Nose Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Hi guys been a member here for not too long and i'm selling my e46 320d But i'm not going anywhere i'm buying an e46 320i petrol instead, its the 2.2 litre on a 2003 plate. Just wondering, what to look for enginewise, any known issues? Ive found a nice one and took it for a test drive, bloody smashes my 320d to pieces ride-wise as it is quite high mileage, i just want to know if theres anything to check for before i part with my hard earned pennies. Cheers guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Is there a thread somewhere with things to look out for? I can't remember. I haven't had any problems with mine so far (touch wood). Had it since last June and done about 10k miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 M54 not a 330? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) M54 not a 330? 320i on a 2003 plate will be the M54 engine. 320i < 2001 plate is the M52 engine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_%28E46%29 Edited March 11, 2011 by R2D2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) M54 not a 330? Nope, the 320/325/330 use the same engine block with a couple of parts changed (can't remember exactly which parts and don't know a great deal about engines). If you open the bonnet for example, they all look the same EDIT: Beaten to it, and with a link to back it up, damn i'm slow lol. Edited March 11, 2011 by SamN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) The m54b22 is still a huge engine when you look at it out of the car lol Edited March 11, 2011 by ROB1986 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 The M54 engine is pretty bulletproff, but it is prone to the VANOS variable valve timing issue (as are the M52 and M56 engines), though youll have a job spotting it as the symptoms are pretty subtle, and youll probably only notice after having driven the car for a while as the symptoms are lower mpg, slightly worse performance, and the engine can be slightly lumpy on idle. Im not sure if its a massive problem as i dont have the issue but im sure someone else might be able to give you some pointers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 £90 sorts the vanos Seal and bearing kit (plus labour if you cant DIY it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nose Posted March 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Thats good news so far, thanks guys. If its only the Vanos then sweet, i'm a pretty competent mechanic, although i've not been on the spanners for a year or so. Looks like i'm going to give the guy a deposit this weekend, take his hand off for it, would be sad not to. M Sport, leather, auto, heated seats. as opposed to my lumpy diesel manual, cloth, SE. I'll post some pics when I get it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Good luck! Also, Oil usage is pretty high on some, but it's random, some drink it, some don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamN Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Good luck! Also, Oil usage is pretty high on some, but it's random, some drink it, some don't. Don't think this is specific to the 320's is it? Maybe more so to the M54 engines in general... I haven't needed to top up the oil at all since i got the car, and i do check it every month or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 Yeah, that's what i meant. I thought it was all 6pots that burn a lot of oil... Just thought i'd point that out seeing as there is always a thread "Why am i drinking oil" or "which oil do i use" etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted March 11, 2011 Report Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) Search the following. DISA CCV (Crank Case Valve) usually related to oil consumption ICV (Idle control Valve) Vanos imo is way overhyped, yes it can be a problem but no its not as big a problem as is made out. Just get the guy who owns the car to blip the throttle gently and if you hear a rattle from the vanos as the revs die down then you know there is a problem. Other things to look at obviously are bushes, rear springs and coolant system. If none of these have been done then keep some money in reserve to get them done as they will most likely fail at some point. Edited March 11, 2011 by simonlpearce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nose Posted March 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 Just been for a proper test drive on motorway and around back streets, couldnt spot a thing, underneith it with my torch aswell all looks dandy, can tell that the guy has really looked after it like people should. Springs changed a year ago on the rear he said, had one snap and thought he may aswell replace both sides. Doesn't matter cause its getting slammed on eibachs straight away Its got an LPG tank in the boot too, and a nice little switch for it hidden in the ashtray! Said hes been running it on mostly LPG for the last couple of years which is better for the engine due to lower carbon etc, win win! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
