E46 325i SMG

[XMAX]

Hi all,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, my e46 318i found a tree. the insurance has decided to write off the car, so i will be paid out for the car.

i will have R110k and i am looking for a 325i with sunroof and an auto box.


i have come across a e46 325i with a SMG (paddle shift), sunroof, exclusive package, 2003 model, 136000km.

This happens to be for sale by the same person who sold me my previous e46, so he said that he will give me the car for R110k.


is this a good deal. what are the issues with the smg boxes on the e46's. this is one of very few in south africa, which kind of worries me.

please help, i am in urgent need of a car.

 

[Ricky318i]

They are very good cars and very good boxes (in my opinion), sometimes even better than the Auto boxes.

The only issues with the gearbox could be the Hydraulic pump seals. But those are only small rubbers.

And as on many manual cars, the clutch wears as per normal.

What colour is this car? Leather? Are u sure it has a sunroof?

 

[XMAX]

They are very good cars and very good boxes (in my opinion), sometimes even better than the Auto boxes.

The only issues with the gearbox could be the Hydraulic pump seals. But those are only small rubbers.

And as on many manual cars, the clutch wears as per normal.

What colour is this car? Leather? Are u sure it has a sunroof?

cool thanks for the feedback.

yes i have confirmed that the car has a sunroof, and is silver grey in colour. ive even done a commentry check on the car. bmw says that it is a manual (could this be right). i dunno what smg boxes would be classified as.

also, how well do these boxes drive. ive been in an e46 m3 smg, and everytime the guy changed gears it sounded like the diff was about to rip out of its mountings. this car was standard and only had 55000km. and its not the only one ive been in that has a helluva sound when u change gears.

are the smg boxes in the 330i and 325i any different to these in the way they drive.

 

[James-ci]

Hi XMAX.
I'll be honost with you, I just sold my 325Ci SMG 2 weeks ago with 143 000km on the clock.
The soundss you hear when changing gears is normal!
As you know the SMG box has got a clutch & pressure plate like a manual box. mine went on 134 000km, that set me back R32 735 from BMW.
Have the box checked before making a choice!
Reagrds

 

[Ricky318i]

that's weird, cuz my clutch was done for R5500 :dunno:

 

[James-ci]

Yes it is.
But thats waht i paid.
Do you have a smg box Ricky 318i?

 

[XMAX]

hi, i did my checks, and this cars clutch was done 30 000km ago under warranty.

are there any other issues i need to worry about

 

[Ricky318i]

Yes it is.
But thats waht i paid.
Do you have a smg box Ricky 318i?

Hi James, yes i had a 325i SMG and not a day goes by where i don't miss that car. My wife also prefers the SMG over the Auto.

drove mine till 136 000km and i had no problems except the normal wear of the clutch. also had a printout of the car's history: no problems with gearbox.

 

[XMAX]

Yes it is.
But thats waht i paid.
Do you have a smg box Ricky 318i?

Hi James, yes i had a 325i SMG and not a day goes by where i don't miss that car. My wife also prefers the SMG over the Auto.

drove mine till 136 000km and i had no problems except the normal wear of the clutch. also had a printout of the car's history: no problems with gearbox.

Hi Ricky, thanks for the replies.

This car has 126000 km. the clutch was replaced at 92000 km. so i dont expect to have to change it soon.

also, are there any other problems i need to worry about. and does the 325i smg also have a crazy gear change like the e46 m3.

 

[Ricky318i]

okay, no, the SMG II as found on the 325i and 330i is not as raw as the SMG III on the M3/5/6 due to the fact that the ///M cars have a totally different gearbox and control unit as a whole. Benefits in the M-cars are: adjustable gear shift times, ferocity of shifts and an M-Sport mode while the SMG just has a Sport mode (which is more that adequite for a normal road car in my opinion). [Guys with M3 SMG's please advise/confirm here]

The 'thud' sound you heard in the ///M will also be heard in the 325i as this a common thing witht he E46's (diff bushings and torque application).