The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[Max M4X WW]

helix402 said:

If anyone wants a Vanos unit to rebuild and swop over I’ve just put one on eBay (it’s the cheapest one).

On the topic - people mention rebuilding this but at a 134k and the following should I be doing it?

[daniel-5zjw7]

For those looking, currently another 3 x manual sports on autotrader, between 1400-3200 all of which look promising, not to mention a 45k example in black with red leather but sadly auto..

[daniel-5zjw7]

Max M4X WW said:

On the topic - people mention rebuilding this but at a 134k and the following should I be doing it?

Probably, from what I've heard the seals can be goosed at as little as 70k, so at our mileages (I'm 127k) it certainly isn't going to do any harm! I think its more mid range where the improvements are noticed after rebuilding. I will eventually do mine but as it stands the engine is lovely and smooth and feels as strong as I'd expect this engine to feel, so wouldnt be expecting any significant improvement other than another job ticked off the list and knowing the vanos is operating 100 %.

[Max M4X WW]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Max M4X WW said:

On the topic - people mention rebuilding this but at a 134k and the following should I be doing it?

Probably, from what I've heard the seals can be goosed at as little as 70k, so at our mileages (I'm 127k) it certainly isn't going to do any harm! I think its more mid range where the improvements are noticed after rebuilding. I will eventually do mine but as it stands the engine is lovely and smooth and feels as strong as I'd expect this engine to feel, so wouldnt be expecting any significant improvement other than another job ticked off the list and knowing the vanos is operating 100 %.

Fair enough, it can feel a bit flat but I'm normally driving a Golf GTD so that may be why. I'm not sure I'd be able to DIY it and the cam cover gasket seems OK currently so that isn't even an excuse to do it.

[Sardonicus]

Max M4X WW said:

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Max M4X WW said:

On the topic - people mention rebuilding this but at a 134k and the following should I be doing it?

Probably, from what I've heard the seals can be goosed at as little as 70k, so at our mileages (I'm 127k) it certainly isn't going to do any harm! I think its more mid range where the improvements are noticed after rebuilding. I will eventually do mine but as it stands the engine is lovely and smooth and feels as strong as I'd expect this engine to feel, so wouldnt be expecting any significant improvement other than another job ticked off the list and knowing the vanos is operating 100 %.

Fair enough, it can feel a bit flat but I'm normally driving a Golf GTD so that may be why. I'm not sure I'd be able to DIY it and the cam cover gasket seems OK currently so that isn't even an excuse to do it.

Looking at that graph especially the torque curve I would leave it be in VANOS terms

[e30m3Mark]

Unfortunately, just had some sad family news which will mean my putting the 325ti up for sale next month. I'm genuinely disappointed as it's a nice example and I have just spent a few quid on service, brakes, alloys etc. Will be looking for around £1895 or thereabouts.

[anonymous-user]

Has anyone replaced the standard bulbs with LED's in their car? Interior & exterior. Any pics?

There's a chap on m3cutters who makes led kits for bmw & mini canbus error free. If there's enough interest I could ask about a group buy?

[gunmetalgrey]

yes on my nova sri lol

[Mr Tidy]

I only did the bulb in the boot light, but it made a huge difference!

FWIW I got 2 for less than a fiver on ebay (so I put the other one in my Z4 Coupe).

[Hil_lo]

Had some offers on tracking while I got some new boots on the front of mine, so got it done. Has made some difference to driving I must say..
Didn’t manage to get photo of screen after setup.

[CompactTI]

Hey Guys!

New member here from the Netherlands...

After searching for a decent base car (e46 330i / e92 325i ) to convert to a tracktool/ringtool came across this thread a couple of months ago, the rest is history as i now own a TI (black 2001) and boy i like it!

I'm curious on a couple of things, first off the suspension;
I want to have coilovers, but when searching i'm only finding KW v3's and Bilstein b16's, and both without camberplates...

Did you find any other options while building your cars? Or does the standard e46 sedan coilovers also fit?

Tried searching for it, but can't really find it!

Hope you guys can help out!

Thanks,

[Max M4X WW]

Try:

https://www.hsdcoilovers.com/

http://www.bc-racing.co.uk/

[CompactTI]

Thanks!

How would those HSD's compare to KW v3 on track? Feels like a "lesser" option?

[mwggriffiths]

CompactTI said:

Hey Guys!

New member here from the Netherlands...

After searching for a decent base car (e46 330i / e92 325i ) to convert to a tracktool/ringtool came across this thread a couple of months ago, the rest is history as i now own a TI (black 2001) and boy i like it!

I'm curious on a couple of things, first off the suspension;
I want to have coilovers, but when searching i'm only finding KW v3's and Bilstein b16's, and both without camberplates...

Did you find any other options while building your cars? Or does the standard e46 sedan coilovers also fit?

Tried searching for it, but can't really find it!

Hope you guys can help out!

Thanks,

KW sister-brand ST do the "XTA" coilover (essentially a cheaper KW V2 without the stainless steel body) with camber plates included. They are intended for the sedan / coupe but all E46 coilovers are interchangeable, except the M3 which uses a different diameter damper rod, and needs different top mounts (but if you match M3 dampers with M3 top mounts they will fit any other E46 no problem)

I don't know how strict the regulations are in the Netherlands, but I would guess fitting Sedan coilovers to a Compact would be an issue for TUV approval in Germany?

[Max M4X WW]

CompactTI said:

Thanks!

How would those HSD's compare to KW v3 on track? Feels like a "lesser" option?

No idea, but the more expensive HSD's seem pretty good to me and reasonably priced. (I'm not a very experienced track driver so can't offer much, sorry!)

[Cheapstraitsix]

mwggriffiths said:

CompactTI said:

Hey Guys!

New member here from the Netherlands...

After searching for a decent base car (e46 330i / e92 325i ) to convert to a tracktool/ringtool came across this thread a couple of months ago, the rest is history as i now own a TI (black 2001) and boy i like it!

I'm curious on a couple of things, first off the suspension;
I want to have coilovers, but when searching i'm only finding KW v3's and Bilstein b16's, and both without camberplates...

Did you find any other options while building your cars? Or does the standard e46 sedan coilovers also fit?

Tried searching for it, but can't really find it!

Hope you guys can help out!

Thanks,

KW sister-brand ST do the "XTA" coilover (essentially a cheaper KW V2 without the stainless steel body) with camber plates included. They are intended for the sedan / coupe but all E46 coilovers are interchangeable, except the M3 which uses a different diameter damper rod, and needs different top mounts (but if you match M3 dampers with M3 top mounts they will fit any other E46 no problem)

I don't know how strict the regulations are in the Netherlands, but I would guess fitting Sedan coilovers to a Compact would be an issue for TUV approval in Germany?

I run the ST XTA coilovers in M3 fitment, they went on with no issues even before I converted to full M3 hubs etc.

Highly recommend them.

[gregs656]

Coming to the end of the time with mine due to moving overseas for a few years in a couple of weeks. Been such a great car it will be a shame to see it go. I've taken it from 53k to 80k and apart from having to replace the fuel pump it has been a very reliable car.

I reckon it should sell fairly quickly being a 6 speed manual but it's not a sport. Guess time will tell!

[JakeT]

325ti models all came standard with sport suspension, and sport seats.

[anonymous-user]

Noticed every now and then the yellow oil light was coming on after turning the car off, a warning to let you know the level is getting low.
Figured I should top it up before it comes on whilst driving.
So I topped up the oil for the first time today since the service at around 102k miles. Car is now over 108k miles.
6000 miles and 4 months between oil top ups is really quite good!

Only thing now is my commute come early july was due to drop from 40 miles each way down to 20 which I was quite happy about as my mileage would decrease. Come September it will be increasing to 50 miles a day indefinitely.
Bit unsure on what to do, it is a lovely car to drive but I don't think 100 miles a day will be too good for it.

[helix402]

100 miles a day will be great for it. It’s low mileage now. These cars are made well and made to be driven.