E90 325d

[shotta287]

Hello all,

Saw a LCI 325d the other day which seemed to be very quick. Am I correct in saying that for the LCI models, the 325d and 330d are identical apart from the ECU tune? Would a remap on the 325d bring it to the same level as a mapped 330d?

[Mike335i]

I believe the 325d maps to around 250-280ish hp, but is not exactly the same engine as the 330d, which can map to nearly 300hp.

Seems to be quite a bit online about auto gearboxes struggling to cope with the torque, not as bad as the e46s were, but I don't know if the same box is used on the 325d as opposed to the 330d and so lower torque limits might apply.

Edited by Mike335i on Friday 1st September 07:44

Edited by Mike335i on Sunday 3rd September 16:17

[Russ Sims]

Providing the 325d you are looking at is the n57 204bhp version then it will map to approx 300bhp, the same as a 330d.

Check the engine before purchasing as there are a few cars that are LCI but with the older m57 engine, i didn't realise there was such a thing but there is a guy on e90 post with one. I believe they only map to approx 260bhp

[Fox-]

Russ Sims said:

Providing the 325d you are looking at is the n57 204bhp version then it will map to approx 300bhp, the same as a 330d.

Check the engine before purchasing as there are a few cars that are LCI but with the older m57 engine, i didn't realise there was such a thing but there is a guy on e90 post with one. I believe they only map to approx 260bhp

I think its more than a few - wasn't it a good 18 months before the LCI 325d moved to the N57?

[rayyan171]

As the LCI engine uses the same engine for both 330d and 325d the engines were thus nearly identical. There might have been a few modifications etc in injectors or in the intakes but they should be very similar. Watch out for tensioner issues as the N57 had these issues, unlike the M57.

[shotta287]

Thanks guys, interesting to know. Not in the market for one at the moment, prefer petrol cars plus I don't do enough mileage to justify diesel. Must say however, the surging low down torque seems appealing!

[Russ Sims]

Fox- said:

Russ Sims said:

Providing the 325d you are looking at is the n57 204bhp version then it will map to approx 300bhp, the same as a 330d.

Check the engine before purchasing as there are a few cars that are LCI but with the older m57 engine, i didn't realise there was such a thing but there is a guy on e90 post with one. I believe they only map to approx 260bhp

I think its more than a few - wasn't it a good 18 months before the LCI 325d moved to the N57?

I couldn't honestly say Fox, I thought that the LCI was released March 2010 and the 325d got the N57 from May 2010. However, I can't back that up with any definitive proof, I'm relying purely on my own recollection from e9x shopping 3 years or so ago.

The 330d got the N57 approx 18 months before the 325d, meaning the N57 was fitted to pre LCI 330d's but not 325d's. Perhaps that is the 18 month period you're thinking?

[Fox-]

The E90 LCI was September 2008 not 2010 and this is when the N57 appeared in the 330d.

The 325d gained it in March 2010 when the coupe had it's LCI.

[shotta287]

Pretty tempted by one of these, must be a saloon though and be kitted out, i.e. iDrive, folding mirrors, xenons, leather. Surprised how rare the LCI N57 saloons are. Currently have a manual A3 1.8t and i've got an itch for a 6 cyl smooth effortless BMW diesel. Automatic of course. My commute to work will be changing and will involve more miles and a lot of stop/start traffic. Not in any particular rush to buy one though so will see what happens.