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Thread: 325 vs 330 - What's the real difference?

  1. #1
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    325 vs 330 - What's the real difference?

    I'm currently shopping for a 3 series convertible. 2005-2006 fits my budget.

    I'm interested in hearing from owners of both 325's and 330's...What's the difference? Drivability, pep, economy? They're both 6 cyl, right? Is it trim? Or is it performance?

    All comments welcome!

    Thanks for your help,
    kevdog

  2. #2
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    Pep.

    The difference between a 330 and a 325 in terms of gas mileage isn't much. The difference in power/torque is.

    Both are nice cars if you aren't concerned with power.

  3. #3
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    .5L of engine...about 30 additional horsepower...

    Also, at least from my experience, 330s will most likely be better equipped (premium items from 325's will be more prevalent).

    The exhaust systems are *SLIGHTLY* different, as well as minor exterior differences.

    Yes they are both 6 cylinder, a 325 is a 2.5L I6 that puts out about 184hp and the 330 is a 3.0L I6 that puts out about 220-230hp (cant remember the exact number).

    In terms of driving, a 330 will be noticeably quicker than their 325 counterparts.

  4. #4
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    Find a 330. You're looking for a convertible which is heavier than your hardtop counterpart and the extra power will help you merge onto highways much more easily. Fuel economy is the same if not better. I remember back when the E46 brochures were out, the 3.0L had marginally better fuel economy than the 2.5L. I guess it doesn't have to work as hard at any given speed.

  5. #5
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    I don't think it's a big enough difference in power to really matter man. 325s are just as nice as 330s (besides the ZHP), interior trims and everything. I would go for one that feels/looks the most taken care of.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by DTMdan View Post
    I don't think it's a big enough difference in power to really matter man. 325s are just as nice as 330s (besides the ZHP), interior trims and everything. I would go for one that feels/looks the most taken care of.
    Oooops!

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  7. #7
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    true. i only see the difference in hp on a 330. i was going to purchase a nice 330ci but then i feel in love with a much better conditoin 325i. there is a difference in hp but not that much in looks. other then that both are great cars to drive

  8. #8
    nathancarter is offline Stretch Haters Club #1 BMW CCA Member
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    Half-liter of displacement, bigger brakes, more standard features (e.g. HK sound system), exterior cosmetic differences.

  9. #9
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    When I was shopping the 325xi's seemed underpowered to me. 330xi's didn't. Go drive both and see if you care.

  10. #10
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    Difference is...

    You feel it when you step on the gas, and you feel it when you slam on the brakes. 330 tend to have nicer trims, better bumpers and more options.
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  11. #11
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    I've owned both--a 323i and a 330i ZHP, both sedans, both manual trans (the 323 is essentially the same car as the 325, despite how it may read on paper--there's no actual difference in power/acceleration).

    The 330 is obviously quicker--but with the manual trans, I never really felt that the 323 lacked for power on the street. The real difference manifests itself at higher speeds...they're close enough in 1st and 2nd gear, but the 325 lets up in third gear and beyond whereas the 330 continues to pull. I wouldn't characterize the difference in acceleration as a tangible "push" into the seat (except maybe in 1st gear), but rather that the 330 "gathers speed" with much less effort. If you're getting a manual transmission and do most of your driving at city speeds, the 3.0 really won't do much extra for you. It's not like you're going from a V6 to a V8 where the two engines have completely different power delivery characteristics; the 3.0 just takes whatever the 2.5 does and amps it up a bit.

    Really, you should drive them both (back to back, ideally) and then decide.
    Last edited by akhbhaat; 01-08-2010 at 12:18 PM.

  12. #12
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    Honestly if you put up a 5 speed 325i against a 330i automatic...its the same car. Its a dead even race. There isn't much difference in power honestly. When your driving down a back road you can feel a difference when you step on the accelerator around a turn it pulls a little bit harder but its not a whole lot of difference. Exterior is a bit different as far as bumpers and a few more standard items.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by DTMdan View Post
    I don't think it's a big enough difference in power to really matter man. 325s are just as nice as 330s (besides the ZHP), interior trims and everything. I would go for one that feels/looks the most taken care of.

    There's more of a difference between a 325 and 330 and a normal 330 and a zhp...

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlammedBlackE46 View Post
    There's more of a difference between a 325 and 330 and a normal 330 and a zhp...
    +1 OP we need to know more about what your looking for in the car as far as sound systems and options like navigation rear folding seats...things like that.

  15. #15
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    Thanks everybody...this is very helpful information.

    Once I find the right car, this will be a huge upgrade to what I've been driving (old small pick-up, and sometimes the wife's Volvo XC70). But with the opportunity of upgrade, I want to maximize the opportunity....as sporty as possible.

    So I guess I'm looking for a 330, with the zhp pkg...does this one have the brushed metal trim? I like the woodgrain ok, but if I can find the brushed metal...Other bells and whistles will just be bonuses. Right now it's all about top down, wind in my hair!

    The search continues.

    kevdog

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    Did they make a ZHP vert?

  17. #17
    nathancarter is offline Stretch Haters Club #1 BMW CCA Member
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    As a general rule, the base car has the brushed "aluminum" (plastic) trim; the Premium package adds the "wood" trim (veneer); the ZHP package supersedes that with Cube trim that's slightly reminiscent of carbon fiber, in either black or silver.

    Different interior trim options could be selected when the car was ordered, but unless otherwise specified, that's what you got.

    Don't be afraid to search outside your immediate vicinity - in fact, you'll probably have to, for something relatively rare like a ZHP convertible. If you find one that's far away, post in the regional forums for a local member who might be willing to check it out for you.

    Quote Originally Posted by tdz123 View Post
    Did they make a ZHP vert?
    That $2900 car posted a couple days ago looked like a ZHP vert. It had the ZHP wheels anyway.
    Last edited by nathancarter; 01-08-2010 at 02:31 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by tdz123 View Post
    Did they make a ZHP vert?
    Yes they did but they are a bit harder to get your hands on.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by SlammedBlackE46 View Post
    There's more of a difference between a 325 and 330 and a normal 330 and a zhp...
    I meant there's more of a difference between a 325 and a zhp, than a 325 and a normal 330. My friends 04 325 came with all of the same options as my 330, besides the mtech l kit and a third pedal

  20. #20
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    I was very recently in the same boat as you. Shopping for an E46. I test drove several 325's. Some of them had beautiful interiors and exteriors but in all honesty underwhelmed me a little when i put my foot on the gas. The 325xi was particularly sluggish. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as a dog but it was close.

    I would happily have "settled" for a 325 until I drove the 330. Regardless of what people might say 40 extra HP and 20 extra lb/ft of torque make a fairly significant difference in the feel of the car. Once I had driven a few 330's I knew there was no way I was going to purchase a 325. Coming out of the factory the price difference between the 325 and the 330 was too great to justify but in the used market at 5 to 10 years old, the difference is negligable and the decision for me was easy.

    Just my take.

  21. #21
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    Cube trim? I'd like to see a pic of that.
    Again...thanks for everyone's input!
    kevdog

  22. #22
    nathancarter is offline Stretch Haters Club #1 BMW CCA Member
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  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by kevdog1 View Post
    I'm currently shopping for a 3 series convertible. 2005-2006 fits my budget.

    I'm interested in hearing from owners of both 325's and 330's...What's the difference? Drivability, pep, economy? They're both 6 cyl, right? Is it trim? Or is it performance?

    All comments welcome!

    Thanks for your help,
    kevdog
    About 1/2 a liter of displacement and 40 hp...duuuh.
    "The beatings will continue until morale improves".
    Ghengis Khan, 1162-1227AD

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by kevdog1 View Post
    I'm currently shopping for a 3 series convertible. 2005-2006 fits my budget.

    I'm interested in hearing from owners of both 325's and 330's...What's the difference? Drivability, pep, economy? They're both 6 cyl, right? Is it trim? Or is it performance?

    All comments welcome!

    Thanks for your help,
    kevdog
    A little bit difference of trim, but a noticeable difference in performance. I drove - back to back - a 325ci and a 330ci - before buying the 330ci, and I felt the 325 was under-powered. I would have purchased the 330ci 'sport package' (+10hp over the 330ci) except that the exhaust was noisier and the suspension harsher, and I didn't feel I needed the 'better' roadholding. The M3 is another level of performance, but I drove a coupleof them and found that the software driving the transmission was faulty, and prone to 'hiccupping' when accelerating strongly, shifting and then immediately lifting off (e.g. as a traffic light might change unexpectedly ahead). Even now, the (auto)transmission of the 330ci is not quite a smooth as it could be in transitions, and you are much better off controlling it manually.
    In summary, I would not hesitate between the 330 and the 325: I would go (as I did) for the 330, or I would regret it each time I saw a 330. Good luck!

  25. #25
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    If you want max performance from a non-M E46 that a 330i ZHP would be the car. Comparing base 325s and 330s though, the main difference is felt under hard acceleration or at higher speeds.

    When I was looking for my ZHP a couple years back, I wanted a ZHP but was considering all my options and I found a beautiful Jet black/black 04 325i 5 speed, sport with low mileage and in incredible shape and I considered buying that as well, but I found my ZHP

    Handling wise and any other aspect, you are still getting an incredible car with a 325i. But a 330i is less common and where you want a cabrio, which is more weight, I would say go with a 330ci or even better M3
    2012 BMW M3 Coupe, 6MT (summer fun)|2017 Toyota Tundra 1794 MGM (DAILY)
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