BMW 325ti Compact M3 Conversion

[BMWZ4MC]

For those of us who’ve owned an E46 three series Compact and see it as a light-weight coupe rather than an odd-looking hatchback, this is an excellent thread detailing a conversion to S54 and M3 running gear. It’s worth reading to appreciate the fabrication skills alone:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1749338&p=1

 

[philbo909]

Really good level of work there, I'm very slowly warming to these compacts...

 

[Mr Tidy]

Really good level of work there, I'm very slowly warming to these compacts...

It is a great modification, and an E46 325ti is a good starting point!

I had a 325ti Sport Compact for just over 3 years, but this year I replaced it with an E91 325i for practicality. :roll:

 

[craig3.2]

Looks a great bit of work getting done,fantastic engineering/fabrication work
Look forward to seeing the finished product

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I had a 320d as a daily driver when I was commuting 100 miles a day so didn’t want to use my Zed. It was really torquey and handled brilliantly with a neutral balance that could be encouraged into oversteer. Mine was the facelift version with coloured rear lights and different side skirts as well as the M sport wheels from the 325ti. I fitted spacers and it actually looked ok too.

Apart from a new clutch at 140k miles and a split turbo hose it was indestructible (although the swirl flaps had been removed early in its life as they can break up and, if the pieces are ingested, it can kill the engine). I ended up running it for a few years and the cost saving in fuel had paid for the car by the time I sold it.

I replaced it with an S2000 as my ‘practical’ commuting car, so I didn’t miss it too much