325Ti Compact-any good?

325Ti Compact-any good?

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Discussion

SidewaysSi

Original Poster:

10,742 posts

233 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
My sister is after a cheap car and other than a Clio Cup or Pug Rallye, I think a 325TI may be an option.

I have steered clear of a "normal" E46 due to rear subframe issues which I believe the Compact does not suffer from.

So are they fun and any good? Of course, excepting their looks...!

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Have a read

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

Considering one of these for my next car

I like the looks now, I remebering recoiling in horror when they came out!

Leins

9,422 posts

147 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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I always liked the looks, especially a facelift with Sport kit. Make sure you get a manual one

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
I bought one last December and I think it is great!
Was lucky to find a Sport model in Imola Red with optional full leather, but sadly it is a pre-facelift so no 6 speed gearbox. (Facelift was some time in 2003).
SE models don't look quite as sharp, but they drive the same because all 325's have the sport suspension and the sport seats.
Unfortunately mine has just needed the cooling system refresh all E46's seem to need at around 80,000 miles (rad and cap, expansion tank, temperature sensor, thermostat, etc) but as it is a keeper it should be good for years now!
However you may want to check whether any you see have had this done.
Other issues are the rear wipers often don't work (the washer jest are on the wiper arm so water often gets into the wiper motor).
Rear tailgate struts should open the tailgate when you press the remote, but many (mine included) have had the wrong (much cheaper) struts fitted.
If windscreen washers don't work it is probably just a case of taking the filter out of the washer tank, cleaning it and refilling with quality screen-wash (just water and it will block again).
Good news is that Compacts also don't seem to suffer with the rusty wheelarches that many E46's are prone to.
But it is a great drive and the straight 6 sounds lovely!
Good luck if you do look for one.

SidewaysSi

Original Poster:

10,742 posts

233 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks all, much appreciated. No rusty arches and no subframe issues sounds good to me. She wants something quite punchy but sub £2.5k.

We were thinking Clio Cups but any seem to be thrashed at this level.

What the steering feel like on the BMW and will it happily power oversteer, appreciating the lack of a slip diff.

Edited by SidewaysSi on Sunday 26th April 09:05

mark.c

1,090 posts

179 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
I've got an imola red 6 speed sport as my daily and I can't praise it enough. It makes a great noise when rung out and loves to be thrown around when you're in the mood with typical BMW feel. I bought mine so I could stop using my CSL as a daily and it's been great, for the money and for what I want it for I can't think of anything better......oh and the misses loves driving it too, unlike anything else I own so it keeps the peace too, win win. smile ( it has been mistaken for a Rover 25 before by a workmate though...grumpy

Mr_B

10,480 posts

242 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Love my black 04 plate 325ti Sport 6 speed. Is huge fun to drive, pretty good economy, cheap fix ( car tax is £285 a year though ) and a perfect daily driver type with as much hooligan fun on wet roundabouts as you want. If it had a limited slip diff, would be near perfect. Black, sport pack bumpers black cloth and alcantara interior - perfect.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
mark.c said:
I've got an imola red 6 speed sport as my daily and I can't praise it enough. It makes a great noise when rung out and loves to be thrown around when you're in the mood with typical BMW feel. I bought mine so I could stop using my CSL as a daily and it's been great, for the money and for what I want it for I can't think of anything better......oh and the misses loves driving it too, unlike anything else I own so it keeps the peace too, win win. smile ( it has been mistaken for a Rover 25 before by a workmate though...grumpy
OH, facelift Sport in Imola - jealous!
I use mine as a daily when the Z4C isn't practical - like taking my 93 year old mother anywhere, going to B & Q or the tip!
I originally had an old Mazda 323F as a daily, but it was so unexciting I had to get another Straight 6!
When I got it I thought it was pretty much 80% of the Z4C for 20% of the money.
I let my nephew drive it a couple of months ago, and then I had to find one for him! Found him a metallic black SE with cream leather, Bluetooth and electric sunroof - if I didn't like the Imola as much I might have had his one instead.
They seem such a bargain compared with other 325 E46's.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months