Is a 325 enough?
Discussion
I'm 99% settled on a 3 series convertible for my next car (8-11k). Stories of 335s melting has put me right off them, and it seems as though hardly anybody bought a 330 new... I guess why would you when the 335 is available?
325s seem slightly more available, but I can't help but think I'd be frustrated with it all the time as it's 50bhp (ish) down on the 330. Coming from a Chavcic Type R which is quite nippy I wonder if it'll become dull. I'm not expecting it to drive like a hot hatch, but I drove a GT86 a little while ago and the feeling of constant "hurry up" when you applied some fun pedal was so irritating.
Admittedly, the instances where this would actually happen in the real world are very very minimal, but then why not have a 320? Hopefully you can understand the scenario here..
TL;DR: Should I buy a 325, or hold out and find a 330. Anyone with first hand experience?
ETA: petrol. In case there was any doubt.
325s seem slightly more available, but I can't help but think I'd be frustrated with it all the time as it's 50bhp (ish) down on the 330. Coming from a Chavcic Type R which is quite nippy I wonder if it'll become dull. I'm not expecting it to drive like a hot hatch, but I drove a GT86 a little while ago and the feeling of constant "hurry up" when you applied some fun pedal was so irritating.
Admittedly, the instances where this would actually happen in the real world are very very minimal, but then why not have a 320? Hopefully you can understand the scenario here..
TL;DR: Should I buy a 325, or hold out and find a 330. Anyone with first hand experience?
ETA: petrol. In case there was any doubt.
Edited by vtecyo on Tuesday 28th June 15:25
AMGJocky said:
A friend of mine runs a 335i and has done for the last 18 months with no issues. Not that fast, but not slow either. No reliability issues as far as I'm aware. I can't imagine a 330 would be much slower though.
NA vs FI for the period that i *think* the user is talking about. Two different beasts at that time.The 335i is a fast car. Plenty fast enough for the UK's roads, especially when mapped.
The 325i, 330i sound incredible with a decent exhaust on though. Don't forget they are essentially the same engine, so with some 330i bits and a map, you will have a 330i with a 325i badge: http://mosselmanturbo.co.uk/remapping-carstyling-c...
I've got a 335i and love it, yes it may have "reliability" issues (you only ever hear bad stories, not good ones) but it's a cracking car none the less. if you do re-consider a 335i, then factor in £50 for BMW warranty each month.
The 325i, 330i sound incredible with a decent exhaust on though. Don't forget they are essentially the same engine, so with some 330i bits and a map, you will have a 330i with a 325i badge: http://mosselmanturbo.co.uk/remapping-carstyling-c...
I've got a 335i and love it, yes it may have "reliability" issues (you only ever hear bad stories, not good ones) but it's a cracking car none the less. if you do re-consider a 335i, then factor in £50 for BMW warranty each month.
Edited by Dannbodge on Tuesday 28th June 15:46
I ran a Le Man blue E90 325i mSport for 4 years. My intention was to get a 330 (the 335's were just out of budget at the time.) After a lot of searching, not much came up in my area. I tested a bog standard poverty spec 330 which was quick in a straight line but didn't do anything for me. I also looked at a 325 SE which was lovely but the salesman couldn't be bothered so I walked out. In the end, I tried the 325 mSport. It was the colour and spec I wanted but just not the 330 I had my heart set on. It handled so much better than the SE so I decided I'd been looking long enough and bought it.
I loved the car and never felt bad when I saw a 330 out and about as I thought I might. I can understand that it's a comprimise and as such, some might regret that it's not the 330. It wasn't slow but wasn't a rocket ship either. Performance wise, it certainly kept up with the CTR's, Focus ST's, etc. but obviously they are not hot hatches and feel different to drive.
In the end I did crave a bit more performance so went for an M135i but the 325 certainly wasn't a bad choice. In some ways, I enjoyed driving it more than my current car. The manual gearbox and NA straight 6 delivery made it a bit more fun than my automatic any gear hit the loud pedal turbo delivery of the 1 series.
I loved the car and never felt bad when I saw a 330 out and about as I thought I might. I can understand that it's a comprimise and as such, some might regret that it's not the 330. It wasn't slow but wasn't a rocket ship either. Performance wise, it certainly kept up with the CTR's, Focus ST's, etc. but obviously they are not hot hatches and feel different to drive.
In the end I did crave a bit more performance so went for an M135i but the 325 certainly wasn't a bad choice. In some ways, I enjoyed driving it more than my current car. The manual gearbox and NA straight 6 delivery made it a bit more fun than my automatic any gear hit the loud pedal turbo delivery of the 1 series.
Realistically I very rarely drive my EP3 in anger - living in Bristol there's never the chance to. The only longer drives I do are to Dorset, Cornwall, and very very rarely some work mileage to and from a hotel.
In all honesty I'm swaying towards an auto as well... at 26. PH card on the way out?
In all honesty I'm swaying towards an auto as well... at 26. PH card on the way out?
toon10 said:
I ran a Le Man blue E90 325i mSport for 4 years. My intention was to get a 330 (the 335's were just out of budget at the time.) After a lot of searching, not much came up in my area. I tested a bog standard poverty spec 330 which was quick in a straight line but didn't do anything for me. I also looked at a 325 SE which was lovely but the salesman couldn't be bothered so I walked out. In the end, I tried the 325 mSport. It was the colour and spec I wanted but just not the 330 I had my heart set on. It handled so much better than the SE so I decided I'd been looking long enough and bought it.
I loved the car and never felt bad when I saw a 330 out and about as I thought I might. I can understand that it's a comprimise and as such, some might regret that it's not the 330. It wasn't slow but wasn't a rocket ship either. Performance wise, it certainly kept up with the CTR's, Focus ST's, etc. but obviously they are not hot hatches and feel different to drive.
In the end I did crave a bit more performance so went for an M135i but the 325 certainly wasn't a bad choice. In some ways, I enjoyed driving it more than my current car. The manual gearbox and NA straight 6 delivery made it a bit more fun than my automatic any gear hit the loud pedal turbo delivery of the 1 series.
Good post, thanks.I loved the car and never felt bad when I saw a 330 out and about as I thought I might. I can understand that it's a comprimise and as such, some might regret that it's not the 330. It wasn't slow but wasn't a rocket ship either. Performance wise, it certainly kept up with the CTR's, Focus ST's, etc. but obviously they are not hot hatches and feel different to drive.
In the end I did crave a bit more performance so went for an M135i but the 325 certainly wasn't a bad choice. In some ways, I enjoyed driving it more than my current car. The manual gearbox and NA straight 6 delivery made it a bit more fun than my automatic any gear hit the loud pedal turbo delivery of the 1 series.
I have a 325 - the Readers Car thread is here - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=148... , with plenty of comments and info from fellow 325 owners.
I have also owned a 2002 registered Civic Type R a few years back.
Is the 325 enough? In terms of acceleration it is not much slower than the civic though the later is without doubt more fun. If outright pace is the most important factor then the 325 may disappoint a little. For me, the overall package - decent pace, comfort, reliability - makes it worthwhile. But when the time comes to change it, I can't imagine getting another as it just feels like a box I have ticked, and it really isn't exciting enough to exchange like for like.
I have also owned a 2002 registered Civic Type R a few years back.
Is the 325 enough? In terms of acceleration it is not much slower than the civic though the later is without doubt more fun. If outright pace is the most important factor then the 325 may disappoint a little. For me, the overall package - decent pace, comfort, reliability - makes it worthwhile. But when the time comes to change it, I can't imagine getting another as it just feels like a box I have ticked, and it really isn't exciting enough to exchange like for like.
vtecyo said:
Realistically I very rarely drive my EP3 in anger - living in Bristol there's never the chance to. The only longer drives I do are to Dorset, Cornwall, and very very rarely some work mileage to and from a hotel.
In all honesty I'm swaying towards an auto as well... at 26. PH card on the way out?
Auto is the way with these. They are not sports cars by any stretch. Dont underestimate the effect of all that extra weightIn all honesty I'm swaying towards an auto as well... at 26. PH card on the way out?
325i is nice and smooth but feels gutless in these E90" shape cars.
330i is a much better car decent performance and will return same economy as the 325.
335i is very different from the 330 giving loads of power from 2,500 revs and happily revs all the way to 7.000 rpm.
335i used is great value for £££ buy carefully and you have a superb car.
( I've owned most versions of these cars including 325,325d,330,330d and 335i).
330i is a much better car decent performance and will return same economy as the 325.
335i is very different from the 330 giving loads of power from 2,500 revs and happily revs all the way to 7.000 rpm.
335i used is great value for £££ buy carefully and you have a superb car.
( I've owned most versions of these cars including 325,325d,330,330d and 335i).
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