What is the difference between 325i and 330i?

Ken_Ng99 · 06-25-2006, 06:05 PM

I am wondering what are the differences from an 325i and 330i? They have the same engines. What makes one at 215hp while the other has 255hp? What can I do to tune up an 325i to have performance similar to an 330i?

Nikki · 06-25-2006, 06:18 PM

ECU, exhaust

Bora20 · 06-25-2006, 07:00 PM

intake manifold, etc...

Just buy the 330 to start with

Mackskibum · 06-25-2006, 07:20 PM

Not much you can do today to hop up the 325. It appears to me that the only differences between the two (I have a 325XI on order, and have the same issues/questions) are the intake manifold, and an ECM reflash. BMW has the intake manifolds locked down- you can purchase a 330 manifold, but a core is required, and then there's the issue of reflash. My guess is that both will void the warranty on your 325 if you install after the fact.

However, I spoke to Dinan on Friday. They have exhaust coming shortly, and ECM software probably by the end of the year. Their products do not void factory warranty when properly installed. I believe that the mods from Dinan will cost less that the difference between the 325 and 330.

HTH

Ken_Ng99 · 06-25-2006, 07:25 PM

o, sorry
I did not catch that
who is Dinan?

Ken_Ng99 · 06-25-2006, 07:28 PM

By the way, does the dealer offer the exhaust and the ECM you mentioned above?

ward · 06-25-2006, 07:41 PM

do a search, if you want the power just buy the 330

you CAN'T spend a few bucks and make your 325 into a 330

ksfrogman · 06-25-2006, 07:55 PM

Let's see. Off the top of my head the 330i has: chrome vertical slats on the kidney grilles, chrome side trims, chrome exhaust tips, secondary exhaust tip valve, stock Xenons, lower price tag for the premium package, lower gear ratios, larger diameter wheels non-ZSP vs non-ZSP or ZSP vs ZSP, three-stage vs one-stage intake manifold, different ECU programming, the number "3," and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else.

whippersnapper · 06-25-2006, 08:22 PM

What is the difference between a 318 and a 330. Can I make it the same for say $500

ward · 06-25-2006, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Let's see. Off the top of my head the 330i has: chrome vertical slats on the kidney grilles, chrome side trims, chrome exhaust tips, secondary exhaust tip valve, stock Xenons, lower price tag for the premium package, lower gear ratios, larger diameter wheels non-ZSP vs non-ZSP or ZSP vs ZSP, three-stage vs one-stage intake manifold, different ECU programming, the number "3," and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else.

logic 7 standard, power seats standard (that's why the prem pack is cheaper)

I think that's it, anyone else have something to add?

bavarian19 · 06-25-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

Let's see. Off the top of my head the 330i has: chrome vertical slats on the kidney grilles, chrome side trims, chrome exhaust tips, secondary exhaust tip valve, stock Xenons, lower price tag for the premium package, lower gear ratios, larger diameter wheels non-ZSP vs non-ZSP or ZSP vs ZSP, three-stage vs one-stage intake manifold, different ECU programming, the number "3," and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else.

Painted roof rails, silver finishing bars (front lower bumper trim), larger brakes, Logic 7 standard

Josh49 · 06-25-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

logic 7 standard, power seats standard (that's why the prem pack is cheaper)

I think that's it, anyone else have something to add?

the 330 has gray horizontal blades on the front bumper compared to the black on the 325.

bavarian19 · 06-25-2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

the 330 has gray horizontal blades on the front bumper compared to the black on the 325.

Beat ya to it (see 2 posts ago)

Josh49 · 06-25-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Beat ya to it (see 2 posts ago)

Damnit, beat me by two minutes!!

nojoedoe · 06-26-2006, 01:19 AM

wow u guys get logic 7 standard

i wish i lived in america !

Mackskibum · 06-26-2006, 07:12 AM

Dinan= www.dinancars.com.

BeeEmDubU · 06-26-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

logic 7 standard, power seats standard (that's why the prem pack is cheaper)

I think that's it, anyone else have something to add?

i dont think you guys mentioned the 40hp difference and the 5-6k price difference

Ken_Ng99 · 06-26-2006, 02:09 PM

do you guys think it worth it?
40hp for 5 to 6k

BeeEmDubU · 06-26-2006, 02:17 PM

like others have mentioned, its not just the 40hp difference. theres alot of other things. to me, all the differences arent worth the price difference, and thats why i chose the 325. the 325i is quick enough for me, but maybe thats because i came from a civic.

ward · 06-26-2006, 02:30 PM

it's 2700 if the cars are optioned the same

price diff can be larger if you skip power seats, xenons, logic 7.....

kobechrome · 06-26-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken_Ng99

I am wondering what are the differences from an 325i and 330i? They have the same engines. What makes one at 215hp while the other has 255hp? What can I do to tune up an 325i to have performance similar to an 330i?

330i - 325i = 5i

Mackskibum · 06-26-2006, 03:49 PM

Man its amazing how personal these things can be- everyone has a different "hot button" related to what something is worth. Some of the items included in a 330 I did not feel were "necessities" (logic 7, xenons) If you take these out, the difference is 4-5K easily. That being the case, aftermarket folks will be able to duplicate or exceed the performance of the 330 easily since the engine has been detuned by 40hp, and my guess is for alot less than the 4-5K. Even with the additional equipment, the difference is $2700. Unfortunately, these upgrades are not available today, but will be shortly. Interestingly enough I believe the 3.0 changes to a 2.5 in '07 325 here in the US.

Many of the apearance items don't mean that much to me. Here is my example:

My on order:

325XI, metallic paint, sport, steptronic, premium, cold weather, satellite prep= MSRP $40,270.

As equal as I can get on the 330xi:

330XI, metallic paint, sport, steptronic, premium, cold weather, satellite prep= MSRP $44,970

on the 325, Xenons are $800, Logic 7 is $1200- $2000 total. The real number assuming all equal is $2700. Is 40 hp worth $2700? That's an individual question based on each person's situation.

Buy what you like, buy what you can afford, and if it doesn't come the way you would like out of the box, modify it.

06-25-2006, 06:05 PM	#1
Ken_Ng99 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC. iTrader: (0)	What is the difference between 325i and 330i? I am wondering what are the differences from an 325i and 330i? They have the same engines. What makes one at 215hp while the other has 255hp? What can I do to tune up an 325i to have performance similar to an 330i?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-25-2006, 06:18 PM	#2
Nikki Major General 985 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	ECU, exhaust __________________ Nikki
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:00 PM	#3
Bora20 Lieutenant 17 Rep 464 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW X3 3.0si M-Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kamloops, BC, CAD iTrader: (0)	intake manifold, etc... Just buy the 330 to start with
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:20 PM	#4
Mackskibum Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 535xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Eastern PA iTrader: (0)	Not much you can do today to hop up the 325. It appears to me that the only differences between the two (I have a 325XI on order, and have the same issues/questions) are the intake manifold, and an ECM reflash. BMW has the intake manifolds locked down- you can purchase a 330 manifold, but a core is required, and then there's the issue of reflash. My guess is that both will void the warranty on your 325 if you install after the fact. However, I spoke to Dinan on Friday. They have exhaust coming shortly, and ECM software probably by the end of the year. Their products do not void factory warranty when properly installed. I believe that the mods from Dinan will cost less that the difference between the 325 and 330. HTH
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:25 PM	#5
Ken_Ng99 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC. iTrader: (0)	o, sorry I did not catch that who is Dinan?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:28 PM	#6
Ken_Ng99 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC. iTrader: (0)	By the way, does the dealer offer the exhaust and the ECM you mentioned above?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:41 PM	#7
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	do a search, if you want the power just buy the 330 you CAN'T spend a few bucks and make your 325 into a 330
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 07:55 PM	#8
ksfrogman Major General 570 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	Let's see. Off the top of my head the 330i has: chrome vertical slats on the kidney grilles, chrome side trims, chrome exhaust tips, secondary exhaust tip valve, stock Xenons, lower price tag for the premium package, lower gear ratios, larger diameter wheels non-ZSP vs non-ZSP or ZSP vs ZSP, three-stage vs one-stage intake manifold, different ECU programming, the number "3," and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-25-2006, 08:22 PM	#9
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	What is the difference between a 318 and a 330. Can I make it the same for say $500 __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 01:19 AM	#15
nojoedoe New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 325i M-tec Join Date: May 2006 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	wow u guys get logic 7 standard i wish i lived in america !
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 07:12 AM	#16
Mackskibum Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 535xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Eastern PA iTrader: (0)	Dinan= www.dinancars.com.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 02:09 PM	#18
Ken_Ng99 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC. iTrader: (0)	do you guys think it worth it? 40hp for 5 to 6k
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 02:17 PM	#19
BeeEmDubU Captain 18 Rep 718 Posts Drives: AW 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So Cal iTrader: (2)	like others have mentioned, its not just the 40hp difference. theres alot of other things. to me, all the differences arent worth the price difference, and thats why i chose the 325. the 325i is quick enough for me, but maybe thats because i came from a civic.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 02:30 PM	#20
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	it's 2700 if the cars are optioned the same price diff can be larger if you skip power seats, xenons, logic 7.....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2006, 03:49 PM	#22
Mackskibum Private 2 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 535xi Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Eastern PA iTrader: (0)	Man its amazing how personal these things can be- everyone has a different "hot button" related to what something is worth. Some of the items included in a 330 I did not feel were "necessities" (logic 7, xenons) If you take these out, the difference is 4-5K easily. That being the case, aftermarket folks will be able to duplicate or exceed the performance of the 330 easily since the engine has been detuned by 40hp, and my guess is for alot less than the 4-5K. Even with the additional equipment, the difference is $2700. Unfortunately, these upgrades are not available today, but will be shortly. Interestingly enough I believe the 3.0 changes to a 2.5 in '07 325 here in the US. Many of the apearance items don't mean that much to me. Here is my example: My on order: 325XI, metallic paint, sport, steptronic, premium, cold weather, satellite prep= MSRP $40,270. As equal as I can get on the 330xi: 330XI, metallic paint, sport, steptronic, premium, cold weather, satellite prep= MSRP $44,970 on the 325, Xenons are $800, Logic 7 is $1200- $2000 total. The real number assuming all equal is $2700. Is 40 hp worth $2700? That's an individual question based on each person's situation. Buy what you like, buy what you can afford, and if it doesn't come the way you would like out of the box, modify it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote