I am still learning a lot about the e46's but I would think it would be more economical to buy a used diesel. I bet there would be a lot of work and money involved in buying the engine, changing over the computers, and fuel system. Just my unsolicited opinion.

 

Can it be done? yes.
Is it worth the cost? no.

Unless you're going to do all the work yourself it's going to be cheaper and more economical to just sell your car and buy a diesel model.

 

^^This. I have seen it done on a Jetta, but the person knew what he was doing, it would cost more than buying a used diesel to do it at a shop.

 

Its an 11 year old car you are trying to do a swap for the engine will probably cost more than the car. Also the diesel electronics are completely different than then the gasoline engine so its a lot more than a simple engine swap (instrument cluster, emissions electronics, etc all have to be changed basically the entire wiring harness).

 

Its an 11 year old car you are trying to do a swap for the engine will probably cost more than the car.

Indeed it will ... even if someone gives you the engine.

 

Yep. Then after all that you have to get it inspected IN PERSON by a DMV representative to change it from petrol to diesel for emissions purposes. PITA not worth it at all.

 

If I could get my grease-monkey hands on a diesel drivetrain for cheap, I would take this on in a heartbeat.

 

I agree - If I could swap one of BMWs award winning turbo diesel engines into my 323iT, I would do it in a heartbeat. In my opinion, the E46 wagon is a perfect candidate for a diesel option. I have driven diesels for many years, VW TDis both Jetta and Passat, Peugeot 504s and 505s. I absolutely love the way a diesel sedan drives and the mileage is just fantastic. My TDi Passat was faster than the 2.0 gas an achieved close to 40MPG combined hwy and city driving with 4 people in the car and air conditioning blasting away. In my opinion BMW is missing a huge opportunity in the US by not allowing the smaller diesel engine option in the complete line of cars.

If I knew I how to get my 2000 323iT model BMW "approved", I would find a salvage model 2000 330d in Europe, have it shipped to the US, and hire a mechanic to do the swap. The only reason I have not done this is that I do not know how to get a waiver or some kind of an approval from the DMV for it to pass inspection. If BMW ever offers a 3 series wagon or sedan in the US with a diesel engine - I would be the first customer to charge down to showroom to buy one.

 

WHY?

How much do you pay for gas? in USD please.

 

maybe they just like the torque? idk :tsk: Never really had a desire to own a diesel car.

 

How expensive would it be to have the parts shipped over?

We have no inspections or any other kind of governmental oversight in Minnesota, so I'm sure I could get away with a swap.

It would be a great project... keep an eye out for a donor car with a dead engine, make the swap, and get great mileage and great torque.

I'd love to brew my own fuel, too. But I also brew my own beer. I'm weird like that.

 

You'd spend all that money on a diesel swap to save money on gas? Seems counter-productive

 

"Diesel is the fuel of the devil"

 

I would totally do this. I've been dreaming about this for a long time, actually.

 

In Ireland you should be able to by one that is factory installed
example 2001 330d for roughly $6,000 on eBay UK
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-BMW-330-...ESEL-AUTO-BLUE-E46-3-SERIES-/280633258217?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item41570bb0e9

Between differences in engine, fuel delivery, electronics you're rebuilding a lot of the car.

 

Massive amount of work. I would only do it to say I had.

:-s

 

I'm in with the others that say you should not convert. Just sell the car you have and buy the one you want. It'll be cheaper, easier, and probably faster. Well, it will surely be faster if you go to the dealership and trade your car in for a new one. But if you were to do this swap yourself, then you could buy a new car and list the old one For Sale, and be done with it quicker than the swap will be finished.

 

If I could sell my car and buy one I would...that is kinda the point. If you want a 330d wagon in the US - you would have to build it yourself...

 

The only thing you won't like with diesel is the sound on the parking lot. As soon you achieve some speed you won't notice a thing. The torque is killer, I heard performance of 320D is comparable to 328i. And I feel diesel is much more robust, less prone to engine gremlins like "rough idle with a/c on" and such. Idle is always dead on, and no vibrations or such when you turn on the ac. But swap is not worth the money. Buy a natural born diesel

 

I heard performance of 320D is comparable to 328i.

No, its not.
320d is nowehere near to 328i performance wise. You can compare 320d to 320i.
328i is faster than 330d:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyFXJ1JWlF8

 

But...why?

 

I want a 335Xid with a 6 speed

 

I am in the process of putting 2004 330d m tech motor into 2002 316ti compact to use as a drift car for a laugh won’t be far off 400 horse when it’s done sitting on 10 inch wide banded transporter 17inch steels so yes it can be done but yes it’s a hell of a lot of work although I’m doing the work myself after inheriting the car n donor car just my time alone is working out to be a lot of penny’s but it’s all worth it to show Audi s3 boy racers they not as quick as they think hahaha

 

Somebody revived a post from 10 years ago.

 

Most of the time I have a distain for Newb reviving an old (useless) thread.
However I'd like to see his when it's done.

For those that haven't driven BMW diesels, do so. They're amazing when they don't have faults.

 

I have been toying with getting an e90 335d (2010 or 2011) or possibly even an f10 535d (2014-ish) as I've noticed some used f10s diesels were priced similarly to the e90s with comparable mileage around here. Do you have a preference or thoughts between the two?

Not looking to track or race it, I am more wondering about reliability and mileage. Like, is the alphabet soup emissions equipment any more (or less) reliable on the f10? Not that handling is unimportant, but it would be a road trip/commute car more than anything else.

 

Old thread, yeah, but it was interesting to read.
Diesels are superior to gasoline engines in some ways, but they're not for everyone. Personally, I'd like to have a diesel (turbo-charged, of course), but without the politically-correct exhaust treatment crap.
It sounds like fun, JD!