[ed328ci]

Originally Posted by Ken_Ng99

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

It's worth it in the US. There, the 330i comes with xenons and Logic 7 plus slightly larger front brakes.

It's NOT worth it in Canada. Here, neither 330i nor 325i includes Logic7, and BOTH includes the Xenons. The only difference is the engine power and front brakes. The price difference is $7,000 CDN. The front brake size will make no difference in stopping distance, only in fade, which is evident only during track events. That leaves power. Is the additional power worth $7k to you? It didn't to me.

Of course, the exchange rate being so close these days, it may be worth it for you to consider buying a 330i from Washington State and importing it to Vancouver. You should research the import duty and tax rate though.

[whippersnapper]

Its worth it in the US. All the options I specified for my 325 are standard on the 330 save leather. I only got the 325 because it is a company car so there was a dollar limit.

[kobechrome]

It may be worth it to some ppl. I chose the 325i because didn't care about logic7 , chrome trim and HP. The HP on the 325i is pretty peppy for me.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

It may be worth it to some ppl. I chose the 325i because didn't care about logic7 , chrome trim and HP. The HP on the 325i is pretty peppy for me.

Yes, but 3 of your mods are bringing the 325 up to 330 spec!

For just 4K more you would have got 40 bhp, 40lb/ft torque, Logic 7 stereo, bigger brakes and bigger wheels plus the chrome stuff etc..

Bargain!

[ward]

it's worth it if you want the HP

the cheapest/best place to buy HP is the factory

[Ken_Ng99]

haha,
yeah I think 325 is a better choice in Canada

[angrymofo]

Well according to BMW.ca, to bring a 325i to the same options features of a base 330i. You need to add Sport package for the 17 rims($2800), premium pkg for the power seats & sunroof ($4300). Also add the adaptive headlights for $490. Then the 325i has all the same standard features of a base 330i plus the sport suspension, folding mirrors and Logic 7. But, still less the 40hp.

Base 330i w/metallic paint $48700 Cdn

325i sport/premium + adapt headlights $48,690 Cdn

your call...

I had the same dilemma, but I used this example to make my decision

[jojogargoles]

Originally Posted by Mackskibum

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.

AMEN!!!!:rocks:

[Ken_Ng99]

Originally Posted by jojogargoles

AMEN!!!!:rocks:

I strongly agree with what you said.

[ed328ci]

Originally Posted by Ken_Ng99

I strongly agree with what you said.

Note the pricing details. They are different in Canada. Xenons are included in both 325i and 330i. And neither include the Logic7. The price difference is about 7K up here. Sunroof is included in both. Adaptive headlights? Why would you want them? I have them in my car, but find their incremental usefulness to be marginal at best.

[Bavaria330]

It is worthed if only you are like me, that after getting used to the 325 you spend every day wishing you had the extra 40 hp, if your not the anal then is ok.

[BE.EM.VU.]

Originally Posted by ed328ci

Note the pricing details. They are different in Canada. Xenons are included in both 325i and 330i. And neither include the Logic7. The price difference is about 7K up here. Sunroof is included in both. Adaptive headlights? Why would you want them? I have them in my car, but find their incremental usefulness to be marginal at best.

In Canada standard on 330i:
larger brakes
larger rims/tires
aluminum trim (interior)
adaptive headlights
sunroof
electric seats
chrome trim (exterior)
chrome kidney grille slats
whatever mechanical upgrades required to put out an extra 40hp
comfort access available on the 330 ONLY (as an option of course)
Do these "upgrades" add up to 7K?...don't know, don't care...I had a E46 325xi...excellent car!...now I have a 330xi & the "upgrades" to me were well worth it!

[ed328ci]

Originally Posted by BE.EM.VU.

In Canada standard on 330i:
larger brakes
larger rims/tires
aluminum trim (interior)
adaptive headlights
sunroof
electric seats
chrome trim (exterior)
chrome kidney grille slats
whatever mechanical upgrades required to put out an extra 40hp
comfort access available on the 330 ONLY (as an option of course)
Do these "upgrades" add up to 7K?...don't know, don't care...I had a E46 325xi...excellent car!...now I have a 330xi & the "upgrades" to me were well worth it!

Of those, only the adaptive headlights and electric seats are really noticeable. Comfort access is a security risk. If you get sport package, which I think most BMW drivers should, you get larger wheels / tires anyways, and I am not a fan of 18" wheels tires - no performance benefit. 17" is a good compromise. The chrome stuff? Does anyone really care?

As stated, I have adaptive headlights, and don't think they are worth it.

I wrote about the larger front brakes before. They will not help you stop in a shorter distance. They will help with fade, and would only be noticeable under track conditions, in which even the stock M3 brakes would note really be adequate.

Any ways, everyone is different. Buy the car that you want.

[angrymofo]

I am always amazed that powered seats and a sunroof is an option on the 325. I think in this day and age, those 2 should be standard on any car that is $40k Cdn. Those 2 options require the 325 to add the Premium package which moves the car from a 40k car to a 45k car. That brings the 330 into very close price range.
End of the day its whichever car you prefer, but there is a reason there is a 325 and a 330. You do get more standard features with a 330, but at a price.
Bottom line is how much you are willing to spend to make yourself happy.

[SteveMD]

What's the difference between a 330 and a 650? I have $146 in my Paypal account. What can I do?

I told this 19 year old hot chick on myspace that I had a 650 and I'm supposed to meet her at the mall next week.

[tl_boy]

its not worth it to me, because i am not an audiophile, and the sound is good enough in the non logic 7 radio (i like the fact that even the standard comes with a MP3 in dash cd player). The chrome bits have been changed on mine with the exception of the window surround. That was $108 shipped for chrome grill and 2 330i left exhausts.

the 40 horses will be made up for less than 2k, i'm confident on that, just waiting for someone to do it.

I'm going ahead and opting for Euro Spec Xenon lights, like many 330i owners on here are doing anyway (and someone would be lying to you if they tell you they PREFER the standard 330i lights). That is costing them the same it is costing me, however they can recover $500-$800 on reselling their existing Xenon lights. 325i owners can sell their halogens too, for maybe half that, so the price differential comes down to about $250-$400 on that.

My total price differential, for the features important to me (perfomance and looks)= $6k starting difference (assuming a base 330i can be purchased for $40,400 out the door) - $108 chrome grill+tips - $1k for euro xenon (assuming i sell halogens for 200-300) - 2k MAX (guesstimate for reprogram, intake manifold for +40hp) = about $4,900. So for $5k savings, yeah it was worth it for me. (with that money I have bought 19" staggered wheels, springs, fat ass performance tires, and have money to spend if i wish on spoilers, aero parts).

My only reccomendation is don't overly modify if you plan to not keep the car for a number of years, i don't think you'll recover you investment, you'd be lucky to recover 25% after 5-6 years (wheels are great though, cuz you can sell em separately). Also, a modified car doesn't instill confidence in a used car buyer (they think it could have been raced).

but if performance and looks aren't numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 on your list of priorities, and creature comforts are, and you plan on getting lots of options, you MAY be better going 330i.

[bimmer4me]

I (330i) met up with Bavarian (325i) yesterday and we took turns driving each other's car. We both felt that the difference in hp was "somewhat noticeable", but surprisingly not the "wow, that's a big difference" that we both expected.

Now, compare the 325i to the 335i (if the sedan every makes it here to the US that is) and I expect you'll notice a big difference. Especially at lower RPM's we both thought the 330i would be much better relative to the 325i, but it was not. The 335i will rock in this department I suspect. Bavarian is going to take me out for a spin when he upgrades to the 335i.

[whippersnapper]

Since by far the majority of owners with 330i's have a step, the real world performance gap to my manual 325 (what with less weight and shorter gearing) is going to be small, however I would have definitely bought the 330 if I had a bigger amount to spend

[bavarian19]

There is not much of a difference between the 330i and 325i when it comes to acceleration. I will not deny that there is a difference, but the difference is only slightly noticeable...

[mc68386]

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

Since by far the majority of owners with 330i's have a step, the real world performance gap to my manual 325 (what with less weight and shorter gearing) is going to be small, however I would have definitely bought the 330 if I had a bigger amount to spend

This is true, but it could also be argued the other way: Since by far the majority of owners with 325i's have a step, the real world performance gap to my manual 330 (what with extra hp) is going to be significant.

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by kobechrome

330i - 325i = 5i

lol @kobechrome. good one.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by mc68386

This is true, but it could also be argued the other way: Since by far the majority of owners with 325i's have a step, the real world performance gap to my manual 330 (what with extra hp) is going to be significant.

I think the whole point of the 325 / 330 discussion is that the performance of the 2 vehicles is not well differentiated as BMW would like hence the new 335i (although I think the idea of a turbo engine is a cop out).

You argument is also valid but then I don't have a 330 on order do I so I don't like it . I am satisfied that 20bhp more at the wheels (330 step vs 325 man) is going to be mostly offset by less weight and lower gearing