E91 - difference between 325i and 330i?

[Gavstar]

Both 3L so what is the difference that means the 325 is less powerful and is it worth considering a 325 and getting it modded? Is it just an engine remap or are there other differences?

[Smuler]

I thought the early 325's (e90) were 2.5l. so it may depend on what age of car.

My understanding is you won't get much of a performance improvement remapping a N/A car.

330 is faster, and I don't believe sacrifices much if anything on fuel economy so would seem a much better prospect.

only reason i can think to get 325 would be if it was manual and that was essential, and you couldn't get a 330i manual within your price/ criteria. In the E46 generation, the auto gearbox (according to BMW) saw a decrease in performance and fuel economy when compared to a manual, so the performance gap between 325 (manual) and 330 (auto) narrowed when compared to manual v manual.

Might be the same in the E90 generation, perhaps worth checking if it becomes relevant.

[Crackie]

5

These might be a little more helpful; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=118...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=653...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E90)

Edited by Crackie on Monday 23 September 00:00

[Bungleaio]

Witht the 3.0 n53 engone apparently you can put the intake manifold from the 330 onto the 325, map it and tell the ecu that the intake is now 3 stage and you get 330 power.

Personally I'm happy with my n53 325 the way it is but its nice to know their are options.

[JaseR5GTT]

Hi,
Ive an E92 08 325i and am looking into the manifold swap and remap. Has anyone on this forum done this mod with success? If they did, have you the dyno map to hand to share, id be very interested to see it. Also, what are the fundamental differences with the two manifolds?

[dcb]

Smuler said:

330 is faster, and I don't believe sacrifices much if anything on fuel economy so would seem a much better prospect.

About 1.1 mpg on the automatic, 0.4 mpg on the manual, according to the owner's manual.
IIRC an insurance group or two fewer.

Both are 155 mph cars, 330 has about 40 BHP more, so slightly better acceleration.

In the heavily speed camera parts of the UK, you won't be getting there any faster.
A humble 320 is as far as you need to go.

[p1stonhead]

dcb said:

Smuler said:

330 is faster, and I don't believe sacrifices much if anything on fuel economy so would seem a much better prospect.

About 1.1 mpg on the automatic, 0.4 mpg on the manual, according to the owner's manual.
IIRC an insurance group or two fewer.

Both are 155 mph cars, 330 has about 40 BHP more, so slightly better acceleration.

In the heavily speed camera parts of the UK, you won't be getting there any faster.
A humble 320 is as far as you need to go.

It really isnt. The engine in the 320i is awful.

[Gavstar]

I gave up trying to find a good one and baby number two came along so went for a petrol Q5 instead!

[budgie smuggler]

p1stonhead said:

It really isnt. The engine in the 320i is awful.

In what regard? On paper it looks like a good engine.

[p1stonhead]

budgie smuggler said:

p1stonhead said:

It really isnt. The engine in the 320i is awful.

In what regard? On paper it looks like a good engine.

It just feels like its not enough for the car in some situations in my experience (albeit only had one for about a week).

The 6 cylinders are silky smooth.