e46 330d Wagon

[AndreasSA]

I know that the automatic is better suited for that motor, but still always prefer a manual gearbox.

The overseas guys are having problems with their 335d's - all sorts of issues! But those things make amazing power!!

What kind of problems with tthe 335d? I had not even one problem! And it was really strong....305kW, 710Nm

With a manula gear box you can not tune the engine...the Face lift one was tuned (188kW, 530Nm), manual and gave me only problems! After three months and less than 10.000km the clutch was gone the first time...later followed before 30.000 km:

gear box
two mass fly wheel
bearing of power train
shaft drives
......
...
.

 

[Straight six]

That '04 FACELIFT IS A STUNNER......

You have had awesome cars raise:raise:raise:

 

[Spy007]

Have seen a green one in toti. was on gum over a year ago. almost took the plunge just after I sold gopher.

 

[Philip Foglar]

I know that the automatic is better suited for that motor, but still always prefer a manual gearbox.

The overseas guys are having problems with their 335d's - all sorts of issues! But those things make amazing power!!

What kind of problems with tthe 335d? I had not even one problem! And it was really strong....305kW, 710Nm

With a manula gear box you can not tune the engine...the Face lift one was tuned (188kW, 530Nm), manual and gave me only problems! After three months and less than 10.000km the clutch was gone the first time...later followed before 30.000 km:

gear box
two mass fly wheel
bearing of power train
shaft drives
......
...
.

I didn't really read through their threads, but something to do with major carbon problems - there's a whole Diesel section on E90Post forum with tons of these stories. I went there to ask about things related to E90 330d's to see what the overseas people have experienced and was most certainly not expecting to see so many complaints about the 335d - always thought it was an epic car that we are being deprived of!

To be honest, if I went for a 330d manual, I would probably just leave it as is. I have driven a few of them and really enjoyed how they drive, but if I was going to tune the first thing I would do is delete the CDV - I reckon this is the number one reason why clutches wear out! Did you have the CDV deleted on your car just out of interest?

All that massive torque is fantastic, but does tend to hurt components down the line, so from that point of view an automatics is easier to deal with. The main advantage of using an automatic gearbox is the fact that the turbo stays on boost during gear changes. The E90 automatic gearbox have a 2% loss compared to the manuals, but the advantage of the turbo engines being able to not lose boost during gear changes means that side by side they are quicker than the manual, even with a really good driver! But for me, changing gear and actually using the left foot is still a big part of the driving experience and adds to the joy, even if that means being slower in the end... :fencelook:

 

[AndreasSA]

Get you completely Philip!

Sorry, but what is CDV? I do not know....

My argument against manual is not the loss of power during change of gears...with the 6 speed automatic driving is really relaxing...exactly what a strong diesel was designed for...

I am also aware of several problems with the 30d and 35d in Europe....but never forget that more than 70 percent of the cars are tunde in Europe...and most of them in a very bad and unprofessional way! There are a lot of guys out there selling cheap things without knowing what they are doing...

 

[Philip Foglar]

Get you completely Philip!

Sorry, but what is CDV? I do not know....

My argument against manual is not the loss of power during change of gears...with the 6 speed automatic driving is really relaxing...exactly what a strong diesel was designed for...

I am also aware of several problems with the 30d and 35d in Europe....but never forget that more than 70 percent of the cars are tunde in Europe...and most of them in a very bad and unprofessional way! There are a lot of guys out there selling cheap things without knowing what they are doing...

The CDV is first of all a horrible invention, but basically it restricts the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the clutch - it was introduced towards the end of the E36 range to protect manual drivetrains from abuse. In essence, it sacrifices the clutch to prevent damage to the rest of the drivetrain. So, dumping the clutch at max revs will just burn the clutch instead of violently apply power to the wheels. For normal driving it's only presence is felt by the fact that CDV clutch's have a somewhat vague feel. I don't "launch" my car, so normal driving and pulling off it's fine. If I am pulling off quite a bit quicker, then it might cause some clutch slip, and on the occasional heavy acceleration gear change it will slip, and this is where I reckon the biggest damage comes! Fortunately the 330i has more power versus torque compared to its diesel brothers, and this is where the problem comes! It is so easy for the massive torque and the CDV to wreck a healthy clutch!

 

[Nikhil]

I know that the automatic is better suited for that motor, but still always prefer a manual gearbox.

The overseas guys are having problems with their 335d's - all sorts of issues! But those things make amazing power!!

What kind of problems with tthe 335d? I had not even one problem! And it was really strong....305kW, 710Nm

With a manula gear box you can not tune the engine...the Face lift one was tuned (188kW, 530Nm), manual and gave me only problems! After three months and less than 10.000km the clutch was gone the first time...later followed before 30.000 km:

gear box
two mass fly wheel
bearing of power train
shaft drives
......
...
.

I didn't really read through their threads, but something to do with major carbon problems - there's a whole Diesel section on E90Post forum with tons of these stories. I went there to ask about things related to E90 330d's to see what the overseas people have experienced and was most certainly not expecting to see so many complaints about the 335d - always thought it was an epic car that we are being deprived of!

To be honest, if I went for a 330d manual, I would probably just leave it as is. I have driven a few of them and really enjoyed how they drive, but if I was going to tune the first thing I would do is delete the CDV - I reckon this is the number one reason why clutches wear out! Did you have the CDV deleted on your car just out of interest?

All that massive torque is fantastic, but does tend to hurt components down the line, so from that point of view an automatics is easier to deal with. The main advantage of using an automatic gearbox is the fact that the turbo stays on boost during gear changes. The E90 automatic gearbox have a 2% loss compared to the manuals, but the advantage of the turbo engines being able to not lose boost during gear changes means that side by side they are quicker than the manual, even with a really good driver! But for me, changing gear and actually using the left foot is still a big part of the driving experience and adds to the joy, even if that means being slower in the end... :fencelook:

Andy’s tuned manual E90 330d is actually faster than some of the tuned Auto E90 330ds that are around and makes less power than them:rollsmile:

 

[gconry18]

Look who I spotted this morning.

 

[RAArmstrong]

raise:

 

[AndreasSA]

I still do not get you Phil, sorry...

All I know about is the bloody two mass fly wheel....that thing is damaged quite often especially if you put some power on a diesel...

 

[sash]

Andy’s tuned manual E90 330d is actually faster than some of the tuned Auto E90 330ds that are around and makes less power than them:rollsmile:

Andy 'pilots' his cars :rollsmile: but more importantly its those little tweaks and changes that he has made that gets the best out of the motor. He always ensures he has a good base to start one and probably checks and changes more parts than people in the same situation.