[Shrek]

Been looking through the posts on my app looking for info on this engine, do these have the same faults as the old 136-150bhp? Spent ages looling thro the app lol does anyone know if there is a search facility?

[jjbirch]

i done a remap on my 163bhp 2006 on 2000miles 196bhp changed the car, it was night and day,on 36000miles i had DTC fault light come on but its a fault with alot of e90's had that done under warrenty but when the reset everything my map was gone i knew soon as i drove out the garage,the turbo was like its coming its coming then boast, when you have it mapped bang its there in every gear, i drove back to the remappers the same day to have it back on, but it did smoke when floored but i have seen lots ofs audis and bm doing this unmapped sold it with 60k on the clock all was good

[Shrek]

Originally Posted by jjbirch

i done a remap on my 163bhp 2006 on 2000miles 196bhp changed the car, it was night and day,on 36000miles i had DTC fault light come on but its a fault with alot of e90's had that done under warrenty but when the reset everything my map was gone i knew soon as i drove out the garage,the turbo was like its coming its coming then boast, when you have it mapped bang its there in every gear, i drove back to the remappers the same day to have it back on, but it did smoke when floored but i have seen lots ofs audis and bm doing this unmapped sold it with 60k on the clock all was good

Sounds good, how much was the remap etc? If u dont mind me asking, i'm looking at a 4yr old 30,000 miler with fsh

[MEGA]

The issue with the 163 mainly is the risk of turbo failure (although usually covered under extended warranty).

I'd suggest getting a 57 plate 174 model if possible as this has a garrett turbo and is MUCH more reliable than the mitsu one.

The mitsu 163 turbo suffers similar failure rate to the old pre 2004 E46 320ds did with regards swirl flaps and engine failure as a result.

Don't get me wrong it's a tiny percentage of them that fail compared to how many sold. Worth pointing out though.

[Shrek]

Does the same engine still suffer the swirl flap problem?

[kieronbmw]

No they sorted the swirl flap issue by using steel parts instead of plastic. This was resolved for the very last of the E46's so shouldn't be an issue for anyone on here

[uzi9mm]

Originally Posted by MEGA

The issue with the 163 mainly is the risk of turbo failure (although usually covered under extended warranty).

I'd suggest getting a 57 plate 174 model if possible as this has a garrett turbo and is MUCH more reliable than the mitsu one.

The mitsu 163 turbo suffers similar failure rate to the old pre 2004 E46 320ds did with regards swirl flaps and engine failure as a result.

Don't get me wrong it's a tiny percentage of them that fail compared to how many sold. Worth pointing out though.

I guess you mean the 177 Bhp model, I have heard people saying even they have the mitsu turbos in them, the early ones. After 2008 they changed all to garrett. Thats what I heard.

[MEGA]

Sorry of course I meant 177 I was tired...

I didn't realise there were 177 mitsu's to be fair.

anyway, its not like every 320 fails.. But even so if the budget will stretch to an 08 (as it turns out) then there's a much much lower risk of issue. BMW stopped using the mitsu ones for a reason I guess

[Shrek]

Cheers for the info guys, i've not been out in a 177bhp yet only the 163 and it was a good improvement from my old 136 bhp e46 320d, i dont find much difference between the diesel and petrol 320i, maybe thats just me...

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by Shrek

Cheers for the info guys, i've not been out in a 177bhp yet only the 163 and it was a good improvement from my old 136 bhp e46 320d, i dont find much difference between the diesel and petrol 320i, maybe thats just me...

yeah me to when i first drove the 320i maybe because i reved it hard and pushed it but in the d you feel like changing early in every gear but your going quicker anyway,

[zeroXTC]

About the swirlflaps, i had mine removed. Its on a 320D, E90 from 10/2005 - It was the new version. All flaps look very good, except 1 of them, it had a screw a bit loose and it would eventually get sucked into the engine at some point.

Anyways, i had them removed for peace of mind, and i had the CDV removed at the same time. The car transformed totally, much better gear changes, and i dont know if its just me or if its really the truth, it feels like the engine can breathe a bit "more" without the flaps.. i dont really know why..

[magic77]

From what I seen the difference between 163 and 177 is quite big.

If anything simply changing the air filter is 1000 times easier. Have a friend with 163 and thing smokes and uses oil a lot more like my e46 did then my 177 e90. The fuel economy is also lot better on 177

Also fuel economy due to the efficient dynamics makes big difference. As MEGA said if you can stretch to 177 you will get a newer better engine and few extra bits to make like esier (no down facing exhaust and easier internals to work on)

[HighlandPete]

The 177hp engine is the new N47 series engine, new design with a lot of changes.

HighlandPete

[Shrek]

Well i've hopefully went that one step further guys, should be getting my 177 coupe soon as long as the hpi gets cleared

[paulmason1986]

im one of the people with a 163bhp 2006 e90 m sport saloon that the turbo went on.. warranty covered half the bill which was sickening to be honest but all fixed,( dont know if its a mitsi or garrett in it now though... stunning car in japan rot ( bright red ) with MV3 18" staggered alloys ( soon to be changed ) what i have heard about the new 177bhp models are the timing chains snapping... think i will stick to my 163 and map it with subtle sounding twin exit exhaust

[Digitalize]

My 320D 163 is on 170k, original everything. Had the turbo checked and it spins freely with no slack. Doesn't use any oil, returns 50mpg on a run and is great to drive. Just look after it, service it, will be fine.

I'm not mapping mine though because it is a high miler

[adamroutley]

I bought my 2007 (56 plate) earlier this year with 63k. It had the turbo replaced just before I bought it by BMW with a bill for £1500!! Thankfully, I won't get that issue now.

Need my EGR cleaning out as it's filthy!

[Alex.J]

I had the money for a n47(177hp) engined e90 but, after seeing a lot of timing chain problems and finding out the location of the timing chain I quickly started looking at the m47(163hp) version!

I actively avoided the n47 and I'm really happy with my 163hp car!

For the price of a timing chain failure I can have 2 turbos fitted!

Sold the idea for me!

[PaddyMcGrath]

It's probably worth pointing out that the thread is over two years old, I would think the OP has made a decision by now

[Digitalize]

No idea how I missed that!

Worth mentioning I've replaced both my thermostats as they failed.

[Dizzle]

177 bhp = n47..... my dads recent sold his n47 BM as he feels its a ticking time bomb for the timing belt failure, if that happens you need deep pockets

[Jase 320d]

My 163bhp is on 76k

Also on original everything. Full bmw history and the turbo seems good