Why You Need To Buy A BMW 325ti Compact Right Now

With future classic potential written all over it, this quirky-looking but fast BMW is well worth a look
Why You Need To Buy A BMW 325ti Compact Right Now

I don’t think I’ve ever found the 3-series Compacts - particularly the E46 versions - all that appealing.

It’s all down to the looks. As if that sheered off, awkward looking rear wasn’t bad enough, the E46 Compact gained a weird set of googly-eye headlamps. What would make someone buy one over a regular E46?

Now though, I get it. In 325ti form this little hatchback paved the way for the likes of the M135i and M240i. It’s lighter than the equivalent E46 3-series coupe/saloon, has a quicker steering rack, and - crucially - can now be picked up rather cheaply.

Why You Need To Buy A BMW 325ti Compact Right Now

Around £1500 will get you a tidy example. A 2.5-litre, naturally-aspirated straight-six up front gives 192bhp, fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, or a five-speed automatic.

Unlike the old E36 Compact which used an E30-derived torsion beam rear suspension setup (which is either a good or a bad thing, depending on who you speak to), the E46 Compact gets an independent multilink setup lifted straight from the regular 3er.

Why You Need To Buy A BMW 325ti Compact Right Now

If you’re anything like us that should sound appealing, but if you need an extra nudge, know this: the 325ti - particularly in manual form - has proper future classic potential. The 325ti population is dwindling, and values of the remaining examples look to have bottomed out.

The example you see here perhaps doesn’t have the best wheel/colour combination, but it looks to be good value at £1495 with a reasonable 104,000 miles on the clock.

Why You Need To Buy A BMW 325ti Compact Right Now

If you see one of these for a decent price, snap it up: we’ve a feeling they’ll be getting pretty expensive before long.

Comments

German Perfectionist

I got mine 10 years ago… Parked right next to my Panamera XD

01/04/2017 - 16:10 |
360 | 4
Anonymous
01/04/2017 - 16:20 |
208 | 6
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hey! Arizona!!

01/04/2017 - 18:23 |
16 | 0
Wesley Teague

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

“There is no speeding in the 7 layers of the candy cane forest”

01/05/2017 - 01:05 |
4 | 0
Ellie Kuik

But it’s ugly.

01/04/2017 - 16:21 |
66 | 4

Think how many regular e46s there are, I’ve seen quite a few people that just front end swap from sedans. And I quite like the hatch, call me weird but I loved the look of my e36

01/04/2017 - 17:32 |
14 | 0
Mags

YAY a Compact! Really wish mine was a 325…

01/04/2017 - 16:25 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Thought Ti models were turbocharged?
Or does it stand for something else?

01/04/2017 - 16:28 |
0 | 0
......

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

it stands for “turismo internazionale”

01/04/2017 - 16:46 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Turismo Internazionale

01/04/2017 - 16:56 |
0 | 0
[Flux]

The moment I start working on a BMW blog, this pops up.

Wtf

01/04/2017 - 16:45 |
0 | 0
......

1st mod
m3 headlights
m3 bumper
= perfect

01/04/2017 - 16:47 |
116 | 10
Anonymous

In reply to by ......

If only it were so simple. Bumper, headlights, hood, quarter panels and no guarantee of stuff fitting in place.

01/04/2017 - 18:06 |
20 | 0

E46 M3 Engine…

01/04/2017 - 19:55 |
16 | 0
llP VeIoclty

In reply to by ......

4th thing get a regular e46

01/04/2017 - 22:57 |
4 | 2

m3 taillights as well

01/05/2017 - 03:37 |
0 | 0

You mean buy an M3

01/05/2017 - 15:51 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

It looks like a regular e46 with down syndrome though.

01/04/2017 - 17:00 |
68 | 10
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Congratulations! You just made the best description of a Compact ever! You my friend deserve a cookie

01/04/2017 - 18:19 |
8 | 8
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

enjoy m8.

01/04/2017 - 19:07 |
18 | 6
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Lol, ur right! :D

01/08/2017 - 19:04 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

1 reason why you shouldn’t buy on - It’s seriously ugly

01/04/2017 - 17:03 |
24 | 2
Anonymous

This is my E46/5 316ti!

01/04/2017 - 17:13 |
6 | 2

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