The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Sooo, i was talking to my mate the other day that builds BMW race cars for a number of series and we got talking about building me a fast road/ track car, the difference being is that i would help him so there wouldn't be any labour costs.
I've had a couple of e30 BMW's the last being m52b28 stroked to 3.0 and kicking out 272bhp.
The plan was to buy an e30 Touring, however i'd underestimated how much the e30's were fetching now. He then mentioned that he built a few Compact race cars and they were prety good. I then came across this thread and had a bit of a read. I called him up and spoke about engine swaps and he mentioned that the m54b30 fitted in quite easily.
This was yesterday, so without too much research because i thought, what the hell, i just put a deposit on a £500 2001 325ti compact with 123k on the clock and head gasket failure (might as well if i'm ripping out the engine).
I will post some pictures when i figure out how.
So, because i'm not really up on these. can you answer some questions
1) Do these suffer from cracked boot floor pans as per the e46 m3 (i've had one, it was cracked)?
2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
Thanks
I've had a couple of e30 BMW's the last being m52b28 stroked to 3.0 and kicking out 272bhp.
The plan was to buy an e30 Touring, however i'd underestimated how much the e30's were fetching now. He then mentioned that he built a few Compact race cars and they were prety good. I then came across this thread and had a bit of a read. I called him up and spoke about engine swaps and he mentioned that the m54b30 fitted in quite easily.
This was yesterday, so without too much research because i thought, what the hell, i just put a deposit on a £500 2001 325ti compact with 123k on the clock and head gasket failure (might as well if i'm ripping out the engine).
I will post some pictures when i figure out how.
So, because i'm not really up on these. can you answer some questions
1) Do these suffer from cracked boot floor pans as per the e46 m3 (i've had one, it was cracked)?
2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
Thanks
Muzzman said:
1) Do these suffer from cracked boot floor pans as per the e46 m3 (i've had one, it was cracked)?
2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
This is only what i know2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
1. no
2. pre facelift is 5spd, facelift is 6spd. car photos is pre facelift.
5. no, you can buy drop in lsd units or convert to m3 rear end
Muzzman said:
1) Do these suffer from cracked boot floor pans as per the e46 m3 (i've had one, it was cracked)?
2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
1) Compacts dont crack as often but I would check it anyway2) Have i got 5 speed or 6 speed box?
3) Is the suspension up to track work, if not what is the favoured setup?
4) Any tips on the engine swap
5) Do they have a LSD?
3) It looks like somebody fitted standard springs on the rear and sport ones on the front based on the pictures. I would have a look. Front stabilizer on the 325ti is stiffer than the one on the e46 m3, the rear one is alot thinner though.
4) M54b30 bolts right in, actually its a very similar engine - most of the parts are the same, even the engine block, but the 3.0 version has a bigger air intake, different cams, pistons and crankshaft.. You can leave the existing electronics. All you have to do is flash the ecu.
Btw the headgasket isn't problematic on this engine, which means that it was probably overheated. Check for cracks on the head, and potential wear on the block.
5) No. You can buy a custom built one (I have one, there are pictures on the previous page) or mount the rear subframe from the m3. But in that case you will also have to change the front and rear brakes. I think the abs sensors are different too but I'm not sure.
Edited by rokomah on Sunday 12th April 17:54
It looks like an SE - Sport ones had round fog-lights like in my photo further up.
But 325s all came with Sport seats and suspension regardless of whether they were SE or Sport models.
The facelift was in the latter part of 2003 when they got the 6 speed box and red tail-lights instead of clear. But you might get a 6 speed box when you buy your 330 engine!
Although I didn't really mind having a 5 speed in mine, as it picked up quicker at motorways speeds because 70mph was about 3,000 rpm in 5th. But my mate's 6 speed was definitely a more relaxed motorway cruiser.
But 325s all came with Sport seats and suspension regardless of whether they were SE or Sport models.
The facelift was in the latter part of 2003 when they got the 6 speed box and red tail-lights instead of clear. But you might get a 6 speed box when you buy your 330 engine!
Although I didn't really mind having a 5 speed in mine, as it picked up quicker at motorways speeds because 70mph was about 3,000 rpm in 5th. But my mate's 6 speed was definitely a more relaxed motorway cruiser.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 13th April 00:55
Bioshock said:
Just picked up an Early one.
Individual with Electric sunroof, alcantara interior, info and phone pack including the shark fin
rear electric pop outs. 90 k on the clock. Slush box but hey.
Nice! Wonder if anyone still actively uses the phone? What'd be required, a cloned SIM? Mine has it too. Don't know if it comes with factory handsfree as well...Individual with Electric sunroof, alcantara interior, info and phone pack including the shark fin
rear electric pop outs. 90 k on the clock. Slush box but hey.
Threw the Style 97s on. Pretty smitten. Bit of rake as the boot's full of Style 68s... Funny thing is, they came from a Japanese import car. Facelift tails next.
Bioshock said:
Just picked up an Early one.
Individual with Electric sunroof, alcantara interior, info and phone pack including the shark fin rear electric pop outs. 90 k on the clock. Slush box but hey.
That is an early one on a Y-plate - with all those options fitted it may well have been a BMW UK car or a demonstrator, although in the UK all SE and Sport models had the rear electric pop-outs.Individual with Electric sunroof, alcantara interior, info and phone pack including the shark fin
rear electric pop outs. 90 k on the clock. Slush box but hey.But 90K miles is very low for a car that is the best part of 20 years old - good find.
JakeT said:
Electric rear windows and the 3 point rear belt and headrest in the middle were optional on really early ones. Sunroof is a nice addition. Mine has one too. 
Option codes S362A - electric rear vents
S403A - electric moon roof
S495A - rear 3-point belt and head restraint, middle seat
Personally detest sun roofs, always leak and ruin the looks of the car!
Was supposed to change my diff seals this week and rocker cover gasket, looking like next week now!
Hopefully the weather stays nice until I get around to doing it
If anyone else has faded interior door pulls like mine, i've ordered some gtechniq c4, hopefully that restores the finish on them, will post an update when it gets delivered.
Was supposed to change my diff seals this week and rocker cover gasket, looking like next week now!
Hopefully the weather stays nice until I get around to doing it
If anyone else has faded interior door pulls like mine, i've ordered some gtechniq c4, hopefully that restores the finish on them, will post an update when it gets delivered.
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