The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[daniel-5zjw7]

I'd agree its the smaller one, BUT do you have the metal one that goes behind the plastic one in place? On my car I have the smaller plastic one at the the very front that connects to a metal one which has the sump plug access hole etc.

If you don't have either and the big plastic one piece one deffo fits then that may be the way to go.

[helix402]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

I'd agree its the smaller one, BUT do you have the metal one that goes behind the plastic one in place? On my car I have the smaller plastic one at the the very front that connects to a metal one which has the sump plug access hole etc.

If you don't have either and the big plastic one piece one deffo fits then that may be the way to go.

Afraid I don’t agree with this. The large one is designed to fit with the steel cross brace fitted to pre 01 E46s. The Compacts and post 01 E46s have the large alloy under tray which is structural so needs to be fitted. In theory you could fit the large undertray and the steel cross brace. An E46 should not be driven without a steel or alloy undertray/crossbrace.p

[Faxo]

helix402 said:

Afraid I don’t agree with this. The large one is designed to fit with the steel cross brace fitted to pre 01 E46s. The Compacts and post 01 E46s have the large alloy under tray which is structural so needs to be fitted. In theory you could fit the large undertray and the steel cross brace. An E46 should not be driven without a steel or alloy undertray/crossbrace.p

So are you saying it’s the small one, seeing as I have the large alloy frame fitted already?

[helix402]

Faxo said:

So are you saying it’s the small one, seeing as I have the large alloy frame fitted already?

I don’t have a 325ti to look at and check (I have a 330d) but I think it is. To be 100% maybe a 325ti owner could have a look underneath their car for you.

[Hil_lo]

My FL sport has the larger one FYI

[anonymous-user]

helix402 said:

Faxo said:

So are you saying it’s the small one, seeing as I have the large alloy frame fitted already?

I don’t have a 325ti to look at and check (I have a 330d) but I think it is. To be 100% maybe a 325ti owner could have a look underneath their car for you.

I have a 325ti, mine has the alloy subframe brace and the smaller undertray. Go back to the last page and you will see I quoted the part number required for the correct under tray & sump plug access flap.

[e30m3Mark]

Any recommendations for hub kit to fit a MoMo steering wheel?

Picking car CA51 up tomorrow morning and putting straight on daily duties.

[e30m3Mark]

Well apart from the guard on the platform telling me that the train about to leave wasn't mine, only to change his mind once it was pulling out of the station, collecting the car went pretty smoothly. I ended up driving the 60 mile journey instead, so have to go back again once to collect the old nail I went in. It's an old Matiz usually kept for ferrying the dogs around.

Anyway, on arrival the Compact looked great. No obvious corrosion and I much prefer the half leather interior to the full I had before. An added bonus are the options, like A/C and electric rear windows. The RWW also works! In fact, everything works and it runs / drives like a peach. It even has places to put cups! Imagine that! I'm not used to such luxury! I've bought this as a daily alternative to my much modified E30 M3 as I figured it makes good sense to have at least one OE vehicle! With that in mind, thanks to cheapstraighsix (thanks!) I have some Koni's coming and an 18'' square set up will be going on at the same time.

Edited by e30m3Mark on Wednesday 11th April 14:56

[JakeT]

Best keep this one, Mark.

I also think it's a good idea to have a slightly more abuse tolerant daily. A track prepped E30 M3 is a heroic car for anything, mind.

[helix402]

When you fit the Konis it’s worth fitting uprated rear damper top mounts. I use Bimmertune. On the front rough road package/330d/xd turret reinforcement plates should fit. You can put Z3 reinforcement plates on the rear.

[s m]

e30m3Mark said:

Well apart from the guard on the platform telling me that the train about to leave wasn't mine, only to change his mind once it was pulling out of the station, collecting the car went pretty smoothly. I ended up driving the 60 mile journey instead, so have to go back again once to collect the old nail I went in. It's an old Matiz usually kept for ferrying the dogs around.

Anyway, on arrival the Compact looked great. No obvious corrosion and I much prefer the half leather interior to the full I had before. An added bonus are the options, like A/C and electric rear windows. The RWW also works! In fact, everything works and it runs / drives like a peach. It even has places to put cups! Imagine that! I'm not used to such luxury! I've bought this as a daily alternative to my much modified E30 M3 as I figured it makes good sense to have at least one OE vehicle! With that in mind, thanks to cheapstraighsix (thanks!) I have some Koni's coming and an 18'' square set up will be going on at the same time.

Edited by e30m3Mark on Wednesday 11th April 14:56

Looks a nice one Mark

Loving the sunroof

[Sardonicus]

helix402 said:

When you fit the Konis it’s worth fitting uprated rear damper top mounts. I use Bimmertune. On the front rough road package/330d/xd turret reinforcement plates should fit. You can put Z3 reinforcement plates on the rear.

Good call recently treated the old girl to Bilstein dampers and fitted the front support plates (around £15 ea from BMW) sealed with Sikaflex 221 holds them to the frame and finished mine post pic with a spray of Dintrol wax , a good investment I have at to re-form quite a few bowed strut tops/inner wings due to pot hole impact on E46's and E85/86 models etc

Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 12th April 00:05

[e30m3Mark]

Sardonicus said:

helix402 said:

When you fit the Konis it’s worth fitting uprated rear damper top mounts. I use Bimmertune. On the front rough road package/330d/xd turret reinforcement plates should fit. You can put Z3 reinforcement plates on the rear.

Good call recently treated the old girl to Bilstein dampers and fitted the front support plates (around £15 ea from BMW) sealed with Sikaflex 221 holds them to the frame and finished mine post pic with a spray of Dintrol wax , a good investment I have at to re-form quite a few bowed strut tops/inner wings due to pot hole impact on E46's and E85/86 models etc

Edited by Sardonicus on Thursday 12th April 00:05

Thanks guys, will add to list. The only other things I want to do are find a way of connecting my phone to the radio cassette and replace the steering wheel. I'm just not a fan of shiny leather and it's a bit too thin. Any OE type suggestions as an alternative to going aftermarket?

[helix402]

Here’s a phone input suggestion: (not tried it)

[e30m3Mark]

helix402 said:

Here’s a phone input suggestion: (not tried it)

Thanks, I'll take a look.

[anonymous-user]

Have a look at connect 2s offering or the old parrot system

[e30m3Mark]

Well I've taken a punt and sent off my £52 so will keep you guys updated as I venture into 21st century technology. Well kind of anyway.

Long shot, but do any of you lovely people have an OE dog guard they want rid of? I tried one of the universal jobbies a while back and it was rubbish, so really want something that actually fits.

[JZZ30]

Front and rear number plates stolen from mine last night. bds!

[anonymous-user]

IMG20180420101104 by ee zeh, on Flickr


IMG20180420132938 by ee zeh, on Flickr

Don't look too closely, swirl marks! Must really do something about them, drives me nuts.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 22 April 00:23

[Mr Tidy]

eezeh said:

Don't look too closely, swirl marks! Must really do something about them, drives me nuts.

Yes, but it's a facelift Sport - lovely! Swirl marks can be sorted.