E46 325ti (contd.)
Discussion
Continuing on from another thread...
Anything you didn't like?I see we share somewhat similar taste in cars, so I suspect one of these Compacts might be your sort of motor. I tried the E30 daily driving thing last year with a 318iS, but didn't really enjoy it, mainly because I felt the car wasn't enjoying it either. I would have loved to get another 325ti, but I'm living back in Ireland again now, and refuse to pay the extortionate tax rates here on larger engines for the full year, hence the dull but functional Golf commuter I have now. My other cars only come out in the summer, which keeps the amount of tax I have to pay on them down to a level I can just about accept paying our government
Anyway, there wasn't too much I didn't like with my 325ti, although for me it was prime spec: facelift '53'-reg Sport version, 6sp manual, Silver Grey with Xenons and MV2s. Had a few issues along the way, with broken springs and coil packs, which they all seem to suffer from at various stages. Also, it could be argued that it's not the fastest of hatches, but I never minded that too much, as the way it revved around the clock was very entertaining for me. It won't feel as raw as your E30s, which in a way lends itself to the Compact's ability to work as a daily, but there's still a lot of fun to be had from them when you want. Great handling with a real ability to be able to be thrown around when the mood takes you, lovely sound, quite comfortable for the driver and a passenger or two (I'm a bit tall so no chance of anyone getting in behind me), handy boot access, and even in Sport trim a bit of a Q-car. No-one ever seemed to take any notice of the twin pipes and the badge, so I always felt many of the motorway hunters thought it was going to be easy prey!
It obviously won't give you the sensory overload of the CSL, but I found them to have a real specialness to them, something a bit naughty about that engine in that shell which makes the whole package damn good fun. And it can do the refined cruiser too at lower engine revs if you can ignore the devil on your shoulder telling you to gun it everywhere!
I'm sure there might be another few 325ti owners along with their experiences
mark.c said:
Leins said:
Used one for 3.5 years as a daily, they're superb little cars
Ah I thought you had written elsewhere that you had one previously, I think one would make a great addition. I'm using my 320is as a daily at the moment and since you own that beautiful C2.5 you can probably understand why I want to retire it from such duties. Anything you didn't like?
Anyway, there wasn't too much I didn't like with my 325ti, although for me it was prime spec: facelift '53'-reg Sport version, 6sp manual, Silver Grey with Xenons and MV2s. Had a few issues along the way, with broken springs and coil packs, which they all seem to suffer from at various stages. Also, it could be argued that it's not the fastest of hatches, but I never minded that too much, as the way it revved around the clock was very entertaining for me. It won't feel as raw as your E30s, which in a way lends itself to the Compact's ability to work as a daily, but there's still a lot of fun to be had from them when you want. Great handling with a real ability to be able to be thrown around when the mood takes you, lovely sound, quite comfortable for the driver and a passenger or two (I'm a bit tall so no chance of anyone getting in behind me), handy boot access, and even in Sport trim a bit of a Q-car. No-one ever seemed to take any notice of the twin pipes and the badge, so I always felt many of the motorway hunters thought it was going to be easy prey!
It obviously won't give you the sensory overload of the CSL, but I found them to have a real specialness to them, something a bit naughty about that engine in that shell which makes the whole package damn good fun. And it can do the refined cruiser too at lower engine revs if you can ignore the devil on your shoulder telling you to gun it everywhere!
I'm sure there might be another few 325ti owners along with their experiences
It seems we do share the same taste! Yeah the idea of running the 320is everyday has lost its appeal greatly over the last few months. I don't travel a great distance to work and it lives in a secure car park at work but for any other duties I'm getting more and more concerned about leaving it places, and exactly like you say, it's almost like the car is well up for a blast but would really rather I didn't use it for the more mundane trips! Also, I have had use of the other halves E39 525d lately and I'd forgotten how easy it is to get about in a 'modern' car with all it's creature comforts and it's waftiness!
That's not to say I've lost any desire for a fun drive, certainly not, but I think you can understand where I'm coming from! To that end I can live without the rawness of the E30's and CSL for daily duties and need something that for a reasonable budget bridges that gap, a car that excites enough but isn't too much of a compromise.
Thats where I think the 325ti could come into its own, there is definitely something hot roddish about having that engine in a little compact and I also like the fact, as you said, that nobody bats an eyelid at it....certainly something the 320is on its DTM airbox can't do
There is something else too, we are expecting our first nipper in September and nothing I own is going to be any good for family duties....I'm trying to convince myself that the Compact will be practical too.......
I appreciate you taking the time to tell me about your experiences and would welcome anyone else's
That's not to say I've lost any desire for a fun drive, certainly not, but I think you can understand where I'm coming from! To that end I can live without the rawness of the E30's and CSL for daily duties and need something that for a reasonable budget bridges that gap, a car that excites enough but isn't too much of a compromise.
Thats where I think the 325ti could come into its own, there is definitely something hot roddish about having that engine in a little compact and I also like the fact, as you said, that nobody bats an eyelid at it....certainly something the 320is on its DTM airbox can't do
There is something else too, we are expecting our first nipper in September and nothing I own is going to be any good for family duties....I'm trying to convince myself that the Compact will be practical too.......
I appreciate you taking the time to tell me about your experiences and would welcome anyone else's
Leins said:
No probs, let us know what you end up doing. And congrats on the impending fatherhood, although I suspect you might want to hide the keys to all those fantastic cars in 17 or so years time
I will do, thank you, exciting times.... Funnily enough my Dad 'borrowed' his Dad's car( and promptly drove it through the garage door) when he was growing up citing that he was never allowed near it.....keen to prevent me doing the same Dad let me have a go in a field as soon as I was big enough to reach the pedals...seemed to work so I'll try the same method I think..failing that I'll buy a s@dding great big safe for the keys mark.c said:
It seems we do share the same taste! Yeah the idea of running the 320is everyday has lost its appeal greatly over the last few months. I don't travel a great distance to work and it lives in a secure car park at work but for any other duties I'm getting more and more concerned about leaving it places
An E30 320iS as a daily runabout! Not a common car but fun to drive I bet - is it a 2 or a 4-door?mark.c said:
Hi s m
It's a two door, it's great fun to drive and can still hold it's own, I'm just getting more and more paranoid about using it everyday....
That looks in great nick! It's a two door, it's great fun to drive and can still hold it's own, I'm just getting more and more paranoid about using it everyday....
Not surprised you want to save it for high days and holidays. I bet most people mistake it for a lhd 325 Sport
s m said:
That looks in great nick!
Not surprised you want to save it for high days and holidays. I bet most people mistake it for a lhd 325 Sport
Thank you Not surprised you want to save it for high days and holidays. I bet most people mistake it for a lhd 325 Sport
part of the charm of the car for me is that not many people know what it is, although having said that I was approached by a chap at work last week who asked if it was for sale...I said I wasnt planning on selling but am open to suggestions....he offered me 2K stating that if it was a 325i and not a 'boring' 320i then he may have offered more 
I said I'll think it over
Leins said:
That looks lovely, despite being a 'boring' 320 . Was it Italian or Portuguese?
How does the S14 compare to the M3's one?
Eve'nin. Was it Italian or Portuguese?How does the S14 compare to the M3's one?
Edited by Leins on Tuesday 15th April 15:49
The car was Italian ....I'm always on the lookout for an Italian check panel since it's been replaced with an English one, it's the little things
Well the 'is has a pair of Schricks so actually feels more keen at the top end compared to the M3, in fact it's very very eager to rev, more akin to my old 'late model' M3 as opposed to the current 195hp one. It's not the last word in low down torque but then neither is the M3. The engine is freshly built with dished pistons, new timing chain, pumps, the works basically , a very expensive exercise after an unfortunate incident with the previous owner and a miss shift!
I reckon all things being equal there is nothing in it in outright performance, show it some twisties and the M3 comes into its own.
Leins said:
Nice!
I'm off down to the Le Mans Classic this year, and will be trying to keep up with a buddy of mine in his '91 M3, which had an engine rebuild a couple of years ago. It absolutely flies! Always puzzles me why people say these cars are slow nowadays
I must do Le Mans Classic one year, its one of my events to tick off, are you taking the Alpina?I'm off down to the Le Mans Classic this year, and will be trying to keep up with a buddy of mine in his '91 M3, which had an engine rebuild a couple of years ago. It absolutely flies! Always puzzles me why people say these cars are slow nowadays
I know what you are saying, I've never found them lacking to be honest, obviously it depends what you are comparing it against of course. The thing about them, as you know, is you have to work for your rewards so compared to a modern diesel for example with its easily accessible slug of low down grunt, may make one feel slow to someone who is used to that type of car.
On todays roads it makes me love it even more, yesterday for example I took the CSL out to get my fix but because the roads are so busy I ultimately came home frustrated. Ive never had that in an E30 as I get the 'fix' at much lower speed. I'm waffling now but I'm sure you know what I mean!
mark.c said:
I must do Le Mans Classic one year, its one of my events to tick off, are you taking the Alpina?
I know what you are saying, I've never found them lacking to be honest, obviously it depends what you are comparing it against of course. The thing about them, as you know, is you have to work for your rewards so compared to a modern diesel for example with its easily accessible slug of low down grunt, may make one feel slow to someone who is used to that type of car.
On todays roads it makes me love it even more, yesterday for example I took the CSL out to get my fix but because the roads are so busy I ultimately came home frustrated. Ive never had that in an E30 as I get the 'fix' at much lower speed. I'm waffling now but I'm sure you know what I mean!
Top Gear mag ran one as a long-termer ( went on to be owned by PH-er gtidriver ).I know what you are saying, I've never found them lacking to be honest, obviously it depends what you are comparing it against of course. The thing about them, as you know, is you have to work for your rewards so compared to a modern diesel for example with its easily accessible slug of low down grunt, may make one feel slow to someone who is used to that type of car.
On todays roads it makes me love it even more, yesterday for example I took the CSL out to get my fix but because the roads are so busy I ultimately came home frustrated. Ive never had that in an E30 as I get the 'fix' at much lower speed. I'm waffling now but I'm sure you know what I mean!
Here's what an M3 driver thought of it
s m said:
Top Gear mag ran one as a long-termer ( went on to be owned by PH-er gtidriver ).
Here's what an M3 driver thought of it
I really liked that article, thanks Here's what an M3 driver thought of it
It used to be published on the TG web-site I thinkStill remember picking up my 325ti back in 2005 from Sytners in Nottingham, and then driving it back north over the Cat & Fiddle
Every car purchase should involve a decent trip home to add to the experience I think, and it ensured I bonded with it almost immediatelyIncidently, I got overtaken by an Enzo around Derby on the way to pick it up, so had a proper little petrolhead time for myself that day
mark.c said:
I must do Le Mans Classic one year, its one of my events to tick off, are you taking the Alpina?
I know what you are saying, I've never found them lacking to be honest, obviously it depends what you are comparing it against of course. The thing about them, as you know, is you have to work for your rewards so compared to a modern diesel for example with its easily accessible slug of low down grunt, may make one feel slow to someone who is used to that type of car.
On todays roads it makes me love it even more, yesterday for example I took the CSL out to get my fix but because the roads are so busy I ultimately came home frustrated. Ive never had that in an E30 as I get the 'fix' at much lower speed. I'm waffling now but I'm sure you know what I mean!
This is my first time going to it, and getting quite excited about it now. I was thinking about taking my E34 down there, but the fact that it's a bit of a camping trip too it just seemed right to use my Touring instead. Plus I hardly drove the Alpina last year for one reason or another, so I feel it'll do it good to stretch its legs a bit. It's getting a suspension refresh next month, along with some other updates, so it should be all set for the trip in July hopefully!I know what you are saying, I've never found them lacking to be honest, obviously it depends what you are comparing it against of course. The thing about them, as you know, is you have to work for your rewards so compared to a modern diesel for example with its easily accessible slug of low down grunt, may make one feel slow to someone who is used to that type of car.
On todays roads it makes me love it even more, yesterday for example I took the CSL out to get my fix but because the roads are so busy I ultimately came home frustrated. Ive never had that in an E30 as I get the 'fix' at much lower speed. I'm waffling now but I'm sure you know what I mean!
I know what you mean about CSLs though, as I've pretty much given up using it anywhere there's going to be traffic or too many people now. The E30 is as happy to just trundle about the place if required, whereas I find the CSL hates it, instead always wanting to be in "maximum attack" mode
My E34 just doesn't really understand what it is, but seems to have no concept that it looks like a 4-door saloon Found myself driving into work this morning thinking "I'd love another Compact now!"
Leins said:
This is my first time going to it, and getting quite excited about it now. I was thinking about taking my E34 down there, but the fact that it's a bit of a camping trip too it just seemed right to use my Touring instead. Plus I hardly drove the Alpina last year for one reason or another, so I feel it'll do it good to stretch its legs a bit. It's getting a suspension refresh next month, along with some other updates, so it should be all set for the trip in July hopefully!
I know what you mean about CSLs though, as I've pretty much given up using it anywhere there's going to be traffic or too many people now. The E30 is as happy to just trundle about the place if required, whereas I find the CSL hates it, instead always wanting to be in "maximum attack" mode My E34 just doesn't really understand what it is, but seems to have no concept that it looks like a 4-door saloon
Found myself driving into work this morning thinking "I'd love another Compact now!"
That's a great article, thank you for putting that up I know what you mean about CSLs though, as I've pretty much given up using it anywhere there's going to be traffic or too many people now. The E30 is as happy to just trundle about the place if required, whereas I find the CSL hates it, instead always wanting to be in "maximum attack" mode
My E34 just doesn't really understand what it is, but seems to have no concept that it looks like a 4-door saloon Found myself driving into work this morning thinking "I'd love another Compact now!"
I'm having an ongoing debate with the long haired General at the moment who thinks that a Compact is not going to cut the mustard where a nipper is concerned, I on the the other hand think it will be perfect since it won't be the primary method of ankle snapper transportation....She has an E39 525derv touring for that....I shall ask her to read the article
I have to echo your points about the CSL, I adore the car, I mean really adore it, it's such a great tool straight out of the box ( mines boggo) but like you say it just begs to be spanked all the time which on today's roads is nigh on impossible. People say that all the time about cars but for me it couldn't be more accurate with the CSL.
I've just clicked that you have an E34 M5 ...lucky chap!..I ran a 3.6 years ago when you could pick up a usable one for about 4k, I tried to drive the doors of it and it never missed a beat in two years, really regret selling it but had other itches to scratch at the time. I would have another in a heartbeat but they are getting out of hand price wise sadly.
Hindsight and all that!!
mark.c said:
I've just clicked that you have an E34 M5 ...lucky chap!..I ran a 3.6 years ago when you could pick up a usable one for about 4k, I tried to drive the doors of it and it never missed a beat in two years, really regret selling it but had other itches to scratch at the time. I would have another in a heartbeat but they are getting out of hand price wise sadly.
Hindsight and all that!!
I'll swap you for a 993 Turbo Hindsight and all that!!
mark.c said:
That's a great article, thank you for putting that up
I'm having an ongoing debate with the long haired General at the moment who thinks that a Compact is not going to cut the mustard where a nipper is concerned, I on the the other hand think it will be perfect since it won't be the primary method of ankle snapper transportation....She has an E39 525derv touring for that....I shall ask her to read the article
If the ti is to replace your 2-door E30 320is I can't see it being any less practical with a child.....but then I don't know how much stuff you have to cart around. I'm having an ongoing debate with the long haired General at the moment who thinks that a Compact is not going to cut the mustard where a nipper is concerned, I on the the other hand think it will be perfect since it won't be the primary method of ankle snapper transportation....She has an E39 525derv touring for that....I shall ask her to read the article
Good luck with whatever you choose anyway!
Leins said:
Actually, this might sound daft but one of the handy features of the E46 ti is that the boot opens automatically from the key fob. Not just that it unlocks or pops up slightly, but actually opens fully on the struts. Handy when you're carrying lots of stuff
That is true as long as the original purchaser ordered option S493a and the correct boot struts have been used for any replacements that may have been required/or the originals aren't too 'tired' Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff