BMW 330d

NewApproach

Hi,

Still looking for something to change to!

How does the BMW 330d compare reliability wise to the 320d (Late E46). They seem to be about the same price to buy and you would imagine you would get a nicer 330d than 320d for a given price. Obviously tax is more and insurance also, would the fuel bills/maintenaince be that different between the two? THe main issue is reliability though. I've heard the 2l diesel BMW engine has a number of known problems (turbo/swirl flaps), does the 3l variant share these issues or how would it compare reliability wise?

Thanks

Hogzy

Are you talking about an E46 330 or an E90 330?

NewApproach

E46

Leonard Hofstadter

The 330d is more reliable without doubt (although you'd still want to be watching the swirl flaps) than a 320d. Plus it's obviously much faster and has a six cylinder engine. I'd be looking for a six cylinder petrol though, yes it will use more fuel but if you were bothered by that you'd be buying the 320d, and besides you only live once:)!

bigroad

If you buy a manual 330d it shouldnt have swirl flaps,also it will be better on juice.42mpg to 52mpg depending where and how you drive it .They are quiet a fast car and later models had a 6 speed box.

heate

A late model carries a useful 54bhp over the 150bhp 320d if it's a 184bhp 330d I'd give it a miss!
Only main thing I woul check is has the car been clocked - diesel wasn't huge here at the time and the 330d carried a rather hefty price tag so many were imported.
The 330d in the UK would have been a rep mobile of sorts and as such mileage may have been high

PaulKK

bigroad wrote: »

If you buy a manual 330d it shouldnt have swirl flaps,also it will be better on juice.42mpg to 52mpg depending where and how you drive it .They are quiet a fast car and later models had a 6 speed box.

They all had swirl flaps, and most facelift 320ds were 6 speed too.

NewApproach wrote: »

Hi,
I've heard the 2l diesel BMW engine has a number of known problems (turbo/swirl flaps), does the 3l variant share these issues or how would it compare reliability wise?

Only the early 150bhp 320d was affected by turbo issues. Later ones, (late 03+) were a lot better. Swirl flaps affect 150bhp E46 and early E90 320d and also the 330d, however there was an upgraded manifold fitted from April 04 on which reduced this problem dramatically.

CaraFawn

PaulKK wrote: »

They all had swirl flaps, and most facelift 320ds were 6 speed too.

Only the early 150bhp 320d was affected by turbo issues. Later ones, (late 03+) were a lot better. Swirl flaps affect 150bhp E46 and early E90 320d and also the 330d, however there was an upgraded manifold fitted from April 04 on which reduced this problem dramatically.

Earlier version of the M57 did not have swirl flaps on manual boxes, only automatics.
e39 525d and e46 330d did not have any on this engine/gearbox.

The latest version of the engine M57N, on the 330d all gearboxes had swirl flaps.

There was no e90 320d on the roads in April 2004. Swirl flaps affects the e90 too, the flaps were replaced with a stronger plastic but still the problem has affected lots of e90 cars...and even e60...

Leonard Hofstadter

CaraFawn wrote: »

Earlier version of the M57 did not have swirl flaps on manual boxes, only automatics.
e39 525d and e46 330d did not have any on this engine/gearbox.

The latest version of the engine M57N, on the 330d all gearboxes had swirl flaps.

There was no e90 320d on the roads in April 2004. Swirl flaps affects the e90 too, the flaps were replaced with a stronger plastic but still the problem has affected lots of e90 cars...and even e60...

As far as I know, the 330d got the updated engine though as well, there was a 184 bhp and a 204 bhp version, the 204 being the same as the 218 bhp in the early E60 530ds only it was in a lower state of tune.

And yes I agree, although the later models are less prone to flap failure, I'd still be getting them removed just to be on the safe side.

PaulKK

CaraFawn wrote: »

Earlier version of the M57 did not have swirl flaps on manual boxes, only automatics.
e39 525d and e46 330d did not have any on this engine/gearbox.

Sorry, was thinking of 320d