The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
It was an option -S493 - that a lot of cars had but not all
Like electric rear quarter vents
As far as I can work out electric rear quarter vents were standard on SE and Sport models, so all 325s!Like electric rear quarter vents
1602mark had none on his, nor did drophead’s car and you can see a fair few early cars without them
Easiest way to tell is get the build spec from the VIN and see if it had option S362A included
Edited by s m on Wednesday 27th May 02:02
Mine's a 2001 and it's optioned: https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/fr50637
Looks like it should've had the snazzy parcel shelf as well, but lost it at some point before I got hold of it
Looks like it should've had the snazzy parcel shelf as well, but lost it at some point before I got hold of it
Interestingly mine also has the S493 option but no fancy parcel shelf either. Maybe it was omitted on very early cars?
I do know that the rear electric windows and the three point and centre headrest were options on the first model year cars. I've seen some lacking both of these, too.
I do know that the rear electric windows and the three point and centre headrest were options on the first model year cars. I've seen some lacking both of these, too.
JakeT said:
Interestingly mine also has the S493 option but no fancy parcel shelf either. Maybe it was omitted on very early cars?
I do know that the rear electric windows and the three point and centre headrest were options on the first model year cars. I've seen some lacking both of these, too.
Drophead’s car was a 53 plate and didn’t have themI do know that the rear electric windows and the three point and centre headrest were options on the first model year cars. I've seen some lacking both of these, too.
I went looking for a downloadable brochure last week when I was digging into the power windows thing, and stumbled upon this on eBay - it just so happens that the car on the cover is identical to mine, and I was therefore compelled to spunk a tenner on it!
Bloody lovely brochure - there's a big A3 poster you could pull out, little paint sample cards from the page which are all perforated so you can compare them in the light etc. Loads of arty photos of late-90s Berlin, interesting prose, some slightly stretched F1 tech references, a double-page spread on the M54B25... They really don't make brochures like it these days.
Bloody lovely brochure - there's a big A3 poster you could pull out, little paint sample cards from the page which are all perforated so you can compare them in the light etc. Loads of arty photos of late-90s Berlin, interesting prose, some slightly stretched F1 tech references, a double-page spread on the M54B25... They really don't make brochures like it these days.
eezeh said:
Should have asked! I actually have a PDF copy of that brochure 
Took ages to find
Took ages to find
Me too
The PDF is online here as well
http://guyspy.narod.ru/bmw/pdf/3er_com.pdf
s m said:
Yes, thats the oneI need a new parcel shelf cord, bmw quoted me £19!! before shipping!
Think ill take a pass on that one..Next time someone chucks a parcel shelf in the bin please post me the cord first!
Krikkit said:
I know, but I like having the physical thing. One more piece of tat to add to my collection. 
I can relate to that! 
When I went to view my facelift 320td in December 2004 I picked up a copy of the current brochure for the Compact and I still have it! I've even bought a few brochures on ebay for cars I have owned since.
Having followed this thread for years, I thought I'd make an introduction as the new owner of PaulGT3's Imola Red compact. The new owner being my wife, but she might let me drive it from time to time. With her recently having an accident in our Silver Grey 325ti, this is its replacement. There is now unfortunately one less 6spd sport on the road.
A picture of it, in happier times
Every cloud has a silver lining, and this will serve as a parts donor for any worn items on the new one.
After a long motorway run home, it returned mpg in the mid 34's. A few off the 6spd, but it will rarely do many motorway journeys, so not the end of the world.
Paul has focused on getting it driving well, with Bilstein damper, Eibach springs, new top mounts and drop links. This is the direction I had planned for our old car until its demise.
Appearing to be mechanically sound, she does need a little tlc here and there. Starting with but not limited to...
- A good clean up in and out.
- Rattle from the boot lid, should just need adjustment.
-Tyres need replacing. It drives very well on 16's but I have a set of standard 17's with fairly new tyres so may just fit those for now.
- Rear bumper slightly out of alignment.
- Change radio from other car.
- Swap over some damaged interior trim and chase a few squeaks and rattles.
Look forward to keeping the thread updated with the car staying in 'the fold' so to speak.
A picture of it, in happier times
Every cloud has a silver lining, and this will serve as a parts donor for any worn items on the new one.
After a long motorway run home, it returned mpg in the mid 34's. A few off the 6spd, but it will rarely do many motorway journeys, so not the end of the world.
Paul has focused on getting it driving well, with Bilstein damper, Eibach springs, new top mounts and drop links. This is the direction I had planned for our old car until its demise.
Appearing to be mechanically sound, she does need a little tlc here and there. Starting with but not limited to...
- A good clean up in and out.
- Rattle from the boot lid, should just need adjustment.
-Tyres need replacing. It drives very well on 16's but I have a set of standard 17's with fairly new tyres so may just fit those for now.
- Rear bumper slightly out of alignment.
- Change radio from other car.
- Swap over some damaged interior trim and chase a few squeaks and rattles.
Look forward to keeping the thread updated with the car staying in 'the fold' so to speak.
Good to see an inter-thread purchase, even if it is due to the demise of a facelift sport!
My 'budget track' 325ti SE passed its MOT today after it expired in January as the car had been out of use. Hoping to get it on track and probably begin to rebuild and freshen up the rear and as it is looking a bit crusty and in need of some love and new bushes all round.
My 'budget track' 325ti SE passed its MOT today after it expired in January as the car had been out of use. Hoping to get it on track and probably begin to rebuild and freshen up the rear and as it is looking a bit crusty and in need of some love and new bushes all round.
Mrfrisk said:
- Swap over some damaged interior trim and chase a few squeaks and rattles.
.
Do let me know how you get on with reducing squeaks and rattles, my seat squeaks on the plastic surrounding the seat controls every time you move!.
Received a new handle for my parcel shelf and a gear stick bushing so will see how that affects the wiggle in the gear stick
eezeh said:
Mrfrisk said:
- Swap over some damaged interior trim and chase a few squeaks and rattles.
.
Do let me know how you get on with reducing squeaks and rattles, my seat squeaks on the plastic surrounding the seat controls every time you move!.
Received a new handle for my parcel shelf and a gear stick bushing so will see how that affects the wiggle in the gear stick
Krikkit said:
I went looking for a downloadable brochure last week when I was digging into the power windows thing, and stumbled upon this on eBay - it just so happens that the car on the cover is identical to mine, and I was therefore compelled to spunk a tenner on it!
Bloody lovely brochure - there's a big A3 poster you could pull out, little paint sample cards from the page which are all perforated so you can compare them in the light etc. Loads of arty photos of late-90s Berlin, interesting prose, some slightly stretched F1 tech references, a double-page spread on the M54B25... They really don't make brochures like it these days.
Old car brochures are lovely. I try to get one for each car I buy. It's getting increasingly difficult though.Bloody lovely brochure - there's a big A3 poster you could pull out, little paint sample cards from the page which are all perforated so you can compare them in the light etc. Loads of arty photos of late-90s Berlin, interesting prose, some slightly stretched F1 tech references, a double-page spread on the M54B25... They really don't make brochures like it these days.
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