Brun

Travelling a good few miles to go and see this. I've spoken to the garage ad he says it's got 2 BMW stamps in the service book and that's it. From what i can tell from the interweb, there is no set service schedule for these cars and the car lets you know when they need a service with some 330d's going upto 20k miles before they require a service. So this car is 5 years old having covered 34k and has had 2 services - it just feels wrong to me but from what i can tell - it's right. I bow down to your superior knowledge.
Is there anything i need to be looking out for on these in particular?

Brun

-shane-

iTrader: (40)

Ive just come back to a scoob from a BMW e90,

Your right the car is serviced when it says it needs it, i had it serviced June 2012 car says next service June 2014 or 19000 miles,

You also dont check the oil the car will tell you, when it does you put 1 ltr in

Graz

My 535d was 4 years old at the time of purchase with 26k on the clock, also only two services one of which was by the supplying dealer. As you say the car says when it's ready, mine is now indicating 7k until the next service but according to the computer the oil isn't needed for fair few thousand miles after that.

As to what to look for, just check everything works, lot of electrical goodies on these cars now and it seems that's where most of the niggles lie. That and give it a good blast make sure it's running well, not smoky or hesitant. If you do buy it then I hope you plan to do some longer runs in it, in many respects high miler versions of these may be less of an issue as the DPF regeneration will have happened properly etc.

ScoobyJawa

Mine has had 2 services on 67k Next due in 6k miles it says.

Brakes/fluid, coolant, particulate filters etc all on different schedules.

Still runs fine and is chipped, its a real weapon, not much beats the traffic light gp as being auto you can't miss a gear!

Only real thing to watch is make sure it gets up to temp, Main and EGR stats are known weakness and will stop the DPF regenerating if not getting to temp. (Mine now need doing as its now only hitting 75 deg ish instead of 95 ish and mpg is down as result)

You can check temp through Hidden Menu - plenty of threads/vids on the net for that.

djceri_g

I owned a 52 plate m-sport 330d before buying the subaru, brilliant and fun cars to drive, but there were a lot of common faults that put me off the car..So after 3 months of owning I sold it! Gearboxes are known to fail, so are the turbos, swift flaps..bmw imo are over rated..

Graz

If you believe all you read on the 'net. Gearboxes - need an oil change at 90k - 100k despite the "sealed for life" BMW advice. Turbos can fail but is the case in most turbo charged cars, they have a fairly hard life. Swirl flaps - remove them if you're worried, they don't do much and the car runs fine without.

Brun

Bought it
We live right on the M1 and of my 40 mile commute - 30 are on that so plenty of regen time available. Pick it up on Thursday and have circa 100 miles to get it home.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

I've had an E46 330D for about the last 7 years. The on board computer counts down the service intervals, which are about 18k IIRC.

The biggest problem has been injector failure causing it to lose power and economy; it has six, of course, and they're quite well known for leaking. I've had all of them replaced, one or two of them replaced twice. Budget about £300 each fitted... ouch!

I've also had both main and EGR thermostats replaced, a new inlet manifold (later design, slightly less prone to breaking), a new MAF, and various minor repairs which include replacing perished vacuum hoses and cleaning/replacing pressure converters and the EGR valve. There are a few unlikely items which can clog up with dirt and affect economy, and it helps to find a specialist who is familiar with what they are and the symptoms they can cause.

If I had the time over again, I'd probably have bought a 330i petrol instead. The car has been absolutely fantastic most of the time, but there have been a few too many diesel-specific failures for my liking. Aside from the engine, I've had very few problems with the car, and nothing out of the ordinary for its age and mileage (54 plate, 97k).

BlkKnight

I own a e46 330d.

Aside from the turbo letting go @ 100k i've not had any problems with it at all.

120k in now and still love it.

Want to go to a 530d but can't justify the costs especially when it gets 45 mpg cruising @ 90mph (on the autobahn)

dj219957

advert has gone but the newer models dont have the swirl flap problems. turbo failures can be avoided by changing the oil more frequently. same with box.

Matteeboy

Bought our similar 335d almost five years ago at 16k miles; now on 48k. I replaced three turbo pipes just in case but other than that its been very cheap, worry free motoring with a 300bhp car. Which is nice. 330d is also generally worry free.

ScoobyJawa

Guys he's looking at an E9x 330d (and bought it). E46 isn't particularly relevant as the car/engine was changed.

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

I'd advise doing a diy oil change about halfway through the service schedule just for piece of mind. I'll be doing one in my M3 soon even though its not due for about 6k.

maff125

iTrader: (1)

Pretty sure e90s use the the same block as the 03 2993cc e46, which changed from the older 2962cc lump.
The engine management will be vastly different as well as the intakes etc in the e90's as they make more power than the 204bhp e46
Ive got a 2002 330d sport remapped, bought with 120,000 miles on clock, now done 170,000, averages 45mpg and hasn't missed a beat, best car I've owned as an all rounder!
Look for for the dpf clogging, ecotune do a delete mod and with a simple remap they make 290bhp/450lbft easy

phoenixgold

iTrader: (2)

I have had an 06 330d for nearly 3 years. It's had 1 service since it was done at purchase, and is saying about 2k miles to the next one. Done 80k now and had 50k on when I bought it. It has needed 1 track rod end for last years MOT!

It's just having DPF regeneration issues, probably because of the EGR temp sensor reading low, so have decided removal and remap is the better option!

Booked in on Friday for the work, and can't wait to see what its like after mapping.

eelz

iTrader: (10)

This, £60 for piece of mind. I did/do mine when even 3 service lights were still showing. If it was good enough for my scooby it's good enough for a BMW or any other performance based car

mattvortex

Exactly- people dont seem to realise that oil deteriorates over time and so you should get an oil/filter change AT LEAST once a year.
BMW and other manufacturers quote these infrequent 18,000 mile etc ,.service schedules to appeal to fleet buyers. The thing is, they tend to do higher mileages so will be still having at least one oil change a year, maybe two.
Then joe public buys the car but only does 4-5000 a year but he thinks-great- still got all these lights showing, i wont have to change the oil for 3-4 years! This is ridulous and will cost you much more in the end, than having the sense to change the oil more frequently.
I wouldnt buy a used car that didnt have invoices to show at least yearly changes ( what else have they scrimped on?)

Brun

Not much to say other than loving it

ScoobyJawa

Give it a month or so of getting to know it then ring Emaps.

You'll be loving it again, even more

bighead

iTrader: (1)

+1

phoenixgold

iTrader: (2)

330d advice? Get it booked in for a remap! lol. Just picked mine up this evening after the DPF came out and remapped. I thought it could pull before, but it's even better now. It lit the wheels up everywhere on the run home. Need some warmer weather to really see what it can do now!