[Chris H]

This is my first BMW having previously owned a Jaguar S-type Sport (7 years from new, 155k). Its a 2007 325i SE which had just over 33k when I took ownership of it.

I plan to update this thread as I modify the car, sharing any good and bad experiences along the way

I'll get some pics up when I can this evening

Spec-wise its not too bad, heated seats, auto headlights, auto wipers, smokers pack, BMW professional CD and 17" type 158 alloys, plus a few other little things. I prefer the shape of the dash without the factory nav as I feel it ruins the flow and shape of the dash, plus I plan to add a Dynavin headunit with nav at some point soon.

It was in reasonable shape, not a single mark on either side but has a few scratches on the corner of the front bumper and it has been knocked on the rear bumper because there is a scuff which has been touched in plus a very small ridge on the lip of the bumper by the boot opening. The bumpers were in my plans to be changed anyway, so not a big issue. Despite asking the garage not to polish or wash the car before I collected it they machine polished it (not very well) and there is quite a lot of splatter marks which have dried on in awkward places, under/around door handles and wing mirrors, on the edges of the roof in the rails (?) and a bit on the bonnet. This stuff is so hard to remove and annoys the hell out of me, although most don't even notice it. Two of the wheels have very minor kerbing, the other two are perfect... If anyone is interested in buying the wheels please PM me

There are so many sexy cars on here its so hard to choose how to mod it

[AWBimmer]

welcome and congrats.. agreed on that... keep us posted on which direction you head in.. interested to see WIP and outcome

Originally Posted by Chris H

This is my first BMW having previously owned a Jaguar S-type Sport (7 years from new, 155k). Its a 2007 325i SE which had just over 33k when I took ownership of it.

I plan to update this thread as I modify the car, sharing any good and bad experiences along the way

I'll get some pics up when I get back this evening

Spec-wise its not too bad, heated seats, auto headlights, auto wipers, smokers pack, BMW professional CD and 17" type 158 alloys, plus a few other little things. I prefer the shape of the dash without the factory nav as I feel it ruins the flow and shape of the dash, plus I plan to add a Dynavin headunit with nav at some point soon.

It was in reasonable shape, not a single mark on either side but has a few scratches on the corner of the front bumper and it has been knocked on the rear bumper because there is a scuff which has been touched in plus a very small ridge on the lip of the bumper by the boot opening. The bumpers were in my plans to be changed anyway, so not a big issue. Despite asking the garage not to polish or wash the car before I collected it they machine polished it (not very well) and there is quite a lot of splatter marks which have dried on in awkward places, under/around door handles and wing mirrors, on the edges of the roof in the rails (?) and a bit on the bonnet. This stuff is so hard to remove and annoys the hell out of me, although most don't even notice it. Two of the wheels have very minor kerbing, the other two are perfect... If anyone is interested in buying the wheels please PM me

There are so many sexy cars on here its so hard to choose how to mod it

[DavS1]

Welcome to the forum!

I've also got a 325i. Is yours a 2.5 or a 3.0 engine? as I think 2007 was the change-over year.

get some pics up

[Chris H]

Thanks for the welcome chaps...

just a couple of pics off the phone, i'll get round to some decent pics as the mods come

Its the 2.5l engine

[AWBimmer]

That's a clean car right there.. I stem from a jag background too.. X type Sport Looking to sell her off now!

[willhollin]

Where are the cows?

[Shafz325]

Pretty much exactly the same spec as mine but 2 years newer! Welcome, hope you're enjoying the experience , and yes the style 158's arent the best wheels for it.. I've been wanting to change mine for ages!

Welcome

[Sportplus]

Welcome, I would keep your wheels and use them as your winter set.

Found out last winter how bad a RWD car is in the snow

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by Sportplus

Welcome, I would keep your wheels and use them as your winter set.

Found out last winter how bad a RWD car is in the snow

I could not even get mine out of the car park to find out how bad it was in the slow.

Welcome along Chris H. Another one from this neck of the woods.

Aberdeenshire must be one of the best represented regions on here.

[scooba0010]

Wheels have a look for a set off 162 style if you are thinking off going the OEM route they look very nice on the e90 but were a silly money cost option from new.


325I engine ours has the 3.0 ltr and has been some what a pita, This week 6 inj ,6 coil packs,6 plugs. This is now the third set off injectors , I dont know were we are with CP . fuel pump issues twice , engine knock sensor all in 23,000 miles and 3 yrs,It has been in limp mode at least 7 times.

I hope you have more luck , I also think now we have all the latest INJ,CP we may be sorted finally.

[Chris H]

They may be a little boring but the first mods are waiting to go on... M Sport gear knob and handbrake. You all know what they look like but I'll take pics anyway!

Had my first experience with a main dealer too... I took the car in for a sidelight bulb and they quickly took the car into the garage, did the work, the staff inside were very helpful, all very good so far... but... when they brought the car back round the front it was in the middle of a heavy downpour, I ran to the car jumping in and off home I went, soon as I stepped out of the car in the dry at home I saw a 2 inch long crease/dent in the middle of the passenger door which had also caused damage to the paint

At this time it was too late to contact them so the next day I called them and they requested I took the car back over, the manager and a bodyshop guy came out to have a look at it and without any hesitation (or anger on my part) got it booked in the bodyshop and have arranged a courtesy car. I was expecting either a huge battle with them or for them to wash their hands of it all together as I'd left the premises. A bitter sweet encounter but I'll reserve judgement until I see how the repair goes

[Chris H]

First mod now fitted, it didn't quite work out as planned though. I ordered the M Sport gearknob and handbrake, but somehow the parts guy ordered just the BMW performance gearknob and gaiter



Still, after seeing it I prefered it to the M sport anyway, it feels great in the hand, nicely weighted, just need to order the handbrake to go with it now!

So far with the dealer:-

Visit one - new bulb fitted, came back with damaged door.

Visit two - collect car after repair and pick up parts ordered, wrong parts ordered.

[buckethead]

that's look's nice alot shorter than a se one,the thing i hated the most on my se, then the wheels which where the same as yours no offence

[Chrisw100]

how much were the gearknob and gaiter?

[Chris H]

the thing i hated the most on my se, then the wheels which where the same as yours no offence

None taken! They're not the best thing about the car!

how much were the gearknob and gaiter?

gearknob and gaiter came to £100

[Chris H]

I've got the BMW Performance handbrake now, picked it up from a BMW dealer on ebay and fitted it myself.

[Chris H]

Due to a couple of big unexpected bills recently I haven't done anything further to the car apart from repairs...

Driving home wednesday even the car developed a misfire and the engine management light came on the dash. Got it into the dealers 8am the next morning. All credit to the dealership, I can't fault the service from them, its back serviced and fixed

Anyway the problem was found to be a faulty inlet cam sensor and came to £300, not too sure if this is a common problem for the 325?

[texasjohn]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Where are the cows?

That's what I want to know too.

Check your thread title OP

[Giff]

£300 for a CAS? I bet youre having trouble sitting down..

[Chris H]

Well it's been a while since I've done anything to it lately, I won a BMW Performance carbon centre console off ebay then this happened the next day...





A large piece of timber came off a lorry in front of me, I had little to no time to react and hit it about 70mph on the A90

[Chris H]

So as the interior stands now I have the car back

BMW Performance handbrake and gearknob
BMW Performance centre console
BMW Performance steering wheel trim







I have got the car booked in this weekend the have the BMW Performance Chassis kit to go on, looking forward to having a good blast when that's fitted

[TAM11M]

Wow sounds like you have some deep pockets haha
Nice work on the car so far mate

But got to ask. Why didn't you just buy an m3?