The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Fixed a broken handbrake cable yesterday. Not a job i was looking forward to, it requires dropping the exhaust a little and not all that comfortable when only on axle stands.
Anyway, all came apart pretty easily and even the old cable came out very easily.
The problem started with the replacement cable made by Pagid, bought via EuroCarParts.
I double checked this was the correct part before starting and all was OK, but when trying to feed the new cable into the guide tube around the subframe, no go despite the old one being easily removed. The metal crimp was slightly larger and some material had to be removed.
With this now done the cable slipped into the tube and the next problem begins.
The metal guide tube below the handbrake lever has an octagonal flair on the end and the genuine BMW cable has a similarly shaped plastic part on the end of the cable to slot in.
Pagid's part is round with two o-rings which doesn't fit without modification. After much cursing and a call to Euro's to confirm the cable is correct, it was modified to fit.
On another point, when doing this I assembled the brake shoes and handbrake mechanism, but this means not enough cable pokes through and the lever end to get the nut on, so feed it in and just get the nut on with one turn and then assemble the brake shoes etc.
To save much cursing, buy a genuine part.
Anyway, all came apart pretty easily and even the old cable came out very easily.
The problem started with the replacement cable made by Pagid, bought via EuroCarParts.
I double checked this was the correct part before starting and all was OK, but when trying to feed the new cable into the guide tube around the subframe, no go despite the old one being easily removed. The metal crimp was slightly larger and some material had to be removed.
With this now done the cable slipped into the tube and the next problem begins.
The metal guide tube below the handbrake lever has an octagonal flair on the end and the genuine BMW cable has a similarly shaped plastic part on the end of the cable to slot in.
Pagid's part is round with two o-rings which doesn't fit without modification. After much cursing and a call to Euro's to confirm the cable is correct, it was modified to fit.
On another point, when doing this I assembled the brake shoes and handbrake mechanism, but this means not enough cable pokes through and the lever end to get the nut on, so feed it in and just get the nut on with one turn and then assemble the brake shoes etc.
To save much cursing, buy a genuine part.
eezeh said:
JakeT said:
I know it's someone on here...
I saw you going the opposite way on the A31 near winchester. Just off of the M3. Unfortunately I wasn't in my ti, but my daily runner 328ci.
I saw you going the opposite way on the A31 near winchester. Just off of the M3. Unfortunately I wasn't in my ti, but my daily runner 328ci.
Thought i spyed some green seats
Edited by eezeh on Saturday 6th October 00:51
JakeT said:
eezeh said:
JakeT said:
I know it's someone on here...
I saw you going the opposite way on the A31 near winchester. Just off of the M3. Unfortunately I wasn't in my ti, but my daily runner 328ci.
I saw you going the opposite way on the A31 near winchester. Just off of the M3. Unfortunately I wasn't in my ti, but my daily runner 328ci.
Thought i spyed some green seats
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 6th October 00:51
eezeh said:
Yeah I live 10-15 minutes away, pass through Winchester on my commute down the m3
I’m near Southampton so in the vicinity with my silver 325ti - dont suppose you guys have a good local indie you’d recommend? Have been to Brystone in the past but they’re not that handy for me.danp said:
I’m near Southampton so in the vicinity with my silver 325ti - dont suppose you guys have a good local indie you’d recommend? Have been to Brystone in the past but they’re not that handy for me.
Thats a negative, I do everything myself however I have heard kwr services in Southampton is quite good. I don't know though as I haven't used themWhen I lived in Southampton, I did use Brystone just the once, and they were polite, knew their stuff and weren't terribly priced.
However they are a pain to get to. I had to drop the car off, and then walk to Totton station, and then do the reverse to collect it. No big deal, but not the best location,
However they are a pain to get to. I had to drop the car off, and then walk to Totton station, and then do the reverse to collect it. No big deal, but not the best location,
Have a look on the m3cutters, plenty of good recommendations there for an indie and they spend serious money with their mechanics 
IMG20181007160940 by ee zeh, on Flickr
Finally washed it. excuse horrific photo taking ability
IMG20181007160940 by ee zeh, on Flickr
Finally washed it. excuse horrific photo taking ability
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 7th October 21:48
Just found this thread and thought I'd tell you a bit about our fleet of 325ti Sports.
The first one I bought back in April of last year, it was so cheap because of an oil leak and impending MOT, about 130k on the clock, black with Sand Beige leather, 6-speed manual (is there anything else). Brought this one home and after a little bit of work and an MOT my partner took the keys out of my hands and decided it would be her daily driver. Later this one was passed on to my step-son until I found him a low mileage one (more later).
Next up, another Black one with Black leather, low mileage, full history etc, just beautiful. She wanted heated seats so I found a pair of heated electric coupe front seats, they were mint. My partner drives this one every day, it's her baby.
Number three, another 325ti Sport Manual, silver with Alcantara, low mileage, full history. This one was poorly listed on eBay, the dealer didn't realise what it was, a train journey the next day with some cash and I brought it home for my step son. He has since swapped to Black leather
Last one, Mystic blue 325ti Manual, few more miles, again from a dealer who didn't realise what it was, Alcantara interior, full history. This one is now my daily driver, I also have an e90 but way prefer to drive the e46.
All the cars are facelifted 325ti Sports, all 6-speed manual. These are such a gem, half the price of the Ci but you get a 6-speed with the Ti. Prices are so cheap, parts are so plentiful and cheap. These have to be the underrated bargain of the century.
My dream would be a nice Imola red car, must have perfect bodywork.
The first one I bought back in April of last year, it was so cheap because of an oil leak and impending MOT, about 130k on the clock, black with Sand Beige leather, 6-speed manual (is there anything else). Brought this one home and after a little bit of work and an MOT my partner took the keys out of my hands and decided it would be her daily driver. Later this one was passed on to my step-son until I found him a low mileage one (more later).
Next up, another Black one with Black leather, low mileage, full history etc, just beautiful. She wanted heated seats so I found a pair of heated electric coupe front seats, they were mint. My partner drives this one every day, it's her baby.
Number three, another 325ti Sport Manual, silver with Alcantara, low mileage, full history. This one was poorly listed on eBay, the dealer didn't realise what it was, a train journey the next day with some cash and I brought it home for my step son. He has since swapped to Black leather
Last one, Mystic blue 325ti Manual, few more miles, again from a dealer who didn't realise what it was, Alcantara interior, full history. This one is now my daily driver, I also have an e90 but way prefer to drive the e46.
All the cars are facelifted 325ti Sports, all 6-speed manual. These are such a gem, half the price of the Ci but you get a 6-speed with the Ti. Prices are so cheap, parts are so plentiful and cheap. These have to be the underrated bargain of the century.
My dream would be a nice Imola red car, must have perfect bodywork.
Great post Stan.Kubrick - you seem to be partly responsible for making facelifts so hard to find!
I had my pre-facelift Sport about a year before my nephew drove it, then I had to find him one! Managed to get him a facelift SE in black with beige leather that had the electric sun-roof. When he had to sell it because he became a dad I was sorely tempted to keep his and sell mine, but as mine was Imola Red I just couldn't!
I eventually sold mine in February this year and replaced it with an E91 325i, which is much more sensible but not nearly as much fun.
Imola Red tempter below!
I had my pre-facelift Sport about a year before my nephew drove it, then I had to find him one! Managed to get him a facelift SE in black with beige leather that had the electric sun-roof. When he had to sell it because he became a dad I was sorely tempted to keep his and sell mine, but as mine was Imola Red I just couldn't!
I eventually sold mine in February this year and replaced it with an E91 325i, which is much more sensible but not nearly as much fun.
Imola Red tempter below!
The e90 is such a boring car, yes it handles fine, its a bit more refined but it's just about the most dull BMW I've ever driven. Compares to a Vauxhall Insomnia (Insignia). I've owned over 50 BMWs but I'd always choose an e46 over an e9x.
Dream spec Imola Red, 6-speed 330Ti. Actually I really like the tourings as well, I've had 5 of them, best was a 330d sport 204bhp 6-speed with a remap to 270bhp
Dream spec Imola Red, 6-speed 330Ti. Actually I really like the tourings as well, I've had 5 of them, best was a 330d sport 204bhp 6-speed with a remap to 270bhp
Mangohut said:
I'm trying to get the suspension set up right on my 325ti and have changed the lower control arms and Im about to change the shocks and then fit a strut brace, or at least I would if I could find one. Anyone know a reasonably priced one thats available?
Front, rear or both? I got a cheap rear one on eBay and have this in my favourites for next year: https://www.wiechers-sport.de/en/shop/dom-fahrwerk...
Another 2 PHers joining the E46 325ti appreciation society here. A joint purchase of an 03 non sunroof model today with the specific purpose of track day use - it didn't take too much "man maths" 
The plan is to for a full service/inspection, change front pads/brake fluid for something more suitable & get some matching tyres (the biggest planned expense currently) capable of the job before adding some Cobra Suzaka seats out of my Mini R56 & removing all the original seats before a visit to Oulton Park in less than 2 weeks!
The plan is to for a full service/inspection, change front pads/brake fluid for something more suitable & get some matching tyres (the biggest planned expense currently) capable of the job before adding some Cobra Suzaka seats out of my Mini R56 & removing all the original seats before a visit to Oulton Park in less than 2 weeks!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff