The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[Mr Tidy]

Max M4X WW said:

Don't take this the wrong way, but take it somewhere nice for some decent photos. I have saved searches on eBay and AT for 325ti's just because I own one and am always on the lookout for another. I saw yours pop up on ebay, but it didn't scream 'enthusiast' and I didn't really look too much closer than the price.
JPG

I don't know why, but I still have an alert on AutoTrader for these even though I sold my 52 plate pre-facelift Imola Red 325ti Sport Compact on 103K miles with 4 previous keepers for half that 2 years ago. The guy who bought it e-mailed me a couple of weeks ago to see if I was interested in having it back as he was selling it!

Hopefully you will find the right buyer anyway.

[anonymous-user]

helix402 said:

Test the battery (not voltage), with a battery tester. I’ve seen a similar fault on an M54 with a weak battery.

Well their battery tester was knackered..
I know the ICV operates just fine but on the off chance there is some weird intermittent fault ive got a used one to throw in, if its still giving me grief halfords said they'd replace the battery for me as its still under its 5 year guarantee.

Anything else you can think of?

[MrF193]

Max M4X WW said:

Don't take this the wrong way, but take it somewhere nice for some decent photos. I have saved searches on eBay and AT for 325ti's just because I own one and am always on the lookout for another. I saw yours pop up on ebay, but it didn't scream 'enthusiast' and I didn't really look too much closer than the price.

I'm not saying I'm an expert, but here are some examples of previous cars I have sold:

http://maxw.me/cl500/3.JPG
http://maxw.me/m3/sell/2.JPG

Your pics look great! Unfortunately the various storms stopped me from taking nicer pictures. Anyway the car sold yesterday for £2500 - miss it already, they’re just fantastic cars and definitely going up in value

[Krikkit]

Good result on the sale, nice one.

Quick question for anyone who's done it - CCV's.

Mine is definitely bad (oil consumption is up to 1lt / 500 miles), which ones are worth buying? eBay cheapos are about £25, Febi kit is about £80, OE is £100+.

Also, the hoses look in good condition from what I can see, is it worth just buying the valve alone?

[Max M4X WW]

MrF193 said:

Max M4X WW said:

Don't take this the wrong way, but take it somewhere nice for some decent photos. I have saved searches on eBay and AT for 325ti's just because I own one and am always on the lookout for another. I saw yours pop up on ebay, but it didn't scream 'enthusiast' and I didn't really look too much closer than the price.

I'm not saying I'm an expert, but here are some examples of previous cars I have sold:

http://maxw.me/cl500/3.JPG
http://maxw.me/m3/sell/2.JPG

Your pics look great! Unfortunately the various storms stopped me from taking nicer pictures. Anyway the car sold yesterday for £2500 - miss it already, they’re just fantastic cars and definitely going up in value

Well done on the sale!

[Stuart-b7jrq]

Hi all, Just a question as I'm new to the compact and only had it a couple of months now, I have the 325ti sport and the rear suspension seems really hard is this normal? If not what are the common causes for them to be like this?
Cheers Stu

[Mr Tidy]

It may depend on what you are used to, but I didn't find my 325ti Compact particularly stiff on the rear - nothing like as stiff as my Z4 Sport Coupes on run-flats!

FWIW all 325tis had the M-Sport suspension regardless of whether they were SEs or Sports.

[anonymous-user]

Had the battery replaced, same fault still exists, suppose i will swap the icv over and see if it persists.
very annoying and strange

[Stueyt83]

Well done the disa valve and cleaned the ICV today then jacked the rear up to check if anything was wrong with why the back end feels harsh when driving and looks like the rear dampers are the original ones from when it came out of the factory! Looks like it's time for a change ha. First gonna do the vanos seals though.

[Stuhigs4]

Another 325ti looking for a new home.
Few details below, more pictures and link to follow. Due to bad weather I haven't had time to take more pictures.

2002 (52) BMW E46 325 TI Sport Compact
Transmission: 5-speed manual

Mileage: 126,600 miles
Owners: 3 (I’m the third)
MOT Expires: 6/01/21
Next Service: 15,000 miles
Full Service History

This car is being used on a regular basis, so millage will increase. But its now time to find it a new home.

Rear interior has been removed. Rear windows are polycarbonate rear quarters. When I first picked this up, my plan was to trackday/race it due to it having not much interior.
I now have a wedding to pay for, so the car has to go.
Last MOT the car had 3 advisories. Which have now been sorted with new bushes, drop links and lower suspension arms.
Every receipt from all the services including the original sales invoice back in 2002.

Pros
• Bi-Xenon head lights
• 3 Keys
• Everything works
• Tons of paperwork to back it up
• Very clean and tidy body work
• New battery
• Door lock fixed
• New radiator
• New coolant hoses (Samco hoses)
• New Brembo discs all round
• New EBC yellow stuff pads front
• New Brembo pads rear
• New drop links (front & rear)
• New Powerflex anti roll bar bushes (front & Rear)
• New Lemforder suspension arms (both sides)
• New tyres all round

Spares List:
• Discs all round
• Pads all round
• Coolant hoses
• Drop link
• I have managed to pick up original (airbox from ebay) currently has K&N air filter fitted

Cons
• No rear interior
• Drivers seat has a tear in the cloth
• Alloys kerbed
• Oil light comes on briefly when fast started but goes out after a second or two (Oil level and circulation is fine)
• Radio signal is a bit intermittent / fuzzy sometimes

Any questions or interest feel free to send me a message.
Do love these cars, will be sad to see it go.

Thanks

[Mangohut]

Does anyone know of a good replacement fit for the front speakers? I have the standard mods and tweeters no idea what size they are google seems to say either 5.25” or 6.5”. Ideally a straight without having to make any mods

Edited by Mangohut on Saturday 29th February 08:00

[Max M4X WW]

Stuhigs4 said:

Another 325ti looking for a new home.
Few details below, more pictures and link to follow. Due to bad weather I haven't had time to take more pictures.

2002 (52) BMW E46 325 TI Sport Compact
Transmission: 5-speed manual

Mileage: 126,600 miles
Owners: 3 (I’m the third)
MOT Expires: 6/01/21
Next Service: 15,000 miles
Full Service History

This car is being used on a regular basis, so millage will increase. But its now time to find it a new home.

Rear interior has been removed. Rear windows are polycarbonate rear quarters. When I first picked this up, my plan was to trackday/race it due to it having not much interior.
I now have a wedding to pay for, so the car has to go.
Last MOT the car had 3 advisories. Which have now been sorted with new bushes, drop links and lower suspension arms.
Every receipt from all the services including the original sales invoice back in 2002.

Pros
• Bi-Xenon head lights
• 3 Keys
• Everything works
• Tons of paperwork to back it up
• Very clean and tidy body work
• New battery
• Door lock fixed
• New radiator
• New coolant hoses (Samco hoses)
• New Brembo discs all round
• New EBC yellow stuff pads front
• New Brembo pads rear
• New drop links (front & rear)
• New Powerflex anti roll bar bushes (front & Rear)
• New Lemforder suspension arms (both sides)
• New tyres all round

Spares List:
• Discs all round
• Pads all round
• Coolant hoses
• Drop link
• I have managed to pick up original (airbox from ebay) currently has K&N air filter fitted

Cons
• No rear interior
• Drivers seat has a tear in the cloth
• Alloys kerbed
• Oil light comes on briefly when fast started but goes out after a second or two (Oil level and circulation is fine)
• Radio signal is a bit intermittent / fuzzy sometimes

Any questions or interest feel free to send me a message.
Do love these cars, will be sad to see it go.

Thanks

Price?

Do you have any photos of the poly windows?

[anonymous-user]

Well and truly stumped.
Icv replaced! Still limp mode when held at 2000rpm.
To clarify the following has been done
Disa valve, replaced icv, replaced all intake boots, cleaned throttle body

helix!!

Myself and an ex bmw tech are properly confused as to what it could be.
Inpa says problem with the mechanic
Snap on scanner says problem with the mechanic (icv)

[chillbill]

Out of hibernation. A workshop replaced some leaky power steering hoses. And I acquired some Ti specific Style 97s (to be fitted). Although, I think the above Style 68s may suit even better. Anyone else tinkering?

[PaulGT3]

I prefer the style 68's personally, looks good!

I've been running 16" F20 Style 378s for the past 3 years but since having the 3.0 engine in, I've been thinking I should really fit bigger brakes and move to a 225 tyre all round instead of a 205 so may well go for a set of style 68's.

However, keep getting the urge to buy a Boxster so may end up finally moving on from the Compact after 5 happy years of ownership. However the current situation means car sales probably won't be happening!

[Krikkit]

PaulGT3 said:

I prefer the style 68's personally, looks good!

I've been running 16" F20 Style 378s for the past 3 years but since having the 3.0 engine in, I've been thinking I should really fit bigger brakes and move to a 225 tyre all round instead of a 205 so may well go for a set of style 68's.

I was looking at 378's before I bought a set of 16" 32's, any pics for how they look?

[PaulGT3]

First photo showing just after they were fitted (still had standard suspension at this point) and the second photo showing it overloaded and very dirty after driving round the pyrenees for a fortnight.

[anonymous-user]

I think I may have sorted my icv limp mode issue plaguing me, the maf sensor!

On another topic I've decided I want to sort a few interior niggles I have.
1. Window rattles when closing door with the window down.

I've had a look inside the door card and the window frame attach nuts are tight. There seems to be a bit of play in the green bracket that attaches the glass to the rail.
That being said if I apply a bit of tension to the retract cable the rattling goes away.

2. The plastic door handles on the door card are somewhat bleached/blotchy. Can I replace just the handle or must it be the whole door card.

Any ideas?

Clocked 150k not too long ago, not bad going given it was near enough 100k when I bought it just over 2 years ago
Certainly enjoying the cheaper petrol at the moment!

The wheels are also in desperate need of a refurb but I'm a bit apprehensive given 1 or 2 of them have been welded in the past..

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 28th March 12:52

[JakeT]

For 1, my E46 coupe did it. I just never shut the door with the window all the way down.

You can replace the handles separately to the door card, too. They are held in with one Torx in the back of the unit. They're compact specific though.

I think a mate has a pair sitting around somewhere. I'll ask if he has them and when this lockdown business is done I'll give them to you. I know we cross paths near the Winall roundabout every so often.

[s m]

My driver’s window rattled slightly for years If window was part open

Recently the winder mechanism expired ( cable frayed ) so I had to replace it

No rattles now with window down