E46 325i sport

[beautymeanswheels]

Been looking at e46 325s recently. Given up on e30s as can't find a sport for a good enough price!

Looking at a 2004 (54) 325i sport. I was under the impression that after 2003 the cars came with a 6 speed gearbox as standard? This car has a 5 speed which is puzzling me!

I don't get it?!

[bss325i]

330i, 330d and 320d do, not 325i.

[beautymeanswheels]

So all e46 325i were 5 speed?

[bss325i]

Yep.

[Morat]

Barry, did the six speed box in the facelift 330s models have the same ratios 1-5 as the prefacelift 5 speed or did they rejig the ratios throughout the box?

[bss325i]

330i

5 Speed 6 speed

1st 4.21 4.35
2nd 2.49 2.5
3rd 1.66 1.66
4th 1.24 1.23
5th 1.00 1.00

[leeparkes]

What ratio is 6th, 0.81?

[bss325i]

Oops, its 0.85

[Morat]

Thanks
So 6th really is an overdrive fur das autobahn.

[pnd]

surely an e36 is closer to an e30 these e46's are lardy cruisers really.

[leeparkes]

Would one of these 6 speeds along with the clutch, fly etc bolt up to a M52?

[bss325i]

surely an e36 is closer to an e30 these e46's are lardy cruisers really.

E46's are basically an evolution of the e36. They share the same chassis and axel design along with the the basic layout of the cars electrical system among other things.

Model for model they are not much heavier and are far from being a lardy cruiser. Quite the opposite in fact.

[bss325i]

Would one of these 6 speeds along with the clutch, fly etc bolt up to a M52?

Yes mate.

[pnd]

surely an e36 is closer to an e30 these e46's are lardy cruisers really.

E46's are basically an evolution of the e36. They share the same chassis and axel design along with the the basic layout of the cars electrical system among other things.

Model for model they are not much heavier and are far from being a lardy cruiser. Quite the opposite in fact.

the 330i i have is compared to my e30!

[bss325i]

We obviously an e46 is a lot heavier than an e30 but e36's are too!

The point I was trying to make was that e46's are closer to e36's that e36's are to e30's.

[Morat]

and they still go where they are told!
E39 is a bit of a bus (although entertaining) E46 is a very pointy car, but the E30 has great steering feel.

[bootyman]

We obviously an e46 is a lot heavier than an e30 but e36's are too!

The point I was trying to make was that e46's are closer to e36's that e36's are to e30's.

I'm fortunate to have all 3 and i have to admit the E36 is a lovely car and cheap as chips these days which is not always good, because now they are affordable to the Chav's who buy them and dont look after them. It's made it hard to find a decent one now. E46 compare to the E36 is night and day to me. Faster and more comfortable and drives great. Saying that all my cars are highly modded with quality coil-overs, anti roll bars etc, so to be honest i have no idea how the 3 cars compare to each other in standard guise

[Fal_325i]

We obviously an e46 is a lot heavier than an e30 but e36's are too!

The point I was trying to make was that e46's are closer to e36's that e36's are to e30's.

I'm fortunate to have all 3 and i have to admit the E36 is a lovely car and cheap as chips these days which is not always good, because now they are affordable to the Chav's who buy them and dont look after them. It's made it hard to find a decent one now. E46 compare to the E36 is night and day to me. Faster and more comfortable and drives great. Saying that all my cars are highly modded with quality coil-overs, anti roll bars etc, so to be honest i have no idea how the 3 cars compare to each other in standard guise

Show off!

[bss325i]

I have owned several e30's, e36's and e46's and more than once have owned one of each at the same time. Mostly standard unmolested examples.

I have also driven and worked on countless examples of all three in various states so I would say I have a fair idea.

I agree though that an e46 is more refined than an e36.