The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Well, as a few of us seem to have overwhelmed eThomas's Readers' Rides thread, with general 325ti love and banter, here is a new thread for 325ti related stuff. 
Fill yer boots.
It looks like I'm already sorted for winter with some 16" Style 45s, and some nearly new Vredestein Snowtrac 3s, maybe I'll just get some decent rubber for the MV1s and be done with it.
I'd love to see some pics of a compact on style 89s though, gut feeling is that they'd really suit it.
Fill yer boots.
Mr Tidy said:
Mine is a Sport so has the 17 inch 97M staggered wheels (7.5 front/8.5 rear) and it handles fine.
Certainly as good as the SE I found for my nephew that just has the standard 16 inchers but probably with more grip.
Not keen on the pre-facelift lights either, but as mine is red I think they look OK.
Maybe we need a dedicated 325ti thread!
I'm definitely binning the pre-facelift lights.Certainly as good as the SE I found for my nephew that just has the standard 16 inchers but probably with more grip.
Not keen on the pre-facelift lights either, but as mine is red I think they look OK.
Maybe we need a dedicated 325ti thread!
It looks like I'm already sorted for winter with some 16" Style 45s, and some nearly new Vredestein Snowtrac 3s, maybe I'll just get some decent rubber for the MV1s and be done with it.
I'd love to see some pics of a compact on style 89s though, gut feeling is that they'd really suit it.
Edited by BigTom85 on Friday 21st August 17:10
stepmeek said:
Anyone want to sell me theirs yet!?
Still looking, very rare wee cars it seems. Keep looking at type r's instead as there are so many around but determined to hold out for the little BMW
Are you holding out for a Sport? 2004 with 6 speed etc? Having driven one I reckon the 6 speed gearbox isn't necessary by any stretch, and makes DMF/clutch replacement considerably more expensive later down the line. Also, all 325tis came with sport suspension and sport seats, leaving just the cosmetic differences between the models.Still looking, very rare wee cars it seems. Keep looking at type r's instead as there are so many around but determined to hold out for the little BMW
I'm trying to get hold of a brochure to find out the actual spec differences.
3krpm at 70mph isn't exactly screaming, I agree I think I'd prefer a 6 speed, I just got impatient waiting and so far I don't regret it.
What does a 6 speeder pull at 70mph?
Been for a 40 mile thrash in line this evening for the fun of it. A nice mix of flowing B roads and tighter C roads. I can't remember the last time I had as much fun in a car.
If you look purely at numbers or outright pace then there are better cars for sure, but for outright fun it takes some beating.
What does a 6 speeder pull at 70mph?
Been for a 40 mile thrash in line this evening for the fun of it. A nice mix of flowing B roads and tighter C roads. I can't remember the last time I had as much fun in a car.
If you look purely at numbers or outright pace then there are better cars for sure, but for outright fun it takes some beating.
I gave mine an interrogation with my BMW diagnostics kit today and the only code is relating to a dodgy oil temp sensor, which I'm delighted with (a new sensor was included in the sale). Changed a few Car/Key Memory options with Progman too.
A few pics
I'm hoping to remove the aftermarket tints tomorrow.
I'm also a bit gutted that the plate on it is the original and is non-transferrable. Looks like I'm stuck with the Ledge plate for the time being
Off for a drive in a bit.
A few pics
I'm hoping to remove the aftermarket tints tomorrow.
I'm also a bit gutted that the plate on it is the original and is non-transferrable. Looks like I'm stuck with the Ledge plate for the time being
Off for a drive in a bit.
Mr Tidy said:
BigTom85, that colour combination is terrific, and you have the optional full leather!
I think the grey leather would have looked great in mine as a nice contrast with Imola Red, but at least it has full black leather.
Hope you had a great drive with a good soundtrack!
I'm delighted with it for sure. I even like the wood effect plastic I think the grey leather would have looked great in mine as a nice contrast with Imola Red, but at least it has full black leather.
Hope you had a great drive with a good soundtrack!
It really is a naughty car to drive, I bloody love it.
My 325ti definitely makes more noise than my old e36 328i.
Mine has spat its dummy out today though, its stuck in limp mode which means idle speed only and it cuts out when you touch the throttle pedal. I've run diagnositics and its throwning throttle body fault codes. I've tracked down a 2003 Technical Service Bulletin which suggests I need a new throttle body and engine wiring harness.
Pretty pissed off right now. I hope a second hand throttle body and a bit of wiring loom / connector repair will cure it for not much £££.
Mine has spat its dummy out today though, its stuck in limp mode which means idle speed only and it cuts out when you touch the throttle pedal. I've run diagnositics and its throwning throttle body fault codes. I've tracked down a 2003 Technical Service Bulletin which suggests I need a new throttle body and engine wiring harness.
Pretty pissed off right now. I hope a second hand throttle body and a bit of wiring loom / connector repair will cure it for not much £££.
stepmeek said:
I am going to view one of these on Friday and was wondering what I should be looking out for? I have heard of rear wiper not working but anything less obvious and expensive items likely to fail on these. Its a 2003 model with low miles so hoping that helps. Any info would be appreciated
Receipts for recent radiator and water pump is a bonus, if none then budget for replacement in the near future.Knocking suspension bushes.
Check the electric windows go up and down.
Check for rattling from the dual mass flywheel - will present itself as a knocking under hard acceleration particularly in the mid range, also check for a rattle at idle with the clutch pedal up, down and at the biting point.
Rear wipers both the wiper and the washer can fail.
Tail gate struts get weak and proper ones aren't cheap.
Check the remote boot release work as the wiring looms can fail.
Buy on condition, good service history is a must.
Think thats about it on top of the usual car buying stuff.
Lazzer325ti said:
Only thing to add would be to check the lower intake boot as they're prone to split. Not an overly difficult job to replace.
Good shout. I've interrogated RealOEM and can't find the bloody thing though. The top boot is on the page with the MAF, but I'm buggered if I can find the bottom one.As it happens I fixed my throttle body issue tonight by replacing the connector. A fiddly job but its back to driving how it was. I bought a top boot as I assumed it would be knackered but they both look very recent, so I'll be taking it back tomorrow.
I also realise the 325ti has a 'sound generator' as part of the air box which pumps a bit of engine noise into the cabin on WOT. Apparently the only other BMW of the era with a similar setup is the 3.0 Z4.
Rally Ax said:
I'm another 325ti convert/fan,, absolutely love it!
Has anyone had success with a remap? I'm not expecting it to be like a 3.0 but something to sharpen her up a bit would be nice.
Pictures are mandatory Has anyone had success with a remap? I'm not expecting it to be like a 3.0 but something to sharpen her up a bit would be nice.
Not tried a remap yet, Superchips reckon on +12bhp and +18nm. http://www.superchips.co.uk/search?make=3&fuel...
I too had always overlooked the compact, but at my budget every 330i I looked at was rusty.
I stumbled across a 325ti at a dealers and gave it a go, and boy did it just feel alive compared to the 330i. The engine seems to rev out better and has more sparkle than the 3.0. I don't think there is much weight difference, but the compact has less weight over the rear end and less of an overhang, it makes it really quite playful
The noise is fabulous too, no doubt helped by the sportier exhaust note and the induction noise sound generator thingy.
They really are lovely to rev out. The 5 speed box is quite closely spaced too making it a joy to thrash around a b-road.
I'm really loving mine at the moment, it's much more enjoyable to drive than my old e36 328i, although probably no quicker in reality.
If outright pace or numbers are a priority then look elsewhere, but for outright s
ts and giggles, it takes some beating.
I stumbled across a 325ti at a dealers and gave it a go, and boy did it just feel alive compared to the 330i. The engine seems to rev out better and has more sparkle than the 3.0. I don't think there is much weight difference, but the compact has less weight over the rear end and less of an overhang, it makes it really quite playful
The noise is fabulous too, no doubt helped by the sportier exhaust note and the induction noise sound generator thingy.
They really are lovely to rev out. The 5 speed box is quite closely spaced too making it a joy to thrash around a b-road.
I'm really loving mine at the moment, it's much more enjoyable to drive than my old e36 328i, although probably no quicker in reality.
If outright pace or numbers are a priority then look elsewhere, but for outright s
ts and giggles, it takes some beating. The Don of Croy said:
Best feature (other than engine and drivetrain) was the 'load-through' parcel shelf, which had a compartment in it and hooks for hanging shopping bags. Such overkill.
Nice looking car Ah, the parcel shelf! Mine has this too, I was genuinely excited when I started playing with it, great feature. I've even popped an umbrella in the umbrella holder!
Looks great from where I'm sitting. It does look like a pretty good deal. Get it looking right and keep on top of maintenance and I doubt you'll ever lose a penny
The boot lid badge is the specific to the compact and seemingly all E39s. The bonnet badge is the same as almost every BMW ever made .
The boot lid badge is the specific to the compact and seemingly all E39s. The bonnet badge is the same as almost every BMW ever made
.Rally Ax said:
I just blitzed all the usual bits on my car -bought and fitted the ccv assembly, Hd wishbone rear bushes, hd rta bushes and the upper hub bushes. Then replaced the cooling system,, radiator, expansion tank, waterpump and thermostat - had to source some O rings for the radiator hoses.
I found the car stalled very easily - worse in the morning, so bought a Vanos repair kit along with a new cam cover gasket, which kept me busy for a few hours
Blimey, thats an epic amount of work!I found the car stalled very easily - worse in the morning, so bought a Vanos repair kit along with a new cam cover gasket, which kept me busy for a few hours
I've got a few bits to fit to mine next weekend, heater resistor (fan is pulsing at the moment), and full "cold climate" CCV kit.
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