[midwest_rollin']

what is up dudes. i've seen all of your cool pictures (thx for posting them by the way), i've read the stats, i've scoured the forums for days and days, i've built myself a 325 and a 330 online so many different times. i'm so torn between the two.

anyone riding around in a new 325 that sort of wishes they would have splurged and went with the 330? or is it totally cool? anyone in a 330 feel like the 325 would have been just as good? i'm not sure i want to spend 330 money but i'm really close to doing it anyway. i don't want to be riding around in a 325 and wondering what "could have been". but if the 325 is cool, so be it.

i currently drive a 2002 325xi that needs to be replaced (lease is expiring).

any thoughts would be so helpful in helping me decide! thanks dudes!

FYI, i test drove the 325 a couple weeks ago.

[Jason]

Hey have you had a chance to read this review of the 325 vs 330 posted by Hossam recently? I know this is obvious, but you should also try to test drive both if you're that on-the-fence about choosing between the two. Good luck and let us know what you pick!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1059

[svengali]

IMO the exhiliration of going 0-60 or 0-80 with less than a second difference is virtually the same. That's just my opinion, remember it's the same engine, is'nt it? Prices are too stiff to splurge at this point. I'm looking at the 325i, but am already worried about this hesitation in the auto's. Maybe I should wait till the South African models come out.

[silverado]

They are same-sized engines (cc's), but not the same engine. I drove both and I could clearly feel the difference in power. That said, I believe that the 325 has plenty of power and would keep most people happy. However, if you are worried about wondering "what could have been", then you have probably answered your own question

[midwest_rollin']

thanks guys. i had a 330 on order that was being shipped from another dealer. unfortunately my sales guy called me tonight and told me it was sold before he could nab it.

now my options are to get either get a 325 with everything (~39.8k) or a 330 with all the options (~43.6k). this is not getting any easier! i really want the 330 but my practical side says i shouldn't be that stupid.

[CC 330i]

Originally Posted by midwest_rollin'

thanks guys. i had a 330 on order that was being shipped from another dealer. unfortunately my sales guy called me tonight and told me it was sold before he could nab it.

now my options are to get either get a 325 with everything (~39.8k) or a 330 with all the options (~43.6k). this is not getting any easier! i really want the 330 but my practical side says i shouldn't be that stupid.

How about a 330i with nothing but Sport Package? That's what I did and it was $39,150 sticker price. I got it for less than that though.

The problem is the options, which I can tell you I am not missing... I am happier to have the extra power and bigger/wider tires, wheels and brakes. The 330i comes standard with the Logic 7 stereo too. With leather the car would be $40,500. Not too bad really. I didn't even get leather but I don't mind because I had leather in my last car and it wore out in spots anyway.

But... If you want ALL the gadgets, get the 325.

[bimmer4me]

Originally Posted by midwest_rollin'

thanks guys. i had a 330 on order that was being shipped from another dealer. unfortunately my sales guy called me tonight and told me it was sold before he could nab it.

now my options are to get either get a 325 with everything (~39.8k) or a 330 with all the options (~43.6k). this is not getting any easier! i really want the 330 but my practical side says i shouldn't be that stupid.

Don't worry about it and just get the 330i with options. You won't have any regrets. If you get the 325 you'll always wonder what could have been. Buying a car doesn't have to be totally 100% practical. If you want practical, get a Corolla, if you want Ultimate Driving Machine, get the loaded 330i! :rocks: :rocks:

[johnfkitchen]

I test drove both, and the conclusion for me was obvious. The extra surge in the 330i was compelling. And I wanted to load up the car, so the extra inclusions in the USA version 330i had value to me.

I'm still waiting for delivery, so I can't say if I would regret spending the extra $s. Unlikely, I think, since I plan to keep this BMW for a long time like the current 323is. It's a '98 model, with all the "goodies".

But maybe I'm influenced by the fact that the 330 will replace a C5 Corvette, so I like "the rush"!

[Athos]

I've driven both the 325 and 330 with the stick. I've also driven a 330 with the auto. I strongly suggest you test drive both similarly equipped if you can. Although the 330 is more powerful the 325's power is pretty impressive with the stick. I think the rational answer is that the 325 is the better value that gives up little to the 330. However, I don't question anyone's desire to get a 330--that's a personal choice.

Here's most of what you get for an about an extra $6000 with the 330:

Adaptive Xenon lights (nice but mostly gee whiz)
Power seat (nice but manual seats have plenty of adjustments)
Chrome trim in front grill spokes and around windows (your pref.)
Upgraded stereo (not worth it in my opinion)
More powerful engine (worth it if you are a hardcore power addict)
Bigger brakes (worth it if you really push the car alot)
Ability to get the 18-inch wheels as part of the sport package (personal pref. but my those 162s are a great fit with the E90)

I don't know what your sales tax is, but you will pay it on the extra $6K [in my case that's an extra $510]. If you opt for the sport package on both I think someone figured that replacement tires on the 330 would be an extra $400 to $500 in less than 20K miles of wear. So the 330 is about $7K extra with these things considered. That's 20 to 25% more than the price of a 325. In my opinion the 325 offers about 90-95 percent of the value of the 330. You still get a powerful car with the same driving dynamics and handling and most of the other reasons you would by a 3 series. Rationally speaking, I think the 325 is the way to go. However, if you really want the extras of the 330, if you have the money to spend, and if you are going to add expensive options, the 330 is the way to go. I'm also guessing that the auto is a better fit with the 330.

The only real answer is to drive both. I would even test drive both on a couple of occasions. Oh yeah, I have. And I'm still torn! Guess that means BMW did a good job with the price positioning of the two models. Damn them!

[BMRu4ia]

Well said Athos.
Also take into accout the $$ u save on the 325. Use the $7k to pay off the 325 faster.
Check out this site to amortize your loan and see how much interest you'll save. http://www.bankrate.com/brm/auto-loan-calculator.asp

[svengali]

Originally Posted by silverado

They are same-sized engines (cc's), but not the same engine.

Same engine basically with different software and induction, no? I'll give BMW $1500 for that. What do you think Silver?

Here, from BMW: " Both models are equipped with BMW's new N52 magnesium/aluminum composite constructed 3.0L in-line six-cylinder engine. The engine on the 325i generates 215 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque, while the engine on the 330i employs a three-stage induction system that produces 255 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque."

[DaveCM5]

Originally Posted by johnfkitchen

But maybe I'm influenced by the fact that the 330 will replace a C5 Corvette, so I like "the rush"!

I did that too!

I broke my leg really bad so I had to trade my '04 Z06 because it was too hard to drive the stick in traffic every day.

I was really sad when I actually traded it, but after two days with the BMW I really didn't miss the Z06 at all. The BMW doesn't perform nearly as well, but all the neat stuff and comfort/luxury makes you forget about wanting to blast down the road and makes you want to just sit back and cruise. In my 330i with I-Drive, everything is voice activated (radio, Nav, Phone) and the car is just plain nice.

The BMW handles extremely well, much better than I thought a 4-door sedan could, when you do push it. Also, the first gear blast in the automatic is almost as exhilirating as the Z06, but once it shifts to second the party's over. But it's still pretty quick.

I have the 330i with the sport package. I really love the car now that I've had it a few weeks.

-Dave C. '06 330i

PS: I guess it helps that I have a 400HP Camaro in my garage that lets me still get my hot-rod fix when I want it.

[johnfkitchen]

But it's not all about "the rush". When it came to choosing which car had to go, (either the 323is or the C5), the C5 drew the ever-so-slightly shorter straw. The 323is is just such a refined car to drive. My wife and I are petrol-heads and we found ourself saying to each other "no YOU take the C5!"

[silverado]

svengali,

If BMW calls it the same engine, who am I to argue In my statement I was referring to the engine as the whole package, including the induction system and software. The end result is that the performance is different.

[Cloud9]

Since you have been in an E46 325 the E90 325 will be more than adequate, if budget is your main concern. But if you can swing get the 330, hands down. You'll appreciate the extra HP and goodies.

[midwest_rollin']

it's official, i decided to extend my current lease so i could order my 330 just the way i want it: jet black, black leather, aluminum trim, sport package, heated front seats, step (sorry, i can't drive a 6-speed--maybe next time).

you guys convinced me to get a 330 but without the crap i didn't really need. thanks! woohoo i'm so excited! now i have to sit around and wait until august though. brutal, how am i going to make it??

[shipo]

Originally Posted by Dave C. '06 330i

I broke my leg really bad so I had to trade my '04 Z06 because it was too hard to drive the stick in traffic every day.

I broke my right fibula (which required some hardware to reassemble) and severely dislocated (as in half tore off) my right foot just over two years ago. That meant that the only vehicle I could drive for the duration was one of our Dodge Caravans. My right leg, cast and all, spent its time over in the front passenger foot well and my left foot took over gas and brake duties. Needless to say, my wife appropriated my 5-Speed 530i as her daily driver. Months later, and not too long before I was scheduled to get the last cast off she was heard to say, "...yeah, and as soon as he gets the cast off I'm going to break his other leg just so I can keep driving the BMW."

When the cast came off I worked as diligently as possible at my therapy, and within about six months of the break, I found myself back in the saddle of my 530i. I'm still not fully recovered and according to the OS I never will be, but I'm extremely grateful that I can still drive a stick. That you are now essentially forced into driving an automatic is a shame, I feel your pain. At least you have the luxury of driving one of the finest automatic cars out there.

Best Regards,
Shipo

[Cloud9]

Originally Posted by midwest_rollin'

it's official, i decided to extend my current lease so i could order my 330 just the way i want it: jet black, black leather, aluminum trim, sport package, heated front seats, step (sorry, i can't drive a 6-speed--maybe next time).

you guys convinced me to get a 330 but without the crap i didn't really need. thanks! woohoo i'm so excited! now i have to sit around and wait until august though. brutal, how am i going to make it??

Congrats, great color / option choices!