BMW 320d e46

Deanicus

Hi folks

Looking into getting an 03 6 speed one of these. Mileage is just over 110k.

Anyway I have heard about the turbo problem but I was wondering does anyone know how common it is? Would you think it is likely the turbo has been changed at this stage?

In general I suppose should I get one?

Gumbo

have you asked the seller if the turbo has been replaced?
that would be where i would start, otherwise we are just guessing wether or not if its been changed imo.

Deanicus

kceire wrote: »

have you asked the seller if the turbo has been replaced?
that would be where i would start, otherwise we are just guessing wether or not if its been changed imo.

I do plan on it doing that just wan to get peoples opinions first. There are a few I am looking at but I dont always trust car salesmen.

Thanks

Gumbo

Deanicus wrote: »

I do plan on it doing that just wan to get peoples opinions first. There are a few I am looking at but I dont always trust car salesmen.

Thanks

yeah i understand, trawl through the service history and look for any receipts to confirm it was changed. if i had an E46 i would most deffo keep the turbo receipt as its the most common thing people look for on them.

but in saying that, my mate has his 2004 320d without any problems and the turbo has never been replaced. most people copped on early that the breather filter needed replacing and by doin so ensured the turbo didnt go bang.

skibbers

My 320d is in the garage at the moment. I love the car, but hate the money i keep spending on it. I bought the thing ... found a good independent specialist who did a great job checkin the turbo changing all the filters, cleaning egr valve, cutting out the swirl flaps from the inlet manifold that tend to break out and be sucked into the engine to FCK everything in it...
Drove for 5 months, back to the garage... Dead.
The surgeon says its full of contaminated diesel wich fcked up the high pressure pump and the injectors. The fact is I only filled it in legitimate "good" petrol stations ... still contaminated diesel... The work and parts will cost me 2K euro, and thats cheap.
Anyway, when fixed, i have no warranty that this wont happen again, since cant be sure where to buy clean diesel.
Avoid diesel commonrail fitted 320s at all costs.

skibbers

kceire wrote: »

.........most people copped on early that the breather filter needed replacing and by doin so ensured the turbo didnt go bang.

Its not only the breather filter - its the oil change intervals and letting the car idlle before turning off the ignition. See the engine uses the same oil as the turbo does, when you rev it and turbo spins in full and stop the car abruptly, engine withdraws the oil from the turbo and it spins dry wich fcks up the bearing... etc etc..

eastie

skibbers wrote: »

My 320d is in the garage at the moment. I love the car, but hate the money i keep spending on it. I bought the thing ... found a good independent specialist who did a great job checkin the turbo changing all the filters, cleaning egr valve, cutting out the swirl flaps from the inlet manifold that tend to break out and be sucked into the engine to FCK everything in it...
Drove for 5 months, back to the garage... Dead.
The surgeon says its full of contaminated diesel wich fcked up the high pressure pump and the injectors. The fact is I only filled it in legitimate "good" petrol stations ... still contaminated diesel... The work and parts will cost me 2K euro, and thats cheap.
Anyway, when fixed, i have no warranty that this wont happen again, since cant be sure where to buy clean diesel.
Avoid diesel commonrail fitted 320s at all costs.

So i'm looking at buying one, something between 2007 and 2009, 320D, either SE, ES or M depending on what fits in the budget, what I get on a trade etc. How do I know which is which as regards these "Exx" model designations and therefore which to avoid, e.g "diesel commonrail", thanks

Mr Benevolent

eastie wrote: »

So i'm looking at buying one, something between 2007 and 2009, 320D, either SE, ES or M depending on what fits in the budget, what I get on a trade etc. How do I know which is which as regards these "Exx" model designations and therefore which to avoid, e.g "diesel commonrail", thanks

They're all commonrail diesel.

skibbers

eastie wrote: »

So i'm looking at buying one, something between 2007 and 2009, 320D, either SE, ES or M depending on what fits in the budget, what I get on a trade etc. How do I know which is which as regards these "Exx" model designations and therefore which to avoid, e.g "diesel commonrail", thanks

AFAIK... After 2005, these common 320d problems were fixed, and if you buy a 2007-2009 you should be covered by warranty anyway.

Its the e46 320D 2001-2005 that are notorious...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmw here you shall find all the "Exx" model designations

Still a good idea to buy diesel in NEW garages that have clean new tanks and skip the old small ones. And cheap diesel is cheap for a reason.

EPM

eastie wrote: »

So i'm looking at buying one, something between 2007 and 2009, 320D, either SE, ES or M depending on what fits in the budget, what I get on a trade etc. How do I know which is which as regards these "Exx" model designations and therefore which to avoid, e.g "diesel commonrail", thanks

All the same car just different spec levels.

ES - basic enough
SE - Adds MFSW/cruise/rear parking sensors/climate and few other goodies
MSport - Pretty much as SE but with body kit, bigger alloys and sports seats and wheel

bazz26

Also note that the 320d received Efficent Dynamics from about Sept 2007, this increased the engine bhp from 164bhp to 177bhp and lower Co2 emmissions.

PaulKK

So what are peoples opinions on getting a post Nov 03 320d with the upgraded swirl flaps?

Could you say with any degree of certainty that if the car has a good service history with regular oil changes and oil breather change that it more than likely will be ok, or is it still a lottery?

I read somewhere that the six speed ones aren't as badly affected, is that true or is the problem as prominent?


I was thinking of getting an 03/04 320d or A4 TDI in the new year and I'm really leaning towards an A4 after reading up on the 320d.

helimachoptor

I would also like some advice I was thinking of buying this..
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200940195390712

skibbers

helimachoptor wrote: »

I would also like some advice I was thinking of buying this..
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200940195390712

Wouldnt do that if I was U. Unless You have a couple of grand saved to put into servicing in nearest future.

skibbers

PaulKK wrote: »

So what are peoples opinions on getting a post Nov 03 320d with the upgraded swirl flaps?

Could you say with any degree of certainty that if the car has a good service history with regular oil changes and oil breather change that it more than likely will be ok, or is it still a lottery?

I read somewhere that the six speed ones aren't as badly affected, is that true or is the problem as prominent?


I was thinking of getting an 03/04 320d or A4 TDI in the new year and I'm really leaning towards an A4 after reading up on the 320d.

Its a gamble, a lottery, risk......
Heres more if anyone wanna know
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=36
Unless everything has been changed, dont bother...