The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Love the look of that. I tried to find a set of Style 97s, but they're really rare. I had the MV1s on mine refurbished and it makes a massive difference. They looked so good I didn't want to put them back on the car! I still think they're fab, and keep consider selling mine but realise I love it too much. Finding a clean E46 with a good spec is getting hard, and I have one so plan to keep it for the time being. Prices are holding steady, too!
Does anyone have experience of 325ci? Are they as fun? I know they have slower steering rack and longer diff(?) but would be willing to swap these. The coupe is much easier to come by than the compact . Performance figures I've looked up aren't much different but some areas the compact is quicker....hence assuming shorter fd ratio
Edited by James-iq6aa on Tuesday 27th February 12:17
James-iq6aa said:
2002
Should have the quicker rack ( purple tag type ) then. If it had pre-dated the Compact it would have had the old set-up. The quicker rack was introduced on the Compact so from late 2001 the other models got it.As you state, your rear diff ratio is 'longer' and your front ARB less stiff
James-iq6aa said:
Does anyone have experience of 325ci? Are they as fun? I know they have slower steering rack and longer diff(?) but would be willing to swap these. The coupe is much easier to come by than the compact . Performance figures I've looked up aren't much different but some areas the compact is quicker....hence assuming shorter fd ratio
Hugo Flashman is selling his 325ti I believe, near hampshire.Edited by James-iq6aa on Tuesday 27th February 12:17
Deptford Draylons said:
Was toying with the idea of trading for a 1 series coupe, but now decided to keep mine so been fixing bits and bobs and the MOT failures. Rebuilt the failed wiper motor which now works fine, but for some reason parks on the other side to others. Oh well, it works... Also did the CCV and that made bugger all difference to the oil consumption.
Next up will be a window regulator and a new front wing to replace the crusty item that's holed. Wheels have had a refurb and even gave the car a quick polish. I bought this a couple of years ago for £1700 and its still cheap fun daily motoring.
20180216_153955 by e30 m3, on Flickr
20180216_153937 by e30 m3, on Flickr
20180216_153837 by e30 m3, on Flickr
Is that on standard springs? Mine sits higher at the front, it’s the only thing that I asthetically dislike about mine. It’s a FL sport as well.. Next up will be a window regulator and a new front wing to replace the crusty item that's holed. Wheels have had a refurb and even gave the car a quick polish. I bought this a couple of years ago for £1700 and its still cheap fun daily motoring.
20180216_153955 by e30 m3, on Flickr20180216_153937 by e30 m3, on Flickr20180216_153837 by e30 m3, on FlickrWas pondering how many manual Sports there are about, so had a look at 325ti on:
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=✓&q...
Assuming all sports are under the Sport category, the facelift was from 53 reg and the same number were sold and taxed each month I make it:
2003: 68 preFL, 34 FL
2004: 103 FL
2005: 21 FL
So only 68 preFL, 158 FL in total.
We’ve lost about 15% of the peak numbers of 227 in 2008 Q4 (not sure where this extra 1 comes from!) to the most recent figure of 193 taxed and SORNd (2017 Q3)
Autotrader normally shows about a 50/50 split auto/manual so my fag packet calcs say there are just 29 preFL manuals and 67 FL.
So a few assumptions but sound about right or not?!
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=✓&q...
Assuming all sports are under the Sport category, the facelift was from 53 reg and the same number were sold and taxed each month I make it:
2003: 68 preFL, 34 FL
2004: 103 FL
2005: 21 FL
So only 68 preFL, 158 FL in total.
We’ve lost about 15% of the peak numbers of 227 in 2008 Q4 (not sure where this extra 1 comes from!) to the most recent figure of 193 taxed and SORNd (2017 Q3)
Autotrader normally shows about a 50/50 split auto/manual so my fag packet calcs say there are just 29 preFL manuals and 67 FL.
So a few assumptions but sound about right or not?!
danp said:
Was pondering how many manual Sports there are about, so had a look at 325ti on:
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=?&q=325ti&...
Assuming all sports are under the Sport category, the facelift was from 53 reg and the same number were sold and taxed each month I make it:
2003: 68 preFL, 34 FL
2004: 103 FL
2005: 21 FL
So only 68 preFL, 158 FL in total.
We’ve lost about 15% of the peak numbers of 227 in 2008 Q4 (not sure where this extra 1 comes from!) to the most recent figure of 193 taxed and SORNd (2017 Q3)
Autotrader normally shows about a 50/50 split auto/manual so my fag packet calcs say there are just 29 preFL manuals and 67 FL.
So a few assumptions but sound about right or not?!
The No. of pre-facelifts sounds a bit off, assuming the sport was released at the same time as the SE that would make the first year 2001.https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8=?&q=325ti&...
Assuming all sports are under the Sport category, the facelift was from 53 reg and the same number were sold and taxed each month I make it:
2003: 68 preFL, 34 FL
2004: 103 FL
2005: 21 FL
So only 68 preFL, 158 FL in total.
We’ve lost about 15% of the peak numbers of 227 in 2008 Q4 (not sure where this extra 1 comes from!) to the most recent figure of 193 taxed and SORNd (2017 Q3)
Autotrader normally shows about a 50/50 split auto/manual so my fag packet calcs say there are just 29 preFL manuals and 67 FL.
So a few assumptions but sound about right or not?!
I would also say there are more autos than manuals. Definitely seemed that way when I was looking.
Also 2017 Q3 taxed is 193 but 29preFl & 67FL makes 96. Am I missing something?
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 28th February 18:15
eezeh said:
The No. of pre-facelifts sounds a bit off, assuming the sport was released at the same time as the SE that would make the first year 2001.
I would also say there are more autos than manuals. Definitely seemed that way when I was looking.
Also 2017 Q3 taxed is 193 but 29preFl & 67FL makes 96. Am I missing something?
Wasn’t sure when the Sport came out but Gumtree has what appear to be a couple of early ones (51 plate) so they must have ended up in another category on howmanyleft - 325ti Compact I guess...so probably no way to find the numbers out really (unless BMW gave them)I would also say there are more autos than manuals. Definitely seemed that way when I was looking.
Also 2017 Q3 taxed is 193 but 29preFl & 67FL makes 96. Am I missing something?
Edited by eezeh on Wednesday 28th February 18:15
Ref the 96 - I halved the total figure to have a guess at the number of manuals, but perhaps that was out as well then!
Sardonicus said:
JakeT said:
Mine's ready for the wreckers yard now.
The sidelight decided to die when I started that trip. I forgot how much of a pain they are to access.
Only reason I asked I recently did a ZF auto to manual 5 sp conversion but retained the lower auto diff ratio but seeing that snap shot I have not done to badly I was going to fit a taller diff ratio thanks 
obviously with the ZF 5 speed auto and lock up converter I was seeing lower RPM's at these speeds but trust me I have no regrets with this conversion the car I wish I purchased initially the bonus is a nice slick box (short/quick shifter kit) and a lovely light clutch
thanks obviously with the ZF 5 speed auto and lock up converter I was seeing lower RPM's at these speeds but trust me I have no regrets with this conversion the car I wish I purchased initially the bonus is a nice slick box (short/quick shifter kit) and a lovely light clutch Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff