The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

Author
Discussion

Twin2

266 posts

121 months

Saturday 7th January 2023
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Hi guys, I’ve put my 330ti up for sale, hope it’s ok to post here. Its this one so you can see how well cared for it was.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

If anyone’s interested feel free to dm me.

mu9en

5 posts

59 months

Wednesday 18th January 2023
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Hi all,

Does anyone know if the 325ti front wings are the same as the other compacts? Mine are finally starting to rot and looking for possible replacements.

Thanks in advance, I wasn’t able to find anything following a quick Google.

4004

150 posts

49 months

Wednesday 18th January 2023
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Yes they are, 41 35 7 016 205/6

jj.

544 posts

269 months

Friday 20th January 2023
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Trying to get some more camber on the front of my 325ti Track Car.

It's got HSD Monopro (which personally I don't really rate), seems more fast road than track, especially on the damping side, with a 30mm Tegiwa ARB up front & strut braces.

Anyway, even with the top mounts adjusted to maximum, I can only get -1.41 matching on both sides (so at least it's consistent). Managed to get a nice -2 on the rear with new camber arms, but what next for the fronts...?

Ideally, am looking to get as close to -3 as possible. Where do I look now...? Alignment chap said maybe M3 lower arms would fit..? Any help would be appreciated...
jj

Max M4X WW

4,788 posts

181 months

Saturday 21st January 2023
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jj. said:
Trying to get some more camber on the front of my 325ti Track Car.

It's got HSD Monopro (which personally I don't really rate), seems more fast road than track, especially on the damping side, with a 30mm Tegiwa ARB up front & strut braces.

Anyway, even with the top mounts adjusted to maximum, I can only get -1.41 matching on both sides (so at least it's consistent). Managed to get a nice -2 on the rear with new camber arms, but what next for the fronts...?

Ideally, am looking to get as close to -3 as possible. Where do I look now...? Alignment chap said maybe M3 lower arms would fit..? Any help would be appreciated...
jj
I can't help, sorry, but did you recently buy the car and did it come with a set of yellow wheels by any chance?

MRyan99

36 posts

42 months

Tuesday 31st January 2023
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Well I finally bit the bullet on the titanium shifter and gear lever from Storm MotorWerks. Looks and feels amazing, completely eliminated the notchy throw. Thankfully I get the car back from its second resto in March so can finally get behind the wheel again.





Edited by MRyan99 on Sunday 19th February 22:21


Edited by MRyan99 on Sunday 19th February 22:21

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Tuesday 31st January 2023
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That's great news. Love your seat colour by the way - is that Amarone?

4004

150 posts

49 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Pretty sure Amarone wasn't part of the Individual palette for E46. I think it's just normal Taninrot

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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Thanks - it still looks fantastic!

MRyan99

36 posts

42 months

Sunday 19th February 2023
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Mr Tidy said:
That's great news. Love your seat colour by the way - is that Amarone?
Thanks, it’s just the standard taninrot. Goes well with the Imola Red

Mangohut

31 posts

67 months

Saturday 25th March 2023
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Morning, does anyone have any recommendations for replacement front door speakers? Ideally without any visible mods.

On another topic my rtab’s need doing anyone know if the m3 versions fit and if it is worth the upgrade?

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Saturday 25th March 2023
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Mangohut said:
Morning, does anyone have any recommendations for replacement front door speakers? Ideally without any visible mods.

On another topic my rtab’s need doing anyone know if the m3 versions fit and if it is worth the upgrade?
Yes, M3 bushes fit and are a good upgrade.

Mangohut

31 posts

67 months

Wednesday 29th March 2023
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Thanks I’ll go with the m3 versions

grahamgraham

79 posts

86 months

Friday 28th April 2023
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jj. said:
Trying to get some more camber on the front of my 325ti Track Car.

It's got HSD Monopro (which personally I don't really rate), seems more fast road than track, especially on the damping side, with a 30mm Tegiwa ARB up front & strut braces.

Anyway, even with the top mounts adjusted to maximum, I can only get -1.41 matching on both sides (so at least it's consistent). Managed to get a nice -2 on the rear with new camber arms, but what next for the fronts...?

Ideally, am looking to get as close to -3 as possible. Where do I look now...? Alignment chap said maybe M3 lower arms would fit..? Any help would be appreciated...
jj
Hi jj, did you ever get anywhere with finding more camber?
Max i could get on mine was -1.51 so would be interested if you found an easy way to get more. I'm running BC coilovers with everything else standard geometry-wise. I know you can do M3 arms on E90's to get more but not sure if that works on e46's too...

grahamgraham

79 posts

86 months

Friday 28th April 2023
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alexcjp said:
grahamgraham said:
Welcome to the thread, your car & plans sound very similar to mine... definitely not sacrilege ;-)

I picked up my 325ti, also pistachio green & pre-facelift, a year or so ago as a track toy/rolling project, changed the fluids and did a couple of track days within a couple of weeks then set about some more involved mods/maintenance. Next track day is Bedford on Monday. They're so much fun for what they are.

Sounds like you're getting a bit more involved with half cage & the like, any other plans?

thread is here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Having looked through your thread, our cars are near on identical looks wise and not far off spec wise! I wish i'd documented it much more like you have, i've loved working on it!

I've listed the jobs that i've done to mine below:
- Full cooling system replacement and upgraded where possible, also modified the thermostat to be permanently open for track use
- Brakes replaced with Brembo High Carbons and yellowstuff pads and high temp brake fluid
- Custom stainless exhaust with no resonators, original cats kept
- JOM coilovers (would like to upgrade once funds allow!)
- Spacers to fill arches a bit
- Powerflex Bushes
- Cold air intake with a direct feed, however i'm toying with putting the standard box back into see if it makes any difference
- ATS Streetrallye lightweight wheels on Nankang NS2Rs all round (square set up)
- Stripped interior, rear wiper and spare wheel carrier but kept the dash, headliner, sunroof and front 1/3 carpet for some comfort when I use it for the weekly shopping trip
- NRG Quick release and OMP steering wheel (all wired in for the horn to work)
- OMP TRS-X bucket seats, OMP 6 point harnesses
- Roll Cage from MRC
- Facelift rear lights
- LED headlights
- Bluetooth module to work with original business stereo

I'm planning a few track days towards the end of july/august once the cage is finally in. I'll pop some pictures of it in here once I get home tonight.
that sounds like a great build & pretty similar spec like you say, nice one. any pics??

jj.

544 posts

269 months

Wednesday 3rd May 2023
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grahamgraham said:
Hi jj, did you ever get anywhere with finding more camber?
Max i could get on mine was -1.51 so would be interested if you found an easy way to get more. I'm running BC coilovers with everything else standard geometry-wise. I know you can do M3 arms on E90's to get more but not sure if that works on e46's too...
Following my research, have not found anything that can be simply bolted on to get the required -3 on the front I would love. Lots of places, show you can cut and extend and re-weld the lower arms (which I don't really fancy doing) but this is more for the 'stance' look). From a recent Donington day - with my settings, I found that when pushed, I've got loads of rear grip, but lots of understeer from mid corner to exit.

So I really do want to get it sorted, am considering something with the top mounts, and enlarging the holes, to give me more movement on the plates..? Something to think about.

I'll try and upload a video of mine on track, and will re-post the link in a couple of days. As an aside, I know that EBC Brakes seem to take a hammering from a lot of people, (I've used them lots over the years - don't seem the issue with them), but I'm running standard callipers, and I find the brakes superb. Running blue stuff all round. Just about to upgrade to EBC full Race Pads and Orange for the rear, running drilled and grooved discs (which I wont run again - due to this -->), as pads are currently lasting me 2 track days only. I kid you not.!
jj

Dibba00

3 posts

167 months

Tuesday 9th May 2023
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Hi,
Got the video?
Cheers

jj.

544 posts

269 months

Tuesday 9th May 2023
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Dibba00 said:
Hi,
Got the video?
Cheers
Sorry, struggled to get this all working fine, as can be seen from the account, haven't uploaded to youtube for 5 yrs +.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23L2XcX5jqo - apart from too early into T1 not a bad lap. I will upload some more, but currently they are all upside down. Once sorted I'll link them here... I have to remember that this is a road car (not race) and as such I am perhaps expecting a lot from it. As mentioned brakes are excellent, my braking points match the old racing days on AP 4 piston calipers (but speeds are lower). This was on a brand new set of NS-2R - which I don't personally think are that good when compared to Dunlop Direzza's or R888. But I plan to try and get some more front end grip yet. I got some heat in them though, as there is a 10-11 psi difference between track running and cold.
jj

SimonK2486

170 posts

194 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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I've got HSD dual-techs on my compact with the adjustable top mounts. Didn't have any issues getting -2 degrees camber on the front. In fact it's running that all round. Feels nice and neutral when pushing hard, very confidence inspiring and never had issues with under steer. That's using a combination of either PS3's or NS2R.

Mangohut

31 posts

67 months

Thursday 18th May 2023
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I am looking for a set of wheels to run on my car for track any suggestions for the lightest 17" BMW stock wheels that will fit? I want to run a square set up with 225's but i can't find much info on wheel weights. Anyone got any suggestions or just stick with the style 44's I have?