E46 325i vs 330i

[Coisman]

...I could have suggested you fly around with my mother in law for a week, but I wont put any fanatic through that ordeal... :nonono:

 

[hanopp]

was in the very same position,wanted a 330i but my E46 325i found me!! Car was in a mint condition, individual pack is stunning, let me tell you, yes the 330i is faster, and i wished i had the 170kw, BUT!! the 325i is also 6 cyl, also has the purrr and its not to shabby.. look 0-100 around 7.5sec vs 330 around 6.8 standard. I would recommend putting dastec unichip it would take the 141kw to around 150 - 155kw on 2.5motor, depending on model to model, then its a lekker car!!

 

[skiet]

Nothing to think about here...330i ftw

325i as thirsty as 330i... :tease:

 

[AdiS]

Ok for the record, I have sort of made up my mind

 

[Coisman]

Ok for the record, I have sort of made up my mind

Good for you, :thumb: ...so its a 316 E36 right?? :rollsmile:

 

[AdiS]

Ok for the record, I have sort of made up my mind

Good for you, :thumb: ...so its a 316 E36 right?? :rollsmile:

Hell Yeah

 

[Coisman]

...or are you going for a E46 318i auto?? :rollsmile:

 

[Coisman]

NO WAIT!!! :idea: I know!!! A 320i... :fencelook:

 

[Doomsdaya]

NO WAIT!!! :idea: I know!!! A 320i... :fencelook:

I duno which is worse :dunno: your MIL or 320i keyboard warriors :rofl:

 

[Chismakop]

330i FTW :thumbs:

 

[Iceman007]

:bangdesk: :fishwack: :tease: "skiet die bliksem!" :rollsmile:

I agree the 325i is very balanced and its Fuel consumtion is better than a 330i. They are hard to find. I sold my one a Month ago with a whole file of everything that was done and serviced every 12.5k and it went quick a,nd for way above its resell, it was a 2003 exclusive pack and I got it sold for R112k with 180k on the clock. Now its time for an upgrade and searching for a nice 325i 2011 model:rollsmile: Very good cars with No major issues

 

[SP33DYV]

In my opinion, there isn't such a huge difference except fuel consumption and exhaust note. The 330i is a lot thirstier than the 325i with my driving style. The 330i is quicker though, especially when you're not keeping to the speed limit and the torque on the 330i ensures that you need less gear changes. On the other end of the scale, the 325i feels and sounds smoother, revving to the limiter easier. It's a close call though. I've only had my 330i for a short time, but the exhaust note is addictive, even at startup in the morning. That alone is reason enough to get a 330i. The 330i also has a 6 speed manual box which is a huge plus and helps with fuel economy on the highway.

Comparing a manual 325i to an auto 330i is a different ball game altogether. The 325i M and 330i A is so close to call, it's not even funny. I used to have a colleague with a 330i A and I had the 325i M. From a standing start he could not get away from me (Neck in neck up to about 150km/h), but his fuel consumption was almost double that of the 325i. Not only is the 330i more expensive to acquire, you also keep paying more at the pumps. I say if you can get either in excellent condition, you should take it. BMW will stop making N/A 6 cylinder engines soon. So grab a piece of motoring history while it's still available.

I must admit on the open road at legal speeds the 325i is only slightly better on fuel consumption. In mixed driving the tables are turned drastically, and the 325i wins hands down. I must admit, I am a spirited driver though.

That's it, my 2 cents.

 

[AdiS]

Thanks, SP33dyv


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Kurt Adv]

I sat in a similar quandry, found a 330i, glad I did, I had an older E36 325i, these two are very different in power delivery.....

 

[hanopp]

I had the 325i .. there is no contest.. i have the 330i now, i will never go back to the 325i, look its a nice car, but you wont be satisfied, i had e46 325i 141km , have the E90 200kw 330i now, man its amazing

 

[Coisman]

Hanopp, I would love to see how my 325 compares to your 330! :thumb:

 

[SP33DYV]

Hanopp, I would love to see how my 325 compares to your 330! :thumb:

That would be interesting, but be prepared to get :whip:
The 330i's are in a different league.

I must admit, the 330i is a much better car. I've had mine for a while now. Everything is just so much better, especially the brakes. Make no mistake the 325i has excellent brakes, but the 330i's is just better. A lot better! The 330i has a lot more to offer and the fuel consumption on the highway is actually better than that of the 325i - 6.8l/100km using cruise control. That 6th gear makes a huge difference. The 325i feels dead after I have driven the 330i. Only problem is, I have had a taste of a 335i now.

 

[petrivanzyl]

Only problem is, I have had a taste of a 335i now.

Then get one.:idea:

 

[SP33DYV]

Only problem is, I have had a taste of a 335i now.

Then get one.:idea:

I want a manual. And that's a problem:bangdesk:

 

[YUBEN NAIDOO]

In 2007, I was looking for a 330i and came across a mint 325i Sportspack with only 62000km at the time. Its condition and mileage swayed me.
I loved it, the power was fine, tone was great, but I always wondered what a 330i would have been like.

I had it for just over a year before I offloaded it for another mint example of a BMW : the E39 540i A/T Sport. That actually made up for lack of 330i power(main reason reason for acquiring the 5 was the birth of my twins and the need for a bigger boot.

5 years later and I'm now actively looking for a neat 330i M 6spd.

I was always under the impression that the facelift 330i still had the 5 spd box in 2002 and in late 2002 and 2003 the 6 spd box was introduced.

But today I test drove a 2003 330i and it had a 5 spd box. Came back and checked the VIn on realoem and it is indeed a Jan 2003 model.

Does anyone know in which month of 2003 was the 6spd introduced ?

Sorry for drifting off the topic...