e46 330d Turbo Failures

cducin

New member
Hi, common question regarding my 330d e46. How many of you had to replace the turbo on your 330d and at around what mileage ?? some say the 2004 manual has the strongest turbos, you agree?? Thanks
 

Zack

///Member
Turbo failure on the 330d is very uncommon. Like frikkieh says it's only on the older 320d models.
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
I have a E39 530d 2003 model and it started whisteling when driving. Not very loud, but still loud enough to make me worry that maybe the vanes were touching the side of the housing. I did not want to take a chance so replaced the turbo with a new one. Whisteling is silent now. The old turbo had a piece broken off off one of the exhaust vanes which was making the noise. On my X5 3l diesel also 2003 model with also 226k km the turbo sound is still sweet. I want to dismantle the old turbo and see what the bearing looks like, as the rest of the turbo is still quite clean and dry.
 

osiris

///Member
My Turbo only started whisteling once I de cated the car. I guess that just made all the turbo sounds nice and loud...and to be honest I love the sounds the turbo makes.

Mine is also a 2004 330d, 165k on the clock now.


I don't think there is any difference between a 2004 330d manual turbo and an auto....that sounds very far fetched.
 

zaleonardz

Well-known member
my 530d turbo was out not too long ago to deal with a problem on the exhaust.

Turbo still looked 100's, vanes were a bit sticky, but never the less all is well, car now has 230 on it..
 

Solo Man

Well-known member
I took the old turbo and took it apart. Was amazed at the condition of the bearing. Could find no play at all and it looked brand new (at 226k km)!! I am convinced that if the small piece on the exhaust impeller did not break off, that turbo would have been good for another 200k km easily! The vnt still worked fine as well. My opinion is that if the turbo does not make any funny sounds, it is fine. My X5 diesel's turbo is still quiet so i will not worry about it too much (also has over 220k km's on it) and it has lived a hard life in the hands of the previous owner (my brother). (see pictures my posting under the diesel section)
 

osiris

///Member
Hmmmm that worries me now, I think I am going to remove those evil swirl flaps this weekend then!!!
 
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