The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Just bought myself a ti to smoke around in for the winter. I couldn't find anything better for £1k and the red leather interior is a nice touch. I'd like to fit some 17 or 18' alloys though, so can anyone advise re offsets and best tyre sizes?
Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
e21Mark said:
Just bought myself a ti to smoke around in for the winter. I couldn't find anything better for £1k and the red leather interior is a nice touch. I'd like to fit some 17 or 18' alloys though, so can anyone advise re offsets and best tyre sizes?
Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
Was this the very cheap one in Rushden? If so it looked a bargain!!Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
e21Mark said:
What about wheel sizes?
I'd like something staggered in 17 or 18 inch but don't want any rubbing issues, or to have to run spacers. Also looking at suspension options. Has anyone fitted lowered and uprated springs? If so, how low?
That looks like it's on staggered MV1's already??I'd like something staggered in 17 or 18 inch but don't want any rubbing issues, or to have to run spacers. Also looking at suspension options. Has anyone fitted lowered and uprated springs? If so, how low?
Seen a 316ti rolling around with 4 front 18's off of an E46 M3. Looked fairly decent. I reckon some staggered Style 5's would look cool.
I'm leaning towards staggered BBS LM style but need to be sure what sizes fit? If I fit those and lower it an inch or so, it'll be pretty much sorted.
Am I right in thinking these have an integral tape head unit? Can it be replaced, or does it have an input that can be used for an ipod?
Am I right in thinking these have an integral tape head unit? Can it be replaced, or does it have an input that can be used for an ipod?
BigTom85 said:
e21Mark said:
No, Leeds.
I think it'll look great with some CSL or BBS LM style rims.
So is an LSD do'able or just hideously expensive?
Expensive.I think it'll look great with some CSL or BBS LM style rims.
So is an LSD do'able or just hideously expensive?
ethomas said:
BigTom85 said:
e21Mark said:
No, Leeds.
I think it'll look great with some CSL or BBS LM style rims.
So is an LSD do'able or just hideously expensive?
Expensive.I think it'll look great with some CSL or BBS LM style rims.
So is an LSD do'able or just hideously expensive?
The other more expensive way is a torsen-type diff from Quaife or get LS internals built into existing case from someone like Bimmertune if you want a plate type. Similart price to above in long run though unless you can luck onto a second hand one
Does anyone here run mud flaps? I am really tempted as my car being a dark colour is showing the dirt really quickly - my worse than my old e36.
On that line I picked up a set of fronts that had obviously been mispriced (£4.15 I think it should have been £24.15) - bought 2 sets as nothing to loose. Expected to be told there was an error on the price and either bad luck or offer me some kind of deal. Instead they have told me the part is no longer available so they won't be able to supply it, which is obviously BS. I didn't really expect them to turn up but hate being fed a BS story when the truth would have been fine.
On that line I picked up a set of fronts that had obviously been mispriced (£4.15 I think it should have been £24.15) - bought 2 sets as nothing to loose. Expected to be told there was an error on the price and either bad luck or offer me some kind of deal. Instead they have told me the part is no longer available so they won't be able to supply it, which is obviously BS. I didn't really expect them to turn up but hate being fed a BS story when the truth would have been fine.
e21Mark said:
I'm leaning towards staggered BBS LM style but need to be sure what sizes fit? If I fit those and lower it an inch or so, it'll be pretty much sorted.
Am I right in thinking these have an integral tape head unit? Can it be replaced, or does it have an input that can be used for an ipod?
I bought an eBay cable that plugs into the back of my stereo (later CD headunit only apparently) into the CD changer port. When I press the mode button I now get AUX so I can listen to my iPod. There are other (more expensive) options available if you wish to use your steering wheel controls. I wasn't too fussed!Am I right in thinking these have an integral tape head unit? Can it be replaced, or does it have an input that can be used for an ipod?
You can also just fit an aftermarket headunit. Make sure you buy the surrounding plate too. Sure all of that can be bought from Halfrauds.
Thanks for that. I actually found a helpful video on Youtube, where the chap fits a double DIN sized satnav and stereo by moving the AC panel down to where the ashtray had been. It all looked simple enough and the unit itself are about £200, inc all the wiring. It all looked OE once done.
Just insured mine and managed to get the quote down from £1050 to £249! I hate bloody insurance companies. They seem to just pluck figures out of the air sometimes. Initially she said the added cost was due to mine being an SE model?
I've been pleasantly surprised by all the good things I've read online about the 325ti and the way it drives and sounds. I doubt I'll bother with the LSD, unless the bits crop up cheaply sometime? One tyre fire and some decent staggered alloys will do anyway. Some CSL type rims would have been nice but they're a bit pricey. I'll opt for some cheaper BBS LM type rims instead. Are the ones already fitted worth anything?
Just insured mine and managed to get the quote down from £1050 to £249! I hate bloody insurance companies. They seem to just pluck figures out of the air sometimes. Initially she said the added cost was due to mine being an SE model?
I've been pleasantly surprised by all the good things I've read online about the 325ti and the way it drives and sounds. I doubt I'll bother with the LSD, unless the bits crop up cheaply sometime? One tyre fire and some decent staggered alloys will do anyway. Some CSL type rims would have been nice but they're a bit pricey. I'll opt for some cheaper BBS LM type rims instead. Are the ones already fitted worth anything?
Some of the Chinese double din units are better than others so worth doing some reading. I fitted a parrot unit to mine, you don't get the OEM look but the quality is good.
Cost me around £250, but still need the heater relocation panel as you can see.
MV1s are reasonably popular, you will get some money back on them for sure.
Cost me around £250, but still need the heater relocation panel as you can see.
MV1s are reasonably popular, you will get some money back on them for sure.
e21Mark said:
Just bought myself a ti to smoke around in for the winter. I couldn't find anything better for £1k and the red leather interior is a nice touch. I'd like to fit some 17 or 18' alloys though, so can anyone advise re offsets and best tyre sizes?
Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
Ah, so it's you who bought it, I had been e-mailing the seller this weekend but with my birthday yesterday i missed my chance. It looked like very good value, particulalry with the red, heated leather, enjoy. Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.
gregs656 said:
Some of the Chinese double din units are better than others so worth doing some reading. I fitted a parrot unit to mine, you don't get the OEM look but the quality is good.
Cost me around £250, but still need the heater relocation panel as you can see.
MV1s are reasonably popular, you will get some money back on them for sure.
Looks great to me. I may have to invest in one, once I sort the ride height and alloys. I'm quite looking forward to giving the interior some love and feeding the oxblood leather seats, to see how well they come up. I'd have preferred a less 'busy' steering wheel but I guess all those buttons are par for the course with modern cars? Cost me around £250, but still need the heater relocation panel as you can see.
MV1s are reasonably popular, you will get some money back on them for sure.
e21Mark said:
Looks great to me. I may have to invest in one, once I sort the ride height and alloys. I'm quite looking forward to giving the interior some love and feeding the oxblood leather seats, to see how well they come up. I'd have preferred a less 'busy' steering wheel but I guess all those buttons are par for the course with modern cars?
There's only 2 buttons you need Mark - the ones for the rear quarter vents to open so you can hear the exhaust better 
e21Mark said:
Looks great to me. I may have to invest in one, once I sort the ride height and alloys. I'm quite looking forward to giving the interior some love and feeding the oxblood leather seats, to see how well they come up. I'd have preferred a less 'busy' steering wheel but I guess all those buttons are par for the course with modern cars?
Mark, that looks great and red leather is a real bonus! Mine is an Imola Red Sport with black leather so it runs the standard 97M Sport wheels - 7.5J front and 8.5J rear with 225/45 X 17 and 245/40 X 17 respectively, but you seem to have MV1s anyway! I believe anything E46 will fit (including CSLs).
Bought one for my nephew and it was a Black Sapphire facelift SE with Light Beige leather and the sunroof, but it is on Style 169 wheels with 205/50 X 16 all round - much more slidey he says
Mr Tidy said:
e21Mark said:
Looks great to me. I may have to invest in one, once I sort the ride height and alloys. I'm quite looking forward to giving the interior some love and feeding the oxblood leather seats, to see how well they come up. I'd have preferred a less 'busy' steering wheel but I guess all those buttons are par for the course with modern cars?
Mark, that looks great and red leather is a real bonus! Mine is an Imola Red Sport with black leather so it runs the standard 97M Sport wheels - 7.5J front and 8.5J rear with 225/45 X 17 and 245/40 X 17 respectively, but you seem to have MV1s anyway! I believe anything E46 will fit (including CSLs).
Bought one for my nephew and it was a Black Sapphire facelift SE with Light Beige leather and the sunroof, but it is on Style 169 wheels with 205/50 X 16 all round - much more slidey he says
I did look for an Imola car but the only one I found was two and a half times the price. Some CSL alloys would be nice, although I did read there might not be room beneath the rear arches?
Mine is due to arrive later today.
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