Reliability of Diesel Engines.

[XMAX]

Hi All,

Sorry for yet another request for help.

As some of you may or may not know, I am in the market for a E46 330D.

Some of my concerns are the Gearboxes and the Engine.

Not too worried bout the Box, But the Engine is of great concern to me.


So to it...


How reliable are the 330D engines? This includes the 135kw and 150kw versions.

do the 330D's suffer from turbo issues like the early 320D's?

Should something go wrong, what is the expected cost of repair on the Turbo, And what would a rebuild of the Engine cost?

I plan on hanging onto the 330D for a long time, So i dont want to make a hasty decision.

P.S. its s 2003 E46 330D Steptronic, Exclusive with 145 000 km on the clock.

 

[P1000]

Well, my 530d has 280kkm on and no troubles yet so far with the engine or turbo. The turbo is about R9300 from the importer, don't care much about labour, since I would do it myself, so I cannot help you there. The engine is solid as long as it does not swallow a swirl flap or get diesel runaway after a blown turbo. The only things that can really go wrong with that car is turbo, gearbox, injectors, in that order. Oh, and make sure you change the crank case breather and do a service with the right oil as soon as you get it.

 

[MikeR]

solid motors...as P1000 says. if u have a dud turbo then u unlucky, but like any motor - good service practice and u never go wrong.

Its the add on bits that are a prob, but you dont care about the box (auto) :dunno:

 

[XMAX]

Guys thanks for the help.

I do care bout the box, as i have been told a few stories about the torque of these engines eating the boxes. but my warranty will cover for most of it. So im not too worried there.

Also ive contacted a few people who have indicated that these cars will destroy boxes if driven like race cars, but can also last for a very long time if driven with respect (that even includes the odd spirited drive).


The warranty will even cover a decent amount for the Turbo.


Its the Engine that worries me. My warranty will only cover for R15k, which as we know is nowhere near close enough for a rebuild on a diesel.

As for the car. As soon as i get it, I will send it to Tunetech for a full service , including the gearbox, and get the Swirl Flaps removed.


Also, Please explain what Diesel Runaway is.

 

[P1000]

When the turbo seals fail on the compressor side, it will leak oil into the intake, and diesel engines runs on oil, so it will be fueling itself with its own diesel. There is only two ways to stop it: block the intake to prevent air to enter the combustion chamber, or wait for the engine to destroy itself completely...

 

[XMAX]

Hi Again

@P1000 - Thanks for all the positive feedback.

So would switching the car off not prevent Runaway?

Surely there cant be only two ways to stop it, i.e. block the intake or destroy the engine.

 

[P1000]

Nope, diesel is auto-ignition engines, so as long as there is some sort of fuel - in this case the engine oil and air, there will be ignition. Those are your only two options of stopping it in the case of runaway, which is why it is called runaway. Off course, if you had a manual, you could drop the clutch in top gear and hope it still has enough bite...

 

[XMAX]

Alrighty,

Thanks.

With that last statement i assume that manuals have a way of being salvaged. But this means that Autos are screwed in this problem.

What are the signs of Runaway?
What sort of preventive maintenance can / should be done?

 

[netercol]

What are the signs of Runaway?

lol, sorry i had to laugh at this one.. dont worry , you will be under no illusions as to what is happening

 

[WyKiD]

Damn... thats hectic, just another reason not to buy a tractor.....:mmm:

 

[XMAX]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.. and the sense of humor.

 

[DonovanPorter]

 

[netercol]

hehe, sorry, could not help myself..

but on the bright side, i have not heard of, or met anybody, even on this forum, that has had a runaway diesel. its rare..

 

[XMAX]

Thanks for the funnies.

@Don - Hope youre enjoying Golder. I miss that place, Just so sad that i had to leave.

@Netercol - Good to know. Thanks so much. I just wish that i had a bit more money so that i could get an 05 e46 or even an e90 Diesel. Just so sad. But in any case, Tell me about your experiences with your 330D.

 

[MikeR]

guys this rarely happens and you scaring the crap out of a buyer. :thinking:

 

[netercol]

But in any case, Tell me about your experiences with your 330D.

its a brilliant car.. period. i like it so much that i got rid of the mini cooper i bought the girlfriend a few years back, and bought her another 330d instead.

e46 wise, i would not go for anything less than the 150kw six speed manual. acceptable in town consumption (12km/l the way i drive) highway cruising is 17-18km/l. have it remapped if thats your sort of thing, and its a monster. i promise you , you will wipe the smile off many a hot hatch owner's face..

if you can reach the e90 330d, even better.. even more refined, more power, more of everything..

obviously im a bit of a diesel fanboy (not that i dont own petrol turbo's) , and there are those here that have had bad experiences with diesels, but imho you cant go wrong with a modern turbo diesel. just get one with a good history, and keep in mind that they require just that little more tlc..

 

[XMAX]

Thanks for the feedback.

The TLC is not an issue. I always shower my car with alot of love, and dont hesitate in sending them to the right people for maintenance and repairs. even if theyre a lil more expensive, I dont mind paying for quality at a good price, not getting ripped off.


Im actually also looking into getting a 2004 320d for my wife. Ive heared that the 2004 / 2005 e46 320d's didnt really have the turbo faults that the previous years did.

but either way, i will de swirl flap both as preventive measures.

For us, it has to be Steptronic. Im not sure how well the Steptronics deal with chippies on the 330D's. but if they go ok, then ill go that route.

 

[Trigger]

Go for the 330D bru. If you maintain it well you will have many happy miles with her. My buddy is race car maniac and had the E46 135Kw 330D 5spd manual with FRC software and that thing was driven hard everyday, I used it to JHB and got magic consumption. Think he had a few minor issues, but not turbo/injector related. Sold it running in perfrct condition.

If it wasnt for the maintenance issue, the 330D would be the pick of the lot for BMW's.

 

[XMAX]

@Trigger.

Thanks bro. I plan on taking this 330D if im happy with it.

I hope all is well on your side of things and that Rupesh is treating ur car well.

 

[P1000]

ask ryanvs how his autobox is liking the remap...

read all about it:
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=18510