E46 325i Sport
Discussion
Court_S said:
Looks and sounds like a great trip; the old girl looks to have done you proud other than the A/C. Sod’s Law it happens when it’s hot (just like our 330i - the AC in that always seems to crap itself just in time for warm weather).
Fuel economy looks good…wonder what it would have been like in the M3.
I was a bit annoyed as I'd had the air con fixed especially for the trip!Fuel economy looks good…wonder what it would have been like in the M3.
The M3 would have been mid to high twenties which isn't bad really for the engine. E46 M3 will crack 30mpg no bother on a run. Still tempted to run one of those!
Gallons Per Mile said:
I was a bit annoyed as I'd had the air con fixed especially for the trip!
The M3 would have been mid to high twenties which isn't bad really for the engine. E46 M3 will crack 30mpg no bother on a run. Still tempted to run one of those!
That’s not as bad as I’d have thought to be honest.The M3 would have been mid to high twenties which isn't bad really for the engine. E46 M3 will crack 30mpg no bother on a run. Still tempted to run one of those!
The E46 M3 is still a very tempting package; there were a few lovely ones at C&M last weekend.
Court_S said:
Looks and sounds like a great trip; the old girl looks to have done you proud other than the A/C. Sod’s Law it happens when it’s hot (just like our 330i - the AC in that always seems to crap itself just in time for warm weather).
Fuel economy looks good…wonder what it would have been like in the M3.
The AC failing will almost always be noticed in hot weather, because that is when it's working hardest. if it fails, but it's, say, 16 degrees outside, you probably wouldn't notice, same for if it's colder because you'll be wanting warm air into the cabin Fuel economy looks good…wonder what it would have been like in the M3.
Court_S said:
Gallons Per Mile said:
I was a bit annoyed as I'd had the air con fixed especially for the trip!
The M3 would have been mid to high twenties which isn't bad really for the engine. E46 M3 will crack 30mpg no bother on a run. Still tempted to run one of those!
That’s not as bad as I’d have thought to be honest.The M3 would have been mid to high twenties which isn't bad really for the engine. E46 M3 will crack 30mpg no bother on a run. Still tempted to run one of those!
The E46 M3 is still a very tempting package; there were a few lovely ones at C&M last weekend.
If you can live without rear seats and live with Band M VED a Z4M is a cheaper option than an E46 M3, without the boot floor concerns! But in 5 years mine has only averaged 27mpg.
E90_M3Ross said:
The AC failing will almost always be noticed in hot weather, because that is when it's working hardest. if it fails, but it's, say, 16 degrees outside, you probably wouldn't notice, same for if it's colder because you'll be wanting warm air into the cabin
That’s exactly how I ended up buying a 330i with dead A/C; saw it in a cold evening so it seemed to be working. Picked it up a a few weeks later on a really hot day and oh bugger, no cold air. 
Mr Tidy said:
A/C always dies when it gets hot. I had to get my 330i regassed last month.
If you can live without rear seats and live with Band M VED a Z4M is a cheaper option than an E46 M3, without the boot floor concerns! But in 5 years mine has only averaged 27mpg.
Without wanting to derail GPM’s tgread, they’ve very much on the list because I’m really enjoying my Si.If you can live without rear seats and live with Band M VED a Z4M is a cheaper option than an E46 M3, without the boot floor concerns! But in 5 years mine has only averaged 27mpg.
Update time! Just a few bits and bobs this time as I collected a few more parts to go on to the car.
First thing was ARB bushes. They weren't as bad as I thought they were but they take literally 5 mins to change so why not.
I bought Gates items as they're a good brand and had the correct 23.5mm size.
Next I needed to sort out the bodge I made just before the Euro trip. I got the correct rubber mounts and nuts from BMW.
Before:
After:
After a big drive you get to see minor things that need attention too, like this very small coolant leak that had built up enough to show me that the top hose o-rings were definitely a problem.
Cleaned up and ready for the new hose.
I also took off the side skirt to assess the rust situation now I had the repair panel to hand. The whole sill is perfect apart from that bit right at the very back end. I'll weld it all back together as soon as the car returns from my local garage where it's having the air conditioning leak sorted once and for all.
First thing was ARB bushes. They weren't as bad as I thought they were but they take literally 5 mins to change so why not.
I bought Gates items as they're a good brand and had the correct 23.5mm size.
Next I needed to sort out the bodge I made just before the Euro trip. I got the correct rubber mounts and nuts from BMW.
Before:
After:
After a big drive you get to see minor things that need attention too, like this very small coolant leak that had built up enough to show me that the top hose o-rings were definitely a problem.
Cleaned up and ready for the new hose.
I also took off the side skirt to assess the rust situation now I had the repair panel to hand. The whole sill is perfect apart from that bit right at the very back end. I'll weld it all back together as soon as the car returns from my local garage where it's having the air conditioning leak sorted once and for all.
Court_S said:
That’s not too scabby by E46 standards.
I assume that you’re keeping hold of it for a while despite the recent 996 purchase?
That was always the plan, but someone's registered interest in it, knowing that I've got a new car to play with. I may have a BMW hiatus for a little bit! I assume that you’re keeping hold of it for a while despite the recent 996 purchase?
So this car now belongs to me. 4.5 hour train journey to get there, and a painful 3 hour drive back thanks to the M25!
Car is great and I'm pleased with it. cosmetically it could definitely do with some work, but I'm not too fussed about that for now, it was being mechanically (and structurally) sound that mattered the most, and it certainly seems that.
Drives really well, I'm surprised at just how well balanced the E46 platform is. You wouldn't call it firm by any means, it's well composed (and soft by modern standards!) yet still handles really well when provoked. Engine is smooth, adequate power (obviously it is slow compared to my E90 but it's absolutely fine on the fast lane of the motorway and will cruise happily well above NSL.
Interior feels well screwed together and I have always adored this era of BMWs interior. Simple, but really well laid-out and that orange ambient lighting is just magnificent.
GPM has given me a few spare parts (engine mounts, rear trailing arm bushes, propshaft centre bearing etc) which I will probably get fitted in October.
I'm quite smitten. I must try to avoid titivating it....the M3 is my "special" car....but this E46 is pretty wonderful.
Car is great and I'm pleased with it. cosmetically it could definitely do with some work, but I'm not too fussed about that for now, it was being mechanically (and structurally) sound that mattered the most, and it certainly seems that.
Drives really well, I'm surprised at just how well balanced the E46 platform is. You wouldn't call it firm by any means, it's well composed (and soft by modern standards!) yet still handles really well when provoked. Engine is smooth, adequate power (obviously it is slow compared to my E90 but it's absolutely fine on the fast lane of the motorway and will cruise happily well above NSL.
Interior feels well screwed together and I have always adored this era of BMWs interior. Simple, but really well laid-out and that orange ambient lighting is just magnificent.
GPM has given me a few spare parts (engine mounts, rear trailing arm bushes, propshaft centre bearing etc) which I will probably get fitted in October.
I'm quite smitten. I must try to avoid titivating it....the M3 is my "special" car....but this E46 is pretty wonderful.
Gallons Per Mile said:
I love that interior pic, Ross! Captures the atmosphere well 
BTW, I'll upload the welding pics when I get a chance. I did that before Ross picked it up so there aren't any worries come MOT time.
It does, although the shutter was on for too long so it makes it look like the entire cluster glows orange, which it doesn't, obviously it's just the numbers and needles....but yes, it it a pretty good image BTW, I'll upload the welding pics when I get a chance. I did that before Ross picked it up so there aren't any worries come MOT time.
As said, I really like this era of BMW instruments....very simple, lovely ambience and everything you need (if I'm being picky I'd rather an oil temp gauge instead of the miserable-o-meter that is the MPG gauge
)Gallons Per Mile said:
Me too, on the MPG gauge thing. Have to upgrade to an M3 for that...
Not gonna happen I went out in the M3 last night, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Took the E46 out this morning and it is a surprisingly fun car to chuck around. It seems slightly slow to start when cold, just takes a few more turns than I'd expect, but it's had new coils and plugs so I'll just monitor it. Perhaps the battery is getting a bit weak, perhaps it's me expecting it to start up as quickly as my E90!
I checked the engine oil this morning and it is actually right on the minimum mark so I checked Halfords....only half-decent oil they had was Castrol Edge 5W-30. 4L for £56. f
k off. Amazon....5L (not a typo, 25% more....) for £45, delivered today by 10pm. Result.I figured I may as well get 5L as I'll use it eventually! I really like this car, I need to decide how I want to play it. I will probably try to sort the lacquer myself, it looks relatively straightforward. Then I'll get the minor rust/bubbling attended to and then it's a very well sorted car. Mechanically it seems very good and I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a very long trip and have worries about reliability.
It needs new rear tyres soon as they're on around 3.5mm in places so the plan is to get it to my usual garage some time in October and I'll get some and I'll get them to fit the parts Craig gave me with the car.
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Sunday 1st September 09:00
Edited by E90_M3Ross on Sunday 1st September 09:08
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