6-speed manual E46s and 325Ti query
Discussion
I test drove a 2002 325Ti Compact with my wife and we both loved it - why can't all hot hatches have 6 cylinders and rwd? However, we're going to buy a newer 325Ti, probably in Sport trim, now we know we like them.
There haven't been many spec changes since the Sport was introduced (2003 model year, on a 52 plate, I believe). The most notable change was the introduction of the 6-speed manual gearbox for the 2004 model year (started on some 03 plate cars) - at the same time as the rear lights were changed to the subtler red-tinted ones.
The thing is, although I like the red rear lights, I've not tried a 6-speed E46 of any description. The 5-speed 325Ti has quite low gearing (won't manage 60mph in second, for instance, and not much over 20mph/1000rpm in top). I imagine the 6-speed is much the same but with a higher 6th, which would be ideal. Can anyone confirm?
As a slight aside, the 325Ti which we tried had the sport suspension, sports seats and 18" wheels but was a pre-Sport model. Anyone know whether the Sport models have the same springs and dampers as the earlier sport suspension?
There haven't been many spec changes since the Sport was introduced (2003 model year, on a 52 plate, I believe). The most notable change was the introduction of the 6-speed manual gearbox for the 2004 model year (started on some 03 plate cars) - at the same time as the rear lights were changed to the subtler red-tinted ones.
The thing is, although I like the red rear lights, I've not tried a 6-speed E46 of any description. The 5-speed 325Ti has quite low gearing (won't manage 60mph in second, for instance, and not much over 20mph/1000rpm in top). I imagine the 6-speed is much the same but with a higher 6th, which would be ideal. Can anyone confirm?
As a slight aside, the 325Ti which we tried had the sport suspension, sports seats and 18" wheels but was a pre-Sport model. Anyone know whether the Sport models have the same springs and dampers as the earlier sport suspension?
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