The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread
Discussion
To be honest I never bother with covers having seen how they rub the paint on the corners of the car if it gets windy as the cover moves about.
Plus all the outdoor covers I've seen recommend only putting them on when the car is clean and dry, which kind of rules out using the car this time of year!
My 52 plate Compact survived outdoors from 2014 to 2018 with no issues.
Plus all the outdoor covers I've seen recommend only putting them on when the car is clean and dry, which kind of rules out using the car this time of year!
My 52 plate Compact survived outdoors from 2014 to 2018 with no issues.
I used a cover on my M3 but it was a good, tailored fit and didn't move in the wind. I take your point though and their use definitely takes a bit of effort. It's just that I live next to a working farm and there's all manner of detritus being thrown around in the winter months. I intend using Lanoguard as reviews are pretty good.
Anyway, this is now in my possession...
First job is swap out the noisy diff, then replace the rear discs and pads, before fitting some decent tyres.
Anyway, this is now in my possession...
First job is swap out the noisy diff, then replace the rear discs and pads, before fitting some decent tyres.
Sardonicus said:
I have a very healthy known good dif if your interested? let me know what ratio you after and ill check my tag
Thanks but I have one here. I intend fitting an M3 rear eventually with 4:1 but want to sort suspension and brakes first. Anyone running wheel spacers with their OE wheel/tyre combo? Was thinking 15mm rear and 12mm front or thereabouts?
Edited by Mark-insert old BMW on Thursday 21st September 18:43
Late 6 speed in Imola red. I wish this had been around 2 weeks ago!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386151315946?hash=item5...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386151315946?hash=item5...
easy_ said:
Mark-insert old BMW said:
Has anyone run a shorter diff ratio in their 325ti? I was thinking a 4:10 like I had in the M3 and I understand one out of a 4.4i X5 will work?
it already has a short diff ratio?https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Managed to do the back brakes today!
Am really tempted to change the driver seat for something I can mount a few inches lower. I like my OE seats but I hate feeling as if I'm sat ON the car as opposed to IN it and there's no way that I can see to lower the stock seats mounting unfortunately.
Well I made the most of the good weather and took the Compact for a run along the Atlantic Highway up towards Bude today.
When I did the stud conversion I also added 20mm rear and 12mm front hubcentric spacers. It surprised me just what a difference it made to how the Compact feels. It certainly feels sharper on turn in. I like that the rims sit flush now also.
I'd like the ride height to be about 30mm lower but I need to find some decent springs that have a bit more drop than those that are available. I could go with coilovers but I can't afford any decent ones so better to stick with decent springs to complement the Bilstein already fitted.
I want to go get the tracking done tomorrow and had planned on fitting my MoMo steering wheel, although I may wait till after the next MOT in a few weeks. These are such great value for money and they sound lovely. I'm going back up to Barnstaple on Sunday and am really looking forward to it.
When I did the stud conversion I also added 20mm rear and 12mm front hubcentric spacers. It surprised me just what a difference it made to how the Compact feels. It certainly feels sharper on turn in. I like that the rims sit flush now also.
I'd like the ride height to be about 30mm lower but I need to find some decent springs that have a bit more drop than those that are available. I could go with coilovers but I can't afford any decent ones so better to stick with decent springs to complement the Bilstein already fitted.
I want to go get the tracking done tomorrow and had planned on fitting my MoMo steering wheel, although I may wait till after the next MOT in a few weeks. These are such great value for money and they sound lovely. I'm going back up to Barnstaple on Sunday and am really looking forward to it.
I've got a 325ti which i just use for the occasional track day, which actually just seems to be at Goodwood at the moment as a friend works there and hires it for half days, 30 cars max and i find them quite fun and relaxed plus an annual trip to Nurburgring.
Car has m54b30, s50b30 manifold, Gaz Gold suspension, 330 brakes, style 22 wheels, ns2r's etc etc.
Just a word of warning, if you use your car on track I'd recommend getting one of these fitted or google how to secure the nut.
https://hopwoodmotorsport.com/shop/m54pump
I was at Goodwood, luckily i was just by the entrance to the pit and my oil pressure light came on, i came straight in and shut the car off immediately. Luckily my mechanic was there and we had trailered the car down there otherwise it would have been a nightmare. No damage was done.
Also just bought one of these to fit over the winter, i would have loved a Gripper LSD but as it's only a bit of fun and i'm not racing i can't really justify the £1600 + fitting.
https://www.shopbhp.com/collections/blackline-lsd/...
They seem to get reasonable reviews and managed to get one that was a few month old and unboxed for £430 so i thought why not.
Car has m54b30, s50b30 manifold, Gaz Gold suspension, 330 brakes, style 22 wheels, ns2r's etc etc.
Just a word of warning, if you use your car on track I'd recommend getting one of these fitted or google how to secure the nut.
https://hopwoodmotorsport.com/shop/m54pump
I was at Goodwood, luckily i was just by the entrance to the pit and my oil pressure light came on, i came straight in and shut the car off immediately. Luckily my mechanic was there and we had trailered the car down there otherwise it would have been a nightmare. No damage was done.
Also just bought one of these to fit over the winter, i would have loved a Gripper LSD but as it's only a bit of fun and i'm not racing i can't really justify the £1600 + fitting.
https://www.shopbhp.com/collections/blackline-lsd/...
They seem to get reasonable reviews and managed to get one that was a few month old and unboxed for £430 so i thought why not.
Edited by Muzzman on Wednesday 11th October 10:30
To save reading 168 pages could anyone tell me the benefits of a 325Ti over an E36/ E46 325 / 328 / 330 ?
I think it's a tiny bit lighter
Different rack
Lower ratio diff or closer gear ratios
Are there any must do mods ?
I want the most fun car to drive but I could do with 4 doors and the 328 E46 appeals as its the last one with a throttle cable
Although if the Ti is significantly better to drive then the kids will have to cope !
I think it's a tiny bit lighter
Different rack
Lower ratio diff or closer gear ratios
Are there any must do mods ?
I want the most fun car to drive but I could do with 4 doors and the 328 E46 appeals as its the last one with a throttle cable
Although if the Ti is significantly better to drive then the kids will have to cope !
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