[pocoyo_3]

I'm looking at 2 cars, and 325i / 130k miles / $6.5k and an 330i / 80k miles / 11k. The both need $2-$3k of maintenance on top of that for usual things that go with an N52 over time.

I'm torn between the 2 as the price difference is large enough to give me pause, and I like the 325i more (nicer exterior colour). Saying that, it's older, and needs more work. The question is whether the additional $4.5k is worth it, keeping in mind that this car will not be my daily driver

Any thoughts?

[Bamaben]

Originally Posted by pocoyo_3

I'm looking at 2 cars, and 325i / 130k miles / $6.5k and an 330i / 80k miles / 11k. The both need $2-$3k of maintenance on top of that for usual things that go with an N52 over time.

I'm torn between the 2 as the price difference is large enough to give me pause, and I like the 325i more (nicer exterior colour). Saying that, it's older, and needs more work. The question is whether the additional $4.5k is worth it, keeping in mind that this car will not be my daily driver

Any thoughts?

330 for sure! It's special because it's only year the n52k (BMW's strongest NA engine) made it to the e90. Looks just like 335 less the dual exhaust and turbos. Nice examples have great resale hence the price diff. Plus this one has very low miles. If you don't like the color just look for a different color one but most I've seen were black.

[mecheng77]

I agree. Negotiate the 330 down in price. Great performance from that engine

[gT-BMW]

got a 325i with AA headers on it. it pulls now. other than engine whats are the differences between a 325i vs 330i?

[GoRomeo]

330i all the way...

[BimmerNugget]

Lol what...$11k for a 330i with 80k miles? Tell the seller to come down to $7500 or kick rocks.

My brother just got a 330i with 73k miles 5 weeks ago for $6550. It was listed at 7900 though. 2 owners no accidents. Monaco blue with saddle brown interior. No iDrive or sport package. VCG dry as fuck and OPG is dry as far as I can tell (no oil spots on ground).


Get the 330i but not for $11k. The seller is delusional. Also I see you're in California, there shouldn't be a shortage of BMWs there, so the price should be cheaper. I think 7k to 7.5k is a fair price for that car at that mileage.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Lol what...$11k for a 330i with 80k miles? Tell the seller to come down to $7500 or kick rocks.

My brother just got a 330i with 73k miles 5 weeks ago for $6550. It was listed at 7900 though. 2 owners no accidents. Monaco blue with saddle brown interior. No iDrive or sport package. VCG dry as fuck and OPG is dry as far as I can tell (no oil spots on ground).


Get the 330i but not for $11k. The seller is delusional. Also I see you're in California, there shouldn't be a shortage of BMWs there, so the price should be cheaper. I think 7k to 7.5k is a fair price for that car at that mileage.

yeah I agree all they way too... 7.5 max

[Eddien123]

330 for sure. But is a 325 with 130k really worth that? Why was I under the assumption my 07 328 was worth like 4k

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

330 for sure. But is a 325 with 130k really worth that? Why was I under the assumption my 07 328 was worth like 4k

In my state, the only E90s I see for 4 grand either have over 200k miles or don't run.


$11,000 is a bit much for a 2006, but it depends on condition. I'd be more likely to buy which ever one was better maintained and in better condition. If they are somewhat equal condition-wise, I'd try to negotiate for the 330i.

[Nickco43]

I bought my 06 330i 80k with every single option minus idrive for $8,000. It has a new OFHG, valve cover gasket, water pump and thermostat.

In my opinion the 330i is the perfect balance between reliability and power.

Also get one with a USB port. The aux in audio quality is bad.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I bought my 06 330i 80k with every single option minus idrive for $8,000. It has a new OFHG, valve cover gasket, water pump and thermostat.

In my opinion the 330i is the perfect balance between reliability and power.

Also get one with a USB port. The aux in audio quality is bad.

You could not say it better about the balance between power and reliability...

I did not know 330i e90 came with USB, I use my Aux in audio and quality is great...

[smass]

I have owned both. The 330 really likes to rev above 5k RPM. The 325 revs just fine but it does not seem as natural as it does in the 330. My 330 with the sport package was a sport sedan. My 325 base is just a really nice sedan.

[smass]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

You could not say it better about the balance between power and reliability...

I did not know 330i e90 came with USB, I use my Aux in audio and quality is great...

Neither the 330i or 325i came with the USB as it was not available until 2007. You can add a MULF2 Hi using the TCU wiring. But if you have a pre 9/05 build you probably need a newer radio to support the feature.

[gT-BMW]

you guys sound like sheep. "get the 330i because its the most powerful" its still slow. it will still get beat by a honda oddysey van or even worse a venza 4 cylinder. none of you guys are able to explain the differences between 330i vs 325i other than the engine.

if you can negotiate down the 330i then you can do the same with the 325i. i bought mine real cheap. so cheap that i can sell it and make $$ off of it. i got alot of car for the $$.

i dont care what model bmw it is. i would never pay more than book value for it and even then thats stretch for a 10+ year old bmw.

[GoRomeo]

[QUOTE=gT-BMW;23133858]you guys sound like sheep. "get the 330i because its the most powerful" its still slow. it will still get beat by a honda oddysey van or even worse a venza 4 cylinder. none of you guys are able to explain the differences between 330i vs 325i other than the engine.

if you can negotiate down the 330i then you can do the same with the 325i. i bought mine real cheap. so cheap that i can sell it and make $$ off of it. i got alot of car for the $$.

i dont care what model bmw it is. i would never pay more than book value for it and even then thats stretch for a 10+ year old bmw.[/QUOTE

how do we start this .... 330i e90 came fully loaded with features 325 does not have such as premium and sport suspension. bigger brakes, bigger wheels. All these did not come standard for 325.. correct me if am wrong...not to mention the extra engine power.

[Taskmaster]

The engine power differences can be rectified wife under 300.
The big selling point is features - get the car with the features you want.

[gT-BMW]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

The engine power differences can be rectified wife under 300.
The big selling point is features - get the car with the features you want.

i would like to purchase a rectified wife

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by gT-BMW

you guys sound like sheep. "get the 330i because its the most powerful" its still slow. it will still get beat by a honda oddysey van or even worse a venza 4 cylinder. none of you guys are able to explain the differences between 330i vs 325i other than the engine.

if you can negotiate down the 330i then you can do the same with the 325i. i bought mine real cheap. so cheap that i can sell it and make $$ off of it. i got alot of car for the $$.

i dont care what model bmw it is. i would never pay more than book value for it and even then thats stretch for a 10+ year old bmw.

Dang, tell it, wolf! Let us in all the differences. We have, ya know, no idea what could ever be the difference. We've been on here for like a decade wondering. Glad you came!

[gT-BMW]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Dang, tell it, wolf! Let us in all the differences. We have, ya know, no idea what could ever be the difference. We've been on here for like a decade wondering. Glad you came!

you do know that the m1 is worth more than the m2 right? last time i checked it wasnt because of the features.

dunno if your being a prick but i still dont know the differences that justify the above book value price tag?

??

who dictates the price???


$7k for a 330i? how much is a n54 335i??? much less $11k??? dont pick on me if you cant answer the question dont be "smart" about it. sheesh

[pocoyo_3]

Thanks everyone for the discussion. This is why these forums are so valuable.

I used to have 325i and I loved that car for 7 years and for reasons beyond me I traded it in for a 335i, which was a basket case. I preferred the NA motor of the 325i - the response and linear power delivery. That's what got me on the tail of an used NA E90.

I checked KBB and the 330i is $3k above private party value, the 325i is $1k above private party value. I think I may be able to get the them down by $1k but no more. The only real value to me of the 330i is the lower mileage. The rest I am not particular about

My gut is telling me to pass on the 330i and maybe make an offer on the 325i and then do a PPI

[beo420]

go for 330i, i wonder where you guys are getting such good deals, probably USA, since 330i 06 with 200 000km on it costs 10 000 euros in my country or at least most of them in good conditions

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by gT-BMW

you do know that the m1 is worth more than the m2 right? last time i checked it wasnt because of the features.

dunno if your being a prick but i still dont know the differences that justify the above book value price tag?

??

who dictates the price???


$7k for a 330i? how much is a n54 335i??? much less $11k??? dont pick on me if you cant answer the question dont be "smart" about it. sheesh

Well, yes, the M1 is a vintage car that has a high historical value (creeping up around a quarter million USD) and the M2 is BMW's latest depreciation horse. So, that makes sense. I'm confused why you think that is relevant?

Not sure why people price cars above Bluebook. Likely, they're trying to get more money? Seems like a good tactic if you are in the seller's shoes.