Recommendations for buying my 1st BMW: 325i vs 328i vs M3

[nod6999]

Ok here's the story. A few months ago I made the "mistake" of test driving a 97 M3 and couldn't stop grinning that day. I've owned and driven a few sportscars and I'm hooked on the inline 6 with the 5-speed. I'd love to get an M3, but can't afford the $12-15k pricetag right now. So I'm willing to look at other inline 6 models that are in my budget mainly the 325 and 328. I have $8,000 to spend, but would prefer to stay around $6,000 to allow for shipping, mods, maintenance, etc. I'd like some comparisons between the E36 325, 328, and M3 and recommendations according to the info below.

Must haves:
5-speed
inline 6

Prefer:
sedan (brownie points with the wife: there may be a car seat in 2 yrs)
sport package or upgraded suspension
easily modded: chip, intake, exhaust, etc. (an extra 20hp or so)

Use:
Car will be garaged and driven in nice weather. I have two other cars and don't like driving nice cars in rain and snow. Have 45 min commute on 70mph interstate.

Previous cars owned:
86 Porsche 944
91 Toyota MR2 turbo
93 Toyota MR2 turbo
00 Toyota MR2 Spyder

As you can tell I really like cars that handle well. The 944 is on rails, the spyder handles like a go-cart, and the older MR2 turbos were just plain fun with a mid engine and turbo. It's time to sacrifice a little handling for a bigger car though.

Since an M3 is probably out of my budget I guess I'm looking for handling and performance comparisons\recommendations between the E36 325 and 328 through the years.
Thanks.

[bimmerboy328i]

Since you are looking for "chip" and all of that stuff, you will need an OBD1 car, which is the 325. The 325s are able to be chipped, while the 328s, which are OBD2, have to have their ECU flashed.

The 325, 328, and M3 all have the inline 6.

M3 sedans are very nice. The sporty sedan just looks sweet with the M aerodynamic kit on it. The m3 will also have the better suspension, but BMW suspension is known to go between 60k-70k.

Hope this helps.

[328iBursche]

If you can afford the M-sedan and its extra insurance cost, get it! I couldn't find one with a manual, so I got the 328i. I too had to have 4 doors for car seats and wife. You can "chip" a 96-99 328i, but it's called "sharking" the engine. With the 328i you get better torque and accleration. I would get the later model OBDII (96-99) unless you're planning on tracking the car, where you need more high rpm power vs low end torque. Having said that, I was able to open up more high end power by adding an ECIS intake. I'd recommend getting the conforti intake if you get one, however, bc it's a bit better with the itg foam--at least that's what I've read :D Then add a cat back exhaust system and then the shark. Without the intake and exhaust the shark won't make much difference--again from what I've read. I'm pretty happy with my current mods, which to engine are only the intake. I'm getting my swaybarbarians installed soon (don't have time to install with the kids :( ). I found that the suspension, even with sport pack, was pretty soft, so I put in suspension mods first--better handling is better able to untilize more power.
Have fun!
Also, stay away form this forum if you don't want to become addicted to mods :stickoutt

[heifetz17]

Just put $6000 down on an M3 and finance the rest. You won't regret it. I would honestly suggest a 325. They're OBD1, which is good for two things: you can chip them, rather than having the DME reprogrammed like 328s, and if the check engine light comes on, you can do a diagnostic procedure, and it will tell you what fault triggered the light, so you don't have to go to a shop and have the car scanned to find out what's wrong.

There are some good things about a '92 325. It has hotter cams than 93+ and it doesn't have vanos. People say the non-vanos engine performs slightly better than the vanos engine. The '92 is also labelled as a "classic" by BMWNA. However, you need a specific suspension type if you're going to upgrade, and it's a lot harder to find than '93+.

Handling is impressive whatever you go with. It won't be quite up to par with your Porsche, but Porsche and BMW are two of the best handling cars you can buy, so you won't be disappointed.

[Seeker]

With some careful searching and investigation, you can find a decent 92-95 325i for about 6k and have a nice car.

Look for long maintenance history cars that were garaged. I found one that was taken care of by the local dealer for ten years and was able to pull up almost all the history on it from them by giving them the VIN#. I found out about them from the dealer "stamps" in the owners manual.

DO NOT BUY A AUTOMATIC!!! Only 5speed manuals. Or you'll end up kicking yourself.

M3 is very nice and snappy, but I think with some slight modding, you'd be OK with a 325i and save on the insurance.

You're not going to get a very good M3 for 6-8K. Most likely they'd be junk at that price.

Good luck.

[ridebmw]

well they started making 328's in 96 if u want anythig before that you gonna have to go with a 325. But the 328 has a considerable amount more torque. Also has little stuff like the 328 has electronic ac controls and gadgets like that. I would get the 328 but i am baised.

[nod6999]

well they started making 328's in 96 if u want anythig before that you gonna have to go with a 325. But the 328 has a considerable amount more torque. Also has little stuff like the 328 has electronic ac controls and gadgets like that. I would get the 328 but i am baised.

I didn't realize the torque was that significant of a difference. 207 for the 328 vs 181 for the 325. I think I'm leaning towards the 328. I'm not looking for a lot of mods just chip, intake, suspension, and exhaust mainly. Thanks for everyone's input so far.

[Robert]

Forget the 325. Get 328 or M3.

[Mike F.]

I didn't realize the torque was that significant of a difference. 207 for the 328 vs 181 for the 325. I think I'm leaning towards the 328. I'm not looking for a lot of mods just chip, intake, suspension, and exhaust mainly. Thanks for everyone's input so far.
I bought a 328i that had extensive suspension mods already in place. I'd recommend going that way if you can find one. As we all know, you don't get the cost of the mods back on resale. You can benefit from that situation. (I would love an M3 but the insurance costs hurt.)

I also got the 328i because I need room for a couple of kids in the back. It works great. I can drop them off at school and then get that big grin at every onramp on the way to work.

Mike

[al_r]

nod6999 - email me at arayski-at-gmail.com if you're intersested in a 328i - Chicago.

[nod6999]

Ok so I'm still trying to decide between the 328i and '95 M3. I'd like a 4 door but the 4 door M3 is more expensive and hard to find so I'll take a coupe if I have to. The 95 M3 seems to be a little less expensive\desirable because of the 3.0L instead of the 96+ 3.2L
Performance figures I've read have the '96 328i and '95 M3 at nearly identical 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. I don't see how that can be with the bigger M engine. Can anyone expound on this? If you had the choice between a tastefully modded 328i (suspension, chip, exhaust, intake, wheels) and a stock 95 M3 what would you chose and why? I guess I'm trying to figure out what I would get with the M3 that I wouldn't with the 328i.
Thanks for the help.

[NewToTheForum]

Man, never get a 325 unless you only have 5grand. Smaller engine, looks uglier with no sideskirts, analog climat control, WORST GAS MILLAGE in town, no trq, no side airbags, that's just to name a few.

And a 325 WILL NOT respond better to bolt on mods. Who cares if they stupid 325 can get a chip for 100dollars, you can shark the 328 for not that much. Then you can add a m50manifold, which will leave the 325 in the dust.


(this is all from a owner of a 325)

[NewToTheForum]

Ok so I'm still trying to decide between the 328i and '95 M3. I'd like a 4 door but the 4 door M3 is more expensive and hard to find so I'll take a coupe if I have to. The 95 M3 seems to be a little less expensive\desirable because of the 3.0L instead of the 96+ 3.2L
Performance figures I've read have the '96 328i and '95 M3 at nearly identical 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. I don't see how that can be with the bigger M engine. Can anyone expound on this? If you had the choice between a tastefully modded 328i (suspension, chip, exhaust, intake, wheels) and a stock 95 M3 what would you chose and why? I guess I'm trying to figure out what I would get with the M3 that I wouldn't with the 328i.
Thanks for the help.
A 328 should be no where near performace stock for stock with a m3. With suspension, chip, exhaust, intake, and wheels. You still wont touch the performace, and styling of a m3. With m50manifold, and cams, I see them dynoing in at 200-210, where m3's dyno at 205-220. I would get the 328 if I were you, cheaper to start out with, cheaper to insure, cheaper to maintian, lighter on the gas wallet, and engine/drivetrain is more bulletproof.

[nod6999]

A 328 should be no where near performace stock for stock with a m3. With suspension, chip, exhaust, intake, and wheels. You still wont touch the performace, and styling of a m3. With m50manifold, and cams, I see them dynoing in at 200-210, where m3's dyno at 205-220. I would get the 328 if I were you, cheaper to start out with, cheaper to insure, cheaper to maintian, lighter on the gas wallet, and engine/drivetrain is more bulletproof.
Ok forgot to mention insurance isn't an issue. Apparently my insurance company considers a 96 328i and a 95 M3 close for insurance purposes cause they cost nearly the same to insure for me.
The engine and drivetrain on the 328i is more bulletproof? Anyone agree\disagree with this?

[Robert]

The 328 and M3 share the same manual transmission. Its nice to have that smooth shifting M3 tranny in the 328..

[Robert]

Forgot to mention.


The M3 is the super 3 series. You get the tons of power that holds you back into the seat. You get the huge M3 brakes. You get a sweet suspension. You get all the exterior styling, the M3 mirrors, the M mouldings, the m3 front and rear bumper which looks sweet. The M3 is like a rollercoaster ride, you will drool all over yourself while riding in the passenger seat of a friend's M3, then you will wish you bought an M3.

To make a 328 into an M3, it would cost around $5,000 - $7,000. Still after all that, you don't have an M3. The body of the M3 has extra welds, it's just abit stronger.

Since insurance isn't a problem, get the M3. Insurance is the only thing stopping me. Since I'm only 23, insurance for a 97 M3 would cost me triple of what my 97 328is costs. :eek:

The 328is is a fast car, but the M3 is insane fast stock. Both the 328i/s and the M3 are very nice cars, tons of mods.

[sirtiger]

There is only one ///M and there is no substitute :)

[Robert]

Ya, the rear trailing arms and the brake calipers have the ///M logo on it. :cool

[Ivanfbi]

i would go with 328, cheaper by a lot compared to m3, little bit slower, but a lot faster than 325, about same insurance as 325, insurance companies LOVE M3's, S4, volvo R's and stuff to raise insurance twice, OBDII is not bad, so stop complaining on it, and still a lotr of mods to make it run low 14 high 13 without going FI

[beem3]

Go with the 328. M3 probably not around your price range. used to have a 1995 325 4 door, it's a lot slower than the 328. Regardless of what you get, get the sport package. Without the sport package, the car cannot take turns at all, unless you mod it with aftermarket springs and shocks. But the sport package setup is good for everyday driving and autox, unless you're a hardcore enthusiast, then you'll need aftermarket suspension. Watch out for the maintenance, when something breaks down, it's always at least a few hundred dollars, i.e. radiator, brakes and rotors, inspection 1 service,... owning a bimmer isn't cheap. After driving all three, i love the E36 M3. However for your price range, go with the 328 sport. If you get a 325,you'll probably want to mod it with chip, exhaust. But if you get the 328, you might be more content with the performance. My advice 95 M3, then 328i. :redspot

[nod6999]

Got a '96 328i black sedan with all maintenance up to date and the mods I wanted: suspension, wheels, chip, intake, and exhaust. Handles great and accelerates very smoothly with plenty of power. I recently drove a stock 325 and it was very slow compared to the 328i with the mods. Have had it almost a month now and am very impressed with it. It's had good owners who took care of it like I would.
There's a slideshow with pics here: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mblasi/slideshows/96%20BMW%20328i/default.htm

[fullswing]

Congratulations on a great buy! For sure, you'll have fun with it. But where's the pic of you with a silly grin on your face. Oh, yeah, that might ruin the slide show... :)

[ridebmw]

nice looks exactly like mine when they were stock and stock. Your dove interior is in great condition. ANd anyone notice the Mpower on the engine.

[kryptokatalyst]

There is only one ///M and there is no substitute :)
Good advice. Can't go wrong with the ///M.

[GG///M3]

go with a 328i, more power to start with than a 325i.