BMW Choice

[Mario_330i]

Hi Guys,

Nice forum here.

Im currently in the market for a BMW.

Now originally I was set on a E46 330i. Been looking at a few and my old man also owned one a few years ago. I really like these cars. Now I would much rather have the 330Ci, however that is out of my budget range.

Now on my search for a tidy one, Ive started to notice the 325Ci! Wow, they look super hot! I really prefer the coupe look over the sedan look! Now that is the main reason Im starting to shift towards the 325Ci (and its in my budget range).

Now, obviously the 325 is a bit down on power against the 330. This isnt a major issues as I want to turbo charge the car i buy. How strong is the 325 motor when it comes to low boost turbo charging?

What is all of your opinions? 325Ci or 330i....need some help here guys!

 

[DikJoe]

i never heard about a turbocharged 325/330 (e46) all the multivalve engines i know of that were turbo charged are M%0 from e36 and the results are welll above expectations.is it really worth spoiling such a nice car with turbo?
why not get the 325 and build a separate turbo project?

 

[Carbon]

A bmw is a drivers car, it is the epitome of the thrill of driving. It is always nice to have a good looking car, but would you after a few months long for a bit more power?

If you want a poseurs car I would recommend an Audi :yuck:

Haha, All kidding aside, my perception is that I sit inside the car, not outside looking. So ask if a few forum members would give you a test drive in both and then decide.

I would have gone for the 330i, but I'm just like that.

Regards
Jacques

EDIT: I did not see the turbo part... that kinda makes my comment mute. Although, the reason we want NA cars is because turbo lag sucks. Again, maybe its just me...

 

[Sankekur]

I wouldn't go the turbo route with the 325 rather go for something like a 328 has a much stronger engine.

 

[pain68]

I agree with sank, there was a guy down in cape town from joburg, with an e46 m3 but with 328 motor turbocharged, he said its way more reliable

 

[Mario_330i]

Thanks for the reply guys.

To be honest, im not interrested in a motor swop. Im pretty use to powerfull cars and I know for sure not even the 330i is gonna last me more than a few months with the power its making.

No as for the "poser" in me, I realy like the look of the 325Ci. Its a taste thing, for me the car needs to LOOK and DRIVE well for me to buy it.

My main concern being 27 years old....is that the 330i has too much of a family car look to it. No disrespect to anybody that has one. They are awesome cars!

Now the 325Ci looks wise is what i like visually, but power wise not in the range I like.

Now for those of you thinking that adding a turbo setup to a car like that is molesting it?......I dont think so, it will just make it so much better! :bravo:

My main concern is just pros vs cons against the two cars in stock form. What is your opinions on these cars looking at them in stock form. Forget about the turbo aspect for now. Cause that can be sorted with forged internals.....:idea:

Thanks guys....

---

Regards
Jacques

EDIT: I did not see the turbo part... that kinda makes my comment mute. Although, the reason we want NA cars is because turbo lag sucks. Again, maybe its just me...




Only time you get lag is when you spec your turbo wrong...... Hahaha

 

[Sankekur]

Just in stock form the 330i will be a much better choice, about 30kW difference between the two and that is the kinda difference you'll feel. Our 328i feels lazy compared to my 330i. But of course when I am referring to 330i I talk of the saloon not the vert as that is quite a bit heavier round about 100kg, you'll also feel that. Personally unless you find a Ci in M-tech form I really can't say one looks better than the other, but then again saloon or Ci both look awesome with hte M-tech kit. But if you really want a coupe and performance, maybe you should rather look at an M3, just a thought.

 

[Mario_330i]

Eish, wish I had the cash for a M3, but that not a option unfortunatly.

Guess I will need to go test drive both after each other and decide on that. Going for a test drive in a 330i tomorrow.

Havnt really seen a 325Ci that has my name written on yet.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Just an observation, a 330ci is out of your price range but u want to turbo a 325ci and a decent turbo setup is gonna run you R50 000 - R70 000.

Okay maybe even if u are gonna buy the 325ci and wait another year or so to get enough money to turbo it, and by the way i agree with you the ci looks way hotter than the sedan, it would be even easier to maybe turbo a e36 328i.

If its low end grunt your looking for, cause u really gotta push these straight sixes in the high revs to get maximum power, may i recommend a 330d with a chip. +550NM torque. I know its a diesel and ill choose petrol over diesel myself but just a suggestion.

Lets say clean 325ci's are going for R130 000. And yes im being optomistic. For some reason the sellers of these cars think they are collectors items and ask way more, you can get a very clean e36 M3 for that kinda money.

If otherwise your looking for a e46 328i like i have they go for around R50 000 - R80 000 depending on km's but usually km's are high cause they were all made 1999-2000, you will have enough money to do a decent turbo job but it will be a sedan.

Hope i haven't confused you more bud but just listing some options for you. Hope you find that dream machine you looking for

 

[Mario_330i]

Hey ChrisBrand,

Your observation is correct! haha....But as you stated, I will buy the car and get the parts together over a few months.

Diesel - I currently own a Golf 5 TDi, now its not in the same league as the 330D, but Im really trying to get rid of the diesel thing....I love my petrol cars way too much.

My aim is to attend some track days with the car also. So it will remain NA untill all suspention mods are done and ive done a few track events.

Hopefully if my planning works out I will be able to do a turbo conversion on the car. The car is not going to be hacked or mest up. Just want to do a nice looking and practical turbo install.

I think Im leaning towards the 325Ci at the moment. Lets see what the test drives reveales.

 

[DikJoe]

Hey ChrisBrand,

Your observation is correct! haha....But as you stated, I will buy the car and get the parts together over a few months.

Diesel - I currently own a Golf 5 TDi, now its not in the same league as the 330D, but Im really trying to get rid of the diesel thing....I love my petrol cars way too much.

My aim is to attend some track days with the car also. So it will remain NA untill all suspention mods are done and ive done a few track events.

Hopefully if my planning works out I will be able to do a turbo conversion on the car. The car is not going to be hacked or mest up. Just want to do a nice looking and practical turbo install.

I think Im leaning towards the 325Ci at the moment. Lets see what the test drives reveales.

found this now....have a look.
http://www.allcarparts.co.za/cars-for-sale/cars-BMW-325-CI-376.html

 

[ChrisBrand]

No problem bud. 325ci is a very special car. Don't see too many of them on the road. Any straight 6 Beemer is okay with us :thumbs: Let us know of the progress and how the test drives went

 

[Mario_330i]

Thanks buddy, I see that one is in Natal unfortunatly. I live in Cape Town, so I will try and find something here for now.

 

[Alex@Madnessmotorsport]

Why Not go for the 330d? i drive an E90 330d and a 330i has nothing on my car. If its power you want, a few tweaks that dont cost much will have you pushing big power in a 330d!

 

[e46monk3y]

325ci's with no full M-tech kit usually came with fake wood trim which in my opinion is a no go. Not all but most of the standard ones I've seen.

M-tech 325ci's are rare beasts, if you do find one, jump on it!

Also another thought to confuse you even more, the e46 saloons I think are lighter and they are or were used in production car and WTCC racing, have you seen some of those cars? Man they are sweet!

and there's nothing like pulling up next to someone in a 'family' car and then smoking him off the line :=):

Good luck with your search though man!
Let us know what you get!

 

[Sankekur]

The wood trim is luckily not much of a problem, can easily be changed, painted, or wrapped

Would love to have a M-tech Ci at some point they are :drool:

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Speak to Burgy from Project Shift. He brings in VF Engineering Superchargers for e46 323, 325 and M3.

Supercharger is more reliable than Turbo Charger, you don't lose your aircon, which you will lose on a Turbo's BMW, and there is no Lag. You get instant power from the get go. Downside, not as much power as a Turbo can get.

I have a kit coming in from VF Engineering and Project shift are putting it on my 323i. The kit is made specifically for the 323i. There is a kit specifically for the 325 and M3. All giving at stage 1, which is a simple bolt on kit, over 100hp to the car. That is without pipes, bigger injectors, intercooler and running software. Thus putting the 323 in the 300hp range.

So obviously more to gain out of the car in that department.

Stage 2 would be Rods, Pistons, Intercooler and Up the Boost.

Then we looking at even higher HP gains.

So... Its all up to you. Speak to Burgy on prices, All I can say is my kit cost me a lot cheaper than a Supercharger kit from RGM, as well as cheeper than a Turbo kit from SavSpeed.... and I get to keep my aircon.

:thumbs:

 

[Mario_330i]

Hey Nemesis,

Thanks for the info. Will follow up on that.

Just on the turbo and aircon part, you do not need to loose your aircon when you do a turbo conversion. Its all in the design of your setup. It just takes some proper planning and some custom work. Turbo lag is kept to the minimum if you spec your turbo correctly.

But I am really open to super charging, I think I need to test a super charged car!

 

[Clownshoe]

R150000 BMW M Coupe

Ticks every box, and you can wring more power out of it at a later day if you get bored. Ticks every box except for the rear seats. And it has a big boot.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Here are some examples i found today:
325ci options:
2004 325ci Grey 105 000km (Mtech 2) R149 995 (Peugeot, Cape Town 021 413 9888)
2005 325ci Grey (A) ?????km R164 995 (Autohaus Angel, Bellville 021 945 3951)
2001 325ci Black (A) ????km R99 995 (Liebenberg Auto, Goodwood 021 591 6678)
2003 325ci Blue (A) ????km R114 995 (Burchmores 021 525 2700)

Other options:
2002 325i Grey (A) 174 697km R79 995
2002 330i Blue R99 995 (Sullivans 021 591 1944)
2003 325i Black R94 950 (" ")
2004 330D Blue R129 900 (Village Auto 021 905 1314)