The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[Mr Tidy]

Cheapstraitsix said:

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.

Thanks for the tip - I've never had one to take out!

Sorry to hear about your damage. It's so annoying when that happens - what is it with people?

[Mr Tidy]

Max M4X WW said:

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?

Thanks, I'd like the wiper motor and the first aid kit holder if you can get it out! Can you PM me with your location and we can discuss some beer vouchers!

Cheers, Iain.

[s m]

Cheapstraitsix said:

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.

Very annoying indeed - are you trying to sell this at present?

[HugoFastmann]

Always annoying when someone nudges your car. I've got a tiny little dent in my rear bumper where someone has given my bumper a love tap in a parking lot, but not enough to bother getting any work done. Enough to annoy me every time I see it though!

[s m]

Most annoying was to be walking back to mine to see someone resting their briefcase on the roof as they got out of their car. I suggested they might want to rest it on their own roof but apparently as it was a soft top it might damage it

They really couldn't see the issue - surprising as their car was worth 10x mine and new and shiny

[HugoFastmann]

s m said:

Most annoying was to be walking back to mine to see someone resting their briefcase on the roof as they got out of their car. I suggested they might want to rest it on their own roof but apparently as it was a soft top it might damage it

They really couldn't see the issue - surprising as their car was worth 10x mine and new and shiny

I hope you gave them something to think about later on.

[Cheapstraitsix]

s m said:

Very annoying indeed - are you trying to sell this at present?

I had actually been asked to end the auction taken a deposit on it annoyingly.

However gave the buyer the option of taking it as it is. Obviously I would discount the quote I had to fix it from the price, but they declined and requested the deposit back.

Can't blame them as it's a faf taking it to a Bodyshop and being without a car.

Il just keep it now and do more of the same with it, can also care slightky less about it on track....maybe.

[HugoFastmann]

A few questions for you guys:

• The sound deadening under the bonnet - has anyone removed it and noticed any audible improvements?
• I've noticed the car seems to be a bit wayward on less-than-level roads over 40mph and there's a bit of a wobble on the steering wheel around 70mph - does that sound like the front wishbone bushes are gone?
• There's a clunk from the suspension (think it's in the front, but not entirely sure) if I go over around a corner where the camber changes suddenly - any ideas?

Oh, and I've got to replace the clutch due to a dead release bearing. FML.

[aka_kerrly]

HugoFastmann said:

A few questions for you guys:

• The sound deadening under the bonnet - has anyone removed it and noticed any audible improvements?
• I've noticed the car seems to be a bit wayward on less-than-level roads over 40mph and there's a bit of a wobble on the steering wheel around 70mph - does that sound like the front wishbone bushes are gone?
• There's a clunk from the suspension (think it's in the front, but not entirely sure) if I go over around a corner where the camber changes suddenly - any ideas?

Oh, and I've got to replace the clutch due to a dead release bearing. FML.

When doing the clutch you may want to remove the clutch delay valve at the same time

[HugoFastmann]

aka_kerrly said:

When doing the clutch you may want to remove the clutch delay valve at the same time

Did that ages ago. Didn't really notice any difference though...

[OJH30]

Hi guys, here are some pics of my 2001 325ti. I spent a long time looking for a nice low mileage ti and found this one, it now has 54500 miles on the clock and has had a very spoilt life! Earlier this year I spent a lot of money replacing and upgrading all of the e46 weak points as well as belt/oils/bushes/breathers/pulleys, it wasn't cheap! Unfortunately I may now have to sell it due to job relocation but it's a great car and always puts a smile on my face

[Max M4X WW]

Wow, those wheels look great!

Very similar car to mine too, well it was! First outing on track earlier this week..

[FredClogs]

HugoFastmann said:

A few questions for you guys:

• The sound deadening under the bonnet - has anyone removed it and noticed any audible improvements?
• I've noticed the car seems to be a bit wayward on less-than-level roads over 40mph and there's a bit of a wobble on the steering wheel around 70mph - does that sound like the front wishbone bushes are gone?
• There's a clunk from the suspension (think it's in the front, but not entirely sure) if I go over around a corner where the camber changes suddenly - any ideas?

Oh, and I've got to replace the clutch due to a dead release bearing. FML.

My wife drives ours (mine) mostly now, I took it to work today as she'd complained of a vibration in the steering wheel and a rumble, i never know how seriously to take her complaining, anyway... Same thing, at motorway speeds a intermittent vibration in steering wheel at high speeds... Stop at work and realised (due to blackened and very hot drivers side wheel) that the drivers side front brake is binding. Maybe this is the issue with yours? Shame as I'm heading to the lakes today and will have to go in the bus now and spend some time and money... Excuse to buy some new bits for the car anyway.

[HugoFastmann]

FredClogs said:

My wife drives ours (mine) mostly now, I took it to work today as she'd complained of a vibration in the steering wheel and a rumble, i never know how seriously to take her complaining, anyway... Same thing, at motorway speeds a intermittent vibration in steering wheel at high speeds... Stop at work and realised (due to blackened and very hot drivers side wheel) that the drivers side front brake is binding. Maybe this is the issue with yours? Shame as I'm heading to the lakes today and will have to go in the bus now and spend some time and money... Excuse to buy some new bits for the car anyway.

I've actually also noticed the front driver's wheel is getting quite dusty too. Does this mean a new caliper is on the cards? I had it replaced about a year ago...

[FredClogs]

HugoFastmann said:

I've actually also noticed the front driver's wheel is getting quite dusty too. Does this mean a new caliper is on the cards? I had it replaced about a year ago...

I don't know what they cost on these, but yeah I'd say its always better to replace a caliper once its started sticking, a good clean and some new fluid flushed through might be a temporary fix that lasts a while. I'll see what condition its in and the discs and pads too before i decide. If the wheel is getting at all warm compared to the other side after 10 of 15 minutes on the motorway its probably a sign, once I tiwgged what to was i could actually feel it dragging at slow speeds too.

[Max M4X WW]

Has anyone fitted a '545i' shifter? Not sure if I should go for one of those or something even shorter.

[Deptford Draylons]

has anyone removed the black plastic trim on the side of the car on the wing , door and rear quarter ? I'm having a wing painted along with some mirror covers and thinking these greying parts would look better off painted, but a bit worried about trying to remove them and damaging the door and quarter and if they would be bent and junk and not attach properly again.
Thanks

[s m]

Deptford Draylons said:

has anyone removed the black plastic trim on the side of the car on the wing , door and rear quarter ? I'm having a wing painted along with some mirror covers and thinking these greying parts would look better off painted, but a bit worried about trying to remove them and damaging the door and quarter and if they would be bent and junk and not attach properly again.
Thanks

Personally I'd just do them with Gtechniq C4 - mask off paintwork - leave in situ - lot less hassle

[Max M4X WW]

Deptford Draylons said:

has anyone removed the black plastic trim on the side of the car on the wing , door and rear quarter ? I'm having a wing painted along with some mirror covers and thinking these greying parts would look better off painted, but a bit worried about trying to remove them and damaging the door and quarter and if they would be bent and junk and not attach properly again.
Thanks

They come off really easy with a bit of force. I removed my 'grey' 325ti trims and painted them black the other week.

[helix402]

Easy to remove, worth getting some new clips.