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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > My reason for choosing a 325i over a 330i...........



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      11-04-2005, 12:32 AM   #1
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My reason for choosing a 325i over a 330i...........

I don't post a lot here but I avidly read the site every day and it's been an invaluable source of information. I'm currently doing an overseas tour in a country with no real traffic laws. I got to go home to the US for a month just recently and test drove both the 325i and 330i at 5 different dealerships. Although, I had decided from the start that I wanted a 6sp manual with ZSP (I have never owned an automatic nor do I plan to), I test drove both the 325i and 330i with step and also both outfitted with the 6sp manual and ZSP. I also test drove both the Audi A3 and A4 with sports suspension and 6sp on both (only b/c I can get both of those at invoice with no haggle). Just to let you know where I'm coming from...........I am in my mid-thirties, and before I moved overseas, I drove a 2003 Subaru WRX wagon. At the time I bought it, I had a big dog, and spent a lot of time in the snowy mountain areas where I had need of the AWD, but I also wanted something fun to drive. Now I'm looking at getting something fun to drive and a bit more refined. I'm a lifelong BMW fan and am finally in a place where I can afford one, whether it be the 330i or 325i. I love the history of BMW, have visited the museum in Munich, and went to the unveiling of the e90 at the "3 Across America" presentation. Where I am living now, I have a 2004 loaded Toyota Landcruiser (V-8 and 5sp manual). You need it here b/c of the roads. I used to be all about the turbo rush of the WRX, but since I've been here, I realize that pure speed is not what I'm looking for in a car. If that were the case, I'd take my $35,000 and get an Evo. Where I seem to have the most fun is revving the engine on a good twisty back road. Since I'll be moving back to the US, there are few places where you can drive fast, but there are plenty of fun places to drive with twisty roads where 40 MPH "feels" fast in a good handling vehicle.......not to mention that any car feels fast after driving a Landcruiser for a year! At any rate, after driving the 325i 6sp ZSP with a very encouraging BMW salesman in the backseat (my girlfriend was in the front), I felt that it was easier to get near the limits of the engine without too much fear of losing my license. Now if i had regular access to a track or lived in an area where I wasn't worried about speeding tickets, I'd be all over the 330i. Since this isn't the case, I've decided on the 325i, in Monaco blue with aluminum trim and black 'ette with 6sp, ZSP, Logic 7, Xenons, Satellite, and Heated seats. The worst part is that I have almost a year left overseas! It will be worth it when I get back. Just curious if anyone else has felt this way or if I'm crazy..............

Last edited by zz25; 11-04-2005 at 12:54 AM..
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      11-04-2005, 01:33 AM   #2
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whew, long read.

So basically, you don't need the extra engine power that 330 offers over 325.
Hey, if that works for you, thats what matters. Good choice on your new car.
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      11-04-2005, 01:47 AM   #3
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I'd get the 330i because xenons and logic 7 come standard, plus the engine will last longer if you push the 330i to the limits of the 325i cuz you'll still have power left over. aannnd if you get the car for around invoice the difference in price wouldn't be much different!, plus a higher resale value HOLLA
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      11-04-2005, 01:55 AM   #4
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Well, I didn't read the post for obvious reasons... But I'm sure you made the right decision to buy the car that suits your lifestyle best. Congrats on the purchase.

That being said, the 330 is still the better car. And you know it

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      11-04-2005, 02:09 AM   #5
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I didn't read a word of your post... but I'm certain you are making a mistake. That being said, enjoy your "car".
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      11-04-2005, 02:36 AM   #6
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I don't think he is making a "mistake", 325 might seem like a "mistake" to some of the 330 owners, but when some buys 325 over 330, they probably have few reasons why. They know themselves better than anyone else, and Im sure they made the decision based on what really suits their needs.

As far as which engine lasting longer, both are the same engines. And if anything happens(both equally abused), 330i engine probably will go away faster due to more stress to the engine because of higher power output which is obtained simply by more tuning. I doubt this will happen though. I don't think BMW engineers were stupid enough to design whatever engine in the 3 series(which contributes 60% of total BMW sales) to be unreliable and just die off because of some abuse. I don't think you really have to worry about that at all when choosing 325 or 330.

Both are great cars, and lets not put down 325 or 330. If we do, we are basically putting down our own cars, as both cars are virtually the same.


(though, few members in E90POST have traded their 325 in for a 330)
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      11-04-2005, 02:54 AM   #7
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Too be ultra safe why did you not go for the 318? It has to be the 330i all the way - far too early in your life to be worried about the extra power
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      11-04-2005, 02:57 AM   #8
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I'll be getting my E90 through mil sales as well. I was also debating between the 25 adn 30. I decided to go w/ the 30 simply because of the "extras" you get w/ the 30. I've never driven the 30 but did drive the 25 and it did have ample power. I mean it got me up to 90mph without me even realizing it. Realistically, who cruises down the highway consistently at 90+mph without getting tickets? So buying the 30 just for the extra power seems a bit excessive, we all know the E90 isn't a drag racer. Considering even w/ mil sales its about a 5G increase and it's not THAT much more power you can feel. The debates on this forum between the 25 and 30 prove that they are pretty close to eachother. So, to each his own. The 162's, Logic 7, Xenons, Chrome trim and the little bit of extra go go are enough to sell me on the 30. Your doing right by analyzing what you really want and getting only what you need to suit those wants.
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      11-04-2005, 03:02 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zz25
I Now if i had regular access to a track or lived in an area where I wasn't worried about speeding tickets, I'd be all over the 330i. Since this isn't the case, I've decided on the 325i, in Monaco blue with aluminum trim and black 'ette with 6sp, ZSP, Logic 7, Xenons, Satellite, and Heated seats. The worst part is that I have almost a year left overseas! It will be worth it when I get back. Just curious if anyone else has felt this way or if I'm crazy..............

Not quite sure what you meant on above (in bold).
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      11-04-2005, 03:13 AM   #10
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No need to justify really. This is a personal choice to make and you have to stand by your decision and please no regrets later! Congrats for choosing an E90!!!
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      11-04-2005, 03:49 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cntlaw
Not quite sure what you meant on above (in bold).
I am still overseas and won't be getting back to the US until late summer/early fall '06. I wanted to decide on what car I wanted while I was in the US last month so I could factory order it a few months before I return so it will be waiting for me when I get home.
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      11-04-2005, 03:50 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cntlaw
Not quite sure what you meant on above (in bold).
I am still overseas and won't be getting back to the US until late summer/early fall '06. I wanted to decide on what car I wanted while I was in the US last month so I could factory order it a few months before I return so it will be waiting for me when I get home. I wouldn't want to order something without first test driving it.
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      11-04-2005, 06:53 AM   #13
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Your decision process and conclusion sounds completely rational to me. Thanks for the post!
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      11-04-2005, 08:14 AM   #14
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Good choice on the 325.
I came from a Minivan, so the 325 is a rocketship compared to that car. With the realities of commuting in NNJ, (25mph Average per tank of gas) the extra HP of the 330 was not high on my list of priorities.
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      11-04-2005, 08:47 AM   #15
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Don't listen to the gel-haired 330i bigots here. They still think that 40 horsepower = bigger penis. Sounds like you've made a good choice for the person that counts the most - you. Small men are always looking for ways to feel important and superior. I can only hope that the extra 40HP makes up for all their other inadiquacies. I'm very happy with both my 325i and my 325xi.
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      11-04-2005, 09:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zz25
Where I am living now, I have a 2004 loaded Toyota Landcruiser (V-8 and 5sp manual).
What country are you in?
I would love to get my hands on a M/T Landcruiser.
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      11-04-2005, 09:14 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP
Don't listen to the gel-haired 330i bigots here. They still think that 40 horsepower = bigger penis. Sounds like you've made a good choice for the person that counts the most - you. Small men are always looking for ways to feel important and superior. I can only hope that the extra 40HP makes up for all their other inadiquacies. I'm very happy with both my 325i and my 325xi.
That was very funny and made me laugh.

He did say he had a 35K budget, so that seems like a no brainer to me. 215 HP is fine and should still prove to be fun to drive.

Now excuse me while I go gel my hair.

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      11-04-2005, 09:16 AM   #18
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wow the 330 owners are sure quick to chime in and defend the extra 2700-5000 bucks (depending on options) that they'd spent

I felt the same way as zz25, neither the 330 or the 325 had the addicting power rush so I just got the 325, and optioned the thing pretty damn close to the original poster
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      11-04-2005, 09:21 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP
Don't listen to the gel-haired 330i bigots here. They still think that 40 horsepower = bigger penis. Sounds like you've made a good choice for the person that counts the most - you. Small men are always looking for ways to feel important and superior. I can only hope that the extra 40HP makes up for all their other inadiquacies. I'm very happy with both my 325i and my 325xi.
Funny, since my order I've been feeling a bit "larger than life." Of course it could be the Enzyte.
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      11-04-2005, 09:31 AM   #20
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Most of the regulars here will know that I didn't mean that as a blanket statement for 330 owners - nor does it mean that I have any reason to think buying a 330 over a 325 isn't a fine thing to do. There are a few here though that are very quick to get all superior about their silly cars.

I am no better or worse a person than someone driving a '78 Pinto. I feel sorry for people who attach their sense of self worth to the car they drive, or the jacket they wear, or whatever. I feel thankful that I am able to choose to buy the cars that my wife and I drive.

The whole "my BMW is better than your BMW" thing gets on my nerves.
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      11-04-2005, 09:32 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP
Don't listen to the gel-haired 330i bigots here. They still think that 40 horsepower = bigger penis. Sounds like you've made a good choice for the person that counts the most - you. Small men are always looking for ways to feel important and superior. I can only hope that the extra 40HP makes up for all their other inadiquacies. I'm very happy with both my 325i and my 325xi.
I have a 320d...so does that me my penis is REALLY bigger?

My options were between the 160hp 320d (and some nice extra's) or the 215hp 325i (and only basic extra's - like exlusive package) - well...for 90% of my driving, I don;t use the power - the lower fuel consuption was a huge advantage!!

I would have liked a 330i, hell I even would have liked a 325i - but for 80% of my driving, i don't need the extra power. The 320d has plenty, and the torque makes up for the loss in power too...

Buy a car for the majority of your driving. If you drive 50miles a day - 6 days a week - and race a ricer (or potatoe) for 1 mile a week...don't buy a rice-mobile....

:Cool!:

I must go, major lightening here...
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      11-04-2005, 09:39 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP
Don't listen to the gel-haired 330i bigots here. They still think that 40 horsepower = bigger penis. Sounds like you've made a good choice for the person that counts the most - you. Small men are always looking for ways to feel important and superior. I can only hope that the extra 40HP makes up for all their other inadiquacies. I'm very happy with both my 325i and my 325xi.


I also made that $9000-saving mistake. Best mistake ever!!!

If you've got money to burn, knock yourself out with the 330i. My 325i has all the power I can use (and more) and, at $33,070 brand-spankin-new, is the freakin' performance bargain of the year!
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