E46 330D Info

[noodle]

Hi guys

Hoping you guys can help me out here, i am in the process of looking at a new car, and have always had a soft spot for the e46 shape.

Now how is services and maintenance costs on a 330D ?
Also what is there to look out for on these cars ?

Currently have a cupra TDI , thats making pretty nice power soo would also be changing few things on the new car.

What power can these cars make and what can be done to them ?

 

[Nikhil]

Hey bud

The E46 330ds are epic

A few points the auto’s don’t take well to mods and the gearbox will break if abused. Try and find a facelift which is 150kw this will be from 2004 onwards

Common issues
Exhaust manifold cracks (You will see soot around the turbo area)
Control arm bushings wear quickly
Stock intercooler starts to sweat at some point
Rear diff bush’s will have to be replaced at some point ( Listen for a thud from the rear)
Swirl flaps should be removed before they fall into the engine
Destroys rear tyres

What can be done:
Intercooler upgrade
Software
Downpipe/ de cat
Exhaust
Egr delete
Water meth
535d injectors
Hybrid turbo

I have a 2004 E46 330d in Auto with a decat and plug and play chip the car makes 202whp and 563nm at the wheels in Gauteng. These cars are really bullet proof, if they maintained properly and proper precautions are taken idling to cool down and letting the car warm up ect before driving hard they will last forever.

Diesel Fanboy , Andy1Gp and Netercol will comment shortly as they have more experience than me. Personally its one of the most epic diesel cars that I have driven, light on fuel, comfortable and damn fast.

hope this helps
:thumbs:

 

[RAArmstrong]

M57 FTW :grin:

 

[DieselFan]

You seem to want to mod, so an auto is out of the question. The cars are already making more torque than the box is rated to.

My cars on 415 000kms so these engines are extremely strong.

First thing to to do is to get rid of the swirlflaps. Regardless of mileage, as soon as you get the car. Have them removed.

Second Decat/downpipe.

Thrid software.

Mods like 535d injectors and hybrid turbo are really going to hurt the bank.

Nikhil has covered pretty much everything.

Just know if you are wanting to mod the car you cant use 535d injectors on the 135kw engine. As the spray pattern is different apparently.

I have seen videos of these cars with 300hp and over 600nms of torque. But just remember the further you mod the more supporting mods you're going to have to do ie clutch etc. Netercols DMF just said goodbye and his is quite heavily modded.

 

[Andy1GP]

Good choice on car. Really love them myself.

Lowest maintenance ones will be the 135kw ones. M57N motor with GT2256v turbo. The exhaust manifold is cast iron and no cracking to worry about. You can fit a M57N-TU (150kw) GT2260v turbo on there or get the 150kw car and fit the cast iron manifold. The 2004 models have a stainless exhaust manifold and they will crack.

Personally I don't advise going hybrid turbo or 535 injectors. Rather just get an E90 330d then. Cheaper and faster route.

There aren't many low mileage unmolested out there anymore so expect to fork out around R10k to get it in good running condition.

Some items to consider replacing with respect to age.

expansion tank
Thermostat
centre bearing
LCA bushes
prop coupling (guibo)
rear main diff bush (only with abuse and mainly on manuals)

And the rest is dependent on condition of the car.

It's a lot of car for the money. And very well worth it.

Good luck with the hunt :thumbs:

---

Oh and to add, just do downpipe and software. Intercooler for added peace of mind if you can afford it.

Whatever you do, do NOT get a remap that alters the fuel rail pressure. You will be sorry. Vinnie on the forum is having issues caused by that.

 

[Nikhil]

Good choice on car. Really love them myself.

Lowest maintenance ones will be the 135kw ones. M57N motor with GT2256v turbo. The exhaust manifold is cast iron and no cracking to worry about. You can fit a M57N-TU (150kw) GT2260v turbo on there or get the 150kw car and fit the cast iron manifold. The 2004 models have a stainless exhaust manifold and they will crack.

Personally I don't advise going hybrid turbo or 535 injectors. Rather just get an E90 330d then. Cheaper and faster route.

There aren't many low mileage unmolested out there anymore so expect to fork out around R10k to get it in good running condition.

Some items to consider replacing with respect to age.

expansion tank
Thermostat
centre bearing
LCA bushes
prop coupling (guibo)
rear main diff bush (only with abuse and mainly on manuals)

And the rest is dependent on condition of the car.

It's a lot of car for the money. And very well worth it.

Good luck with the hunt :thumbs:

---

Oh and to add, just do downpipe and software. Intercooler for added peace of mind if you can afford it.

Whatever you do, do NOT get a remap that alters the fuel rail pressure. You will be sorry. Vinnie on the forum is having issues caused by that.

---

yeah think we have covered just about everything. Vinnie's car has been a bit of a problem child tho :thumbdo:

 

[noodle]

Thanks for all the information guys,

I drove the e90 320D and i didnt like it much, and i have driven the e46 320D and felt like a lot more comfortable and easier car to drive.

Now what would one expect to fork out on a normal service and on hectic services ?

 

[DieselFan]

R700 - R3000 depending on the service.

R700 being oil change (I would advise doing it every 10 000kms).