2002 E46 BMW 325i / 330d Common Problems

[Sebz]

Hi guys

Thinking of getting an ‘02 E46 325i or similar year model 330d. Anything I should look out for? Are they known to give issues?

Thanks in advance.

Pic for attention


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[Ashveer03]

E46 330D is an awesome car. Worked on a few of them and had 1 as a company car.. all that power is insane when modded.

Noticed 3 common issues:
1. Exhaust manifolds love to crack (even on the x5 30D)
2. Coolant flanges crack (there are 2, about R500 a piece from agents)
3. Egr cooler leaks - cracks or leaks through the flange

Had a problem on 320D's where the harmonic balancer would break and cause some **** (mission to replace), not sure if the 330D has the same type rubber balancer, havnt had that issue on them.

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[Sebz]

E46 330D is an awesome car. Worked on a few of them and had 1 as a company car.. all that power is insane when modded.

Noticed 3 common issues:
1. Exhaust manifolds love to crack (even on the x5 30D)
2. Coolant flanges crack (there are 2, about R500 a piece from agents)
3. Egr cooler leaks - cracks or leaks through the flange

Had a problem on 320D's where the harmonic balancer would break and cause some **** (mission to replace), not sure if the 330D has the same type rubber balancer, havnt had that issue on them.

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Thanks! I’ll be fitting a full exhaust very soon after purchase (if I go for it) so the first issue shouldn’t be a problem.

I’ve heard that injectors can be an endless headache with no aftermarket solution - is there any truth to this?


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[Ashveer03]

To be honest, i didnt really have a problem with injectors on a 330D..

I did work on a x5 once that was blowing out white smoke for no more.. ended up being 2 injectors that werent sealing properly. Replaced the copper washers, vehicle ran 100% till it was sold. (Was a dealer car)

Check the bmw forums regarding this, people who have owned them for a long time should have more insight on this..

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[Sebz]

To be honest, i didnt really have a problem with injectors on a 330D..

I did work on a x5 once that was blowing out white smoke for no more.. ended up being 2 injectors that werent sealing properly. Replaced the copper washers, vehicle ran 100% till it was sold. (Was a dealer car)

Check the bmw forums regarding this, people who have owned them for a long time should have more insight on this..

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Shot! Will trawl the interwebs


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[Ashveer03]

Cool no worries.. my next car will definitely be an e46 330D lol

All the best

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[smoke.machine]

The 330d also has the rubber harmonic pully that fails... its 8k from agents... the facelift 330d manifold is prone to cracking......need to replace with the preface lift 330d manifold....swirl flaps in the intake are prone to break off and cause damage to head....need to removed and blanked off ....rear suspension bushes will need replacing after 150k....the intercooler are likely to start leaking......thats all can remember for now...

[Kyle]

The E46 is the only car I actually regret selling. Buy petrol though, just less to go wrong. And amazingly smooth, nice sounding engines.

The 330d had too much torque for the auto box, so if you want one, buy manual....

As stated above, the first thing you need to do is delete the swirl flaps and you'll be good.

[Gollum]

E46 330D is an awesome car. Worked on a few of them and had 1 as a company car.. all that power is insane when modded.

Noticed 3 common issues:
1. Exhaust manifolds love to crack (even on the x5 30D)
2. Coolant flanges crack (there are 2, about R500 a piece from agents)
3. Egr cooler leaks - cracks or leaks through the flange

Had a problem on 320D's where the harmonic balancer would break and cause some **** (mission to replace), not sure if the 330D has the same type rubber balancer, havnt had that issue on them.

Sent from my SM-G531H using Tapatalk

Thanks! I’ll be fitting a full exhaust very soon after purchase (if I go for it) so the first issue shouldn’t be a problem.

I’ve heard that injectors can be an endless headache with no aftermarket solution - is there any truth to this?


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Its the head to turbo manifold that cracks . So that exhaust will not fix that .

I had a 325ti . Apart from the usual e46 stuff , i didnt have an issue . Sold the car at 240kkm and it didnt have a rattle . It ave around 13l/100km . . but i drove it hard most of the time.

I still miss it . E46's have aged so well !

Common e46 stuff i can remember doing was Expansion bottle , the water pipe with the breather screw , prop guibo , control arm bushings , thermostat , tappet gasket (use nothing but the agents gasket ) .

I had a few mods on it and did plenty of bmw club track/autocross events . Really fun car !

[Sebz]

Crikey! Thanks guys, I know BMW ownership is not a cheap way of life, but I can’t find any petrols in my price range, besides the 325i pictured above


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[smoke.machine]

Honestly try and get a 330i or 330d because from what i experienced the 325i and 320i use more or less the same fuel as 330i...soo you rather have more power at your disposal using same amount of fuel...

[Sebz]

Found a clean 328i that I might go look at tomorrow...


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[smoke.machine]

Goodluck bru...328i is the preface lift...5speed

[MarshallGTi]

good luck...

[Sebz]

Ended up not going yet, too many other things going on. Will try again in the week


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[PoLonY]

Can see you've spent a lot of time with Mnr Botha

[Sebz]

Can see you've spent a lot of time with Mnr Botha

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