The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
eezeh said:
Max M4X WW said:
A shorter shift, but not excessively so.
Thanks, i presume you have it fitted? Quick look at the part number online shows they are around £100, seems a bit much??
It is available here for £60+p&p (along with everything else you may need!)
https://www.bmwautoparts.net/en/catalog/part/25117...
Starting with the interior.
Having a spares car made it easy to replace with items which were past their best, but which may normally have just been left as being not that bad. All of the interior was removed except the headlining, which was unmarked. Each item was then chosen, based on condition, between the two cars, and cleaned before replacement.
Replacement carpets out to be shampoo'd, including genuine replacement floor mats. The floor pan was straight and unmarked, which was a relief considering the reputation e46 have to rot.
|https://thumbsnap.com/FAQNSjT8[/url]
Dashboard didnt miss out either along with all plastic trims. A lot of clips were loose or broken, so this was one step closer to rattle free motoring. On that note I'm sure, the stiffer suspension will not have helped.
The stitching on the passenger door card was split so off with that too. On removal of the door cards and rear quarters I found most of the mounting brackets to be either broken or completely missing.
Donor panels to the rescue. A bit of silicone later, clamp over night and ....
...loads less rattles.
Instrument cluster was also cracked.
Replace perspex cover
The seat belts were also slightly frayed, so step this way donor car. Both cars were slow to retract, but pulling them all the way out to clean all the dust off had them keen to retract once more. (Note - b pillar trims on facelift cars have larger holes for belts to pass through.)
Double din radio with bluetooth fitted. This required moving the heater panel down where a storage slot once was. The heater panel was also the only other thing i found different, in the interior, between the pre and post facelift cars.
Facelift...
Steering wheel along with gear stick and handbrake leather gaitors also replaced.
The drivers seat occupancy sensor was not connected yet there were no lights on the dashboard to indicate this. I thought maybe the airbag light may have come on. Any ideas?
Pedal rubbers were split and loose.
All boot linings were replaced along with the parcel shelf which had seen better days.
The boot lid rams were also struggling to hold its weight, and on closer inspection one was uprated and the other a standard item. Roll on the donor...
As mentioned in a previous post, the boot lid rattled over bumps. A few torx screws had that adjusted tight but still there was a rattle from the boot. The hazard warning triangle looked a little loose in its holder so that was also swaped over. Still a rattle. The wheel brace holder appeared to be the culprit, having worn its polystyrene loose from its mounting, causing the spare wheel carrier handle to flail around at will. Result? No. A drive revealed another rattle in the same area. This time the battery was insecure with a plastic 'foot' under one side which was not allowing it to sit flat. This was easily removed and the battery clamped back down. At last, no rattles! Replaced the missing jack, toolkit and oil sleeve.
The inside is now how I want it to be.
On to the outside next...
Having a spares car made it easy to replace with items which were past their best, but which may normally have just been left as being not that bad. All of the interior was removed except the headlining, which was unmarked. Each item was then chosen, based on condition, between the two cars, and cleaned before replacement.
Replacement carpets out to be shampoo'd, including genuine replacement floor mats. The floor pan was straight and unmarked, which was a relief considering the reputation e46 have to rot.
|https://thumbsnap.com/FAQNSjT8[/url]Dashboard didnt miss out either along with all plastic trims. A lot of clips were loose or broken, so this was one step closer to rattle free motoring. On that note I'm sure, the stiffer suspension will not have helped.
The stitching on the passenger door card was split so off with that too. On removal of the door cards and rear quarters I found most of the mounting brackets to be either broken or completely missing.
Donor panels to the rescue. A bit of silicone later, clamp over night and ....
...loads less rattles.
Instrument cluster was also cracked.
Replace perspex cover
The seat belts were also slightly frayed, so step this way donor car. Both cars were slow to retract, but pulling them all the way out to clean all the dust off had them keen to retract once more. (Note - b pillar trims on facelift cars have larger holes for belts to pass through.)
Double din radio with bluetooth fitted. This required moving the heater panel down where a storage slot once was. The heater panel was also the only other thing i found different, in the interior, between the pre and post facelift cars.
Facelift...
Steering wheel along with gear stick and handbrake leather gaitors also replaced.
The drivers seat occupancy sensor was not connected yet there were no lights on the dashboard to indicate this. I thought maybe the airbag light may have come on. Any ideas?
Pedal rubbers were split and loose.
All boot linings were replaced along with the parcel shelf which had seen better days.
The boot lid rams were also struggling to hold its weight, and on closer inspection one was uprated and the other a standard item. Roll on the donor...
As mentioned in a previous post, the boot lid rattled over bumps. A few torx screws had that adjusted tight but still there was a rattle from the boot. The hazard warning triangle looked a little loose in its holder so that was also swaped over. Still a rattle. The wheel brace holder appeared to be the culprit, having worn its polystyrene loose from its mounting, causing the spare wheel carrier handle to flail around at will. Result? No. A drive revealed another rattle in the same area. This time the battery was insecure with a plastic 'foot' under one side which was not allowing it to sit flat. This was easily removed and the battery clamped back down. At last, no rattles! Replaced the missing jack, toolkit and oil sleeve.
The inside is now how I want it to be.
On to the outside next...
Edited by Mrfrisk on Saturday 27th June 06:27
Mrfrisk said:
The drivers seat occupancy sensor was not connected yet there were no lights on the dashboard to indicate this. I thought maybe the airbag light may have come on. Any ideas?
I believe BMWs don't monitor the driver's seat sensor on the basis that if the car is moving there will be a driver in it! But as they sell in many LHD markets I suppose they just fitted the wiring to both seats regardless, instead of making 2 different versions.
Your car is looking great - I still miss my Imola 325ti Sport.
Thanks PaulGT3. In isolation it looked pretty good, but side by side, it looked a little more worn and faded. I just pulled together the best bits from each car. If I didnt have a whole car sitting there, I probably wouldn't have changed most of it.
Indeed, the drivers seat would be occupied in the event of a crash. So this would mean the plug under the seat would be to activate the seat belt pre-tensioner? If this is the case, would being disconnected show up a light due to a fault?
Any advice gratefully received.
Indeed, the drivers seat would be occupied in the event of a crash. So this would mean the plug under the seat would be to activate the seat belt pre-tensioner? If this is the case, would being disconnected show up a light due to a fault?
Any advice gratefully received.
In other news...bodywork.
Being 18 years old it's never going to be perfect. It is, however, pretty rust free. No scuffs or deep scratches but does have the odd small dent here and there. I dont think this detracts from the overall look of the car.
After a thorough wash, it was wiped over with tar remover then clayed. Next up was to mask around the black plastic trims. I ran out of blue tape so used some standard tape. This may upset Detailing World fanatics!
The paintwork then had 2 passes of G6 with a rotary polisher. Washed off then 2 passes of 3M ultrafina compound.
Once washed off again it was treated to 2 coats of Autoglym SRP and a coat of wax.
This took a whole day with many bemused neighbours asking 'haven't you done that yet?' and wondering why I'm bothering with an old 3 series. They just dont know about this well kept secret!
Eagle eyed spotters will notice the staggered sport wheels. These were again plundered from the donor car. One was beyond repair after the accident so a replacement 7.5j front wheel was sourced. I had these refurbished in a flat silver to look original as possible. New centre caps complete the look.
It handled really well on the 16's with 205's all round, but I had the style 97's which already had recent tyres, so on they went. I much prefer the original look and these will accommodate bigger brakes I intend to fit. I might try to source 2 more 7.5j wheels to run a square set up in the future.
The other thing letting the side down was the boot lid badge. Old and new
So who did I say this car was for?!
Being 18 years old it's never going to be perfect. It is, however, pretty rust free. No scuffs or deep scratches but does have the odd small dent here and there. I dont think this detracts from the overall look of the car.
After a thorough wash, it was wiped over with tar remover then clayed. Next up was to mask around the black plastic trims. I ran out of blue tape so used some standard tape. This may upset Detailing World fanatics!
The paintwork then had 2 passes of G6 with a rotary polisher. Washed off then 2 passes of 3M ultrafina compound.
Once washed off again it was treated to 2 coats of Autoglym SRP and a coat of wax.
This took a whole day with many bemused neighbours asking 'haven't you done that yet?' and wondering why I'm bothering with an old 3 series. They just dont know about this well kept secret!
Eagle eyed spotters will notice the staggered sport wheels. These were again plundered from the donor car. One was beyond repair after the accident so a replacement 7.5j front wheel was sourced. I had these refurbished in a flat silver to look original as possible. New centre caps complete the look.
It handled really well on the 16's with 205's all round, but I had the style 97's which already had recent tyres, so on they went. I much prefer the original look and these will accommodate bigger brakes I intend to fit. I might try to source 2 more 7.5j wheels to run a square set up in the future.
The other thing letting the side down was the boot lid badge. Old and new
So who did I say this car was for?!
Looks fantastic, you would never guess its done over 150k miles. It's definitely going to live a more pampered life with you. Still not bought its replacement yet.
In regards to seat wiring issue, I don't recall ever having the airbag light come on under my ownership so not too sure however I never took it for its airbag recalls that BMW sent the letters for so that maybe something you want to get it booked in for as I believe they replace the airbags for free?
In regards to seat wiring issue, I don't recall ever having the airbag light come on under my ownership so not too sure however I never took it for its airbag recalls that BMW sent the letters for so that maybe something you want to get it booked in for as I believe they replace the airbags for free?
Hi all,
New to the forum and this thread. Currently driving around in my daily "project" shed, a 2001 Ford Puma 1.7, which even when I had a Golf R on lease I couldn't bring myself to scrap it as it feels like your favourite old family dog.
Having spent all day researching various RWD Coupes and especially E46's of all flavours, its the 325ti which has got me most interested!
Any tips or buying advice? There doesn't seem to be many around on the obvious sites like Auto Trader.
Would really like to find one as a rolling project!
Ian
New to the forum and this thread. Currently driving around in my daily "project" shed, a 2001 Ford Puma 1.7, which even when I had a Golf R on lease I couldn't bring myself to scrap it as it feels like your favourite old family dog.
Having spent all day researching various RWD Coupes and especially E46's of all flavours, its the 325ti which has got me most interested!
Any tips or buying advice? There doesn't seem to be many around on the obvious sites like Auto Trader.
Would really like to find one as a rolling project!
Ian
Hi Ian,
They are getting hard to find now, but are well worth the effort - I still wish from time to time that I had kept mine.
Luckily the Compacts don't usually seem to suffer as much from rust as any of the other E46 body-styles which is a bonus.
And whether they are SE or Sport models they all had the M-Sport suspension and seats, so there are only minor differences like the wheels, steering wheel and gear-knob which are all easily changed.
Really buying one is just like buying any car this age, go by condition and history. But there was a facelift in 2003 when the 325ti got a 6-speed gearbox instead of 5 which is handy on motorways. Plus the facelifts got coloured rear light units instead of the original clear ones that most people seem to replace!
They are getting hard to find now, but are well worth the effort - I still wish from time to time that I had kept mine.
Luckily the Compacts don't usually seem to suffer as much from rust as any of the other E46 body-styles which is a bonus.
And whether they are SE or Sport models they all had the M-Sport suspension and seats, so there are only minor differences like the wheels, steering wheel and gear-knob which are all easily changed.
Really buying one is just like buying any car this age, go by condition and history. But there was a facelift in 2003 when the 325ti got a 6-speed gearbox instead of 5 which is handy on motorways. Plus the facelifts got coloured rear light units instead of the original clear ones that most people seem to replace!
They're like touring models. Owners that have them want to keep hold of them.
Mine did 2,000 miles between MOTs last year, and I'm fine with that. I keep toying with the idea of selling it, but have no need to really. I had a bit of a joke of an offer earlier in the year, but with no need to sell it's nice to be able to reject them.
To me, any 325,328,330i is as good as the rest. The compact has it's own niceties like standard sport trimmings, and short gearing but a tidy 330i is definitely not slumming it.
Mine did 2,000 miles between MOTs last year, and I'm fine with that. I keep toying with the idea of selling it, but have no need to really. I had a bit of a joke of an offer earlier in the year, but with no need to sell it's nice to be able to reject them.
To me, any 325,328,330i is as good as the rest. The compact has it's own niceties like standard sport trimmings, and short gearing but a tidy 330i is definitely not slumming it.
If anyone has a BCA Trade log in this is currently live on their e-Auctions in Nottingham, wonder how much the owner got from 'We Buy Any Car'...
https://auctionview.bca.co.uk/Results/LotDetail/5d...
https://auctionview.bca.co.uk/Results/LotDetail/5d...
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