BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd) problems
The BMW Serie 3 E46 used the M57 from 1999 to 2005 (330d and 330xd). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “broken intake swirl flaps” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 3 E46, the safest option is the M47.
Engine score on this car
3.7 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Serie 3 E46. How we calculate it
Overall score for the BMW Serie 3 E46
4.8 out of 10Low reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
BMW M57 (M57D25/M57D30) · Diesel
- Names
- 330d · 330xd
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
M57D30, first-generation 3.0 litres (177-193 hp, 1998-2006 depending on application)1998–2006 · 177–193 hp · M57D30
With cautionA specialist workshop points out that the versions with an automatic gearbox have the swirl flaps that are prone to breaking, while the E53 X5 3.0d (across its whole production run) and the manual versions of the first 330d and 530d are free of them.[3]
M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)2001–2006 · 201–272 hp · M57D30TU
With cautionA BMW specialist workshop places this revision among those that generally have the swirl flaps prone to breaking.[3]
Faults that affect the Serie 3 E46
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken intake swirl flapsYes: most automatic M57 and M57TU engines (330d, 530d, 535d, 730d, X3 3.0d and so on) have six metal flaps in the intake manifold that can seize, come loose and wreck a cylinder. The E53 X5 3.0d and the manual gearboxes of the first 330d/530d are free of them, according to a specialist workshop.
- High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationCrankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failureThe valve that separates oil from the crankcase gases (PCV) degrades over time, especially after 120,000-150,000 km, and can cause oil consumption, bluish smoke and a rough idle and, if ignored, foul the turbo, the EGR or the particulate filter.Appears at around 120,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockCracked exhaust manifoldThe M57 exhaust manifold can crack, causing loss of power, an unstable idle and a smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin; the recommended repair is to replace it with a cast one.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOtherCrankshaft pulley vibration damper failureThe M57 crankshaft vibration damper (pulley) can fail with use, warning with abnormal noises and knocking at the front of the engine before it breaks completely.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)The air flow meter is a known fault on six-cylinder M57 diesels: over time it loses accuracy and the car pulls less. It is a cheap repair compared with the turbo or injection.Repair (garage): €100–€300
What to check before buying a used BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd)
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the BMW M57 (1999–2005)
Broken intake swirl flaps
Critical severityCrankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure
High severityCracked exhaust manifold
Medium severityCrankshaft pulley vibration damper failure
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the BMW Serie 3 E46
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the BMW Serie 3 E46 outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyCampaigns over the Takata gas generators in the front and passenger airbagsYes: the 3 Series E46 is included in several successive BMW campaigns (between 2014 and 2026) over the Takata gas generators in the driver and passenger airbags, which can degrade over the years and throw metal fragments when they deploy. The most recent ones cover cars built between 1998 and 2006.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionCracks in the rear subframe mountingsOn the oldest cars (before March 2000, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de), cracks can appear at the points where the rear subframe is mounted to the body, especially on six-cylinder versions; BMW offered a preventive resin sealing as an alternative to a full repair.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionWear of the suspension bushes, ball joints and bushingsWith mileage, the suspension arm bushes, ball joints and bushings wear and cause vibrations, noises and less precise steering; fiches-auto.fr describes it as very recurrent between 60,000 and 180,000 km.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 60,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemCentral locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relaysThe central locking can become intermittent or stop responding to the remote, and the immobiliser can fail sporadically when starting; gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes both faults to wear in the relays of the control modules, and fiches-auto.fr records numerous testimonies of unreliable locking.
- Low severityFrequency: Very frequentElectrical systemBreakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanismIt is one of the most frequently cited non-engine faults of the E46: a small plastic tab in the window regulator mechanism breaks with use and the window stops going up or drops on its own, on any of the four doors. fiches-auto.fr records more than 80 testimonies of this fault.Repair (garage): €150–€250Appears at around 140,000 km
Buying a BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd)?
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The BMW Serie 3 E46 has 3 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd) reliable?
The BMW Serie 3 E46 used the M57 from 1999 to 2005 (330d and 330xd). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “broken intake swirl flaps” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 3 E46, the safest option is the M47.
What faults does the BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd) have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: broken intake swirl flaps (critical severity), crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure (high severity), cracked exhaust manifold (medium severity), crankshaft pulley vibration damper failure (medium severity) and faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power) (low severity).
Which engine should you choose for the BMW Serie 3 E46?
The safest option is the BMW M47 in its M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001) version, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a BMW Serie 3 E46 M57 (330d and 330xd)? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- BMW M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Válvula PCV en motores diéselDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026