Just wondering some input on someone who has driven both. Referring to the sedan for both models. Is the 330i noticeably faster than the 325i? Is it better around corners...is it more fun to drive? Is their reliability different? Thanks!
Sinatra.imposta
If the 325Ci was a 325Cic (convertible) it would be noticeably slower. Convertibles are slower than their coupe/sedan counterparts. If it was an automatic, it’s the slowest US E46 (tied with wagons).
first off you’re asking between sedans 325i vs 330i.
there is a difference in Hp/Tq when new. enough to notice when new. hard to say on an older used car if that noticeable since diff ratio is changed in favor of 325i.
as for handling, another factor is if the 325i has Sport Package (ZSP). if it does then both have sport suspension and only difference is wheel/tire combo and larger brakes. it comes down to driver at that point imho.
if the 325i doesn’t have sport suspension stock and 330i does its going to be the 330i that will handle better.
if you can afford the difference on a compatible 330i over the 325i, i always suggest going with the 330i. you just get more for your buck.
there is a difference in Hp/Tq when new. enough to notice when new. hard to say on an older used car if that noticeable since diff ratio is changed in favor of 325i.
as for handling, another factor is if the 325i has Sport Package (ZSP). if it does then both have sport suspension and only difference is wheel/tire combo and larger brakes. it comes down to driver at that point imho.
if the 325i doesn’t have sport suspension stock and 330i does its going to be the 330i that will handle better.
if you can afford the difference on a compatible 330i over the 325i, i always suggest going with the 330i. you just get more for your buck.
Worthless is a bit over stating it, unless the engine has issues. If in good shape, with updated dme and no vac leaks, good suspension, etc, the 2.5 is still better than a lot of other cars, but the 3.0 is that much better still.
With an empty car, the 2.5 does OK but I notice a really big difference when I get a couple people in the car, although n grand scheme of things it's not the biggest deal.
However, were I looking today, I'd get a 3.0.
With an empty car, the 2.5 does OK but I notice a really big difference when I get a couple people in the car, although n grand scheme of things it's not the biggest deal.
However, were I looking today, I'd get a 3.0.
I had both. The 330 is noticeably faster. A manual 330 is actually quicker then you would think. Even an auto 330 will be faster then a stick 325. Neither one will be winning any drag races, but the b30 is def a better motor. They will both handle the same since the suspension is very worn by now.
BMW released specs when new
325i 0-60 mph is 7.1 sec (MT) and 8.1 sec (auto)
330i 0-60 mph is 6.4 sec (MT) and 7.0 sec (auto)
325i 0-60 mph is 7.1 sec (MT) and 8.1 sec (auto)
330i 0-60 mph is 6.4 sec (MT) and 7.0 sec (auto)
Go with the 330. I had an '02 330i sedan and my friend has a '03 325i sedan. 330 definitely is better when you compare them stock to stock.
I've owned both cars.
My first e46 was a 330Cic MT (110K) which was OK, not fast, but fun to drive. And i recall this car eating oil like its going out of style. Eventually sold due to this issue.
And now I daily a 325Ci MT (195K) with full bolt ons. Honestly the power difference isn't much between the two, at the end of the day they are both slow lol. Go with the car that is in better condition and build it up. You wont regret it.
If you plan on dailying like I do with the car, I remember my 330 getting me a avg of 27mpg, while my 325 breaks 30MPG no problems.
My first e46 was a 330Cic MT (110K) which was OK, not fast, but fun to drive. And i recall this car eating oil like its going out of style. Eventually sold due to this issue.
And now I daily a 325Ci MT (195K) with full bolt ons. Honestly the power difference isn't much between the two, at the end of the day they are both slow lol. Go with the car that is in better condition and build it up. You wont regret it.
If you plan on dailying like I do with the car, I remember my 330 getting me a avg of 27mpg, while my 325 breaks 30MPG no problems.
I had a 325 for 8 years and now a 330 almost as long. Granted, both are convertibles, but the comparison still holds true.
Once I learned I had to spin the revs up on the 325 it was adequate and plenty of fun. But when I stepped up to the 330 I found it much more satisfying to have low end power on demand instead of somewhere farther up the rev counter. And when you do get the revs up on the 330 it's PDQ!
Once I learned I had to spin the revs up on the 325 it was adequate and plenty of fun. But when I stepped up to the 330 I found it much more satisfying to have low end power on demand instead of somewhere farther up the rev counter. And when you do get the revs up on the 330 it's PDQ!
My 325ciConvertible goes as fast as it can legally go and it***8217;s 15 years old and NEVER been back to the dealer except for the airbag recalls. I do all the fluid changes and brake jobs and I***8217;m 65 years old. I can***8217;t believe the excitement that ONE SECOND generates.
Look, I have an E70 X5 twin turbo also. It goes as fast as I press the pedal. When you grow up, you***8217;ll learn to appreciate that BMW is not merely how fast it goes, but how well it handles on curved roads whether you***8217;re doing 40 or 60.
Not trying to pick a fight since everyone is entitled to their likes and dislikes, but when my wife got her 325 CiC as a surprise birthday present, she welled up in tears and never said ***8220;It***8217;s too slow.***8221; I cannot fathom any person, man or woman, making that statement on the meager difference of ***8220;speed***8221; between the 325 and 330. Heck if you wanted SPEED you should have bought an M3 Convertible. That would be a worthwhile conversation. My E46 has proven to be bullet-proof. Now I have made some modifications, mostly cosmetic though. I have an M3 rear bumper, side skirts, steering wheel, floor mats, trunk mat. I installed the latest Dynavin head unit that looks completely stock but adds rear view camera, Navigation, an equalizer and more. I have never felt the need to move the shifter into ***8220;manual***8221; mode since without a clutch, it might feel better, but I don***8217;t really find it makes any difference than letting the getrag transmission do its job. I also bought a used hardtop for the NJ winters, but will likely sell it next year when we move south and can enjoy more tops-down days. So while I strongly support your choices for your vehicles, kicking a 325CiC to the curb is really pretty rude, especially given that the buy price for that huge problem of ***8220;it***8217;s too slow***8221; is a LOT of cash over the 325. I***8217;ve owned Porsches, and performance Triumphs. Those were fast cars off the line. But when the speed limit is 65, does it really make that much difference.....so be nice to the 325, it still part of the history of BMW and with 15 trouble free years (ok, one overflow tank that I had to change unexpectedly), I***8217;ve more than gotten my money***8217;s worth. Spent little on fuel, and it looks like it just rolled off the line.
Enjoy your cars, just remember there is a place for the 325CiC in the history of Chris Bangle.
Look, I have an E70 X5 twin turbo also. It goes as fast as I press the pedal. When you grow up, you***8217;ll learn to appreciate that BMW is not merely how fast it goes, but how well it handles on curved roads whether you***8217;re doing 40 or 60.
Not trying to pick a fight since everyone is entitled to their likes and dislikes, but when my wife got her 325 CiC as a surprise birthday present, she welled up in tears and never said ***8220;It***8217;s too slow.***8221; I cannot fathom any person, man or woman, making that statement on the meager difference of ***8220;speed***8221; between the 325 and 330. Heck if you wanted SPEED you should have bought an M3 Convertible. That would be a worthwhile conversation. My E46 has proven to be bullet-proof. Now I have made some modifications, mostly cosmetic though. I have an M3 rear bumper, side skirts, steering wheel, floor mats, trunk mat. I installed the latest Dynavin head unit that looks completely stock but adds rear view camera, Navigation, an equalizer and more. I have never felt the need to move the shifter into ***8220;manual***8221; mode since without a clutch, it might feel better, but I don***8217;t really find it makes any difference than letting the getrag transmission do its job. I also bought a used hardtop for the NJ winters, but will likely sell it next year when we move south and can enjoy more tops-down days. So while I strongly support your choices for your vehicles, kicking a 325CiC to the curb is really pretty rude, especially given that the buy price for that huge problem of ***8220;it***8217;s too slow***8221; is a LOT of cash over the 325. I***8217;ve owned Porsches, and performance Triumphs. Those were fast cars off the line. But when the speed limit is 65, does it really make that much difference.....so be nice to the 325, it still part of the history of BMW and with 15 trouble free years (ok, one overflow tank that I had to change unexpectedly), I***8217;ve more than gotten my money***8217;s worth. Spent little on fuel, and it looks like it just rolled off the line.
Enjoy your cars, just remember there is a place for the 325CiC in the history of Chris Bangle.
I***8217;ve owned a 325 touring, 330i ZHP 6spd, 330i auto (I converted to 5spd manual), a M3 convertible, and a M3 coupe (SMG to 6 spd). And for street driving, I prefer the 330i ZHP, the standard 330i manual is second. The 330 cars are much cheaper to purchase/maintain (ZHPs are a bit pricey now) and more fun to drive (manual) on the streets than my M3. As they say, it***8217;s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
My test for a car***8217;s power is always and uphill freeway on-ramp, preferably from a stoplight. This will show you how well the cars blend of torque and hp can overcome its mass. The 330 feels much stronger in this type of real world test. Doesn***8217;t mean a 325 is bad, or slow. Just slower.
It's all well and good to discuss this now, but when at the dealership the $7000 (~18%) price differential sealed it for me. I got the 05 325ci with a 5 speed manual and the sports suspension. It was one of the best cars I've had. Sure I would have liked to have the 330, but, if money was no object, why not go for a Bugatti?
It is more expensive to purchase for sure (though not quite 3x in most cases).
Registration and insurance cost the same as the non-Ms in America
Maintenance costs are not x3
Spare parts are usually a little more expensive, but almost never 3x with a few exceptions.
The parts for the most part fail less frequently. I've never heard of a catastrophic cooling system failure on the E46 M3. The E46 M3 has solid rubber bushings and metal ball joints where the E46 has hydro and plastic. The E46 M3 tends not to burn oil at an appreciable rate. Doesn't have shifter detent problems. I've never heard of a catalytic converter failure without some sort of abuse. The main trouble areas are the VANOS, rod bearings, and subframe. VANOS can be locked down permanently for <$500. Rod bearings are a 100k-150k mile item, not a huge issue. Subframe is the real killer, though it can be locked down permanently more or less if you act quickly enough and are willing to spend the money there.
Registration and insurance cost the same as the non-Ms in America
Maintenance costs are not x3
Spare parts are usually a little more expensive, but almost never 3x with a few exceptions.
The parts for the most part fail less frequently. I've never heard of a catastrophic cooling system failure on the E46 M3. The E46 M3 has solid rubber bushings and metal ball joints where the E46 has hydro and plastic. The E46 M3 tends not to burn oil at an appreciable rate. Doesn't have shifter detent problems. I've never heard of a catalytic converter failure without some sort of abuse. The main trouble areas are the VANOS, rod bearings, and subframe. VANOS can be locked down permanently for <$500. Rod bearings are a 100k-150k mile item, not a huge issue. Subframe is the real killer, though it can be locked down permanently more or less if you act quickly enough and are willing to spend the money there.
Availability of aftermarket parts is lower, meaning that in several cases you HAVE to buy OEM which is --> price 3x
I have 2 friends of which 1 owned 2 M3's and 1 still owns one. Both can confirm that parts such as vanos, rod bearings, differential, ... will fail, and these are parts that are supposed to last a lifetime. Meanwhile they also are expensive as ****. Both friends have paid a total of $15000 per car on maintenance and repairs after purchase over a 4 year period.
Subframe is something that happens on all E46's. I've seen a subframe crack the size of my hand on 2 318i's (yes, 318i!!!!)
I have 2 friends of which 1 owned 2 M3's and 1 still owns one. Both can confirm that parts such as vanos, rod bearings, differential, ... will fail, and these are parts that are supposed to last a lifetime. Meanwhile they also are expensive as ****. Both friends have paid a total of $15000 per car on maintenance and repairs after purchase over a 4 year period.
Subframe is something that happens on all E46's. I've seen a subframe crack the size of my hand on 2 318i's (yes, 318i!!!!)
330i is anything but slow.
It's not a supercar, but it's got a lot of balls and torque.
330i is almost a sleeper.
It's not a supercar, but it's got a lot of balls and torque.
330i is almost a sleeper.
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