[atuck23]

I currently own an '04 F-150 4X4. I am considering selling my truck and leasing a 325 or 330i. I figure I can take the money I save from leasing and make a down payment on a home. However, I am torn between which vehicle is better.

The only difference between the two that I can tell is that the 330 has a little more horsepower and torque. My guess is that the suspension is slightly different as well. I also noticed that the 330 comes stock with 17" wheels and 16s on the 325. However, wheel size isn't a big deal.

Is the horsepower and torque worth the increase in price? Are there other differences that I happen to be overlooking?

What type of gas mileage is realistic?

[TENCHI]

Originally Posted by atuck23

I currently own an '04 F-150 4X4. I am considering selling my truck and leasing a 325 or 330i. I figure I can take the money I save from leasing and make a down payment on a home. However, I am torn between which vehicle is better.

The only difference between the two that I can tell is that the 330 has a little more horsepower and torque. My guess is that the suspension is slightly different as well. I also noticed that the 330 comes stock with 17" wheels and 16s on the 325. However, wheel size isn't a big deal.

Is the horsepower and torque worth the increase in price? Are there other differences that I happen to be overlooking?

What type of gas mileage is realistic?

depends....why are you buying it? For performance? then yeah, you might want to stick with a 330. Simple driving experience? then the 325 is more than sufficient. For me personally, I like a little bit of horsepower so I have always been a 328/330 person. When getting loaners from the dealer I dread getting a 325.


I believe has mileage for the 330 is 21 in the city and 29 on the hwy. U might want to also consider that our cars are gas hogs when you push them.

[sblument]

330i includes several items as std that are extra on the 325 -- xenons, uplevel stereo, etc. The premium pkg is cheaper. Optioned as closely as possible, the price difference is about $3k. For that 3k you get 1 inch larger wheels and tires, 40 more HP, minor exterior styling upgrades (some of which are available for the 325 from the BMW accessory catalogue).

Officially the fuel economy is the same -- I would have bought the 325i if it had better economy numbers.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago and my driving is 90% around town, 10% highway. In that my average speed is around 30mph and I get 23-24mpg if I drive aggressively, 27-28mpg if I drive with a fuel-conserving technique. Overall I've been averaging 25mpg around town.

On the highway I've not tried lower speed cruising (55-65mph) in which the car will probably get around 32-35mpg. At 80-90mph it gets about 27mpg.

Next time around I would seriously consider the diesel for higher fuel economy if it is available in the gas guzzling U.S.

[Silver bullet]

I think th 40 hp and added torque is way worth it. I test drove both of them for months before we bought our 330i. I am soooo... glad we did. You can dress a 325i up to look like a 330i but it still not a 330. On the last day we drove both on the same route like five times, thought we were going to drive the saleman crazy. Bottom line you get more stuff with the packages for less money, the engine is cooler, like 325 has a single stage intake, the 330 has a three stage. On top of all of that you get better resale value and last but not least you get the 330i badge on the trunk. What could be better than that??

[noflash]

Originally Posted by atuck23

I currently own an '04 F-150 4X4. I am considering selling my truck and leasing a 325 or 330i. I figure I can take the money I save from leasing and make a down payment on a home. However, I am torn between which vehicle is better.

The only difference between the two that I can tell is that the 330 has a little more horsepower and torque. My guess is that the suspension is slightly different as well. I also noticed that the 330 comes stock with 17" wheels and 16s on the 325. However, wheel size isn't a big deal.

Is the horsepower and torque worth the increase in price? Are there other differences that I happen to be overlooking?

What type of gas mileage is realistic?

A 325i with the sport package and a manual transmission will provide enough sport for 90% of the folk out there. If you are trying to save money a lightly-optioned 325i is a performance bargain. If you plan on heavily-optioning it, then consider the 330i.

However, the $100-200 bucks you'll "save" a month will take a long time to equal a 10% down payment on a house. I think you've got your logic wrong.

Getting into a newer, more expensive car will not get you closer to being a homeowner. Sell the truck and buy a '01 330i for $20k if your trying to save money and get out of a gas-guzzler.

BTW, an e90 325i is nearly as fast as a e46 330i.

[javajaws]

Having just traded in my 03 F150 supercrew 4x4 (along with its 14mpg) a couple days ago...I went with a 325 (bought, not leased). I've driven both the 325 and 330...but coming from the truck...the 325 is plenty enough for me for a daily driver.

Since you are leasing however, the difference is minimal in monthly cost. Remember you won't be paying the full price difference between the 325 and 330. Because its a lease you'll be paying 38% of the difference, not 100% (because of the 62% residual).

Go with your gut.

[MIKEYMIKE]

If you're leasing, get the 330i. You get more for your money...and a better money factor.

[E90330iS]

if you are a car enthusiast, i recommend 330i. But if family is your priority and a house is more important than 325i is just fine.

[ALPINE6SPD]

go with the 330i if your leasing because the money factor is less and the residual is 1 point higher. It will probably only be about 25 more a month and at that point the decision is simple.

[stressdoc]

power memory seats, xenon headlights, & logic-7 stereo are some of the very nice options that are standard on the 330. If you were considering some of them then it makes sense to get the 330. But if you are really concerned about saving for a house then bite the bullet and get a stripper Accord or Civic.

[noflash]

or mini

[ed328ci]

Since you live in the US, the goodies included with the 330i package is worth the price difference. Elsewhere, not so much.

Ed