The Ugly Ducking - E46 325ti
Discussion
Well I bought myself a E46 compact a few months ago... Probably not my wisest choice but my 'bit of a shed' Fiat Brava was getting long in the tooth and I'd been borrowing my Dads E90 320i for a week and decided to take the plunge.
I've always been a fan of 3dr hatches so as much as the compact E46 is seen as the ugly model in the series I quite like it, especially the side profile the headlights are... just squint when you're looking at the front and its ok.
Obviously being a 20+ year old BMW it is generally a nightmare and I was fully expecting this. I immediately had to replace a camshaft sensor after a few weeks of ownership, car did still run but was down on power.
Next I had just filled it up with £100 of petrol only to immediately get a puncture resulting in the tyre going full flat in less than a minute, forced to deploy the spare which was... the original from 2001!
Somehow it still had air in it and as much as driving on a 21 year old tyre is a terrible idea I limped it home (less than 2 miles).
All was well for about a month maybe 2? Driving home from work I got a fair bit of belt squeal, oh well should be fine with any luck it'll just be a set of belts and a tensioner... Few miles later a very small amount of steam coming from the front of the bonnet. Temp gauge is still normal so I plug my OBD in and verify coolant is under 90C, again I limped home, there was no coolant gushing out of anywhere but both drive belts were wet and flinging drops of coolant around everywhere (explains the squeal). After 5mins of idling and inspecting for leaks the lower radiator hose was visibly losing coolant and that was that.
So both radiator hoses ordered and a new thermostat for good measure, I was tempted to do the water pump and I probably should but I might save it for another pay day.
After much swearing I got both radiator hoses off, the thermostat came off with ease in comparison. Its stamped BMW so may well be the original, the gasket was all kinds of minging. Replacement is Wahler which is the OE brand but I couldn't get genuine hoses anywhere physically so got a set of febi. Of course the febi hoses don't fit so £120 for 2 hoses ordered from BMW...
The fuel pump is loud, the handbrake is a mere suggestion and does very little, most of the interior rattles and the wipers are s
t. Much to do still...
I've always been a fan of 3dr hatches so as much as the compact E46 is seen as the ugly model in the series I quite like it, especially the side profile the headlights are... just squint when you're looking at the front and its ok.
Obviously being a 20+ year old BMW it is generally a nightmare and I was fully expecting this. I immediately had to replace a camshaft sensor after a few weeks of ownership, car did still run but was down on power.
Next I had just filled it up with £100 of petrol only to immediately get a puncture resulting in the tyre going full flat in less than a minute, forced to deploy the spare which was... the original from 2001!
Somehow it still had air in it and as much as driving on a 21 year old tyre is a terrible idea I limped it home (less than 2 miles).
All was well for about a month maybe 2? Driving home from work I got a fair bit of belt squeal, oh well should be fine with any luck it'll just be a set of belts and a tensioner... Few miles later a very small amount of steam coming from the front of the bonnet. Temp gauge is still normal so I plug my OBD in and verify coolant is under 90C, again I limped home, there was no coolant gushing out of anywhere but both drive belts were wet and flinging drops of coolant around everywhere (explains the squeal). After 5mins of idling and inspecting for leaks the lower radiator hose was visibly losing coolant and that was that.
So both radiator hoses ordered and a new thermostat for good measure, I was tempted to do the water pump and I probably should but I might save it for another pay day.
After much swearing I got both radiator hoses off, the thermostat came off with ease in comparison. Its stamped BMW so may well be the original, the gasket was all kinds of minging. Replacement is Wahler which is the OE brand but I couldn't get genuine hoses anywhere physically so got a set of febi. Of course the febi hoses don't fit so £120 for 2 hoses ordered from BMW...
The fuel pump is loud, the handbrake is a mere suggestion and does very little, most of the interior rattles and the wipers are s
t. Much to do still...
Good luck with the wee beemer, sounds like an ongoing project 
This reminds me of a Cavalier I once owned. Issues seemed to come along weekly and I spent a lot of time under it. Split hoses were common so I carried a lot of tape, but at one point the plastic junction pipe between hoses split, no fixing that with tape. Then of course there was a snapped clutch cable, these things only seem to happen when you are miles away from home and when I eventually got the car home, it was a right ball ache to change! Still, as an 18 year old, it taught me a lot about running and maintaining a car.
Top man for taking a punt on this thing and still sounding almost positive about it lol!
Top man for taking a punt on this thing and still sounding almost positive about it lol!
Scoobydrew95 said:
Will be keen to follow this, had to give up my 36 318ti M sport due to rust.
To help with interior rattles, get yourself some felt tape. Is an absolute fking godsend. Saved my sanity.
Nice car OP.To help with interior rattles, get yourself some felt tape. Is an absolute f
king godsend. Saved my sanity. I've a half share in an 03 manual 325ti M-Sport which we've owned for a couple of years to do some track days in....I was amazed when we bought our 140k miler for only £850 with service history and it wasn't falling to pieces. Having done plenty of BMW Car Club track days now they are a popular favourite for the fun/£ you can have and you even see zome of the 318ti versions on track which the purists may say are just as good given they are lighter with less weight to stop/throw around.
We've removed the original seats, parcel shelf and spare wheel/carrier and done a few suspension upgrades but even with just coilovers, decent track tyres and uprated front pads and brake fluid if you are inclined to take it on the track you'll be surprised by how much fun it is. They are also quietly appreciating in value now as they become more rare.
I owned one from 2016-2021 and 60k-105k. It was my main car for a couple of years, then did very little miles afterwards. It was solid, and I never did some much as breathe on the cooling system. Did it all, trips abroad, top speed runs in Germany (on the rev limiter in fifth), lots of commuting, and never let me down. Great little car, even if it had challenging looks.
I owned a 2001 325ti (YZ51 YZR….where are you now?) for a few years starting in 2008.
I never really minded the looks, although I never liked the Lexus style rear lights. They upset me more than the fronts. I always thought it was a pretty good to drive and it sounded lovely.
As much as I liked it, it didn’t like me very much! I suffered all of the common E46 problems; water pump, thermostat, split expansion tank, snapped rear springs and a healthy appetite for suspension bushes. At least these don’t rust!
I never really minded the looks, although I never liked the Lexus style rear lights. They upset me more than the fronts. I always thought it was a pretty good to drive and it sounded lovely.
As much as I liked it, it didn’t like me very much! I suffered all of the common E46 problems; water pump, thermostat, split expansion tank, snapped rear springs and a healthy appetite for suspension bushes. At least these don’t rust!
I've had two Compacts, a 2004 320td from 2005 to 2008 then a 2002 325ti Sport from 2014 to 2018. What I learnt from that is that I should have bought a 325ti the first time around. 
While they were probably the worst looking E46 model I just wanted an RWD hatchback so didn't have too many alternatives, and the 325ti was great fun to thrash around - I still miss it now.
I hope you manage to get the niggles sorted out so you can enjoy it. They seem to get some love on here, judging by the number of pages in this thread:- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
While they were probably the worst looking E46 model I just wanted an RWD hatchback so didn't have too many alternatives, and the 325ti was great fun to thrash around - I still miss it now.
I hope you manage to get the niggles sorted out so you can enjoy it. They seem to get some love on here, judging by the number of pages in this thread:- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I had an Imola Red 325ti sport, RE02WPF looks like its a gonna as its not been mot'd for a few years. Great fun car ,Only issue that I had in 18months was the aerial failed and something failed in the drivers door letting water into the interior. Mine was am ex topgear magazine lifer car apparently..
Thanks for the kind words everyone, I really thought there was much hate on the ti but it seems not! Its my first 6 cylinder and it does sound lovely, the only mod I tend to do on my cars is an intake, I just love a bit of induction noise but the 325 really doesn't need it, it sounds excellent just the way it is.
My gold lined radiator hoses (they must be at the price) have arrived so hopefully if I have the time before it gets too dark I might get those fitted today. I need to do a coolant flush as I didn't bother draining the block (who has the time for that) so will be just running some distilled water through it and drain again to try and get the bulk of the old stuff out then top up with OEM BMW stuff.
Fuel pump is next on the list, rear tyres are a must as it had four ditch finders on it at time of purchase, I did both the fronts following my puncture so it no longer tramlines but the rears spin up in the slightest of drizzle and the traction control is very aggressive.
I actually sorted some of the rattles shortly after I first got it, the whole drivers door card was flopping about so I took it off and found almost every clip thing had completely come off the door
So I glued them all back in and reattached, it is much better now but the passenger side needs doing too. The door bins themselves still rattle and there is some sort of rattle coming from the parcel shelf area but I can't see anything obvious.
The rattles all got pushed to the bottom of the list when the cooling system blew up (being honest this actually happened almost a month ago but Christmas was not the time to be mucking about with it...)
My poor 'weekend' car has been pulling daily duty and its really not up to it (doesn't do motorways well)
My gold lined radiator hoses (they must be at the price) have arrived so hopefully if I have the time before it gets too dark I might get those fitted today. I need to do a coolant flush as I didn't bother draining the block (who has the time for that) so will be just running some distilled water through it and drain again to try and get the bulk of the old stuff out then top up with OEM BMW stuff.
Fuel pump is next on the list, rear tyres are a must as it had four ditch finders on it at time of purchase, I did both the fronts following my puncture so it no longer tramlines but the rears spin up in the slightest of drizzle and the traction control is very aggressive.
I actually sorted some of the rattles shortly after I first got it, the whole drivers door card was flopping about so I took it off and found almost every clip thing had completely come off the door
So I glued them all back in and reattached, it is much better now but the passenger side needs doing too. The door bins themselves still rattle and there is some sort of rattle coming from the parcel shelf area but I can't see anything obvious.
The rattles all got pushed to the bottom of the list when the cooling system blew up (being honest this actually happened almost a month ago but Christmas was not the time to be mucking about with it...)
My poor 'weekend' car has been pulling daily duty and its really not up to it (doesn't do motorways well)
Didge3 said:
Thanks for the kind words everyone, I really thought there was much hate on the ti but it seems not! Its my first 6 cylinder and it does sound lovely, the only mod I tend to do on my cars is an intake, I just love a bit of induction noise but the 325 really doesn't need it, it sounds excellent just the way it is.
My gold lined radiator hoses (they must be at the price) have arrived so hopefully if I have the time before it gets too dark I might get those fitted today. I need to do a coolant flush as I didn't bother draining the block (who has the time for that) so will be just running some distilled water through it and drain again to try and get the bulk of the old stuff out then top up with OEM BMW stuff.
Fuel pump is next on the list, rear tyres are a must as it had four ditch finders on it at time of purchase, I did both the fronts following my puncture so it no longer tramlines but the rears spin up in the slightest of drizzle and the traction control is very aggressive.
I actually sorted some of the rattles shortly after I first got it, the whole drivers door card was flopping about so I took it off and found almost every clip thing had completely come off the door
So I glued them all back in and reattached, it is much better now but the passenger side needs doing too. The door bins themselves still rattle and there is some sort of rattle coming from the parcel shelf area but I can't see anything obvious.
The rattles all got pushed to the bottom of the list when the cooling system blew up (being honest this actually happened almost a month ago but Christmas was not the time to be mucking about with it...)
My poor 'weekend' car has been pulling daily duty and its really not up to it (doesn't do motorways well)
How BMW attach their door cards, is truly hateful. Hopefully one day you'll get experience the door opening but the door card left in situe. My gold lined radiator hoses (they must be at the price) have arrived so hopefully if I have the time before it gets too dark I might get those fitted today. I need to do a coolant flush as I didn't bother draining the block (who has the time for that) so will be just running some distilled water through it and drain again to try and get the bulk of the old stuff out then top up with OEM BMW stuff.
Fuel pump is next on the list, rear tyres are a must as it had four ditch finders on it at time of purchase, I did both the fronts following my puncture so it no longer tramlines but the rears spin up in the slightest of drizzle and the traction control is very aggressive.
I actually sorted some of the rattles shortly after I first got it, the whole drivers door card was flopping about so I took it off and found almost every clip thing had completely come off the door
So I glued them all back in and reattached, it is much better now but the passenger side needs doing too. The door bins themselves still rattle and there is some sort of rattle coming from the parcel shelf area but I can't see anything obvious.
The rattles all got pushed to the bottom of the list when the cooling system blew up (being honest this actually happened almost a month ago but Christmas was not the time to be mucking about with it...)
My poor 'weekend' car has been pulling daily duty and its really not up to it (doesn't do motorways well)
Glad they gold lined coolant hose has turned up. Why not grab yourself some cheap gold tape from ebay and really make it feel like it's worth the money you paid?
Scoobydrew95 said:
How BMW attach their door cards, is truly hateful. Hopefully one day you'll get experience the door opening but the door card left in situe.
Glad they gold lined coolant hose has turned up. Why not grab yourself some cheap gold tape from ebay and really make it feel like it's worth the money you paid?
Oh I'm sure it will happen one day with the way this car seems to treat me, the day after the coolant leak I tried to open the bonnet to do so more inspecting only to find it wouldn't open! I had to fanangle a long allen key through the grill and pop the latch. Fortunately a good clean up and regrease and its been fine since.Glad they gold lined coolant hose has turned up. Why not grab yourself some cheap gold tape from ebay and really make it feel like it's worth the money you paid?
I may just go with the gold tape
After days of dark rainy evenings making the prospect of laying on the ground arsing about with the car not very fun I eventually just had to suck it up.
Problem 1, getting the new gold encrusted hoses on was an absolute ball ache. Why BMW can't just use rubber hoses with some jubilee clips like everyone else is beyond me.
After quite literally hours of fighting with this lower hose in the dark and rain I did finally get it connected. In this picture its not actually seated all the way and would simply pull off given a bit of force, I had to lube it up with antifreeze and pray to the hateful BMW gods to actually get it all the way on.
After such a task I couldn't be arsed to look at it again until the weekend when I decided to actually fill and drain it to flush any of the old coolant out.
This went very smoothly, checked all the hoses for leaks and the thermostat housing, all was dry and the fan was cycling correctly all seemed sorted. So I drain the (mostly de-ironized water and the remainder of the old coolant) out and fill up with the proper blue BMW stuff.
Got the car started up again and I'm bleeding the system when suddenly I see coolant dribbling out from the under the car... Check all my hoses again, no leaks looks fine. Start poking about and guess what...
Water pump is pissing out... It had been leak free for the whole flushing process but now its got actual coolant in it that costs ££ it wants to chuck it all over the floor.
So OE water pump ordered (cheaper than my gold encrusted hoses thankfully), might get it done this week...
Problem 1, getting the new gold encrusted hoses on was an absolute ball ache. Why BMW can't just use rubber hoses with some jubilee clips like everyone else is beyond me.
After quite literally hours of fighting with this lower hose in the dark and rain I did finally get it connected. In this picture its not actually seated all the way and would simply pull off given a bit of force, I had to lube it up with antifreeze and pray to the hateful BMW gods to actually get it all the way on.
After such a task I couldn't be arsed to look at it again until the weekend when I decided to actually fill and drain it to flush any of the old coolant out.
This went very smoothly, checked all the hoses for leaks and the thermostat housing, all was dry and the fan was cycling correctly all seemed sorted. So I drain the (mostly de-ironized water and the remainder of the old coolant) out and fill up with the proper blue BMW stuff.
Got the car started up again and I'm bleeding the system when suddenly I see coolant dribbling out from the under the car... Check all my hoses again, no leaks looks fine. Start poking about and guess what...
Water pump is pissing out... It had been leak free for the whole flushing process but now its got actual coolant in it that costs ££ it wants to chuck it all over the floor.
So OE water pump ordered (cheaper than my gold encrusted hoses thankfully), might get it done this week...
Roboticarm said:
My 320d Touring was starting to suffer when I sold it, are the compacts better at resisting the rust than the other 46s ?
Mine is rust free aside from the boot lid where the idiotic design of the rear wash/wipe, when the seals fail which they inevitably will, your boot lid has a nice bath from the inside out so I've a rusty blob beneath the wiper armCompacts do seem to be a bit more rust resistant than any other E46 model for some reason.
Both of the Compacts I owned have current MOTs until April with no mention of any structural rust issues.
When the radiator on my 325ti started leaking at 80K miles as it had bowed at the bottom (less than 6 months after I bought it) I had the whole cooling system refreshed. So radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, temperature sensor, etc.
Anyway I might as well post a gratuitous photo of my 325ti Sport!
Both of the Compacts I owned have current MOTs until April with no mention of any structural rust issues.
When the radiator on my 325ti started leaking at 80K miles as it had bowed at the bottom (less than 6 months after I bought it) I had the whole cooling system refreshed. So radiator, thermostat, expansion tank, temperature sensor, etc.
Anyway I might as well post a gratuitous photo of my 325ti Sport!
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