Matt_16v

Seems to be as many threads about BMs as there are about Fords on here these days!!

Anyway, does anyone have any experience with the E46 330Ds? I'm thinking of plumping for one in the next few weeks. My mate used to have a 325i M sport and i loved the way it looked and i need something with a bit better fuel economy (god, never thought I'd say that! :/) than my current car (ST200) due to the mileage im doing, so the old 330Ds tick many boxes. Pretty pokey too as i understand it which is another important box to tick!

I was thinking of the auto/tiptronic, M Sport, around '02 - '04. The only common problem that i keep seeing is something to do with 'swirl flaps', something to do with the turbo i guess? Most common cure looks to be remove them so should i be looking out for a car that has had this done already? Much to be gained from re-mapping these (seems to be fairly common too)?

Any help appreciated.
Ta

Matt_16v

Also, how good are the tiptronic boxes if you want to go for a bit of a blast occassionally? Ive always steered away from autos but with a fair bit of a motorway driving that i do i thought a tiptronic might be good 'in between' of a manual and an auto.

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

Had my one for 100,000 miles now they are great cars my one is a 6 speed manual 330d sport.

gingeRS

if you want if for economy i'd recommend the 320d as they are far better on fuel

i know mines a 530d but it isnt great on fuel compared to other diesels, i only get around 25mpg round town. it is heavier than a 3 series though, and auto

gingeRS

you'll just end up leaving it in auto all the time, trust me

Matt_16v

Thanks, apreciate the input.

I'm after a mixture of decent economy and decent performance really. I say i do a lot of miles but its not every week, but occassionally i'll do 750 odd miles in a week or something and then the fuel costs in my car are 'eye opening' (work dont pay a very high fuel allowance either). Its not the be all and end all, but like i said on those long mileage occassions it would be helpful to average more than about 25-27 MPG!

Matt_16v

Interesting. Did you have a go in an auto when you bought yours at all?

P_is_for_Paul

I've got a 320d on MSD's stage 3 map.

http://www.motorsport-developments.c...Blackpool.html

It's more than quick enough for everyday driving and still returns good mpg compared to a 330d, cheaper on tax & insurance also. May be worth reading through James at MSD's thread on his 320d. 250bhp, 222 at the wheels, 370lb/ft with 57mpg!


https://passionford.com/forum/restor...no-update.html

Matt_16v

Wow, thats an eye opener. Ł1200 for 70 bhp! Welcome to the world of TDs i guess.

However, Ł1200 on a 330D gets you 300bhp Crazy figures really. Had a quick read of the thread and will have a proper read later, thanks for that mate.

WongRS

iTrader: (11)

couple of my mates have them, both manuals, ones a CD others a saloon, both will do 50+mpg on a run, the CD is mapped to about 270 horse with a decat and flaps removed, very nice cars, the suspension bushes need to be perfect or they drive like an utter shit heap though!

XRT_si

iTrader: (2)

I've got a 2004 150bhp 320D which has now been remapped (takes them to around 180bhp I think) and it's really pokey. Does 61mpg driving carefully to work too.

P_is_for_Paul

Aye the suspension bushes pull the car all over th road on bumps if they're worn. Not overly expensive though from BMW for a new set. 20 odd quid.

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

over 100,000 miles I averaged 36.7 mpg that is town, city, motorwat blasts as well as motorwa cruising.

yes around town I struggle for 30 mpg, but can cruise at 80 to 90 and make 46 to 50+ mpg! The torque of the 330d is so much more usable and is avalable for a very large part of the rev range. - I have not been in a remapped 320d yet! should you be brave and remap the 330d you will have a very quick car, they will keep up with an m3 between 30 and 120!

Mr C

iTrader: (2)

I've a 320d as I couldn't warrant the extra cylinders and cc of the 330d, but an happy with it on motorways so far, showing 50mpg on Mway runs. It's being remapped shortly and am hoping for an extra 30BHP and better driveabilty +extra MPG.
Swirl flaps will kill the engine if sucked in, so get them blanked, it's on my to do list too

jaimesdna

iTrader: (3)

ive got a 330d touring and love it as a daily car. its been remapped by msd to circa 300bhp. around town im getting around 40mpg & on a run around 55mpg (i have seen 63mpg).
whatever you do, dont get an auto, they drink fuel. look for one after march 03 as that when they changed from 184bhp 5 speed to 204bhp 6 speed with much more tuning potential.
i love mine so much that ill buying another at the weekend (saloon this time) for the wife.
here's a link to my touring
https://passionford.com/forum/pictur...-wheels-2.html

escort_rst

iTrader: (1)

I've got a 55 330cd msport coupe tiptronic havnt had any problems with it apart from the usual wishbone bushes, replaced swirl flaps etc. steering angle sensor went on it and that's about it. It's not the best on fuel around town but good on a run. As said above the 320 is better on fuel and obviously cheaper insurance etc.

xr2wishy

iTrader: (2)

330cd with 204bhp will be a peach, round town won't be amazing on juice, with a remap a little better though.
i run a 330ci, petrol and manual and that is dreadful on fuel, so anything better than that would be brilliant, i just averaged 15.2mpg, but it was sunny and some nice roads to thrash it on (when out and about i get about 30mpg).
i think when summer is looming i will get rid and get a diesel coupe.

P_is_for_Paul

escort_rst is that aftermarket HID kit or oem? I think I can see washer jets but they look quite blue?

gingeRS

Yeah the 3 litre diesel is a bit of a Jekyll and hide on mpg, mine struggles to get 25mpg in lots of traffic ( my commute) but the motorway journey home from Leicester returned 46mpg

Great engine, bags of torque.

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

very clarkson!

and it's not just the fuel economy either, easy to drive really gently (with your kids / wife /mother etc) then can change in an instant to motorway monster etc!

jaimesdna

iTrader: (3)

I assume yours must be an auto. Ive never seen mine anywear near as low as 25mpg

jaimesdna

iTrader: (3)

this one looks nice

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1908185714...84.m1423.l2649

Matt_16v

Thanks for all the info on this. Going to have a look at a 330d tomorrow. They seem like pretty solid motors but should I be looking for any horrors that lurk beneath?!

Mr C

iTrader: (2)

Bottom arms may last just 3years or <40,000miles, arches bubbling, eratic idle may point to swirl flaps dislodged, Ive heard of 330s having cracked rear subframes apart from that if the service schedule is upto date I've not come across anything else. Anybody else?

Harris.

I own a 330d M SPORT on a 52 plate ,had it for 2 months now and cant fault it . avg 38 mpg around town and onthe motorway nearly see 60 if im light footed . I just had 4 new tyres (bridgestones) Ł600 and was told i was lucky as 53 plate onwards have RUN FLATS.

Subaru wrx sti used to cost me Ł70 a week in fuel

bmw 330d costs me Ł80 a MONTH

WongRS

iTrader: (11)

I think it's 55 plate onwards with run flats on, the newer jape ones, some e46's had run flat lights but didnt have the tyres as far as I'm aware, I've never seen an e46 with run flats from the factory anyway. That's not gospel, so I could be wrong.

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

My 53 plate never had run flats on. I have always put in in Michelin pilot sport tyres and found it suited them! - also good value at Costco!

Matt_16v

Yes they one im going to see later is a 53 plate so hopefully won't have run flats. Ł600 for normal tyres is scary enough thanks!! It was manufactured in June '03 so has the 204 BHP engine aparently.

Sounds like a good guy and a solid car but we'll see what i turn up to later! It's a 2.5 hour train journey so if its not completely as advertised i might have to start throwing things.

Thanks for all the really useful help and advice

P_is_for_Paul

My 55 plate had run flats, but still has a spare wheel.

Will Pedley Racing

I've had my 330d for just over 2 years now and it's been simply the best daily hack i've ever owned.

It's got 160,000 miles on it now and the only time it's let me down was when the water pump seized at about 150,000. Only off the road for half a day and wasn't a particularly big job to sort. I suspect the turbo will be the next bill i'll have to foot on it, it's got a bit of a chirp to it as it comes on peak boost, because of that i've held off mapping it. Once i've got a recon turbo on, i'll map it.

Being a pre facelift its just a 5 speed manual but I just don't like auto boxes. Also, as a manual it doesn't have the swirl flaps in which have been mentioned.

Personally I think it scrubs up pretty well for the miles!

WongRS

iTrader: (11)

My mates 204bhp manual has swirl flaps, do the earlier manuals not have them then?

gingeRS

Yeah it's auto I have a feeling all is not right though as it takes ages to warm up. I have heard stories of faulty thermostats on them and that would explain it....

A job for the summer I think

jaimesdna

iTrader: (3)

Apparenty there is an egr thermostat on the euro4's that play up

gingeRS

That's what I read, so changing both, and doing the swirl flaps while I'm there

Matt_16v

Update - bought it! Just got back, will fling some pics up tomorrow but here's the highlights:

2003 (June, so the 204bhp)
6 speed manual
Dark blue
110k
Full history
Black leather
All the usual toys
Previous owner kept a big old folder with all the receipts, including 4 New boots last year (which is a relief!!!)

Drove absolutely beautifully on the way home, and fuck me it shifts!!

I gave 3100 for it

..........and guess what happened then? Jumped in it a minute ago and it look two attempts cranking it over to start it! Just had a look online and hot/warm starting is a known problem, possibly with faulty injectors or pump. So looks like I'll be getting that seen to. Didn't happen when I was there as the car was stone cold.

Sigh. I'm sure it's nothing major but yeah, bit annoying!

Brendan

iTrader: (1)

apparently there is also an electric heater for the engine that speeds warm up of the engine too. This this can come unplugged (did on mine for a while ) this will show up if you read the fault codes.

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

that is a bargain that for a 6 speed manual, nice one.
what is the score exactly with these swirl flaps ? does your late model 6 speed not have them ?

Matt_16v

It would be a bargain if it started! But no, once i get that small issue sorted out its all good. Really nicely put together car i must say.

I have no idea about the swirl flaps to be honest, i'll have to get reading.

jameswrx

You not got any EML on mate? I know they suffer with camshaft sensor failure. I've been looking to buy one for a while and when looking at 'what to look for' There was some info online about them not starting when hot, usually comes down to camshaft sensors. People managed to diagnose by spraying the sensor with a pipe freezing spray to make it cold and the car would (allegedly) start fine, like when it was cold.

Matt_16v

Nope, no lights on the dash at all mate. Maybe i'll start with the camshaft sensor then as this looks like the easist thing to change (start with the easy/most obvious stuff first, ive learnt that the hard way!). I had a look over the receipts and it doesnt seem like its had one previously.