The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

Author
Discussion

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Re a change to a 3.0l engine. It looks identical to a 2.5. I know of a main dealer technician that accidentally made a 323i into a 328i. (Picked up the wrong block and pistons).

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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stepmeek said:
stepmeek said:
Mines in now up for sale. 55,000 miles, M sport 5 speed manual with a years MOT, just put an advert on here for anyone that is interested, feel free to message me with any questions.

One thing I forgot to mention in the advert is that the car has heated seats, very handy in this weather. Someone please buy it before I have to go through the painful experience that is e bay.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Edited by stepmeek on Friday 8th January 20:21
SOLD
Blimey, that was quick

stepmeek

164 posts

112 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Yep, first viewing, through pistonheads advert. If only every sale was that easy.

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Is it me, or do these seem to be growing in popularity?

I still think mine, sorry my Mrs', one is great. I did hear her mumbling about wanting an estate car because of the dogs though, so it may be up for sale or swap for a touring soon. frown

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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Hello fellow 325ti Enthusiasts/appreciators,

Just bought this 325ti from a trader not far from me. Went to look at is as a bit of an oddball from lots of the coupes I was looking at during the day and it stood out well. Well maintained with a recent inspection II, suspension bushes, 12 months MOT, and everything worked. Rear wiper included! Well optioned, with a sunroof, the odd coloured half leather interior, upgraded stereo, xenon headlamps, and power folding mirrors. Was being sold privately through a small time dealer, and I am off to collect it tomorrow. HPI looks all clear and it's had three owners. Paid less than the asking price too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...




s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
quotequote all
e21Mark said:
Is it me, or do these seem to be growing in popularity?

I still think mine, sorry my Mrs', one is great. I did hear her mumbling about wanting an estate car because of the dogs though, so it may be up for sale or swap for a touring soon. frown
They do seem to be more expensive than a few years back - would have thought people would have been after the 130is by now instead as the youngest 325ti is an 05 plate
Sourced one for an acquaintance a few months back and any decent cars didn't seem to be on market for long

Hopefully people will.move onto something else soon and leave em for the diehards

gregs656

10,818 posts

180 months

Saturday 9th January 2016
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s m said:
They do seem to be more expensive than a few years back - would have thought people would have been after the 130is by now instead as the youngest 325ti is an 05 plate
Sourced one for an acquaintance a few months back and any decent cars didn't seem to be on market for long

Hopefully people will.move onto something else soon and leave em for the diehards
Fewer good e46s about in general and the e46 is a nice balance of qualities. Petrol has also come down quite a bit which perhaps is leading to fewer people looking for diesels. When petrol was 135p a Litre the bigger petrols were being given away.

I looked at the 130, but you the difference between a nice 325ti and a nice 130 is still significant. You would probably need to set out with double the budget.

Mine has been fantastic so far. I've got a new brake wear sensor to go on as the last one didn't survive the pad change, also got a new idler bearing as I've got a bit of a squeak when it's cold.

dhutch

14,198 posts

196 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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stepmeek said:
SOLD
Very tidy.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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JakeT said:
Hello fellow 325ti Enthusiasts/appreciators,

Just bought this 325ti from a trader not far from me. Went to look at is as a bit of an oddball from lots of the coupes I was looking at during the day and it stood out well. Well maintained with a recent inspection II, suspension bushes, 12 months MOT, and everything worked. Rear wiper included! Well optioned, with a sunroof, the odd coloured half leather interior, upgraded stereo, xenon headlamps, and power folding mirrors. Was being sold privately through a small time dealer, and I am off to collect it tomorrow. HPI looks all clear and it's had three owners. Paid less than the asking price too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...


Oh I was so tempted by that, enjoy it!

But despite the good options I will keep my Imola Red 325ti Sport with full black leather, CD changer and folding mirrors! At least until there is a 325ti facelift with Xenons, sunroof, rain sensor, Harman Kardon, etc.......(in my dreams)!

Welcome to the 325ti appreciation thread - great car (and no rust like the other E46s)!

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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Thank you! I was on the lookout for a facelift model with the right options, same as yourself it seems. Drove it home today from deepest darkest Surrey to deepest darkest Berkshire. Took a country route and it is a fun little thing, and drives spot on. Even with the 18" wheels it doesn't tramline or follow the camber of the road too much. Rear discs have a lip on them, and the sunroof drains need looking at (job for after lunch today) but otherwise I am rather smitten. Even came with three keys and a Topaz Blue touch up stick in the boot! Also what I didnt realize on the test drive and having a look over was the headlamps are Bi-Xenon units. Nice surprise there.

BigTom85

Original Poster:

1,927 posts

170 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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Looks just like my old one, Topaz is lovely! Mine had xenons and MV1s too, perfect imho.

Mine sold to a PH'er, he's not made an appearance on this thread though.

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Sunday 10th January 2016
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Thanks, Tom. Surpirsed how good the 'Hi-Fi' Loudspeaker system sounds! Much better than the HK equipped touring my parents had.

ethomas

315 posts

229 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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I found a replacement engine (out of another 325ti!), with only 66k miles and full service history/documentation. I am considering buying it and replacing the 140k engine I have... I know conventional wisdom suggests that I should just chop it in for another car, but I have done so much (heated M3 seats, new suspension, steering rack, radiator, etc) that I am reluctant to go that route. What do you all think, would it affect your decision to buy a car if it had had an engine swap?

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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ethomas said:
I found a replacement engine (out of another 325ti!), with only 66k miles and full service history/documentation. I am considering buying it and replacing the 140k engine I have... I know conventional wisdom suggests that I should just chop it in for another car, but I have done so much (heated M3 seats, new suspension, steering rack, radiator, etc) that I am reluctant to go that route. What do you all think, would it affect your decision to buy a car if it had had an engine swap?
Not when it's documented and makes the car all the better for it.

ethomas

315 posts

229 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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e21Mark said:
Not when it's documented and makes the car all the better for it.
Good to hear. My Monday morning impulse buy gene went off today and I am now expecting delivery of some new wheels. I suspect that staggered 16s on the compact is a rather compromised setup for various reasons. Handling and road noise being the main ones, but probably not great for fuel either. I found a set of 17x7 team dynamics race-pro wheels in BMW fitment with a big discount at rimstyle, so I am going to try a square 17 setup instead! They are about 5kg lighter than BMW 18s (per corner), and each tyre should be about 1kg lighter too, so a nice drop in unsprung weight.

Now I am dithering about tyre sizes. There are two options that maintain stock diameter:

225/45/r17 - better grip, and better rim protection with the oversize tyre
205/50/r17 - slimmer, better handling balance?, lighter, better economy

Given these are brand new wheels, I am happy to have some bulge to help protect the rims, so I am edging towards the 225s. The 225s are also about 10 quid per corner cheaper. Any compelling reason to choose 205s?

For reference, 225s on a 7 inch rim look like this:

I think that on a matt black rim would look superb smile

If anyone is interested, there is one more set available here: http://www.rimstyle.com/alloywheels/detail/?car_mo...

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Tuesday 12th January 2016
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Unfortunately, it looks like my Mrs is going to sell the Compact and get a touring instead. If anyone is interested just give me the nod, or else I'll post an ad at the weekend. Will be priced at about £1100.

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Wednesday 13th January 2016
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Sell the wife and keep the compact. Job jobbed! Bet you're sad to see it go, had I not bought one at the weekend I'd have it from you.

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Wednesday 13th January 2016
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I'm trying to persuade her. She's off to that London for a few days, so there's a short stay of execution for now.

men3cac

39 posts

188 months

Sunday 17th January 2016
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e21Mark said:
I'm trying to persuade her. She's off to that London for a few days, so there's a short stay of execution for now.
You should have mail Mark- get in contact if the Mrs wins! laugh

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Monday 18th January 2016
quotequote all
men3cac said:
e21Mark said:
I'm trying to persuade her. She's off to that London for a few days, so there's a short stay of execution for now.
You should have mail Mark- get in contact if the Mrs wins! laugh
I think the system is down (saw on another thread that mail didn't arrive) but can mail direct.

Edited by e21Mark on Monday 18th January 11:35