I bought a 496k MILE BMW!! E46 330d

In this video, I show you my 495k mile BMW 330d. A car which became somewhat of an urban legend to me. Fortunately, I've saved this car from the inevitability of scrap. Is it worth saving though ? Over several videos on this car, we will find out.
Please like, comment and subscribe to the channel !
If you'd like to follow me on Instagram, you can here: carsandcustard?...

[@FJx36]

Came here from AutoAlex, very good detail of the BMW E46 330d, hope to see more from your channel in the future :)

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you ! Plenty coming 😎

[@komtgoed8330]

Same!

[@AutoalexCars]

Do I technically own this yet? I'm still very confused 🤣

[@carsandcustard]

I’m getting a restraining order 🤫

[@AutoalexCars]

@@carsandcustard Ah right. I'm outside btw. I like what you're wearing.

[@neillthompson2]

Pretty sure you both said I owned it no?

[@420somewhereG]

@@AutoalexCars Hold out yer hand🤝🏼🤝🏼🤣

[@Dan23_7]

Haha I saw Alex eyeing up this baby when he took your porker pepper.

[@coastalrider1155]

You really can’t beat an e46 they still look absolutely brilliant even next to new cars

[@carsandcustard]

They are timeless !

[@hanifabdullah7529]

Agreed 101%….they look fabulous till this day 👍 I own a 330i petrol version. Just love the straight 6 petrol engine sound😀

[@shultz4877]

I have a e46 320d coupe diesel great car! It is still my first car for 5 years , I have driven with it more than 100k kms and it has been great, engine only blew up once😅

[@FuelledLife]

I had a e46 320d m sport touring with 250k on it and it ran like a dream! Bulletproof if serviced as you say! Good to see a fellow BMW KZbinr showing these amazing cars. 👍

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you ! Lots of BMW content on the way 😎👌🏻

[@badash786]

E46 is a great car. Had my coupe since 2010 and love it.

[@Passionforgermancars]

Love these old BMW's can't stop myself from buying them. Happy to see I'm not alone. Funny how big the market price difference is compared to the Netherlands.

[@Vbrenny]

AutoAlex sent me here! And as always, I'm liking what I see; genuine car love in its purest Form. Hope to see you doing amazing things to the cars, having amazing finds and collecting a bunch of good stories.

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you ! Hopefully I can tick all of the boxes you’ve mentioned 👍🏻😁

[@B2KJFF]

I have 160k on my e90 I’m the second owner I’ve done 70k miles on it. Looks brand new on the interior and the exterior is very clean too. Really shows that’s if you look after a BMW, regularly service it and have the maintenance done it can deliver many many miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Probably keep it even if I buy a new car. Just isn’t worth selling in my opinion.

[@makaveliangel87]

I bought my 320ci on 55k miles. It’s now on almost 120k and has had minimal issues. Great car

[@chroffe22]

Great content and an awesome car! The start issue I’d say definitely sounds like the starter motor is a bit sad.

[@oncall3570]

Thanks for sharing. I've an unabused e46 that has done 350,000 km. That is a long way short of 500,000mi though! If the bonnet is jammed shut: There is a fix that does not involve sawing anything. It is held by two pins on each side of the kidney grilles. If the grilles are falling off, just pull one out and use a 4 or 5mm allen head on the end of a >4" extension bar, and 1/4" small ratchet handle. You can reach in to access the pins, as they are (just- your fingers won't be happy pulling the plastic back to gain access to the bottom of the pins where they poke through the latches, but it is possible, and they are) accessible once you pull back that stiff plastic. It is there to keep the dust out of the latch area and is hard but very flexible. Simply turn them anti-clockwise 20x or so and they unscrew from the bonnet itself. The bonnet latch can then be released (on the upper RHS with your finger), without having to go around the plastic pieces. If you don't want to pull the grilles out- it will break them- you can instead remove the lower engine cover, the front bumper, and sit down in front of the car to reach your whole arm up into the space behind the grilles with the ratchet handle. Once out you should re-set the location of the bonnet pins (T30s around the latches) and/or reset the position of the bonnet itself at the hinges. But first check the pin assembly itself has not come loose and shifted (where it mounts underneath the bonnet). Enjoy the view of your shiny new (old+dusty?) M57!

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you for the sound advice ! I think the grilled need to be smashed anyway in all honesty. 🤣

[@alimack5489]

Came here from you know where. Love the Channel mate! Really refreshing to see this kind of stuff

[@carsandcustard]

Much appreciated ! Lots more to come 👍🏻

[@johnyoung267]

Great find, great channel, looking forward to updates

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you !!

[@Birmingham_racing]

Diesels do last if driven on long journeys like they are suppose to have been

[@gearhead996.2]

Came here from AutoAlex. Great Channel, looking forward for updates

[@Ghost69247]

i have BMW e46 320d M SPORT Coupe 210k miles still going strong :D

[@samjordan32]

Great video - looking forward to following this car - subbed!

[@carsandcustard]

Thanks mate ! I’m excited to commence the journey.

[@317dougie]

Great review and car 👌

[@Dan23_7]

Mega miles 💪🏼 Has it had a swirl flap delete ? “Usually” they’ve ingested them by 200k PS… Alex led me here haha New sub 👍🏼 I drive a yellow 2003 beetle tdi (pd engine) I’m never selling it, got it last may and I love it. All the electrics work fine, it’s only done 113k. Air con, heated seats, leccy mirrors. I give £700 last may for him “Brian” 😂

[@carsandcustard]

I’m not too sure to be honest. I need to check ! Thanks for subscribing. OOO a PD powered Beetle. Niche little thing 😅

[@Dan23_7]

@@carsandcustard I landed lucky. I’ve been after one for ages. It had to be yellow and diesel. As luck would have it everything worked and that was it 🥰 Since last may, full service and belts etc done. It had no history whatsoever. I took a gamble and it paid off

[@Rip0o]

Im owner of 2004 - 330 xD version ... bought it with 320k KM runoff... have to do some minor repairs, one mid repair, had to change whole climatic system, still have corrosion at back problem... but i love this car, i will never sell it... till the end.. im up to 370k KM... car doing very well....getting the best i can afford from me... interior is quite good looking... i hope my car will last long :)

[@mattjohnson9469]

Again, Alex bought me here! New Subscriber, great video. 👍

[@carsandcustard]

Thanks mate !! Stick around 😎👌🏻

[@1992tpc]

I have a 330d in green manual was a UK car but came from Belgium and had a rare spec interior which I've never seen again since. Wish I had kept it. That was on 200k nothing compared to 500k

[@carsandcustard]

That’s very cool !

[@CluelessCars]

Weird I keep seeing these cheap e46 pickup videos great job I’m impressed it’s been a month of searching and I’ve only come across one e46 for 1,300 usd I live in the country in Wisconsin not a lot of people have bmws so it’s a little harder but my old man picked up 2 e46s for under 1k last year they are fun cars and absolutely jaw dropping when done right like a track street spec ugh they look so killer with angel eyes 🤙

[@rr40v8]

I have an e46 325ci (petrol) with 255,000 miles - bought it for short term 10 years ago, fell in love, spent tons of money on it lol and will never sell it. Sapphire black like yours too, but not with original engine and transmission -but showroom condition and an absolutely fantastic car. Great show please continue- just subscribed :-)

[@carsandcustard]

Please never sell it !! They deserve to live long and prosperous lives, being well looked after. Thanks for the kind words and subscription 😎👍🏻

[@rr40v8]

@@carsandcustard Thanks for your kind reply! It's in my collection so no fear of it being sold. Last year my wife and I went to Bavaria for a week in it and had great fun - plus a photo of it outside the original BMW factory on Moosacher Strasse, Munich 🙂

[@bavariansleeper]

Keep it. Great car for all the right reasons.

[@supersaabclaire]

Another one here from Auto Alex, the ghostmobile caught my eye 😎

[@haegor1877]

The doesn't start, and then does start could be the ignition switch, I had horrible electrical problems and replacing the ignition switch fixed them all.

[@XclusiveAaron]

You say about the golden era, I totally agree! I've had many E46s. You say they dropped off after 2002/2003 but I don't exactly agree, my current one is a 2004 54 plate 330Ci 3.0 E46 Coupe, incredible spec took me ages to find it (no sunroof but that's what I wanted), only 90k miles though a baby compared to this🤣 so that's nearly a 2005 model, so comfortably after 2003 but I definitely wouldnt say my car is when it's "dropped off" unless there's another reason or something else they changed after 03 I didn't know about.. But I definitely think it started dropping off with the E60/E90. Good video and what a find, enjoy it!

[@carsandcustard]

Your E46 is certainly the tail end of the golden era ! An exception, 100%. You could stretch it a few different ways to be honest. I guess, the peak would’ve been mid 2001, where you had the E38, E39 and E46 together... Thanks very much !

[@XclusiveAaron]

@@carsandcustard ahh I get ya man! Totally agree the E46, E39 and E38 are my all time favourite beemers. For some reason I feel like the E39 is my favourite always loved them, but the 46 suits my life the best for what I need! 👍

[@carsandcustard]

@@XclusiveAaron E39 is definitely the best !! But yeah E46’s are great to live with.

[@sleepercell9926]

That looks remarkably good for a car of that age and mileage.

[@tontosmith8779]

Hi Great video and content just subscribed I too love E46s but was put off diesels by the swirl flap damage to engines delete not delete saga. Can I ask what’s your opinions on that. My fave now is a 330 ci late model E46, keep up the good work 👍

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you 👍🏻 I’ve never faced any issues regarding swirl flaps with any of the 330d’s that I’ve had. When you buy higher mileage ones, they tend to have got past the stage where it’s a ticking time bomb, whether because of a delete or not. 330ci’s are fantastic, though not a fan of the later cars, quite as much.

[@pank0ne]

Great car, great video! Keep up the good work!

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you ! Hopefully my work gets better 👍🏻😊

[@pank0ne]

@@carsandcustard it will man, quality is on point, also quite pleasing to watch.

[@SR-jq8mv]

whats happening with the car now has it hit 500k yet?

[@elgaraje911]

I used to have a 320d e46 with 250.000 miles and I thought it was an insane number but man this is another level 😂 btw mine had the alcantara interior and it looked mint! The car i wish i've never sold... Cheers

[@carsandcustard]

That’s awesome. I’m loving the amount of high mileage E46’s knocking around. A true testament to their engineering. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@tidysampler585]

I came here all thanks to Autoalex 👍 I subbed as well. I also know of a black 3rd cabriolet 2003 E46 330i Supercharged running 340bhp and that’s on 65,000 miles. So I’m looking forward to more content on your channel 😊

[@carsandcustard]

That cabriolet sounds fantastic ! Lots more content to come 😊👍🏻

[@renas5371]

I wonder what original parts are still on it like turbo, clutch etc.

[@sheriff1292]

All these E46 330d videos just make me hungry to get one for myself...only problem is that none ever come up for sale in south-east kent 😅 Brilliant little find, hope you can get it all nicely restored!

[@carsandcustard]

I’m sure there will be an increasing amount pop up for sale soon given the affect of ULEZ ! Try and grab a bargain. I’ll certainly make it nice...

[@sheriff1292]

@@carsandcustard I've been looking every single day for months. Closest i came was a 225K mile 330d touring that had...no service history whatsoever. Ran like steam but felt like rough coal :( Not giving up hope though!

[@hanifabdullah7529]

Suggest you get one bro 😂

[@sheriff1292]

@@hanifabdullah7529 definitely trying to!

[@sheriff1292]

@@hanifabdullah7529 definitely trying to!

[@peterdavies5749]

Nice to see its not just me who has this opinion on high millage cars then I've got a audi a6 1.9 tdi with 370k on the clock

[@carsandcustard]

Fantastic ! Keep the old girl going. PD ?

[@peterdavies5749]

@Cars and Custard yeah pd130 mate and going to try and hit the 500k mark she's well looked after oil change every 5k and full service every 10k

[@alexixwb]

Excellent video. My thinking on sustainability is exactly the same which is why I fully intend on driving my 17 year old Range Rover 4.2 v8 Supercharged forever, especially on long European trips (and further if I can get the time off work 😂 Good find. I’m jealous 👍🏿

[@carsandcustard]

4.2 Supercharged Range Rover is a superb mile muncher ! If you can stomach the fuel consumption haha

[@alexixwb]

@@carsandcustard 24 mpg is painful - but it’s still cheaper for two people to drive up north in it than get the train!!! Im all 😻

[@mvc2177]

About to purchase a wagon with 300k miles. Car looks in great shape. I wouldn’t mind swapping in a lower mileage used engine if the original goes out

[@chameblade96]

i have an identical e46 330d same year manual msport but on 120k. The bodywork is in waaay better condition than mine!! Goes to show what good previous owners look like

[@carsandcustard]

I agree. I’ve had some much lower mileage E46’s which don’t come near this in terms of bodywork. As you say, they can really benefit from good previous owners !

[@bisey4014]

Love the car. Just a minor detail with your videos - I know you probably film in the barn to avoid the weather but would be great to see some outdoor shots, so we can actually appreciate the condition of the exterior/interior. Subscribed 👍

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you for the subscription. Yeah I’ve been trying figure out the whole KZbin thing and there’s a lot more to it than I thought to be honest!! I filmed this video a while ago, when I didn’t think of exterior shots. If you watch my videos on the X3 or X5 there are more outside shots! Let me know what you think of that format ?

[@bisey4014]

Watched both and much better - Looking forward to the next one!

[@shultz4877]

What a deal😮

[@afrousel4731]

Loved the video - I could easily agree and relate to everything you said as an owner of a 211k mile E46 330d Touring 6-speed manual 😁Very sad to see the car sort of riced out by the previous owner, those black grilles and monochrome BMW badges are ghastly to say the least. Out of curiosity, do you know why that one had its PDI in Hamburg? Did the first owner buy the car in Germany as a UK spec and then drive it over? Thanks.

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you. Yeah it’s a shame but nothing that can’t be sorted !! Exactly that. I’m in touch with the first owner now so will be asking all of the questions necessary to get answers 😎👍🏻

[@whoareyou7352]

Hey, man! Cool video! I bought an e46 with the same wheels. But for some reason the front two wheels are R17 and the back two are R18. The seller said that it came from Germany on such wheels and supposedly it should be so. Am I right to understand that this is a lie and it should not be like this?

[@mohammadiqbal7271]

So true what you say about high mileage

[@patwatters3121]

sounds like your starter motor has intermittent issue

[@MOSSFEEN]

After 4 years this car had 143,000 miles Registered in Yorkshire

[@carsandcustard]

Straight into the deep end !

[@DoubleD91]

48mpg. Tell that to my 330d. 38 if your lucky! And that's 40mile a day on the motorway... but 206k here

[@carsandcustard]

Is it an auto by any chance ? The auto’s usually zap a little bit of fuel economy

[@DoubleD91]

@Cars and Custard Bingo, could also be the old right foot. You've got lucky on the rust side tho.... I'm looking at 335d's atm, however, want to keep the m57 base so limited to how new I can go!

[@786Danyal]

I got 330d pre face lift in blue and a 5speed manual mine at 191k putting it bk on road in few weeks

[@carsandcustard]

That’s where they’re at their best 👍🏻

[@420somewhereG]

New sub great content Mate 👍🏼👍🏼

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you dude 👍🏻

[@johnwalton9009]

Keep doing what you’re doing 👍

[@carsandcustard]

Thank you John !

[@chiefrocka8604]

Got 2 M57’s 1 330d m sport manual e46 vert and a 530d m sport manual e60 So yeah you could say I like them

[@TJC156]

Do you still have the SD1 Vitesse by any chance?! Here from AutoAlex as well, subscribed!

[@carsandcustard]

It’s still there. Will shoot a video on it !

[@slanterslanter1918]

we are all here from AutoAlex :) I think at this point You have no choice but to sell that BMW to Alex !! :P

[@carsandcustard]

You tell Alex to sell Barney back to me!! Then and only then, we can talk 🤣

[@supersaabclaire]

You ought to get in touch with EvilGt, and get on one of their road trips 😎

[@domtdoodar99]

Think W959 VMA might just have you on the highest Milage BMW in the UK, it’s last MOT this summer was at 494k and still doing 35k+ miles per yr

[@carsandcustard]

I didn’t know about that ! I’d love that.

[@domtdoodar99]

@@carsandcustard very cool, would love to buy it

[@1992tpc]

I would love this car 500k perfect

[@Samaldoful]

AutoAlex sent me 😊

[@thatpeskyswan]

Awesome vid dude but please don't contact previous owners asking for info Ive and my family had this done before a few times and it's awkward and n invasion of privacy, makes me as a car owner not want to share paperwork, just contact the garages where the works been done instead

[@carsandcustard]

I have contacted the previous owner. Him and his wife are in their words “ecstatic” that I’ve contacted them. I’m very careful with how I go about the process and have only been courteous and respectful with every attempt to make contact. My family have been approached asking for history and stories with cars and as long as it’s done respectfully without invading our privacy, we’re more than happy to indulge them. Thanks for watching as well as the kind words 👍🏻

[@Mrreal1871]

If you consider the idling time this has been on, it probably equates to a million miles worth of use.

[@carsandcustard]

Agreed. It would be interesting to register the hours, like you’d see on agricultural machinery...

[@SR-jq8mv]

is it a lci? does it have a 5 speed or 6 speed gearbox

[@carsandcustard]

It’s a 5 speed 👍🏻

[@SR-jq8mv]

@@carsandcustard is there much diff between the 2.9 and 3.0 which is superior?

[@carsandcustard]

@@SR-jq8mv from my experience the 3.0 is more tuneable and from a driving point of view seems to pull a little harder towards the top end. The 2.9 has always felt like a more relaxed engine to me with more usable low down torque, but they are less tuneable. Fuel consumption I can’t say I’ve ever known of a huge difference. I would say objectively the 3.0 is superior, but both of mine are 2.9...

[@denizgurlersan4238]

Cars & Custard, Would you consider selling your Mini? I'm in the market for one. I run a golf tour operator and want to swap that can for a set of golf clubs at the same size :) thanks for your time in replying in advance.

[@carsandcustard]

Hi there, unfortunately a sale is not on the cards at this moment in time! There is a gigantic waiting list for it, with some very eligible custodians. But, we have some cool plans for it !

[@noelcahill6707]

Modern diesels wont do them miles the m47 and m47r in the rovers there bullet proof

[@Birmingham_racing]

I came here because of autoalex

[@dexietyy7922]

My 320ci vert is on 257 thousand miles 😄

[@g9icy]

What’s your issue with the michellins? They’re better than pirelli.

[@carsandcustard]

Come again ?? I was disappointed that the car wasn’t on the Michelin’s that I have invoices for 🤣

[@g9icy]

@@carsandcustard Ahhhh sorry I misunderstood, apologies.

[@carsandcustard]

@@g9icy no worries mate haha

[@Adnan-ig8ff]

I have 330ci 2001 with 459000 km.🙄

[@h4ksxx]

It's probably survived and done this mileage because it's tuned and deleted. Else it probably would have died of carbon cake a long time ago

[@davog1946]

Would you like to purchase my 13 plate F11 with 300k and an MOT with no advisories!

[@carsandcustard]

Not a huge fan of the newer stuff. But which engine ?

[@davog1946]

@@carsandcustard she’s the 4 banger derv, Original engine, doesn’t use a drop of oil and is as quiet and smooth as one of these can be.

[@jakeblair4215]

Go to BMW with the vin, get the history. Easy

[@supersaabclaire]

Get a Saab on the channel 😎

[@carsandcustard]

Will do ! Might have to buy one soon...

[@supersaabclaire]

@@carsandcustard yes! They are awesome cars, particularly the TurboX 😉 V6 😎 weapon

[@amigachris]

@@supersaabclaire ideally something pre GM. ruined the company...

[@supersaabclaire]

@@amigachris yes GM sure did ruin them, but still a good car

[@DjNikGnashers]

But, but, but, BMW's are unreliable !! LOL Great to see this still on the road. I wonder how many EV's will still be on the road after 100,000 miles let alone 500,000.

[@dp8685]

Far to much waffle.

[@NG-sx9pw]

Over 20 mins of him yapping and didn't even show us how it drives..

[@carsandcustard]

No MOT and sorn means I wouldn’t have gone very far without being pulled over. Was your private test track open that day?

[@Vlad-rf4tz]

I bought a 100kM 330xd e46- you know what? Im happy 😂😂