Reliable everyday BMW?

[sly gxi]

shot jeremy, i hope she is good!

@Raamstrong thanks for the advice bud. you have been very informative and helpfull. what would you recommend? i was looking at a mild economy map as il be using her as a daily to work and back and on weekends aswell , so want a lil bit more than stock power, but the economy and reliability is much more important to me.

 

[Jeremy]

Very difficult to check how healthy the box is until it lets go... Its very good at compensating to make it feel like its all 100% and then one day its not... Personally I wouldnt do any software on one of these with an auto box :thumbs:

Thanks bro, Bren maybe hold on with sfw for abit.

 

[DieselFan]

Have you already got the car?

The 135kw is more reliable than the 150kw version of the car, 2 reasons.

1) 135kw has cast iron manifold and the 150kw has a steel manifold which can crack. You can put a cast mani on the 150kw but it is more restrictive.

2) The turbo on the 150kw 330d spools up quicker and tends to let go alot earlier than the other one.

If you havent got the car yet, get a MANUAL 150kw ('03 - '05). It is a better platform to mod on than the 135kw version.

If you have an autobox forget about modding right here right now. If you want slightly better fuel economy take the cats out. Do not chip, any 'mild' 'economy' chip/remap is going to throw more torque at the gearbox which is already UNDER RATED to the cars stock torque.

Sorry but we do not have good experiences with these GM boxes.

Other wise if you have the car already please for the love of all things holy, do not even think about chipping the thing, unless you are prepared to pay for an expensive rebuilt.

 

[sly gxi]

@ diesel fan

i havent gotten the car yet, but i need a car by sunday the latest as im carless right now, and it seems il need more time to find the right e46 330d thats manual. so im stuck now, either settle for the 135kw auto or im going to have to buy something very cheap and continue looking then sell the cheap car when i find the right 330d .

so if i understand you correctly , the 150kw turbo is most likely to die before the 135kw one?

i really want a 04 model upwards m sport 330d manual but they dont seem to exist on gumtree etc. it seems 2004 upwards is a rare find.

thank you for your informative advice, if i go auto i will just have to do the decat for economy. is there absolutely no way to make the auto box stronger? sucks that bm made these boxes so weak.

most manuals for sale are over 200k mileage , i want a one thats under 150kms if possible.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Facelift Manual 330d = Impossible almost.

The turbo on the 150kw is still reliable just might not last AS long... For example. DieselFan's 330d is over 400 000km on the original turbo. His is the 135kw version.

BMW didn't make the box. It's a GM box. It can be a bit hit and miss... We have E39 530d's (which have the same gearbox) here on the forum with well over 200 000km on them and the boxes are fine.

Personally I think that the box can last you a fair amount of time if you drive the car sensibly. If you launch the car/drive it hard all the time, that box is going to say cheers very quickly vs driving the car responsibly :thumbs:

Also depends on what kind of driving you do... The more open road driving you do, the more the box is going to like you...

If you do decide to go for the auto and it lets go at some point, you can consider doing a manual conversion... Gizmo on the forum did one on a Forum Members Ex car... I think it may come to less or much the same as an autobox refurb. Then you're set for life :thumbs:

Of course something else to remember and I'm sure it's been mentioned here, I just can't remember now... If you get the 330d... The FIRST thing you need to do is to get the Spawn of Satan swirl flaps out of that intake manifold :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Nikhil]

Facelift Manual 330d = Impossible almost.

The turbo on the 150kw is still reliable just might not last AS long... For example. DieselFan's 330d is over 400 000km on the original turbo. His is the 135kw version.

BMW didn't make the box. It's a GM box. It can be a bit hit and miss... We have E39 530d's (which have the same gearbox) here on the forum with well over 200 000km on them and the boxes are fine.

Personally I think that the box can last you a fair amount of time if you drive the car sensibly. If you launch the car/drive it hard all the time, that box is going to say cheers very quickly vs driving the car responsibly :thumbs:

Also depends on what kind of driving you do... The more open road driving you do, the more the box is going to like you...

If you do decide to go for the auto and it lets go at some point, you can consider doing a manual conversion... Gizmo on the forum did one on a Forum Members Ex car... I think it may come to less or much the same as an autobox refurb. Then you're set for life :thumbs:

Of course something else to remember and I'm sure it's been mentioned here, I just can't remember now... If you get the 330d... The FIRST thing you need to do is to get the Spawn of Satan swirl flaps out of that intake manifold :thumbs::thumbs:

Raaaaaaamstrong, that’s what I have been saying lol, everyone thinks that the auto box will randomly break. I only know of one example on an E46 f/l 330d that’s broken but both you and the OP know my opinion on this. If you look at chef’s 530d it has a remap and is auto and has over 200k on the clock with that box. In a car heavier than the E46 it goes to show if driven properly that the box can last. I still maintain my stance about the oil and filter services on the box :thumbs:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Facelift Manual 330d = Impossible almost.

The turbo on the 150kw is still reliable just might not last AS long... For example. DieselFan's 330d is over 400 000km on the original turbo. His is the 135kw version.

BMW didn't make the box. It's a GM box. It can be a bit hit and miss... We have E39 530d's (which have the same gearbox) here on the forum with well over 200 000km on them and the boxes are fine.

Personally I think that the box can last you a fair amount of time if you drive the car sensibly. If you launch the car/drive it hard all the time, that box is going to say cheers very quickly vs driving the car responsibly :thumbs:

Also depends on what kind of driving you do... The more open road driving you do, the more the box is going to like you...

If you do decide to go for the auto and it lets go at some point, you can consider doing a manual conversion... Gizmo on the forum did one on a Forum Members Ex car... I think it may come to less or much the same as an autobox refurb. Then you're set for life :thumbs:

Of course something else to remember and I'm sure it's been mentioned here, I just can't remember now... If you get the 330d... The FIRST thing you need to do is to get the Spawn of Satan swirl flaps out of that intake manifold :thumbs::thumbs:

Raaaaaaamstrong, that’s what I have been saying lol, everyone thinks that the auto box will randomly break. I only know of one example on an E46 f/l 330d that’s broken but both you and the OP know my opinion on this. If you look at chef’s 530d it has a remap and is auto and has over 200k on the clock with that box. In a car heavier than the E46 it goes to show if driven properly that the box can last. I still maintain my stance about the oil and filter services on the box :thumbs:

I agree with you here. Chef's box is lasting because he treats the car with respect and doesn't drive like a hooligan 24/7... :thumbs:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

He does have a S14 SR20det, with loads of power for fun. So get the auto 330d if it is well cared for.

 

[RAArmstrong]

He does have a S14 SR20det, with loads of power for fun. So get the auto 330d if it is well cared for.

:thumbs:

 

[sly gxi]

thank you for clearing that up gents. thats what ive been advised, if you care for the box it should car for you.

yes stt you right. this car is not going to be my race car at all, i have the sx for that . the bm is just going to be my everyday runaround with a little fun. also will use her for long trips.

need to make sure previous owner looked after her properlly.

will really suck if i have to settle for another car after driving a 330d

never thought id say this but diesel FTW!!! now that i know what they capable of .

 

[RAArmstrong]

Once you come over to the dark side there's no looking back :rollsmile:

 

[sly gxi]

hahahaha i blame you okes :fencelook:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

hahahaha i blame you okes :fencelook:

we sniff the good black smokey stuff :roflol:

 

[Nikhil]

lol the Dark side is epic :rollsmile:

 

[Jeremy]

How much would that conversion cost? from auto to manual?