The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[HugoFastmann]

Hey guys, not sure if anyone needs any parts but I have a few used OEM parts up for grabs if you're in the south coast and can pick them up.

Tail lights - original "Lexus" style lights (swapped mine for facelift lights).
M Sport suspensions - front and rear springs, front shocks only (rear shocks were solid).
BMW Business cassette head unit - works fine, just didn't want it.
Sport shifter and gear knob - replaced with 545i shifter and ZHP knob.

PM me if you're interested.

[JakeT]

Tim, how much are you looking for for the rear lights? Mine will need replacing soon, as the seals are going bad.

[HugoFastmann]

JakeT said:

Tim, how much are you looking for for the rear lights? Mine will need replacing soon, as the seals are going bad.

£20? Few bulbs missing, but otherwise in excellent condition.

[HugoFastmann]

Discovered recently she eats through tyres, which is less than ideal when they're expensive tyres... Still, she's a lovely thing to drive!

[PaulGT3]

Is it rear tyres it is eating? Mine went through a set of rear tyres in 4k miles when I first bought it. The rear trailing arm bushes needed replacing. After replacing the rtabs, the last set of rear tyres lasted almost 25k miles of mixed driving. And the fronts lasted about 40k I think. That was with Goodyear eagle f1 as2 tyres. Replaced with Michelin ps4 all round so we'll see how long these last.

[HugoFastmann]

PaulGT3 said:

Is it rear tyres it is eating? Mine went through a set of rear tyres in 4k miles when I first bought it. The rear trailing arm bushes needed replacing. After replacing the rtabs, the last set of rear tyres lasted almost 25k miles of mixed driving. And the fronts lasted about 40k I think. That was with Goodyear eagle f1 as2 tyres. Replaced with Michelin ps4 all round so we'll see how long these last.

Went through a set of Dunlop Sport Maxx RT's in 12k miles. And yes, that's the rears. The front look set to reach about 20k miles, but I'd be very surprised if they make any more than that! I think these are a fairly soft compound, so 12k miles out them isn't horrendous, but it's not exactly economical!

[JakeT]

HugoFastmann said:

£20? Few bulbs missing, but otherwise in excellent condition.

Are you able to Bring them to Vanity this weekend?


Sounds like RTABs too. I've done 30k on my rears and there's still 3mm left on them.

[HugoFastmann]

JakeT said:

Are you able to Bring them to Vanity this weekend?


Sounds like RTABs too. I've done 30k on my rears and there's still 3mm left on them.

Not going to Vanity unfortunately. I've got a wedding to attend in the afternoon. Could probably meet you in the morning outside Beaulieu though?

Not sure it's the RTAB's. I replaced them about 15k miles ago. I think it's just the soft compound of these tyres.

[JakeT]

Ah, now you say it, Paul did tell me. I have pretty much 0 spare cash at the moment, just wanted to see the condition of them. If you have them in a month or so, I may have them off of you.

[HugoFastmann]

JakeT said:

Ah, now you say it, Paul did tell me. I have pretty much 0 spare cash at the moment, just wanted to see the condition of them. If you have them in a month or so, I may have them off of you.

I can try take some photos for you when I'm home next. They're pretty much immaculate for their age. The facelift lights I put on were in worse condition, and I'd consider them average for their age. I could probably get £20 per side if I put them on eBay, but I'd rather get them to someone on here who actually wants them. But yes I'll probably still have them in a month.

[JakeT]

Top one. Thank you!

[Deptford Draylons]

I'm looking to replace my front wings due to rust and been offered a pair of what are claimed to be new genuine BMW parts. Is there any way to check they are, and not pattern parts with printed BMW stickers stuck on as per eBay tat where they do this ?
Thanks

[HugoFastmann]

Deptford Draylons said:

I'm looking to replace my front wings due to rust and been offered a pair of what are claimed to be new genuine BMW parts. Is there any way to check they are, and not pattern parts with printed BMW stickers stuck on as per eBay tat where they do this ?
Thanks

That's a damn good question. Interested to see if anyone knows the answer to this.

Where have you been "offered" these parts from? I sourced replacement wings from a BMW breaker in Kent, seemed the most logical approach at the time, and much cheaper than other approaches!

[dai1983]

Hello,

Looking for a car to replace my 172 its too small and uncomfortable for the 80 mile trip I do twice a week on motorways and A roads. Otherwise I'll just be driving to the beach to do some surfing with a roof rack. The other option is a m47 engined Rover 75!!

If anyones thinking of getting rid then let me know. Bonus points for 16s but HAS to be a manual obviously. Missed out on one from near my dads in Wales but chatting to a guy in London about a 5 speed SE.

I hate corresponding with sellers who live ages away especially when being fussy at this price level. I'll travel for the right car but hate the thought of being disappointed if I go/missing out on a mint bargain if i don't go. London-York to see a rusty, low milage "mint" ATR burned me!

[Hil_lo]

Anyone see any reason why a m3 air duct won't fit a compact.
The fixings look the same on the slam panel, the outlet diameter is obviously bigger, so would required some fabrication air box side. But just wondered if anyone has tried it. Can't find anything on people fitting to non M cars..

[Max M4X WW]

Hil_lo said:

Anyone see any reason why a m3 air duct won't fit a compact.
The fixings look the same on the slam panel, the outlet diameter is obviously bigger, so would required some fabrication air box side. But just wondered if anyone has tried it. Can't find anything on people fitting to non M cars..

I've thought about it, but buy one and try it I guess. Personally I have replicated the Alpina B3S airbox:

[Max M4X WW]

Does anyone need any interior parts from a '52 SE? I have stripped out almost everything bar the dash, doorcards and front seats which will be binned soon.

[Mr Tidy]

Max M4X WW said:

Does anyone need any interior parts from a '52 SE? I have stripped out almost everything bar the dash, doorcards and front seats which will be binned soon.

I would be very interested in the tailgate struts IF they are the self-opening ones (could swap for my non-self-opening ones if you still need struts), and the rear wiper motor if it works!

I'd also like a black cup-holder insert for the central console that sits under the armrest (very optimistic, I know) and the first aid kit holder under the passenger seat.

If you have any of those please PM me.

[Max M4X WW]

Mr Tidy said:

Max M4X WW said:

Does anyone need any interior parts from a '52 SE? I have stripped out almost everything bar the dash, doorcards and front seats which will be binned soon.

I would be very interested in the tailgate struts IF they are the self-opening ones (could swap for my non-self-opening ones if you still need struts), and the rear wiper motor if it works!

I'd also like a black cup-holder insert for the central console that sits under the armrest (very optimistic, I know) and the first aid kit holder under the passenger seat.

If you have any of those please PM me.

Hi, Tailgate struts barley work and I still need them. Wiper motor is available and it does work. Don't have a cupholder and I cant see how the first aid holder comes out! Any ideas?

[Cheapstraitsix]

First aid kit has a push tab in the top when it's open I believe.
Cup holders are only £50ish new from BMW got some for mine recently!

In recent news mine has taken a smallish hit come back to find a dent in the rear quarter and a scratched and pushed in bumper.







Obviously not the end off the world, but annoying none the less.