The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Integroo said:
eezeh said:
I'd guess around the £1700 Mark.
I wouldn't buy one sight unseen imo.
That's the top end of what I would want to pay. What are the big problems to look out for? No advisories on its last two MOTs (in September, so only a 6 month MOT). I can't see from the pictures any sight of rust on sills etc. It's being sold by a well known high street charity - one owner car with a charity suggests it was perhaps donated to them as part of a will? - so I feel safer that it is not misdescribed. I wouldn't buy one sight unseen imo.
I suppose if I turned up and it was not as described and a dog I wouldn't have to complete the sale post bidding,
Theres a couple posts back in this thread answering that question when I asked it. I think the general run down is rusty arches, oil leaks, suction from the filler cap if you take it off whilst engine is running, check to see if the bottom of the radiator is bowed, rear springs/shocks, front / rear brake hoses.
Im sure im missing some things (quite a bit) but it does look a tidy car.
330ti said:
Nice low mileage ti but it's a auto and se spec with little wheels, that colour works on e36's but not sure about e46 compacts, it's even purple on inside ! ? Would make a nice little runaround for a lady ha ha.
It says auto in the title, but it's a manual! Not fussed about what it looks like tbh (though the purple interior is a bit odd), and small wheels means small cheap tyres and a better ride (hated 19s with low profile tyres on my Type r) ! Still rwd with the straight six !eezeh said:
You wouldn't see any rust on the sills because they are plastic covers
Theres a couple posts back in this thread answering that question when I asked it. I think the general run down is rusty arches, oil leaks, suction from the filler cap if you take it off whilst engine is running, check to see if the bottom of the radiator is bowed, rear springs/shocks, front / rear brake hoses.
Im sure im missing some things (quite a bit) but it does look a tidy car.
I meant arches, not sills! It does look tidy.Theres a couple posts back in this thread answering that question when I asked it. I think the general run down is rusty arches, oil leaks, suction from the filler cap if you take it off whilst engine is running, check to see if the bottom of the radiator is bowed, rear springs/shocks, front / rear brake hoses.
Im sure im missing some things (quite a bit) but it does look a tidy car.
Cheapstraitsix said:
eezeh said:
the problem reared it’s head after about 2 hours on the road home for him.
The only reason i can think of it happening in 4th, 5th and 6th is because the load on the engine is increased compared to being in 1st, 2nd and 3rd although unsure as to why its reading as a misfire to cylinder 1. If every other cylinder is fine it could be the injector in cylinder 1. Have you tried a new coil pack or swapping them around?Check the coilpack wires with multimeter and inspect injectors, make sure that the MAF is clean and any lambda sensor is operating correctly.
His starting throwing misfire codes on Cylinders 1 and 2 (the furthest from the fuel filter) and what he drained from the old fuel filter was disgusting Similarly the fuel pressure regulator from the top of the intake boot to the fuel filter dissolves after time.
Edited by mwggriffiths on Monday 12th March 10:23
Bit of a work pre-MOT for me this week. I am fitting:
Bilstein B8 shock absorbers
Eibach Pro kit springs
Lemforder top mounts
Lemforder drop links
Lemforder front control arm bushes
Should be a bit of a difference from 140k mile/16 year old worn suspension with a snapped spring!
Also time for 2 new tyres, going with Michelin PS4 205/55 R16 again, they have been brilliant for my useage and lasted about 20k on the rear. The ones I have been sent this time are XL versions, hopefully shouldn't be too much different to the regular PS4.
After that little lot, I'm hoping it goes straight through the MOT as its cost probably similar to what the car is worth already this week!
Bilstein B8 shock absorbers
Eibach Pro kit springs
Lemforder top mounts
Lemforder drop links
Lemforder front control arm bushes
Should be a bit of a difference from 140k mile/16 year old worn suspension with a snapped spring!
Also time for 2 new tyres, going with Michelin PS4 205/55 R16 again, they have been brilliant for my useage and lasted about 20k on the rear. The ones I have been sent this time are XL versions, hopefully shouldn't be too much different to the regular PS4.
After that little lot, I'm hoping it goes straight through the MOT as its cost probably similar to what the car is worth already this week!
eezeh said:
Integroo said:
Got my eye on one of these, 02 on 60k miles, FSH and 1 owner. Think it's likely to go over my budget but we will see (anyone take a stab at what it's worth?). if it doesn't anything worth knowing about? may have to bid sight unseen.
I'd guess around the £1700 Mark.I wouldn't buy one sight unseen imo.
Integroo said:
I was hoping I could have snatched it for 1500-1800. No such luck.
That would have been a result! After all the only difference between an SE and a Sport is the wheels - both have Sport suspension and seats.
Maybe I should have put my 52 plate Imola Red Sport on Ebay - I didn't quite get £1,500.
Mind you it went quickly (via this thread).
Integroo said:
Yes. 02,one owner, fsh, 60k miles, se in purple. Too rich for me !
Believe another thread on PH said it was actually 3 owners? Either way it wouldn’t surprise me if re-appears on eBay.Saying that these have always seemed to be under valued when compared to other stuff I’ve been considering (eg 130i, mk5 GTI, R53 MCS, Type R etc) maybe they’re on the up - everything else seems to be so why not these?!
They definitely have a cult appeal with quite limited numbers and of course there aren’t many other 6 pot RWD hot hatches out there.
danp said:
Believe another thread on PH said it was actually 3 owners? Either way it wouldn’t surprise me if re-appears on eBay.
Saying that these have always seemed to be under valued when compared to other stuff I’ve been considering (eg 130i, mk5 GTI, R53 MCS, Type R etc) maybe they’re on the up - everything else seems to be so why not these?!
They definitely have a cult appeal with quite limited numbers and of course there aren’t many other 6 pot RWD hot hatches out there.
A HPI check says two, but last change in registered keeper was 2003, so who knows, perhaps it was a pre reg or something. Saying that these have always seemed to be under valued when compared to other stuff I’ve been considering (eg 130i, mk5 GTI, R53 MCS, Type R etc) maybe they’re on the up - everything else seems to be so why not these?!
They definitely have a cult appeal with quite limited numbers and of course there aren’t many other 6 pot RWD hot hatches out there.
There are very few rwd cars at the cheaper end of things that are not barges, and I'm not sure I can think of any with a 6 pot. I think the slightly difficult looks dampens their appeal.
Mr Tidy said:
That would have been a result!
After all the only difference between an SE and a Sport is the wheels - both have Sport suspension and seats.
Maybe I should have put my 52 plate Imola Red Sport on Ebay - I didn't quite get £1,500.
Mind you it went quickly (via this thread).
And small wheels means cheap tyres! Will keep my eye out for any more good ones appearing for sale ... lot of pretty poor examples of these and other cheap bmws going around.After all the only difference between an SE and a Sport is the wheels - both have Sport suspension and seats.
Maybe I should have put my 52 plate Imola Red Sport on Ebay - I didn't quite get £1,500.
Mind you it went quickly (via this thread).
[quote=Integroo]
And small wheels means cheap tyres! Will keep my eye out for any more good ones appearing for sale ... lot of pretty poor examples of these and other cheap bmws going around.[/quote
Even my Sport had pretty cheap tyres to be fair!
I got 2 Pirelli P Zero rears in 245/40 x 17 for £240 - my 123d only had 205/50 x 17 Pirellis but they were run-flats and I was paying £300 a pair for them 5 years ago!
If you are in no rush a good deal will come up, but some can be a bit scabby so you just need to find the right one.
I sort of miss mine, but as I replaced it with an E91 325i I've still got an N/A petrol straight 6 with a manual gearbox and RWD - and a Z4 Coupe for weekends!
One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
And small wheels means cheap tyres! Will keep my eye out for any more good ones appearing for sale ... lot of pretty poor examples of these and other cheap bmws going around.[/quote
Even my Sport had pretty cheap tyres to be fair!
I got 2 Pirelli P Zero rears in 245/40 x 17 for £240 - my 123d only had 205/50 x 17 Pirellis but they were run-flats and I was paying £300 a pair for them 5 years ago!
If you are in no rush a good deal will come up, but some can be a bit scabby so you just need to find the right one.
I sort of miss mine, but as I replaced it with an E91 325i I've still got an N/A petrol straight 6 with a manual gearbox and RWD - and a Z4 Coupe for weekends!
One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
Mr Tidy said:
One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
+1. sitting at 2500rpm in 6th on my motorway / A road commute is lovely. Still only really get 33mpg on v power though Anyway good luck with your search.
Looking to buy an alpine cd53 business cd head unit thats compatible with AUX, anyone selling or have one laying around thats in good condition and works?
Mr Tidy said:
...
One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
My Type R sat closer to 4k RPM on the motorway and was ridiculously stiff - I am sure a 325ti will be a barge in comparison!One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
Integroo said:
Mr Tidy said:
...
One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
My Type R sat closer to 4k RPM on the motorway and was ridiculously stiff - I am sure a 325ti will be a barge in comparison!One thing I have realised now is that if you do a lot of miles on A roads or motorways a facelift is worth hunting down - my pre-facelift was doing 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th.
Anyway good luck with your search.
I would say a complete contrast to the compact more like the Type R mans later life kind of car 
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