Black Betti: 2002 BMW E46 325ti Sport
Discussion
Hi guys,
Here is my 2002 E46 325ti Sport. I bought her in "mint" condition from the first owner on 55k miles. Original spec was:
2002 325ti Sport
Black Sapphire Metallic
Montana Grey leather interior with Carbon Cube trim
Full M Sport exterior package
Full M Sport interior package
BMW Business cassette head unit with 6-disc rear stacker
18" MV1 staggered alloys
As you can see, I've made a few changes.
I've had a few bits die on me, like the front right caliper, a snapped rear spring, and a collapsed rear shock (explains the harsh ride it used to have) but it's been mostly trouble-free motoring for the past three years.
I'm now up to roughly 84k miles, and love driving this gem of a car. In my opinion - and yes I'm totally biased - a completely underrated car, and one worth more than it's fair share of credit. When set up right they handle like a go kart, and the 192hp is more than enough to give some big smiles through the twisty stuff.
I've got plans to source an inlet manifold, throttle body, and MAF from an M54B30 (already have the injectors), install and remap, which should hopefully see 15-20hp gains. I've also been speaking to a fabrication company about a full custom exhaust, from manifold through to rear muffler, which should again see more improvements. Other plans include a custom-built carbon fibre strut brace I've designed and I'm building myself, a lug nut conversion, and a partial interio strip for track day weight savings.
Here is my 2002 E46 325ti Sport. I bought her in "mint" condition from the first owner on 55k miles. Original spec was:
2002 325ti Sport
Black Sapphire Metallic
Montana Grey leather interior with Carbon Cube trim
Full M Sport exterior package
Full M Sport interior package
BMW Business cassette head unit with 6-disc rear stacker
18" MV1 staggered alloys
As you can see, I've made a few changes.
- Cades Tora 18x8J ET35/18x9J ET40
- Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 225/40/R18 / 255/35/R18
- H&R Sport Cupkit suspension (OEM fitment, but lower and stiffer)
- MTEC grooved/dimpled discs all round, with Textar pads (for now) and painted calipers
- Strongflex Sport poly bushes - rear top mounts, rear trailing arms, rear anti roll bar bushes
- Mishimoto silicone intake boot
- Rear wiper delete
- Alpine CD/MP3/USB/Aux head unit, and rear stacker delete
- E60 545i short shifter, ZHP-style gear knob
- SMD angel eyes
- Facelift tail lights
I've had a few bits die on me, like the front right caliper, a snapped rear spring, and a collapsed rear shock (explains the harsh ride it used to have) but it's been mostly trouble-free motoring for the past three years.
I'm now up to roughly 84k miles, and love driving this gem of a car. In my opinion - and yes I'm totally biased - a completely underrated car, and one worth more than it's fair share of credit. When set up right they handle like a go kart, and the 192hp is more than enough to give some big smiles through the twisty stuff.
I've got plans to source an inlet manifold, throttle body, and MAF from an M54B30 (already have the injectors), install and remap, which should hopefully see 15-20hp gains. I've also been speaking to a fabrication company about a full custom exhaust, from manifold through to rear muffler, which should again see more improvements. Other plans include a custom-built carbon fibre strut brace I've designed and I'm building myself, a lug nut conversion, and a partial interio strip for track day weight savings.
sixpistons said:
This looks like great. Small car + 6 pot engine is always a winning recipe and the tweaks you've done have done wonders for the slightly awkward looks of the standard compact.
Thanks! I've tried to stay true to the original design but just tidy it up and get rid of some of the less desirable features. I think it's getting there!Mr Tidy said:
Great example of a fantastic car OP! 
I may be a little biased though as I have had this one 2 and a half years:-
No modifications to mine as it is a daily driver - plus I quite like the pre-facelift rear lights on a red car!
I had the banana radiator scenario soon after I bought it and needed a new PAS pipe last year, but other than that it has been a laugh a minute.
It is now on 97K miles but still drives great - I really don't know what I could buy as a replacement without spending loads more!
I was looking at getting an Imola Red 325ti Sport when I found this one. I do love the colour, but they tend to fade if you don't have some shelter for them. Looks lovely though!I may be a little biased though as I have had this one 2 and a half years:-
No modifications to mine as it is a daily driver - plus I quite like the pre-facelift rear lights on a red car!
I had the banana radiator scenario soon after I bought it and needed a new PAS pipe last year, but other than that it has been a laugh a minute.
It is now on 97K miles but still drives great - I really don't know what I could buy as a replacement without spending loads more!
I've picked up the aluminium mounts for my custom-build carbon fibre front strut brace. These have been machined from AL7075, silver hard anodized (although it comes out more like titanium) and I'm making some small adjustments to the hole bores. The drawings showed 9mm holes, when they should have actually been 10mm holes, so a little bit of a bore-out and they should fit nicely.
Next step is to finish off the mould for the brace, then lay up the first brace.
Next step is to finish off the mould for the brace, then lay up the first brace.
CaptainMorgan said:
I've always had a itch for one of these, I'm tempted with one as track toy.
They look so much better with the Sport exterior bits and those wheels really suit it! Nice work, I'm a fan of subtle mods, your car ticks all the boxes for me.
Thanks! I'm not one for in-your-face or over-the-top mods. Subtle stuff which improves it is all you need really. They look so much better with the Sport exterior bits and those wheels really suit it! Nice work, I'm a fan of subtle mods, your car ticks all the boxes for me.
I'm planning on doing some track days. I've heard good things.
TimeFlies said:
Lovely, especialy that 3/4 shot of the rear, wide wheels and a short rear over hang just looks soooo right.
Only thing I'd change is debadge it and detail it, black shows of the swirls.
Black shows off pretty much everything! It's a nightmare of a colour to keep clean and tidy. But when you get it right... Only thing I'd change is debadge it and detail it, black shows of the swirls.
DonaldTrump said:
Looks good OP. I just bought myself a 325ci to use as my daily. 5 days into ownership and loving it.
How are you liking it now you're a few weeks in? Still loving it??ethomas said:
I wouldn't touch the K&N panel filter. They are no more free flowing than the paper filter, don't add power, and have a reputation for covering the MAF sensor in K&N oil.
Are any of the other panel filters worth fitting? Not looking for more power, just a little more induction noise. Lets be honest, a new filter isn't going to give noticeable gains...Krikkit said:
To be honest the OEM airbox will be so heavily de-resonated etc you probably won't get much noise out of it, I'd be looking at alternative airboxes. It'll probably hurt power a fraction, but noise is always worth a couple of hp!
Could always do the panel filter and get the hole saw out on the bottom of the air box?
turboflutter said:
Never been a fan of compacts in general but these are growing on me! Just got an e39 530i, had an e46 325ci before so I am familiar with the M54s, this era of BMWs is very very good value for money right now.
Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
The reason I'm not dropping a B30 in mine is the effort/benefit value doesn't compute well, so I'd rather save the money for other mods and the E28 I really want. If I was going to do an engine swap it would be for something out of an M, or a 5er V8, but I don't see the point of committing to an engine swap for 40hp. It would be much more fun to throw a single turbo at it!Very choice mods I'm sure they'll bring everything together nicely. Also have to ask but any reason you're not swapping the M54B30 into it? Might work out a better overall proposition and with a remap it'll be easy power compared to B25 tuning.
turboflutter said:
Completely understandable and valid points. Single turbo would be hilarious - I've been having similar thoughts about mine but need to hold off as I know it won't be a cheap nor easy task and I'm enjoying it far too much standard for the moment!
Someone's gotta do it at some stage. It's inevitable! Unfortunately looks like I've got some rather expensive, labour-intensive bits to get done soon.
My clutch is noisy when I press the clutch pedal (a bit of a squeak audible outside when in gear and pressing the clutch) which my local indy thinks is the clutch release bearing. I got in touch with my mechanic and he's suggested doing the bearing, clutch and flywheel at the same time. It's a few hours labour, and the parts are around £400+...
Then there's the pirate ship creak which is now progressing to something a little more like a clunk. When passing slowly (<15mph) over roads where the camber changes fairly suddenly I get a bit of a creak/clunk out of the rear end. I changed the anti-roll bar bushes a few months thinking it was them - one of the bushes was completely melted onto the anti-roll bar! - but turns out that hasn't remedied the symptoms. So I've got a feeling I'm going to need to replace the diff mount bushes and the subframe bushes (they're all in the same area so might as well do them all together) and slap in some poly bushes for good measure. But again, that's a few hours labour which I can't do at home...
And lastly I think the front control arm bushes have given up. Driving at over 40mph on roads where there's changeable surface gradients the car gets really twitchy - to the point where I'm fighting the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line! And over 70mph I've got a bit of a steering wheel wobble going on. Tell tale signs of front bush degradation!
A couple of the smaller bits I need to get done at the moment:
My clutch is noisy when I press the clutch pedal (a bit of a squeak audible outside when in gear and pressing the clutch) which my local indy thinks is the clutch release bearing. I got in touch with my mechanic and he's suggested doing the bearing, clutch and flywheel at the same time. It's a few hours labour, and the parts are around £400+...
Then there's the pirate ship creak which is now progressing to something a little more like a clunk. When passing slowly (<15mph) over roads where the camber changes fairly suddenly I get a bit of a creak/clunk out of the rear end. I changed the anti-roll bar bushes a few months thinking it was them - one of the bushes was completely melted onto the anti-roll bar! - but turns out that hasn't remedied the symptoms. So I've got a feeling I'm going to need to replace the diff mount bushes and the subframe bushes (they're all in the same area so might as well do them all together) and slap in some poly bushes for good measure. But again, that's a few hours labour which I can't do at home...
And lastly I think the front control arm bushes have given up. Driving at over 40mph on roads where there's changeable surface gradients the car gets really twitchy - to the point where I'm fighting the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line! And over 70mph I've got a bit of a steering wheel wobble going on. Tell tale signs of front bush degradation!
A couple of the smaller bits I need to get done at the moment:
- Coolant system - an intermittent problem where the radiator warning light comes on at motorway speeds and turns off after 5 minutes, not to be seen again for weeks.
- Idle Control Valve - need to pull it out and check it/clean it. Hopefully not replace it.
- Leather - needs some attention, maybe a restoration kit?
In for poly bush upgrades in the morning. Ordered rear trailing arm and front control arm bushes from Strongflex (went for the yellow Sport compound). Hopefully the RTABs will eradicate the pirate ship creak, and the FCABs will sort out the sketchy handling on B roads.
Also have a new panel filter to install, and ordered some leather restorer to sort out my rather haggard leather. Tonight she'll get a good clean, maybe a polish and wax if I have the chance, and be looking sweet for 5 minutes or so!!
Also have a new panel filter to install, and ordered some leather restorer to sort out my rather haggard leather. Tonight she'll get a good clean, maybe a polish and wax if I have the chance, and be looking sweet for 5 minutes or so!!
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