E36: 325i or 328i?

[rassi]

My brother is looking to get into a cheap E36, and while the nominal bhp is the same (192) on the 325 and 328, the torque is significantly more on the 328 (245 v 280 nm).

Now, if price was not an issue, I suppose the 328i would be the better bet, but in terms of mechanical reliability, any caveats? Both have a timing chain I suppose? And both are single Vanos, or is it only the 328 that has Vanos? Finally, my brother insists on getting it in automatic guise, any problems to look out for there?

[clonmult]

I think most people would recommend the 328 over the 325 - much better performance, possibly better economy as well.

But an auto????? Give him a slap and tell him to go manual!

[Phugoid]

The only advantages of the 2.5 is the sound and it's not as if the 2.8 rattles like a tractor.

[rassi]

Thanks for the comments - I assume that the timing chain and Vanos question is correct, as I stated it?

[sniff diesel]

Early 325's don't have Vanos, up to about 1993 IIRC

[Shropshiremike]

Phugoid said:

The only advantages of the 2.5 is the sound and it's not as if the 2.8 rattles like a tractor.

Seems to like to rev more than the 328 if my friend's example is anything to go by

[carter711]

I think the 2.8s have a heavier flywheell which is why the don't rev aswell as the 2.5

2.5s will be cheaper as they are more common.

[sniff diesel]

carter711 said:

I think the 2.8s have a heavier flywheell which is why the don't rev aswell as the 2.5

2.5s will be cheaper as they are more common.

Isn't the throttle bodie's about half the size on the 2.8 hence why it doesn't rev as high?

2.5's will also be older and rustier. Stretch to a clean 2.8 if I was you.

[TheEnd]

The 325's diff is a 3.15 compared to a 2.93 on the 328 which may go some way into the feeling of a lazy car.

The 328's are far quieter inside, and although they have better acceleration, it doesn't feel that way.

[carter711]

sniff diesel said:

carter711 said:

I think the 2.8s have a heavier flywheell which is why the don't rev aswell as the 2.5

2.5s will be cheaper as they are more common.

Isn't the throttle bodie's about half the size on the 2.8 hence why it doesn't rev as high?

2.5's will also be older and rustier. Stretch to a clean 2.8 if I was you.

I used to know quite alot about the E36 but I've forgotten most of it as I'm into VWs now!

I think the 328i has a 320i inlet manifold, as does the 323i. 325s have their own mainfold and when you fit this manifold to the 328 you get more power as the engine can breathe easier.

BMW restriced the 328i as if it were unrestricted the power output would have been to close to the US M3 which only produced 240bhp.

[Shropshiremike]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Agree with you on the sound, both on the std exhaust my friend's non-Vanos 325 sounded much nicer and 'zingier' than my 328.

You're right on the road tests though - all the 328i manual variants Autocar ran through the test gear were about 6.5 or less and their official figs for the 325 were about 7.....however, they did have a really fast 325 that they figured early on ...but it wasn't the one for the official road test. IIRC they timed it at about 6.5-ish - I'll dig out the issue.
I think it was like the 204bhp 330d E46 - got timed with the gear but never as part of an official road test.

Like you say though, all academic really....

[Shropshiremike]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You were right, it wasn't 6.5ish I knew it was below 7 though
They timed a 4-dr 325i at 6.8 to 60 and ss 1/4 mile at 15.3 - top speed 143 - it's in the 12/01/94 issue of Autocar.

Anyways up, do you know what your 328 weighs now out of interest?
Diff and loss of weight will certainly pep it up.
My 4dr SE with climate and esr weighed in at 1420kg ( Autocar's 4 dr was 1340kg in the road test )
Have you fitted your Z3 rack yet?