Advice when purchasing a 2004 BMW 330D E46

[Gabe330d]

Howdy all!

I'm on the hunt for an E46 330d preferably with an M sport package 2004 model and up. If you know anyone selling such a vehicle please contact me!

I would like to know what common issues there are with this car?

I've heard a lot about the gear box but manual will always be my choice.
I know about radiators and fuel pumps needing to be replaced every 5 years or 100 000km.
Are swirl flaps really an issue ?

What to look out for when buying a high mileage 330d (200 000km and up)?

Concerns when buying one of these 330d's that have been chipped for performance?

Any information, advice, past experiences or recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Gabriel

 

[DieselFan]

Auto box breaks.

Manual in the spec you want is very rare.

Buying a tuned one the turbo would wear a bit more.

Yes swirlflaps are a problem.

Other than that just general e46 problems. Control arms and cooling system. Suspension at that mileage probably needs some work. Probably new shocks etc.

 

[Maljan]

Cooling system on the E46 petrol models is not known for long life. About 120 000 km between major repairs, from my experience. Seems like the diesel is more of the same.

I can confirm that suspension bushes do not last either.

Another wear and tear item needing periodic replacement is the window winder mechanism.

The power steering pump might give you grief as well.

Oh yes, the air con evaporator could also be due for replacement. If somebody spins you a story that a regas will make the aircon blow cold again, don't believe him. Replacing that evaporator thinguhmijig is a major, major job. The entire dashboard has to come out.

 

[netercol]

dont buy a 330d e46 in auto.. that is all. turbo's last forever, engines last almost forever.. remapped 330d's last just as long as stock.

 

[DieselFan]

dont buy a 330d e46 in auto.. that is all. turbo's last forever, engines last almost forever.. remapped 330d's last just as long as stock.

Don't think it's fair to say that a remapped diesels turbo will last as long as stock or are you just referring to the engine? Pushing more psi means more wear on the turbo. Buying a car with 200 000 kms on the clock you have no idea how the previous owners driven the car and if they've hammered it from could which would cause wear on the turbo. While I agree these turbos can last a very long if looked after. Mine was good at 410k kms. Only the bearings had some wear.

 

[Gabe330d]

Auto box breaks.

Manual in the spec you want is very rare.

Buying a tuned one the turbo would wear a bit more.

Yes swirlflaps are a problem.

Other than that just general e46 problems. Control arms and cooling system. Suspension at that mileage probably needs some work. Probably new shocks etc.

By any chance do you know how easy/complicated it is to put swirl flap blanks in? To prevent the chance of swirl flap failure and destroying the motor.

 

[netercol]

dont buy a 330d e46 in auto.. that is all. turbo's last forever, engines last almost forever.. remapped 330d's last just as long as stock.

Don't think it's fair to say that a remapped diesels turbo will last as long as stock or are you just referring to the engine? Pushing more psi means more wear on the turbo. Buying a car with 200 000 kms on the clock you have no idea how the previous owners driven the car and if they've hammered it from could which would cause wear on the turbo. While I agree these turbos can last a very long if looked after. Mine was good at 410k kms. Only the bearings had some wear.

remember that your average remap does not mess with the boost, just the fueling. that said, the turbo on the e46 330d can cope with a fair amount of upped boost for a long long time..
the engine itself is immensely strong and unstressed in the 150kw version, for a start its exactly the same sub and head as the 200kw 335 version.. what im trying to say is that even in remapped form the 150kw version does not reach the power output of the 200kw version, which incidentally shows that the actual limiting factor on this engine is the turbo and injectors..
mine has now got 280k on it and i have experimented a lot on this engine, from hybrid turbo's , 335d injectors ect, on top of a remap for the last 100k..

that said, i suppose anything can be broken if not maintained and abused..

 

[DieselFan]

Auto box breaks.

Manual in the spec you want is very rare.

Buying a tuned one the turbo would wear a bit more.

Yes swirlflaps are a problem.

Other than that just general e46 problems. Control arms and cooling system. Suspension at that mileage probably needs some work. Probably new shocks etc.

By any chance do you know how easy/complicated it is to put swirl flap blanks in? To prevent the chance of swirl flap failure and destroying the motor.

It's fairly easy. The whole intake manifold must come off. Depends on your DIY skills.

 

[Andy1GP]

One more thing to add to add to the list. If you're looking for the 150kw version you will have to remove the exhaust manifold and have it either 1. rewelded or 2. replaced with the cast manifold from the earlier models (or E90)

They are stainless and crack. It's an unfortunate but inherent problem on them. I had mine bolted to a bench and re welded the cracks, with the mindset of having all the stresses released it shouldn't easily crack again.

So far so good. The stainless one yields better performance and less turbo lag so it gets my vote.

 

[netercol]

Don't think it's fair to say that a remapped diesels turbo will last as long as stock or are you just referring to the engine? Pushing more psi means more wear on the turbo.

andy actually made me think of something now i have done so long ago that i have forgotten about it..
what dieselfan said would actually be true on a remapped car if you do not remove the pre-cat and replace with a downpipe, not because the turbo pushes more psi, but because it definitely will push more heat, which will shorten the life of the turbo..
was one of the first things i did on my car.. and i would wager almost a pre-requisite with a remap.