RE: Shed of the Week: BMW 325ti Compact

[PRN2K]

Surely it's obvious the budget had to be constrained on this car whilst delivering BMW core values; they learnt that the cost reduced interior and chassis on on preceding E36 compact failed to deliver a driving experience worthy of the badge so rectified that on the E46 compact. It's sales justified investment in a whole new model line in the 1-series as the 3 went further up-market.

Every brand has to decide where to spend it's money; I for one miss the Peugeot era of chassis over interior and refinement - much enjoying an AX GT and 306 but expect there's little love for the 307-308; post-mk2 the Golf needed cost-sharing with Audi & Seat before it had a chassis to match it's interior. Ford delivered un-competitive engines (especially diesels) for many years.

Bottom line is the Compact stood alone in it's category for it's suspension & driveline pedigree - at the cost of awkward derivative styling. At that time nobody offered both - I'd have thought that resolute focus wouldn't be mocked by enthusiasts.

[buggalugs]

SidewaysSi said:

e46m3Mark said:

SidewaysSi said:

sideways man said:

Thanks. Might go down the ‘diff’ route, one of these has my next snotter written all over it.

Yep - old BMWs with a diff are good fun. I need to get one for my E36 - think it will be around a grand all in.

You could just fit an E30 slipper?

Think the issue is they go for good money and I presume most will be worn out so would probably need a rebuild anyway.

A new Quaife or equivalent is probably the better answer?

Some of the faster Z3's had a Torsen type diff in an E30 type case, in E36 compatible ratios, I had one in my old E30 if this info is any use. I thought E36's used a bigger case than the E30's though?

[EarlOfHazard]

Sold.

[dhutch]

EarlOfHazard said:

Sold.

Happy days.

[dhutch]

I think they're good looking cars, bar the slightly awkward headlights. The sport bumper helps a lot here.

Know a few people with them in lower specs and love them, the 325ti gets a good following, I have the 330ci sport I as my daily.

Daniel

[EarlOfHazard]

dhutch said:

I think they're good looking cars, bar the slightly awkward headlights. The sport bumper helps a lot here.

Know a few people with them in lower specs and love them, the 325ti gets a good following, I have the 330ci sport I as my daily.

Daniel

I had a y-reg manual e46 330ci MV1 a few years ago. Really liked it, felt soludly built and handled well.
I must admit that I like the 325ti (including the looks) and did text about this example but was too late. I've only ever heard good things about the way that they drive.

[dhutch]

EarlOfHazard said:

I had a y-reg manual e46 330ci MV1 a few years ago. Really liked it, felt soludly built and handled well.
I must admit that I like the 325ti (including the looks) and did text about this example but was too late. I've only ever heard good things about the way that they drive.

Yeah it's good, mines a pre-facelift X-reg five speeder, arrived to me on MV2s but is now on 17" style 44s as the 255x35R18 rears are daft money and didn't like the pot holes in the backlanes to my previous job. Imola red, black leather, factory xenon, picked up clubsport splitters and fill plates at some point in its life. It's doesn't kick the back end out playfully like my E36 compact of ditch finders but it's quite on the motorway and certainly shifts when you press down with the right foot.

Daniel