[lcharles]

Would you take a NEW 325iA or a 2005 demo 330iA with 20,000km on clock

(Bearing in mind in SA a 325 is a 2,5L engine and a 330i is a 3,0L engine) All other specs similar in nature?

[speedyj88]

20k on the clock is a lot, practically used. But I guess it just depends on what options are on each vehicle and how much each one is.

[creaminz]

That's only 12500 Miles on odo. I'd take 330i cuz for me 12500 miles doesn't considered as big mile. And between 325i & 330i has significant difference in performance. I'd rather sacrifice some anonymous miles and get better performance. Yes, I do care about the performance when I buy a car....unless you are thinking about modding that brand spanking new 325i.

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by creaminz

That's only 12500 Miles on odo. I'd take 330i cuz for me 12500 miles doesn't considered as big mile. And between 325i & 330i has significant difference in performance. I'd rather sacrifice some anonymous miles and get better performance. Yes, I do care about the performance when I buy a car....unless you are thinking about modding that brand spanking new 325i.

here we go again. I am going to leave this one alone.

[creaminz]

Please don't get me wrong here ItalyBMW325. Both 325/330 are great car period. I don't even wanna start any silly debate on "325i VS 330i" thang. Can't go wrong either way, but for me I liked 330i better than 325i. Plus my bro has 330i so that helped me answering lcharles's question above.

[davinet78]

go for the 325i
get it new and not used

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by creaminz

Please don't get me wrong here ItalyBMW325. Both 325/330 are great car period. I don't even wanna start any silly debate on "325i VS 330i" thang. Can't go wrong either way, but for me I liked 330i better than 325i. Plus my bro has 330i so that helped me answering lcharles's question above.

I just thought it was funny when you said "Significant Difference" which everyone here knows is not true. Difference YES significant NO.

And you are right both are outstanding vehicles with the 330 being a little bit faster and other standard goodies. So he should weigh all the facotrs and get what he likes best. But do consider the 162's sweet rims

[dlk001]

I would be so tempted to go for 330i. I prefare the spanking new car though.

[lcharles]

Originally Posted by ItalyBMW325

I just thought it was funny when you said "Significant Difference" which everyone here knows is not true. Difference YES significant NO.

And you are right both are outstanding vehicles with the 330 being a little bit faster and other standard goodies. So he should weigh all the facotrs and get what he likes best. But do consider the 162's sweet rims

I don't whether it is significant or not but the 325i is 2,5L engine pushing out 160Kw with a max speed of 240km/h

The 330i is a 3,0L engine pushing out 190kw with max speed of 250km/h (governed) so power is more but top end, not much difference. Also I stay in an high altitude city so, kw reduces on both.

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by lcharles

I don't whether it is significant or not but the 325i is 2,5L engine pushing out 160Kw with a max speed of 240km/h

The 330i is a 3,0L engine pushing out 190kw with max speed of 250km/h (governed) so power is more but top end, not much difference. Also I stay in an high altitude city so, kw reduces on both.

Actually in North America they both have 3,0L engines....

[dlk001]

Icharles, does the demo have the options you've included in your 325i order?

[JamieA]

I vote with the guys urging you to get a new one. I got a 325 and I am happy, but I resisted temptation to drive the 330, if I had of, it may have been a different story, and I didn't want to do that to myself...

Get a new one, so you can get exactly what you want in it, and have the confidence of knowing it's entire history...

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I vote with the guys urging you to get a new one. I got a 325 and I am happy, but I resisted temptation to drive the 330, if I had of, it may have been a different story, and I didn't want to do that to myself...

Get a new one, so you can get exactly what you want in it, and have the confidence of knowing it's entire history...

I test drove both and the salesperson had me drive the 330 first. I thought for sure I would be disappointed but nope I was not at all. If he hadnt told me to test drive both I would have bought a 330... I am glad he did

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by ItalyBMW325

I test drove both and the salesperson had me drive the 330 first. I thought for sure I would be disappointed but nope I was not at all. If he hadnt told me to test drive both I would have bought a 330... I am glad he did

Thanks for that. Very interesting information.

[dynamics]

I own a 325i (the 2.5L) and I partipated in the Advanced Driving using the 330i. My conclusion: Significant difference, no. Slight difference, yes. But I do prefer the 18" 162 on the 330 than my 17" 159 though. If you drive the 325 hard, it can deliver.

[roppongicorolla]

If the two cars are the same price, you should be ahead at selling time with the 330i.

[Oz]

I would also get the new car if I were you but the options/price will really make a difference here...

[ItalyBMW325]

Originally Posted by dynamics

I own a 325i (the 2.5L) and I partipated in the Advanced Driving using the 330i. My conclusion: Significant difference, no. Slight difference, yes. But I do prefer the 18" 162 on the 330 than my 17" 159 though. If you drive the 325 hard, it can deliver.

Those damn 162's they are sweet as hell! If BMW would have offered them as a $1000 option they would have made a killing.

[homerfromathens]

Originally Posted by JamieA

...
Get a new one, so you can get exactly what you want in it, and have the confidence of knowing it's entire history...

strike. that's what matter. period.

[lcharles]

Originally Posted by dlk001

Icharles, does the demo have the options you've included in your 325i order?

More or less, just not the ext & int Colour and thru load which I feel are "minor" and sacrificable....

I guess my question is not so much new vs used but more along the lines of, when looking at the two new, I was not prepared to fork out anothr R60k just for more Kw's and a 5km/h top end.

But now, it is only a R30k difference. A huge saving (half price in my eyes)..

test drove a 330 yesterday. Awesome power. Going to be difficult to get used to less power of a 325 now. Take my advise:

NEVER TEST DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN YOU STILL IN "DECISION MODE" AS IT WILL CLEARLY INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION AND POSSIBLY THE WRONG WAY....

[Hunter399]

DO NOT BUY A DEMO


People just beat the sh*t out of them

[dlk001]

Originally Posted by lcharles

More or less, just not the ext & int Colour and thru load which I feel are "minor" and sacrificable....

I guess my question is not so much new vs used but more along the lines of, when looking at the two new, I was not prepared to fork out anothr R60k just for more Kw's and a 5km/h top end.

But now, it is only a R30k difference. A huge saving (half price in my eyes)..

test drove a 330 yesterday. Awesome power. Going to be difficult to get used to less power of a 325 now. Take my advise:

NEVER TEST DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN YOU STILL IN "DECISION MODE" AS IT WILL CLEARLY INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION AND POSSIBLY THE WRONG WAY....

That doesn’t sound bad at all then. I drove the 130i and I know how you feel. Cars in action tested both 325i and 330i at high altitude (Johannesburg).

325i

Acceleration 0-100km/h(g) 8.2 seconds
Quarter mile (exit speed)(g) 16.4 secs @ 147km/h
80-120km/h 4th gear(g) 10 seconds
120-160km/h 4th gear (g) 10.33 seconds

330i

Acceleration 0-100km/h(g) 7.2 seconds
Quarter mile (exit speed)(g) 15.5 seconds @ 150km/h
80-120km/h 4th gear(g) 8.2 seconds
120-160km/h 4th gear (g) 8.6 seconds

If overtaking speed and acceleration is important, I’d go for 330i. My car has 11 000km’s and it drives and smells as knew. 20 000km is still knew.

Good luck man. Which ever decision you make, you'll end up with a fast car!