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      11-04-2005, 10:03 AM   #23
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I was debating between a 325 or 330. As soon as I test drove both, my mind was set on a 325i.
1.) 325i isn't that bad compare to a 330i.
2.) I don't have the extra $5,000 to spend for a 330i.
3.) As a daily, 325i's 215hp meets the need and want.

I am from a heavy mod VW GTI VR6 with 193hp at the wheels, that's about 215 at the flywheel. But it only weights 2700lb. Was it fast and fun...you bet. But I didn't like to drive it everyday because of the extra push makes it hard to deal with traffic. Maybe I am just getting old????

My point is both 325i and 330i are very good car depends on finance concerns, performance needs, and etc.; people should be happy to enjoy what they have. So shall we stop this 330i and 325i war? After all, we all have a BMW. Remember, no one would care you have a 330, 325, 525, 545...if they are not BMW fans.
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      11-04-2005, 11:27 AM   #24
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We should rename this thread to

330 owners - Any regret not getting a 325?
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      11-04-2005, 12:15 PM   #25
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I can't wait for the "330 owners - any regret not waiting for / getting the 335" thread.
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      11-04-2005, 12:22 PM   #26
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There are only a handful of parts separating a 325 from a 330. Some have the extra money for the 330 and that's great. I like the 330 more than a 325- but I was stretching my budget getting the 325 optioned the way I wanted it, and I didn’t have the extra 4k for the 330. I don't regret getting the 325 at all. I wish I would have gotten the Nav, but again- I didn't have the extra cash. To each his own.
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      11-04-2005, 12:23 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by E36_325i
Realistically, who cruises down the highway consistently at 90+mph without getting tickets?
I do.
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      11-04-2005, 12:30 PM   #28
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Eh, if it weren't for my wife telling me to get a 330, I would've gotten a 325. I'm all about lightweight functional machinery that does it's job well. If I want luxury I'll buy a Lexus/Merc. I don't like doo-dads in my car, never really have.

But my wife knows that one day I'll wonder aloud what it'd be like to have the extra hp and it'll all be over. So she's making me get the 330. And unfortunately, because I refuse to wait for an ordered car (that sh*t just infuriates me; make your customers wait because you're too cheap to have inventory on the lot) I'm getting stuck with premium package.

For me there's several *minuses* to the 330: useless chrome trim; useless power seats; bluetooth for my phone...why would I be talking while I'm driving?; built in garage door opener? I already have one of those that came with the garage door opener, why do I need another one?; big boat anchor heavy cast wheels; 80 gazillion speaker sound ... whoopie. All that crap adds weight and complexity. BMW's never been known for their electronics being reliable, why add all that in and then whine when the car's in the shop with electrical glitches?

I wish more car makers would go back to making basic go fast machines like the WRX and EVO. Imagine how cool a CSL or club sport version of the 330 or 325 would be.
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      11-04-2005, 12:34 PM   #29
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I would get the 330i instead for a few reasons.

1. The extra power
2. Different suspension springs and the car is actually lower than 325.
3. More standard equipment
4. Better resale value
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      11-04-2005, 12:36 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obLu
For me there's several *minuses* to the 330: useless chrome trim; useless power seats; bluetooth for my phone...why would I be talking while I'm driving?; built in garage door opener? I already have one of those that came with the garage door opener, why do I need another one?; big boat anchor heavy cast wheels; 80 gazillion speaker sound ... whoopie. All that crap adds weight and complexity. BMW's never been known for their electronics being reliable, why add all that in and then whine when the car's in the shop with electrical glitches?
I wish more car makers would go back to making basic go fast machines like the WRX and EVO. Imagine how cool a CSL or club sport version of the 330 or 325 would be.
Maybe you should have gone for base [no options] 325i and just mod the engine or something.
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      11-04-2005, 12:46 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NJ
I would get the 330i instead for a few reasons.

2. Different suspension springs and the car is actually lower than 325.
Perhaps you'd care to elaborate on this. It's been documented here several times the differences b/t the 325i and 330i, and suspension is not one of them. I call BS on this one.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NJ
4. Better resale value
Elaborate here as well. Are you saying the 330i will have less depreciation that the 325i? If so, that is speculation.

Or are you saying a 3 year old 330i will be worth more than a 3 year old 325i? Well, duh, you paid more initially.
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      11-04-2005, 12:46 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank_NJ
I would get the 330i instead for a few reasons.

1. The extra power
2. Different suspension springs and the car is actually lower than 325.
3. More standard equipment
4. Better resale value
I thought the 330 and 325 ZSP's both had the same suspension........additionally, I was under the impression that 325i's held more of their residual value making them better for resale (not that I care, I tend to drive my cars for years).
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      11-04-2005, 12:53 PM   #33
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Better resale value is a stupid argument. The car costs more, of COURSE it's going to have better DOLLAR resale value.
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      11-04-2005, 12:55 PM   #34
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The same logic can be applied to the M3. All the 330i owner made the mistake not to wait for the M3 because it is clearly better than 330i.
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      11-04-2005, 12:57 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rag21
What country are you in?
I would love to get my hands on a M/T Landcruiser.
You can get the manual Landcruisers anywhere in the Middle East. Mine is a V-8/5sp with the full lux package......moonroof, full leather, 2 gas tanks, 6 disc in-dash changer w/premium sound, drink cooler in the armrest that holds FIVE 1 liter bottles (I'd pay a huge amount for that option in a 3 series!), etc. I'd die before driving it in the states but it's a "must have" over here.

Last edited by zz25; 11-04-2005 at 01:08 PM..
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      11-04-2005, 01:15 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obLu
But my wife knows that one day I'll wonder aloud what it'd be like to have the extra hp and it'll all be over. So she's making me get the 330. And unfortunately, because I refuse to wait for an ordered car (that sh*t just infuriates me; make your customers wait because you're too cheap to have inventory on the lot) I'm getting stuck with premium package.
With such an expensive item with so many different possible configurations (12 exterior colors, 6 interior choices, and 3 different trims, not to mention ALL the other options), why would *any* dealer keep one of every kind? Dealers aren't cheap, they're smart. They keep the most popular ones on hand, and probably a couple that would require a more particular customer, but for those of us who know exactly what we want we need to order. And for those who care enough to choose every option we want, we're more than willing to wait.

You want a base BMW, but most buyers do not. Why should all those dealers cater to the minority?
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      11-04-2005, 01:31 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zz25
You can get the manual Landcruisers anywhere in the Middle East. Mine is a V-8/5sp with the full lux package......moonroof, full leather, 2 gas tanks, 6 disc in-dash changer w/premium sound, drink cooler in the armrest that holds FIVE 1 liter bottles (I'd pay a huge amount for that option in a 3 series!), etc. I'd die before driving it in the states but it's a "must have" over here.
Are you in U.A.E??
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      11-04-2005, 01:49 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LEDZEP
Better resale value is a stupid argument. The car costs more, of COURSE it's going to have better DOLLAR resale value.
No, it's not a stupid argument at all. First, I think he meant to say that the 330 keeps its value better than the 325; whether it's true or not is a different question--BMWFS uses the same depreciation numbers for both. Let's assume that it is NOT true and both cars depreciate the same. Let's just do some very rough math:

Let's say one person buys a 330i for $40K and another buys a 325i for $35K. Let's say both keep the car for 3 years, and both cars depriciate 40% in that time. The 330 is now worth $24K and the 325 is worth $21K. Both owners sell. Total cost of ownership for the 330 owner is $16K, total cost of ownership to the 325 owner is $14K, for a grand total difference of $2K. The 330 owner paid an extra $55 per month. Worth the money? Yes to some, no to others--neither choice is wrong, just a personal choice.

Like I said, just very rough numbers and I certainly don't mean to say the 325i owner is stupid (I would only put people buying a Bimmer only for the badge in that category ). But if you do the math, the difference in $$ paid over a few years may not be as great as the initial price tag would suggest.
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      11-04-2005, 02:09 PM   #39
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Quote:
They keep the most popular ones on hand, and probably a couple that would require a more particular customer, but for those of us who know exactly what we want we need to order.
The dealers in my area don't keep *ANY* 330's on the lot. Only 3-4 spec'd up 325's for the lease special. Everything else is order and wait. I'm a consumer who doesn't like to wait.
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      11-04-2005, 02:11 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil C
Too be ultra safe why did you not go for the 318? It has to be the 330i all the way - far too early in your life to be worried about the extra power
Oh wow, can you get that model where you live in e90 guise? Did you mean 320?

mmmmmm extra power
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      11-04-2005, 02:13 PM   #41
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The 330 would be my car of choice if it were not for extreme pricing here. No contest BUT the 2.5 litre 325 is a gem. No regrets at all.

Then again my garage can easily fit a new M5.......
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      11-04-2005, 02:23 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2006bmw
No, it's not a stupid argument at all. First, I think he meant to say that the 330 keeps its value better than the 325; whether it's true or not is a different question--BMWFS uses the same depreciation numbers for both. Let's assume that it is NOT true and both cars depreciate the same. Let's just do some very rough math:

Let's say one person buys a 330i for $40K and another buys a 325i for $35K. Let's say both keep the car for 3 years, and both cars depriciate 40% in that time. The 330 is now worth $24K and the 325 is worth $21K. Both owners sell. Total cost of ownership for the 330 owner is $16K, total cost of ownership to the 325 owner is $14K, for a grand total difference of $2K. The 330 owner paid an extra $55 per month. Worth the money? Yes to some, no to others--neither choice is wrong, just a personal choice.

Like I said, just very rough numbers and I certainly don't mean to say the 325i owner is stupid (I would only put people buying a Bimmer only for the badge in that category ). But if you do the math, the difference in $$ paid over a few years may not be as great as the initial price tag would suggest.

325i holds its value as well or better compared to 330i. Therefore it's a stupid argument. Why not buy a Bentley? I hear the resale is better than a 330i.
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      11-04-2005, 02:32 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90driver
There are only a handful of parts separating a 325 from a 330. Some have the extra money for the 330 and that's great. I like the 330 more than a 325- but I was stretching my budget getting the 325 optioned the way I wanted it, and I didn’t have the extra 4k for the 330. I don't regret getting the 325 at all. I wish I would have gotten the Nav, but again- I didn't have the extra cash. To each his own.
I'm in this exact same boat, stretched the budget as it was to get the 325.... as well as the accompanying 3 week European vacation for the family, but it was all worth it. I also wished I were/felt rich enough to get the nav, especially when trying to find our way out of Milan on our ED trip, but back home, the amount of usage it would get didn't justify the cost. I love my car.
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      11-04-2005, 02:37 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zz25
I felt that it was easier to get near the limits of the engine without too much fear of losing my license. Now if i had regular access to a track or lived in an area where I wasn't worried about speeding tickets, I'd be all over the 330i. .....
I somehow think even in a 325i if you get near the limit of the engine you'll be doing a good 125mph. That's serious speeding ticket terrirory in my book. I bought a 330i because with the options you listed the price difference is only a 3 - 4K and I enjoy the added power and features.
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