Would i regret buying a 325 over a 330?
Discussion
dcb said:
The extra 50 BHP or so of the 330 over the 325 can't be cost-free when
it comes to the petrol station.
330 is 2-3 insurance groups above the 325, depending on exactly which
one you pick.
So I'd say the 325 is a cheaper car to run than the 330. Maybe not
by much, but every saving helps.
The market seems to like them, since 325s on sale, according to original OP,
outnumber 330s by some considerable margin. Very few folks
seem willing to pay the extra costs associated with the 330.
Of course, the real savings are to be had by dropping downto the
next lower 3 series, the 320. They are about 4 insurance groups
below the 325, and being only 4 cylinder, have reduced service costs, too.
The various incarnations of the M54 (2.2, 2.5 and 3.0) all get exactly the same mpg with around a 60 bhp difference from lowest to highest outputs.it comes to the petrol station.
330 is 2-3 insurance groups above the 325, depending on exactly which
one you pick.
So I'd say the 325 is a cheaper car to run than the 330. Maybe not
by much, but every saving helps.
The market seems to like them, since 325s on sale, according to original OP,
outnumber 330s by some considerable margin. Very few folks
seem willing to pay the extra costs associated with the 330.
Of course, the real savings are to be had by dropping downto the
next lower 3 series, the 320. They are about 4 insurance groups
below the 325, and being only 4 cylinder, have reduced service costs, too.
Even if there is a small difference in the newer cars, I'd like to think most folk on here would rather have the extra 50 bhp for next to no real extra running costs.
dcb said:
The extra 50 BHP or so of the 330 over the 325 can't be cost-free when
it comes to the petrol station.
Unless you are driving everywhere absolutely flat out, you aren't using the extra 50hp though.it comes to the petrol station.
The low down, in gear performance of the 330i makes the difference, especially in the manual. In real world terms they nearly the same.
You sit in a more efficient RPM band for more of the time in the 330i. So even though you have more power, it's offset by more appropriate gearing and drivability.
dcb said:
330 is 2-3 insurance groups above the 325, depending on exactly which one you pick.
For me, the difference was the princely sum of £4 on the quote. Ironically the 335i was cheaper than both.BMW EU figures for the N52 325i and 330i E90 where 32.5 mpg combined vs 33.4mpg combined, or 38 vs 39mpg for the N53 engined cars.
i.e. fug all difference and quite a bargain for the extra 50bhp.
The 325i is still a lovely car, it's just that the extra top end zing of the 330i makes the lovely mag block six even more appealing.
i.e. fug all difference and quite a bargain for the extra 50bhp.
The 325i is still a lovely car, it's just that the extra top end zing of the 330i makes the lovely mag block six even more appealing.
Digitalize said:
The 325D and 330D are similar, but different in a few ways.
A 325D won't quite map to the same power as a 330D, but it is close.
325D's have smaller brakes than the 330D.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=936...
As far as I can see in that thread, they conclude that the drivetrain for the N57 engined versions are identical, it's just that the 325d got the N57 at a later date. Unless I'm reading it wrong ?A 325D won't quite map to the same power as a 330D, but it is close.
325D's have smaller brakes than the 330D.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=936...
dcb said:
The extra 50 BHP or so of the 330 over the 325 can't be cost-free when
it comes to the petrol station.
330 is 2-3 insurance groups above the 325, depending on exactly which
one you pick.
So I'd say the 325 is a cheaper car to run than the 330. Maybe not
by much, but every saving helps.
The market seems to like them, since 325s on sale, according to original OP,
outnumber 330s by some considerable margin. Very few folks
seem willing to pay the extra costs associated with the 330.
Of course, the real savings are to be had by dropping downto the
next lower 3 series, the 320. They are about 4 insurance groups
below the 325, and being only 4 cylinder, have reduced service costs, too.
Somebody offered this "advice" when I bought the 125i, and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank Jebus that I completely ignored it. For a trifling amount of extra outlay compared to a 120i, I am spared the fairly gutless and anodyne (and unreliable) 4 pot in the 120i, and have one of the finest engines BMW have ever created. What's more I've had plenty of opportunity to use all of the grunt (overtaking, joining motorways, M6 Toll barriers, etc), so it is hardly wasted.it comes to the petrol station.
330 is 2-3 insurance groups above the 325, depending on exactly which
one you pick.
So I'd say the 325 is a cheaper car to run than the 330. Maybe not
by much, but every saving helps.
The market seems to like them, since 325s on sale, according to original OP,
outnumber 330s by some considerable margin. Very few folks
seem willing to pay the extra costs associated with the 330.
Of course, the real savings are to be had by dropping downto the
next lower 3 series, the 320. They are about 4 insurance groups
below the 325, and being only 4 cylinder, have reduced service costs, too.
I'd also correct you on the 320i suggestion - it is a fairly horrible engine, will cost more in servicing fixing all the issues, and a colleague's 320i used a ton more fuel than my 125i due to the way you had to drive it to keep up with traffic. I wouldn't touch one with a s
tty stick personally - mind you if saving pennies was my perogative, I doubt I'd be looking at a 3-Series. OP, I would probably hold out for a 330i. I went for the 125i, but this was only on the understanding I could remap it in future up to 130i levels. Well, that and they never did a 130i Coupe. If you go for a 325i you will always be thinking what if?
YES OP you would!!
Drive as many of them as you can, but under no circumstances buy a diesel until you have driven at least one petrol one!
Foolishly bought a 320td Compact in 2005 without trying a 325ti.
Changed it in 2008 and bought a 123d without trying a 130i.
Last year bought the car I always wanted since I first saw one, a Z4 Coupe (with the same N52 engine as an early E9* model 330i) and it is like I have finally seen the light - just as BMW turned it out by stopping making N/A straight 6 petrol engines!
Like it so much that I changed my cr**py daily and got a 325ti Compact last December - also a great car but after the Z4 I wish they had made a 330ti Compact!
And for what it's worth they seem to have very similar fuel consumption so far - both the right side of 30 mpg overall.
Unless you do mega miles I would personally avoid the diesels, and definitely avoid any of the 4 pot engines whatever anyone says!
Good luck!
Drive as many of them as you can, but under no circumstances buy a diesel until you have driven at least one petrol one!
Foolishly bought a 320td Compact in 2005 without trying a 325ti.
Changed it in 2008 and bought a 123d without trying a 130i.
Last year bought the car I always wanted since I first saw one, a Z4 Coupe (with the same N52 engine as an early E9* model 330i) and it is like I have finally seen the light - just as BMW turned it out by stopping making N/A straight 6 petrol engines!
Like it so much that I changed my cr**py daily and got a 325ti Compact last December - also a great car but after the Z4 I wish they had made a 330ti Compact!
And for what it's worth they seem to have very similar fuel consumption so far - both the right side of 30 mpg overall.
Unless you do mega miles I would personally avoid the diesels, and definitely avoid any of the 4 pot engines whatever anyone says!
Good luck!
Mr Tidy said:
YES OP you would!!
Drive as many of them as you can, but under no circumstances buy a diesel until you have driven at least one petrol one!
Foolishly bought a 320td Compact in 2005 without trying a 325ti.
Changed it in 2008 and bought a 123d without trying a 130i.
Last year bought the car I always wanted since I first saw one, a Z4 Coupe (with the same N52 engine as an early E9* model 330i) and it is like I have finally seen the light - just as BMW turned it out by stopping making N/A straight 6 petrol engines!
Like it so much that I changed my cr**py daily and got a 325ti Compact last December - also a great car but after the Z4 I wish they had made a 330ti Compact!
And for what it's worth they seem to have very similar fuel consumption so far - both the right side of 30 mpg overall.
Unless you do mega miles I would personally avoid the diesels, and definitely avoid any of the 4 pot engines whatever anyone says!
Good luck!
Love the passion for the N52 Drive as many of them as you can, but under no circumstances buy a diesel until you have driven at least one petrol one!
Foolishly bought a 320td Compact in 2005 without trying a 325ti.
Changed it in 2008 and bought a 123d without trying a 130i.
Last year bought the car I always wanted since I first saw one, a Z4 Coupe (with the same N52 engine as an early E9* model 330i) and it is like I have finally seen the light - just as BMW turned it out by stopping making N/A straight 6 petrol engines!
Like it so much that I changed my cr**py daily and got a 325ti Compact last December - also a great car but after the Z4 I wish they had made a 330ti Compact!
And for what it's worth they seem to have very similar fuel consumption so far - both the right side of 30 mpg overall.
Unless you do mega miles I would personally avoid the diesels, and definitely avoid any of the 4 pot engines whatever anyone says!
Good luck!
also love the dislike of the 4 pot diesel, I like your style very much! 
cerb4.5lee said:
Love the passion for the N52 also love the dislike of the 4 pot diesel, I like your style very much!
Thanks - having misguidedly endured nearly a decade of 4 pot diseasel misery I would hate to see another PH'er make a similar mistake! also love the dislike of the 4 pot diesel, I like your style very much! BTW I just looked at your car history and there are a couple of similarities with mine.
Just hope you have a good economic reason for the tractor engine in your 6 Series!!
I know from experience they are seriously quick but after a Z4M you must have to wear ear-plugs!Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 10th July 00:26
Mr Tidy said:
cerb4.5lee said:
Love the passion for the N52 also love the dislike of the 4 pot diesel, I like your style very much!
Thanks - having misguidedly endured nearly a decade of 4 pot diseasel misery I would hate to see another PH'er make a similar mistake! also love the dislike of the 4 pot diesel, I like your style very much! BTW I just looked at your car history and there are a couple of similarities with mine.
Just hope you have a good economic reason for the tractor engine in your 6 Series!!
I know from experience they are seriously quick but after a Z4M you must have to wear ear-plugs!Edited by Mr Tidy on Friday 10th July 00:26
the 6 series was purchased as a tool to do a job of covering around 40k miles a year in and I agree the engine is poor and I am not a fan, circumstances will be changing shortly and less miles will be done and it will get swapped for a petrol engine again thankfully. Its impossible to get any enjoyment from driving a diesel and I vote for them to be banned!
cerb4.5lee said:
the 6 series was purchased as a tool to do a job of covering around 40k miles a year in and I agree the engine is poor and I am not a fan, circumstances will be changing shortly and less miles will be done and it will get swapped for a petrol engine again thankfully. Its impossible to get any enjoyment from driving a diesel and I vote for them to be banned!
+1!
Mr Tidy said:
cerb4.5lee said:
the 6 series was purchased as a tool to do a job of covering around 40k miles a year in and I agree the engine is poor and I am not a fan, circumstances will be changing shortly and less miles will be done and it will get swapped for a petrol engine again thankfully. Its impossible to get any enjoyment from driving a diesel and I vote for them to be banned!
+1!
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