Discussion
Thinking about getting either a 325 Coupe Sport or a 330 Coupe sport.
What are they like, anything to look out for.
Am i better off getting a 330 and having more power or being sensible and getting the 325 and having better fuel economy?
How can i spot a genuine sport, does it say sport on the V5 or will it just say coupe?
Looking at about 10 years old so 2002-2003, i think they were facelifted in late 2003 but expect they will be out of budget.
What are they like, anything to look out for.
Am i better off getting a 330 and having more power or being sensible and getting the 325 and having better fuel economy?
How can i spot a genuine sport, does it say sport on the V5 or will it just say coupe?
Looking at about 10 years old so 2002-2003, i think they were facelifted in late 2003 but expect they will be out of budget.
The 325Ci has pretty much the same running costs, including fuel economy, as the 330Ci so there is no saving there. The only benefit of the 325Ci is that you'll likely get a newer, nicer car for your money as the 330Ci is the popular one. Depending on your budget this could be the difference between getting a rancid nail with 12 owners or getting a nice one.
Fox- said:
The 325Ci has pretty much the same running costs, including fuel economy, as the 330Ci so there is no saving there. The only benefit of the 325Ci is that you'll likely get a newer, nicer car for your money as the 330Ci is the popular one. Depending on your budget this could be the difference between getting a rancid nail with 12 owners or getting a nice one.
So let me get this right, the 325 has the same running costs as a 330 but with less power? In that case why even bother with a 325? Surely that does not make sense, surely the 325 has to be cheaper to run otherwise why wold anyone bother getting it?RZ1 said:
So let me get this right, the 325 has the same running costs as a 330 but with less power? In that case why even bother with a 325? Surely that does not make sense, surely the 325 has to be cheaper to run otherwise why wold anyone bother getting it?
Because it was cheaper to buy. It is not cheaper to run - it uses the same M54 engine only in 2.5 litre form. The combined fuel consumption figure difference between the two is less than 1 mpg.RZ1 said:
So let me get this right, the 325 has the same running costs as a 330 but with less power? In that case why even bother with a 325? Surely that does not make sense, surely the 325 has to be cheaper to run otherwise why wold anyone bother getting it?
No material difference.You may as well enjoy the 3.0.
They also came slightly better standard spec when new I think.
Fox- said:
Because it was cheaper to buy. It is not cheaper to run - it uses the same M54 engine only in 2.5 litre form. The combined fuel consumption figure difference between the two is less than 1 mpg.
Fox you are correct, i should apologise, i have just looked into the figures and indeed the difference in fuel consumption is about 1 mpg. ITs a no brainer will be looking at the 330 instead now.Shortlisted a couple and will try to arrange a viewing
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Its not original as the lights have been changed along with the wheels but other then that looks ok
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Done a few more miles but not worries as the engines on these things are pretty solid, however has a few m badges, and the spoiler, wonder how easy they will be to remove and go back to original spec
Fox- said:
RZ1 said:
So let me get this right, the 325 has the same running costs as a 330 but with less power? In that case why even bother with a 325? Surely that does not make sense, surely the 325 has to be cheaper to run otherwise why wold anyone bother getting it?
Because it was cheaper to buy. It is not cheaper to run - it uses the same M54 engine only in 2.5 litre form. The combined fuel consumption figure difference between the two is less than 1 mpg.RZ1 said:
Thinking about getting either a 325 Coupe Sport or a 330 Coupe sport.
What are they like, anything to look out for.
Am i better off getting a 330 and having more power or being sensible and getting the 325 and having better fuel economy?
How can i spot a genuine sport, does it say sport on the V5 or will it just say coupe?
Looking at about 10 years old so 2002-2003, i think they were facelifted in late 2003 but expect they will be out of budget.
It's going to come down to what you want from it. But from what I've read the early e36's 323 and 328 are the better to drive ones. When they first introduced the 330i I believe they changed the steering and throttle feel. It's a good car, but less enjoyable to drive. I think latter 330i's where changed again which improved them, but they still weren't as good to drive as the 328 ones.What are they like, anything to look out for.
Am i better off getting a 330 and having more power or being sensible and getting the 325 and having better fuel economy?
How can i spot a genuine sport, does it say sport on the V5 or will it just say coupe?
Looking at about 10 years old so 2002-2003, i think they were facelifted in late 2003 but expect they will be out of budget.
MPG wise, I don't think there's much in it tbh. You won't save enough on fuel with a 325 to really be worth it. But you might well find a tidier 325 for your budget.
I've had 3. A 328ci, 330ci & an M3. Other than the chassis failure on the 328 (well known about), my only gripe has been the slightly cheap materials on the inside. All mine suffered rattles - all fixed under warranty. Still a good looking car, and so much better looking than anything BMW have made since.
The prices on the sports seem to be very up and down, seen a couple of 52 reg 330 sport coupes with all the toys except the sat nav and 100k from anything between £3500 and £5k.
Initially wanted to get one with the sat nav but now thinking its likely to be pretty crap as it will be 10 year old tech, however it does transform the inside of the car having the screen. Is it worth paying the £500 or so premium and getting a car with the screen?
Initially wanted to get one with the sat nav but now thinking its likely to be pretty crap as it will be 10 year old tech, however it does transform the inside of the car having the screen. Is it worth paying the £500 or so premium and getting a car with the screen?
Get a good 330 if you can but don't worry if you can't.
Not sure on the E46 models but I own an E90 325 and tested two 330's before buying. Performance is only slighly better on the 330 and fuel economy is only slightly worse. The margins are so small that neither will dissapoint. I'd go for the 330 (the good ones were slightly out my budget when I got mine) if you could.
I wanted the 330 but after driving a basic one and an SE, decided that the mSport handled and looked so much better than the 330's I'd driven, I didn't notice much difference in acceleration either. I was in a hurry to buy otherwise I might have held out another few months and waited for a 330 mSport to come in on budget but I didn't have the patience and was offered a good price on my existing car.
Not sure on the E46 models but I own an E90 325 and tested two 330's before buying. Performance is only slighly better on the 330 and fuel economy is only slightly worse. The margins are so small that neither will dissapoint. I'd go for the 330 (the good ones were slightly out my budget when I got mine) if you could.
I wanted the 330 but after driving a basic one and an SE, decided that the mSport handled and looked so much better than the 330's I'd driven, I didn't notice much difference in acceleration either. I was in a hurry to buy otherwise I might have held out another few months and waited for a 330 mSport to come in on budget but I didn't have the patience and was offered a good price on my existing car.
Fox- said:
RZ1 said:
Thanks toon, i am not interested in getting a standard 330 coupe, will only be looing at the sport as in my opnion its a better looking car and drives better too.
Strange opinion, they drive the same as the 330ci SE has sport suspension as standard. a BWM? lol
but anyway i had a e46 325 automatic and they're an enjoyable sharp drive. the transmission is superb and it gets the shifts just right for me. the interior wasn't great, quite bog-standard dull black and it felt a bit cheap compared to my Volvo S60. the fuel consumption was not good - got 20mpg around town.
never had any problems although I was told the front bushings tend to go quite rapidly, and they're hopeless in snow as you'd expect.
but anyway i had a e46 325 automatic and they're an enjoyable sharp drive. the transmission is superb and it gets the shifts just right for me. the interior wasn't great, quite bog-standard dull black and it felt a bit cheap compared to my Volvo S60. the fuel consumption was not good - got 20mpg around town.
never had any problems although I was told the front bushings tend to go quite rapidly, and they're hopeless in snow as you'd expect.
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