The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[s m]

danp said:

s m said:

mark.c said:

Great to see there is still some love out there for the Compact. I'm nearly three years in and it's done everything I've asked of it and with the exception of a radiator and intake boot it's been brilliant.. I could really do with a slightly bigger daily and I guess a 130i is the natural choice for something in a similar vein but for now this is still a cracking little car.

A 130i is certainly newer and they do a 5 door version but if you carry rear passengers I'd get them to try it out first. Certainly the rear doors make access easier

I tried a 130i but there was barely any rear legroom behind me (I'm about 6 foot) - I needed to get in two young children and ended up with an E90 330i which I believe has 10cm more legroom (from the ADAC website). I'd say my new 325ti is about the same as the 330i, maybe slightly less...so I would try before you buy!

Yes, pretty much my findings too - I think the Compact has more rear legroom than the 130
Boot size is 310 litres on Compact and 330litres on 130

[danp]

LocoBlade said:

I had a 123d then a 130i for a combined 6 years and then bought a 325 compact recently for a stopgap car until my new one was delivered at the start of March (still have it and need to get round to selling if anyone's on the lookout).

The 130i is a league above in terms of performance and obviously the interior is more modern and generally nicer. Not sure there's a whole lot in it for interior space though but I think the boot is a bit (not a lot) bigger in the 1 series. All that said though I think the 325 is the more coherent handling car in stock form even when running the 1 series on proper (non runflat) tyres. The suspension has a suppleness and compliance that the 1 series lacks, the back end of the 1 series feels oversprung which upsets it on bumpy roads and on the facelift cars the electric power steering doesn't give as much feel as the hydraulic setup on the 325 (and the pre facelift 130i).

Yes I've read that about the suspension - I only tried an SE on 17" and runflats which was pretty harsh, I'd imagine an M Sport on 18" would be unbearable for me (even on non RFTs). Hence Bird's offer their B1 suspension kit - for the price of a half decent 325ti ;-)

[mark.c]

s m said:

danp said:

s m said:

mark.c said:

Great to see there is still some love out there for the Compact. I'm nearly three years in and it's done everything I've asked of it and with the exception of a radiator and intake boot it's been brilliant.. I could really do with a slightly bigger daily and I guess a 130i is the natural choice for something in a similar vein but for now this is still a cracking little car.

A 130i is certainly newer and they do a 5 door version but if you carry rear passengers I'd get them to try it out first. Certainly the rear doors make access easier

I tried a 130i but there was barely any rear legroom behind me (I'm about 6 foot) - I needed to get in two young children and ended up with an E90 330i which I believe has 10cm more legroom (from the ADAC website). I'd say my new 325ti is about the same as the 330i, maybe slightly less...so I would try before you buy!

Yes, pretty much my findings too - I think the Compact has more rear legroom than the 130
Boot size is 310 litres on Compact and 330litres on 130

Thanks lads, some food for thought there. We currently have a C-class estate as our family wagon and I'm convinced there is more legroom in the compact than in that so I think that is on borrowed time too!

[Hil_lo]

PaulGT3 said:

Finally fitted my F20 1 series wheels with 205/55 R16 Michelin PS4. Doesn't look too bad IMO and drives so much better with this tyre size. If anyone wants some OEM 17" sport wheels very cheap then get in touch, they will need a refurb and new tyres though.

Edited by PaulGT3 on Sunday 26th March 12:12

Are those 7.5 or 7j width? The tyres are so much more resonoable for 16" wheels as well. Does it really improve the experience then? I've got 17 sports on mine with cheap Chinese tyres, handling/ initial turn in is still sharp, do you loose that with the 16's? I'm sure you can make up for with premium tyres right ?

[Mr Tidy]

Hil_lo said:

Are those 7.5 or 7j width? The tyres are so much more resonoable for 16" wheels as well. Does it really improve the experience then? I've got 17 sports on mine with cheap Chinese tyres, handling/ initial turn in is still sharp, do you loose that with the 16's? I'm sure you can make up for with premium tyres right ?

Those in the photo look like the "M Double Spoke Alloy Wheel style 97M" wheels that were only available on Sport models, which is what mine has. They are staggered, 7.5J x 17 front and 8.5J x 17 rear with 225/45 R 17 and 245/40 R 17 tyres respectively.

After driving my 325ti, my nephew wanted one and I found him a facelift SE with the square set-up of 7J x 16 and 205/55 x 16 tyres all round. He said he liked having less grip as it got more exciting more easily - but he does drive like he stole it!

I didn't drive his one much but on the road in rational mode I think any difference is negligible, and as you say I am sure premium tyres would help! (But the staggered 17s do look better)!

[Andrew Kettle]

I have just taken the plunge and bought an 135i, as a result my 325ti MSport is now up for sale. Will be advertising it on the weekend, but thought I'd offer it on here first if anyone was interested. Will post a link to the ad with photos when I have sorted it but there are some photos further back on this thread.

100K on the clock, since I have owned the car it has had -

New brakes front and rear (padgid discs and pads)
New front and rear brake lines inc fluid change.
Vanos seals + Valve cover Gasket
New Serpentine belts
Oil filter gasket
CDV delete
Disa Valve rebuild with i6 kit

The only typical preventative jobs that haven't been done are a cooling refresh and CCV valve (uses oil but not excessive).

[s m]

Andrew Kettle said:

I have just taken the plunge and bought an 135i, as a result my 325ti MSport is now up for sale.

How are you liking the 135i so far compared to your old Compact? Coupé I presume?

[s m]

Mr Tidy said:

Hil_lo said:

Are those 7.5 or 7j width? The tyres are so much more resonoable for 16" wheels as well. Does it really improve the experience then? I've got 17 sports on mine with cheap Chinese tyres, handling/ initial turn in is still sharp, do you loose that with the 16's? I'm sure you can make up for with premium tyres right ?

Those in the photo look like the "M Double Spoke Alloy Wheel style 97M" wheels that were only available on Sport models, which is what mine has. They are staggered, 7.5J x 17 front and 8.5J x 17 rear with 225/45 R 17 and 245/40 R 17 tyres respectively.

After driving my 325ti, my nephew wanted one and I found him a facelift SE with the square set-up of 7J x 16 and 205/55 x 16 tyres all round. He said he liked having less grip as it got more exciting more easily - but he does drive like he stole it!

I didn't drive his one much but on the road in rational mode I think any difference is negligible, and as you say I am sure premium tyres would help! (But the staggered 17s do look better)!

Another different setup if you like 17s is the 205/50 x17 square arrangement - there's a reasonable choice of performance tyres in that size

[Andrew Kettle]

s m said:

How are you liking the 135i so far compared to your old Compact? Coupé I presume?

Its a 2008 n54 engined coupe, picking it up Saturday so haven't spent much time behind the wheel, took it for a good 45 min test drive and initial impression is good, feels more solid and surprisingly not being NA the power delivery seems slightly smoother than the compact - but that could just be due to more power and tourque. Less raw and less road feel than than the compact but still felt nimble, it has more toys feels more luxury. Plus there is the option to tune / mod which is an added bonus. Brakes felt like a huge step up too.

Also just spoke to BMW who have done the majority of the work on the car during its life and most of the common issue items with the n54 (there are a few) have been replaced already which is a weight off my mind!

[s m]

Andrew Kettle said:

Its a 2008 n54 engined coupe, picking it up Saturday so haven't spent much time behind the wheel, took it for a good 45 min test drive and initial impression is good, feels more solid and surprisingly not being NA the power delivery seems slightly smoother than the compact - but that could just be due to more power and tourque. Less raw and less road feel than than the compact but still felt nimble, it has more toys feels more luxury. Plus there is the option to tune / mod which is an added bonus. Brakes felt like a huge step up too.

Also just spoke to BMW who have done the majority of the work on the car during its life and most of the common issue items with the n54 (there are a few) have been replaced already which is a weight off my mind!

Sounds great - hope it's a good car for you
Autocar ran one for a bit and I used to follow the updates on it. The only annoying thing for me with the Coupé body is th loss of a seat ( I'm often ferrying round my sons and their friends ). Other than that I liked the stiffer platform

[JakeT]

I think an N54 135i will be the next car for me. I like the thought of the N54 and if I get bored of it there's an easy 500+BHP in there . I reckon the smoother power delivery owes itself to the two turbos. You'll have to give us an update on how it feels to drive compared to the ti. Good luck!

[Twin2]

Sad to say guys that's me put mine up for sale, really sorry to see it go, I'd have run it forever if I wasn't given that silly TT in the background!

PS, if anyone wants some uniroyal rainsports for the front let me know, I got a bit carried away when I had to replace the rears in the summer but somehow the awful accellera tyres it had when I bought it have lasted the 25k I've put on it!!

[Mr Tidy]

Twin2 said:

Sad to say guys that's me put mine up for sale, really sorry to see it go, I'd have run it forever if I wasn't given that silly TT in the background!

PS, if anyone wants some uniroyal rainsports for the front let me know, I got a bit carried away when I had to replace the rears in the summer but somehow the awful accellera tyres it had when I bought it have lasted the 25k I've put on it!!

Oh No!

Is it a facelift or not, what history and what spec? As I have an Imola Red Sport pre-facelift I'd need to see some sort of improvement (did look at a 330Ci earlier).

Good luck with the silly TTs OP.

[gregs656]

A pre-facelift 130i will probably be my next motor, I did look at 130s while I was shopping for mine but they were not quite in reach although prices are quite variable on the 130s. Either that or a Touring for the boot space.

The rear space in the Compacts is generous for the style of car IMO. I've had 4 adults in mine comfortably. I think on the 1 series they made the boot a little bigger and the rear leg room a little less. That suits me.

Did about 400 miles in a diesel focus estate over the weekend. The larger boot was excellent (4 adults plus quite a bit of luggage no problem) but very glad to get back into the Compact for the last leg.

[FredClogs]

My wife has been using the 325 on and off over the winter but it's been sat for a while, first time I've driven it for a couple of months and it still feels great. Reason I got it was it needed new tyres, I got sold on a set of General Tires Altimax sport by the fitting center near my work, first impressions aren't too bad.

In other news there is a smell of something burning and a trace of some black smoke coming from under the bonnet at standstill, the engine isn't over heating though and I'm hoping it's just garage dust but I don't think it is. Still 5000miles in now and still the best £1500 I've ever spent on a car.

[Twin2]

Mr Tidy said:

Oh No!

Is it a facelift or not, what history and what spec? As I have an Imola Red Sport pre-facelift I'd need to see some sort of improvement (did look at a 330Ci earlier).

Good luck with the silly TTs OP.

It's a 54 plate facelift, full service history, fanatically since I've had it (reciepts for everything except oil & fuel).

I had a look a while ago and believe the only things not ticked on the options list were xenons and sunroof.

Done 113000 miles now, I've had it since 88000, Jan 16. Most of that is because I do anywhere between 500 and 1000 miles a week for work.

Cooling system replaced by previous owner (guy on here), brakes replaced in the last few months (pads, discs, front calipers), cupholders I got to replace the nokia phone thing.

It's on Autotrader just now if you want to have a look (don;t know if I'm allowed to say this).

[s m]

FredClogs said:

My wife has been using the 325 on and off over the winter but it's been sat for a while, first time I've driven it for a couple of months and it still feels great. Reason I got it was it needed new tyres, I got sold on a set of General Tires Altimax sport by the fitting center near my work, first impressions aren't too bad.

In other news there is a smell of something burning and a trace of some black smoke coming from under the bonnet at standstill, the engine isn't over heating though and I'm hoping it's just garage dust but I don't think it is. Still 5000miles in now and still the best £1500 I've ever spent on a car.

I'd guess at leaking rocker cover gasket.....oil onto exhaust. Genuine gaskets are best if you're keeping it

Sometimes the filter housing gasket can leak as well.....especially if the filter housing has been whanged up too tight recently

[Rsdop]

FredClogs said:

In other news there is a smell of something burning and a trace of some black smoke coming from under the bonnet at standstill, the engine isn't over heating though and I'm hoping it's just garage dust but I don't think it is. Still 5000miles in now and still the best £1500 I've ever spent on a car.

Sure it's black smoke not burning oil? Had the same last year on my 330ci and it was the rocker cover gasket leaking, oil drips down on to the exhaust.

[FredClogs]

Thanks guys, certainly smells like burning oil on a hot exhaust, I'll check out the rocker gasket

[Hil_lo]

PaulGT3 said:

Finally fitted my F20 1 series wheels with 205/55 R16 Michelin PS4. Doesn't look too bad IMO and drives so much better with this tyre size. If anyone wants some OEM 17" sport wheels very cheap then get in touch, they will need a refurb and new tyres though.

Edited by PaulGT3 on Sunday 26th March 12:12

Anymore pics of this? Really thinking about a swap over to 16's..