New (to me) BMW 325ti compact - what next

New (to me) BMW 325ti compact - what next

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Discussion

clonmult

10,529 posts

208 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
s m said:
clonmult said:
Slightly narked that I couldn't find any 325tis when I was looking around, didn't want a high mileage 320tdi, the 318Tis that I saw were ropy and found a fairly neat 316Ti ...

I put a set of Toyo Proxes CF2s on, and that really has made it ride and handle pretty sweet. Definitely a recommended tyre. Handling is absolutely fine in the wet, definitely better than my old E36 coupe which was rather twitchy in the wet.
Wouldn't feel too narked - from a handling point of view the mag reviews of the 4-cylinder petroleum were even more positive than for the 6-cylinder at the launch of the E46 Compact
Less weight up front, better balanced? It is a cracking car on the twisties and a darned good ride on the motorway.

One thing that did surprise me when looking around is that the 318Ci and 318Ti (both 140bhp variants) felt really gutless. Every one I tried. I had expected an engine that felt close to the M44 in my older E36 318is.

timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Friday 29th August 2014
quotequote all
So just as a quick update had a service 1 done today and had the car looked over. Apart from reasonably worn rear brake pads all looks good so far. He did echo the sentiment regarding the tyres mind you!!! Still, glad with purchase and will update thread with any bits that get sorted. Thanks all for your contributions and please keep thread alive as it's an interesting read for a new owner :-)

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
clonmult said:
s m said:
clonmult said:
Slightly narked that I couldn't find any 325tis when I was looking around, didn't want a high mileage 320tdi, the 318Tis that I saw were ropy and found a fairly neat 316Ti ...

I put a set of Toyo Proxes CF2s on, and that really has made it ride and handle pretty sweet. Definitely a recommended tyre. Handling is absolutely fine in the wet, definitely better than my old E36 coupe which was rather twitchy in the wet.
Wouldn't feel too narked - from a handling point of view the mag reviews of the 4-cylinder petroleum were even more positive than for the 6-cylinder at the launch of the E46 Compact
Less weight up front, better balanced? It is a cracking car on the twisties and a darned good ride on the motorway.
Pretty much according to the original feedback



e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
quotequote all
If your looking at tyres, try Toyo R1R as they're excellent and really good value. They're extremely good in the wet too, which given Autumn is on it's way, is an added bonus. They're also being deleted from the range so there might be some bargains to be had. Certainly worth considering and would suit the Compacts handling characteristics.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
quotequote all
e21Mark said:
If your looking at tyres, try Toyo R1R as they're excellent and really good value. They're extremely good in the wet too, which given Autumn is on it's way, is an added bonus. They're also being deleted from the range so there might be some bargains to be had. Certainly worth considering and would suit the Compacts handling characteristics.
Have you heard when they stop making them Mark?

I'm going to give the Advan Neova AD08Rs a try next

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Monday 1st September 2014
quotequote all
s m said:
e21Mark said:
If your looking at tyres, try Toyo R1R as they're excellent and really good value. They're extremely good in the wet too, which given Autumn is on it's way, is an added bonus. They're also being deleted from the range so there might be some bargains to be had. Certainly worth considering and would suit the Compacts handling characteristics.
Have you heard when they stop making them Mark?

I'm going to give the Advan Neova AD08Rs a try next
I was told there are no further supplies after current stocks run out.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
e21Mark said:
I was told there are no further supplies after current stocks run out.
Ah right - I must be honest, I wonder whether the extra grip would spoil the fun too much in the Compact.
Something grippier might be good with a 3-litre conversion though

AlexFRP

188 posts

146 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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I've owned my Alpine White 325TI since March and think it's a great car. Ticks so many boxes and the wife enjoys it too.

When I collected it:




Changing from style 44 alloys to style 97 staggered:



How it looks now:



s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
AlexFRP said:
I've owned my Alpine White 325TI since March and think it's a great car. Ticks so many boxes and the wife enjoys it too.

When I collected it:
Is that the one with the plate beginning HG from Norfolk perchance?

If so, I was very tempted by that because of the rare colour plus it had a sunroof and was fairly low mileage.

Looks great - but then I like white cars

Alex325TI

188 posts

146 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
quotequote all
s m said:
Is that the one with the plate beginning HG from Norfolk perchance?

If so, I was very tempted by that because of the rare colour plus it had a sunroof and was fairly low mileage.

Looks great - but then I like white cars
It sure is the HG53 plate from Norfolk. Now lives in York and is on a private reg. It has needed some work as was a little rough round the edges with some shocking touches such as sunstrip and poorly painted white dash trims. Getting there and not much else to do to it.

clonmult

10,529 posts

208 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Alex325TI said:
s m said:
Is that the one with the plate beginning HG from Norfolk perchance?

If so, I was very tempted by that because of the rare colour plus it had a sunroof and was fairly low mileage.

Looks great - but then I like white cars
It sure is the HG53 plate from Norfolk. Now lives in York and is on a private reg. It has needed some work as was a little rough round the edges with some shocking touches such as sunstrip and poorly painted white dash trims. Getting there and not much else to do to it.
That reminds me that I need to sort out the dash trim on mine; it is grey but some of the top layer has been worn off (how???) - intending to respray it black to match the rest of the trim.

Any suggestions for paint?

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
quotequote all
Alex325TI said:
s m said:
Is that the one with the plate beginning HG from Norfolk perchance?

If so, I was very tempted by that because of the rare colour plus it had a sunroof and was fairly low mileage.

Looks great - but then I like white cars
It sure is the HG53 plate from Norfolk. Now lives in York and is on a private reg. It has needed some work as was a little rough round the edges with some shocking touches such as sunstrip and poorly painted white dash trims. Getting there and not much else to do to it.
I thought I recognised it! Enjoy it smile

timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
quotequote all
timetothink said:
So just as a quick update had a service 1 done today and had the car looked over. Apart from reasonably worn rear brake pads all looks good so far. He did echo the sentiment regarding the tyres mind you!!! Still, glad with purchase and will update thread with any bits that get sorted. Thanks all for your contributions and please keep thread alive as it's an interesting read for a new owner :-)
Well still getting the grin. Here she is after a little wash today :-)

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Saturday 4th October 2014
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Any more updates?

timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Monday 27th October 2014
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vx220 said:
Any more updates?
So it's been queit on the update front and that's due the car being no hassle since purchase. Due to take her on a long run in a couple of weekends so will feed back on ride/mpg and such and give her a nice clean (will take pics).
Really want to get alloys refurb end but will wait for new year.

Still loving it though :-)

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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Good to hear

325ti might be a "sensible" choice for my next car

timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
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vx220 said:
Good to hear

325ti might be a "sensible" choice for my next car
One drivers experience is different to another but I can say with conviction that this is a superb little car. It makes a wonderful noise under acceleration and personally I think it looks great too. Great bang for the buck.

Don't get me wrong it's not a world beater when it comes to the hot hatch stake but in a straight line over a 1/4 this little thing will keep up with most and surprise many. I also find that most who do want a little nibble are expecting smaller engined versions so take great pleasure in listening to the roar of her engine and the look on their face as you ease away :-)

If you buy a sensibly priced one and it's not ur cup of tea it shouldn't be to hard to move on quickly either.

timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Friday 7th November 2014
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So i managed an inside andnout job today between the rain and vacuum break downs. 250 mile round trip tomorrow so wilm update with mpg and ride details on return :-)




timetothink

Original Poster:

48 posts

132 months

Friday 7th November 2014
quotequote all
So i managed an inside andnout job today between the rain and vacuum break downs. 250 mile round trip tomorrow so wilm update with mpg and ride details on return :-)




hamish88

161 posts

175 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
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Do you mind saying roughly how much you paid for it, I got tasked with selling my mates imola red 325ti sport its only done 50k so I'm trying to do a bit of research on paid prices , not prices that are advertised for. Can pm me if you like to keep it private . Many thanks