The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Hil_lo said:
PaulGT3 said:
Finally fitted my F20 1 series wheels with 205/55 R16 Michelin PS4. Doesn't look too bad IMO and drives so much better with this tyre size. If anyone wants some OEM 17" sport wheels very cheap then get in touch, they will need a refurb and new tyres though.
Anymore pics of this? Really thinking about a swap over to 16's..Edited by PaulGT3 on Sunday 26th March 12:12
s m said:
Hil_lo said:
PaulGT3 said:
Finally fitted my F20 1 series wheels with 205/55 R16 Michelin PS4. Doesn't look too bad IMO and drives so much better with this tyre size. If anyone wants some OEM 17" sport wheels very cheap then get in touch, they will need a refurb and new tyres though.
Anymore pics of this? Really thinking about a swap over to 16's..Edited by PaulGT3 on Sunday 26th March 12:12
s m said:
Hil_lo said:
PaulGT3 said:
Finally fitted my F20 1 series wheels with 205/55 R16 Michelin PS4. Doesn't look too bad IMO and drives so much better with this tyre size. If anyone wants some OEM 17" sport wheels very cheap then get in touch, they will need a refurb and new tyres though.
Anymore pics of this? Really thinking about a swap over to 16's..Edited by PaulGT3 on Sunday 26th March 12:12
Still not had time to fit the LSD on mine as it's been pushed into daily service at the moment.
However decided it was feeling a bit tired in the suspension department.
Went for konis on the end, not expecting anything ground breaking and did concern me that they claim 1.6-2.5 use the same spring rate but at £384 with lifetime warranty thought it's worth a punt.
New febi top mounts all round whilst I'm there, but does anyone have any experience of the adjustable rear £60ish camber arms? Or are they just cheap cr*p?
Another track day at the end of the month, can't see me getting the LSD on soon with the car in everyday use, but will be interesting to see the difference the tyres ans suspension have made.
However decided it was feeling a bit tired in the suspension department.
Went for konis on the end, not expecting anything ground breaking and did concern me that they claim 1.6-2.5 use the same spring rate but at £384 with lifetime warranty thought it's worth a punt.
New febi top mounts all round whilst I'm there, but does anyone have any experience of the adjustable rear £60ish camber arms? Or are they just cheap cr*p?
Another track day at the end of the month, can't see me getting the LSD on soon with the car in everyday use, but will be interesting to see the difference the tyres ans suspension have made.
Finally got round to cleaning the compact, and putting an ad up, link below if anyone is interested -
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/325ti-sport-2003-25l...
Have spent the last week driving both this and the 135i, mainly because I have had the choice, doing the same commute each way so I have gotten a better feel for the differences.
They are both different animals, although in some respects you can tell they are from the same stable, both are refined and comfortable cruisers until you put your foot down, the 325ti definitely sounds much better when opened up but the 135i has so much more power and pulls effortlessly in all gears - my god it just goes. You don't need to get the revs up as much as the 325ti to get the same result.
The compact is definitely more nimble, and the turning circle feels smaller, I almost got caught out by this on a tight roundabout near home! The 135i feels like is more planted and "on rails" I suspect that is owing to the stiffer chassis. Ride quality is similar even with the 135i having run flats, which surprised me.
They are both great cars, and I will be sad to see the compact go, if finances allowed I would definitely consider keeping it and stripping it out for the track.
Would definitely recommend the 135i for anyone looking to upgrade from the compact its a step up in terms of power luxury and build quality, without sacrificing the enjoyability of the compact.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/325ti-sport-2003-25l...
Have spent the last week driving both this and the 135i, mainly because I have had the choice, doing the same commute each way so I have gotten a better feel for the differences.
They are both different animals, although in some respects you can tell they are from the same stable, both are refined and comfortable cruisers until you put your foot down, the 325ti definitely sounds much better when opened up but the 135i has so much more power and pulls effortlessly in all gears - my god it just goes. You don't need to get the revs up as much as the 325ti to get the same result.
The compact is definitely more nimble, and the turning circle feels smaller, I almost got caught out by this on a tight roundabout near home! The 135i feels like is more planted and "on rails" I suspect that is owing to the stiffer chassis. Ride quality is similar even with the 135i having run flats, which surprised me.
They are both great cars, and I will be sad to see the compact go, if finances allowed I would definitely consider keeping it and stripping it out for the track.
Would definitely recommend the 135i for anyone looking to upgrade from the compact its a step up in terms of power luxury and build quality, without sacrificing the enjoyability of the compact.
Cheapstraitsix said:
Wasn't aware, so are they the biggest waste of money going then?
If you have an excessively lowered E46 or are into "scene camber bro" you may need camber arms. If you have a slightly lowered or standard E46 the standard arms are fine. Some say camber arms make adjustment easier, I've had no problems since I first adjusted one in 1994. (E36). If you like shiny bits under your car (who doesn't?) the Turner Motorsport ones are lovely. Also very expensive. Or you can put M3 CSL ones on. They are pretty because they are from an M3 CSL and alloy. I wouldn't bother with cheap steel eBay ones.Andrew Kettle said:
Finally got round to cleaning the compact, and putting an ad up, link below if anyone is interested -
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/325ti-sport-2003-25l...
Have spent the last week driving both this and the 135i, mainly because I have had the choice, doing the same commute each way so I have gotten a better feel for the differences.
They are both different animals, although in some respects you can tell they are from the same stable, both are refined and comfortable cruisers until you put your foot down, the 325ti definitely sounds much better when opened up but the 135i has so much more power and pulls effortlessly in all gears - my god it just goes. You don't need to get the revs up as much as the 325ti to get the same result.
The compact is definitely more nimble, and the turning circle feels smaller, I almost got caught out by this on a tight roundabout near home! The 135i feels like is more planted and "on rails" I suspect that is owing to the stiffer chassis. Ride quality is similar even with the 135i having run flats, which surprised me.
They are both great cars, and I will be sad to see the compact go, if finances allowed I would definitely consider keeping it and stripping it out for the track.
Would definitely recommend the 135i for anyone looking to upgrade from the compact its a step up in terms of power luxury and build quality, without sacrificing the enjoyability of the compact.
Good write up Andrew - cheers.https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/325ti-sport-2003-25l...
Have spent the last week driving both this and the 135i, mainly because I have had the choice, doing the same commute each way so I have gotten a better feel for the differences.
They are both different animals, although in some respects you can tell they are from the same stable, both are refined and comfortable cruisers until you put your foot down, the 325ti definitely sounds much better when opened up but the 135i has so much more power and pulls effortlessly in all gears - my god it just goes. You don't need to get the revs up as much as the 325ti to get the same result.
The compact is definitely more nimble, and the turning circle feels smaller, I almost got caught out by this on a tight roundabout near home! The 135i feels like is more planted and "on rails" I suspect that is owing to the stiffer chassis. Ride quality is similar even with the 135i having run flats, which surprised me.
They are both great cars, and I will be sad to see the compact go, if finances allowed I would definitely consider keeping it and stripping it out for the track.
Would definitely recommend the 135i for anyone looking to upgrade from the compact its a step up in terms of power luxury and build quality, without sacrificing the enjoyability of the compact.
I keep looking at the 130i Coupes - sound good with the BMWPE and like you say, a bit stiffer platform. Not much faster than the Compact as standard, unlike your 135i, but they did make them for a few more years after the ti
s m said:
Good write up Andrew - cheers.
I keep looking at the 130i Coupes - sound good with the BMWPE and like you say, a bit stiffer platform. Not much faster than the Compact as standard, unlike your 135i, but they did make them for a few more years after the ti
130i Coupes - I don't think so!I keep looking at the 130i Coupes - sound good with the BMWPE and like you say, a bit stiffer platform. Not much faster than the Compact as standard, unlike your 135i, but they did make them for a few more years after the ti
130i hatches yes, but Coupes only came in 125i or 135i variants IIRC!
My 325ti daily is great, but then I have a Z4C for entertainment! Much as I may wish to upgrade my 325ti, what are the options? 130i would just be a 1 Series with a Z4C engine, and they tend to be at least twice the price of 325tis - are they really twice as good?!
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
Good write up Andrew - cheers.
I keep looking at the 130i Coupes - sound good with the BMWPE and like you say, a bit stiffer platform. Not much faster than the Compact as standard, unlike your 135i, but they did make them for a few more years after the ti
130i Coupes - I don't think so!I keep looking at the 130i Coupes - sound good with the BMWPE and like you say, a bit stiffer platform. Not much faster than the Compact as standard, unlike your 135i, but they did make them for a few more years after the ti
130i hatches yes, but Coupes only came in 125i or 135i variants IIRC!
My 325ti daily is great, but then I have a Z4C for entertainment! Much as I may wish to upgrade my 325ti, what are the options? 130i would just be a 1 Series with a Z4C engine, and they tend to be at least twice the price of 325tis - are they really twice as good?!
s m said:
Yeah, I know they call them 125 Coupes ....but they're really 3 litre. Not too difficult to get them a bit livelier. Friend is in Germany and a company there has cracked getting them up to 130 hatch performance - a guy he works with has had it done - excellent
I think there is a firm in the UK that can do the same - Evolve IIRC. But I seem to also remember that the brakes need an upgrade if you do that - for some reason the 125i got smaller front brakes than the 123d or 130i!?
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