E46 325 -v- 330

[Busa_Rush]

Is there a noticable difference between these two in normal driving ? OK, foot flat to the floor the 330 will be quicker but would I notice the difference in torque ?

Is the 325 any better with fuel ?

Only reason for asking is that the 330 has quite a premium over the 325 and 320.

[Fox-]

325 is no cheaper to service, repair and offers 0.5mpg more on the combined cycle.

[paoloh]

The 330 is in a different league to 325 IMO

[philmots]

330 has plenty more grunt... i tried both when buying and wouldn't of settled for the 325, specially with auto!

Shelling the extra out for the 330 is worth it, when you come to sell it'll be worth the difference again.

[richterswil]

I've driven but not owned both 325i and 330i E46's and there is quite a difference - 330i all the way.

PS - I had a 330d and I remember it being a post-facelift model with more power. No idea if the petrol versions had a simialr power hike but might be worth checking and seeking out a facelifted version if appropriate.

Edited by richterswil on Friday 11th September 11:33

Edited by richterswil on Friday 11th September 11:36

[AliMc99]

I've owned a E46 325i (2001) and drove colleagues 330i's and 320i's. The 325 is nice but the 330 is definately quicker. However the one to avoid is the 320- whilst really smooth it has no more punch than a 318 as it lacks torque and beacause you have to thrash it the mpg tends to be worse than 325s/330s. Later 330 manuals (from the facelift I think) have 6 speed gearboxes.

[obscene]

AliMc99 said:

Later 330 manuals (from the facelift I think) have 6 speed gearboxes.

They do, so for coupes 2003+. Not sure about the saloons.

[philmots]

All the 03 one onwards with the new wheels etc 330's are 6speed, in saloon and coupe etc.

The petrol didnt get the same power hike as the diesel.

[daveco]

I've owned both and there really isn't a difference until you're above 50mph. Granted the 325 I had was dyno'd at 205hp with 200lb ft of torque so the engine was a good 'un.

[AB]

The general consensus is go for the best you can. I had the same debate between 2.5i and 3.0i when buying my Z4 and in the end the difference was so negligible for me that the extra cost of insurance swung it for me.

I doubt there is any difference in running costs as regards servicing/parts/fuel etc and I would imagine the 3.0i would be easier to sell.

Granted, slightly different cars but same engine issue.

Would echo what has been said with regards to the 320Ci which is the 2.2i - I tried that one in a Z4 and it really wasn't powerful enough, more so in an E46 I would have thought.