The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
s m said:
You've had that a while haven't you Kieron?
I remember your new car thread from ages back
Yeah, a good while now! Taken it from 80k to 124k and the only real hiccups that were unexpected was when a coilpack went and when a fuel relay died during winter. Apart from that, the usual stuff has been taken care of and the car's taken everything in its stride. I remember your new car thread from ages back
It's been a fantastic introduction to the world of BMW and 6 cylinder engines, and I really will not forget some of the epic drives I've had in it.
As a result, I don't want to just hand to over to some dealer, but the level of f***wittery on eBay and Gumtree is huge! I know i'm probably not allowed to do this but if anyone on here is interested, just give us a PM!
ethomas said:
I have a hub puller, a set of bearing tools, and a selection of large hammers so I should be fine. FAG bearings are already here 
Ah, the pride that comes before a fall. Almost three weeks later, and one drive shaft is still stuck in a hub, and one of the eccentric bolts has welded itself into a ball joint and refuses to come out. Currently the trailing arm is at an engineering shop, but they have admitted defeat on the drive shaft already (their 25 ton press didn't shift it). They are working on the ball joint at the moment. Not sure what the next step is, either cut the shaft and look for a replacement drive shaft and hub, or try another shop and hope they can shift it. Answers on a postcard please helix402 said:
They're are hydraulic hub pullers available now. I haven't tried one yet though. I know someone with one in Somerset if that's any use to you.
I tried one before I sent it out, a 10 ton puller which bolted onto the hub, didn't do a thing. Looks like I will end up cutting the shaft out and pulling it out with the hub. A new hub and a second hand driveshaft is not too expensive, might be cheaper to do it that way.Leins said:
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Chaps; what's the appeal of them? Are they quick? Are they a bit like a modern mark 2 escort or e30 or something? I've always felt they were a bit fugly but I'm thinking about a pocket rocket and if they've been overlooked..... Could well be put back on the list....
They're probably the most fun E46 to drive (I'll include the M3 & CSL in that), just something about the combination of that drivetrain, chassis and smaller body makes them a hoot to punt down your favourite road. There is definitely something of the spirit of the E30 in them too, although they're not as lively at the back and obviously a little bit more refinedThere are quicker hot hatches out there, but the howl from that straight-6 above 4k RPM makes up for it IMO. And whilst I'll admit that the front could have been designed in a more appealing way, I love the proportions (of both generations) of the Compact
Good plan, Mark. Still loving mine and don't see it going soon at all. Had planned to hold onto it for a year and get a clean, facelift M3. Don't think that's happening now!
As a question to the owners here, how much oil do yours use? Mine has used about half a litre in the 5k since it was last serviced, which is on par with the Golf GTi it replaced.
As a question to the owners here, how much oil do yours use? Mine has used about half a litre in the 5k since it was last serviced, which is on par with the Golf GTi it replaced.
JakeT said:
As a question to the owners here, how much oil do yours use? Mine has used about half a litre in the 5k since it was last serviced, which is on par with the Golf GTi it replaced.
Mine's about the same Jake, similar consumption to my old E36 328i. Both were/are less than the 330i I had - not really cause for concernOh I'm not concerned, that's well within line for me and it doesn't seem to leak any at the moment, so I am happy there. I was curious what other owners cars used.
Imola Red Sport Compact? Here you go! Fully loaded bar a sunroof and the high end audio, but alas it is an auto. Lovely looking thing though.
Imola Red Sport Compact? Here you go! Fully loaded bar a sunroof and the high end audio, but alas it is an auto. Lovely looking thing though.
A little update on my Compact, the coolant light made an appearance which after a little poke around highlighted the usual smiley bowed radiator that couldn't hold on any longer. I wish I had taken a picture as I've not seen one so bad before, I had to put a heat gun on the plastic trim that fits along the bottom of the rad to make it fit the new one it was that distorted!
I've had trouble with aftermarket radiator fitment before so since I really like this car I treated it to an OEM rad which naturally slotted straight in. Whilst I was feeling benevolent I also had the wheels powder coated, added to which some new badges has taken car of the ropey finish that was there before.
The car continues to perform brilliantly ( radiator aside) and does everything I need from a daily. It now has new Conti's all around so handles well, still makes a great noise, doesn't use any oil ( honest!), I can leave it anywhere, it doesn't rot and even the rear wiper still works
I even washed it.
I've had trouble with aftermarket radiator fitment before so since I really like this car I treated it to an OEM rad which naturally slotted straight in. Whilst I was feeling benevolent I also had the wheels powder coated, added to which some new badges has taken car of the ropey finish that was there before.
The car continues to perform brilliantly ( radiator aside) and does everything I need from a daily. It now has new Conti's all around so handles well, still makes a great noise, doesn't use any oil ( honest!), I can leave it anywhere, it doesn't rot and even the rear wiper still works
I even washed it.
No, I like the clear rear lights with Imola Red - if it was any other colour I probably would prefer facelift rear lights.
The only thing I would replace it with is a well-specced facelift - so my Autotrader alert is still live!
Mine had a new radiator last year, but on the advice of my local independent I had a new expansion tank and a few other related bits. He said that a new radiator tends to expose weaknesses in the rest of the cooling system.
The only thing I would replace it with is a well-specced facelift - so my Autotrader alert is still live!
Mine had a new radiator last year, but on the advice of my local independent I had a new expansion tank and a few other related bits. He said that a new radiator tends to expose weaknesses in the rest of the cooling system.
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