2003 e46 325i - decatting options

[rish123]

Good day everyone
I am new to the forum and have been following the discussions with much interest.
I require some guidance/assistance please regarding decatting my car. The mileage is currently 183 000 km's and I feel it is definitely sluggish. My first thoughts were ECU values reset (remove battery, ignition turn for 10 seconds etc). I have done that, but still find the car sluggish. Can anyone refer me to a reputable and honest exhaust shop that can remove the cat converter(s) for me. I don't wish to replace the entire exhaust system.

Thanking you in advance
Rish

 

[Bevan]

Welcome to the forum. Which area are you from?

 

[alucard]

Welcome :thumbs:

How about introducing yourself and your ride with pictures in the introduction section?

Sluggish on low end can be VANOS seals. Haven't done this myself but the VANOS deteriorate over time (Especially on those km's) and you loose low end torque. You can speak to Moranor on the forum if you want to buy VANOS seals. This requires a bit of DIY knowledge to do though. There is a link to guide on Moranor / Axis Engineered Site.

http://www.axisengineered.com/e46-vanos.php

and

Direct Link
http://www.beisansystems.com/procedures/vanos_procedure.htm

Other things can cause sluggishness as well, MAF issue, Vacuum leaks ect. But these normally go hand in hand with rough idle ect.

 

[Chavoos]

I decatted mine a a Supaquick in Jhb. Costs A few hundred bucks. It's very simple.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S1NGH 001]

I decatted mine a a Supaquick in Jhb. Costs A few hundred bucks. It's very simple.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Which CATS are you referring to, the ones that sit by the manifold or the secondary CATS ?

 

[Chavoos]

I decatted the ones close to the manifold. Secondary ones are still intact


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rish123]

Sorry for the late reply guys. Been a hectic day and year so far. Quick intro.I live in Sandton and work in Hatfield Pretoria. My current rides are the 2012 320i auto sportpack (handed to wife) and my new daily car, the e46 325i manual. I will post pics soon as i can. Ex rides. 2009 z4 3.0si, 2005 e46 325i, civic vtec, opel astra etc.
Just bought the car few days back. 1 owner from new, serviced only by bmw. New engine from bmw at 97000km
Ive spoken to several bmw enthusiasts and exhaust shops such as noiseboys,powerflow,supa quick etc. All with very conflicting info and advice.
I dont want to spend alot on decatting, just want the economy and added power gains. Trying not to compare it to my F30 but know for sure that the decatting is required.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Iceman007]

I had a e46 325i 2003 manual. I decated my secondary cats only and no foolers are needed and its cheap. But not much gain in power. revs better that's all. I replaced the Vanos seals and that helped in response with power. Bare in mind the 325i are a bit lazy and is hard to accept that an F30 will now beat the 325i. I had a e90 325i also and now I have a F30 320d and man its awesome power and consumption. The e46 was well built and the e90 not so good and only kept the car for a year then I got the 320d. best move I have ever made.

E46 325i very well build cars but if you want more power get a 330i and be prepared to spend on petrol

Just my 2c

 

[Gizmo]

rish123 enable your PM to receive so I can respond to yours.:thumbs:

 

[Epoc]

Hi, Gizmo would you mind sharing your advice, would like to know as I am in the same situation as Rish.

Thanks

 

[samman325]

Hi, Gizmo would you mind sharing your advice, would like to know as I am in the same situation as Rish.

Thanks

+1

 

[rish123]

hi guys
Took the car for a diagnostics this morning with HiiTech Auto in Marlboro who specialize in German Cars. The MAF Sensor is faulty and hense the power diff. Told me decatting is not required and once the MAF is sorted, car should feel better. Infact, I removed the MAF and the car is running very well, just heavy on gas at the moment.
Does anyone have a second hand good MAF or new good pirate (Bosch,Siemens etc) that will not cost me an arm and a leg?

 

[Gizmo]

rish still no messaging, here are those prices u asked me for.

New OEM propshaft coupling R900, sway bar end links R600, window washer pump with black top bottle and headlight washer pump R700, kidney grill R500, Std exhaust headers R800.

 

[Pho3niX90]

Like alucard said.

This could be your VANOS seals as well, they are cheap to replace and a known problem on the e46's, if you have problems under 3000rpms then this could be your issue.

There are allot of guys that have done VANOS seals and everyone is impressed with the noticeable difference afterwards, so I would suggest to replace this first and then do a decat if you are still not satisfied.

 

[rish123]

Hi Gizmo
Do you still have the MAF? Can you send me a pic?


Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk 2