BMW 330Cd (E46)
BMW 3 series 2003 3.0 diesel description
Coupe BMW 330Cd has been produced from March, 2003 to September, 2005. It has six-cylinder diesel engine with displacement of 3.0 litres, which produces power of 204 horsepower on 4000 rpm and torque 410 Nm (Newton metres) on 1500 revolutions per minute.
This 6-cylinder 24-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has Common Rail fuel system without turbocharger. The engine meets the Euro 3 emissions standard. Average engine life expectancy (mileage before serious repairs are needed) is from 310 000 to 520 000 kilometres. Remember that engine life depends on regular maintenance and the quality of the materials used (oils, fuels, etc.).
More engine specs
The BMW M57 engine is regarded as one of the best German-built power units. Its inline-six layout is praised for reliability, and cars equipped with this engine are often more ...
This BMW 3 series 3.0 engine oil type is 5W-40 and oil capacity is 7.5 litres.
BMW 330Cd has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and automatic gearbox with 5 gears.
BMW 330Cd accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 7.4 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 235 km/h.
The fuel consumption of this BMW 330Cd in combined mode (combining urban and highway driving) is 7.7 litres per 100km (13 km/l), city fuel economy - 11 l/100km, fuel consumption on highway - 6.1 l/100km. Fuel tank capacity is 63 litres or 16.64 gallons, which gives a mileage up to 800 kilometers without refueling in urban cycle and even up to 1020 kilometers on highway.
According to user reviews, this BMW real everyday fuel consumption is 8.4 litres per 100 km, which is 9% 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 330Cd technical data
| Model: | BMW 330Cd | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Body style: | Coupe | ||
| Production period: | 2003. March ... 2005. September | ||
| Engine: | 2993 cm3 Diesel, 6 cylinders | CO2 emissions: | 206 g/km |
| Power: | 204 HP ON 4000 RPM | Torque: | 410 NM ON 1500 RPM |
| Gearbox: | Automatic gearbox (5 gears) | Drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) |
| Maximum speed: | 235 km/h | Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 7.4 seconds |
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 7.7 (combined) 11.0 (urban) 6.1 (highway) | ||
| Real fuel consumption: | 8.4 l/100km (28 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: | 2055 kg | ||
BMW 330Cd engine M57D30TU
Engine reliability and common problems:
The BMW M57 engine is regarded as one of the best German-built power units. Its inline-six layout is praised for reliability, and cars equipped with this engine are often more desirable on the used market. Despite delivering strong performance, the engine remains fuel-efficient and user-friendly.The Bosch Common Rail system with electromagnetic injectors is highly reliable and long-lasting, provided high-quality fuel and regular maintenance are ensured. At higher mileage, occasional issues may arise, such as leaks at the fuel rail pressure regulator or failure of the main pump, though in some cases, replacing the internal filter solves the problem. Failures are most often linked to poor fuel quality. For engines built before 2003, injectors are repairable—later versions usually require full replacement.
The turbocharger itself is robust and rarely fails. Most boost-related problems stem from cracked vacuum lines or a stuck pressure regulator. A faulty crankcase ventilation system can also cause oil to be forced through the turbo.
Timing chains in the first two engine generations are known to last over 500,000 km.
Other recurring issues include coolant leaks from plastic piping, thermostat failure, malfunctioning viscous fan clutch, worn-out crankshaft damper pulleys, or failure of the glow plug control module. Additionally, second-generation engines used a steel exhaust manifold, which was prone to cracking, while the first and third generations came with a more durable cast iron version.
Overall, this engine can last around 310,000 to 520,000 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 | 2993 cm3 |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Bore (cylinder diameter) | 84 mm |
| Stroke length (piston move) | 90 mm |
| Compression ratio | 16.5 : 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 |
| Timing chain change interval | 300,000 km (recommended) Sometimes manufacturers do not specify timing chain replacement intervals and design chains for engine life. However, once the recommended change interval has been reached, it is recommended to periodically check the condition of the chain and to change the chain if excessive stretching is detected or if unusual noises from the engine or other symptoms occur. |
| 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 330Cd oil type | 5W-40 |
| Oil capacity | 7.5 litres (7.9 quarts) More service info |
| Coolant capacity | 10.2 litres (10.8 quarts) |
| Power | 204 - 272 HP ON 4000 RPM |
| Torque | 410 - 560 NM ON 1500 RPM |
| Start of production (year) | 2002 |
| Duration of production | 3 years |
| Engine also used on | BMW 5 sērija BMW X5 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) |