E46 325ti

[E30BeemerLad]

I am going to start making a proper effort to buy a replacement now the chromie has gone.

A 325ti is top of the list and therefore I need to know as much as possible about these turds and what to be looking for.

So indulge me with your knowledge

[E30BeemerLad]

This has caught my eye for the price & mileage, the ad doesn't give much away with the description though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-325- ... 337d1d2a2b

[E30BeemerLad]

This has caught my eye for the price & mileage, the ad doesn't give much away with the description though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-325- ... 337d1d2a2b

[Rav335uk]

That's not bad imo for the price

[capri_rob]

The E36 version is better looking IMO

Bet they're quite nippy though

[e30den]

I have a e46 compact ti as a runabout the only thing wrong with it is the missing two cylinders, buy on condition if it does not feel right on a test drive then its not, these are a modern day e30 but with better handling and creature comforts, have the mileage checked so that you dont get stitched up.

[Rav335uk]

Why not go for an E21 Lee?

[E30BeemerLad]

I've realised I want something more modern for a daily Rav.

The Corrado I looked at today still felt too old

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORRADO-2-9-V ... 416dcba4d1

If I was going to stay old skool I think I would be buying Matt's E28 528i

I had a 316ti years ago when it only had 14k on the clock and whilst being gutless as hell, it felt awesome in the handling dept. The 325ti seems to tick the boxes for me and Dan has previously put naughty thoughts in my head at the "plug & play" simplicity of the M54 B30 or even S54

[Rav335uk]

You could always put an S54 into the E21, it's been done.

Zoners car BTW.

[E30BeemerLad]

Come on Rav, I can't be arsed with the rust on E30's, so an E21 would be taking things a step too far

[Rav335uk]

Steves got a nice one

[leeparkes]

The only thing that puts me off about these is the weight, there not far off an E46 coupe, something daft like 25kg difference.

Fine chariots all the same though and as our Daniel says they are easily made quicker if need be.

[e30topless]

Lee if your going 46 pact then why not go for a 46 328i coupe' ? a much better turd IMO they are good value you will get a really good one for around 2 bags,

or as Rav stated I have a very very solid/shiny peado'd 21 that would love an S52

[Rav335uk]

Topless, you have TXT!!

[e30topless]

Topless, you have TXT!!

if i hadn't left my blower 20 miles away i would probably read it

[Rav335uk]

Coont!

[leeparkes]

Just had a look on Carfolio (is there a more reliable site?)

According to them a 325ti compact is 1480KG,

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/ ... ?car=89320


325i saloon is 1485KG

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/ ... car=280874

[bss325i]

From another thread.

keeping options open on what to do there , how about power do the 330's kick out sum bhp compared to a 325 then ?

Nearly 50bhp more

40.

The M54B25 produces 192bhp and the M54B30 231bhp.

The auto boxes are actually quite reliable and an oil and filter change is wise circa 80-100k despite being "sealed for life".

Suspension

Front wishbone bushes wear out at approx 40-60k depending on wheel size and how the car is driven.

Rear trailing arm bushes wear as to rear shock top mounts.

Rear coil springs are very common for breaking normally at the bottom coil.

Shock absorbers are normally weak by about 100k and a set of Bilstein B4's coupled with some Eibach 35mm springs give a better ride and better handling than the M sport suspension.

Brakes

Calipers a prone to seizing, normally the fronts

Rear brake lines can go rusty and cause the car to fail an MOT. To repair correctly is a pain of a job on a drive way as it involves lowering the fuel tank. Wire brush and wax oil before the get rusty!

Front discs are prone to warping, especially on the 330 which are bigger than all other non M3 brakes.

DSC pressure sensors can fail leading to the ABS and or DSC light being lit. If one is faulty replace the pair as the other one wont be far behind.

Body work

Front wings on coupes and cabrios are prone to going rusty from the inside out, the arch liner rubs the protection away on the inside and crud rusts the wing out. Remove arch liners and wax oil.

Rear arches can get scabby if not cleaned out regular

The rear subframe mounts on the boot floor can crack and rip out, inspect carefully. Earlier cars are more prone.

Engines

We'll stick with the M54 six pot as thats what you asked about.

Oil leaks from the cam cover gasket, oil filter housing seal are the most common although sump gaskets are not unheard of.

Water pump has a plastic impeller which can fail, coolant rads are normally done by 100-120k and bulge out at the bottom.

Running problems and EML warning lights can be caused by a failing cam sensor, failing lambda sensors, blocked cyclone valves, split vacumm pipes and split intake pipes.

Electrical

The heater blower motor resistor (final stage or "Hegehog") can fail causing irratic fan speeds or only working on full speed and/or a battery drain.

Central locking motors can fail and window regulators can get noisey before failing all together.

There more but that should help you out enough.

[bss325i]

And to add that, water pump bearing failure is becoming common in old age with infrequent coolant changes and idler and tensioner pulleys for the drive belts can fail.

Alternators are becoming common now as well.

[E30BeemerLad]

Thanks Barry, I'm on my way to look at one now

[scott180gtb]

Lee my old 325i touring had the the 192bhp donk. A really nice daily but the 330 is about 40bhp up.

Why not a 330i coupé or even a four door/touring.

I don't see the point in the compact if its only 25kg lighter and about 50% uglier.

Are you all better.

Ive been looking at some vag scrap. What about golf GT TDI 150 with a remap you can have 200bhp and 50mpg

DIESEL POWER

[DanThe]

What about golf GT TDI 150 with a remap you can have 200bhp and 50mpg

DIESEL POWER

Do you get a hook on the rear grab handle to hang your office job jacket? How nice are the cup holders and do they look ok against the rest of the BORING CRAP associated with cars like this?

[E30BeemerLad]

I didn't buy the compact. It was a decent enough honest car and the 55k mileage was genuine, but there were too many scuffs and scratches around it and the driver's seat bolster was getting ready to part company with it, so I kept my deposit in my pocket.

Had a drive of it. On light throttle it seemed quite grunty but if you gave it the beans it did seem a bit breathless. Makes me realise how quick the chromie was.

I am swaying towards 330 territory now and think I'll look in that area a bit more, although the compact is not out of the running yet. The blue colour of the one I looked at today is a bit crap.

Scott, I'm all better now thanks, was back at work on Wednesday.

Completely off the wall here, but are E36 M3's in the £3k territory a no-go?

[bss325i]

They are a gamble but you should be able to bag a half decent one of you look hard enough but you may have to wait a while before on worth having turns up at 3k.

3k should net you a nice manual 330 SE in any body shape bar cabrio but I guess a drop is not your bag?

[E30BeemerLad]

Not after a cab mate. I don't mind the saloons to be honest, not seen any sub £3k coupe's yet.

Looking on ebay, autotrader & PH. Anywhere else worth looking?

[capri_rob]

Lee I've got a 330 Auto Touring - even with the spazbox when you give it the beans its bastard quick - a manual one would be epic

[leeparkes]

There's a shitster styled 330ci here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330ci-AC- ... 3ccc2c0bdc


and a sport here.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-BMW-330c ... 20cd069ac6

[scott180gtb]

I keep looking at M3's as well. They seem a lot of bang for your buck at three bags.

How about an S4 or a RS4. Try this from my wish list.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181015902563? ... 1423.l2649

Are you after a sensible daily or something a little different?

[bss325i]

Mate, there are loads. Here are a few that are manuals that a classified ads.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0-2 ... 641&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0i- ... c41&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0i- ... 76a&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-330- ... 25d&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-Ci-Sp ... b22&_uhb=1

[Andyboy]

Compacts don't appear to suffer from the E46 wing rot. The arch is much fatter for starters. E46 Coupes just feel baggy in old age for some reason. The 330i saloon is a fine choice and you must be able to buy a tidy one for 3 grand. A Touring would be even better.

Considered an E39? Something like a manual 530i Sport for example even if most are owned by scummers.

[Andyboy]

Mate, there are loads. Here are a few that are manuals that a classified ads.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0-2 ... 641&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0i- ... c41&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-3-0i- ... 76a&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-330- ... 25d&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330-Ci-Sp ... b22&_uhb=1

Bloody hell - haven't these become cheap?

[bss325i]

There's cheaper out there if you know where to look.

A year and a half ago i was offered a 2001 330CI SE manaul coupe in silver with crusty front wings for £1600 as a trade in at work.

[Andyboy]

Cheapest I've seen is £975 at auction for a Y plate 325i auto, a super clean one as well. Thousands were sold and most are still around.

[E30BeemerLad]

The coupes in my price range do seem like munters to be honest, the saloons look a more classy affair with the chrome around the windows/c pillar.

Think I'll stick to looking at those.

Are the E46 328i's M52 or M54?

[bss325i]

The E46 323i and 328i are M52tu and share more in common with the M54 than the M52.