The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
PaulGT3 said:
I've noticed a couple on this post have replaced the whole ccv setup with a pcv & catch tank setup. How are you guys getting on with oil usage? I'm well up for doing this if it sorts my oil usage and if its easier than replacing the standard ccv setup then even better. Are there any downsides to this at all? And do you have any pointers to the exact parts to use?
I think I listed parts used a few pages back, worth searching google for m54b25 catch can, with some good threads and a youtube video or two. Downsides? It does increase vacuum which to start with threw up an error code or two and will expose any other leaks or holes. Worth buying something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/EiioX-ELM327-Interface-Bl... and an app like Dash Command http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/dashcomm... just in case you do get an error to start with so you can clear it.Oil consumption changed almost overnight, from a litre at least every week to about 500ml in 6 months. I used to get blue smoke every time I started up from cold and a haze under full throttle acceleration, now I never see any smoke. I was worried if it would impact emissions or that the oil burning would have damaged the cat, but at its mot a few weeks back it easily passed. I wish I had changed to a catch can before taking the trouble and expense of replacing the ccv (which made no difference).
320touring said:
went to see the car this morning.
looked clean enough and wearing 4x decent tyres. drove well, no obvious shakes/rattles or dmf issues.
however wear to drivers seat bolster, brake warning light on and Airbag light on..
Mate is "thinking about it".
we shall see
Standard E46 stuff that. The airbag light will most likely be a seat occupancy sensor that can be coded out or have a resistor plugged into the loom that will do the same thing (means the airbag will fire even if nobody is sat in the seat- no real safety issue). Pad sensor light, well either the sensor or pads. The bolsters on E46 sport seats take a beating, mine has rather worn bolsters too. looked clean enough and wearing 4x decent tyres. drove well, no obvious shakes/rattles or dmf issues.
however wear to drivers seat bolster, brake warning light on and Airbag light on..
Mate is "thinking about it".
we shall see
JakeT said:
Standard E46 stuff that. The airbag light will most likely be a seat occupancy sensor that can be coded out or have a resistor plugged into the loom that will do the same thing (means the airbag will fire even if nobody is sat in the seat- no real safety issue). Pad sensor light, well either the sensor or pads. The bolsters on E46 sport seats take a beating, mine has rather worn bolsters too.
FWIW my airbag light came on earlier this year - it seems once it has come on it stays on even if the fault is a one-off! My local indy reset it as it was a one-time issue with the driver's seat pre-tensioner. But apparently the Compacts can throw up these problems more often than other models because the seat bases move every time you tip the seats forward. Thankfully my seat bolsters are still good, despite 93K miles! Oddly enough the I've had airbag light and oil cusumption issue all in one day today. Gave it a full service 3 weeks ago new oil etc (5w40) haven't checked the dipstick for a while, so after coming back from the in laws in Notts today about 350 miles in total I pulled into the services and spotted the oil light flick on briefly.
Investigated and the oil level was well below lower limit, fortunately I carry a 1ltr in the boot for this very occasion as I knew it could potentially happen. Then literally 5 mins down the road the airbag light came on, never happened before. All I can think is that the misses was playing around with the seat during the journey, and it's moved something.
Regars the oil issue, it took a whole 1ltr can to get it back to normal level, so that's 1ltr in 3 weeks (approx 500miles) I've checked under the car for any nightmares and all looks good, so it must be the usual oil consumption issue. It's just strange it never did it before the 'service' to my knowledge.
Investigated and the oil level was well below lower limit, fortunately I carry a 1ltr in the boot for this very occasion as I knew it could potentially happen. Then literally 5 mins down the road the airbag light came on, never happened before. All I can think is that the misses was playing around with the seat during the journey, and it's moved something.
Regars the oil issue, it took a whole 1ltr can to get it back to normal level, so that's 1ltr in 3 weeks (approx 500miles) I've checked under the car for any nightmares and all looks good, so it must be the usual oil consumption issue. It's just strange it never did it before the 'service' to my knowledge.
Hiya all, been reading this thread for a few weeks and decided it was time to delurk and say hello.
I have an 03 325ti in red. Not entirely sure which red, the colour code in the engine says JAPROT. Currently have 96k miles on the clock and I use the car daily for my 80 mile round trip commute. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years now and it has been quite reliable. Radiator turned into a banana and I've had a coil pack fail too. As for mods, I have only removed the CDV and fitted one of those E46 Android head units from eBay.
Maintence wise I have removed and cleaned the idle control valve and I am now about to turn my attention to the Vanos seals. The past few mornings my cold idle has been a bit lumpy. Any recomendations as to where I should get them and how long the job will take? I have spotted the X8R kits on eBay and like their detailed instructions.
I have an 03 325ti in red. Not entirely sure which red, the colour code in the engine says JAPROT. Currently have 96k miles on the clock and I use the car daily for my 80 mile round trip commute. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years now and it has been quite reliable. Radiator turned into a banana and I've had a coil pack fail too. As for mods, I have only removed the CDV and fitted one of those E46 Android head units from eBay.
Maintence wise I have removed and cleaned the idle control valve and I am now about to turn my attention to the Vanos seals. The past few mornings my cold idle has been a bit lumpy. Any recomendations as to where I should get them and how long the job will take? I have spotted the X8R kits on eBay and like their detailed instructions.
Welcome to the thread Mr Ralph Jolly! 
(You took your time)!
Japanrot is Japan Red which is a bit more orange than Imola IIRC.
Still it is good to find another Red 325ti owner!
Sorry I cannot help with the issues you mention, but I am sure someone will be along soon who can!
Coincidentally my 52 plate is also at 93K miles!
(You took your time)!Japanrot is Japan Red which is a bit more orange than Imola IIRC.
Still it is good to find another Red 325ti owner!
Sorry I cannot help with the issues you mention, but I am sure someone will be along soon who can!
Coincidentally my 52 plate is also at 93K miles!
Thanks for the tips on the catch can install. I've ordered 3 pcv valves from the USA as I've paid for 2 day delivery. So got 2 spare if anyone wants one I'll do it for £12 delivered (cost £36 shipped for 3)
Just got to pickup some suitable hose now and hopefully can sort it at the weekend!
Just got to pickup some suitable hose now and hopefully can sort it at the weekend!
PaulGT3 said:
Yep my ofhg and vgc are new anyway. If sump gasket fails I'll do that too. Better than using a litre of oil per week!
Did you do them yourself? Crank case looks easy enough, and I've got to take it off to do the vanos seals. Oil filter housing and sump gasket are a different story entirely. Imagine you'd have to drop the subframe for sump pan... 
PaulGT3 said:
Thanks for the tips on the catch can install. I've ordered 3 pcv valves from the USA as I've paid for 2 day delivery. So got 2 spare if anyone wants one I'll do it for £12 delivered (cost £36 shipped for 3)
Just got to pickup some suitable hose now and hopefully can sort it at the weekend!
I will take a PCV from you. Send you an email though here Just got to pickup some suitable hose now and hopefully can sort it at the weekend!
Mr Ralph Jolly said:
I prefer to get a feel of the place before making myself known, you all appear to be a friendly bunch.
Just remembered another mod I've done after seeing these pictures, they are from AutoTrader when I purchased it. I've swapped the Lexus taillights for the facelift red ones.
Just remembered another mod I've done after seeing these pictures, they are from AutoTrader when I purchased it. I've swapped the Lexus taillights for the facelift red ones.
Fantastic 325ti Mr Jolly!
Mind you I may be biased.....
I quite like the pre-facelift rear lights on a red car! (But I would have liked a 6-speed)!
Well, to add something to this thread, I've been running 16s on my car for the past week or so while my MVs have been off at the power coaters. I can see why some would run these wheels. With Michelin Energy tyres they do make the car ride much better, and a little more fun in certain cases. Some of the lanes in Cornwall I am used to really did make it feel more fluid. There is more grip with the 18s and PS4s, but the turn in was sweeter with the castors, and I think it looks pretty good! Nowhere near as good as the 18s, but not as bad as I had thought.
On a final note, this thing still surprises me. The tyres were to help, but the Distance to empty reading showed a figure I have never seen before. Even having driven 82 miles! Filled it at home and averaged 42MPG over 240 miles. Cruising at about 65-70 with little traffic.
On a final note, this thing still surprises me. The tyres were to help, but the Distance to empty reading showed a figure I have never seen before. Even having driven 82 miles! Filled it at home and averaged 42MPG over 240 miles. Cruising at about 65-70 with little traffic.
Edited by JakeT on Saturday 3rd September 15:11
Interesting post above!
I had 16 inch winters on mine until April and despite lower grip it does seem to turn in better than on its normal 17 inch staggered set up.
I also frequently see over 500 miles on the OBC after filling up (but I've never managed to do over 450 without getting nervous)!
I had 16 inch winters on mine until April and despite lower grip it does seem to turn in better than on its normal 17 inch staggered set up.
I also frequently see over 500 miles on the OBC after filling up (but I've never managed to do over 450 without getting nervous)!
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