E46 320d Problems
Moderator: martauto
Hi,
I've to go get a new car, I'm going to be doing a few more miles so I'm afraid the e30's out (untill I find the space for a second car). I was looking at e46 320d's and a friend of mine pointed out that they have been known to munch engines (swirl valves, throttle the engine when using cruise control, snap off, enter the cylinder, good bye engine).
Has anyone else heard of this/know how likely this is to happen, and does anyone have any other things to look out for.
I'm going to look at a 320d touring with pretty much every option, and a silly low milage, it's from 2000, but looks nice in the pictures.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Peter
I've to go get a new car, I'm going to be doing a few more miles so I'm afraid the e30's out (untill I find the space for a second car). I was looking at e46 320d's and a friend of mine pointed out that they have been known to munch engines (swirl valves, throttle the engine when using cruise control, snap off, enter the cylinder, good bye engine).
Has anyone else heard of this/know how likely this is to happen, and does anyone have any other things to look out for.
I'm going to look at a 320d touring with pretty much every option, and a silly low milage, it's from 2000, but looks nice in the pictures.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Peter
-
- The longest resto in the world !
- Posts: 22697
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know
tis a problem whether it happens the plastic ends up hard and brittle and then it breaks. There is a BMW replacement available.
But the turbo needs looking after ie a proper cool down after driving for a minute on idle or so to let the oil cool down instead of sitting in the turbo and cooking it.
2.0d's can be very good or very expensive but theres some pot luck involved due to previous owners maintenance
But the turbo needs looking after ie a proper cool down after driving for a minute on idle or so to let the oil cool down instead of sitting in the turbo and cooking it.
2.0d's can be very good or very expensive but theres some pot luck involved due to previous owners maintenance
-
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 4531
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Costa del Croydon
fantastic cars, but simons right, they need looking after
half the service intervals too, to change the engine oil every 7000 miles or so. it wont hurt you, but it will do the engine a world of good
make sure the history matches and see if its had a turbo replaced before. if it hasn't, it probably wont be long until it needs one. I've changed loads of them!!
The fault with the swirl flaps is more common to the M57TU engine, which is the 3.0l diesel lump
also, ask if its ever been ran on petrol by mistake. even the smallest bit of fuel can ruin the high pressure pump, which off the top of my head is about a £2500 repair job!!
half the service intervals too, to change the engine oil every 7000 miles or so. it wont hurt you, but it will do the engine a world of good
make sure the history matches and see if its had a turbo replaced before. if it hasn't, it probably wont be long until it needs one. I've changed loads of them!!
The fault with the swirl flaps is more common to the M57TU engine, which is the 3.0l diesel lump
also, ask if its ever been ran on petrol by mistake. even the smallest bit of fuel can ruin the high pressure pump, which off the top of my head is about a £2500 repair job!!
Checked it out.
It was mint.
39000 miles on the clock, every extra, one of the first cars I've seen in recent times with both climate control and a sun roof, but surprisingly no cd player!
It had a new turbo fitted a while ago, so that should be grand.
I decided that it was a chance not to be missed so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the advice!
It was mint.
39000 miles on the clock, every extra, one of the first cars I've seen in recent times with both climate control and a sun roof, but surprisingly no cd player!
It had a new turbo fitted a while ago, so that should be grand.
I decided that it was a chance not to be missed so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the advice!
My dad had one a few years ago and had quite a few problems with it...........Turbo went and a few weeks later the fuel pump packed in and a few other things went on it also, It was serviced regular and wanted for nothing.
He had it from brand new and got rid 3 years later with 120k on the clock !
It was quite a beast to drive and used to dispose of clio 172's and and focus ST 170's and the like.....Only when I drove it though
I was thinking of getting one myself but the problems my dad had and other people telling me they eat turbos put me off, so i went for a Golf Tdi.
He had it from brand new and got rid 3 years later with 120k on the clock !
It was quite a beast to drive and used to dispose of clio 172's and and focus ST 170's and the like.....Only when I drove it though

I was thinking of getting one myself but the problems my dad had and other people telling me they eat turbos put me off, so i went for a Golf Tdi.
Unfortunately I've heard of golf's having problems also, It was going to be one of the two, and the spec and low mileage on the 320 won it in the end.e36boy wrote:My dad had one a few years ago and had quite a few problems with it...........Turbo went and a few weeks later the fuel pump packed in and a few other things went on it also, It was serviced regular and wanted for nothing.
He had it from brand new and got rid 3 years later with 120k on the clock !
It was quite a beast to drive and used to dispose of clio 172's and and focus ST 170's and the like.....Only when I drove it though![]()
I was thinking of getting one myself but the problems my dad had and other people telling me they eat turbos put me off, so i went for a Golf Tdi.
Hopefully this one goes well, it's certainly been looked after, it should make a nice change from the 1.3 mk2 golf I've been rattling around in for the last few months.
Hopefully I'll be able to find a nice garage and an equally nice 318is to put in it in the not too distant future

Not heard of any probs really with the golf tdi's............Ive been running mine for nearly 12 months now and no probs, Never heard of anyone having problems either. Im selling mine to buy another with better spec, Im VW converted.
Fair play though mate, hope you enjoy many trouble free miles in the e46 320d, Theyre very nice cars
Fair play though mate, hope you enjoy many trouble free miles in the e46 320d, Theyre very nice cars

The major thing I've heard about the is the duel mass flywheel packing it in, supposed to be a big job. But this is in the Mk4's, not sure what you're driving. However if she's running well then it shouldn't be a problem. I've had my golf for the last four years, and she's still going strong (has had a few bits put in, but it's nearly 20 so it's to be expected).e36boy wrote:Not heard of any probs really with the golf tdi's............Ive been running mine for nearly 12 months now and no probs, Never heard of anyone having problems either. Im selling mine to buy another with better spec, Im VW converted.
Fair play though mate, hope you enjoy many trouble free miles in the e46 320d, Theyre very nice cars
-
- Married to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 8004
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
39k and already a new turbo????someguy wrote:Checked it out.
It was mint.
39000 miles on the clock, every extra, one of the first cars I've seen in recent times with both climate control and a sun roof, but surprisingly no cd player!
It had a new turbo fitted a while ago, so that should be grand.
I decided that it was a chance not to be missed so I should have it in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the advice!
sounds fishy to me
- AlexBaur325
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 685
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:00 pm
wow...it eats turbos quicker than a M20 eats headgaskets39k and already a new turbo????
sounds fishy to me
_________________

-
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 4531
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Costa del Croydon
not really... we've done turbos under 20'000 milesKaran wrote:39k and already a new turbo????
sounds fishy to me
Hard, constant motorway driving, then switched off to nothing will eat turbo's like Amy Winehouse goes through crack!!!
As said before, take it easy, treat it well and service it more often and she'll be great
- Returnof318i
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 277
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
my mums has had a new turbo at 50,000 and new exhaust
- zimmerbimmer1
- BMW Parts Meister
- Posts: 2250
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:00 pm
They only eat turbos if the oil seperator on top of the rocker cover is not changed every 3rd service.
This can get blocked up starving the turbo of oil.
so make sure for full history and look for this part on any invoices

This can get blocked up starving the turbo of oil.
so make sure for full history and look for this part on any invoices

