The E46 325ti Appreciation Thread

[BigTom85]

Well, as a few of us seem to have overwhelmed eThomas's Readers' Rides thread, with general 325ti love and banter, here is a new thread for 325ti related stuff.

Fill yer boots.

Mr Tidy said:

Mine is a Sport so has the 17 inch 97M staggered wheels (7.5 front/8.5 rear) and it handles fine.

Certainly as good as the SE I found for my nephew that just has the standard 16 inchers but probably with more grip.

Not keen on the pre-facelift lights either, but as mine is red I think they look OK.

Maybe we need a dedicated 325ti thread!

I'm definitely binning the pre-facelift lights.

It looks like I'm already sorted for winter with some 16" Style 45s, and some nearly new Vredestein Snowtrac 3s, maybe I'll just get some decent rubber for the MV1s and be done with it.

I'd love to see some pics of a compact on style 89s though, gut feeling is that they'd really suit it.

Edited by BigTom85 on Friday 21st August 17:10

[stepmeek]

Anyone want to sell me theirs yet!?

Still looking, very rare wee cars it seems. Keep looking at type r's instead as there are so many around but determined to hold out for the little BMW

[BigTom85]

stepmeek said:

Anyone want to sell me theirs yet!?

Still looking, very rare wee cars it seems. Keep looking at type r's instead as there are so many around but determined to hold out for the little BMW

Are you holding out for a Sport? 2004 with 6 speed etc? Having driven one I reckon the 6 speed gearbox isn't necessary by any stretch, and makes DMF/clutch replacement considerably more expensive later down the line. Also, all 325tis came with sport suspension and sport seats, leaving just the cosmetic differences between the models.

I'm trying to get hold of a brochure to find out the actual spec differences.

[stepmeek]

Not necessarily no. Just looking for a well looked after example with a manual box. I'm
In Scotland as well so that is hindering me as there has been a few come up but in southern England. There is a red one on e bay just now in Wakefield I'm sure may be tempted to drive down and have a look.

[stepmeek]

Let's see some pictures of everyones then...

[Leins]

My old one - probably should never have sold it, as it was probably the best pound-for-pound car I've owned, in exactly the spec I wanted

[mark.c]

Count me in, cracking little car, I love mine

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, I'm in too.

Brilliant cars!

By the way I have the brochure from when I bought an 04 plate 320td in January 2005 (not one of my better decisions; I had also found a 325ti but went sensible and only test drove the diesel)

Anyway the only differences seem to be the front air dam (foglights on Sport are circular unlike SE which has oblong ones). the rear apron apparently "offers a further enhancement of the cars dynamics", there is an M leather steering wheel and gearknob, black aluminium cube trim for the dash and centre console, the 97M alloys wheels complete with M badges, M script on the chrome sill trims and the standard seat covering was "exclusive Laser cloth / Alcantara" but thankfully mine was specified with full leather.

All 325s had the Sport seats and suspension fortunately, unlike E46 coupes where all SEs, even 330iss had the standard ones strangely.

Anyway, more photos!

[Mr Tidy]

Oh, couldn't get the second photo to load so trying again.



Success!

Didn't know the 6 speed made a clutch change more expensive - I'd still like a 6 speeder though as mine spends nearly half it's time on NSL or motorways and with the 5 speed it's pulling 3,000 rpm as soon as it gets to 70 mph.

[BigTom85]

3krpm at 70mph isn't exactly screaming, I agree I think I'd prefer a 6 speed, I just got impatient waiting and so far I don't regret it.

What does a 6 speeder pull at 70mph?

Been for a 40 mile thrash in line this evening for the fun of it. A nice mix of flowing B roads and tighter C roads. I can't remember the last time I had as much fun in a car.

If you look purely at numbers or outright pace then there are better cars for sure, but for outright fun it takes some beating.

[Mr Tidy]

BigTom85, you are so right about fun factor!

They just seem such a bargain compared to other E46 models, even though all the other body styles seem to rot!

My nephew drove mine earlier this year and decided he wanted one - I found him an 03 plate facelift SE in black with cream full leather and rare electric sunroof (was tempted to claim it myself and give him mine!) and I think it was running about 2,500 rpm at 70 in 6th when I drove it back.

The only car I can think of as a suitable replacement is a 130i for the blend of performance and practicality, plus of course RWD but they aren't cheap! Probably because they seem to get a lot of love on here, but I suppose that is understandable.

[BigTom85]

I gave mine an interrogation with my BMW diagnostics kit today and the only code is relating to a dodgy oil temp sensor, which I'm delighted with (a new sensor was included in the sale). Changed a few Car/Key Memory options with Progman too.

A few pics









I'm hoping to remove the aftermarket tints tomorrow.

I'm also a bit gutted that the plate on it is the original and is non-transferrable. Looks like I'm stuck with the Ledge plate for the time being

Off for a drive in a bit.

[BigTom85]

Any thoughts on the silver 'Titan Line' trims? Do I keep them silver, paint them body colour, or satin black? I'm undecided, but I'm not massively keen on the silver for sure.

[ethomas]

Leins said:

My old one - probably should never have sold it, as it was probably the best pound-for-pound car I've owned, in exactly the spec I wanted

That look exactly like mine! Silver grey (A08) facelift Sport with the same alloys (staggered 18s, don't know the name).

[Leins]

ethomas said:

That look exactly like mine! Silver grey (A08) facelift Sport with the same alloys (staggered 18s, don't know the name).

Those wheels are MV2s

I was the second owner of this car, bought when it was 18 months old from Synter Nottingham on 7k miles. I still remember the drive back with it over the Cat & Fiddle, loving every minute of it, and the only thing that overtook me all day was an Enzo Ended up putting another 60k miles on it over nearly 4 years, mostly trouble-free. Traded it in for a 335d in Chester back in 2009, but don't know what happened it

I've a bit of a thing for Silver Grey E46s, and currently on my third one, all of which were first registered within a month of each other. I know many don't like grey, but I've always been a fan of this particular colour

Edited by Leins on Saturday 22 August 23:42

[BigTom85]

Silver grey is an awesome colour!!

Did another 80 miles for the fun of it last night. It's just so easy to drive quickly, it's intuitive. It's my 38th car and I can't remember anything else I've had that was so easy to exploit!

[ethomas]

Leins said:

I was the second owner of this car, bought when it was 18 months old from Synter Nottingham on 7k miles. I still remember the drive back with it over the Cat & Fiddle, loving every minute of it, and the only thing that overtook me all day was an Enzo Ended up putting another 60k miles on it over nearly 4 years, mostly trouble-free. Traded it in for a 335d in Chester back in 2009, but don't know what happened it

I spotted a Silbergrau 325ti coming out of Tesco near Woodford this afternoon, I am pretty sure it was this one, as it had the same numberplate prefix (FG53)! Weird weird weird coincidence

[Leins]

ethomas said:

I spotted a Silbergrau 325ti coming out of Tesco near Woodford this afternoon, I am pretty sure it was this one, as it had the same numberplate prefix (FG53)! Weird weird weird coincidence

Ha, what are the chances?!!! Must be it, as can't imagine there were two sold at that time in Nottingham. Never saw another SG 325ti myself all the time I had it

[Mr Tidy]

BigTom85, that colour combination is terrific, and you have the optional full leather!

I think the grey leather would have looked great in mine as a nice contrast with Imola Red, but at least it has full black leather.

Hope you had a great drive with a good soundtrack!

[BigTom85]

Mr Tidy said:

BigTom85, that colour combination is terrific, and you have the optional full leather!

I think the grey leather would have looked great in mine as a nice contrast with Imola Red, but at least it has full black leather.

Hope you had a great drive with a good soundtrack!

I'm delighted with it for sure. I even like the wood effect plastic

It really is a naughty car to drive, I bloody love it.