injector problems on the 3.0D machines, out of MP?

[Magneet]

Hi fellow fanatics

I have been looking into getting a 2nd hand 330d or even x3 3.0d, with sport kit, the works. Currently I am still enjoying the Autobahn at 220km/h but will soon be home and really want to get a bigger beast, hence the 330d.

The ones I have seen are all out of MP and are at 120 000 km, to 155 000km, 2007, 2008 models.

I am a diesel fan and love em.

However, a BMW dealer told me that injectors can give problems at that age and KM and buying one would be taking a big chance.

Apparently the failures are inevitable and put you back 90k or so.
His advice is that a petrol car in the same year and KM would be a safer option?

Is this true? Should I be scared of buying a 330d of that age and KM? Or should I be worried to say the least if its out of MP?

Should I rather look at the 320d, but app their turbos give out?

Any advice would be appreciated.

PS, his reasoning for the injectors are that the Diesel in SA isnt that pure and the BMW Diesel engine in quite sophisticated, hence the inevitable problem in the future.

Looking forward to some responses.

Regards

M

 

[P1000]

LOL, someone is trying to milk you.

Injectors can be reconditioned by Bosch for R2500 each with a calibration certificate. Other places can do it for R500, but that might be too high risk, since it can mean a hole in a piston if calibration is out far enough.

My 2003 530d is on 29x xxx km with the original injectors, so I doubt that they would have gone back so far in evolution with one generation...

 

[msm]

AFAIK, brand new injectors are around R6k, so absolute worst case scenario is R36k for a set. However, it's highly unlikely that all 6 injectors would need replacing - if this is the case, car would idle very, very rough and not have decent acceleration.

Also, there's a few places that can clean injectors for about half the price of replacing, provided they are not too bad.

Unfortunately, buying 2nd hand means you have no idea what fuel was used. However, any DECENT independent dealer with the right BMW equipment should be able to diagnose how bad the injectors are. I highly recommend TuneTech for this, but there are other places too.

Lastly, using a good injector cleaner serves as some good preventative maintenance - my favourite is the LiquiMoli stuff.

I'm on my 3rd 3.0d BMW diesel motor. In the past I've had to have 2 injectors cleaned on my ex X5 around the 120K KM mark. My ex e39 530d hit 160k KM on original injectors before I sold it. Hence there is some truth in what the BMW dealers say, but its not as bad as that. Remember, BMW dealers have no idea what preventative maintenance is ...

 

[petrivanzyl]

:nonono: why would they not want to get on of the best motors ever???

There is no way it would be R90k even if it does happen

 

[444YYY]

Hi guys,
Its not a BMW problem.. Its the diesel in SA.

A close colleague of mine had to replace all injectors in 3 of his vehicles:
Passat 2.0 TDI approx 150000km
Land Rover Disc 3.0 approx 180000km
And a Volvo truck 500 000km ,

Cost him over R100k for the lot..

All vehicles filled at different places, so u can't pin point it to a specific garage..

Exercise caution..

Reconditioning? I hope they do a good job.. Chances are 1 out of 10.. injectors have micro size nozzles.. And require specialised equipment.
I'm sure the equipment is available, but I don't think they will be as good as new..

 

[zaleonardz]

This is the funniest story I have heard in a long time, and is total utter crap...

As P1000 points out, service is available.

The other thing that you can do if your really pedantic, take the part number of the injectors, and order them overseas from BMW themselves, keep them in the garage.

Calling a M57Ntu high miledge at 125 is total utter crap.

My E60 530d 2005 just hit 230k and not a hint of trouble.

I serviced the car about an hour ago, and the oil was still clean keeping in mind I change it every 7,500.

The total service just cost me R550 for 10L of HX7 and like R280 for an original BMW oil filter, so call it R900 for an oil service on a 5 series...

I had my turbo out the other day while fixing a popped exhaust manifold, with those km's on it, the turbo is in excellent shape.

I honestly cannot understand these dooms day profits (no that was not a typo)

 

[Magneet]

thanks for the responses. :ty:

So its safe to say that the dealer is over-exaggerating by a ton.

that is comforting to know.

444yyy, what u have mentioned is what my concern is as well, due to the dirty diesel in SA.

just to add some more confusion to the story, my dad spoke to the dealer, and after requesting to have the car looked at the dealer said its no use. As all diesels at that age will give / have the problems - they know the diesel is dirty and hence they can say it without looking at it.

his advice was to buy the new 118i m. come to think about it, he is maybe just a proper petrol head...

the dealer also said that they hardly buy any 2nd hand Diesels due to that reason, that it gives too much problems and therefore rather focus on petrols.

back on track, so the best precaution would be to have the injectors and (turbo?) checked, cleaned and what not to have a bit of a clean start and to look after it properly?

if my questions sound redundant, very amateur or plain stupid- i apologise, dont rip me to shreds

my main question is basically, if i buy a 3.0d with a mileage of 130 000km plus, if i am walking into trouble or what the exact measures are how to "fix the future" problems...

again, the answers so far are very helpful.

 

[zaleonardz]

Hi Bud,

Please see this

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=16770&page=3


Draw your own conclusions from there..

 

[MikeR]

This is the funniest story I have heard in a long time, and is total utter crap...

As P1000 points out, service is available.

The other thing that you can do if your really pedantic, take the part number of the injectors, and order them overseas from BMW themselves, keep them in the garage.

Calling a M57Ntu high miledge at 125 is total utter crap.

My E60 530d 2005 just hit 230k and not a hint of trouble.

I serviced the car about an hour ago, and the oil was still clean keeping in mind I change it every 7,500.

The total service just cost me R550 for 10L of HX7 and like R280 for an original BMW oil filter, so call it R900 for an oil service on a 5 series...

I had my turbo out the other day while fixing a popped exhaust manifold, with those km's on it, the turbo is in excellent shape.

I honestly cannot understand these dooms day profits (no that was not a typo)

:thumbs: totally agree - beside - check out eBay - you will shocked how cheap they are.

 

[Magneet]

Thanks a lot for the thread. I have to give my leasing BMW back this friday - its going to be a sad day