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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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Need Advice!
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05-03-2005, 01:44 PM | #1 |
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Need Advice!
Hey guys!
I'm about to order the car in the next week but I cannot seem to make a 100% decision. here's my choices: - 325i, sports, premium and nav package and adaptive headlights. - 330i, sports package and Logic 7 The differences are that the 325 has iDrive and 330i does not. the 325 has also power folding exterior mirrors (but I don't care about that). The 330i is also $500 CND more expensive but that's nothing when speaking of a $50,000 CND car. This is a very hard choice since I'm going to keep the car for 6-8 years. Basically, it's Idrive Vs Extra Power. Any suggestions? You're opinions will help. |
05-03-2005, 01:53 PM | #2 |
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Hi Anthony. Me, personally I would go for the power hands down because the power difference between the 330 and the 325 is definitely noticeable (have you test driven both?). Idrive is cool but we're talking about a sports sedan here not a bling Hummer or Escalade so performance should carry more weight than gadgets. Also maybe you are the type that needs a cool screen and technology to play with in the car so maybe that means more to you than the extra hp?
That's just my opinion... guys lets help him make a decision Anyone agree/disagree? |
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05-03-2005, 02:02 PM | #3 |
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The 330 also has much larger brakes, the adaptive headlights are standard, the sports package has bigger wheels/tires, and iDrive is useless. What's to question?
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05-03-2005, 02:38 PM | #4 |
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I am leaning towards the 330i. you're absolutely right, afterall it is a sports sedan.
We can't test drive them yet in Canada. Possibly this weekend and I'm sure it will help my decision. ogrady, have you driven an E46 330i? how does the E90 325i compare to that? Thanx for your help guys. |
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05-03-2005, 03:11 PM | #5 |
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I am personnally a proponet for Idrive, it really serves its purpose, however, I agree that the sport should come first in a e90. I guess it depends how much you need nav. I just looked at the canadian prices man, they look scary. I thought that the 330i came with logic 7.
I don't know what your budget is, but perhaps you should just plunge right in and get a 330i with sport and premium. Not to much more money and you would get all that other cool stuff like leather. If you can't go with all the goodies I think I would still go for the 330i, if driving is important. One other thing...you may look to the future a little. Being that the two share the same basic engine their may be some mods available in the coming years to get you up to the 255hp mark. I mean the only differences are computer programing, exhaust and the 3 stage intake. Sorry if I just made it more difficult for ya |
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05-03-2005, 03:55 PM | #6 |
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Logic 7 is standard on the 330i, unless standard features are different in Canada.
My top "10" reasons to buy a 330i over a 325i: 1. 40 more horsepower 2. 35 lbs. more torque 3. Standard Xenon lights..........$800 option for 325i 4. Standard Logic 7 sound.......$1200 option for 325i 5. Standard Larger wheels if you don't add sport Pkg "should be required" 6. Standard power seats 7. Standard larger Brakes 8. Nearly identical fuel economy 9. Your car tells the truth with the 330i for 3.0 liter, not a 3.0 that says 325i. 10. Fun Factor "PRICELESS" All together its worth the $6k premium. Last edited by soon2be90; 05-03-2005 at 04:09 PM.. |
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05-03-2005, 04:07 PM | #7 |
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The cars as configured are roughly $51,000 CND + or - a couple of hundred dollars.
The only difference is the idrive in terms of options. (I'm not counting electric exterior mirrors for the 325 and the chrome bits that with the 330i ). so It's 40 bhp, 35 more torque, larger brakes and wheels Vs Idrive. I think you're right, it's gonna come down to fun factor. If (as others) I can't get the smile off my face while test driving a 330i, then I'm getting a 330 However, 70% of my time will be in the city and I am coming off a 98 accord (not the fastest), so the 325 might be all the power I need. I want the car to have some pull on the highway but I don't know how much 185 ft-lbs really is. It's really a harder choice than it might seem!! The idrive dash is soo much nicer than the non-idrive dash. Apparently, you also get additional functionality. :S Also, I've heard that it won't be easy to upgrade the power of a 325 but I don't know much about that... I truely hope the 330 blows away the 325 |
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05-03-2005, 04:21 PM | #8 | |
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Personally I hate driving a car that has sub-standard power and then seeing the superior model driving by. Don't settle. Live for now, we'll all grow old soon enough and probably be forced into oversized Caddy's or Lincolns. If it's available..............BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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05-03-2005, 06:33 PM | #10 |
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330i all the way, faster car, better handling and better soundsystem, what else could you ask for
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05-03-2005, 06:36 PM | #11 |
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If every feature of the car works withouth iDrive, then what's the point. Most people drive near their home most of the time, so $2k for navigating your own neighborhood doesn't make sense. What IS the benefit of iDrive besides a fancy display in the dash?
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05-03-2005, 06:53 PM | #12 |
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I had pretty much the same problem you had when thinking about getting either the 325 or 330, and though I would have loved to get the 330i, I went for the 325 instead. It's true you get leather, Logic7, adaptive headlights, and bigger wheels standard on the 330i, but I was able to get my 325i fully loaded for just under $37,000 (as quoted from the dealer) compared to about $42,000 for the 330i. It doesn't seem like that big of a jump, but I set my limit before I even started looking around that I didn't want to go over $40,000, because I'm fresh out of college and I have plenty of other bills to worry about. So, when I saw my car could have every option for the $37,000, it really appealed to me and I jumped at it. You have to do what works for you. Will I be sorry that I don't have the extra power, bigger rims, and chrome trim around the car? Definitely, but I can deal with it. I'm in love with my new 325i (even though i haven't even seen it yet), I was able to build it exactly the way I wanted it, and even though it's not the best, it's far superior to the car I have now (cavalier) and I think I'll be really happy with it. I can't wait . good luck with your decision.
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05-03-2005, 07:21 PM | #13 | |
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05-03-2005, 07:23 PM | #14 | |
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05-03-2005, 09:53 PM | #15 |
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The 3 stage intake is not just a cheap "cold air intake". It's a 3 stage intake manifold. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to change your intake manifold for less than $2000 and your warranty will probably be voided as well. Yes, it's the same engine, but an intake manifold, especially a computer controlled intake manifold is not just a simple swap.
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05-03-2005, 10:37 PM | #16 |
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in my case the cars are practically the same price. it's only the idrive that is the difference in terms of options (not counting power exterior mirrors and chrome).
you guys make good points. I'm leaning towards the 330i but there's a few factors that will sway my decision (insurance quote and test drive and possible difference in interest rates in case I finance from bmw). I too am right out of university, the 325 may be the better choice in terms of maintenance costs. I know the 330 tires will cost more but what about the brakes? Will the brakes on the 330i be more expensive than that of the 325? I don't see other maintenance costs being different. Really, I'm nitpicking but that's only because I've been dreaming of getting a bimmer for 8 years now and I want to make the right decision. Even though, any bimmer will be amazing! Thanx for all your help so far guys! |
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05-04-2005, 04:42 AM | #19 | |
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05-04-2005, 06:09 AM | #20 |
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I don't think the 3-stage intake accounts for that much power difference. I think it is just marketing. I think BMW is doing the same thing as other companies have been doing with their turbo motors (except with no turbo), instead manipulating the Valvetronic timings. I believe they downtuned the motor through the software so that there would be sufficient HP difference between the 325 and 330. Saab does the same thing with their 2.0t motor. They turn down the boost on the entry level models to 175hp, so that the 215 hp looks really appealing to high-perfomance folks. I think companies have realized that is far cheaper to have a few motors that can be tuned accordingly, than have a bunch of specialized motors. With technologies like variable valve timing and lift controlers, they don't even have to put in 'Hot Cams' for the high-performance model anymmore. The manufacturer can also choose what kind power-band to give a particular model without turning one wrench. I am sure that Dinan will have a nice EPROM-flash upgrade for this motor that will make it sing.
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05-07-2005, 10:11 AM | #21 |
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It seems to be that this decision is much harder than in previous years. If you could afford the E46 330i, it was a no-brainer since there was a significant difference in performance over the E46 325i. However, on paper the difference between the E90 330i and 325i looks very small. Of course, stats do not always tell the whole story.
Have there been any tests or reviews between the two? Have any of you that are recommending the 330 driven both or are you basing it on previous differences? I too am contemplating this decision. All things considered, I'd prefer to get the 330i, but since it will not be top dog for long (M3, rumored 335i), I'd have no problem going with a 325i if it offered the best bang for the buck. |
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05-07-2005, 12:41 PM | #22 |
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I think that I'm going to go for the 330i. My thinking is that I'm getting a sports car. so power should be higher in the priority than gadgets.
I'm only going to setup the car once (ie very few times) so it's not a big deal to use the standard buttons. I'm not going to use the Nav (except for when I first get it and that's just for fun). Most of the time I will be driving the car and not using the idrive, so I would rather have more power and bigger brakes than a screen to setup the car (which I will rarely do). On top of that, the 330i is more exclusive here in Canada. I read on one discussion board (can't remember which one) that for every 4 325 sold, there's only 1 330. Having said all that, the Idrive makes the interior look sooo much nicer. I believe I will go for the 330 unless there's a huge difference in my auto insurance (I don't see that happening). |
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