[JonnyCrash]

Originally Posted by odct

Last time I checked 0-60 mph is not the same as 0-100 km/h

You're right... it should be 0-62 mph to equal 0-100km/h. However, unless it takes at least .6 seconds to cover the last 2 mph, there's still something suspect about the times quoted in US magazine tests

In any case, the true 0-60 (or 0-62) times will depend heavily on the driver, the road conditions, how much weight your car is carrying, what kind of tires you're running, the tire pressure, the barometric pressure, whether or not you get a perfect launch and several other factors. The point is that the 325 is about half a second slower 0-60 than the 330, no matter which set of numbers you want to use. If all you care about is the 0-60 time, and half a second is way too long to wait, get the 330 for sure! If it doesn't matter so much, the 325 is fine.

Personally, I was originally looking at the 330. But now, simply due to the standard equipment loads on both cars, I'm thinking of getting the 325. I'd love the extra horsepower at a minimal fuel economy loss, but why should I pay extra to get things that I really don't want (ie. 18 inch wheels, adaptive headlamps)?

[Turtle137]

I've had my 325i for three weeks now and I couldn't be happier. You have to remember, in the USA, there's such a thing as wasted horsepower because of the wacky speed laws and terrible roads; you just won't be able to "live in the boost" like elsewhere.

Plus, the 325i is just a Dinan tweak or two away from the 330's power setting. Get the 325i with the sport package and then treat yourself to a CG-Lock to complete the sensation.

And please, please, please get the six-speed manual! No machine as wonderful as a BMW should ever be saddled with an automatic transmission!

Enjoy!

[ward]

Originally Posted by Mr.Abulia

Where do you get the 6.7 0-60 time? BMW is claiming 7.1 seconds for the 325, and about 6.5 for the 330... at least that's what they list on the Canadian web site. Interestingly, fuel consumption is almost identical for the two cars, with the 330 having a barely noticible penalty in city driving economy.

6.7 is the factory claim for the 325 MANUAL
6.1 is the factory claim for the 330 MANUAL

that's where those times are from

[davinet78]

if you can easily afford a 330 get it but if you are going to be a bit tight on cash then go for the 325.

[loihisteve]

Originally Posted by Mr.Abulia

... Interestingly, fuel consumption is almost identical for the two cars, with the 330 having a barely noticible penalty in city driving economy.

I believe the three-stage Intake Manifold plays a BIG role in the 330i's higher-fuel efficiency (compared to the 325i) ... since the N52 engine in the 330i produces more power, but has approximately the same mileage ratings, it's obviously more fuel efficient, and IMO, only the three-stage intake manifold could account for that ...

since the valves open farther, and for a longer period in the 330i (compared to the 325i), more fuel would "most likely" be drawn-in (basic laws of physics) ... the more advanced three-stage intake manifold must therefore be more efficient than the single-stage intake manifold in the 325i.

I'm just going to guess (based upon the U.S. spec.'d perf. differences), but I'd say the 330i N52 probably pumps-in ~15% more fuel than the 325i N52, so the three-stage intake manifold must be ~15% more fuel efficient (to obtain the same approx. mileage ratings).

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by ward

6.7 is the factory claim for the 325 MANUAL
6.1 is the factory claim for the 330 MANUAL

that's where those times are from

7.1sec is the factory claim for the 325i with the 2.5l engine and 6sp manual for 0-100Km/h. This vehicle is not available in the US

I would say your figures are either 0-60MPH (0-96.6Km/h) and/or a function of the 3.0l engine's different torque spread in the US 325

[dmg]

I wonder if it's better to get a loaded Mini S for 10 grand cheaper than a semi loaded 325i for similar power, fun factor... sure it's not as practical...

and just buying the 330i for the extra power and whatnot...

[Oz]

I'll say it again..The 330 is worth it with all the upgrades compared to 325. Both are great cars!

[stressdoc]

The 325 is lighter and has a quicker drive ratio. A 325i ZSP via ED is one of the real bargains in the auto world, IMO. You would get into a Boxster (or Boxster S) that much quicker. That said, the figure of 40/month may not be quite on, depending on your financing. Do not forget that the resale of the 330i will be 15% higher than the 325. Spend a few grand more now, but recoup a few grand more when you sell it.

[Phoenix-IT]

This weekend I took some test drives in 2 E90 sedans, these were the first BMW's I have ever driven; a 325 manual and 330 auto.

I can honestly say that the 325 was far from a "base" model. The 330 did pull harder, but not by much. This is easy to understand seeing as how there is only 0.6 seconds between them in the 0-60. If I were to compare them to models of Mustangs that I know, I would not say the 325 is the "base V6" and the 330 the "GT". I would instead compare them to the 2003 GT and 2003 Mach 1, 0-60 in 6.1 and 5.6 respectively. One being just a little faster than the other.

You guys didn't go wrong buying the 325. Yes, there is a little more in the 330, but only a little. The 325 was fun and the 330 moving towards aggressive.

I find myself really torn on the BMW side now. The extra power isn't worth the extra money, this is a sports sedan, not a sports car. However I find myself wondering if the bigger brakes, beefier transmission, standard Xenon's and premium audio ARE worth 6 grand. I can honestly say I'd have no regrets about the power in the 325. I mean, after all, if you were really looking for cars made for drag racing you could have spent $10K less and got a Mustang GT that goes from 0-60 in 5.0 seconds flat. That's noticeable...

[stressdoc]

Don't forget the power seats that are gratis on the 330i. If you really can talk yourself into spending the $ for all those options on a 325i, then I think you are better off getting the 330i. On the other hand, a 325i with ZSP for well under 30k on ED is a fantastic deal.

[Phoenix-IT]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Don't forget the power seats that are gratis on the 330i. If you really can talk yourself into spending the $ for all those options on a 325i, then I think you are better off getting the 330i. On the other hand, a 325i with ZSP for well under 30k on ED is a fantastic deal.

The 325 w/ sport, premium and xenons is still almost $4000 cheaper than the 330 with premium and sport.

[Squawks]

That $4,000 difference isn't entirely in the powertrain itself. Personally I don't care about the added horsepower rating but the torque is a different issue - the torque's always there, and I love not regretting skimping on torque.

There's the 18" 162-style rims which most folks favor over the 17" 325 sport rims. There's also the Logic7 stereo system which is questionably better than then 325 stock stereo system. The Logic7 upgrade itself is around $1,000, knocking the difference to $3,000 if you consider a sound system to be important to you. The difference is further diminished if you wish to upgrade to the 162 style wheels. The difference comes down to mere fractions of the total cost of the car. I'd rather be happy than regretful (as the thread title states).

Those are at least the biggest differences I was able to tell, besides minor things such as chrome trim detailing. Can anybody else add to the list of disparities between the 325/330?

[Nikki]

It really just depends on your priorities.
If you like driving, and are all about cars, you get the 330i.
If you just want a nice car with a few options, that drives great, you get the 325i.

The 330i comes with three things that I wanted : performance, xenon, power seats.
The bonus was the better audio system.


This is how it happened with me:

I was getting a 325i with some options, and it came out a few grand over the base 330i price.
I thought, "well I'd rather have a base 330i because of the performance than a 325i with a few options" (plus it had power seats and xenon)
So I priced it out, and I thought, "well hell, if i'm spending this much, I may as well get everything I want"
So it ended up being about $40k instead of $36k, oops.
Then, 3 days after I placed my order, I decided I did want the premium package because I thought, "why the hell am I spending $40k on a car without leather?!?"

lol.

So then it was about $41,500.

Oh well, you only live once.

[Casey 5]

I went from the E46 325i to the E90 330I--you will not be disappointed if you go with the 330I. Its a heck of a driving machine.

[warrenatc]

Hi all, Just got through driving my one week old US spec 325i (barrique red)to Munich and back for the last weekend of Oktoberfest. Got to visit the BMW musum too. Its an automatic and its actually really good. It has 6 close ratio gears with adaptive control so it learns your driving modes. I am just about finished with the break-in so was varying the speeds/loads on the cara on the autobahn. A few times the kick-down made it go to 5500+ revs but only for an instant. I had 700miles on it at the time now its just at 1000 so ready to go full throttle. But at speeds of 110mph or so, occaisionally at 120mph it was solid. For those buyers worrying about the auto don't. I have been driving a 525i with auto for 10years and they are great. So is the manual but with traffic in the states you will wish for the stepstronic! Just my HMO. I am due to rotate out of here in a couple weeks so will head to Austria this weekend to ski the glacier and try some "all out" on the autobahn with it!

[noflash]

I love my 325i and the $10,000 I saved!

Mine was $33,070. The only two 330i with 6-sp and sport package on the lot were over $42,000 each. Factor in the tax saving -- $10k! woohoo!

I do not miss no stinkin BlueTooth or any other drive-distracting fancy stuff! No offense to the Blue-Toothed here!

[nine4surfah]

I don' regret purchasing the 325 it's a fabulous machine; but if I had the $$$ I would of "snagged" a 330 in a heart beat.

[human]

noflash:

What an AWESOME little dog!

[cntlaw]

In theory, the extra torque at low revs of the 330i will give you passengers more comfort when taking off is more linear . ie. more luxury. In terms of handling and fun, the 325i will not have less.
cnt

[noflash]

Originally Posted by human

noflash:

What an AWESOME little dog!

Aw, thanks. She's guarding the car.

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by Nikki

It really just depends on your priorities.
If you like driving, and are all about cars, you get the 330i.
If you just want a nice car with a few options, that drives great, you get the 325i...

...I thought, "well I'd rather have a base 330i because of the performance than a 325i with a few options" (plus it had power seats and xenon)...

Oh well, you only live once.

Not sure I agree with you Nikki. Yes, I strongly agree that it has to do with priorities, but I really wouldn't sell the 325 short on performance. Many people talk about the performance difference and what I believe they are really refering to is the HP rating. I think the 325 "performs" very closely to the 330. Yes, they are different cars and have a different feel, but it's not exactly an apples to oranges comparison.

The 325 performs and drives just fine. It's a quick little car, handles nicely, has some nice options, fairly good luxury and a nice price tag. But, remember though, they are both sports sedans. Four door family cars.

I accept my car for exactly what it is and I must say it is great, but being honest with myself, it is no M3 or Porsche... and upgrading to the 330 will not make it one.

I know, upgraded brakes, more HP, extra features... but once again like Nikki said, "Priorities".