The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

Author
Discussion

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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Love the red leather, and think it works best on a white car.

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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FredClogs said:
If you like it, that's the main thing...

See how faded the handle on the seat is to get into the rear seats? Mine is the same and I find it quite annoying. Does anyone know how to bring the black back to that plastic?
Best way is to get some satin black spray paint and paint it. Or plastidip.

Fishy Dave

1,024 posts

244 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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HugoFastmann said:
Max M4X WW said:
Any thoughts on this? After a bit more noise and would rather not have an open filter (not sure if this will make a lot more noise though! (was thinking of hooking it up to an M3 scoop/duct (though I am aware the 325ti and M3 both have dual feeds)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350630179125?_trksid=p20...
Not worth it. I've heard bad things about those. I'd recommend a BMC CDA if you're after the enclosed type, or a Mishimoto or AFE if you want a cone-style filter. Otherwise, just get a K&N or BMC panel filter replacement. I've got a silicone intake boot and standard panel filter and box and that made a nice noise improvement (by ditching the resonator) and I've been told drilling out the bottom of the air box with a hole saw also increases intake noise.


Edited by HugoFastmann on Tuesday 25th April 10:23
I fitted a Ramair kit last year, not the one in the link above but this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-330-330i-330Ci-3...

It is slightly compressed on the underside of the bonnet, but it is only slight. No detectable difference in performance and just as quiet in normal driving but does make a more pleasing note on WOT. I'd recommend it, just don't expect an S54 like induction roar.

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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Fishy Dave said:
I fitted a Ramair kit last year, not the one in the link above but this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-330-330i-330Ci-3...

It is slightly compressed on the underside of the bonnet, but it is only slight. No detectable difference in performance and just as quiet in normal driving but does make a more pleasing note on WOT. I'd recommend it, just don't expect an S54 like induction roar.
Does that make cleaning the engine bay a more delicate process? As in, do you need to cover the filter when doing it??

gregs656

10,818 posts

180 months

Friday 28th April 2017
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Red leather looks good and doing it that way you avoid the red overkill with the dash etc.

Cheapstraitsix

269 posts

138 months

Monday 1st May 2017
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Discovered the the below clip on YouTube from my recent trackday.

It consists of an M2 quickly dealing with my compact at around 8mins.
I lifted off for him to pass....but needn't of bothered. Insane power in terms of both acceleration and braking.

https://youtu.be/Bq2wsPajESg

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Monday 1st May 2017
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The 325ti looked good in the bendy bits, that's for sure. Of course an M2 would be quicker, you just need to fit a supercharged S62 for some real sleeper action... biggrin

PaulGT3

375 posts

171 months

Monday 1st May 2017
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Looked pretty capable on track, looked great through the chicane!

Fishy Dave

1,024 posts

244 months

Tuesday 2nd May 2017
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HugoFastmann said:
Does that make cleaning the engine bay a more delicate process? As in, do you need to cover the filter when doing it??
It depends on how you clean it? Silicone type spray and a cloth would be no problem, whilst steam or jetwash (!) could cause you a problem if not covered, it's a big piece of sponge. smile

Hil_lo

53 posts

95 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Does anyone have a set of standard rear springs they want to get rid off?

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2017
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Hil_lo said:
Does anyone have a set of standard rear springs they want to get rid off?
I do. I'm heading away for the weekend but if you still need them next week let me know. They've only done about 2k miles.

Cheapstraitsix

269 posts

138 months

Tuesday 9th May 2017
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Just booked thruxton on the 22nd of this month.

Any takers?

HugoFastmann

279 posts

117 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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Cheapstraitsix said:
Just booked thruxton on the 22nd of this month.

Any takers?
If I wasn't in the process of buying a house I'd be keen to join ya!

FredClogs

14,041 posts

160 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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I fixed my airbag warning light / seat occupancy sensor fault. I know it's a common E46 thing and a google will reveal all but if anyone has that issue and can't fix it I'll go through it.

ethomas

315 posts

229 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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I have a dilemma! I have found a 135i with incredibly low mileage and perfect spec for a great price, but if I decide to go for it I am at a loss what to do with my 325ti.

The car is easily worth more broken than in one piece. Complete M3 rear axle, M3 suspension all round, M3 heated seats, upgraded brakes front and rear, etc, xenon headlights, 6-speed gearbox, 17" team dynamics 1.2 wheels, turner M3 anti roll bars. Every bush, bearing, and ball joint has been replaced since I bought it around two years ago.

The car itself has close to 160k miles with imperfect bodywork. Without the upgrades it would probably be between 1k and 1.5k, but the upgraded bits should comfortably fetch 2k. I don't really have the time or parts to put it back to stock.

Any ideas on what to do with it? In a perfect world I would strip it and keep it as a track toy, but I don't really have anywhere to keep it.

If anyone wants to make an offer, please do smile

Edit: full disclosure, there is an intermittent engine light caused by using an oil catch can

Edited by ethomas on Friday 12th May 10:44

FredClogs

14,041 posts

160 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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^ So does it have an S54 engine?

I do quite fancy the idea of getting that lot and an s54 engine into mine, not quite sure I've got the spannering skills though.

ethomas

315 posts

229 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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FredClogs said:
^ So does it have an S54 engine?

I do quite fancy the idea of getting that lot and an s54 engine into mine, not quite sure I've got the spannering skills though.
If it did I would be keeping it smile. Never got around to the engine, because I am relatively newly arrived in the UK it would be almost impossible to get insurance for it.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Don't tempt me with talk of breaking it, if I had the money spare I'd have the rear subframe and brakes!

Max M4X WW

4,789 posts

181 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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I'd like the wheels! Any photos?

Andrew Kettle

40 posts

142 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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@ethomas

I upgraded to a 135i and to be honest I struggled to sell my 325ti, I bought it for 2.2k on 90k and let it go for 300 less @ 105k and that was after I did the vanos, vcg, disa, brake lines, discs pads, and ofh gasket. I think that the difficulty with these cars is that they only attract people in the know, if you've got time to sell it you will get a good price but serious buyers who know what they are worth are few and far between.

Edited by Andrew Kettle on Saturday 13th May 23:44