E46 325ti compact buying advice / tips / tricks/ general tat

E46 325ti compact buying advice / tips / tricks/ general tat

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Discussion

LeoZwalf

Original Poster:

2,802 posts

229 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi BMW chaps,

This is my first step into possible BMW ownership. Quite some time ago I owned a fairly fast Rover 420 GSi turbo - I left the UK in 2008 and since have had boring cars. A good old friend of mine back home has a lovely purple 325ti and I do rather fancy one too.

I live in The Netherlands and road tax here is very expensive compared to the UK and is based on 'empty weight'. The 3er Compact meets quite a few of my picky criteria so I've started researching them. There isn't much choice in NL so it's difficult to get a good hold of what's what.

That's why I'm posting here - if you guys have experience of these cars can you post here important info. Any weak points? Rust points? Leaks/smoke/drips/creaks/squeaks/groans/whines/screams? Should I be put off my high miles? Optional extras which back in the day were tip top but are now more hassle than they're worth? Options back in the day which are worth a lot now?

So far I have figured out:
- M kitted ones look nicer; no black rubbing strips
- Black/silver/blue don't float my boat. Red/purple/yellowey/other are much more interesting
- Not interested in the 4 cylinder 316/318. Gotta be a 325.

As for price, it's kinda difficult to ask as I know most of you are UK based and prices there are so much lower. From what I've seen so far, a good one is going to be around €5000.

Over to you chaps, gimme all you've got thumbup

gtidriver

3,334 posts

186 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
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Hi, i had a imola red 325ti sport. It was a very nice car,try and get a 6speed version if you can, i read there better on fuel and quieter at motorway speeds. It'll do 35mpg with care. Mine was a bmw press car that was used by topgear magazine as there lifer car.

LeoZwalf

Original Poster:

2,802 posts

229 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
quotequote all
Mmm, thanks. How long did you have yours? How many miles? Options you liked or thought were pointless?

FWIW - this one has piqued my interest because of the colour and interior. High KM's though, too much I think.

http://link.marktplaats.nl/m870619042


Leins

9,412 posts

147 months

Saturday 29th November 2014
quotequote all
I bought a 53-reg 6-speed Sport in Silver Grey back in 2005, with optional xenons and 18" MV2s, but standard half-alcantara. It was very much the spec I wanted, and absolutely loved the car

Kept it for nearly 4 years and 60k miles, in which time it was pretty reliable, with the main issues being numerous snapped rear springs and it required a new coil-pack, both of which were well-known issues. It was also very tyre-sensitive in that set-up, not liking mixed-brand front/rears, and had a habit of burning out its sidelight holders, which was an issue I never got to the bottom of

Edited by Leins on Saturday 29th November 23:45

BlitzE34

284 posts

149 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
quotequote all
LeoZwalf said:
Mmm, thanks. How long did you have yours? How many miles? Options you liked or thought were pointless?

FWIW - this one has piqued my interest because of the colour and interior. High KM's though, too much I think.

http://link.marktplaats.nl/m870619042

It has the nasty unreliable SSG gearbox, cheap after market wheels and exhaust and what seems like a sport rear bumper on a standard car.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 30th November 2014
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Check the rear wash/wipe is working ok
If it has electric rear quarter vents check they open and close ok
If it has remote boot opening option, check that works
Check there's no damp in the boot under the carpets

Usual E46 stuff applies as well, rear coil springs, rear brake pipes, sunroof blind, check rad replaced ( original likely to be getting towards end of life ), if 5-speed box check gear stick centres in neutral etc etc

Nothing major but it helps if you can do small jobs yourself to save some money - these are 10 year old plus cars by now so likely to have issues that need fixing

Fordo

1,535 posts

223 months

Monday 1st December 2014
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Hi Leo! easier to type on here than whatsapp.

I don't think the 6 speed is worth holding out for. - mines a 5, and it doesn't trouble me particularly. Its a nice to have, rather than a must.

I'd avoid the 17" wheels if you can.

Mines got m-sport 17" wheels from factory - handling is great, and they suit the look of the car.... but the wheels are staggered, so rears are very wide, and very the tyres therefore are quite expensive. Also means you can't swap the backs to the front for even wear. Do you need extra set of winter tyres over there? If so, the expensive tyres might be an issue?

You mentioned on whatsapp, about possibly weak coolant system - funnily enough, the only 2 major problems I've had in 3 years of ownnership, was broken rear springs at mot time, and a leak in the expansion tank. - it had split along the seam in the plastic. Easy fix though - but i used a non bmw part, and the pattern header tank I used, didn't have a built in magnet the tank, which the coolant level sensor uses to gauge the level. Not the end of the world, but annoying none the less. Sensor only is used for a dash light. - So if you go see any, give the engine bay a good old inspection, see what condition the coolant system is in, looking for signs of any leaks.

Its all little things to look out for, like any car. I'm not aware of any massive issues with the e46 compacts.

As for extras - make sure you get the multi function steering wheel, and cruise control. Ive also bought a kit that wires into the cd multi changer loom, so i can plug my iPhone in. iphone charges, car thinks phone is a cd multi changer, and i can control the iPhone form my steering wheel. nice.

Mr_B

10,480 posts

242 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
I bought a 2004 325ti 6 speed Sport. Waited for the right spec and got a black car with the sport bumpers, half alcantara interior and think it looks and drives great, just a shame it doesn't have a slippy diff.

Was quite cheap when I bought it as it wasn't mint. Problems have been the rear wiper which is a very common. For some reason it pumps the wash wipe through the body of the motor, O-ring leaks and pumps it into the linkage, rusts seizes, strips the wheel inside and can blow the fuse. You can cheap fix these as new motors aren't cheap and secondhand parts are expensive and likely to be problematic.

Also check the electric windows, regulators are a know problem but can be a cheap fix. The tatty black rubbery painted center console and be cleaned up with a can of spray Plastidip.

BMW's are great as everyone mods and fixes them and seems to love writing about doing so. Just about any job has a DIY guide written on owners forums and YouTube videos. Add in loads of specialists, secondhand parts and the ability to easily gets BMW's own software on a laptop with their own technical guides on repairs and you can't go wrong if you can do your own repairs/servicing.

Edited by Mr_B on Thursday 4th December 02:19

jayemm89

4,001 posts

129 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
Mr_B said:
I bought a 2004 325ti 6 speed Sport. Waited for the right spec and got a black car with the sport bumpers, half alcantara interior and think it looks and drives great, just a shame it doesn't have a slippy diff.

Was quite cheap when I bought it as it wasn't mint. Problems have been the rear wiper which is a very common problem. For some reason it pumps the wash wipe through the body of the motor, O-ring leaks and pumps it into the linkage, rusts seizes, strips the wheel inside and can blow the fuse. You can cheap fix these as new motors aren't cheap and secondhand parts are expensive and likely to be problematic.

Also check the electric windows, regulators are a know problem but can be a cheap fix. The tatty black rubbery painted center console and be cleaned up with a can of spray Plastidip.

BMW's are great as everyone mods and fixes them and seems to lot writing about doing so. Just about any job has a DIY guide written on owners forums and YouTube videos. Add in loads of specialists, secondhand parts and the ability to easily gets BMW's own software on a laptop with their own technical guides on repairs and you can't go wrong if you can do your own repairs/servicing.
£40 of second hand trim on eBay made wonders for the looks of the interior of my other half's compact when she had one. I believe they share many parts with the coupe.

However, the two cars felt like they were made by entirely different firms. I had a 330Ci and she had the compact, build on the compact was flimsy to say the least.

hamish88

161 posts

175 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
My friend has an imola red 325ti sport he is contemplating selling as he doesn't use it much.
Its pretty well speced with xenon sunroof and full leather . Best thing is its done under 60k miles.
He's looking around 3k
Pm me and I'll send you his email

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
quotequote all
jayemm89 said:
£40 of second hand trim on eBay made wonders for the looks of the interior of my other half's compact when she had one. I believe they share many parts with the coupe.

However, the two cars felt like they were made by entirely different firms. I had a 330Ci and she had the compact, build on the compact was flimsy to say the least.
Just as an aside, how have people found rust issues on the Compact compared to similar aged Coupes/saloons? More resistant to arch frilliness etc?

clonmult

10,529 posts

208 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
quotequote all
s m said:
jayemm89 said:
£40 of second hand trim on eBay made wonders for the looks of the interior of my other half's compact when she had one. I believe they share many parts with the coupe.

However, the two cars felt like they were made by entirely different firms. I had a 330Ci and she had the compact, build on the compact was flimsy to say the least.
Just as an aside, how have people found rust issues on the Compact compared to similar aged Coupes/saloons? More resistant to arch frilliness etc?
None at all on mine (03 316Ti) ... at least not so far.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
Wow they are expensive where the OP is.
I bought a 52 plate 5 speed in red a week ago with less miles for less money.
It has full black leather and a CD changer. smile
Rear wiper does not work and rear hatch does not spring open by itself.frown
Still the price was right and it'll give me something(s) to do!

mark.c

1,090 posts

179 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
s m said:
jayemm89 said:
£40 of second hand trim on eBay made wonders for the looks of the interior of my other half's compact when she had one. I believe they share many parts with the coupe.

However, the two cars felt like they were made by entirely different firms. I had a 330Ci and she had the compact, build on the compact was flimsy to say the least.
Just as an aside, how have people found rust issues on the Compact compared to similar aged Coupes/saloons? More resistant to arch frilliness etc?
None at all that I've found so far, in fact when I was looking for mine I looked at circa 10 cars, although most were rough for one reason or another I don't remember seeing a rusty one.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
mark.c said:
s m said:
jayemm89 said:
£40 of second hand trim on eBay made wonders for the looks of the interior of my other half's compact when she had one. I believe they share many parts with the coupe.

However, the two cars felt like they were made by entirely different firms. I had a 330Ci and she had the compact, build on the compact was flimsy to say the least.
Just as an aside, how have people found rust issues on the Compact compared to similar aged Coupes/saloons? More resistant to arch frilliness etc?
None at all that I've found so far, in fact when I was looking for mine I looked at circa 10 cars, although most were rough for one reason or another I don't remember seeing a rusty one.
Same as I noticed - they seem to be a lot more rust resistant than saloons and coupes of the same age, hence my query

clonmult

10,529 posts

208 months

Friday 5th December 2014
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Wow they are expensive where the OP is.
I bought a 52 plate 5 speed in red a week ago with less miles for less money.
It has full black leather and a CD changer. smile
Rear wiper does not work and rear hatch does not spring open by itself.frown
Still the price was right and it'll give me something(s) to do!
Yup, get right on in there and remove that CD changer, give you a little extra storage space.

Rear wiper on mine works fine. Although after filling the rear washer jet bottle, realised that it doesn't actually have a washer jet. Which is quite bizarre ... maybe it helps weight distribution.

One thing on the audio system. Don't ever bother replacing the rear speakers. They're a nightmare to access, awkward to replace, and even though I put in some fairly decent speakers, made no real difference to sound quality. Mentioned it to a colleague (who is an ex BMW mechanic) and he laughed, as he remembered the same problem with the E36 Compact.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 6th December 2014
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
Wow they are expensive where the OP is.
I bought a 52 plate 5 speed in red a week ago with less miles for less money.
It has full black leather and a CD changer. smile
Rear wiper does not work and rear hatch does not spring open by itself.frown
Still the price was right and it'll give me something(s) to do!
Yes, mine was pretty cheap too and in much better overall nick than similar age coops and saloons. Everything working as it should

I don't mind the ugly looks as the dynamic trade-off is worth it to me - Heinz Krusche really got the Compact set up spot on for me.

LeoZwalf

Original Poster:

2,802 posts

229 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Thanks to you all for your suggestions etc., I'm taking it all on board and will keep looking. There isn't a wide range of 325ti's for sale here so it might be a slow hunt. There are loads in Germany but the hassle associated with importing makes it easier to search locally. I'll keep you updated as to what I end up doing, in the mean time please keep posting here if you think of more important tips etc.

Thanks! thumbup

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Mr_B said:
The tatty black rubbery painted center console and be cleaned up with a can of spray Plastidip.
What's the process for this?

The one in my 330i is pretty scagged up, do you remove it, scrap the old stuff off then plastidip it?

clonmult

10,529 posts

208 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
quotequote all
Matt_N said:
Mr_B said:
The tatty black rubbery painted center console and be cleaned up with a can of spray Plastidip.
What's the process for this?

The one in my 330i is pretty scagged up, do you remove it, scrap the old stuff off then plastidip it?
Remove, strip off old paint, clean, paint/plastidip/whatever it.

I've done that to some of the painted trim inserts on my Ti, really need to spend a little time figuring out how to do the section around the window switches - its a sod to remove. I'm sanding, priming, spray painting .... haven't chosen a final colour yet, but even the primer (light grey) is a massive improvement.

The original painted finish on the various inserts does seem to be very low quality.