The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[SPWalter7]

FNG said:

And the answer was, the maf plug wasn’t seated fully home.

Sadly, once it’s plugged in properly the car is back to running crap again. I’ve now cleaned the ICV and replaced the lower intake boot and if anything it’s worse than before.

Reinforces the disappointment I felt when I got the car and it felt stodgy and flat, and nothing like 190bhp. On unplugging the maf it’s miles better - and that’s running a safe (overly rich) map.

So I’ve got a serious air leak problem to sort, and possibly a fked maf.

I hope you get this figured out without too much trouble/cost!

[jonindorset]

My 325ti is off to pastures new. I don't think it will be long before it graces these pages again though 😁 I wish the new owner all the very best with the car 👍

[FNG]

SPWalter7 said:

I hope you get this figured out without too much trouble/cost!

Thanks.

I've re-seated the ICV and intake boots and it's better - broadly back to how it was before I started fiddling with it.

Idle is less stable, which is nicely ironic given I removed the ICV, which was stuck, and cleaned it up til it wasn't!

With the MAF unplugged, it goes very well and pulls strongly. Only at low throttle does it hunt and stutter. I'm not sure if that's cos the MAF is unplugged or cos I have an air leak still.

With it plugged in, it stutters through the lower half of the rev range and is far from happy. I understand that's cos it's running a leaner map which then leans the mixture further if there's an air leak, but it's particularly bad and worse since I replaced the lower intake boot (which I'm certain is fully sealed to the throttle body).

Some reading on e46fanatics has thrown up a possible, which is that a soft-failing MAF can flag a MIL at steady cruising speeds, which has happened a few times over the 7 months I've had the car (fault being both O2 sensors flagging lean running, which is why I was replacing the intake ducts in the first place, as a cheap first port of call - looks like someone has already done it recently though). So have I upset the MAF while fitting the new ducts?

A previous owner has also replaced the cam cover gasket, coil packs and upper intake duct, I suspect trying to fix the same issues I'm seeing. The main other air leak paths are the CCV to dipstick pipe, and the DISA O-ring, but there are also possible leak points under the engine cover and at the back of the engine where a lot of vacuum pipes congregate.

Given it pulls strongly through the rev range at WOT with MAF unplugged I'm thinking it may simply be that the MAF is no good. But it also looks pretty new... no idea whether it's a decent brand or a Chinese special though. A Febi one is 122 quid so not something to be leapt at in haste.

Choices now I think are a smoke test, or get a new MAF. It's that MIL on steady state running that's making me err towards the MAF, but it might also be because it's easier than farting around trying to tame smoke...

[Mark-insert old BMW]

jonindorset said:

My 325ti is off to pastures new. I don't think it will be long before it graces these pages again though ?? I wish the new owner all the very best with the car ??

Part of me still regrets not buying it myself. That said, I'm quite smitten with the E36 so I'm sure I'll be okay.

[jonindorset]

https://twitter.com/PHMattB/status/181184389738520... 😳😁

[Hippea]

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/BMW/325ti/48757

[Thoglan]

FNG said:

Thanks.

I've re-seated the ICV and intake boots and it's better - broadly back to how it was before I started fiddling with it.

Idle is less stable, which is nicely ironic given I removed the ICV, which was stuck, and cleaned it up til it wasn't!

With the MAF unplugged, it goes very well and pulls strongly. Only at low throttle does it hunt and stutter. I'm not sure if that's cos the MAF is unplugged or cos I have an air leak still.

With it plugged in, it stutters through the lower half of the rev range and is far from happy. I understand that's cos it's running a leaner map which then leans the mixture further if there's an air leak, but it's particularly bad and worse since I replaced the lower intake boot (which I'm certain is fully sealed to the throttle body).

Some reading on e46fanatics has thrown up a possible, which is that a soft-failing MAF can flag a MIL at steady cruising speeds, which has happened a few times over the 7 months I've had the car (fault being both O2 sensors flagging lean running, which is why I was replacing the intake ducts in the first place, as a cheap first port of call - looks like someone has already done it recently though). So have I upset the MAF while fitting the new ducts?

A previous owner has also replaced the cam cover gasket, coil packs and upper intake duct, I suspect trying to fix the same issues I'm seeing. The main other air leak paths are the CCV to dipstick pipe, and the DISA O-ring, but there are also possible leak points under the engine cover and at the back of the engine where a lot of vacuum pipes congregate.

Given it pulls strongly through the rev range at WOT with MAF unplugged I'm thinking it may simply be that the MAF is no good. But it also looks pretty new... no idea whether it's a decent brand or a Chinese special though. A Febi one is 122 quid so not something to be leapt at in haste.

Choices now I think are a smoke test, or get a new MAF. It's that MIL on steady state running that's making me err towards the MAF, but it might also be because it's easier than farting around trying to tame smoke...

9 times out of 10 this kind of issue is caused by a vacuum leak. Do a smoke test to confirm or check the usual suspects. Vacuum caps on the back of the manifold, FPR vacuum line, SAP lines, CCV hoses, Dipstick o-ring, etc.

[dhutch]

Hippea said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/BMW/325ti/48757

Nice.

Just 14 left?

[JakeT]

Must be sport models with the facelift. There’s more than 14 around I’m sure of. I sold mine for £1,500 a couple of years ago. Having bought it for 3k and put 45,000 miles on it, it wasn’t bad value at all.

[ferrisbueller]

dhutch said:

Hippea said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/BMW/325ti/48757

Nice.

Just 14 left?

Depends which search term you use, I guess. The DVLA model descriptions are always somewhat inconsistent so data sources like howmanyleft aren't exactly accurate.

[dhutch]

ferrisbueller said:

Depends which search term you use, I guess. The DVLA model descriptions are always somewhat inconsistent so data sources like howmanyleft aren't exactly accurate.

Yeah, sounds like BS or at least bad data/interpretation to me. That said, it am sure it also true that a huge percentage have gone!

[Mark-insert old BMW]

I've owned at least 4 in the past few years and feel confident that there have been more than 14 available 0n eBay whenever I've searched.

There are at least 2 s54 concerted examples on here that just epic. If I had the cash though, I'd have an s14/2.5 powered E36 Compact. A bit like Steve Soper's example.

[dhutch]

dhutch said:

Yeah, sounds like BS or at least bad data/interpretation to me. That said, it am sure it also true that a huge percentage have gone!

Here we go, bit of a extract from 'How many left' for the various entries for the 325 TI as well as the 330 Ci

As suggested, while they are clearly not a common car, any suggestion that the number remaining is in the teens is for the birds!
More like 440 licensed, 465 sorned, even if you exclude the autos.

[FNG]

Thoglan said:

9 times out of 10 this kind of issue is caused by a vacuum leak. Do a smoke test to confirm or check the usual suspects. Vacuum caps on the back of the manifold, FPR vacuum line, SAP lines, CCV hoses, Dipstick o-ring, etc.

Thanks for that. I’ve researched and investigated a number of sources of vacuum leak knowing that these cars are prone to them.

Then hit on the idea of blocking the inlet duct to see if I could hear a leak in the system rather than buy a new MAF.

I removed the airbox, and the maf, then started the engine and put a book over the mouth of the inlet duct. Engine died immediately and I couldn’t hear any leaks. Also the duct kept tight hold of the book for a significant time after engine stopped so I concluded there couldn’t be a leak else it would have let go.

So I bit the bullet, bought a MAF and suddenly the acceleration is there, it feels like it’s got its 190bhp back. It wasn’t very happy just tipping into the throttle so I did a throttle pedal reset routine and it’s now feeling better than it ever has.

So if you’re getting MiL lights on steady cruise and your performance has gone to st, try blocking the intake duct as above, and then think about replacing the MAF.

[Mark-insert old BMW]

FNG said:

Thoglan said:

9 times out of 10 this kind of issue is caused by a vacuum leak. Do a smoke test to confirm or check the usual suspects. Vacuum caps on the back of the manifold, FPR vacuum line, SAP lines, CCV hoses, Dipstick o-ring, etc.

Thanks for that. I’ve researched and investigated a number of sources of vacuum leak knowing that these cars are prone to them.

Then hit on the idea of blocking the inlet duct to see if I could hear a leak in the system rather than buy a new MAF.

I removed the airbox, and the maf, then started the engine and put a book over the mouth of the inlet duct. Engine died immediately and I couldn’t hear any leaks. Also the duct kept tight hold of the book for a significant time after engine stopped so I concluded there couldn’t be a leak else it would have let go.

So I bit the bullet, bought a MAF and suddenly the acceleration is there, it feels like it’s got its 190bhp back. It wasn’t very happy just tipping into the throttle so I did a throttle pedal reset routine and it’s now feeling better than it ever has.

So if you’re getting MiL lights on steady cruise and your performance has gone to st, try blocking the intake duct as above, and then think about replacing the MAF.

Nice. It's not surprising the MAF failed given the age / mileage of the vehicle.

[mike9009]

I was not sure where to post this, but it was suggested I post in here from the classics sub forum....

My FIL passed away earlier this year. He asked his wife to let me have his 1995 BMW 316i compact on his passing. He had it from new, it has done 73k miles and is in good condition (always stored in a garage). It has not had an MOT for two years, but the history is pretty good. It was his pride and joy that he had as a retirement gift to himself. But it is also 150 miles and a ferry journey away from me.

I don't actually need or want another car at the moment, especially something like this car. And don't really want to fill my garage with it. (Too many bikes and bits of furniture....)

It has a private number plate, M6AJW.

But MIL doesn't want to sell it, but needs it moving from their garage as she will shortly be selling the house......

Any ideas to either enthuse me or point me in another direction....


Thanks

Addendum - evidently, when it was last put in the garage, FIL hit the garage entrance. Not sure what the damage is though? My wife is at her mum's this weekend, so will hopefully get some pictures....

[FNG]

Thought I’d post a couple of updates to my Compact in here in case they’re a help to anyone.

Firstly, my seats are a bit tired, and as I wanted to try and get a bit lower in the car if I was replacing them, I started a bit of research. I mean, yes to a pair of leather Recaro CS but no to the price.

I was tempted to go for Recaro wingbacks from a Corsa VXR but couldn’t be sure I’d get enough seat base drop to make it worth the expense. So ended up with a pair of leather seats from a 135i with adjustable bolsters that default to fully tight, which is perfect for me so I didn’t bother trying to electrify the bolsters (it could be done but by bypassing the seat module and rewiring the switch, but meh).

They only needed a mount bracket that I made from 75mm steel strip, and a pair of new bolts on each side. Seat sensing is slightly harder but resolved by taking the occupant sensor from the e46 seat.



Just the drivers side done in this pic but it’s here to show the other change too.

When the car arrived it had the standard wheel fitted, which was just too large so I fitted the Sparco wheel that also came with the car. It’s a little small but changes the feel of the car a lot, makes it feel a lot more chuckable. But I felt it needed something in between, and I also wanted the Sparco for my Fury kit car.

This is a retrimmed Z4 (e85) wheel which has the same dual stage airbag and plugs straight in.



It’s getting alcantara gaiters to match up to the steering wheel, pleased enough with the visual freshen but moreso that the smaller diameter vs the standard e46 wheel just nudges it towards being a bit more fun and throwable, it matches up to the character of the car better.

[dhutch]

mike9009 said:

I was not sure where to post this, but it was suggested I post in here from the classics sub forum....

My FIL passed away earlier this year. He asked his wife to let me have his 1995 BMW 316i compact on his passing. He had it from new, it has done 73k miles and is in good condition (always stored in a garage). It has not had an MOT for two years, but the history is pretty good. It was his pride and joy that he had as a retirement gift to himself. But it is also 150 miles and a ferry journey away from me.

I don't actually need or want another car at the moment, especially something like this car. And don't really want to fill my garage with it. (Too many bikes and bits of furniture....)

It has a private number plate, M6AJW.

But MIL doesn't want to sell it, but needs it moving from their garage as she will shortly be selling the house......

Any ideas to either enthuse me or point me in another direction....


Thanks

Addendum - evidently, when it was last put in the garage, FIL hit the garage entrance. Not sure what the damage is though? My wife is at her mum's this weekend, so will hopefully get some pictures....

I dont know your situation, but I guess it depends how much you and or your wife want to keep the car, what it means to you, how close you are to the MIL, etc. Then the solution could range from an expensive recommissioning and paid for climate controlled storage, through to weighing it in for scrap and blowing the cash on booze.

But the middle ground options include a inexpensive repair to whatever bit he hit the garage with, and hunting around for an local informal covered storage solution. Or finding an enthusiastic future owner and sensitively rehoming it.

But I can certainly feel the pain with having more cars than covered storage provision!