I'm going to buy E46 325ti (saving money now)

[ekMpower]

Hi guys I'm new here but I own my 318ti over 4 years now !! finaly I found my heaven it has every info i ever wanted
anyways back to the topic, I got a 99' 318ti with 110k on the odo (I brought it with 35k in 2001 ) and it DID NOT fail anything its a nice little fast car.
Therefor I plan to buy e46 325ti on near future (less then 2 years from now)
and as I do some reserch it is possible to buy it from your local bmw dealer.
I'm looking forward to own one THE ONLY ONE IN CAIL
My friend in asia told me its extremely fun car to drive I will take whatever it takes to own one!!!

[bmw///m3///]

for what I hear if bmw already doesnt import them there is a $10k nationalization tax.

not sure if right but I know its not easy. The easiest way to import is to t say its a race car, but you should talk to dealership and an import referee.

update us on how it goes. Ive always wanted the e46 ti///

[ekMpower]

Thx for the tips yes its not a easy task but just think about once u drive the e46 ti out of your local bmw dealer ........ It will turn heads everywhere u go
more fun then driving e46m3

[Panzer_M]

in two years I don't think BMW will be making the E46 Ti

1. cause the e90 is rolling out now

2. the induction of the 1series has pretty much ended the 3ser Hatchback

[bmw///m3///]

youd pay an extra $10k for that unique experience??

I briefly looked into it , seems to be very,very difficult and almost not possible unless you like to fork over alot of extra cash$$$

[ekMpower]

yea I know it kinda sux u pay little and having fun on e36ti's but u gata pay 3x more for e46ti's
but still if it was replaced my new 1 then maybe i'll buy used e46ti, but on that I dun't know have to go dealer again .......

[ChrisS]

If you're going to all the trouble of importing an E46 ti, then may I suggest getting something other than any old E46 ti? How about.... http://www.hartge.de/html/e46compactuk.html

[ekMpower]

WOW..... Hartge is crazy about power putting 400 HP v8 on a little ti

I like lumma body kid ti tho, I like to upload some pics but file too large wont allow me to do so
here it is http://www.lumma-tuning.de/ not in english.

[durnadupa]

I personally think that the e36 ti is a much better looking car than the e46 ti. I understand your love for the ti hatch and such, but why the e46?! Its headlights look ridiculous, the hood looks terrible, and most of all those tail lights. Take a gander at some of those pictures of the e46 ti. It is a ridiculous looking car that I would never want to drive... e36 ti>e46 ti
But that is my own opinion...

[bmw///m3///]

wait till you actually see one in person...... Im never knew they existed when I went to UK back in 99/2000 and was shocked when I saw them. At first I was like "what the hell is that bmw"? and I still like them.

[Panzer_M]

what about a 2002 touring?

not the year, but the hatch 2002tii

[durnadupa]

Hey I was on the UK BMW site and thought I should let you know that apparently they have stopped selling the E46 Compact, but are selling the new 3-series saloon.
Just thought I would let you know...

Also are there plans to make a E90 Compact, or does the new 1-series overtake that spot for BMW?

[Andrew_Debbie]

Originally Posted by durnadupa

I personally think that the e36 ti is a much better looking car than the e46 ti. I understand your love for the ti hatch and such, but why the e46?! Its headlights look ridiculous, the hood looks terrible, and most of all those tail lights. Take a gander at some of those pictures of the e46 ti. It is a ridiculous looking car that I would never want to drive... e36 ti>e46 ti
But that is my own opinion...

The 318ti is a fun car to own. A used one is a great value for the price.

BUT

We own an e46 325i sedan and an e36/5 318ti. Looks aside, the e46 is a MUCH better car.

Comparing stock to stock, the e46 is faster, quieter, better handling and has a more comfortable ride. Our 325i has a much nicer interior with real leather and real wood. It seats four comfortably and will carry five in a pinch. The seats are more comfortable too. Better factory stereo. Much better climate control. The dash and control layout are better. No more looking way to the right and down for the OBC readout. There are lots of little things that you might not notice right away too. The e46 spare is INSIDE the trunk. The center rear passenger gets a shoulder belt. Central locking does not require the Alarm. Oh and the alarm isn't prone to false triggering the way the e36/5 is.


The only place where the 318ti is a clear winner is cargo carrying and price.

[schussey]

the headlights and rear lights are absolutely hideous. other than that- cool car.

I would still rather have an E46 M3 though....(refering to comment about how E46 Ti is more fun than E46 M3)

-chris

[97Hellrot318ti]

Originally Posted by Andrew_Debbie

The 318ti is a fun car to own. A used one is a great value for the price.

BUT

We own an e46 325i sedan and an e36/5 318ti. Looks aside, the e46 is a MUCH better car.

Comparing stock to stock, the e46 is faster, quieter, better handling and has a more comfortable ride. Our 325i has a much nicer interior with real leather and real wood. It seats four comforably and will carry five in a pinch. The seats are more comforable too. Better factory stereo. Much better climate control. The dash and control layout are better. No more looking way to the right and down for the OBC readout. There are lots of little things that you might not notice right away too. The e46 spare is INSIDE the trunk. The center rear passenger gets a shoulder belt. Central locking does not require the Alarm. Oh and the alarm isn't prone to false triggering the way the e36/5 is.


The only place where the 318ti is a clear winner is cargo carrying and price.

I hear you, but I'm assuming you're talking from experience, as with your own 325i... I've never been in an e46 318ti, just seen pictures, but if the inside differs from a 325 nearly as much as the outside does, than it's really not such a valid comparison. I mean I love the e46 3series cars, but the 46 ti doesn't really have the same charisma, to me. I'm in agreement with the others, with respect to the headlights, and tail ones... and even just the silhouette... it's... just bleh, ugly. The only ones I have seen that look decent are the one's with M-Styling on them.