Heyooooo.. Just picked up a 2005 325I Sedan

[MrLuxurious]

My son is turning 17 and just got his permit. Gonna surprise him with his first car.
Sunday I picked up a 2005 325I sedan, bone stock single owner from an elderly lady.
Car has 154,300 miles
Clean title
she was asking $3500 talked her down to $2000
I took my higher end scanner and had a bunch of codes.
Intake vacuum leak
Oil lever sensor error
Steering angle sensor error
Bad turn signal bulb
Bad drivers window regulator
AC was not blowing cold
and a horrible oil leak
and tires were dry rotted from sitting
checked all the fluids and drove home just fine (10 miles)
Spent some time yestarday giving her a full wash inside and out.

[R Shaffner]

Great! Sounds like a fun project for you and your son. If you're a new user, you need more posts (5?) before you can add pics.

A couple of things I like to tell all newer owners of cars from this period:
(1) Never overfill the cooling system! (Most of these cars have hotter thermostats and relatively high pressure caps. Those together can strain these old plastic cooling system parts. Best to keep it a little below full, to give the coolant more room to expand.)
(2) If you ever have to refill the system from low or empty, the air must be bled out of the bleed screw to fill it properly and completely with coolant.

The search function here works well. But ask away if you have questions and can't find what you need.

[MrLuxurious]

Yeah I had a 2001 years ago, so I know about the expansion tanks "Ticking time bomb"
I already have a new one orderd, plus upper and lower hoses, water pump and thermostat and housing

[MrLuxurious]

today, im going to fix the oil leak, coming from the oil filter to block housing. And I have a set of OEM M style mesh wheels im going to pick up with brand new tires. 18" Staggered

[R Shaffner]

Oh good. Then you know what you have in store.

My stepson and I had a great experience doing that with a '95 LR Discovery, rare 5 speed. I told him I'd teach him, help him, and pay for most things, but that I wouldn't work on it without him. Sweat equity on his part. Was a lot of work, and a lot of fun.

(Actually, I did do some things without him, but he was involved in most of it. Unlike my own son who had no interest in fixing cars.)

[MrLuxurious]

Yeah I have a bunch of new parts to install, im going to get it all running top shape, smogged and then surprise him. Then we will do all the fun little fixes.

[MrLuxurious]

Currently he thinks he is getting my old 1994 Toyota 5 speed 4x4 pickup truck.

[R Shaffner]

That's great. (Yes about many ongoing fixes, as you know.)

[MrLuxurious]

[MrLuxurious]

It def needs new struts front and back. Anyone have use something like this?

24 Way Adjustable Coilovers Suspension Lowering Kit For BMW 3 Series E46 RWD
US $300.00
photo_2025-05-13_13-02-55.jpg
photo_2025-05-13_13-02-58.jpg

[XnWarden]

It def needs new struts front and back. Anyone have use something like this?

24 Way Adjustable Coilovers Suspension Lowering Kit For BMW 3 Series E46 RWD
US $300.00
photo_2025-05-13_13-02-55.jpg
photo_2025-05-13_13-02-58.jpg

Steer clear. They contacted me with an offer to get free products to review. They ride horribly and have fitment issues.

[3two5]

replace those tires! asap.

[R Shaffner]

Saw the video. Looks like a great find and a good base to build on. Sorry -- I don't know anything about those struts.

As you might know, FCP Euro and ECS Tuning both offer lifetime replacement warranties. So many of us buy from them.

I've also been surprised at the parts I found on Amazon. (Often better deals, free shipping, and free returns for new or defective parts.) The LUK clutch parts cost $700 for my 540, and over $1000 at FCP. But no lifetime warranty.

[MrLuxurious]

I found a decent pair of coil overs, gonna give them a shot. Also has anyone seen this bumper on the E46 Sedan109314_2.jpg

[MrLuxurious]

I like the look of this rear bumper cover as well
Duraflex 1M Look Rear Bumper Cover - 1 Piece for 1999-2006 3 Series E46 2DR 4DR | eBay

[R Shaffner]

Looks good.

I don't know why others who follow the e46 section haven't chimed in yet. It's a well-liked model.

(I'm more familiar with the e39 section, which is pretty active.) I think Facebook has some sections that have more activity for some models.

[MrLuxurious]

So I fixed the oil filter housing and now the leaks are 60% better. Looks like now its the oil pan gasket and possible the trans front seal.

[E39 Newbie]

If the car's been sitting for a long time, and if there's no maintenance history, then you should seriously consider replacing EVERY hose under the hood, including the pipes under the intake. And every gasket and o-ring because they're all flat and hard by now. Valve cover, intake manifold, cam position sensors, pan, you name it. You have the remainder of the cooling system covered. Also the CCV valve. Don't forget a trans service. Oh, and I'll wager every bushing in the front is shot and the motor mounts are collapsed.

It's a ton of stuff up front, but you'll be rewarded with a reliable drive-anywhere car.