Advice please!

[V1L3]

Hi all
Im looking for your guys opinions and advice.
I am looking at getting a e46 320d or 330d.
I currently drive an Opel Corsa OPC but I am now in the process of building an E46 race car.
So basically my thing is this... I am looking to sell my corsa and buy myself a e46 320d or 330d and put some money into the race car plus save on fuel prices.
At the moment I spend R560 a week and get between 400 and 450km to a tank with an average of between 10 and 11l/100km as I mainly drive town driving not much highway.
So my first question is do you guys think an e46 330d or 320d will actually be lighter on fuel or is it just a dream lol.
My best friend who is also on here (putrid444) and he has an e90 lci 320d and he has amazing fuel consumption?
Also the reason I am asking about a 330d because I have read a lot about engine problems etc with the e46 diesel engines?
So my second question is basically how reliable are these cars? I have been told and have read that the 330d gives less issues? ? Can anyone confirm?
What do you guys recommend I do?
Thanks in advance

 

[ChefDJ]

330d = :thumbs:

Will most definitely be lighter on fuel.

 

[DieselFan]

The earlier 320d's supposedly had turbo issues. But there are no engine issues with these cars that I am aware of besides swirl flaps. If you still want a bit of power with fuel consumption get the 330d. If you are just after fuel consumption get the 320d.

They are both very reliable cars if they have been maintained properly.

 

[Nikhil]

E46 330d :thumbs: change oil often and let the turbo warm up and cool down before and after driving hard. if its a race car try and find a manual but good luck :thumbs:

 

[DieselFan]

You misunderstood him. Hes got the opc and the race car. Wants to sell the opc for a better daily and use excess funds on the other car.

But regardless if it's a 330d get a manual the auto boxes are POS

 

[Nikhil]

You misunderstood him. Hes got the opc and the race car. Wants to sell the opc for a better daily and use excess funds on the other car.

But regardless if it's a 330d get a manual the auto boxes are POS

Auto is pos if you drive it like a pos :blab:

 

[V1L3]

Awesome thanks guys.
What average consumption are the e46 330d guys getting?
I could only find posts about e90's.

 

[Nikhil]

Mine is Auto with a decat and plug and play chip. on the highway i get between 4,5l / 100 and 5,5l / 100 local driving it goes up to 7.5l / 100 :thumbs:

 

[V1L3]

Haha yea the 330d is gonna be a fuel efficient daily with some grunt.
Will definitely look at manual.

 

[zubz.parker10]

ive got a 330d auto , no complains plus that torque helps in alot in 60-100 situations

 

[V1L3]

Awesome
I am super keen to get a 330d
And what type of mileage is reasonable for one of them? I know bmw engines are good for hundreds if thousands of km but what is decent mileage and what would you guys recommend for too much km?
Thanks

 

[Nikhil]

Diesels seem to rack up kms quicker than petrol variants. Km isnt really important as long as it has been maintained really well. I got mine on 150 xxx sitting on 167 xxxkm now :rollsmile:

 

[DieselFan]

It depends on how they're maintained and the condition of the car. Best is to get the car you want to buy on the lift to have it inspected. Condition will also dictate price.

To not repeat what had already been repeated in past threads. Do a search on the pros and cons of the 135kw and 150kw motor. If it was me I'd just get the 150kw motor in manual.

 

[V1L3]

great stuff!!
Thank you!
and if you guys can keep the average consumption posts coming that would be great!

 

[Philip Foglar]

330d!! :thumbs:

 

[netercol]

for town driving i would go for the 320d.. more efficient, but they gave a bit more turbo problems. so you want a WELL maintained one.

if you want power you want the 330d, less efficient, but less problems if it was well maintained.

be warned, either of those will be a money pit if you buy a poor maintained example.. many here will confirm that

i get around 8l/100km around town, buuuuuut then again i have a heavy foot :=):

 

[V1L3]

thank you!
i have been looking all over for a decent one, there is one or two but they seem very scarce.
i would still like to know what you guys would consider as too much mileage to buy?

 

[need_4_speed]

Someone I know is selling a 04 manual 320d, if you like i can put you in contact with them, mileage is 160000 ish