The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
s m said:
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I've not been home in a while to drive mine. I miss it. Much more accomplished car than the coupe I would say. I think I'll get some bodywork done on mine next year, as there is the odd two blebs of rust on it that haven't broken the paint. One on a rear arch, and one on the tailgate. Bloody winter driving.ferrisbueller said:
I think it's the same as anything else where people can afford to buy one but then don't necessarily have the means or motivation to look after them right. They seem to be relatively rare as it is, so nice ones even moreso.
I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
I know what you mean - I've probably spent almost as much maintaining mine as it cost I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
But for me it is worth it, because I can't think of anything else as good for the money as a cherished 325ti!
BTW OP your profile doesn't show a location, but you'd be welcome to try mine if you are ever anywhere near where Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire meet. (Mind you I told my nephew that - next thing I knew I had to find him one)!
ferrisbueller said:
I think it's the same as anything else where people can afford to buy one but then don't necessarily have the means or motivation to look after them right. They seem to be relatively rare as it is, so nice ones even moreso.
I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
I wouldn't leave it too long Ferris - the newest ones are 12 years old now.....plus looking at prices it seems to get a decent one you're paying almost the same as I did for mine over 4 years back......just with more mileage and age. I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
s m said:
ferrisbueller said:
I think it's the same as anything else where people can afford to buy one but then don't necessarily have the means or motivation to look after them right. They seem to be relatively rare as it is, so nice ones even moreso.
I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
I wouldn't leave it too long Ferris - the newest ones are 12 years old now.....plus looking at prices it seems to get a decent one you're paying almost the same as I did for mine over 4 years back......just with more mileage and age. I'd like to try one at some point so please do all look after them!
eezeh said:
I have noticed on a recent car I went to see that on the inside of the filler neck, there is sometimes some crusty brown stuff lining the inside of the valve cover. Its not white so no headgasket but brown, flaky crusty stuff. Is this normal?
I think the cap on mine is a bit brown, probably residue from burnt off 'mayonnaise' that can occur from short journeys etc?Max M4X WW said:
eezeh said:
I have noticed on a recent car I went to see that on the inside of the filler neck, there is sometimes some crusty brown stuff lining the inside of the valve cover. Its not white so no headgasket but brown, flaky crusty stuff. Is this normal?
I think the cap on mine is a bit brown, probably residue from burnt off 'mayonnaise' that can occur from short journeys etc?Right then another week another problem. After doing the final stage resistor and having a heater again I'm now not getting any heat out the vents unkess I'm on the throttle or engine revs are circa 2k or higher. I've had the low coolant light a couple of times and have topped up with distilled water before I splash out and get the cooling system overhauled in the next couple of weeks, but any ideas what could be causing this? If I'm on the throlttle or engine braking and revs are around 2k I get heat out the vents and then it rapidly dissappears and I just get ambient air when the cars idling. Really need to get clued up on cooling systems but something tells me the flow of water round the system is restricted and the heater element is only getting hot water flowing through it when the engine is spinning at a certain speed and driving the water pump hard enough? Any help appreciated.
Attempting vanos seals this weekend, been putting it off for over a year now. Got the kit from eBay with the anti rattle rings as well.. just wondering if you had any tips, for the people that have done it. Going to follow the Besian DIY on there website.
Cheers Mikey.
Cheers Mikey.
Edited by Hil_lo on Thursday 26th October 19:31
JakeT said:
Do the rocker cover gasket while you're there too. Get gen BMW ones, and do the little rubber gaskets that go over the studs. If you haven't done them recently it's an ideal time to change the plugs and oil, also.
This fit cheap do it twice and with oil dripping on the cats it will be hard to ignore Elring and Victor Reinz are also good everything else just burn 
I fitted a Kaaz LSD to mine today, it’s some fun 
https://flic.kr/p/ZD66Bj
https://flic.kr/p/ZD66Bj
Edited by Mgd_uk on Saturday 28th October 23:00
Max M4X WW said:
Dug mine out of the garage yesterday to attend to a little more weight saving and something is up with an ABS 'ring' on the front as everything went very crunchy under braking and now we have ABS lights galore!
Do you track it? When me new motor arrives mine will likely be moving to track duties. CaptainMorgan said:
Max M4X WW said:
Dug mine out of the garage yesterday to attend to a little more weight saving and something is up with an ABS 'ring' on the front as everything went very crunchy under braking and now we have ABS lights galore!
Do you track it? When me new motor arrives mine will likely be moving to track duties. I've been out of the forum loop for many months but figured an update would be timely. My 325ti had been suffering with terrible brake judder for nearly a year now. Disks and pads were changed, then changed again under warranty. Both front hubs replaced too. Finally took the plunge with a £240 swap and replaced both lower arms. Got it! The rear bush on one side was completely shot but when fitted to the car the wear was not visible. I went with Moog parts (they supply all the replacement nuts which I like)
Next jobs are VANOS seals and CCV. If I enjoy my 80 miles commute I can get through a litre of oil in 5 days. Keep the revs below 3k and I'm using a litre in a month. Is this engine wear or clogged CCV?
I've also swapped the Pirelli Cinturato P7 225/50R16 to the rear to wear them out, on the front they were 20k miles in and still had 6mm tread left. 10k miles on the rear and now 4mm left. The GoodYear Efficient Grips are so soft I'm getting 20k miles from them on the front, reckon I'd chew through a pair on the rear in 15k. MPG is 36 and I'm on Shell V-Power.
Next jobs are VANOS seals and CCV. If I enjoy my 80 miles commute I can get through a litre of oil in 5 days. Keep the revs below 3k and I'm using a litre in a month. Is this engine wear or clogged CCV?
I've also swapped the Pirelli Cinturato P7 225/50R16 to the rear to wear them out, on the front they were 20k miles in and still had 6mm tread left. 10k miles on the rear and now 4mm left. The GoodYear Efficient Grips are so soft I'm getting 20k miles from them on the front, reckon I'd chew through a pair on the rear in 15k. MPG is 36 and I'm on Shell V-Power.
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