The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
On the subject of the 130i I had a 2007 130i LE one of 160 they sold in the UK with a few Birds modifications which included a carbon induction box, sports exhaust system and a LSD. It also had a black leather interior as opposed to the lemon one in the other 159.
I also had a mint 2005 E46 M3 for 8 years which when I sold it in 2020 had done less than 50K miles. I also have a 2004 facelift E46 320TD Sport Compact. I bought this when it was 18 months old. It is fully loaded with Leather interior, memory seats, and xeons. It has now done 233K miles and the rear washer still works! This has been my workhorse for the past 18 years and is still going strong.
The 130i was a disappointment as the ride was terrible compared with the M3 and the interior space was far inferior to the compact with the luggage area being totally inadequate. I sold the 130i during the Covid pandemic with 45K miles on the clock after a short 3 years of ownership as it did not live up to my expectations.
I now have a 2004 facelift, full loaded as per the 320TD, 325Ti sport compact which is in excellent condition. This is going to be my Sunday and sunny day’s only car. These are so underrated as they are quick with go cart like handing with even better drivability than the M3 on UK roads.
If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
I also had a mint 2005 E46 M3 for 8 years which when I sold it in 2020 had done less than 50K miles. I also have a 2004 facelift E46 320TD Sport Compact. I bought this when it was 18 months old. It is fully loaded with Leather interior, memory seats, and xeons. It has now done 233K miles and the rear washer still works! This has been my workhorse for the past 18 years and is still going strong.
The 130i was a disappointment as the ride was terrible compared with the M3 and the interior space was far inferior to the compact with the luggage area being totally inadequate. I sold the 130i during the Covid pandemic with 45K miles on the clock after a short 3 years of ownership as it did not live up to my expectations.
I now have a 2004 facelift, full loaded as per the 320TD, 325Ti sport compact which is in excellent condition. This is going to be my Sunday and sunny day’s only car. These are so underrated as they are quick with go cart like handing with even better drivability than the M3 on UK roads.
If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
Astburycompact2 said:
...
If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
That figure seems unbelievable - not saying it isn't true, just that it is crazy if there is that few left!If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
How many did they sell?!
I have tried to get the actual sold figures from BMW but they say that they cannot supply them???? which I find very hard to understand.
But BMW UK are not interested in anything apart from selling new cars.
As per this following article that I have written about their service
BMW UK spare parts.
I had issues on my 2004 BMW 320td Sport Compact M47.2 with the rear tailgate gas springs Part No. 51247061939 failing.
Over the past 3 years I have had to replace both the rear tailgate gas springs 3 times. I purchased a new set in February 2021 from Halliwell Jones, Wilmslow which failed in January 2023. They were replaced under warranty by Halliwell Jones in February 2023. This new set of gas springs failed in February 2024 and as the warranty had run out on the original set then I had to purchase a new set this month, March 2024
I don’t think that these gas springs are fit for purpose as previously I have only replaced them twice over the 19 years of ownership of the car, so 2 sets failing in 3 years suggests that there is something wrong with the goods you are supplying.
I took this up with BMW Service Centre UK and this is the answer they came back with but what I don’t understand, what has the age of the car got to do with it?
Thanks for your response about the faulty air spring on your BMW 3 Series. I’m sorry to hear this – I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.
All new BMW cars come with a three-year warranty that covers the cost of repairing any manufacturing faults. This is usually more than enough time for these to come to light.
When this expires, we don’t usually help with the repair cost unless a BMW Insured Warranty is purchased. But, if a BMW Centre is sure that the problem is down to a manufacturing fault, they may make a case for us to help.
We’ve looked into this carefully with BMW Halliwell Jones Wilmslow for you and decided that due to the age and mileage of your car we’re unable to help.
I know this isn’t the answer you were hoping for and I’m sorry to disappoint you.
It seems that BMW Service Centre UK don’t care if they are selling parts that are not fit for purpose so long as they have been paid for. To them if the replacement parts had lasted one month, so that they were out of the two year warranty, then that’s fine they have fulfilled their purpose.
Is this what we are going to expect from parts supplied by BMW UK in the future?
But BMW UK are not interested in anything apart from selling new cars.
As per this following article that I have written about their service
BMW UK spare parts.
I had issues on my 2004 BMW 320td Sport Compact M47.2 with the rear tailgate gas springs Part No. 51247061939 failing.
Over the past 3 years I have had to replace both the rear tailgate gas springs 3 times. I purchased a new set in February 2021 from Halliwell Jones, Wilmslow which failed in January 2023. They were replaced under warranty by Halliwell Jones in February 2023. This new set of gas springs failed in February 2024 and as the warranty had run out on the original set then I had to purchase a new set this month, March 2024
I don’t think that these gas springs are fit for purpose as previously I have only replaced them twice over the 19 years of ownership of the car, so 2 sets failing in 3 years suggests that there is something wrong with the goods you are supplying.
I took this up with BMW Service Centre UK and this is the answer they came back with but what I don’t understand, what has the age of the car got to do with it?
Thanks for your response about the faulty air spring on your BMW 3 Series. I’m sorry to hear this – I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.
All new BMW cars come with a three-year warranty that covers the cost of repairing any manufacturing faults. This is usually more than enough time for these to come to light.
When this expires, we don’t usually help with the repair cost unless a BMW Insured Warranty is purchased. But, if a BMW Centre is sure that the problem is down to a manufacturing fault, they may make a case for us to help.
We’ve looked into this carefully with BMW Halliwell Jones Wilmslow for you and decided that due to the age and mileage of your car we’re unable to help.
I know this isn’t the answer you were hoping for and I’m sorry to disappoint you.
It seems that BMW Service Centre UK don’t care if they are selling parts that are not fit for purpose so long as they have been paid for. To them if the replacement parts had lasted one month, so that they were out of the two year warranty, then that’s fine they have fulfilled their purpose.
Is this what we are going to expect from parts supplied by BMW UK in the future?
Astburycompact2 said:
I have tried to get the actual sold figures from BMW but they say that they cannot supply them???? which I find very hard to understand.
But BMW UK are not interested in anything apart from selling new cars.
As per this following article that I have written about their service
BMW UK spare parts.
I had issues on my 2004 BMW 320td Sport Compact M47.2 with the rear tailgate gas springs Part No. 51247061939 failing.
Over the past 3 years I have had to replace both the rear tailgate gas springs 3 times. I purchased a new set in February 2021 from Halliwell Jones, Wilmslow which failed in January 2023. They were replaced under warranty by Halliwell Jones in February 2023. This new set of gas springs failed in February 2024 and as the warranty had run out on the original set then I had to purchase a new set this month, March 2024
I don’t think that these gas springs are fit for purpose as previously I have only replaced them twice over the 19 years of ownership of the car, so 2 sets failing in 3 years suggests that there is something wrong with the goods you are supplying.
I took this up with BMW Service Centre UK and this is the answer they came back with but what I don’t understand, what has the age of the car got to do with it?
Thanks for your response about the faulty air spring on your BMW 3 Series. I’m sorry to hear this – I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.
All new BMW cars come with a three-year warranty that covers the cost of repairing any manufacturing faults. This is usually more than enough time for these to come to light.
When this expires, we don’t usually help with the repair cost unless a BMW Insured Warranty is purchased. But, if a BMW Centre is sure that the problem is down to a manufacturing fault, they may make a case for us to help.
We’ve looked into this carefully with BMW Halliwell Jones Wilmslow for you and decided that due to the age and mileage of your car we’re unable to help.
I know this isn’t the answer you were hoping for and I’m sorry to disappoint you.
It seems that BMW Service Centre UK don’t care if they are selling parts that are not fit for purpose so long as they have been paid for. To them if the replacement parts had lasted one month, so that they were out of the two year warranty, then that’s fine they have fulfilled their purpose.
Is this what we are going to expect from parts supplied by BMW UK in the future?
What has the age and mileage of the vehicle got to do with the replacement parts that have just been fitted to it? Do they catch 'old'? lolBut BMW UK are not interested in anything apart from selling new cars.
As per this following article that I have written about their service
BMW UK spare parts.
I had issues on my 2004 BMW 320td Sport Compact M47.2 with the rear tailgate gas springs Part No. 51247061939 failing.
Over the past 3 years I have had to replace both the rear tailgate gas springs 3 times. I purchased a new set in February 2021 from Halliwell Jones, Wilmslow which failed in January 2023. They were replaced under warranty by Halliwell Jones in February 2023. This new set of gas springs failed in February 2024 and as the warranty had run out on the original set then I had to purchase a new set this month, March 2024
I don’t think that these gas springs are fit for purpose as previously I have only replaced them twice over the 19 years of ownership of the car, so 2 sets failing in 3 years suggests that there is something wrong with the goods you are supplying.
I took this up with BMW Service Centre UK and this is the answer they came back with but what I don’t understand, what has the age of the car got to do with it?
Thanks for your response about the faulty air spring on your BMW 3 Series. I’m sorry to hear this – I can understand how frustrating this must be for you.
All new BMW cars come with a three-year warranty that covers the cost of repairing any manufacturing faults. This is usually more than enough time for these to come to light.
When this expires, we don’t usually help with the repair cost unless a BMW Insured Warranty is purchased. But, if a BMW Centre is sure that the problem is down to a manufacturing fault, they may make a case for us to help.
We’ve looked into this carefully with BMW Halliwell Jones Wilmslow for you and decided that due to the age and mileage of your car we’re unable to help.
I know this isn’t the answer you were hoping for and I’m sorry to disappoint you.
It seems that BMW Service Centre UK don’t care if they are selling parts that are not fit for purpose so long as they have been paid for. To them if the replacement parts had lasted one month, so that they were out of the two year warranty, then that’s fine they have fulfilled their purpose.
Is this what we are going to expect from parts supplied by BMW UK in the future?
greenarrow said:
weight they quoted for the 325ti was 1405KG but I am not sure they actually put that one on the scales.
Following on from my journey to try and get more corner speed/grip from my car, I had it corner weighted today, so can confirm the weight exactly. Mine is stripped from the B pillar (of everything) has half cage with bucket seats. This was with 1/2 tank fuel, with 80kg representing the driver.Was surprised they weigh this much...! - 1373.5kg.
jj
Facelift model 325Ti Compact - How many did they sell?!
According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
Astburycompact2 said:
On the subject of the 130i I had a 2007 130i LE one of 160 they sold in the UK with a few Birds modifications which included a carbon induction box, sports exhaust system and a LSD. It also had a black leather interior as opposed to the lemon one in the other 159.
I also had a mint 2005 E46 M3 for 8 years which when I sold it in 2020 had done less than 50K miles. I also have a 2004 facelift E46 320TD Sport Compact. I bought this when it was 18 months old. It is fully loaded with Leather interior, memory seats, and xeons. It has now done 233K miles and the rear washer still works! This has been my workhorse for the past 18 years and is still going strong.
The 130i was a disappointment as the ride was terrible compared with the M3 and the interior space was far inferior to the compact with the luggage area being totally inadequate. I sold the 130i during the Covid pandemic with 45K miles on the clock after a short 3 years of ownership as it did not live up to my expectations.
I now have a 2004 facelift, full loaded as per the 320TD, 325Ti sport compact which is in excellent condition. This is going to be my Sunday and sunny day’s only car. These are so underrated as they are quick with go cart like handing with even better drivability than the M3 on UK roads.
If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
As a serial BMW owner it's interesting to see you preferred your 325ti to your 130i, and to see how long you've had your 320td! I also had a mint 2005 E46 M3 for 8 years which when I sold it in 2020 had done less than 50K miles. I also have a 2004 facelift E46 320TD Sport Compact. I bought this when it was 18 months old. It is fully loaded with Leather interior, memory seats, and xeons. It has now done 233K miles and the rear washer still works! This has been my workhorse for the past 18 years and is still going strong.
The 130i was a disappointment as the ride was terrible compared with the M3 and the interior space was far inferior to the compact with the luggage area being totally inadequate. I sold the 130i during the Covid pandemic with 45K miles on the clock after a short 3 years of ownership as it did not live up to my expectations.
I now have a 2004 facelift, full loaded as per the 320TD, 325Ti sport compact which is in excellent condition. This is going to be my Sunday and sunny day’s only car. These are so underrated as they are quick with go cart like handing with even better drivability than the M3 on UK roads.
If you are wondering why facelift 325Ti Sport Compacts are hard to come by its because there are only 70 left according to the DVLA. Only 16 are 2004 and models, the rest from March 2003. I have records of 31 known cars with very few being in good condition.
I can see them being sought after and may become a cult car soon if not already.
My first BMW in 2005 was a 2004 320td SE Compact because it made more financial sense for business mileage rates. I really liked it but replaced it in 2008 with a pre-registered 2007 123d SE Dynamic that had the M-Sport seats and suspension but not the bigger wheels and external styling and loved it. Rear passenger space might have been tighter, but with 5 doors was more easily accessed!
Then in 2014 when I wasn't doing business miles any more I treated myself to a Z4 Coupe (that has since been replaced with a Z4M Coupe) but needed a "sensible" daily for elderly parent taxi duty and managed to find a 2002 325ti Sport Compact on just 80K miles - but the rear wiper had already died!
That's when I realised I should have bought a 325ti instead of the 320td.
I probably should have kept it instead of selling for about £1,500 in 2018. Its current replacement is a 2005 330iSE which is great, but like your 130i experience it isn't nearly as involving as the 325ti was - it's just too refined, although being an early one at least it does have HPAS unlike the facelift 130is.
On the topic of tailgate struts they seem to be a bit of a minefield. The struts on early cars and facelifts are different lengths and I think there are two different parts for both generations. Weaker ones for cars without the storage pack parcel shelf and stronger ones for cars with storage.
And I remember seeing an 05 plate low mileage 325ti Sport advertised a few years ago so at least one exists!
I still miss my Imola Red 325ti Sport.
Astburycompact2 said:
Facelift model 325Ti Compact - How many did they sell?!
According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
There are certainly 2005 registered Sport Compacts about - some are on SORN though and I wouldn’t place too much stock in the DVLA/Howmanyleft figures According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
Astburycompact2 said:
Facelift model 325Ti Compact - How many did they sell?!
According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
Was it a DVLA sales register or just the number that were registered?According to the DVLA figures they sold 106 in 2003 but up to March they would have been prefacelift models
So assume that 16 were sold before March then it would leave 90
In 2004 they sold a further 17 giving an approximate total count of 107 facelift E46 325Ti Sport Compacts sold in the UK
When you realise that there are still 70 left then the attrition rate is not bad
I also have a 2005 registered car on my list ???
There is also an anomaly that 1 car was registered between 2006 and 2007 !!!! probably false accounting
If the latter, the 2006/7 car could have been a japanese import, maybe.
On the topic of tailgate struts they seem to be a bit of a minefield. The struts on early cars and facelifts are different lengths and I think there are two different parts for both generations. Weaker ones for cars without the storage pack parcel shelf and stronger ones for cars with storage.
There are also 2 different pressures and 2 different lengths for the struts depending on age and the rear parcel shelf. But they should last longer than 12 months no matter what, as I feel as though I have been scammed by BMW
There are also 2 different pressures and 2 different lengths for the struts depending on age and the rear parcel shelf. But they should last longer than 12 months no matter what, as I feel as though I have been scammed by BMW
Astburycompact2 said:
On the topic of tailgate struts they seem to be a bit of a minefield. The struts on early cars and facelifts are different lengths and I think there are two different parts for both generations. Weaker ones for cars without the storage pack parcel shelf and stronger ones for cars with storage.
There are also 2 different pressures and 2 different lengths for the struts depending on age and the rear parcel shelf. But they should last longer than 12 months no matter what, as I feel as though I have been scammed by BMW
What type have you got? self opening (lifts tailgate unaided) or standard lift version?There are also 2 different pressures and 2 different lengths for the struts depending on age and the rear parcel shelf. But they should last longer than 12 months no matter what, as I feel as though I have been scammed by BMW
I know from experience the self opening version can be a pain especially on colder days, so i've gone to taking them off in the winter and putting on some standard versions which i picked up cheap from eurocarparts, to be honest i didn't even know they did different lengths, weaker or stronger versions, ecp ones just said fitment e46 compact.
dubster2007 said:
What type have you got? self opening (lifts tailgate unaided) or standard lift version?
I know from experience the self opening version can be a pain especially on colder days, so i've gone to taking them off in the winter and putting on some standard versions which i picked up cheap from eurocarparts, to be honest i didn't even know they did different lengths, weaker or stronger versions, ecp ones just said fitment e46 compact.
FWIW I never had a problem with the self-opening ones on my facelift Compact but then I did sell it before it was 4 years old! I know from experience the self opening version can be a pain especially on colder days, so i've gone to taking them off in the winter and putting on some standard versions which i picked up cheap from eurocarparts, to be honest i didn't even know they did different lengths, weaker or stronger versions, ecp ones just said fitment e46 compact.
My pre-facelift was 12 when I got it and had been fitted with the non self opening ones. I might have swapped them with my nephews self-opening ones when he sold it, but it was a facelift so they were a different length.
That's one of the problems buying parts like that from ECP IME. Sometimes it's better to bite the bullet and go to BMW! SGS Engineering seem to specialise in struts though so it might be worth an enquiry.
Mr Tidy said:
FWIW I never had a problem with the self-opening ones on my facelift Compact but then I did sell it before it was 4 years old!
My pre-facelift was 12 when I got it and had been fitted with the non self opening ones. I might have swapped them with my nephews self-opening ones when he sold it, but it was a facelift so they were a different length.
That's one of the problems buying parts like that from ECP IME. Sometimes it's better to bite the bullet and go to BMW! SGS Engineering seem to specialise in struts though so it might be worth an enquiry.
I've had three sets of the self opening ones.First were the originals and they weren't working great when i got car in 2018, perfect on hotter days, but when it got cold they started stopping halfway on self lifting so needed help.The second set brand new bmw did the exactly the same on cold days, lived with them for a year or two.Cotswolds had a offer on a new set which were cheap enough to try a third time lucky, but again they did the same which was bloody annoying.My pre-facelift was 12 when I got it and had been fitted with the non self opening ones. I might have swapped them with my nephews self-opening ones when he sold it, but it was a facelift so they were a different length.
That's one of the problems buying parts like that from ECP IME. Sometimes it's better to bite the bullet and go to BMW! SGS Engineering seem to specialise in struts though so it might be worth an enquiry.
Came to the conclusion the oil in them must get thicker in colder weather which makes them problematic, but as you said they were fine for you, so anyones guess why they are problematic for me.
Agree, ecp can be hit and miss, but sometimes deals pop up like the tailgate struts which i think cost me less than a fiver pair and theyve been perfect for last two winters.
What does everybody do for exhaust?
Options are a bit limited since the rear half of the exhaust is specific to the 325ti. I hate a loud car (still have the stock exhaust on my M3 and love it) but I do want my 330ti to be slightly louder. I was thinking of deleting the resonator just before the rear muffler and seeing how it sounds. Anyone done it?
Options are a bit limited since the rear half of the exhaust is specific to the 325ti. I hate a loud car (still have the stock exhaust on my M3 and love it) but I do want my 330ti to be slightly louder. I was thinking of deleting the resonator just before the rear muffler and seeing how it sounds. Anyone done it?
jj. said:
Thoglan said:
Very surprising, how is your car optioned? Sunroof, rear wiper, etc?
Nope none of that....! 
jj
My issue is I drive once a year to the Nurburgring and the thought of doing that in a completely stripped car isn't that appealing. If a fully stripped car is coming in at that weight I might not bother. I was expecting alot less
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