156 2.4 JTD - Project 250+bhp

My housemate has a 330D, my remapped JTD keeps up, pulls away slightly at some points but never enough to pull an overtake if he wants to stop me. Mines the earliest 136bhp model..

Only thought the 320D had fragile turbo's, I think the turbo on the 330D 184bhp is the same one as on the Alfa 2.4 JTD 140/150 engine? Someone should know.

I know the 204bhp 330D has issues with the swirl valves breaking off and getting munched through the engine

184bhp is the safer bet, or get an E92.

184 330d (I believe) is same turbo as 2.4 jtd 140/150 bhp, Gt2249.

yes, the 330d does suffer turbo probs, even at early miles (70k), but so does renault/nissan (nissan use renault diesels).

Oddly, the turbo on the alfa in my experience seems rather good.

The 5pot alfa diesel sounds fantastic, only had experience of the later 3204bho 330d, but the alfa sounds better.

There are serious issues with all that torqu at the front wheels, any rear wheel drive car will handle it muc better.

The alfa benifit is the relatively cheap FWD limited slip diffs, which really manage to plant the power on the ground well.
Or as well as it can with the wet roads whisllst running summer tyres - which it eats.

If it wasn't for the dark shades, daft bluetooth earpeice, pinstripe suit, pink shirt and white or no socks at all (BMW driver image!), I would sooner have the rear wheel drive 335D over any other diesel acr on the market at the moment.

The 184 has the swirl flaps too, but only on auto models.

I'm not too sure if the swirl flaps are used on both auto and manual on the later 204 models.

I can't remeber the turbo num but it's a Garrett (184).

The turbo itself on them tends to be ok, it's often the vacuum control that controls the vanes that go. There is a lot of confusion about replacing the actuator; I have been told numerous times that you can and can't renew the actuator without renewing the whole turbo on them. In the end I gave up lol....

You're right about 320d's; they do have an even more fragile turbo aparantly. They use swirl flaps in the manifold too (Same thing as 3.0 184) But there are many cases of the flaps coming undone and eaten by the engine.

BM are very quiet about whether the design/ materials of the flaps have been changed or not over the years. I would not trust them over 90,000 on any BM engine (one of the reasons I'm gettting shut of my 330).


If you decide on a 330d or 320d just do your homework first! I didn't and seriously regret it now.

Check out BMWland forum and look at the thread on 320d about poor lifespan/performance. Pretty much all the issues apply to 330ds too.

Hahahah know what you mean about beemer owners lol! Hope you enjoy watever you choose!

Try a GT2559v or bigger, the gt2559v seems to be good up to +270hp for a 1.9tdi, still spooling at 2000rpm, some guys did it on their vw.
The problem with those vnt turbos is backpressure, thats why you better pick up a big vnt, with a 2.4 its even possible to use a vnt32. you could also try an external wastegate to lower the backpressure but i dont know if this will work correct.

i have tried this turbo on an old 1.9td like in a 145, it worked fine, alltough i had engine problems wich was not becouse of to much power. i stopped the project becouse i will buy a house and i have a alfa now. many guys have reached the borderline +250hp with a 1.9, but the chiptuner is a big factor, couple years ago we were talking about a vnt20 wich was to lagy to spool, now they have more knowledge, and they spool under 2000.

thats the perfomance part, but it is still a frontwheeldrive, and in my case, i worked more on my car than driving it (probably becouse i did everything myself also). +250hp and even 300hp is possible, but after all, is it all worth it?

Greetz, Benjamin

Originally Posted by formbyruss

The 184 has the swirl flaps too, but only on auto models.

I'm not too sure if the swirl flaps are used on both auto and manual on the later 204 models.

Yes, both auto and manual of the 204 got swirlies, and you're right the 184 auto got 'em too. So 184 manual is the only safe option other than an E92.

Originally Posted by formbyruss

I can't remeber the turbo num but it's a Garrett (184).

The turbo itself on them tends to be ok, it's often the vacuum control that controls the vanes that go. There is a lot of confusion about replacing the actuator; I have been told numerous times that you can and can't renew the actuator without renewing the whole turbo on them. In the end I gave up lol....

You're right about 320d's; they do have an even more fragile turbo aparantly. They use swirl flaps in the manifold too (Same thing as 3.0 184) But there are many cases of the flaps coming undone and eaten by the engine.

BM are very quiet about whether the design/ materials of the flaps have been changed or not over the years. I would not trust them over 90,000 on any BM engine (one of the reasons I'm gettting shut of my 330).


If you decide on a 330d or 320d just do your homework first! I didn't and seriously regret it now.

Check out BMWland forum and look at the thread on 320d about poor lifespan/performance. Pretty much all the issues apply to 330ds too.

Hahahah know what you mean about beemer owners lol! Hope you enjoy watever you choose!

I think there's a new part number for 330D 204 bhp inlet manifold, indicating it might have been changed... I've read about failures at 30,000 miles, I don't think I'd take the risk!

If you change the inlet manifold, it comes warranteed from the dealer, for 2 years and also covers any damage its failure within those two years might cause. I think getting it changed is about £500, so £250 a year for piece of mind and get it changed bi-annually, might be an option for someone with a 204 model that is worried but really likes the car.

Your right about needing to do your homework, the old pump-engined 320d is a safe bet too though, the 130bhp one. That'll take you to the moon and back no problems.

Funny that nothing's been mentioned in the press about these serious engine problems though?