[D_Niklev]

Hey guys,
I have a bmw 320D e90 163hp version, with steptronic etc, but i want to make a transition with buying an e92. So now i'm in a dilemma : 325i, 330i or 330d ?
If i chose diesel again it would be with AT. If i chose petrol i'll look for MT.
Is the consumption difference between 325i and 330i a lot ? And what about the service ? Please give me some advices, because i'm so confused If 325/330i then why ? If 330D -> why ?
Best wishes

[TAM11M]

I currently have a 330i which is giving me great mpg and its manual, around 30mpg depending on how I drive, motorway is much better plus petrol is cheaper than diesel.

I like owning a petrol over diesel because they are pretty reliable *fingers crossed* and technically should require less maintenance etc. Plus bmw makes the best in line 6 cylinder engines ever.

Also cost of buying similar spec petrol and diesel, petrol is cheaper so more money for fuel to drive!

[marosmith]

I get 24mpg +/- 1.5 with 1/2 city and 1/2 twisty spirited back road driving on a MT

[tony20009]

I can't say specifically with regard to the 330 vs the 325.

By way of comparison, however, I can offer that in mostly city driving, I get between 18 and 20 mpg in my 335 and my daughter gets about the same in her 328. She can eke out about 31 to 32 on the highway, whereas I fall closer to 28-30 on the highway. My cousin also has a 328 sedan, and in all city driving, she gets around 17 mpg. (We all have petrol, not diesel, cars.)

I'd wondered about why they are so similar in typical, urban, daily driving situations and the answer I got back from some forum members is that it's because my car has direct injection. I have no idea of whether that's really the reason, but neither do I care, so I put no effort into verifying it. I just thought it was odd and posted the question here on the forum some time back.

One thing I can say with certainty is that your fuel usage will go up noticeably when you switch from diesel to petrol.

[alexwhittemore]

Mr. Bulgaria and Sir UK - I assume you guys are quoting miles per imperial gallon? 1gal imp = 1.2gal us, so those numbers will be higher than numbers from the US.

Edit: for example, I get 30mpg us average on the highway with good conditions and cruise control. That's 36mpg imperial.

[D_Niklev]

So guys i decided to make a little change:
I will look for : 330i/330d/335d .. diesel with AT, petrol with MT.. Which to choose ? i will look a car arround 60-70k miles, so which will be the best pick ?

[Frenk]

325 is 215hp
328 is 230hp
330 is 254hp
335 is 300hp

[D_Niklev]

Originally Posted by Frenk

325 is 215hp
328 is 230hp
330 is 254hp
335 is 300hp

dude.. this absolutelly can't help me with the decision..
p.p. i know that ..

[benjlv]

stateside the 325i and 330i are the same engine except the intake manifold, software, and the cat back portion of the exhaust. It is possible to swap the 330i intake onto the 325i and add software to bring it to 330i power levels. That said, since it is the same engine, the fuel consumption should be more or less identical given typical driving conditions. Since the 330i breaths better it is capable of consuming more fuel when pushed as its higher power number gives evidence to. Same goes for the 328i. If you look up the fuel consumption numbers the 325,328 and 330i all get the same fuel economy.

The petrol engines seem to be pretty reliable. I don't know anything about the diesel engines since they aren't available here in the states. I was considering getting a Audi a3 though. I compared the petrol engine at ~28mpg to the diesel version getting 40mpg highway (or number similar to that)... looked up the average fuel cost for the last few years and calculated the cost difference for fuel given my average miles per year. The diesel cars tended to sell for a few thousand more dollars. I found that given the initial price difference between the cars would take about 3 years for the diesel car to pay off its higher initial cost in fuel savings. The diesel would probably hold its value better though... at least here in the states since they are fairly rare.

In the end i realized i really just wanted another manual transmission rear wheel drive toy, so i bought a 330i. But similar analysis to this might help you make a decision.

[Samster330]

I bought a e90 330i 2 years back expecting a nice in-between 328 and 335, my car was an extremely good deal at the time so i do not regret it but i would recommend going with a e90 328. The 330i e90 is a one year production car and there are some parts and issues that are harder to get resolved because of that!

just personal experience. I average 21 mpg about 75% street 25% highway. But I am an overly aggressive driver!

[M340i Pride]

To the OP: my question to you is can you find a similarly priced, newer 328i? I don't think power difference is that much from 328i to 330i, so if you can find a newer one with similar price, it is a better buy, from the perspective of LONGIVITIY.

Of course 330i has more horses, and is quicker. but from the perspective of potential repairs down the road 328i is better value.

however I will say this, both are great cars and both engines have proven to be rock solid. its just that 328i is newer. with less horses.

you decide lol

[NorthernCAE90]

Originally Posted by benjlv

It is possible to swap the 330i intake onto the 325i and add software to bring it to 330i power levels. .

Has it really been done??

If so weres the damn DIY im ready!!!

[alexwhittemore]

Literally everywhere on the forum, search 'disa' or '3-stage manifold mod'. What I'm less clear on is the software update.

[NorthernCAE90]

I just did lol wow, I didn't know it was possible!!! that's really cool news, although im scared about
a. (exactly what you said) software update with a aftermarket tune on the car

b. smog here in CA- not sure what they do with this 06, but my older cars (88 and 99) they open the hood visual inspection, & a tail pipe read......


so im not sure how the exhaust numbers would look compared to a 325i stock, and if the engine bay looks different?

[alexwhittemore]

Originally Posted by NorthernCAE90

I just did lol wow, I didn't know it was possible!!! that's really cool news, although im scared about
a. (exactly what you said) software update with a aftermarket tune on the car

b. smog here in CA- not sure what they do with this 06, but my older cars (88 and 99) they open the hood visual inspection, & a tail pipe read......


so im not sure how the exhaust numbers would look compared to a 325i stock, and if the engine bay looks different?

It shouldn't be a problem whatsoever for emissions. If anything, under normal test conditions, it may improve numbers (the DISA intake is used on the N51, the N52's lower-emission brother).