The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[helix402]

It’s very rare for them to be coded off. Main dealers used to do it but would stick big stickers showing it was off.

[JZZ30]

So glad mine didn't sell last year! I put it back on the road in January and got it MOT'd.

Quick question -

When I start the car up, about 5-10 seconds later the yellow oil light comes on for about 10 seconds then goes out. it never comes back on when driving.

Anyone know what is causing this?

[JakeT]

Failed oil level sensor. Screws into the bottom of the sump. Can code it off, or replace with another at the next service.

[JZZ30]

OK, nothing to really worry about then. Thanks

[daniel-5zjw7]

JZZ30 said:

OK, nothing to really worry about then. Thanks

No as long as your oil level is correct!

Speaking of this mines the same, I'm going to give it an oil service soon so will replace it then, but can anyone recommend a sensor? I've seen them from £10.99 up to £140!! Obviously I don't want to speed a fortune on something that is just an indicator, but if I'm replacing it I do want it to fix the issue/work reasonably accurately..

Edited by daniel-5zjw7 on Wednesday 7th February 14:12

[daniel-5zjw7]

PaulGT3 said:

Into its 16th year of solid service, the hedgehog finally died.



Got it out fairly easily with a slim torx driver and a sony z5 compact wedged to see where the hidden screw was.

Tempted to change mine out before it fails, but just sounds like a bit of a mission from the guides!

[JakeT]

It's not a terrible job, but do it right. I bought a genuine BMW one to ensure it lasts. Pattern ones don't last. When the one in my car failed it did it slowly, the fan stopped working for about 10 minutes a month before, then a week before, and then it was utterly dead.

[daniel-5zjw7]

Ok cheers, guess I'll tackle it at some point.

Does anyone know a fairly accurate figure as to how many manual sports are still on the road? I had a look at howmanyleft but it didnt seem that clear to me.

Ps. Sapphire 6 speed sport with leather and 113k has popped up on gumtree, £1795.00. not that taken by the ad but may well be worth a look if your after one.

Edited by daniel-5zjw7 on Wednesday 7th February 21:34

[anonymous-user]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Ok cheers, guess I'll tackle it at some point.

Does anyone know a fairly accurate figure as to how many manual sports are still on the road? I had a look at howmanyleft but it didnt seem that clear to me.

Edited by daniel-5zjw7 on Wednesday 7th February 21:34

I did send an email to bmw enquiring about the sales or production statistics for the manual sports but never heard back.

[Cheapstraitsix]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Ok cheers, guess I'll tackle it at some point.

Does anyone know a fairly accurate figure as to how many manual sports are still on the road? I had a look at howmanyleft but it didnt seem that clear to me.

Ps. Sapphire 6 speed sport with leather and 113k has popped up on gumtree, £1795.00. not that taken by the ad but may well be worth a look if your after one.

Edited by daniel-5zjw7 on Wednesday 7th February 21:34

No way of telling how many are manuals, but if the figures are to be believed they’ve survived well.

193 remain out of 226ish built.

How many are 6 speeds I wonder.

[PaulGT3]

JakeT said:

It's not a terrible job, but do it right. I bought a genuine BMW one to ensure it lasts. Pattern ones don't last. When the one in my car failed it did it slowly, the fan stopped working for about 10 minutes a month before, then a week before, and then it was utterly dead.

I got one from ECP and its branded HELLA / BEHR, I thought as the original one was BEHR branded, its got to be worth a shot. It was under £40 with the usual discount code applied. I deliberately ignored the cheaper pattern parts.

[anonymous-user]

I am going to be replacing the cd changer with an aux in cable for the business casette headset in my car, along with that I want a 12v power supply or a usb plug to charge my phone whilst streaming music. I do not want to use the cigarette lighter as thats always powered regardless of key position and I want to keep the cover closed.
My phone wont fit in the centre console, the only place I can put it is in the storage cubby under the wheel, in the glovebox or place it forward of the gearstick against the centre console.
The options I have come up with for integration of the usb plug is either tapping into the fusebox or modifying the torch supplied in the glovebox and putting usb outlets in place of the LED.

Any ideas?

ETA: I'm really starting to think birch anthracite would look amazing in the interior. Shame the compact never had the individual option.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 8th February 23:12

[Mr Tidy]

Cheapstraitsix said:

No way of telling how many are manuals, but if the figures are to be believed they’ve survived well.

193 remain out of 226ish built.

How many are 6 speeds I wonder.

Now this thread is past 90 pages most owners are probably on here!

Mine is a 5 speed BTW - does anyone know how to start a poll?

[Gaz3231]

eezeh said:

I am going to be replacing the cd changer with an aux in cable for the business casette headset in my car, along with that I want a 12v power supply or a usb plug to charge my phone whilst streaming music. I do not want to use the cigarette lighter as thats always powered regardless of key position and I want to keep the cover closed.
My phone wont fit in the centre console, the only place I can put it is in the storage cubby under the wheel, in the glovebox or place it forward of the gearstick against the centre console.
The options I have come up with for integration of the usb plug is either tapping into the fusebox or modifying the torch supplied in the glovebox and putting usb outlets in place of the LED.

Any ideas?

ETA: I'm really starting to think birch anthracite would look amazing in the interior. Shame the compact never had the individual option.

Edited by eezeh on Thursday 8th February 23:12

Long time lurker of this thread that decided to finally post on it. I did run a black 03 plate 325ti with red leather for around a year, totally loved the car - bought a 330 engine for it and planned a 6 speed box but changing job to one that involved a 60 mile round trip pushed me to buying a derv car. Decided on a Skoda Fabia vrs after having one back in 2007 - but after 5 months of driving this one it was no BMW. I'd always kept an eye on gumtree in the Bmw section to see what was for sale,,, as you do. Then one Friday a 320d compact sport appeared on it which was the 1st time I'd seen a sport for sale in 6 months that was reasonably close (5hrs away).
After a few phone calls to the seller and a mate to take me for it, I bought bought it. Perfect for my commute, the 325ti managed 360 miles on a tank and this derv manages 550 - 600. Only downside is the noise/harshness - it's no 6 cylinder .
3 months ago my wife wife was wanting a cheap runaround to throw the dogs in or pick up horse feed, so I pointed her down the 325ti route and managed to pick up a red 51 plate 325ti with "Individual" on the door seal kick plates. It's got red plastic trim on the steering wheel, dash trim and gear knob - looks factory fitment to me. She's not a huge bmw fan or rwd but she agrees the 325ti does offer good value for money as a car. Just earlier this week, the guy that bought my black 325ti has offered the car along with the 3.0 engine back to me-for alot less than I sold it to him for . He's not done anything with it other than start taking the engine out. Its been sitting on a shed for around a year - I really don't need any more projects,,, but :-/

[Mr Tidy]

Gaz3231 said:

Long time lurker of this thread that decided to finally post on it. I did run a black 03 plate 325ti with red leather for around a year, totally loved the car - bought a 330 engine for it and planned a 6 speed box but changing job to one that involved a 60 mile round trip pushed me to buying a derv car. Decided on a Skoda Fabia vrs after having one back in 2007 - but after 5 months of driving this one it was no BMW. I'd always kept an eye on gumtree in the Bmw section to see what was for sale,,, as you do. Then one Friday a 320d compact sport appeared on it which was the 1st time I'd seen a sport for sale in 6 months that was reasonably close (5hrs away).
After a few phone calls to the seller and a mate to take me for it, I bought bought it. Perfect for my commute, the 325ti managed 360 miles on a tank and this derv manages 550 - 600. Only downside is the noise/harshness - it's no 6 cylinder .
3 months ago my wife wife was wanting a cheap runaround to throw the dogs in or pick up horse feed, so I pointed her down the 325ti route and managed to pick up a red 51 plate 325ti with "Individual" on the door seal kick plates. It's got red plastic trim on the steering wheel, dash trim and gear knob - looks factory fitment to me. She's not a huge bmw fan or rwd but she agrees the 325ti does offer good value for money as a car. Just earlier this week, the guy that bought my black 325ti has offered the car along with the 3.0 engine back to me-for alot less than I sold it to him for . He's not done anything with it other than start taking the engine out. Its been sitting on a shed for around a year - I really don't need any more projects,,, but :-/

Just get it bought! Oh, and welcome to the 325ti fan club!

I bought a 320td SE on an 04 plate in January 05 back in the days I was getting a car allowance at work. And it would easily do 600 miles on a tank, but I still get over 450 miles in my 325ti - I just wish I had driven one of those in 2005!

[Gaz3231]

Well I'm playing with an idea once I stop rallying to buy either a 130i or a Z4 coupe as a toy. I know which way you'd say to go Mr Tidy:-)

[Mr Tidy]

Gaz3231 said:

Well I'm playing with an idea once I stop rallying to buy either a 130i or a Z4 coupe as a toy. I know which way you'd say to go Mr Tidy:-)

You're right - although I nearly had the best of both worlds recently. I just missed out on a 130i to replace my 325ti.

[Gaz3231]

Mr Tidy said:

You're right - although I nearly had the best of both worlds recently. I just missed out on a 130i to replace my 325ti.

Nightmare!,,, I've yet to try both cars. I'll keep an eye on the market - just hope I don't see one that I really want

[JZZ30]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

JZZ30 said:

stuff about the oil level sensor

No as long as your oil level is correct!

Speaking of this mines the same, I'm going to give it an oil service soon so will replace it then, but can anyone recommend a sensor? I've seen them from £10.99 up to £140!! Obviously I don't want to speed a fortune on something that is just an indicator, but if I'm replacing it I do want it to fix the issue/work reasonably accurately..

Edited by daniel-5zjw7 on Wednesday 7th February 14:12

I think the edit on this post got missed, anyone got a recommendation?

[helix402]

Hella make the factory fitted one, I once bought a Febi Bilstein one-it was a Hella one in a Febi box.