So I Drove This 325i (now with 330i driving impressions)

[AdiS]

In order to start forming a benchmark for myself, today I went to test drive this E46 325i:

It's a 2004 Steel Grey 325i Auto Sports Pack with Mtec II bumpers. R128k asking price. 144 000 km.

http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars_advert?id=201145188138984

The overall condition of the car isn't bad, although not quite up to the standard I am looking for. The leather could be cleaned up quite well, and everything appeared to work. The main thing that bugged me was the fact that entire interior seemed to creak everytime I went around a corner. I think it was coming from the seats (me and the sales dude in the car). I swear my dad's 2002 530d with a million km on the clock doesn't even do that.. is this something common?


Anyway, the real reason I went to look at it, was because I haven't really driven E46's that much. I have driven plenty of other BMWs, but have limited experience with the e46 (bar the m3).

Long story, short. It's boring. The autobox means cruising around town is pleasant and effortless, but the engine doesn't make much noise at all, and it isn't that fast. While its very refined, it lacks a certain element of excitement and character which I need in a car. It feels a lot like just a smaller, lighter version of my dad's E39 530D - fantastic car, just a bit mundane. Around town, its fine, but I would never be satisfied when it comes to wanting a bit of fun.

I would imagine a manual is an improvement, both in speed and engagement, however I don't see it being dramatically better. I am hoping that the extra power, sound, and a manual gearbox in a 330i will be a dramatic improvment.

I think for now though, this probably confirms that a 330i is the one for me. I am not sure I could settle for a 325i.

Comments and insights welcome.

 

[moranor@axis]

you need a bigger engine for the auto box...

 

[Karthik]

Sigh kill us 325i driver's . But each to their own , if I could have gotten an M3 I would have so I understand where you come from .

 

[Philip Foglar]

Keep looking, there are lots of E46's out there just out of motorplan, so many good bargains. I often used to go around to that place looking at their cars, and one thing that I noticed many times was how badly the BMW roundels on the bonnets would be sun damaged from standing there... :nonono:

 

[AdiS]

Sigh kill us 325i driver's . But each to their own , if I could have gotten an M3 I would have so I understand where you come from .

Look, I think it should go without saying that I mean no offense to 325i owners its really just about aligning my expectations with reality and finding out what is the right car for me

 

[msm]

I think the auto gearbox also has a lot to do it - it really does make the car feel a bit sluggish. If you get a chance to drive it again, put the box in sports mode, as this makes a bit of a difference.

In the E46, I think the only 2 options suitable for an automatic are the 330i and 330d.

 

[AdiS]

I think the auto gearbox also has a lot to do it - it really does make the car feel a bit sluggish. If you get a chance to drive it again, put the box in sports mode, as this makes a bit of a difference.

In the E46, I think the only 2 options suitable for an automatic are the 330i and 330d.

No I put the box in sport mode, used kicked down etc..

I think a manual 325 would still need like a performance intke or something to give it a bit more character..

 

[msm]

A few years ago I had an E39 525i auto - it was really a very frustrating car to drive. Can imagine that the 325i might have felt very similar.

---

I think a manual 325 would still need like a performance intke or something to give it a bit more character..

I guess that there is quite a jump ito performance between the 325i and 330i.

 

[AdiS]

A few years ago I had an E39 525i auto - it was really a very frustrating car to drive. Can imagine that the 325i might have felt very similar.

To be honest, for my daily drive, poking around town, and mellow open road trips, it would be fine. But I need a car that can also rise to eh occasion and talk to my senses. Ad this is where I wasnt satisfied.

 

[msm]

To be honest, for my daily drive, poking around town, and mellow open road trips, it would be fine. But I need a car that can also rise to eh occasion and talk to my senses. Ad this is where I wasnt satisfied.

Have you driven a 530d/330d yet?

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Come drive my car... :inlove:

Just supercharge the 325i.. ha ha..

otherwise, 330i is what you want... and definitely Manual. None of this boring auto stuff...

 

[Karthik]

I dunno guys but if you comparing a auto 330i to a manual 325i , ( note defending my car hehe , but they kinda close in performance ) atleast upto 100 , after that its another story .

Sad to admit but a 325i from my perspective is a good cruiser but not one to eat up the road , its too subtle in many ways , with a heavy foot you will get moving but it does lack that extra something . Came to this conclusion after we went for a test drive in Bryanston with a Lotus Evora . Damn can't look back . AdiS I doubt a 330i will satisfy you tho , you need to test drive an e36 m3 .

 

[AdiS]

To be honest, for my daily drive, poking around town, and mellow open road trips, it would be fine. But I need a car that can also rise to eh occasion and talk to my senses. Ad this is where I wasnt satisfied.

Have you driven a 530d/330d yet?

Yea my dad has an e39 530d and I've also driven the f10 530d.

---

I dunno guys but if you comparing a auto 330i to a manual 325i , ( note defending my car hehe , but they kinda close in performance ) atleast upto 100 , after that its another story .

. AdiS I doubt a 330i will satisfy you tho , you need to test drive an e36 m3 .

This is sort of my worry. I do have exceptionally
High standards, but part of this exercise as mentioned, is about aligning expectations with reality.

 

[Sankekur]

Go drive a 330i manual first and see what it is like for you, even if you drive a normal non individual one it will give you an idea of what it is like, as the differences between the the normal one and the individual is pretty much just cosmetic.

Though I would say here that the 325i and the 330i are completely different cars performance wise. We have a 328i as well and even that with only 20Nm less torque feels lazy compared to the 330i.

With regard to intake mentioned it is not really worth it the intake on the e46 is pretty much as good as it get and the filter in it as well, the whole e46 range, including the M3 uses the same filter so if it is good enough for the M3 it good enough for anything else in the range.

 

[Nic_s]

What about a 540i :mmm: Those chow up roads like ProNutro soaks up milk.

 

[XMAX]

I guess the perfomance issue depends on where youre coming from.

from an M3, a 325i will seem like a slow ship to china, but from a 318i, the 325i will seem like a bullet with wheels. (ok maybe little too much exxageration :rollsmile: )

anyways, I think that a 330i will scratch that itch you have... If not... supercharge...

 

[AdiS]

I guess the perfomance issue depends on where youre coming from.

from an M3, a 325i will seem like a slow ship to china, but from a 318i, the 325i will seem like a bullet with wheels. (ok maybe little too much exxageration :rollsmile: )

anyways, I think that a 330i will scratch that itch you have... If not... supercharge...

OK, so let me give a little more context to where I am coming from. My current car is a Ford Fiesta 1.6, which for what it is, is a brilliant little car, which handles well, and has quite a lot of fun factor for small 1.6.

Now, while I have driven LOTs of powerful cars (AMGs, M3, M6, Astons, Ferraris etc), I can generally consider a car for what it is.

In that regard, you will note that my previous posts imply that the 325i Auto is a capable car - general driving around is effortless, it really is. It's a really refined, pleasurable car to drive. BUT, it simply cannot get my heart racing. That has less to do with outright speed, and more to do with the character of the car. The way it delivers power, how engaged I feel, the noise it makes, etc etc.

To give you an example - my Fiesta, albeit rather slow, can be heap lots of fun to hoon about on De Waal drive. It's slightly modified (SWR Branch, induction, chip) which gives it that little bit of extra character and engagement that it needs. But at the end of the day, its not necessarily to do with how fast the car is.

So you could argue then, that a few mods, manual gearbox etc could improve the 325i's personality. But I do feel that becuase of the refinement, it does need a little extra grunt to make it feel a little more alive.

This is what I am hoping a 330i will do. The better sound, a manual gearbox, the extra power, these should all culminate to a car with a bit more excitement. At the end of the day, it isn't an M3, which is the car I really want, but I feel that a 330i is perhaps a good stepping stone.

@Sank - you're right, I do need, and do want to drive a manual 330i. I just need to find one to go and drive. I'm aware that in driving terms, there is little difference between the different guises.
Oh, and the only rela benefit I see from the BMWP intake is the sound - would you agree?


I'm not really a fan of the E39, bar the M5. They are fantastic cruisers, and the 540i stuffs off. But my dad has a 530d, and its also no slouch, but because its a big heavy car, and quite refined, it once again lacks excitement.

 

[Sankekur]

@Sank - you're right, I do need, and do want to drive a manual 330i. I just need to find one to go and drive. I'm aware that in driving terms, there is little difference between the different guises.
Oh, and the only rela benefit I see from the BMWP intake is the sound - would you agree?

I would say that the sound is the most noticeable difference, though BMW do claim it gives and 6HP of peak power, though guys in the US have actually gotten gains of double this which actually puts it up there and in some cases better than some of the top end aftermarket intakes available for the e46, and it looks a hell of a lot better than most of them.

 

[///MALCOLM325]

You will get the excitement you looking for in a E46 or E90 330 manual. The auto 330 also makes all the right noises and drives just fine.

 

[Nic_s]

...

I'm not really a fan of the E39, bar the M5. They are fantastic cruisers, and the 540i stuffs off. But my dad has a 530d, and its also no slouch, but because its a big heavy car, and quite refined, it once again lacks excitement.

Have you considered the 6 speed manual?

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=21581
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=24426

I was initially looking at getting a 330i, but I got a 6 speed 540 instead. Although the fuel consumption a bit rough, the V8 makes it more than worth it and there's just something great about having such a big car hurled at the horizon like it's nothing

That said though... the 330i would only be slightly slower and use a lot less fuel, but 540's generally go for less. I don't think you can go wrong with the 330i especially if you can get your hands on a manual individual :thumb:

EDIT: The vid is down in the second link