What's the different on 325i / 330i (US version) - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

hahahaha · 07-21-2005, 05:25 PM

Hi everybody, I am a newbie here, and I have a question on the engine of E90 325i / 330i (US Version)

In US, both 325i and 330i using 3000cc N52 engine. I just wonder are they using the exactly the same engine block with same parts?

If the answer is positive, it seems it doesn't make sense to spend extra money on 330i.

Or is there any main different between them?

Thanks

onesixeight · 07-21-2005, 05:31 PM

The bottom end of the block is the same, but the intake, camshafts, ECU tuning are different of the 330i.

With the 330i, you get more standard equipment that in my opinion easily makes sense to spring for the 330. Standard Xenons, power seats, bigger brakes, etc...If those things don't matter to you, then it might not be worth spending the extra money.

E90Fleet · 07-21-2005, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onesixeight

The bottom end of the block is the same, but the intake, camshafts, ECU tuning are different of the 330i.

With the 330i, you get more standard equipment that in my opinion easily makes sense to spring for the 330. Standard Xenons, power seats, bigger brakes, etc...If those things don't matter to you, then it might not be worth spending the extra money.

Cams are the same for both

bmwboy29 · 07-21-2005, 05:48 PM

330 has Chrome details like the kidney grills and around the windows and logic 7 standard too.

hahahaha · 07-21-2005, 05:53 PM

If even the CAM is the same...

Go for the basic 325i will save US$6000, and I guess that's enough for aftermarket ECU, intake, and a set of bilstein PSS9

Does it make sense for me to say 325i is a better choice for auto enthusiast?

CC 330i · 07-21-2005, 05:54 PM

Standard on 330i:

Logic 7 Stereo
Xenon Lights
17 inch wheels (18 inch on sport package)
Different intake and exhaust (good for 40 hp)

If you get them to give you a brochure, you can get the rest of the differences in the back of the brochure, but these are the biggies.

kronzprinz · 07-21-2005, 05:58 PM

HAHAHA,

go to bmwusa.com build a 325i however you want it and build a 330i exactly alike and compare the price diff... the only thing you're gonna notice is the 40 bhp diff.

hahahaha · 07-21-2005, 06:05 PM

Since the fancy things don't really matter for me, I think 325i is a better choice for me

Thanks everybody's opinion

CC 330i · 07-21-2005, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hahahaha

Since the fancy things don't really matter for me, I think 325i is a better choice for me

Thanks everybody's opinion

Me either, so I went for a stripped down 330i. (no premium/cold weather/navigation). Just sport package.

But I agree that if you want a nice BMW for not a lot of coin, the 325 is a great buy. Just don't pay more than 35K if you are getting a "no frills" 325, because my "no frills" 330i cost 38.5K.

06alpine325icm · 07-21-2005, 06:54 PM

i think the 330i sits a little lower than the 325i sotck

onesixeight · 07-21-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Cams are the same for both

Sorry...I meant driveshaft...

Here is a parts list I found on another thread.

1stTbuyer · 07-21-2005, 07:30 PM

I know this issue has been brought up several times, but I haven't yet read a satisfactory answer.
Why do Canada and the US only, get a 325i with a 3.0L engine? That is, Germany, Egypt, UK, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia or anywhere else, get a 325i with, as the designation suggests, a 2.5L engine. I'm not complaining about it, just wondering the reasons. Looking at the website of different countries, the horse power, torque graphs, and 0-100kph numbers are the same for all the 325i's, be it a US model or rest of the world model (sorry Canuks to lump you in so easily).
The quick answer is that BMW had difficulties passing emissions in the US with the new 2.5L engine, so just slapping the same 3.0L engine of the 330i and detuning it did the trick. Could it be just that? But much of Europe has equally stringent requirements on cars, sometimes even tougher (it's not like the US where you can register your car every couple of years as long as it passes emissions tests, even if the headlamps are gone or the brakes are shot; over there they get a complete check for several basics every few years). How could the 2.5L pass EU emissions and not US? Are they that different, or are the test conditions too different, e.g. different quality and octane gas? Was it a matter of market timing in wanting an early 2006 release and not being able to qualify both models in the US given the gov. bureaucracy, so just qualify the 3L engine for now? If so, might there be a possibility of the 2007 325i model having again a 2.5L engine like the rest of the world? Or will the 325i model disappear from the US market in 2007 with the arrival of the 335i or 335d? Considering that BMWNA has only sold the two upper end models in the NA market (never brought the 316 here, and retired the 318 as soon as the 325 morphed into a 323 and 328, and likewise, didn't bring over the 320 with the E90), could it be that with only one model year of 325i E90 in the plans, they would prefer not to have a stand alone engine to service down the future (which wouldn’t hold true if they later bring the 1 series with a 125i). Or, could it be that the world wide sales of the 330i are not expected to be high enough so by adding its engine to all vehicles sold in NA, it'll balance out the manufacturing line during the initial ramp up? Well, enough theorizing here, does someone know the answer for sure?

07-21-2005, 05:25 PM	#1
hahahaha New Member Drives: Honda Civic 2000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	What's the different on 325i / 330i (US version) Hi everybody, I am a newbie here, and I have a question on the engine of E90 325i / 330i (US Version) In US, both 325i and 330i using 3000cc N52 engine. I just wonder are they using the exactly the same engine block with same parts? If the answer is positive, it seems it doesn't make sense to spend extra money on 330i. Or is there any main different between them? Thanks
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07-21-2005, 05:31 PM	#2
onesixeight First Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 356 iTrader: (0)	The bottom end of the block is the same, but the intake, camshafts, ECU tuning are different of the 330i. With the 330i, you get more standard equipment that in my opinion easily makes sense to spring for the 330. Standard Xenons, power seats, bigger brakes, etc...If those things don't matter to you, then it might not be worth spending the extra money.

07-21-2005, 05:48 PM	#4
bmwboy29 First Lieutenant Drives: bmw 325xi Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 210 iTrader: (0)	330 has Chrome details like the kidney grills and around the windows and logic 7 standard too.

07-21-2005, 05:53 PM	#5
hahahaha New Member Drives: Honda Civic 2000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	If even the CAM is the same... Go for the basic 325i will save US$6000, and I guess that's enough for aftermarket ECU, intake, and a set of bilstein PSS9 Does it make sense for me to say 325i is a better choice for auto enthusiast?

07-21-2005, 05:54 PM	#6
CC 330i Captain Drives: 330i SG/Blk/Alum Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 714 iTrader: (0)	Standard on 330i: Logic 7 Stereo Xenon Lights 17 inch wheels (18 inch on sport package) Different intake and exhaust (good for 40 hp) If you get them to give you a brochure, you can get the rest of the differences in the back of the brochure, but these are the biggies.

07-21-2005, 05:58 PM	#7
kronzprinz Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: EASTCOAST Posts: 289 iTrader: (0)	HAHAHA, go to bmwusa.com build a 325i however you want it and build a 330i exactly alike and compare the price diff... the only thing you're gonna notice is the 40 bhp diff.

07-21-2005, 06:05 PM	#8
hahahaha New Member Drives: Honda Civic 2000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Since the fancy things don't really matter for me, I think 325i is a better choice for me Thanks everybody's opinion

07-21-2005, 06:54 PM	#10
06alpine325icm First Lieutenant Drives: 2006 alpine white Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 213 iTrader: (0)	i think the 330i sits a little lower than the 325i sotck

07-21-2005, 07:30 PM	#12
1stTbuyer Enlisted Member Drives: e30 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Calif Posts: 23 iTrader: (0)	I know this issue has been brought up several times, but I haven't yet read a satisfactory answer. Why do Canada and the US only, get a 325i with a 3.0L engine? That is, Germany, Egypt, UK, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia or anywhere else, get a 325i with, as the designation suggests, a 2.5L engine. I'm not complaining about it, just wondering the reasons. Looking at the website of different countries, the horse power, torque graphs, and 0-100kph numbers are the same for all the 325i's, be it a US model or rest of the world model (sorry Canuks to lump you in so easily). The quick answer is that BMW had difficulties passing emissions in the US with the new 2.5L engine, so just slapping the same 3.0L engine of the 330i and detuning it did the trick. Could it be just that? But much of Europe has equally stringent requirements on cars, sometimes even tougher (it's not like the US where you can register your car every couple of years as long as it passes emissions tests, even if the headlamps are gone or the brakes are shot; over there they get a complete check for several basics every few years). How could the 2.5L pass EU emissions and not US? Are they that different, or are the test conditions too different, e.g. different quality and octane gas? Was it a matter of market timing in wanting an early 2006 release and not being able to qualify both models in the US given the gov. bureaucracy, so just qualify the 3L engine for now? If so, might there be a possibility of the 2007 325i model having again a 2.5L engine like the rest of the world? Or will the 325i model disappear from the US market in 2007 with the arrival of the 335i or 335d? Considering that BMWNA has only sold the two upper end models in the NA market (never brought the 316 here, and retired the 318 as soon as the 325 morphed into a 323 and 328, and likewise, didn't bring over the 320 with the E90), could it be that with only one model year of 325i E90 in the plans, they would prefer not to have a stand alone engine to service down the future (which wouldn’t hold true if they later bring the 1 series with a 125i). Or, could it be that the world wide sales of the 330i are not expected to be high enough so by adding its engine to all vehicles sold in NA, it'll balance out the manufacturing line during the initial ramp up? Well, enough theorizing here, does someone know the answer for sure?