bmw 320d - anyone know what these engines are like?

Legacy_user

Looking at one of these at the moment, just wondering what potential issues there would be with a high mileage (120k) engine on an 03 -there's bound to be a potential show stopper in this price bracket but want to go clued up!

TradePro

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/3-series-e46-1998/?section=bad

System

great stuff cheers!

motorguy

the_r_sole wrote: »

great stuff cheers!

As per Honest John, the turbos are the week point. Basically its almost a serviceable item at 100K, its just a time bomb after that.

I'd one up until a couple of weeks ago (an 04 320d 150BHP SE 6 speed ). Rear disks / pads / suspension arms are another weak point, as are the rear brake pipes. Cost £450 to MOT it and that was by a mechanic i use who charges a tenner an hour.

Airbag light prone to coming on - usually a seat belt tensioner. Theres a 'fix' for it for about £40 for the part plus fitting.

At 120K the suspension will be well past its best.

Didnt feel at all 'special' and like any 320d i've owned, only averaged around 42mpg.

flang

My father has the touring edition and can get approximately 50-55MPG so pretty damn good on fuel!
If buying check if the swirl flaps have been removed if they haven't pay to get them removed. (The flap screws can destroy your engine if not removed).
Also check that the oil breather has been changed at service as often this gets overlooked and can end up blowing the turbo.

System

Yeah, swirl flaps have been done apparently - I'm going from the supercharged mini cooper s so fuel economy like 42mpg sounds amazing!!
Its a touring, I know suspension/bushes are likely to be past their best but any car gets !!!!!!ed around here, have done springs/bushes/wishbone etc on every car I've had...

motorguy

flang wrote: »

My father has the touring edition and can get approximately 50-55MPG so pretty damn good on fuel!
If buying check if the swirl flaps have been removed if they haven't pay to get them removed. (The flap screws can destroy your engine if not removed).
Also check that the oil breather has been changed at service as often this gets overlooked and can end up blowing the turbo.

An 03 one?

He must be doing very long steady runs. I've never seen or heard of one doing anywhere near that.

And neither does anyone on pistonheads...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=872086&mid=101804&i=0&nmt=What+MPG+do+you+expect+to+get+from+a+BMW+320d+E46&mid=101804

cardinalbiggles

motorguy wrote: »

An 03 one?

He must be doing very long steady runs. I've never seen or heard of one doing anywhere near that.

And neither does anyone on pistonheads...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=872086&mid=101804&i=0&nmt=What+MPG+do+you+expect+to+get+from+a+BMW+320d+E46&mid=101804

Yip absolute no way you can get that mpg from one. I suspect someone is exaggerating slightly :-)

Apples2

Happens on every post about MPG on any forum.
There is always someone who chips in with an unbelievable figure.

Fuelly is a good source of real day to day economy, not some single journey measurement.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/320d/2003

neilmcl

It depends how they're calculating it. If they're basing it on a single, long journey on motorways and dual-carriageways and they've reset the trip computer then it's possible they could see that sort of MPG. But if they using real, average figures over a long period then I'd agree, those figures are doubtful.

citykid5

i had a 52redg touring se, wondefull car. would average about 38mpg mainly round town driving on a tank to tank basis, fuel computer was out by about 6mpg optamistic. did a couple of camping trips to france and easily got 55mpg on total fuel. great value for money cars