Newbie with some questions

[simonhk]

Hello to everyone here, im going to get an e46 325/330ci, a few questions:

Is there much difference between 325/330ci in performance?

Is auto any good?

what to look at when view the car? high mileage any prob?

Cheers
Si

[danch]

Hi,
I had the same dilemma and there is about a second in it to 60 from reading up.

I went for the 330 and have not looked back.

But if you are looking at auto's then I would not think ther would be much difference.

Cheers

Daniel

[adood84]

even in auto I would think the 330 is better than a 325 preformance wise

[lee330sport]

Welcome mate,

Ive never drove a 325 before, but from what other people say there is a big difference performance wise. With the extra bhp/torque that the 330 has, its bound to be the better performer in both auto and manual.

[mystic sport]

Here is a response I made to a similar thread on another forum.

Also, auto is good but manual is better ;)


I traded a 2003 325 sport for my 2004 330 sport back in november. The 325 was very smooth with good power from 4500rpm but it lacked low down grunt which means for swift progress you have to use the gearbox a bit. The 330 also makes good power from 4500rpm and the extra 39bhp can be felt but for me the far more important thing is the extra torque from the 3.0 lump (41 lb/ft extra). It is very noticeable and requires less messing around with the gears to push on, that said, if you use the gearbox to the engines advantage (6 speed in my car) then it really hauls. At speeds over 80mph (private road of course [;)] ) the 330 would eat a 325 as it really does have more grunt to punch through the air. I loved my 325 and was sorry to see it go and all the while I had it would always defend the 325 against the 330 (having not driven the 330 [:I] ) by saying that there wasn't enough difference to matter and they were pretty equal but having now owned my 330 for six months I can say that there is a fair difference but that is also reflected in the price. As one magazine wrote: the 325=swift, the 330=very swift. I ran a few 0-60 times in my 325 just before I sold it and with three runs the best I got was 7.01 so it is quick. The 330 gave me 6.18 but it definately had more to give (using the same timer) - see this small vid that I took to give you an idea of how it goes http://www.btinternet.com/~topaz_ci/bmwland/0-60/0-60-330i.mov . The 330 sounds more 'grunty' as well whereas the 325 does sound more revvy and does feel slightly smoother. Regarding MPG, there is nothing in it and on a long run the 330 is better with a 6 speed manual as at 80mph it is turning at around 2600rpm. I have got 34mpg on a run but have seen very low 20's (and less) when giving it some stick but I average about 28mpg in the 330 as i did in the 325. Either car won't disappoint, they are very refined and a joy to own [:D] .

[Raj]

When I was in the market for my BM, my heart was set on a 330. I did all the investigations and the 330 will always come out on top over the smaller engined models in the range. Performance is better, if you can, get one with a 6 speed box. However, I didn't have the budget to stretch to one so I had to go with a 328 (which I have to say - is wicked). Silky smooth, and plenty of grunt for what I use her for. Also, I was able to get one with everything else that I wanted (ie xenons/leather/RDC/PDC/Rain sensor/etc).

Conclusion, if you afford it, get a 330, if not get the best specced 325/328 you can find. Either way, you'll be happy.

[adood84]

by defualt the 330 should be best in the range as it was desgined to be the best you can't say that the 320 is better than the 325 or the 325 is better than 330 of course if they all have the same spec

[kris d]

Yep 330 is definately quite a bit quicker than the 325. A whole second quicker 0-60 is quite a bit in those terms.
A 328i on the other hand has the same BHP as a 325i but more torque and from personal experience there's hardly anything in it between the 328 and the 330. The 330 is still slightly faster, but only slightly.

Either way, they're all decent cars and all Superchargerable!

[M5 SC]

I completly agree with 'raj328'.
i've also got a 328i auto and the girlfriend has a 330i clubsport - i drive both these cars on a regular basis and there is very little difference, mines got every extra apart from sat nav' abd thats why i bought it - the spec!!!
Girlfriends has sat nav but not as many toys as mine.
Set your budget and get as many toys as possible, you might end with a 330 or 328 but either way you'll be impressed mate.
Welcome by the way!!! [bang

[ian_79a]

Hi and welcome, i have a S reg 328i and very happy with i its my first bmw and havent had another to compare with i had mine on a rolling road with only a pipper x fillter and to my surprize i have 219bhp and 212ft lb t, i beleave stock is 198bhp, By the way if any one can explane or has any idea as to how i have that much bhp over stock, i know the filter alone would not give that much of a difference, is it most likely that i have fitted 19s?

[Stock323iSaloon]

Hi and welcome, i have a S reg 328i and very happy with i its my first bmw and havent had another to compare with i had mine on a rolling road with only a pipper x fillter and to my surprize i have 219bhp and 212ft lb t, i beleave stock is 198bhp, By the way if any one can explane or has any idea as to how i have that much bhp over stock, i know the filter alone would not give that much of a difference, is it most likely that i have fitted 19s?

No, 19s wheels won't give you extra bhp...your air filter may only give you 1 or 2 bhp more so donno how you got extra 26bhp...???

[lee330sport]

It could be a few things Ian, you could have a very strong engine as standard or the rolling road could be way out.

RR's are only good for tuning/comparing your power outout after different mods. As they can vary so much from place to place.

[ian_79a]

No, 19s wheels won't give you extra bhp...your air filter may only give you 1 or 2 bhp more so donno how you got extra 26bhp...???
i realize that 19s wont give me more bhp, i was more along the lines of 19s putting the figures out not giving a true reading (sorry for not being clear) :cool:

[ian_79a]

thanks lee for the info still new to the modding scene :rolleyes:

[Nickleback]

Hi & Welcome, [hiya
I've owned both E46 - 325 & 330's & given the choice would go for the 330 in manual or auto because it performs better all round in all types of driving styles.
However decisions like this are really down to budget, type, colour & spec which tends to control what you will really will end up getting.
Max your budget, do you research carefully, decide min spec you require, then go looking & testing until you find what you really want.
Above all take you time, there's lots out there, but finding a good one that's really what you want, with the right spec & right price takes time. [cool