The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[s m]

dirtychinchilla said:

If anyone has the Haynes manual, would they mind having a look in there for me to see if it's got a guide on removing the regulator? A photo of this would be massively helpful for me.

I don't think the Haynes E46 manual covers the Compact versions? Unless they've changed it recently

[dirtychinchilla]

There doesn't seem to be any easy way to access the glass. to unclip it. I haven't been able to find a guide either. I'm not sure how the clips work, which I think is part of the problem.

Honestly, not sure whether or not there is a Haynes manual for it.

[helix402]

If I have time later I'll look the instructions up on the BMW repair manual.

[JakeT]

Sometimes you need to lower the window a certain amount to be able to unbolt it.

I've another window related question for all of you, if anyone has experienced this. Occasionally when it has been really wet, If I lower the window when it comes back up wet. I've had the door card off and re-sealed the vapour barrier but am coming up blank. Google doesn't seem to help either.

[dirtychinchilla]

I'm dreading taking a look at it again. I could barely get the window back up, probably took me 10 minutes, so ideally I'd really like to go into it with some instructions!

[Andrew Kettle]

Has anyone come across this before - When getting in my car last night the stereo (at least I think it was coming from the speakers) emitted a really loud tone - almost like an alarm but constant - no change in pitch. This went on for about 10 seconds, and was so loud that it was uncomfortable and hurt my ears...

Baffled as to what may have caused this, alarm system? Dodgy connection somewhere?

[dirtychinchilla]

Andrew, I've never had that problem, but I changed from the BMW stereo when I bought the car.

I changed my fuel filter at the weekend, and surprise surprise, it says BMW one it. I can't believe it has never been changed!

[Andrew Kettle]

dirtychinchilla said:

Andrew, I've never had that problem, but I changed from the BMW stereo when I bought the car.

I changed my fuel filter at the weekend, and surprise surprise, it says BMW one it. I can't believe it has never been changed!

It hasn't happened since so hopefully it's a one off.

Fuel filter is on my (rather long) list of preventative maintenance jobs to do!

[dirtychinchilla]

Yeah it was on mine too. It's an easy job if you can get good clearance under the vehicle, but if you can't it's a real pain (I couldn't).

I'm not sure that it's fixed my problem, though. The car recently started hesitating a little bit; it almost feels like the wheels go backwards for a second! Has anyone got any idea what this could be, other than a gunked up fuel filter?

[ethomas]

dirtychinchilla said:

Yeah it was on mine too. It's an easy job if you can get good clearance under the vehicle, but if you can't it's a real pain (I couldn't).

I'm not sure that it's fixed my problem, though. The car recently started hesitating a little bit; it almost feels like the wheels go backwards for a second! Has anyone got any idea what this could be, other than a gunked up fuel filter?

It could be a vacuum leak if you see revs drop for a second when you press the throttle. Get a code reader thing for your phone and an app, it is pretty much an essential tool for any BMW owner.

[dirtychinchilla]

Someone else suggested that to me. I haven't noticed the revs dropping on the dash, but it feels like they are dropping. I'll get a scanner, cheers.

[Andrew Kettle]

I got a cheap Elm 32 Obd2 adapter from Ebay for about £5.00 and the Torque app which works well. If you are anywhere near Colchester I would be happy to check codes for you.

[dirtychinchilla]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks very much for the offer I live in Surrey so at least a couple of hours from you so probably not worth the few quid it'll take me to buy a reader. I'll certainly be getting one.

[Max M4X WW]

Hi all,

Has anyone had the 'detent' issue sorted? (gear stick not centering) Just wondering what the likely cost would be from a reputable garage or indy.

Thanks

[JakeT]

I believe it is a transmission removal job, so it's best done when the clutch or flywheel need a change, or have them changed at the same time.

[Max M4X WW]

JakeT said:

I believe it is a transmission removal job, so it's best done when the clutch or flywheel need a change, or have them changed at the same time.

Thanks, not ideal!

[Mr Tidy]

dirtychinchilla said:

Yeah it was on mine too. It's an easy job if you can get good clearance under the vehicle, but if you can't it's a real pain (I couldn't).

I'm not sure that it's fixed my problem, though. The car recently started hesitating a little bit; it almost feels like the wheels go backwards for a second! Has anyone got any idea what this could be, other than a gunked up fuel filter?

Mine tends to hesitate when I want to go - unless I want loads of go, then it's fine!

Have you tried the throttle reset procedure - it works for a few journeys on mine, then it goes back to hesitation. This may just mask an underlying problem though.

Still I'm mostly happy this week as I got a new MOT! Still cannot understand how I got an advisory for low engine oil level - warning light hadn't showed and when I got home the level was in the middle of the two marks! Test station looking for work would be my best guess! Ws!

[dirtychinchilla]

Thanks for the advice; I'll give that a go later.

My car has a faulty oil sensor, so it's generally on for 30 seconds when I start the car and then it turns off. Maybe yours has been doing the same and the MOT guy saw that?

[JakeT]

Mr Tidy said:

Mine tends to hesitate when I want to go - unless I want loads of go, then it's fine!

Have you tried the throttle reset procedure - it works for a few journeys on mine, then it goes back to hesitation. This may just mask an underlying problem though.

Still I'm mostly happy this week as I got a new MOT! Still cannot understand how I got an advisory for low engine oil level - warning light hadn't showed and when I got home the level was in the middle of the two marks! Test station looking for work would be my best guess! Ws!

A degree of arse covering is to be had there by the tester also. If your engine seizes in the middle of the M25 requiring a rolling road block a couple of days after your MOT, and they find it's got no oil the tester could be in for a visit. I think it's good they state it, I've seen a really tidy 325ci online, checked the MOT history and seen one of the advisories to be 'engine oil very low and engine rattling'. Good enough reason for me not to buy that one.

[FredClogs]

JakeT said:

Mr Tidy said:

Mine tends to hesitate when I want to go - unless I want loads of go, then it's fine!

Have you tried the throttle reset procedure - it works for a few journeys on mine, then it goes back to hesitation. This may just mask an underlying problem though.

Still I'm mostly happy this week as I got a new MOT! Still cannot understand how I got an advisory for low engine oil level - warning light hadn't showed and when I got home the level was in the middle of the two marks! Test station looking for work would be my best guess! Ws!

A degree of arse covering is to be had there by the tester also. If your engine seizes in the middle of the M25 requiring a rolling road block a couple of days after your MOT, and they find it's got no oil the tester could be in for a visit. I think it's good they state it, I've seen a really tidy 325ci online, checked the MOT history and seen one of the advisories to be 'engine oil very low and engine rattling'. Good enough reason for me not to buy that one.

To be fair to myself this was my first E46 BMW but after I bought mine I had no idea how to read the dipstick, BMW did not make in intuitive at all! There's notches and flanges and cut outs and bulges and the picture in the manual looks nowt like the actual thing!