You'll have to check but i don't think a DPF is going to be fitted, DMF never raised it's ugly head in our case and i haven't heard of problems though no doubt given enough abuse...fortunately being RWD a clutch change isn't going to be the monstrous task that it is on Mondeos for instance.

Swirl flap removal caused no difference in running, might have been smoother at low rpm, EGR worth cleaning out or replacing at the same time and crankcase breather check too...(possibly implicated in earlier model turbo failurers i'm told)

Clutches were not a problem either, the beauty of these engines is that they have fantastic low engined speed torque, you don't need to slip the clutch, simply engage the clutch and they will pull away, very difficult to stall.

Unlike some other Diesels i could mention which stall at the drop of a hat and/or won't pull you out of bed till the turbo gets going, users end up abusing the clutch without meaning to, leading to DMF and clutch failure.

Course the best thing to do is get a 320d auto, proper torque converter box and a lovely match for the engine, smooooth as can be...get transmission oil changed by a competent specialist indy every 40 k or so, sorted, economic driving pleasure.

Have you owned a 320d auto? If so i'm intererested as to the fuel economy, if you would be so kind

I have this very car, a 320D SE Auto

The Turbo failed at 48K miles and 4 years. BMW could not have been less helpful.

The air-con fan bearings are shot.

Rear electric window recently failed when fully open.

Economy is not great, 36 around town 45-50 on a longer run.

To be frank, I would say buy a Mondeo or Avensis and be happy. If it must be a BMW go petrol.

"The turbo and swirl flap isssues were what I'd suspected to be the main concerns based on what I've read on the internet - ...... But I'd thought it only affected the previous E46 3 series."

Yes that's what I thought too, but I was wrong. The turbo problems are still very much alive - and BMW seem to think 48K mile failure is not premature.

Swirl flap issue not a problem with this later engine. If its the 163 hp motor no DPF, later 177hp has a DPF but not problamatic. Had both and they were excellent cars, can't think of a better performance/economy balance and, a better drive than anything else in its class. Keep the oil changes regular and these are great cars.

BM reliable? Good joke..

Position 26...Worse than Renault...

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/manufacturer


I think this is, at first glance a very poor indicator - there seems to be such a paucity of information. For example, there seems to be very little about the age of the cars or models involved at the quoted link. BM's performance being better than that of Audi seems consistent with other indexes. But maybe we should bear in mind the lousy reputation held by Renault, Peugeot and Citroens as reflected by the likes of what was JD Power and now Which? Car. Another factor from your link: "The UK Reliability index takes into account all factors of a repair, the cost of the parts and the frequency of failures". Presumably this is why you think BM reliability is a joke - the parts and labour being more expensive - are you trying to tell us that an MG or a Rover is more reliable than a Porsche or a Mercedes??!?

Edited by schneip on 03/12/2011 at 22:19