The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
s m said:
Passed another MOT, no advisories yet again
Tester remarked how rust free it was for a 3-series of that age
Happy days! Tester remarked how rust free it was for a 3-series of that age
For some reason the Compact seem to be far more rust-resistant than any other E46 model - suits me fine!
Mine was advisory free last year, but this year the garage was looking for work - advisories included low oil level (warning light not on, so how does that work)? and rear indicator bulbs looking white-ish (mine is a pre-facelift so uses the orange bulbs). Won't be going there again - W*nkers!
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
Passed another MOT, no advisories yet again
Tester remarked how rust free it was for a 3-series of that age
Happy days! Tester remarked how rust free it was for a 3-series of that age
For some reason the Compact seem to be far more rust-resistant than any other E46 model - suits me fine!
Mine was advisory free last year, but this year the garage was looking for work - advisories included low oil level (warning light not on, so how does that work)? and rear indicator bulbs looking white-ish (mine is a pre-facelift so uses the orange bulbs). Won't be going there again - W*nkers!
On the rust front ( or general lack of it ), the Compact's more robust resistance to it than similar aged coupes/saloons seems to be echoed in the Buying Guide on the Compact in the latest BMW CAR magazine
I've just picked up a 52 plate SE as a stopgap car for a couple of months having sold my 2012 S4 and awaiting delivery of a new M240i that should arrive in March. First impressions are really good, obviously not going to compare on creature comforts to the Audi but it feels nice and solid inside and out despite having 130k on the clock, the engine is sweet and it handles really nicely. It feels more supple and compliant on bumpy roads than my old 130i and the steering is better than the LCI electric PAS on the 1 Series let alone the lifeless S4 steering, so if the wife can be persuaded I think it might have to stay when the 240 arrives and become a new hobby car for some occasional trackday work!
I've got a few coding type questions for you experts if you don't mind, the car has the double DIN display including Sat Nav/TV if that makes a difference...
I've got INPA/DIS on an old laptop along with a BMTechnic cable (the clear one) which I've used previously on my E8x 1 series, not sure if that will work on the E46 or not though (its too cold to go out and try now but I'll probably answer my own question tomorrow eve
)
Is there a way with/without coding to have the indicators flash 3 times with just a light push of the stalk like on later BMWs etc? My last 4 cars have all had that so at the moment I find myself unintentionally not signalling properly when overtaking or driving round parked cars etc!
The doors auto lock when driving away but don't unlock when you pull the key out so it needs a double pull on the door handle to get out, is there a way to change that behaviour so it unlocks when the key is withdrawn?
cheers
I've got a few coding type questions for you experts if you don't mind, the car has the double DIN display including Sat Nav/TV if that makes a difference...
I've got INPA/DIS on an old laptop along with a BMTechnic cable (the clear one) which I've used previously on my E8x 1 series, not sure if that will work on the E46 or not though (its too cold to go out and try now but I'll probably answer my own question tomorrow eve
)Is there a way with/without coding to have the indicators flash 3 times with just a light push of the stalk like on later BMWs etc? My last 4 cars have all had that so at the moment I find myself unintentionally not signalling properly when overtaking or driving round parked cars etc!
The doors auto lock when driving away but don't unlock when you pull the key out so it needs a double pull on the door handle to get out, is there a way to change that behaviour so it unlocks when the key is withdrawn?
cheers
Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 4th January 22:50
LocoBlade said:
I've just picked up a 52 plate SE as a stopgap car for a couple of months having sold my 2012 S4 and awaiting delivery of a new M240i that should arrive in March. First impressions are really good, obviously not going to compare on creature comforts to the Audi but it feels nice and solid inside and out despite having 130k on the clock, the engine is sweet and it handles really nicely. It feels more supple and compliant on bumpy roads than my old 130i and the steering is better than the LCI electric PAS on the 1 Series let alone the lifeless S4 steering, so if the wife can be persuaded I think it might have to stay when the 240 arrives and become a new hobby car for some occasional trackday work!
I've got a few coding type questions for you experts if you don't mind, the car has the double DIN display including Sat Nav/TV if that makes a difference...
I've got INPA/DIS on an old laptop along with a BMTechnic cable (the clear one) which I've used previously on my E8x 1 series, not sure if that will work on the E46 or not though (its too cold to go out and try now but I'll probably answer my own question tomorrow eve)
Is there a way with/without coding to have the indicators flash 3 times with just a light push of the stalk like on later BMWs etc? My last 4 cars have all had that so at the moment I find myself unintentionally not signalling properly when overtaking or driving round parked cars etc!
The doors auto lock when driving away but don't unlock when you pull the key out so it needs a double pull on the door handle to get out, is there a way to change that behaviour so it unlocks when the key is withdrawn?
cheers
I think you might need a late ( Sep 05 > ) LCM coded to your car to do the triple flash on a push featureI've got a few coding type questions for you experts if you don't mind, the car has the double DIN display including Sat Nav/TV if that makes a difference...
I've got INPA/DIS on an old laptop along with a BMTechnic cable (the clear one) which I've used previously on my E8x 1 series, not sure if that will work on the E46 or not though (its too cold to go out and try now but I'll probably answer my own question tomorrow eve
)Is there a way with/without coding to have the indicators flash 3 times with just a light push of the stalk like on later BMWs etc? My last 4 cars have all had that so at the moment I find myself unintentionally not signalling properly when overtaking or driving round parked cars etc!
The doors auto lock when driving away but don't unlock when you pull the key out so it needs a double pull on the door handle to get out, is there a way to change that behaviour so it unlocks when the key is withdrawn?
cheers
Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 4th January 22:50
Helix402 might know for sure
With the Intravee you can change Blink Count to be anything from 2 -11 and set some unlock options
JakeT said:
Join the advisory free club. The feeling of a 13 month MOT with no advisories is one of the best motoring feelings.
Ours was not so lucky, front pads thin (Kwik Fit so probably over 10K in them yet) and surface corrosion on the rear brake pipe ferrules.Do you think it can be saved, it's only just over 14 years old, or do you think it is terminal?
CO = 0.01, HC = 1, lambda = 1.003
Surprised that no one has linked to this...
So much hate by the ignorant on their FB page!
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/why-you-need-to-b...
So much hate by the ignorant on their FB page!
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/why-you-need-to-b...
ked with, I might look for another as a project.bcadou said:
Hi everyone
i am in the market for one, preferably manual 6 speed in black or sliver grey... if you ever see one, message me please! I'll be infinitely grateful to you. Thank you
i am in the market for one, preferably manual 6 speed in black or sliver grey... if you ever see one, message me please! I'll be infinitely grateful to you. Thank you
Presume you've seen this one - £1500 - black, 6 speed
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282318097741
s m said:
Shame about the dealer! (google keighley trade centre if you are un-aware of them!)PaulGT3 said:
s m said:
Shame about the dealer! (google keighley trade centre if you are un-aware of them!)I'm on the lookout for one in black for a friend but that hasn't got the stuff he wants on anyway so I thought I'd flag it up
s m said:
I'd be doing a HPI check plus other checks on any car I was buying anywhere to be honest
Me too but seriously that garage is to be avoided. Notice they have zero feedback on their current ebay account that has been active 4 years and they currently have 450 cars for sale on ebay.I do notice a lack of 325ti sports being available at the moment though, I'm on the look out for a high spec low mileage one to keep for a good few years after having my basic spec one for 2 years that has been such a great car.
Mine will probably be for sale at the end of Feb if you can wait that long, silver 52 plate 5 speed manual, 130k miles and passed MOT yesterday with no advisories. I say probably because even though this is just a stop gap car until my M240i arrives, I'm seriously tempted to keep it and perhaps tweak it for trackdays as it's great fun!
Edited by LocoBlade on Sunday 8th January 10:26
It's at the time where owners are keeping ahold of nice models because short of spending a lot more money on a 130i there isn't anything out there to replace them with. I'm going back to university again next year and will be garaging mine and have bought a cheap 328ci as a university shed to use.
JakeT said:
It's at the time where owners are keeping ahold of nice models because short of spending a lot more money on a 130i there isn't anything out there to replace them with. I'm going back to university again next year and will be garaging mine and have bought a cheap 328ci as a university shed to use.
Certainly seems harder to find late 6-speeders - they haven't really budged in price much in last few years
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