Hi Gents
I have been doing some research on the m54b30 (specifically in the e46 330i application), and its suitabilty as a long term proposition.
Most reviews/reports have nothing but praise for this motor. However, there is a particular characteristic of this motor that casts a dark shadow over its otherwise stellar reliability, and this is the issue of the oil pump nut loosening with extended high revs above 6000r/min.
From what I have read, this mainly affects people that track their cars often, but there have been rare cases in which normal street use only cars have been affected. (Although we dont know just how mechanically unsympathetic these drivers have been)
What I'm trying to gather is this something to really be worried about, or is this just another example of the internet being a basket case for all the horror stories, leading to uneccessary paranoia?
I have noticed that early 330i's have their redlines starting at 6000 r/min and the later models have the redline starting at 6500 r/min, could this be related in any way?
It will be really frustrating to own a performance car that you cant really put the hammer down in, in fear of something going wrong....
Opinions from long term e46 330i owners will be valued.
I have been doing some research on the m54b30 (specifically in the e46 330i application), and its suitabilty as a long term proposition.
Most reviews/reports have nothing but praise for this motor. However, there is a particular characteristic of this motor that casts a dark shadow over its otherwise stellar reliability, and this is the issue of the oil pump nut loosening with extended high revs above 6000r/min.
From what I have read, this mainly affects people that track their cars often, but there have been rare cases in which normal street use only cars have been affected. (Although we dont know just how mechanically unsympathetic these drivers have been)
What I'm trying to gather is this something to really be worried about, or is this just another example of the internet being a basket case for all the horror stories, leading to uneccessary paranoia?
I have noticed that early 330i's have their redlines starting at 6000 r/min and the later models have the redline starting at 6500 r/min, could this be related in any way?
It will be really frustrating to own a performance car that you cant really put the hammer down in, in fear of something going wrong....
Opinions from long term e46 330i owners will be valued.