E46 320d v 330d v 330CI

[Bellend]

So me and the girlfriend want a decent car but nothing too expensive. E46 prices are rock bottom ATM and I do understand the expense of things going wrong to be a big part of that.

Was looking at MK4's and even MK5's but I'm liking these more.

I am swaying toward a 330d and get the injectors refurbed, check the turbo, give it a general going over with new seals on piping etc, inlet manifold cleaned up, swirl flaps gone then mapped.

Insurance is slightly cheaper too.

Anyone got any experience.

Don't mind buying slightly cheaper and putting the difference into parts.

It's either one of these or a 500 quid MK4 tdi with a knackered turbo then spunking 1-1.5k into parts to get it as reliable as poss!

Just want something fairly nice, bit of poke and not gonna cost the earth. Be nice stepping down from an XLWB van into. 

Cheers lads.

[barrym381]

just buy a 330ci sport with a manual box 

[Bellend]

Gonna have to drive a few I think. Although the derv will be quicker mapped I reckon the drive of the petrol will do it for me!

[Wayne]

330 petrol with a manual box is the best choice.

[Seanl]

Have you even looked at insurance! Your what, 20? You really think anyone is gonna insure you - and your missus on an e46 330............. very doubtful.

[barrym381]

Have you even looked at insurance! Your what, 20? You really think anyone is gonna insure you - and your missus on an e46 330............. very doubtful.

mine was cheaper to insure than a golf 1.8t 

[VW BUSH]

Have you even looked at insurance! Your what, 20? You really think anyone is gonna insure you - and your missus on an e46 330............. very doubtful.

mine was cheaper to insure than a golf 1.8t 

I drove a 3.0 volvo around at 21 as it was cheaper to insure than an XR2i and went faster , doubt that you could do it now though it was a long time ago

[spudboy6]

As we're on it ill join in

When I was 20 I drove a 3.2 v8 jaguar xj sport and insured on my own for £850 so it can be done so fair play personaly I would go petrol but if your a high mille driver 320d

[boneybradley]

a good mate who works at bmw had a 330d and he decided it wasn't worth fixing when the engine played up! Do I need to say more?

[Jack3559]

The turbo on our 320d M sport went today. It has been problematic the entire time we've owned it. I've had no issues with our 330d and it's a much better engine which constantly returns more MPG.

The best BMW I've had was the E36 325i sport. Entirely different to the newer stuff.

The only good thing about the 320d is that it shares an engine with the MGZT CDTi so spares are cheaply available.