Att Diesel Owners: - 2003 - 330D and 2004 -320D

[XMAX]

Hi all,

Ok i am looking into trading my E46 325i SMG for a 2003 330D Steptronic... (i know, i know, Steptronic blan blah blah) and buying a 2004 320D Steptronic (I know, again), for my wife.


I have a few questions.

2003 E46 330D:-
Would the 330D be the 135kw or the 150kw. I know that the 2004 is the 150kw, just not sure bout the 2003? This car is mid 2003.

Ive heared that the 150kw 330D has had some issues with the Steptronic gerarbox.

Will the 135kw 330D be better in this instance?
Is it possible to add software on the 135kw, or perform a technical update on it to make it run like the 150kw.


2004 E46 320D:-

This is the 2004 320D. I know its a 110kw motor. My only concern is the issue of Turbo failure which has happened on these cars in the past. Ive heared that the 2004 / 2005 320D's did not suffer this turbo failure as they fixed what was wrong (or changed to a different Turbo).

Both Cars:-

What is the Swirl Flap?
Should they be removed?
Will Removing it affect the performance / economy / drivability of the car in any negative way?

Whats the economy like on these cars in daily, short residential and slight traffic runs.


I know im asking alot of you guys. But please help where possible as im looking to change over to the tractors ASAP.

 

[P1000]

Steptronic will never really have the 150kW motor, gearbox cannot handle it. Also a 2003 will not have the 150kW motor. The differences between the 135 and 150 is a vast load of mechanics, basically a whole new engine, turbo, management system etc, much closer to the current 30d's.

It is possible to map the 135 to like 170-180 kw, but you WILL destroy the auto box. Scratch that you will only destroy it 10 times faster, since you will destroy it even without a remap.

Stay far away from anything with E46 and 320d associated with it, consider yourself warned. (330d's are good though, but expect the auto box to cost you 22k at some point with this many years and miles on it)

As for swirls, see here:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=7849&highlight=swirl
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=18509&highlight=swirl

You will never notice they are gone, some models, like the X5 and manual e39 530d's never had them

I would try to find a six speed manual 330d for both you and your wife (take it from a guy that has an auto).

 

[nawtiboy]

Hi all,

Ok i am looking into trading my E46 325i SMG for a 2003 330D Steptronic... (i know, i know, Steptronic blan blah blah) and buying a 2004 320D Steptronic (I know, again), for my wife.


I have a few questions.

2003 E46 330D:-
Would the 330D be the 135kw or the 150kw. I know that the 2004 is the 150kw, just not sure bout the 2003? This car is mid 2003.

Ive heared that the 150kw 330D has had some issues with the Steptronic gerarbox.

Will the 135kw 330D be better in this instance?
Is it possible to add software on the 135kw, or perform a technical update on it to make it run like the 150kw.


2004 E46 320D:-

This is the 2004 320D. I know its a 110kw motor. My only concern is the issue of Turbo failure which has happened on these cars in the past. Ive heared that the 2004 / 2005 320D's did not suffer this turbo failure as they fixed what was wrong (or changed to a different Turbo).

Both Cars:-

What is the Swirl Flap?
Should they be removed?
Will Removing it affect the performance / economy / drivability of the car in any negative way?

Whats the economy like on these cars in daily, short residential and slight traffic runs.


I know im asking alot of you guys. But please help where possible as im looking to change over to the tractors ASAP.

hi

not too sure of 135kw -i have 2005 150kw a/t -85000km

box is still fine -a bit heavy on fuel on short runs


normal freeway traffic -10-11 l/100
open road -dbn-5.5-6.5 l/100

hope this helps :thumbsup:

 

[XMAX]

Guys, Thanks for the prompt feedback.

@P1000 - I understand and appreciate your concern. Thanks for that.

However, for me it has to be a steptronic. Ive heared all the stories of Steptronic Gearbox failure. but i still want it. Crazy... I know.

@Nawti - Thanks for the info. Im not too concerned about amazing economy. if the 330d is as economical as my 325i, then ill be happy.

 

[zaleonardz]

my 730d gave me 10 to the 100... regadless, all day every day...

If i nursed it, I got around 8 to 9...

 

[XMAX]

Thanks Zale.

Good to know.

 

[osiris]

Steptronic will never really have the 150kW motor, gearbox cannot handle it. Also a 2003 will not have the 150kW motor. The differences between the 135 and 150 is a vast load of mechanics, basically a whole new engine, turbo, management system etc, much closer to the current 30d's.

I am not so sure that this is correct to be perfectly honest with you!, I ran my 2004 330d steptronic on the dyno at FRC and it is most definately the 150kw motor, and that was in stock form! now with downpipe and decat its a bit better than the 150kw motor. Not sure where your getting your information from.

 

[XMAX]

Dude. Apologies for this, but this is an old thread.


the 330d did come with the 150kw engine, just late in 2003 is when they made the change over. Mine was the 150kw version.


Ive read in the other posts that you wanna mod. just be careful as the auto boxes on these things are not the best.

 

[LukeS2K]

Ive heard the same thing.