BMW 320Cd (E46)
BMW 3 series 2003 2.0 diesel description
Coupe BMW 320Cd has been produced from September, 2003 to September, 2005. It has four-cylinder diesel engine with displacement of 2.0 litres, which produces power of 150 horsepower on 4000 rpm and torque 330 Nm (Newton metres) on 2000 revolutions per minute.
This 4-cylinder 16-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has Common Rail fuel system and turbine. The engine meets the Euro 4 emissions standard. Engine lifespan (mileage before major repairs or overhaul) can last from 270 up to 450 thousand kilometres. It is important to remember that engine life is highly dependent on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used.
More engine specs
The BMW M47D20TU is a 2.0-liter diesel engine generally regarded as a durable unit capable of covering more than 400,000 km with proper maintenance. It uses a timing chain drive positioned at the front of the engine, which simplifies servicing ...
This BMW 3 series 2.0 engine oil type is 5W-30 and oil capacity is 5.2 litres.
BMW 320Cd has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and manual gearbox with 6 gears.
BMW 320Cd accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 8.8 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 221 km/h.
BMW 320Cd fuel consumption is 5.7 litres per 100km in combined city/highway mode (17.5 km/l) - this is the most fuel efficient BMW 3 sērija 2003 - 2006 version, fuel consumption in city - 7.9 l/100km, highway fuel economy - 4.5 l/100km. Fuel tank capacity is 63 litres or 16.64 gallons, which gives a mileage up to 1100 kilometers without refueling in urban cycle and even up to 1400 kilometers on highway.
According to user reviews, this BMW real everyday fuel consumption is 6.4 litres per 100 km, which is 12% more than the manufacturer's stated. More - Real BMW 3 series fuel consumption.
BMW 3 series safety
During safety testing BMW 3 series has obtained 5 stars from five, which means very high safety level.
Adults (driver and passenger) safety of BMW 3 series is evaluated with five stars, children safety - with four stars, and for pedestrian protection BMW 3 series got one star.
BMW 320Cd technical data
| Model: | BMW 320Cd | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Body style: | Coupe | ||
| Production period: | 2003. September ... 2005. September | ||
| Engine: | 1995 cm3 Diesel, 4 cylinders | CO2 emissions: | 153 g/km |
| Power: | 150 HP ON 4000 RPM | Torque: | 330 NM ON 2000 RPM |
| Gearbox: | Manual gearbox (6 gears) | Drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) |
| Top speed: | 221 km/h | Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 8.8 seconds |
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 5.7 (combined) 7.9 (urban) 4.5 (highway) | ||
| Real fuel consumption: | 6.4 l/100km (36.8 MPG) by user reviews from various sources | ||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 litres (16.6 gallons) | ||
| Car dimensions: | 4.49m (length) 1.76m (width) 1.37m (height) | ||
| Turning diameter: | 10 meters | ||
| Trunk capacity: | 410 litres | ||
| Gross weight: | 1915 kg | ||
BMW 320Cd engine M47D20TU
Engine reliability and common problems:
The BMW M47D20TU is a 2.0-liter diesel engine generally regarded as a durable unit capable of covering more than 400,000 km with proper maintenance. It uses a timing chain drive positioned at the front of the engine, which simplifies servicing compared with some later BMW diesels. The fuel system and overall mechanical layout are considered fairly robust, but the engine still has several well-known weaknesses that owners typically address preventively.One of the most discussed problems involves the swirl flaps in the intake manifold. On engines produced after 2001 these components became a potential risk, as the flaps can loosen and be drawn into the cylinders, causing severe internal damage. Because of this, many owners remove the flaps entirely and install blanking plates as a precaution.
Another common issue is the crankshaft pulley damper. The rubber section of the pulley tends to deteriorate with age and often fails somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 km. When this happens, the accessory drive can stop working and unusual noises may appear from the front of the engine.
The EGR system also requires attention, as soot buildup gradually contaminates the intake manifold and reduces engine efficiency. Regular cleaning of the intake and EGR components helps prevent loss of performance. The engine is equipped with a Garrett turbocharger with variable geometry, which usually lasts around 200,000–250,000 km, although its lifespan strongly depends on oil quality and service intervals.
In rare cases more serious failures can occur. Poor lubrication or the use of low-quality oil may lead to bearing damage, and in extreme situations even crankshaft failure has been reported. Prolonged overheating can also cause problems, including damage to electronic control components.
Despite these concerns, the M47D20TU remains a respected diesel engine when properly maintained. Frequent oil changes—ideally every 7,000–10,000 km—along with preventive removal of the intake swirl flaps and regular intake cleaning greatly improve long-term reliability.
Overall, this engine can last around 270,000 to 450,000 km if properly maintained, using the correct quality oil and fuel, and carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
The engine has hydraulic valve tappets (lifters), which provide quieter operation and do not require periodic adjustment, but are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in the event of failure.
| Engine displacement | 1995 cm3 |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Bore (cylinder diameter) | 84 mm |
| Stroke length (piston move) | 90 mm |
| Compression ratio | 17 : 1 |
| Camshaft drive | Timing chain Chain motors are considered more reliable, chain replacement usually is required less often than a timing belt, but they are often louder and vibrate more. More service info |
| Fuel system | Common Rail Common rail fuel injection provides more engine power, is quieter, more environmentally friendly and offers better fuel economy, but is more expensive to maintain and repair. |
| BMW 320Cd oil type | 5W-30 |
| Oil capacity | 5.2 litres (5.5 quarts) More service info |
| Power | 116 - 150 HP ON 4000 RPM |
| Torque | 280 - 330 NM ON 2000 RPM |
| Start of production (year) | 1998 |
| Duration of production | 9 years |
| Engine also used on | BMW X3 |
All BMW 3 series coupe [2003 - 2006] modifications
| Modification | Engine | Power | Consumption | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BMW 318Ci
Most fuel efficient petrol version |
2.0 Petrol | 143 HP | 7.4 l/100km | Manual (5) |
| BMW 318Ci | 2.0 Petrol | 143 HP | 8.1 l/100km | Automatic (5) |
|
BMW 320Cd
Sep 2003 — Sep 2005 Most fuel efficient diesel version |
2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | 5.7 l/100km | Manual (6) |
| BMW 320Cd Sep 2003 — Sep 2005 | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | 6.9 l/100km | Automatic (5) |
| BMW 320Ci | 2.2 Petrol | 170 HP | 8.9 l/100km | Manual (5) |
| BMW 320Ci | 2.2 Petrol | 170 HP | 9.4 l/100km | Automatic (5) |
| BMW 325Ci | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 9.0 l/100km | Manual (5) |
| BMW 325Ci | 2.5 Petrol | 192 HP | 9.5 l/100km | Automatic (5) |
|
BMW 330Ci
Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds |
3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.1 l/100km | Manual (6) |
|
BMW 330Ci
Most powerfull petrol version (231 HP) |
3.0 Petrol | 231 HP | 9.6 l/100km | Automatic (5) |
|
BMW 330Cd
Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 Most powerfull diesel version (204 HP) |
3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 6.6 l/100km | Manual (6) |
|
BMW 330Cd
Mar 2003 — Sep 2005 Most powerfull diesel version (204 HP) |
3.0 Diesel | 204 HP | 7.7 l/100km | Automatic (5) |