BMW 325 or 330?
29 November 2006, 01:58 PM
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BMW 325 or 330?
Hi,
I'm thinking of getting a three year old BMW 325 or 330 Coupe. They both seem to have similar second hand values and, if can be believed, very similar mpg.
As I'm looking for a car that's less thirsty than my WRX, would it be worth getting a 330?
Marc
I'm thinking of getting a three year old BMW 325 or 330 Coupe. They both seem to have similar second hand values and, if can be believed, very similar mpg.
As I'm looking for a car that's less thirsty than my WRX, would it be worth getting a 330?
Marc
29 November 2006, 02:31 PM
#3
Originally Posted by TopBanana
330i or 330d?
Both cracking cars, and would go for either over the 325. Especially if prices are similar.
The 330D or 330I are both very good cars in terms of performance and overall package. I hate diesals but having spent a while in a 330D and I would Almost be tempted with the deisal over the petrol. With better MPG, and is tweakable. But the petrol sounds so sweet on full song and revs, so petrol would still have to be my choice.
29 November 2006, 06:38 PM
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Marc,
330i for sure over a 325i. I'm currently running a 330i Sport and it's great. I've previously had 4 330d's. The 330i is aurally superior but about 10mpg less frugal. I'll live with that for the noise alone!
330i is the one to have.
Matt
330i for sure over a 325i. I'm currently running a 330i Sport and it's great. I've previously had 4 330d's. The 330i is aurally superior but about 10mpg less frugal. I'll live with that for the noise alone!
330i is the one to have. Matt
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29 November 2006, 07:16 PM
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TopBanana,
'Twas a change for necessities sake rather than a want/desire.
We're moving house, so needed to free up some cash for a bigger mortgage. 
It's a bit of a come down from a new E90 330d M-Sport to a high mileage E46 330i, but it's not all bad.
I'm certain that in the future I may be back in a 330d of some description, but currently the £3-4k premium that the diesel seems to command wasn't worth it to me.
Cheers
Matt
'Twas a change for necessities sake rather than a want/desire.
We're moving house, so needed to free up some cash for a bigger mortgage. It's a bit of a come down from a new E90 330d M-Sport to a high mileage E46 330i, but it's not all bad.
I'm certain that in the future I may be back in a 330d of some description, but currently the £3-4k premium that the diesel seems to command wasn't worth it to me.
Cheers
Matt
30 November 2006, 02:15 PM
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OK, I'm going to look at one (330i) tomorrow evening.... watch this space. Especially as my g/f told me I shouldn't spend so much money on a car. 
But what does she know!!! 
But what does she know!!!
30 November 2006, 02:16 PM
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OK, I'm going to look at one (330i) tomorrow evening.... watch this space. Especially as my g/f told me I shouldn't spend so much money on a car. But what does she know!!!
But what does she know!!!
30 November 2006, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkStar66
Especially as my g/f told me I shouldn't spend so much money on a car. But what does she know!!!
But what does she know!!! 
30 November 2006, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by bighead
ditto .......unless its a M3 csl
I wish i had just gone for the 330i,or even better the 330d instead of the M3 i had back in March,as IMO the M3 is definately not worth all the hype.
30 November 2006, 04:59 PM
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depends what your after.
325 is a bit slower but a bit more frugal on fuel and slightly cheaper. 330 is the opposite; bit faster, bit less frugal on fuel and sliughtly more expensive.
Both good cars. Having said that I'd rather had a good 325 over a well used 330. So horses for courses.
Just the avoid poverty spec versions of the 325 (or haggle harder
)where some cheapskate skimped on the extras when new.
325 is a bit slower but a bit more frugal on fuel and slightly cheaper. 330 is the opposite; bit faster, bit less frugal on fuel and sliughtly more expensive.
Both good cars. Having said that I'd rather had a good 325 over a well used 330. So horses for courses.
Just the avoid poverty spec versions of the 325 (or haggle harder
)where some cheapskate skimped on the extras when new.
11 December 2006, 01:26 PM
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Got one!
Well, I've gone and done it. I picked up my 330SE ci on Friday. It's silver with a black leather interior and 5 double spoke, style 68 wheels. No sat nav but a 6 disc autochanger.
My first impresions are that it's very smooth and relatively quiet unless you floor it, which I haven't done much of yet as I've never driven a RWD car and have got used to 4WD. It feels so precision engineered and built compared to anything I've had before, but also feels heavier. In fact it's so quiet that I keep having to look at the rev counter instead of listening to the exhaust like in my Scooby.
The only trouble I have is getting in when it's in my garage because of the long doors. I have to do a sideways limbo. Also, the passenger mirror dips when I go into reverse, which isn't helpfull for avoiding a wall at the end of my drive. Is there a way to disable this function?
My first impresions are that it's very smooth and relatively quiet unless you floor it, which I haven't done much of yet as I've never driven a RWD car and have got used to 4WD. It feels so precision engineered and built compared to anything I've had before, but also feels heavier. In fact it's so quiet that I keep having to look at the rev counter instead of listening to the exhaust like in my Scooby.
The only trouble I have is getting in when it's in my garage because of the long doors. I have to do a sideways limbo. Also, the passenger mirror dips when I go into reverse, which isn't helpfull for avoiding a wall at the end of my drive. Is there a way to disable this function?
11 December 2006, 01:48 PM
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To stop the mirror dipping, flick the switch that selects the left or right mirror to the other side, it'll pop back up again.
It's probably the worst BMW feature - BMW got it right on Range Rovers - as they only dip a small amount, but BMWs annoyingly dip all the way
Glad you sorted a car.
Seeing you never had a RWD car, may I ask you do one thing though - go out and check make sure the tyres are a known good quality brand. I only say this as I recently drove a friends 318ci who dressed it with some very nice M3 style wheels but went and shod it with Falken tyres. I couldn't even pull away or change to second gear in slow traffic in the damp without the traction control taking over, braking was equally as bad. It's lethal, I called him a **** for even considering such budget tyres. Compared to my 325 which has had both Michelins and Continentals over the years, and has never encountered such appauling/dangerous grip issues come rain or shine.
It's probably the worst BMW feature - BMW got it right on Range Rovers - as they only dip a small amount, but BMWs annoyingly dip all the way
Glad you sorted a car.
Seeing you never had a RWD car, may I ask you do one thing though - go out and check make sure the tyres are a known good quality brand. I only say this as I recently drove a friends 318ci who dressed it with some very nice M3 style wheels but went and shod it with Falken tyres. I couldn't even pull away or change to second gear in slow traffic in the damp without the traction control taking over, braking was equally as bad. It's lethal, I called him a **** for even considering such budget tyres. Compared to my 325 which has had both Michelins and Continentals over the years, and has never encountered such appauling/dangerous grip issues come rain or shine.
Last edited by Shark Man; 11 December 2006 at 02:05 PM.
11 December 2006, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by MattOz
I'm finding that my 330i is averaging 30-31mpg. More on the motorway. Doesn't seem too bad to me. That's my calculation by the way, not the OBC.
Matt
Matt
11 December 2006, 03:52 PM
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To help you to climb in when its in the garage, press and hold the unlock button and keep it held. The windows will go right down allowing you to get in it much easier.
Also useful when some muppet parks too close to you in a car park.
Also useful when some muppet parks too close to you in a car park.
11 December 2006, 07:51 PM
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Drove my friend's 330i auto. Too smooth for my liking. Felt like I was driving on water.
Up to then I was considering a 330ci. I guess with a manual and "ci" it may be more sporty?
Nick
Up to then I was considering a 330ci. I guess with a manual and "ci" it may be more sporty?
Nick
12 December 2006, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Shark Man
To stop the mirror dipping, flick the switch that selects the left or right mirror to the other side, it'll pop back up again.
It's probably the worst BMW feature - BMW got it right on Range Rovers - as they only dip a small amount, but BMWs annoyingly dip all the way
Glad you sorted a car.
Seeing you never had a RWD car, may I ask you do one thing though - go out and check make sure the tyres are a known good quality brand. I only say this as I recently drove a friends 318ci who dressed it with some very nice M3 style wheels but went and shod it with Falken tyres. I couldn't even pull away or change to second gear in slow traffic in the damp without the traction control taking over, braking was equally as bad. It's lethal, I called him a **** for even considering such budget tyres. Compared to my 325 which has had both Michelins and Continentals over the years, and has never encountered such appauling/dangerous grip issues come rain or shine.
It's probably the worst BMW feature - BMW got it right on Range Rovers - as they only dip a small amount, but BMWs annoyingly dip all the way
Glad you sorted a car.
Seeing you never had a RWD car, may I ask you do one thing though - go out and check make sure the tyres are a known good quality brand. I only say this as I recently drove a friends 318ci who dressed it with some very nice M3 style wheels but went and shod it with Falken tyres. I couldn't even pull away or change to second gear in slow traffic in the damp without the traction control taking over, braking was equally as bad. It's lethal, I called him a **** for even considering such budget tyres. Compared to my 325 which has had both Michelins and Continentals over the years, and has never encountered such appauling/dangerous grip issues come rain or shine.
I came across the mirror dipping solution by mistake yesterday. I'd adjusted the passenger wing mirror and left the swich where it was. Then later on I was reversing and the mirror stayed where it was. I thought it had wrong until I read the manual!
My car seems to have brand new Continenal Conti-Sports so that should be OK. I had to MOT my scooby the day before I was picking up the BMW and it needed a new front tyre on one side and the other was only just legal.
So I got a 'part worn' Michelin put on because I didn't want to pay out more than I needed. It didn't feel quite right when I drove it, but that's someone else's problem now.
12 December 2006, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Dream Weaver
To help you to climb in when its in the garage, press and hold the unlock button and keep it held. The windows will go right down allowing you to get in it much easier.
Also useful when some muppet parks too close to you in a car park.
Also useful when some muppet parks too close to you in a car park.
12 December 2006, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by skoobidude
Drove my friend's 330i auto. Too smooth for my liking. Felt like I was driving on water.
Up to then I was considering a 330ci. I guess with a manual and "ci" it may be more sporty?
Nick
Up to then I was considering a 330ci. I guess with a manual and "ci" it may be more sporty?
Nick
The manual gearlever is very smooth and positive. The gearknob feels great, ooh err!
12 December 2006, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkStar66
I've tried that and it does help but I'll go through a lot of key batteries that way I fear.
Useful in summer as well then it's hot, to let some air into the car before you get in.
12 December 2006, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike123
Matt, on the E36 you can "adjust" the OBC to more closely match real used mpg. Mine was about 2mpg optimistic on my E36 328 but now I've got it within 0.5mpg of my tank to tank brim calculations. Not sure whether you can do this on an E46 OBC though?
Not sure about being able to do that on the E46. Mine's almost the same (less than 1mpg different) so I'm not too bothered. I've been spending a lot of time above 4k rpm recently and it's glorious!
I'm also finding that I can beast the 330i out of roundabouts/corners much more than the 330d. The relative lack of torque that the 330i has makes it more composed. You have to wring it's neck, but the aural reward is great!
Matt