E46 325i vs 330i

[Syl]

Hey guys

So I might be looking into taking the next step from my little 318i, and am going to be looking at either a 325i facelift or 330i facelift.

My question is what is the difference between the 2? Yes I know the 330i is much faster than the 325 of course, but by how much? And what would be the most reliable between the 2? (is there something that tends to break more in the 330?) and whats the difference in fuel economy? Bigger engine, less effort?

Anyone here who has owned both?
Some advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[msm]

:search:

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Whatever you decide to go for, I am NOT selling you mine. :rollsmile:

 

[Sankekur]

sigh....

 

[Karthik]

Obviously the 330i would be better . Fuel economy is even the same . The hard part is finding a neat one . I was looking for a 330i but found a neat 325i . So if that explains ?

 

[Doomsdaya]

My question is what is the difference between the 2? - one got a 330i badge and the other a 325i badge

Yes I know the 330i is much faster than the 325 of course, but by how much? - Its alot faster believe me

And what would be the most reliable between the 2? - both M54 engines

is there something that tends to break more in the 330? only if you bought it from a person who was fast & furious and thought the car was a M3

and whats the difference in fuel economy? Bigger engine, less effort? - town driving should be similar but highway the 330i will be lighter because of its 6th gear

I answered you questions :thumb: did I pass or fail :mmm:

 

[msm]

My question is what is the difference between the 2? - one got a 330i badge and the other a 325i badge

I answered you questions :thumb: did I pass or fail :mmm:

Fail

It could be debadged .... :rollsmile:

 

[FaSTandFurious]

Get a 330i. Good luck

 

[Diablo Jnr]

It's a no brainer...330 ftw:thumbs:

 

[AdiS]

Oh Dear..

Ok - I have recently explored this in detail here and here.

 

[ChrisBrand]

330i. Why? I have a 328i and the difference between it and a 330i are light years. Trust me.

 

[Syl]

Wow! Okay! It seems the scale is tipping towards the 330i.
I wasnt even aware that it has a 6th gear! Sweet!

Thanks Doomsdaya! Yes I believe you passed!

Thanks for the links AdiS!! What did you end up with?

Damn I'm itching for a 330i now!! I have driven a 323i quite alot as well, and cant imagine what the power is gonna be like in a 330i!!

I think I'm definetely gonna look for a 330i, unless I find a 325i in really good nic as mentioned in Adis' other thread.


I've heard rumors of the engine pulling the chassis apart on the bigger models such as 330i, 328i etc. over time. Is this true? Or was this more with older models?

 

[Doomsdaya]

Fail

It could be debadged .... :rollsmile:

LoL im curious to find out who is that loner that voted for 325i :thinking: could it be MSM :rofl:

 

[J1gga]

imp:
Whatever you decide to go for, I am NOT selling you mine. :rollsmile:

:biglol::biglol::biglol:

 

[msm]

LoL im curious to find out who is that loner that voted for 325i :thinking: could it be MSM :rofl:

Wasn't me, but I was wondering the same ....

 

[moranor@axis]

Wow! Okay! It seems the scale is tipping towards the 330i.
I wasnt even aware that it has a 6th gear! Sweet!

Thanks Doomsdaya! Yes I believe you passed!

Thanks for the links AdiS!! What did you end up with?

Damn I'm itching for a 330i now!! I have driven a 323i quite alot as well, and cant imagine what the power is gonna be like in a 330i!!

I think I'm definetely gonna look for a 330i, unless I find a 325i in really good nic as mentioned in Adis' other thread.


I've heard rumors of the engine pulling the chassis apart on the bigger models such as 330i, 328i etc. over time. Is this true? Or was this more with older models?

lol i have just fixed the sub frame rips on my 323i you dont need alot of power the facelift models seem to be better and dont get the cracks often so if you going for a 325i or 330i you should be safe :rollsmile:

 

[ChrisBrand]

Wow! Okay! It seems the scale is tipping towards the 330i.
I wasnt even aware that it has a 6th gear! Sweet!

Thanks Doomsdaya! Yes I believe you passed!

Thanks for the links AdiS!! What did you end up with?

Damn I'm itching for a 330i now!! I have driven a 323i quite alot as well, and cant imagine what the power is gonna be like in a 330i!!

I think I'm definetely gonna look for a 330i, unless I find a 325i in really good nic as mentioned in Adis' other thread.


I've heard rumors of the engine pulling the chassis apart on the bigger models such as 330i, 328i etc. over time. Is this true? Or was this more with older models?

lol i have just fixed the sub frame rips on my 323i you dont need alot of power the facelift models seem to be better and dont get the cracks often so if you going for a 325i or 330i you should be safe :rollsmile:

My subframe ripped out as well but thats because of the earlier models, ie 328i and 323i, and in the states BMW actually recalled them and fixed them for free. Not here in RSA.

As a side note, the earlier models 330i had 5 gears and later 6. Just make sure you get one with 6. Sank and the others will have better knowledge of this.

 

[moranor@axis]

yip bmw SA have amnesia when it comes to subframe rips :yuck:

 

[Syl]

Wow! Okay! It seems the scale is tipping towards the 330i.
I wasnt even aware that it has a 6th gear! Sweet!

Thanks Doomsdaya! Yes I believe you passed!

Thanks for the links AdiS!! What did you end up with?

Damn I'm itching for a 330i now!! I have driven a 323i quite alot as well, and cant imagine what the power is gonna be like in a 330i!!

I think I'm definetely gonna look for a 330i, unless I find a 325i in really good nic as mentioned in Adis' other thread.


I've heard rumors of the engine pulling the chassis apart on the bigger models such as 330i, 328i etc. over time. Is this true? Or was this more with older models?

lol i have just fixed the sub frame rips on my 323i you dont need alot of power the facelift models seem to be better and dont get the cracks often so if you going for a 325i or 330i you should be safe :rollsmile:

My subframe ripped out as well but thats because of the earlier models, ie 328i and 323i, and in the states BMW actually recalled them and fixed them for free. Not here in RSA.

As a side note, the earlier models 330i had 5 gears and later 6. Just make sure you get one with 6. Sank and the others will have better knowledge of this.

Okay cool. I will be sure to look at only the newer models then. Can anybody tell me quick from what year the 6 gear models came out? Or is it special versions of the car?

 

[ChrisBrand]

Apparently mid year 2003 they changed from 5 to 6 speed