Should i go for a 330, 325 or 323?
Discussion
I currently have a 911 and have decided to garage it for winter and buy something else as a runabout . I have been looking at some E46 3 series and was just wondering how the 323 and 325 perform, have they got enough power if the need to pull quickly out of a junction ect ect? I would preferably like a 330, but there are a few very nice 325s and 323s with good spec. Is it worth going for the 330 instead, will it be easier to sell on in 6 months? Also is there anything in particular that i should be looking out for when viewing some? Any problems that are common with the E46?
What are the back seats like, can they easily accommodate 2 adults?
Thanks for the help.
What are the back seats like, can they easily accommodate 2 adults?
Thanks for the help.
I can't really comment on the 325 and 323, but my wife's 330i SE Sport Touring is a fine car, but isn't ultimately as accelerative as my modified Corrado VR6 (although it is more responsive at lower revs) so if you are coming from a 911 I doubt the 323 or 325 are going to satisfy you.
tom g said:
Oh, also, plenty of room in the back, but a bit awkward getting in and out.
pulling out of junctions is fast if you turn off the "DSC". The traction control is cack and can lead to near misses when it cuts all power at a hint of wheelspin!
I dont think even a 330i will seem "fast" to the OP who ownes a Porche. 230bhp at the end of the day in a heavy sedan & N/A is going to struggle to lift its skirts.pulling out of junctions is fast if you turn off the "DSC". The traction control is cack and can lead to near misses when it cuts all power at a hint of wheelspin!
tom g said:
Oh, also, plenty of room in the back, but a bit awkward getting in and out.
...but are we talking saloon or coupe (OP that is).Agree that it is a bit awkward with the coupe, but quite generous space once in.
Re 325 or 330, I think you'll get pretty much the same answer from everyone on here - same mpg, running costs, etc, but more power - easy decision!
I recently bought a 330Ci Sport and am loving it!
But they are not for sale at the same money - the 325i is a good £2k less like for like 2nd hand i.e. £4 to 5k vs 7 to 8k and in that budget range thats quite a difference.
The 325i has 194bhp and the 330i has 230bhp (depending on which year it is).
The 325i is supposed to be the sweetest 6 of the lot sound wise, whereas the 330i is more whoofy than zingy.
The 325i has 194bhp and the 330i has 230bhp (depending on which year it is).
The 325i is supposed to be the sweetest 6 of the lot sound wise, whereas the 330i is more whoofy than zingy.
Welshbeef said:
But they are not for sale at the same money - the 325i is a good £2k less like for like 2nd hand i.e. £4 to 5k vs 7 to 8k and in that budget range thats quite a difference.
Is it that much? Can't say I even looked though, as I knew I wanted a six cylinder facelift coupe and the 330 was the only choice for me.For the OP then it may be budget driven.
323's are quite nice.. I used to drive one (E46 323i auto). Definitely wasn't slow. But I wouldn't describe it as fast either. These have a detuned version of the 325's 2.5 L engine. So it feels a little more lazy as a result. Particularly higher up in the rev band. Silky smooth though 
And as an added bonus, without trying too hard I could get 40mpg out of it on the motorway. Pretty damn good I reckon for a 6 pot petrol with a slush box.
Would have preferred a 330i though, granted!
P,
And as an added bonus, without trying too hard I could get 40mpg out of it on the motorway. Pretty damn good I reckon for a 6 pot petrol with a slush box.Would have preferred a 330i though, granted!
P,
Welshbeef said:
tom g said:
Oh, also, plenty of room in the back, but a bit awkward getting in and out.
pulling out of junctions is fast if you turn off the "DSC". The traction control is cack and can lead to near misses when it cuts all power at a hint of wheelspin!
I dont think even a 330i will seem "fast" to the OP who ownes a Porche. 230bhp at the end of the day in a heavy sedan & N/A is going to struggle to lift its skirts.pulling out of junctions is fast if you turn off the "DSC". The traction control is cack and can lead to near misses when it cuts all power at a hint of wheelspin!
Not much room for error on this msg board eh?
to quote the OP:
"have they got enough power if the need to pull quickly out of a junction ect ect?"
I don't think the question was "will it be faster than my porker" lol.
I have a much faster 2nd car, but still appreciate the nippyness of the 330.
Edited by tom g on Tuesday 14th October 16:39
Welshbeef said:
But really if you want to get out of a junction nippy you need something with a short 1st gear and lots of traction. You could quite easily say a Suzuki Swift is really nippy out of the blocks.
What are you saying? Buy a suzuki swift? Or are you just making random observations?
ks,please read what your are saying,a 330i is not slowFox- said:
JonRB said:
my wife's 330i SE Sport Touring
Is that like a VW Golf SE GTI R32 Match Bluemotion? 
SE = spec
Sport = the M-spec suspension plus other M-sport bits
Touring = estate
So, no, nothing like the Golf Petrol Diesel 4WD FWD you just made up.
Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 14th October 19:22
Fox- said:
SE and Sport are the two E46 trim levels. It isn't an SE Sport, it's either an SE or a Sport. Hence my point. Fitted options don't change its name.
Ok, I bow to your greater knowledge of rep-mobiles. 
I was just going on what was on the Bill of Sale, but now I have checked the V5 I can see it appears to be a 330i Sport Touring. My mistake.
Edited by JonRB on Wednesday 15th October 12:21
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