325ti

[ICSD]

Has anyone got an E46 325ti? I can't help thinking that having that fantastic engine in a short wheelbase RWD car must be a real hoot and just wanted to get some opinions.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Cheers

[mattpullen64]

I ran one for a year (51 plate) and it was great for cruising up and down the motorway and through twisty b roads - my commute at the time. The standard spec was great. Downsides were that mine only had 5 gears , they really could do with 6 which the newer ones got and i found the suspension a bit soft - again i had an se. If you found a 6 speed sport version im sure it would be a gem. They're not massively quick as its a heavy car for its size, but definitely fun...

[SJobson]

I tried one with my wife about 18 months ago - an 02 plate SE with 18" MV alloys, MTech suspension and sports seats. We both loved it; the only reason we didn't get one was that they were no newer than the car they would have replaced (a 53 plate Beetle).

I'd have been quite happy with the 5-sp gearbox, but the 6-sp arrived at the same time as the new rear lights (dark red clusters rather than the nasty Lexus-style silver ones), so I'd go for the update on that ground alone. Still keep thinking about getting one as well as my 540i now; they're such good value, and would help me to remember what a manual car is like to drive

[ICSD]

mattpullen64 said:

They're not massively quick as its a heavy car for its size, but definitely fun...

So, if I'm thinking that they'd be great on a track as they're so small would I be wrong - is E30 325i kind of weight a bit optimistic?

[Shropshiremike]

ICSD said:

mattpullen64 said:

They're not massively quick as its a heavy car for its size, but definitely fun...

So, if I'm thinking that they'd be great on a track as they're so small would I be wrong - is E30 325i kind of weight a bit optimistic?

325ti - 1405kg
0-100 in 17.8
Max 144

E30 325i Sport - 1203kg
0-100 in 20.1
Max 131

All depending on road test/individual cars though

[mattpullen64]

I'd say that 17.8sec to 100 would be fairly optimistic for the ti i had. Although, i'm sure there was some variation between the models and years. It is 130 bhp per tonne, if you look at other cars in that region, they're generally further off.

If you're going to track it, you deffo need to go for the sport version. Although they're not mega quick, the steering is relatively (to similar hatches etc) brilliant and they handle well.

[Fox-]

ZeroSum said:

Mine has approx 240 hp and over 300 nm torque

Out of interest how have you managed to exceed the power output of an M54B30 using an M54B25?

[Shropshiremike]

mattpullen64 said:

I'd say that 17.8sec to 100 would be fairly optimistic for the ti i had. Although, i'm sure there was some variation between the models and years. It is 130 bhp per tonne, if you look at other cars in that region, they're generally further off.

Yep, I'm sure individual cars vary - seems about right though if the similarly powered, slightly torquier and similarly heavy E36 328i variants managed
17.1 Touring
17.4 saloon
17.9 cabriolet