in the car on my trip to sodwana bay it gave me an average reading of 4.2 litres per 100kms. I did 1400km on one and 1 8th of a tank on the open road.

The 150kw is STRONG in my opinion, i have the 6 speed manual and it is an epic car! Well worth ever cent.

My day to day driving returns a figure of 6.5L per 100. If i use anything except Shell fuel i get 6.9 per 100km. On average I get 850-900km on a tank with my daily driving.:inlove:

 

[P1000]

I would go for the 150kW 6speed version, it is better, an updated engine, updated intake manifold only pain is the stainless steel exhaust manifold fails more easily than the cast iron one from the 135kW model.

If reliability is an issue, the 135kW version's turbo will last longer, mainly because it spools up later and thus does not work as hard under normal driving. But that means the turbo lasts 250kkm as opposed to 125kkm for most drivers. But really, a turbo is only like R12k, so for an extra 15kW and much better power curve, it is worth it. 6 speeds are scarce, so start looking and take your time.

Remove the swirl flaps as soon as you get the car, and then do some maintenance on the suspension - LCABs and shocks usually get neglected over time...

And whatever you do - DON'T buy an auto! (I may say that, because I own one).

 

[DieselFan]

I have a 150kw 330D manual in mystic blue.

On the econometer in the car on my trip to sodwana bay it gave me an average reading of 4.2 litres per 100kms. I did 1400km on one and 1 8th of a tank on the open road.

The 150kw is STRONG in my opinion, i have the 6 speed manual and it is an epic car! Well worth ever cent.

My day to day driving returns a figure of 6.5L per 100. If i use anything except Shell fuel i get 6.9 per 100km. On average I get 850-900km on a tank with my daily driving.:inlove:

Thats some nice consumption, mine is sitting at 8,8l / 100km. But its the 5 speed auto. All that torque is rather addicting :fencelook:

 

[shailesh]

I would go for the 150kW 6speed version, it is better, an updated engine, updated intake manifold only pain is the stainless steel exhaust manifold fails more easily than the cast iron one from the 135kW model.

If reliability is an issue, the 135kW version's turbo will last longer, mainly because it spools up later and thus does not work as hard under normal driving. But that means the turbo lasts 250kkm as opposed to 125kkm for most drivers. But really, a turbo is only like R12k, so for an extra 15kW and much better power curve, it is worth it. 6 speeds are scarce, so start looking and take your time.

Remove the swirl flaps as soon as you get the car, and then do some maintenance on the suspension - LCABs and shocks usually get neglected over time...

And whatever you do - DON'T buy an auto! (I may say that, because I own one).

who does the swirl flap mod and how much .....here in gauteng area

 

[DieselFan]

I would go for the 150kW 6speed version, it is better, an updated engine, updated intake manifold only pain is the stainless steel exhaust manifold fails more easily than the cast iron one from the 135kW model.

If reliability is an issue, the 135kW version's turbo will last longer, mainly because it spools up later and thus does not work as hard under normal driving. But that means the turbo lasts 250kkm as opposed to 125kkm for most drivers. But really, a turbo is only like R12k, so for an extra 15kW and much better power curve, it is worth it. 6 speeds are scarce, so start looking and take your time.

Remove the swirl flaps as soon as you get the car, and then do some maintenance on the suspension - LCABs and shocks usually get neglected over time...

And whatever you do - DON'T buy an auto! (I may say that, because I own one).

who does the swirl flap mod and how much .....here in gauteng area

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=30583

He did it himself, you could probably aswell ? save some $$$

 

[Dopi]

Wow now I am realy itching for a 330d but I will take it slow and search for the perfect car.
They are really scarce especially the manuel ones.
What I am looking for is the 150kw manuel, any colour but black, but with black leather and a towbar, and sunroof will be a bonus, and with less than 180000km

 

[Andy1GP]

I have a 150kw 330D manual in mystic blue.

On the econometer in the car on my trip to sodwana bay it gave me an average reading of 4.2 litres per 100kms. I did 1400km on one and 1 8th of a tank on the open road.

The 150kw is STRONG in my opinion, i have the 6 speed manual and it is an epic car! Well worth ever cent.

My day to day driving returns a figure of 6.5L per 100. If i use anything except Shell fuel i get 6.9 per 100km. On average I get 850-900km on a tank with my daily driving.:inlove:

That's insane consumption dude. Mine must still be a little Ill. I get 900km max on a tank with about 100km range left, mostly highway driving. That returns me around 5.9L/100km

@Dopi There won't be a "perfect" one but get one that will only require "doable" attention. Like P1000 said stay away from the autos. They are good but you never know if you going to buy a lemon. The manuals are proven and tough. Turbo can be rebuilt for 1/10th the price of a new one. I've seen it be done and will be doing it soon myself. There is quite a nice long list of diy's to do on the car but over time it's not that bad or expensive. Clutch and flywheel plus turbo is really the worst that can go wrong and thats only R10-R12k a pop and then you're sorted.

Happy Hunting

 

[Andy1GP]

Bumping the thread since I also want more info on the 135kw motors.

I can add this.

Mine was produced in 09/2003 and has the M57N-TU motor, 6spd Facelift with cd changer DSC Sport pack etc...

I test drove a 2003 today and it was a 5 spd manual, individual, 135kw M57 motor. No cd changer, tape deck? ASC and not DSC? It was a facelift as it had the mtech 2 bumper, same rear bumper and taillights as mine, blacked door beadings, nappa leather interior etc... (it even had a full toolkit!)

I was just surprised that it has old spec stuff on a facelift? ASC and tape deck, seriously?

Also the viscous fan sounded like a truck. Car still pulled quite strong bearing in mind it was a total stocker, with it's old wrotten cats in place, egr, etc...

It also had another device under the bonnet that mine doesn't have. Seems like a cooler of sorts mounted next to the intake manifold. The open area reserved normally for the petrol version's airbox... trying to look into this.

So we know that the cast manifold is bullet proof on the 135kw and the turbo lasts longer. The vacuum pump looks older and different.

Turbo's are garret GT2256v (135) and GT2260v (150)

Cast manifold vs stainless double layered skinny flaky manifold

Afaik 6 speeds only available on the 150kw. ('03/04 onwards only then)

Anyone please contribute.

---

Just confirmed on RealOEM that the (M57) 135kw does not have swirl flaps, I believe this could be limited to the manual only. All M57N have swirl flaps

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http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f74/whats-difference-between-m57-m57n-engines-t64860/

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Copied from page 2 on the bimmerforums thread

2.9ltr M57 6D 1 engine.

e46 330d, e53 X5

Garret number GT2256V*
Turbine wheel inducer dia. ................. est. 42.35mm**
Compressor wheel exducer dia. ................ 56mm
V= Multi vane variable geometry turbine

e39 530d/e38 730d

Garret number GTV2556V*
Turbine wheel inducer dia. ................. est. 48.13mm**
Compressor wheel exducer dia. ................ 56mm
1st V= A platform change (whatever that means!)
V= Multi vane variable geometry turbine


3 ltr M57TU 6D 2 engine

e46 330d, e83 X3 (03-06, 201 hp)

GT2260V*

530d e60/61, e53 X5, e65 730d (215 hp)

Garret number GT2260V*
Turbine wheel inducer dia. ................. est. 42.35mm**
Compressor wheel exducer dia. ................ 60mm
V= Multi vane variable geometry turbine

 

[Peejay]

If its a 6 speed most likely its the 150 kw version. Also 330ds have proven to be more reliable then the 320d versions.

+ 1.

As for the specs of the car, I'm also intrigued to know more. Seems like a good buy in terms of saving fuel, especially since the price of fuel is so high.

 

[///M_Diesel]

150kw :thumbs:

 

[Rolf]

so you getting better consuption and power after tuning

Yes and no. If I drive it hard, it's worse. If I drive conservatively its better.

.... and just to clarify:

If you drive hard (after our tune), you have to be careful that you don't drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly :idea:

 

[DieselFan]

If its a 6 speed most likely its the 150 kw version. Also 330ds have proven to be more reliable then the 320d versions.

+1

There's a forum member that has one with 400k km on it and still running the original turbo.

I would normally recommend an auto, but in the E46 range, the manual is the more reliable option.

IIRC, around 2003, there was also some minor changes. For example, the CD player became standard and the climate control unit, etc changed slightly. Hence, the 150kw versions have these minor updates. Can't recall all the exact details though. I'm sure some of the other members will chip in and correct me where I'm wrong.

Make sure you find one with decent service history - these engines are awesome.

---

..and what is the real life fuel consumption of the 330d if you owned one?

Here's consumption on my E90 330d auto in heavy traffic 75% of the time. E46 330d manual should be about 10-20% better than this in similar driving conditions (Ignore the after tuning part for stock car).

Source

---

410 000kms, original turbo, original suspension, mostly original. Minus the gearbox, i think we've had 3 refurbs? We have two gearboxes one is waiting for the other to break.

But can you guys tell me and sorry to jack this thread would it be a huge mission to convert it to a manual?