The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[ethomas]

Centred, only m3s run offset mounts.

[Sardonicus]

ethomas said:

Centred, only m3s run offset mounts.

This ^

[330ti]

Cheers, that's what I thought but BC list offset and centered for non M and M3's ??
Any advantage in using offset for more track focused geo ?

[ethomas]

330ti said:

Cheers, that's what I thought but BC list offset and centered for non M and M3's ??
Any advantage in using offset for more track focused geo ?

I think the BC coilovers top mounts have a decent amount of camber adjustability, offset mounts may give you too much, but I would drop them a line and see what they recommend.

[anonymous-user]

Anyone know if the compact ever came with piano black trim? Ordered some from a saloon but if possible would like the door handles to match too otherwise I'll find some good contrition carbon cube trim.
Also need a coupe gear stick surround!

Also, has anyone done a non memory electric folding mirrors retrofit? Starting to price it up just hoping I wouldn't need new modules in the doors.

[Mr Tidy]

eezeh said:

Anyone know if the compact ever came with piano black trim? Ordered some from a saloon but if possible would like the door handles to match too otherwise I'll find some good contrition carbon cube trim.
Also need a coupe gear stick surround!

Also, has anyone done a non memory electric folding mirrors retrofit? Starting to price it up just hoping I wouldn't need new modules in the doors.

I just had a flick through the brochure I picked up in 2005 when I got my 320td and Piano Black doesn't feature - it only mentions Matt Black and Black Cube on the Sport models.

I guess you'd have to wrap it to get that look!

[anonymous-user]

Mr Tidy said:

I just had a flick through the brochure I picked up in 2005 when I got my 320td and Piano Black doesn't feature - it only mentions Matt Black and Black Cube on the Sport models.

I guess you'd have to wrap it to get that look!

Will have to find some matte black ones then, that'd be the best match I reckon.

[OctaneV8]

Hi I am interested in getting a 325ti 6 speed, feel free to PM if you are selling yours.

[anonymous-user]

The gathered and extensive wisdom herein has got me really excited to collect my 325ti now.

I feel like I have a handle on what it's like to own one of these and am aware that it will probably need some fettling in my care.

Rang Dick? Lovett! In Hungerford to ask for a full spec of the car (closest to the brewery) and serendipity won out; it was originally sold there.

The car I have a deposit on is that of Gregs656 - one of the main contributors to this thread. I hope to carry on where he left off and who knows,oerhaps even sell it back to him one day?

Have to wait till 11th August to collect due to holidays and work but the suspense is killing me.

It will be joining a stable of:
1988 Tomos A3 moped in red (Bike from the film 'Hot Rod' - a personal favourite)
1988 205 GR in white - 1 previous owner car.
1999 Honda Blackbird on red
2013 Golf 1.6 diesel in silver (days are numbered)

Since I last contributed to PH I have owned a few of the affordable rights of passage:
Ls400, T5, 840ci, MX5, 940 Estate, more 205's, puma etc

A rwd 6 cylinder petrol with a manual box is something I've hanker Ed after on and off for a bit. The 325ti seems a more considered, offbeat and practical choice than a perhaps a 350z.

Hoping to contribute a little of use to this thread as I am up to speed on all 110 pages now.

Thanks,

F.

[okenemem]

Cheapstraitsix said:

To think I was under the impression my white one was rare.
I have never seen an estoril 325ti, assuming that’s the factory colour?
Looks immaculate aswell, look forward to the updates.

that car is incredible, is your white one a factory paint

[Cheapstraitsix]

Unfortunately breaking due to terminal rust I recently found.

6 speed 325ti on 117k

Xenons with retro fit resistors
Elec folding mirrors
M sport kit
M Sport wheels with new AD08r track tyres
Full red leather
Koni orange with H&R springs

Also has complete front M3 hubs/wishbones/track rods and M3 rear end with LSD but appreciate that will fetch more with the M3 crowd.

PM me for any bits that maybe of use.

[anonymous-user]

Cheapstraitsix said:

Unfortunately breaking due to terminal rust I recently found.

That really is a shame! Good job I didn't buy it off you after I enquired when it was for sale on facebook
Where abouts was the rust that you found?

I may very well be interested in the xenons and powerfold mirrors with associated parts. Will have to do a bit of research into whether I need the door modules or not, is the car memory or non memory? Will get back to you!


Today I fitted some new trim and a new centre console, just waiting for my new gearknob now! I go into more detail in my reader's car thread for those interested.


IMG20180727164143 by ee zeh, on Flickr


IMG20180727162523 by ee zeh, on Flickr

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 27th July 18:19

[Cheapstraitsix]

eezeh said:

Cheapstraitsix said:

Unfortunately breaking due to terminal rust I recently found.

That really is a shame! Good job I didn't buy it off you after I enquired when it was for sale on facebook
Where abouts was the rust that you found?

I may very well be interested in the xenons and powerfold mirrors with associated parts. Will have to do a bit of research into whether I need the door modules or not, is the car memory or non memory? Will get back to you!

Replyed to PM.

It was all hidden unfortunately.

The N/s/r sill (cill?) was toast and the front antiroll bar mount is shot.

All repairable but I’ve had it a while now and had my fun.

If I was that way inclined I could have just put the side skirt back on and flogged it

[Wonkyhorn]

Hey, Picked up an 04 Black Ti 6 speed a few weeks ago and have been bringing it upto standard.

So far I have fitted.

New Shocks, Top mounts, Springs, Poly arb mounts, Brake discs and pads, rear drop links, all related handbrake doodaa and backplates.
Staggered 18" Linea Corse Strasse + new tyres.

Wrapped steering wheel cover, Changed speakers.

Still have a lot of little jobs to do but what a car!

Now onto the frankly crazy oil consumption, My ccv has failed and its drinking oil like no tomorrow, Has anyone changed theres? I am planning on doing the "02 Pilot" bypass mod at the same time or junking the lot for a one way valve and a catch can.

The new suspension + alignment have transformed the car, Possibly the most fun I have had in a road car!

[daniel-5zjw7]

Cheapstraitsix said:

Unfortunately breaking due to terminal rust I recently found.

6 speed 325ti on 117k

Xenons with retro fit resistors
Elec folding mirrors
M sport kit
M Sport wheels with new AD08r track tyres
Full red leather
Koni orange with H&R springs

Also has complete front M3 hubs/wishbones/track rods and M3 rear end with LSD but appreciate that will fetch more with the M3 crowd.

PM me for any bits that maybe of use.

Real shame to hear this and has me worried given mine is older and has done more miles than yours!

Even though I'm interested in a few parts it seems a real shame to break a manual sport in such a rare colour combo, it would be great to see it survive albeit put back to a standard spec for someone else to repair and take forward, but guessing that would take more time and and at the same time see less of a return

[daniel-5zjw7]

Wonkyhorn said:

Hey, Picked up an 04 Black Ti 6 speed a few weeks ago and have been bringing it upto standard.

So far I have fitted.

New Shocks, Top mounts, Springs, Poly arb mounts, Brake discs and pads, rear drop links, all related handbrake doodaa and backplates.
Staggered 18" Linea Corse Strasse + new tyres.

Wrapped steering wheel cover, Changed speakers.

Still have a lot of little jobs to do but what a car!

Now onto the frankly crazy oil consumption, My ccv has failed and its drinking oil like no tomorrow, Has anyone changed theres? I am planning on doing the "02 Pilot" bypass mod at the same time or junking the lot for a one way valve and a catch can.

The new suspension + alignment have transformed the car, Possibly the most fun I have had in a road car!

Nice work so far on this one

Ref CCV unfortunately this isnt always a fix, in some cases I've read of peoples consumption getting worse after fitting a new one!

I'm interested in the catch can set up also but not seen much feedback from anyone running this way for any period of time.

The other thing I've seen is people running 5-40 instead of 5-30 with a liqui moly additive with apparently good results in terms of much lower consumption.

For me mine had a new ccv before I got it as well as rocker cover gasket and I did the oil filter housing gasket (two well known oil leak areas - its not just burning it you need to look at!) and have Castrol 5-30 in it, I top it up monthly but as the oil is cheap enough from euros I dont mind too much, though will give the 5-40/liqui moly a go next time I service it.

[anonymous-user]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Nice work so far on this one

Ref CCV unfortunately this isnt always a fix, in some cases I've read of peoples consumption getting worse after fitting a new one!

I'm interested in the catch can set up also but not seen much feedback from anyone running this way for any period of time.

The other thing I've seen is people running 5-40 instead of 5-30 with a liqui moly additive with apparently good results in terms of much lower consumption.

For me mine had a new ccv before I got it as well as rocker cover gasket and I did the oil filter housing gasket (two well known oil leak areas - its not just burning it you need to look at!) and have Castrol 5-30 in it, I top it up monthly but as the oil is cheap enough from euros I dont mind too much, though will give the 5-40/liqui moly a go next time I service it.

I seem to have been quite lucky in that respect as I seem to only require a top up every 6k miles or so. Ie, half way through service intervals.
One thing I have seen is people in the states using an M56 rocker cover from SULEV vehicles where the CCV is binned and instead is all done internal to the rocker cover.
Not quite sure on the costs of importing one but it is reported to solve all oil consumption problems by those who have it installed.

[ethomas]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

Ref CCV unfortunately this isnt always a fix, in some cases I've read of peoples consumption getting worse after fitting a new one!

I'm interested in the catch can set up also but not seen much feedback from anyone running this way for any period of time.

I ran a catch can (mishimoto one) without a CCV, for about a year. It went from using a lot of oil (even with brand new CCV), to pretty much none. I would definitely recommend it.

[Wonkyhorn]

Thanks for he helpful replies. Ill go over the seals with a fine tooth comb when I change the ccv. Running Petronas 5w30 atm so may try the thicker stuff with additive.

cant stop driving it atm!

[MrT8064]

Yesterday I joined the 325ti club.

I have been vaguely following the 325ti market for the last few months, mainly as a result of reading this forum, but have not been able to justify owning another not particularly economical car. My current daily is a w140 merc and my fun car is an M52'd E30. As my milage has increased over the past few months, I started down the route of looking for something cheaper to run. Nothing really took my fancy. I don't like diesels and feeble petrols aren't too much fun on the open road.

A few days I spotted this on Autotrader, and bought it yesterday. It's a nearly-200k mile example, running on LPG, so nicely fills my desire to have one of these and something cheaper to run – also it was a bit of a bargain. It's got a few niggles (hedgehog resister needs replacing, dodgy remote locking, window switch slightly dodgy) and some of the bodywork is a bit scruffy. But generally it seems to be pretty good. It runs well on both petrol and gas, though it does seem to hesitate slightly at lower RPMs on gas.

So far i'm impressed by the way it drives. The only other E46 i've owned has been a miserable 318i, which left me feeling utterly cold!
I'm looking forward to giving it a good blast around the lanes once the sunshine returns!