2003 BMW 325ti Sport
Discussion
Leins said:
Congrats Tom, that looks nice
Be careful with tyres on these as the 18" MVs sometimes don't like certain combinations f/r, so try to stick to a matched set if you can
A tyre change is on the cards for sure. I think I'd prefer a square set of 17" Style 44s or maybe Style 89s (never seen them on a compact), but the MV1s are mint and really look the business.Be careful with tyres on these as the 18" MVs sometimes don't like certain combinations f/r, so try to stick to a matched set if you can
Some thinking to do for me.
Mine is a Sport so has the 17 inch 97M staggered wheels (7.5 front/8.5 rear) and it handles fine.
Certainly as good as the SE I found for my nephew that just has the standard 16 inchers but probably with more grip.
Not keen on the pre-facelift lights either, but as mine is red I think they look OK.
Maybe we need a dedicated 325ti thread!
Certainly as good as the SE I found for my nephew that just has the standard 16 inchers but probably with more grip.
Not keen on the pre-facelift lights either, but as mine is red I think they look OK.
Maybe we need a dedicated 325ti thread!
BigTom85 said:
Picked mine up today. Its a belter! 
Better than described if anything, the only disappointment is the mis-matched tyres (1 of them is a winter tyres, ONE!). All receipts for work done, serviced on the button, everything works etc.
I'll start my own thread I think.
Drives epic though, they make a great noise and are really playful. Its going to be fun to own for sure
Better than described if anything, the only disappointment is the mis-matched tyres (1 of them is a winter tyres, ONE!). All receipts for work done, serviced on the button, everything works etc.
I'll start my own thread I think.
Drives epic though, they make a great noise and are really playful. Its going to be fun to own for sure
Oh yes......the noise
I have had a busy day! New front control arms, front control arm bushes, track rods, front anti roll bar links, and rear trailing arm bushes are on the car! The front components were not in too bad condition, they would probably have been ok for another year. The offside RTAB was completely b
ksed though (NS was ok), the new ones should be a nice improvement.
I also realised that my car is missing the front plastic tray, so the bottom of the engine is absolutely filthy. A pattern part has been found (BMW want £200+ for a genuine one), and will be ordered next week.
Some things I wish I had known before I started that job:
. Can't wait to drive it once it is sorted.
Remaining jobs:
ksed though (NS was ok), the new ones should be a nice improvement.I also realised that my car is missing the front plastic tray, so the bottom of the engine is absolutely filthy. A pattern part has been found (BMW want £200+ for a genuine one), and will be ordered next week.
Some things I wish I had known before I started that job:
- You can never have a big enough hammer when ball joints are involved
- The 22mm nut on the middle ball joint on the FCA is horrible, a 22mm ratcheting spanner would have saved me about an hour
- Cutting through track rods with a mini hacksaw to save money on new CV boots is stupid. I got so bored I nearly went Mad Max and cut through my ankle instead
- Cheap jacks make lifting a car onto axle stands pretty terrifying
. Can't wait to drive it once it is sorted.Remaining jobs:
- Fix the passenger door lock (new actuator)
- Fix the parking sensor (broken wire)
- Fix the bodywork and paint (2016)
I had my first really long run in the car last weekend, going from Stansted to Fishguard on Friday and back yesterday (approx 300 miles each way). The car performed flawlessly, not missing a beat each way and leaving me at my destination feeling comfortable and unstressed. Even the way back wasn't too bad, despite 2 hours of bank holiday delays on the M4. On the return journey I added a bit of B-road blast along the B4313 from Fishguard to St Clears, which was an absolute pleasure.
Anyway, I decided to reward it with new brake shoes (the parking brake is worse than useless) and a refresh of the centre console, including a rear ashtray delete and installing a cupholder in place of the roll-top storage thing.
I also diagnosed a bad oil level sensor (15 seconds of low oil light on starting the engine) which will get replaced at the next oil change.
Anyway, I decided to reward it with new brake shoes (the parking brake is worse than useless) and a refresh of the centre console, including a rear ashtray delete and installing a cupholder in place of the roll-top storage thing.
I also diagnosed a bad oil level sensor (15 seconds of low oil light on starting the engine) which will get replaced at the next oil change.
BigTom85 said:
Lets see some pics of the console upgrades, I'm pondering similar.
Will do. I found that BMW Hereford would give me a better price on the parts required that I could find on eBay, if you want to go that route I have a quote number, I am sure they will do the same deal for you (member discount on a BMW forum).I discovered that there are some gremlins lurking, hidden behind some tape under the dash are a number of warning lights. I will read the codes tomorrow and see what sort of compensation I can get from the supplying garage (there is a thread about it in general gassing). I don't mind fixing faults on cheap cars - as this thread will attest I have fixed a bunch already
- however I think that deliberately hidden warning lights is a bit low, so I will see what shakes out of the legalese letter that I am sending.Finally, some better news, I now have working parking distance sensors again! Rewired the sensor with a new plug and all is dandy. Now I only have myself to blame when I reverse into something
Some small updates on the warning light issues. The airbag warning light is being caused by fault codes on the right side airbag and right head airbag (the tubular one that goes up the A pillar). Took off the door card for a shufty and discovered this:
A comparison squeeze between the left and right A pillars suggests that the other airbag is also missing. Quarry motors in Sheffield are sending me a couple of airbags for the grand total of £17.50 plus postage! Apparently fitting the head airbag is a pain in the ass, but it should be doable with a couple hours work.
Some more investigation into the traction control light suggests that the problem is the sensor cluster under the passenger seat (speed and yaw sensors). I will try to check this while the battery is disconnected from the car for the airbag install, hopefully it is as simple as plugging the connector in again, or replacing the cluster (30 quid on ebay).
Will keep you posted anyway
A comparison squeeze between the left and right A pillars suggests that the other airbag is also missing. Quarry motors in Sheffield are sending me a couple of airbags for the grand total of £17.50 plus postage! Apparently fitting the head airbag is a pain in the ass, but it should be doable with a couple hours work.
Some more investigation into the traction control light suggests that the problem is the sensor cluster under the passenger seat (speed and yaw sensors). I will try to check this while the battery is disconnected from the car for the airbag install, hopefully it is as simple as plugging the connector in again, or replacing the cluster (30 quid on ebay).
Will keep you posted anyway
drdino said:
Possible, especially if looking at the colour difference between the right wing and the driver's door in the first picture... 
Unless it's due to lighting, camera angle etc.
...and the lacquer peel on the bonnet and the wing etc. Unless it's due to lighting, camera angle etc.Everything is fixable though. I've sent the OP a message, I'm more than happy to help him get this sorted.
Thanks for your kind offer Tom, I have replied to your kind email.
Regarding possible accident damage, I had a good look at the chassis and suspension on that side of the car when I replaced the control arms, everything looked straight. There are a lot of reports of these two airbags going off if a car hits a curb a little quickly, hopefully it was just something like this. Next time I have it in good lighting I will have a decent squint at the paintwork and see if there is a discrepancy (I think it is just bad lighting in the first picture).
The next big job is tracking down an oil leak, I am sure that the rocker cover gasket needs doing at least, so I will do that first and see how it goes.
Ordered more parts from Quarry motors on Saturday, including a new rear wiper motor so that I can tick that off my list.
Regarding possible accident damage, I had a good look at the chassis and suspension on that side of the car when I replaced the control arms, everything looked straight. There are a lot of reports of these two airbags going off if a car hits a curb a little quickly, hopefully it was just something like this. Next time I have it in good lighting I will have a decent squint at the paintwork and see if there is a discrepancy (I think it is just bad lighting in the first picture).
The next big job is tracking down an oil leak, I am sure that the rocker cover gasket needs doing at least, so I will do that first and see how it goes.
Ordered more parts from Quarry motors on Saturday, including a new rear wiper motor so that I can tick that off my list.
Just a quick update because I spent the last two hours wrestling with the headliner and dash to replace the two drivers side airbags. Complete stinker of a job, but worth it, following a reset of fault codes the airbag light is now OFF!
Next up is fitting the new sensor cluster to fix the DSC light, fitting new brake pad wear sensors to fix the pad light, and fitting a new rocker cover gasket (and new spark plugs while the cover is off) to start fixing the oil leak.
This car ownership lark can be pretty time consuming
Next up is fitting the new sensor cluster to fix the DSC light, fitting new brake pad wear sensors to fix the pad light, and fitting a new rocker cover gasket (and new spark plugs while the cover is off) to start fixing the oil leak.
This car ownership lark can be pretty time consuming
So, I figure it is about time for an update. Since the last post, I have replaced:
A couple of weeks ago I won a complete set of Eibach pro kit springs for 40 quid on ebay. I installed them tonight along with new front strut assemblies (strut mount, washers, rubber pads) and new rubber pads on the rear.
Still to be done is install a new CCV and its associated hoses - hopefully this will sort out the remaining oil thirst.
Too tired to write more tonight, after I finished working on the car I took it for a drive. It is totally transformed, the new struts and mounts have sharpened up the steering no end. There was a lot of play in the old mounts, and the struts and springs were not matched (one BMW which I assume is the original 12 year old strut, and one Boge), I don't think this did anything for the handling! No idea what contribution the pro kit springs are making, but they certainly are not hurting the handling
Cheers,
Edward
- the spark plugs
- the vanos seals (kit from i6 automotive
- the DISA gasket
- the oil filter housing gasket
- the radiator, expansion bottle and cap, top and bottom hoses, water level sensor, fan switch, and water pump
- top and bottom steering U joints
A couple of weeks ago I won a complete set of Eibach pro kit springs for 40 quid on ebay
. I installed them tonight along with new front strut assemblies (strut mount, washers, rubber pads) and new rubber pads on the rear.Still to be done is install a new CCV and its associated hoses - hopefully this will sort out the remaining oil thirst.
Too tired to write more tonight, after I finished working on the car I took it for a drive. It is totally transformed, the new struts and mounts have sharpened up the steering no end. There was a lot of play in the old mounts, and the struts and springs were not matched (one BMW which I assume is the original 12 year old strut, and one Boge), I don't think this did anything for the handling! No idea what contribution the pro kit springs are making, but they certainly are not hurting the handling
Cheers,
Edward
helix402 said:
Good job. Did you find any difference with the new Vanos seals? What make of dampers did you go for?
It is not a night and day difference, and may be wishful thinking, but it feels a little better at low revs. Before it would get bogged down more easily. The old seals were definitely buggered, the pistons could move in the housing quite easily.For dampers I chose Sachs front and rear, they have a good reputation and are pretty cheap, didn't want to mess with anything stiffer than stock. Front shock mount are lemforder, rear shock mounts and most of the rest of the suspension is meyle HD.
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