325i or 330i? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

fatass · 07-18-2005, 02:54 AM

Having trouble deciding on whether or not to stick with a 325i, or splurge for the 330i. Basically I'm looking at getting a 3 series with these options:

Upgraded Sound System
Steptronic
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Xenon Lights
Park Distance Control
iDrive
Sports Package

I know that 330i includes standard a few of the options on the 325i such as:

Sound System
Xenon Lights
Upgrade with the Sports Package is cheaper on the 330i than the 325i

Priced out, the 325i is about $3,000 less than a equally equipped 330i.

As far as I know, this is what a 330i will include that justifies the extra 3k:

Additional HP
Bigger Brakes

Now I'm wondering.... is the 3k worth it?

Oofie · 07-18-2005, 03:03 AM

I was in the same exact position a week ago. I had the the 325i configured with SP, power seats and xenons, or, I could get a 330i and only get the SP. In the end, I opted for the 330i and decided to splurge a bit more by adding the premium package. For me, it was like a 4k difference in price, but I did get peace of mind with the fact that I know the 330 was the car I really wanted and not settling on the 325i (no offense to 325i owners)

onesixeight · 07-18-2005, 03:31 AM

It really depends how you use the power and what kind of driving you do. Seriously, the 325i moves very nicely and you don't get that, "I wish I had more horses" when driving it around town. The only time I wish the 325 and even 330 had move power, was wringing it around this mountain course in my area.

Otherwise, the new 6 speed gear box in both manual and steptronic configuration will find the right ratio for the right situation.

The other question is, how valuable are options such as NAV, Cold Weather, PDC (I reckon that will be very useful parking in the city), and Premium? If you can do without those and don't mind the 3k premium, get the 330i.

ward · 07-18-2005, 08:49 AM

the 325, is not a slow car BMW still claims 6.7 to 60

hard to justify 3-4 grand for about 1/2 a second to 60

try both cars and see if you have to have the engine upgrade

I test drove a 330 and got a 325, the power delivery is so smooth on both cars that I didn't think the 330 felt that much faster

scottz5 · 07-18-2005, 09:01 AM

330, I loved my e46 325i, but after getting it I wished I spent the few extra $'s. If money is a issue I will skip PDC and the cold weather. Just get the heated seats. PDC is a waste IMO it is a small car and easy to park.

noflash · 07-18-2005, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatass

Having trouble deciding on whether or not to stick with a 325i, or splurge for the 330i. Basically I'm looking at getting a 3 series with these options:

Upgraded Sound System
Steptronic
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
Xenon Lights
Park Distance Control
iDrive
Sports Package

I know that 330i includes standard a few of the options on the 325i such as:

Sound System
Xenon Lights
Upgrade with the Sports Package is cheaper on the 330i than the 325i

Priced out, the 325i is about $3,000 less than a equally equipped 330i.

As far as I know, this is what a 330i will include that justifies the extra 3k:

Additional HP
Bigger Brakes

Now I'm wondering.... is the 3k worth it?

The 325i is plenty fast.

CC 330i · 07-18-2005, 10:10 AM

I read this today from Dan Jedlicka (not really my favorite reviewer):

Quote:

The new sedan is fast with either engine, which delivers an estimated 20-21 mpg in the city and 29-30 on the highway. There's no compelling reason to pay the extra $6,000 for the 330i unless a driver wants to be a hard charger—and lives in areas where hard charging won't get a net thrown over him.

Luckily I live in an area with lots of open, lightly traveled roads to enjoy the 330i. If I didn't, the 325 would have been on my shopping list. I had a hard time not spending 5k more for an Audi S4 (used) with 340 horsepower, which is only 1/2 second faster to 60. But 60-80 speed is important too and that's an often overlooked performance measure.

greenscape · 07-21-2005, 09:08 PM

You Get the Xenon lights, Logic 7 sound System, bigger brakes and I beleive the premium package will cost less with the 330

Athos · 07-21-2005, 09:47 PM

There is tons on this topic on this forum-particularly back in May/June timeframe if I recall. I suggest doing a thread search to see what's already been said.

raleedy · 07-21-2005, 09:57 PM

Seems to me that if you want a stripped-down car (no pwr seats, no xenons, no prem sound, etc.) the 325i is more attractive, but if you want options like those then the $3K or so difference is justified by the bigger brakes and higher power and torque of the 330i. Don't forget that some of the difference will carry over into resale value.

davinet78 · 07-26-2005, 05:27 AM

if you can afford the 330 go for it

Cloud9 · 07-26-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinet78

if you can afford the 330 go for it

Agree totally! Test drive both and then make your decision.

pony_trekker · 07-26-2005, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davinet78

if you can afford the 330 go for it

For me, getting a 325 over a 330 probably saves me 4 points on my license over the 3 year lease.

govtec · 07-26-2005, 09:06 PM

I opted for the 325 and went heavy on options. After test driving both cars the difference in feel was very minimal in my opinion and wasn't worth the 3 extra grand. Considering this is my very first european car after switching from honda's and toyos. I didn't want to lose too much money if I had to resale.

07-18-2005, 02:54 AM	#1
fatass Second Lieutenant Drives: none Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: bay area Posts: 216 iTrader: (2)	325i or 330i? Having trouble deciding on whether or not to stick with a 325i, or splurge for the 330i. Basically I'm looking at getting a 3 series with these options: Upgraded Sound System Steptronic Premium Package Cold Weather Package Xenon Lights Park Distance Control iDrive Sports Package I know that 330i includes standard a few of the options on the 325i such as: Sound System Xenon Lights Upgrade with the Sports Package is cheaper on the 330i than the 325i Priced out, the 325i is about $3,000 less than a equally equipped 330i. As far as I know, this is what a 330i will include that justifies the extra 3k: Additional HP Bigger Brakes Now I'm wondering.... is the 3k worth it?
	Tweet

07-18-2005, 09:01 AM	#5
scottz5 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 11 F10 535i & 11.75 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 1,633 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330 [0.00]	330, I loved my e46 325i, but after getting it I wished I spent the few extra $'s. If money is a issue I will skip PDC and the cold weather. Just get the heated seats. PDC is a waste IMO it is a small car and easy to park. __________________ 11.75 E93 M3 MR/Black (wifey) 11 F10 535i AW/Cin Brown

07-21-2005, 09:08 PM	#8
greenscape Enlisted Member Drives: E90 330I Join Date: May 2005 Location: connecticut Posts: 33 iTrader: (0)	Its not 3-4 grand for just the HP You Get the Xenon lights, Logic 7 sound System, bigger brakes and I beleive the premium package will cost less with the 330

07-21-2005, 09:47 PM	#9
Athos Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i 6-spd Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 228 iTrader: (0)	There is tons on this topic on this forum-particularly back in May/June timeframe if I recall. I suggest doing a thread search to see what's already been said. __________________ 2006 330i stick 1992 525i auto

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-18-2005, 03:03 AM	#2
Oofie Private Drives: 07 Honda Fit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SD Posts: 95 iTrader: (0)	I was in the same exact position a week ago. I had the the 325i configured with SP, power seats and xenons, or, I could get a 330i and only get the SP. In the end, I opted for the 330i and decided to splurge a bit more by adding the premium package. For me, it was like a 4k difference in price, but I did get peace of mind with the fact that I know the 330 was the car I really wanted and not settling on the 325i (no offense to 325i owners)

07-18-2005, 03:31 AM	#3
onesixeight First Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 395 iTrader: (0)	It really depends how you use the power and what kind of driving you do. Seriously, the 325i moves very nicely and you don't get that, "I wish I had more horses" when driving it around town. The only time I wish the 325 and even 330 had move power, was wringing it around this mountain course in my area. Otherwise, the new 6 speed gear box in both manual and steptronic configuration will find the right ratio for the right situation. The other question is, how valuable are options such as NAV, Cold Weather, PDC (I reckon that will be very useful parking in the city), and Premium? If you can do without those and don't mind the 3k premium, get the 330i.

07-18-2005, 08:49 AM	#4
ward Major General Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T Posts: 6,162 iTrader: (0)	the 325, is not a slow car BMW still claims 6.7 to 60 hard to justify 3-4 grand for about 1/2 a second to 60 try both cars and see if you have to have the engine upgrade I test drove a 330 and got a 325, the power delivery is so smooth on both cars that I didn't think the 330 felt that much faster

07-21-2005, 09:57 PM	#10
raleedy Major Drives: E92 328i MY 2008 (ED 11/14/07) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,428 iTrader: (0)	Seems to me that if you want a stripped-down car (no pwr seats, no xenons, no prem sound, etc.) the 325i is more attractive, but if you want options like those then the $3K or so difference is justified by the bigger brakes and higher power and torque of the 330i. Don't forget that some of the difference will carry over into resale value.

07-26-2005, 05:27 AM	#11
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) Posts: 1,832 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	if you can afford the 330 go for it

07-26-2005, 09:06 PM	#14
govtec Brigadier General Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 642 iTrader: (7)	I opted for the 325 and went heavy on options. After test driving both cars the difference in feel was very minimal in my opinion and wasn't worth the 3 extra grand. Considering this is my very first european car after switching from honda's and toyos. I didn't want to lose too much money if I had to resale.