The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[ethomas]

I have had some free time lately, and found myself researching the S54 (M3) engine swap a little more. It seems that it is not as complicated as some make out.

• The ZF 6 speed gearbox in the facelift 325ti is also used in the Z4M, so can handle the power
• A 330 six-speed flywheel and clutch will bolt up to the engine and gearbox
• Enough people run supercharged E46s to suggest that the rest of the drivetrain should be ok

This just leaves the engine, cooling system, intake, exhaust, and electronics. With an M54, most of the electronics are compatible. There is a guide here that shows what needs to be added or removed from the body wiring harness to fit the S54 ECU (all our cars have the MS43 ECU). Effectively this means running two wires to the cluster, and switching a couple of wires on the ECU (slightly more if you can't live without the sport button).

The non electronics work required includes:

• Install new engine (obviously), intake and exaust manifolds, ECU and sensors
• Install M3 fuel pump, level sender, filter, pressure regulator, and pipework
• Install M3 radiator, oil cooler, expansion tank (expansion tank needs a bracket welding or riveting to the car)
• Install M3 washer tank (moved behind the bumper)
• Connect up the old air conditioning system (pump is the same part on M3 and 325ti!)
• Connect up the old heating system (the 325ti has the secondary pump needed already, unlike most other non Ms)
• Plug M3 cluster into existing wiring (with two new wires)
• Fabricate a new cat back exhaust system, or figure out how to use the M3 silencer (the only big job).

Anyway, I thought I would mention this, since most of the threads documenting the process make rather a bigger deal out of it than is really necessary. The swap can be quite simple, the engines with associated parts seem to start at as little as 2k if you look hard enough. If only I had a garage...

[Mr Tidy]

ethomas said:

I have had some free time lately, and found myself researching the S54 (M3) engine swap a little more. It seems that it is not as complicated as some make out.

• The ZF 6 speed gearbox in the facelift 325ti is also used in the Z4M, so can handle the power
• A 330 six-speed flywheel and clutch will bolt up to the engine and gearbox
• Enough people run supercharged E46s to suggest that the rest of the drivetrain should be ok

This just leaves the engine, cooling system, intake, exhaust, and electronics. With an M54, most of the electronics are compatible. There is a guide here that shows what needs to be added or removed from the body wiring harness to fit the S54 ECU (all our cars have the MS43 ECU). Effectively this means running two wires to the cluster, and switching a couple of wires on the ECU (slightly more if you can't live without the sport button).

The non electronics work required includes:

• Install new engine (obviously), intake and exaust manifolds, ECU and sensors
• Install M3 fuel pump, level sender, filter, pressure regulator, and pipework
• Install M3 radiator, oil cooler, expansion tank (expansion tank needs a bracket welding or riveting to the car)
• Install M3 washer tank (moved behind the bumper)
• Connect up the old air conditioning system (pump is the same part on M3 and 325ti!)
• Connect up the old heating system (the 325ti has the secondary pump needed already, unlike most other non Ms)
• Plug M3 cluster into existing wiring (with two new wires)
• Fabricate a new cat back exhaust system, or figure out how to use the M3 silencer (the only big job).

Anyway, I thought I would mention this, since most of the threads documenting the process make rather a bigger deal out of it than is really necessary. The swap can be quite simple, the engines with associated parts seem to start at as little as 2k if you look hard enough. If only I had a garage...

Doesn't sound too bad - probably just as well that I don't have a garage!

[e21Mark]

Well the Compact sold on eBay and the new owner is collecting on Friday. Thankfully it appears to have been a painless sale to a genuine buyer. I've directed him here, so he may well be along at some point.

In better news, my Mrs isn't getting a Jimny! and she's opted for a VW T5 day van instead.

[Mr Tidy]

e21Mark said:

Well the Compact sold on eBay and the new owner is collecting on Friday. Thankfully it appears to have been a painless sale to a genuine buyer. I've directed him here, so he may well be along at some point.

In better news, my Mrs isn't getting a Jimny! and she's opted for a VW T5 day van instead.

Well I suppose that is better news than if she had opted for a Galaxy or one of its clones.......!

But you aren't going to want to borrow that unless you are going to the tip!

[e21Mark]

Mr Tidy said:

e21Mark said:

Well the Compact sold on eBay and the new owner is collecting on Friday. Thankfully it appears to have been a painless sale to a genuine buyer. I've directed him here, so he may well be along at some point.

In better news, my Mrs isn't getting a Jimny! and she's opted for a VW T5 day van instead.

Well I suppose that is better news than if she had opted for a Galaxy or one of its clones.......!

But you aren't going to want to borrow that unless you are going to the tip!

or towing the M3 to some sprint events this year.

[venskip]

My car went in for the E46 passenger air-bag recall to the local main dealer yesterday. I have to say I was impressed with the way it was dealt with. I was fully expecting a long list of things I need to spend money on to make sure the car is roadworthy (even though I am sure its fine) but no - it was all good - just a recommendation that I fit new wiper blades and would I like them to fit some for £79.50....! Errr no thanks

[JakeT]

Mine had a similar take a few weeks ago but all they found was rear tyres which will be going soon anyway. It's even had new suspension bushings all round! Really enjoying it still and currently averaging 34MPG. The only thing I wish it had was heated seats, but finding a fully loaded one was never going to happen, and I'm still smitten with this one.

[gregs656]

Retrofitting the heated seats is not that difficult IIRC. 34mpg sounds good, better than mine.

[ethomas]

gregs656 said:

Retrofitting the heated seats is not that difficult IIRC. 34mpg sounds good, better than mine.

I did it on mine (using M3 seats). There are three wires to run from the centre console to each seat, three more from the fusebox to each seat if you don't currently have electric seats. You need a used switch unit from eBay or a breaker, the connector from this with some wires attached you can splice into (or a retrofit loom) and a new centre console frame. The job is pretty fiddly because it is wiring, but not difficult. Took me 2-3 hours (including wiring up power for seat adjust).

[gregs656]

After much faffing it is actually my alternator that is squeaking, not my tensioner pulley. The tensioner pulley didn't feel 100%, but you can't buy just the pulley for the mechanical tensioner - I greased it up last week but it made no difference. Further inspection today has highlighted the alternator.

I have now booked mine in to have the A/C checked and re-gassed, that will happen next Wednesday.

Considering new boot struts as mine are lazy in the cold, really lazy - these look promising - http://www.ebay.de/itm/2X-STABILUS-GASFEDER-DAMPFE...

Also tempted to delete my rear wiper.

[JakeT]

Does your rear wiper work? Fortunately mine does, so no way is it going. I believe BMW sell a blank for the 'tis.

[gregs656]

Yes it works fine, but I never use it and it's a big ugly.

[ethomas]

I really need to stop setting up eBay alerts on interesting searches. I got an alert recently that led to a cheeky offer being made, which led to this happening:



It is a Bilstein B12 kit, they are used, but only about 4k on them. I have been looking for new springs for a while, since after some checking it turned out that the cheap ebay Eibachs I had on the car were for the 316ti/318ti and not perfect for the heavier 325ti. Apparently the Bilstein B6 shocks are better suited to the pro kit springs as well, better at soaking up small bumps and more stable through corners. They are going on the car tonight and tomorrow, so I will update once I have a few miles on them.

If anyone is planning to do a suspension refresh, I will have a spare set of OEM spec Sachs dampers with less than six months use on them.

In other news, on Sunday I am taking the car to Brands Hatch for a (my first) novice track day!

[s m]

gregs656 said:

After much faffing it is actually my alternator that is squeaking, not my tensioner pulley. The tensioner pulley didn't feel 100%, but you can't buy just the pulley for the mechanical tensioner - I greased it up last week but it made no difference. Further inspection today has highlighted the alternator.

I have now booked mine in to have the A/C checked and re-gassed, that will happen next Wednesday.

Considering new boot struts as mine are lazy in the cold, really lazy - these look promising - http://www.ebay.de/itm/2X-STABILUS-GASFEDER-DAMPFE...

Also tempted to delete my rear wiper.

They look a bit thin for option S493A struts but let me know if they are as they're cheap if so

[gregs656]

s m said:

They look a bit thin for option S493A struts but let me know if they are as they're cheap if so

It won't be an imminent purchase - however I did a bit of looking at seems like they have the same force at 660nm, and they are apparently the OEM supplier.

[Mr Tidy]

e21Mark said:

Mr Tidy said:

e21Mark said:

Well the Compact sold on eBay and the new owner is collecting on Friday. Thankfully it appears to have been a painless sale to a genuine buyer. I've directed him here, so he may well be along at some point.

In better news, my Mrs isn't getting a Jimny! and she's opted for a VW T5 day van instead.

Well I suppose that is better news than if she had opted for a Galaxy or one of its clones.......!

But you aren't going to want to borrow that unless you are going to the tip!

or towing the M3 to some sprint events this year.

Yes, that may work OK!

[venskip]

ethomas said:

In other news, on Sunday I am taking the car to Brands Hatch for a (my first) novice track day!

Let us know how it goes - I am keen to do a track day in mine this year...

[Fishy Dave]

A long day yesterday in the engine bay.....My cars thirst for oil continues and having spent what feels like days understanding the problems on forums I am over half way through what I hope will be the cure.

-Removing the CCV and pipework (that I replaced last month and was no better), replacing with catch can set up and prv.
-Cure all oil leaks, which are also vacuum leaks, new cam cover gasket for example which was crispy when removed.
-Seafoam soak for the next few days to try to free up the oil control rings which I suspect are stuck with burnt deposits (compression test very good)
-Vitron Vanos seals (whilst I was in there)
-This means another oil and filter change too (second one in a month)

All was going smoothly until tightening the Vanos bolts, one head snapped off, so new ones ordered. Lesson learnt that my torque wrench does not function when tightening left hand threads.

[ethomas]

Fishy Dave said:

All was going smoothly until tightening the Vanos bolts, one head snapped off, so new ones ordered. Lesson learnt that my torque wrench does not function when tightening left hand threads.

Nightmare, did you manage to get the rest of the bolt out ok?

I am really curious to hear how you get on with the seafoam soak, my engine has a new CCV valve, and oil filter housing and rocker cover gaskets, but it still goes through oil at a tremendous rate. Since it never spills a drop in my parking spot, it much be getting burned up in the engine which points the finger at the piston rings.

[ethomas]

venskip said:

Let us know how it goes - I am keen to do a track day in mine this year...

It went brilliantly, the day was an absolute blast and the car performed beautifully. It really is incredibly benign on the limit, pushing too hard through paddock hill bend (fast right hander after slowing down from 90+ MPH) a couple of times the car refused to unsettle itself. It just gently understeered a little and then corrected itself. I am sure it helped that I have somewhat firmer suspension than stock and new tyres, but I cannot imagine there are many cars that give a novice an easier time on the track.



I can see how this can get addictive... one track day and I am wondering if a stiffer anti roll bar would help the car turn in a little more sharply