The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[dirtychinchilla]

Ah OK, mine is M Sport...what's the difference?

[Leins]

dirtychinchilla said:

Ah OK, mine is M Sport...what's the difference?

It was just called "Sport" back then btw


Differences, from memory, were:

- Bodykit
- 17" M-tech double-spoke wheels (18" MV1 or MV2s were a £440 option IIRC)
- Round front fogs (instead of oval)
- M-tech steering wheel and gearknob
- Black headlining

Most other kit was the same between Sport and SE, including "Sports" seats and suspension

[Hil_lo]

Does my spare wheel holder look normal to you guys, bugs me that's it's slightly on the p**s





P.s sorry it's upside down, won't let me change it on iPhone.

Edited by Hil_lo on Monday 18th July 17:40

[s m]

Hil_lo said:

Does my spare wheel holder look normal to you guys, bugs me that's it's slightly on the p**s





P.s sorry it's upside down, won't let me change it on iPhone.

Edited by Hil_lo on Monday 18th July 17:40

[Mr Tidy]

Leins said:

dirtychinchilla said:

Ah OK, mine is M Sport...what's the difference?

It was just called "Sport" back then btw


Differences, from memory, were:

- Bodykit
- 17" M-tech double-spoke wheels (18" MV1 or MV2s were a £440 option IIRC)
- Round front fogs (instead of oval)
- M-tech steering wheel and gearknob
- Black headlining

Most other kit was the same between Sport and SE, including "Sports" seats and suspension

Plus "M-Sport" on the trims on the top of the sills!
And the standard dash trim was carbon look on the Sport (although there were other options).

[FredClogs]

s m said:

Looks ok to me.

[s m]

FredClogs said:

s m said:

Looks ok to me.

Think it was Hil_lo that was concerned

s m said:

Hil_lo said:

Does my spare wheel holder look normal to you guys, bugs me that's it's slightly on the p**s





P.s sorry it's upside down, won't let me change it on iPhone.

Edited by Hil_lo on Monday 18th July 17:40

[gregs656]

JakeT said:

On another note, I got myself a set of the self opening boot struts the other day. I didn't know what I was missing until I had them. Excellent things! Really like being able to push the button on the key and have the boot open for me. Even more handy that I can now open the boot of the car from my desk at work

Which struts did you get? I bought a pair last year but they don't self open, would quite like to get that feature back.

[Fishy Dave]

gregs656 said:

Which struts did you get? I bought a pair last year but they don't self open, would quite like to get that feature back.

I'm interested in this too.

Mine went in for its MOT today, I was interested to know if it would fail on emissions as the previous heavy oil consumption could have damaged the cats. The tester reported particularly low readings and very good bill of health, so very pleased.

[ethomas]

Fishy Dave said:

Mine went in for its MOT today, I was interested to know if it would fail on emissions as the previous heavy oil consumption could have damaged the cats. The tester reported particularly low readings and very good bill of health, so very pleased.

Speaking of oil consumption, I checked the catch can after about 300 miles of reasonably spirited driving, and it had collected about a tablespoon of oil. The level on the dipstick has not moved, so from the looks of it the catch can has stopped the excessive consumption! Previously it would have drunk at least half a litre in this time (maybe one litre).

Highly recommended fix for anyone with consumption issues

[Fishy Dave]

ethomas said:

Speaking of oil consumption, I checked the catch can after about 300 miles of reasonably spirited driving, and it had collected about a tablespoon of oil. The level on the dipstick has not moved, so from the looks of it the catch can has stopped the excessive consumption! Previously it would have drunk at least half a litre in this time (maybe one litre).

Highly recommended fix for anyone with consumption issues

Excellent, really chuffed it seems to be working for you too.

[Twin2]

HELP!

So I posted last week about having bought new brake parts.

I tried fitting them today, only managed to get the rears done, however... they don't work.

The brake pedal hits the floor 9 times out of 10 and the dash shows me the handbrake warning, brake warning and traction control off lights as soon as I press the brake.

Anyone know what the problem is?

I thought that I might have to bleed them again and make sure everything's tightened/topped up, what else?

[Mr Tidy]

gregs656 said:

JakeT said:

On another note, I got myself a set of the self opening boot struts the other day. I didn't know what I was missing until I had them. Excellent things! Really like being able to push the button on the key and have the boot open for me. Even more handy that I can now open the boot of the car from my desk at work

Which struts did you get? I bought a pair last year but they don't self open, would quite like to get that feature back.

+ 1! Can you share any information on this - mine got fitted with some cheapo struts from ECP before I bought it, but of course they are not the self-opening ones!

I did make an enquiry at my local dealership, but the price they quoted was a bit silly so I didn't pursue it.

But from what they said it seems there are 2 different lengths of strut - my pre-facelift has the shorter version whereas my nephew has a facelift with the longer struts (and his work)!

Also wondering if anyone knows if pre/post facelift determines which length of strut fits?

[FredClogs]

Twin2 said:

HELP!

So I posted last week about having bought new brake parts.

I tried fitting them today, only managed to get the rears done, however... they don't work.

The brake pedal hits the floor 9 times out of 10 and the dash shows me the handbrake warning, brake warning and traction control off lights as soon as I press the brake.

Anyone know what the problem is?

I thought that I might have to bleed them again and make sure everything's tightened/topped up, what else?

/

I don't know on these cars in particular but generally if you've lost the brake pedal altogether either there is a fluid squirting out the system or you've got air in their some how, you should know if you've lost fluid as it'll be all over you/your drive or your engine bay. Perhaps there is a diagnostic mode you need to enter to correctly bleed the system, especially the ABS pumps.

Did you put the cap back on the reservoir? If you've got air in the master cylinder and continue to press the brake pedal to the floor you could damage the master cylinder seals, I'd recommend you buy a pressure bleeder (get the sealey vs one) or probably better get a mechanic to look at it.

[Twin2]

FredClogs said:

/

I don't know on these cars in particular but generally if you've lost the brake pedal altogether either there is a fluid squirting out the system or you've got air in their some how, you should know if you've lost fluid as it'll be all over you/your drive or your engine bay. Perhaps there is a diagnostic mode you need to enter to correctly bleed the system, especially the ABS pumps.

Did you put the cap back on the reservoir? If you've got air in the master cylinder and continue to press the brake pedal to the floor you could damage the master cylinder seals, I'd recommend you buy a pressure bleeder (get the sealey vs one) or probably better get a mechanic to look at it.

Yeah I think there's air.

Not going to bother buying any more tools to check it out.

I found a pagid specialist nearby and they want ~£120 to change the fronts, bleed the system and check the rears that I've done so going to do that.

Still only going to have spent about £290 instead of the £500 I was quoted initially, and learned a lot too!

[JakeT]

Fishy Dave said:

gregs656 said:

Which struts did you get? I bought a pair last year but they don't self open, would quite like to get that feature back.

I'm interested in this too.

Mine went in for its MOT today, I was interested to know if it would fail on emissions as the previous heavy oil consumption could have damaged the cats. The tester reported particularly low readings and very good bill of health, so very pleased.

I got them from a car that was being broken, so genuine BMW ones. Only cost me a tenner in the end so I didn't have a lot to lose! They've worked well and never failed to open the boot. But saying that I don't have the fancy (heavy) parcel shelf.

[Mr Tidy]

JakeT said:

I got them from a car that was being broken, so genuine BMW ones. Only cost me a tenner in the end so I didn't have a lot to lose! They've worked well and never failed to open the boot. But saying that I don't have the fancy (heavy) parcel shelf.

Wow, that was a result! Sytner quoted me well over £100 for a pair of OEM ones!

Mind you I do have the lardy parcel shelf complete with brolly holder!

Seems strange to me that BMW managed to put both those really useful features on the Compact, but then forgot about them when they came up with the E87!

[JakeT]

A friend had his ruined by a BMW dealer in Swansea and they quoted him £151 for a new set. This was supposedly at cost! But for a tenner I really can't complain. I bought a 'storage' parcel shelf too, but am not a massive fan. Everything I keep in the car stores nicely under the boot floor. I can't see why really, it is a useful feature of the car and only from the F31 onward the 3er touring coming with a self opening boot!

On another note, it had an issue and had to go off for fixes. I'll report back when I get home from work and have taken it for a drive. Was dropped home today...

[atiku ss]

[quote=Lazzer325ti]I bought a 325ti 2 years ago for a track car. Never let me down and been alot of fun to

How much did you buy it?

[s m]

JakeT said:

A friend had his ruined by a BMW dealer in Swansea and they quoted him £151 for a new set. This was supposedly at cost! But for a tenner I really can't complain. I bought a 'storage' parcel shelf too, but am not a massive fan. Everything I keep in the car stores nicely under the boot floor. I can't see why really, it is a useful feature of the car and only from the F31 onward the 3er touring coming with a self opening boot!

On another note, it had an issue and had to go off for fixes. I'll report back when I get home from work and have taken it for a drive. Was dropped home today...

I must admit it's made me wonder how a dealer managed to ruin the boot struts?

Here's one I spotted the other day