RE: Shed of the Week: BMW 325ti Compact

[PorkRind]

Ive always had a soft spot for these, i actually like the stunted boot and weird eyes and the fact it comes with a strong rev happy il6 that sounds sublime when revved out , rear wheel drive... WHat else could you ask for as a second car for a spot of winter drifting, dog or bike duties..

Will have to keep an eye out for one, the amount i spent on remapping my c63 and fitting a diff, i could have had two of these things !

[bennettse2025]

EUGH, one of the ugliest BMWs of all time

[B17NNS]

A straight six and RWD don’t unfortunately make up for the catastrophic belt it got from birth with the ugly stick. I can’t see any reason to choose this over a still handsome E46 coupe, saloon or touring.

[Jimmy Recard]

I like these, and the 130i. Definitely on the radar for my next low budget car

[e46m3Mark]

aaron_2000 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this wasn't an incarnation of the E46, and I don't think they did them in Imola red either.

Sorry. Combination of phone and poor eyesight meant I’d missed link.

[sideways man]

Do these come with a limited slip diff?

[JakeT]

No. The only E46 that came with an LSD was the M3. Wavetrac, et al do drop in centre sections to convert an open diff though.

[SidewaysSi]

I think if you want a Quaife you need to speak to Birds?

[sideways man]

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

[Nors]

Rumblestripe said:

PRN2K said:

I have to concede that I sigh in disbelief that a website supposedly created to cherish the art of driving enjoyment is so overrun by style-conscious contributions.

Says who?

The delight in all aspects of the automobile must include style. Car companies spend millions on design, whether that be a delicate curve that accentuates the form of a car or the feel of a switch as it is operated. Style matters, style sells.

You personally might be willing to drive any old blob as long as the blob is dynamically exciting to drive, others would disagree. Surely this is a broad church (as I perceive it) and that remains an ugly car...

Agree entirely with you!

Why can't you have both? You can of course and there's no need to ignore looks in pusuit of driving enjoyment.

This BMW, originated as a cheap way of getting into the hatchback market without having to develop a new car. Chopping the boot down and slapping on a tailgate was a very crude method for a supposed high end manufacturer. Very lazy and cheapskate! They didn't even take the opportunity to correct it from the E36 to E46, choosing to keep the same cheap way to stay in the hatch market.

As many have said before when discussing an ugly car, did the designers really stand back after finishing the design and think 'my what a handsome car'?

I suspect their remit of just use the same basic body and spend no more than 2p on the project restricted their abilities.

It's one car that truly looks exactly what it is, a cheap way to get into a sector without giving a toss what it looks like. The sheep will still buy the badge! Shame on you BMw.

Edited by Nors on Saturday 2nd February 13:48

[HugoFastmann]

I owned one of these for nearly four years and it was a brilliant car. Yes, people will give you stick for the looks and call it an "almost 3 series", but it's quick, nimble, easily maintained and massive bang for your buck! Would love to have another if I didn't have my Z4...

[anonymous-user]

"In deference to the more delicate souls who read this rubbish, we'll let you put your own joke in here."

They've been reading the TGT thread

[SidewaysSi]

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.

[pSyCoSiS]

Good cars, great chassis. In my eyes, the looks have become more acceptable as it has aged.

Brilliant drive train in a short wheel base makes for bags of fun.

And excellent to see the bigger engines for SOTW this year, as others have mentioned.

[BFleming]

SidewaysSi said:

I think if you want a Quaife you need to speak to Birds?

Or any Quaife dealer. Personally I've yet to have good customer experience from Birds. Personal experience etc, but I found them at the lower end of the scale knowledge-wise.

[e46m3Mark]

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?

[SidewaysSi]

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?

[PRN2K]

I'd suggest the only worthwhile answer to resolve the traction weaknesses of the E46 is a Quaife ATB; it fit's seamlessly with the existing DSC modes by boosting tractive capability without any additional maintenance requirement.

[s m]

PRN2K said:

I'd suggest the only worthwhile answer to resolve the traction weaknesses of the E46 is a Quaife ATB; it fit's seamlessly with the existing DSC modes by boosting tractive capability without any additional maintenance requirement.

The Wavetrac diff is also worth looking at imo

[Kawasicki]

pSyCoSiS said:

Good cars, great chassis. In my eyes, the looks have become more acceptable as it has aged.

Brilliant drive train in a short wheel base makes for bags of fun.

And excellent to see the bigger engines for SOTW this year, as others have mentioned.

It doesn’t have a shorter wheelbase.