The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[anonymous-user]

Cheapstraitsix said:

Good luck... no white ones have come up in the last 12 months, apart from mine but I withdrew it from sale due to idiots.
High chance the spec you want wont even exist.

Edited by Cheapstraitsix on Saturday 7th October 22:00

That looks fantastic, just don't like the sunroof!
I do like the looks of the topaz blue ones too. Have time to find the right one, if anyone knows of any for sale or any that may be coming up for sale over the next few months please PM me.

[s m]

Cheapstraitsix said:

eezeh said:

I might be looking at buying a 325ti M sport over the coming months. Is there anything that I should look put for?
For those interested id like a white one, no sunroof and red leather interior.
A silver / steel grey may be considered w/ black leather however
Thanks

Good luck... no white ones have come up in the last 12 months, apart from mine but I withdrew it from sale due to idiots.
High chance the spec you want wont even exist.

Edited by Cheapstraitsix on Saturday 7th October 22:00

I only know of 2 other white ones.
The one with a sunroof that was on Satin 19" CSL reps owned by Glen and had a crunch a while back and a non-sunroof one with black leather

[Mgd_uk]

Any one fitted an LSD?

I’m thinking about a 3J driveline for mine.

[JakeT]

I always consider selling mine, as 2 E46s is a little silly, and I didn't want to take it to the city with me and ruin it, so it's spent a lot of time in the garage at my parents house the past couple of months.

However I went for a drive from home (middle of the North Wessex Downs) over the Ridgeway and back this morning. Excellent, quiet roads, with a lovely sunrise to boot.

[Cheapstraitsix]

Mgd_uk said:

Any one fitted an LSD?

I’m thinking about a 3J driveline for mine.

Got all the m3 rear subframe for mine, just never got round to fitting it, with AD80Rs is never breaks traction anyway.

[Dougyd39]

After owning a 316i compact E36, I finally have upgraded to a 325ti Sport 2002. I had to get one due largely to this thread and very glad I did.

It's done 120k and the body work and engine is flawless. And I got it for £1400 which surprised the hell out of me. A couple of issues I knew about a rip in seat that will be fixed for £80.00. And MV1 alloys that are curbed, plus 3 small door dinks and a tiny dent. Everything else works perfectly.

However I did think the ride was a bit clunky and harsh. I put this down to the large 18 inch wheels which I would happily swap for 17". But presumed it may need some replacement bushes.

Today it was inspected on a ramp, and we found the following.

2 of the alloys have buckles on inside(also they have not been holding pressure)

Rear trailing arm bushes need replacing

Front lower arm rear bushes need replacing

So not to bad, but my mechanic has recommended I do the following at the same time.

Replace rear mounts and rear shocks.(springs look good)

I'm not an expert on all this but would like help from anyone on what bushes I should buy? Same with mounts? And really confused about shocks. Seen Bilstein but don't know what's best b4? Also seen this on eBay which covers the shocks and mounts but are they good shocks and mounts?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sachs-556882-Stossdampfer...

Any help much appreciated

I do not have much cash to spend and also have to fix wheels.

[Dougyd39]

Dougyd39 said:

Here she is

[anonymous-user]

Looks very nice dougy, really looking forward to owning one!

[helix402]

Dougyd39 said:

After owning a 316i compact E36, I finally have upgraded to a 325ti Sport 2002. I had to get one due largely to this thread and very glad I did.

It's done 120k and the body work and engine is flawless. And I got it for £1400 which surprised the hell out of me. A couple of issues I knew about a rip in seat that will be fixed for £80.00. And MV1 alloys that are curbed, plus 3 small door dinks and a tiny dent. Everything else works perfectly.

However I did think the ride was a bit clunky and harsh. I put this down to the large 18 inch wheels which I would happily swap for 17". But presumed it may need some replacement bushes.

Today it was inspected on a ramp, and we found the following.

2 of the alloys have buckles on inside(also they have not been holding pressure)

Rear trailing arm bushes need replacing

Front lower arm rear bushes need replacing

So not to bad, but my mechanic has recommended I do the following at the same time.

Replace rear mounts and rear shocks.(springs look good)

I'm not an expert on all this but would like help from anyone on what bushes I should buy? Same with mounts? And really confused about shocks. Seen Bilstein but don't know what's best b4? Also seen this on eBay which covers the shocks and mounts but are they good shocks and mounts?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sachs-556882-Stossdampfer...

Any help much appreciated

I do not have much cash to spend and also have to fix wheels.

Damper kit will be fine. For rear arm bushes I recommend genuine BMW M3. For front control arm gen BMW, Febi Bilstein or TRW. Sadly Lemforder are not long lasting any more.

[Dougyd39]

helix402 said:

Damper kit will be fine. For rear arm bushes I recommend genuine BMW M3. For front control arm gen BMW, Febi Bilstein or TRW. Sadly Lemforder are not long lasting any more.

Thanks Helix

I did read some where that the M3 bushes were limited or something(not to hot on this sort of thing) and reccomened so I'll get them.
The front my mechanic suggested powerflex. But I'll look for what you have suggested.

Just need to find out now if I can get the wheels fixed. Would rather have 17" so maybe I'll see if that's a option. Bit worried about getting second hand in case they have the same problem.

Cheers

[Dougyd39]

eezeh said:

Looks very nice dougy, really looking forward to owning one!

You won't be disappointed I've had a big smile on my face since getting mine.

[anonymous-user]

Dougyd39 said:

eezeh said:

Looks very nice dougy, really looking forward to owning one!

You won't be disappointed I've had a big smile on my face since getting mine.

Are there any patches of rust on yours, being an 02? The other E46's seem to suffer quite badly. Thought I read somewhere that the compact didn't seem to suffer from similar problems.

[Dougyd39]

Dougyd39 said:

eezeh said:

Are there any patches of rust on yours, being an 02? The other E46's seem to suffer quite badly. Thought I read somewhere that the compact didn't seem to suffer from similar problems.

A tiny bit of bubbling starting below the rear BMW badge that's it. But you have to look reallly hard

[s m]

Dougyd39 said:

Dougyd39 said:

Here she is

Looks very shiny Doug!

Hope it's a great car for you and you enjoy it

[Captain Answer]

Thoughts or Advise on the car below? Would be travelling a fair way to collect but other than that it looks like it wants a bit of TLC to sort reversing sensors etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325ti-E46-FSH-MOT-84...

Edited by Captain Answer on Tuesday 10th October 13:33

[Dougyd39]

Captain Answer said:

Thoughts or Advise on the car below? Would be travelling a fair way to collect but other than that it looks like it wants a bit of TLC to sort reversing sensors etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325ti-E46-FSH-MOT-84...

Edited by Captain Answer on Tuesday 10th October 13:33

I saw this car many weeks ago on Ebay and Auto trader, he had said he had been let down by an ebay buyer. It seems to be good value but I would be concerned it has been up for sale for so long and not sold. And price has come down. I cant remember what it was on for originally. I would ask the reason why it never sold?

[JakeT]

Nice looking car Dougy. It has the bi-xenon headlights too, which are so much better than the halogen ones!

[aka_kerrly]

Dougyd39 said:

Nice!!!!!!

[iSore]

Dougyd39 said:

it has been up for sale for so long and not sold.

Compact, not a Coupe
Old
25 mpg
Nasty grey interior


It's just another old BMW to most folk and not remotely desirable.

[Cheapstraitsix]

After a pair of rear msport compact 17" wheels if anyone's got any spare?
Looking to run a square set up on my car.