The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[BigTom85]

I like to think we are raising the profile somewhat. Although we are all owners so perhaps slightly biased :P

[BigTom85]

So has anyone ever seen a rusty compact? Does anyone know why they don't rust like saloons/tourings/coupes/convertibles?

[BigTom85]

venskip said:

Joined Pistonheads forum just to reply to this thread as its great that there is a whole community of people who respect this great little hatchback

I am not sure what they are from? 8 and 8.5j with 225/40/17 front and 245/45/17 rear. Anyone know?

Nice looking compact! What interior do you have?

BMW have a number you can call and they will tell you of its history over the phone - it is premium rate though unfortunately If you have a cheeky ask at your local dealer's service desk they may well tell you. https://secure.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/digital/contact-us-...

The wheels look like Style 97s to me, which were standard fit on the 'Sport' spec compacts.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/97

EDIT - scrap that, I think they are Style 194s after a closer look. Found on e90s.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/194

Edited by BigTom85 on Sunday 6th September 21:11

[BigTom85]

Mr Tidy said:

Yes, my car had that option (I think all UK models did) but the previous owner had a pair of cheapy struts fitted that came from Euro Car Parts who probably don't know the difference!

Got a quote from BMW earlier this year and even with a mate's discount they were £140ish for a pair so I am still wondering if I need them that much!

I think they are more like £90 each now, ouch.

Mine are lazy, but work fine as a normal tailgate. I'll swap them one day but plenty of things higher on the list.

[BigTom85]

Rally Ax said:

Pretty much all the bushes have been changed front and rear. I have Michelin pilot sports on the front and uniroyle rainsport 3 on the rear - all new. The rear springs are still complete. I've just tried another set of rear dampers on the rear to rule out them but it still does it. Seems to be ok with the dsc switched off - so I'll have to catch up with a mate and see what codes we can find.

Have you had a proper geometry done on it since the suspension work? Tyre pressures OK?

[BigTom85]

venskip said:

Fitted my new genuine gearknob at the weekend - its so much nicer than the old painted/leather one - only thing is its highlighted the steering wheel as feeling old and a shiny

Still, changing gear is much nicer now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Leather-Gear...

Nice one. Don't worry, it won't be long before the gear knob goes shiny and hard too

I really want a 5-speed non-//M, walnut, heavy, short gear knob, but alas I don't think such a thing exists.

I think I'll plump for one of these. They are quite a bit heavier and 20mm shorter than the standard knob which is supposed to really improve the shift over stock. I think the heavier knob is identified by the metal ring around the bottom of the knob.

I'd really like an illuminated one too, alas I don't think the illumination is worth an EXTRA £100! Works out at £150 delivered, but I'd still have the //M badge Ouch.

[BigTom85]

venskip said:

I really wanted to keep the interior looking stock - not a fan of having ///Ms everywhere...

Been reading about the steering wheel retrims by Royal Steering Wheels - really tempted as the new leather on the gearknob feels lovely so I can only imagine what a new wheel would feel like Only £120 or so...

I know exactly what you mean.

On the flip side, I have //M badges as standard on the MV1 wheels it left the factory with, so maybe an extra one on the gearknob and again on the steering wheel isn't such a terrible thing.

[BigTom85]

Fred1975 said:

Quick query for other -ti owners.

I have a 325ti m-sport. The PO stuck Goodrich G-Grips on it, which seem to have lasted ages and work very well indeed. The rears are now getting down towards the wear bars, so will need replacing soon.

However, despite it being an m-sport with the style 135s and presumably (also according to the door plate) therefore running staggers, the PO has put 225/40s on both axles.

This is excellent fun in the damp or cold, as you would imagine, but I'm wondering if going back up to the regulation 255 rears will improve lateral grip on a neutral throttle without otherwise altering the handling, or whether that will just spoil the fun (i.e. eliminate lift-off and power-on oversteer) for no real benefit. Back in the day I had a B30 engined coupe with style 68s which I remember being far too grippy and much less willing to rotate than the -ti, and I don't want to go back there.

I'm thinking I should just stick with 225s but was wondering if anyone has tried both and has an opinion?

Just before anyone else replies, please let's not turn this into another tyre thread

Regarding the wheels, you need to check that they are staggered sizes. Did your car leave the factory on those wheels? The sizes are stamped/cast into the rear face of the wheels. It may well be that you have 4 front wheels, or maybe replicas (this may or not bother you).

I hope to change to a 'square' set up (probably 17s) as the wider rears will offer increased rear grip at the expense of the adjustability you enjoy. I have the stock 255 rear 225 front set up on mine, and it definitely has a tendancy to understeer at the limit.

Having said that, if you have the genuine staggered wheels I'd stick to staggered tyres, if for no other reason than having stretched tyres at the rear will look rubbish and your rims will be much more vulnerable to damage.

[BigTom85]

Mr Tidy said:

That is harsh - I bought a March 2004 registered 320td in January 2005. Kept it until January 2008 and rear washer and wiper both worked fine throughout. But then it was entirely in warranty (I extended it) Magic in action probably!

BTW I had an AutoTrader alert today for a 325ti with 122K miles for £1,500 - maybe seems pricey, but silver with red leather - lovely!

Mine works a treat too, its a 2002 with 110k on the clocks.

I'm going to take it apart and pack it with grease I think to keep it running sweet.

[BigTom85]

I too had an e36 328i, admittedly it wasn't as fresh as my 325ti, but I find the 'ti' much more enjoyable.

[BigTom85]

wjb said:

Just flicking through the manuals, has anyone got a compact in this colour?



And am I right in saying that's on 17's?

That's Flamenco red. I test drove one on style 68s that had been owned by a PH'er. Looks great in the flesh imho.

[BigTom85]

ethomas said:

I disassembled mine last week to find that the drive gear was totally dead, almost all the teeth had been completely chewed up. I found a new one in Germany via eBay for about half the cost of a UK dealer (thanks in part to the weak Euro), so I bit the bullet and got a nice new motor. Not planning to fill the rear wash bottle any time soon though.

Awesome stuff, care to share the link and price?

I'm going to pull mine apart and regrease it for now, I've not ever attempted to use the rear wash wipe though for fear of ruining the motor. Maybe the hoses could be improved in some way to prevent them causing a problem?

[BigTom85]

I haven't noticed any particular road noise on my staggered 18s, and I have 4 random tyres including a winter one!

[BigTom85]

gizlaroc said:

I bet that handles nicely!

Its MUCH more sure fitted on the 4 matching Barum tyres I now have fited. They seem surprisingly good in drizzly conditions too

[BigTom85]

ethomas said:

In case anyone is not aware, there is an open recall on the E46 for passenger airbag issues. As well as it being good for peace of mind, it seems that most dealers will give your car a once over and a bit of a clean if you take it in. Worth calling up your local service department (you need your VIN) and checking if your car has been done.

Nice one, I'll give them a bell.

[BigTom85]

Just a heads up, I've noticed listings for used facelift rear lights on eBay for £18.50 each delivered. Surely a bargain, I paid £100 for mine!

[BigTom85]

I think comparing against an equivalent coupe the Compact is about half to 2/3 of the price, and won't be rusty like the equivalent coupe.

Whilst theoretically a 5 seater, my 3 under 10s are pretty squashed on the back bench, 3 fully grown human beings have no chance surely?

I think Stepmeeks is pre-facelift, but still a nice looking car imho.

[BigTom85]

e21Mark said:

Just bought myself a ti to smoke around in for the winter. I couldn't find anything better for £1k and the red leather interior is a nice touch. I'd like to fit some 17 or 18' alloys though, so can anyone advise re offsets and best tyre sizes?

Crap pic but will get some better one's next week.

Was this the very cheap one in Rushden? If so it looked a bargain!!

[BigTom85]

e21Mark said:

No, Leeds.

I think it'll look great with some CSL or BBS LM style rims.

So is an LSD do'able or just hideously expensive?

Expensive.

[BigTom85]

gregs656 said:

I see Toms is on eBay Jake, may be worth a look?

It certainly is, although I have to say I'd really quite like to keep it. A change in circumstances means my mileage has doubled, so I may well be in some nearly-new euro econo-box very soon.

I may find a way to justify keeping it though.

In case anyone is interested, I've found a seller with topaz blue 'sport' spec bumpers, grilles and fog lights etc for £400 all in. I think that's the only thing missing to bring mine to full Sport spec? Maybe interior fascia trims too, but I wouldn't personally swap them as I like them