E46 325I - thoughts please?
28 July 2009, 10:56 AM
#1
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E46 325I - thoughts please?
I'm thinking of getting an E46 of some sort. Either a 330I or a 325I. Don't want diesel and for the miles I do its not an issue (average about 6-8k a year)
Theres a very nice 330I tourer on a 51 that I like fully loaded with all the trimmings. Theres also a 325I saloon on an 04 that I prefer the look of but doesn't have the sat nav. Theres about £500 between them. The 330i has 3 previous owners, mapped on 84K. The 325I is one owner and has just tipped over 100K.
Is there that much difference between 325 and 330?
Theres a very nice 330I tourer on a 51 that I like fully loaded with all the trimmings. Theres also a 325I saloon on an 04 that I prefer the look of but doesn't have the sat nav. Theres about £500 between them. The 330i has 3 previous owners, mapped on 84K. The 325I is one owner and has just tipped over 100K.
Is there that much difference between 325 and 330?
28 July 2009, 11:19 AM
#2
Performance wise: Yes, Especially if in auto form.
To put some perspective on the performance/torque differnce: A 325 auto can't even wheelspin in the wet with the DSC turned off, whereas a 330 auto will happily do proper smoking burnouts in the dry. (Both on Michelins, I'm sure the 325 might do a burnout in the wet if it had some Kumhos or Nankangs fitted
). Don't get me wrong its a sweet-revving engine, but its somewhat gutless in comparison (I actually own a 325 touring for towing stuff).
For the performance I would be initially plumping on the 330. However, it would be very dependant on the individual car's condition - E46 are notorious for the suspension bushing going sloppy after 5+ years and the M54 engine on both version are prone to sludging up the breather system and suffer various sensor failures and vacuum leaks which can incurr large diagnosis charges. This does include cars that are not driven hard.
So to conclude: On paper, 330 everytime. But in reality, its whatever is the better car in terms of it being maintained and how much you "want" the extra torque and performance. Natuarally the 325 is better on fuel, but teh MPG on both 330 and 325 vary massively moreso with the way they are driven (my 325 (auto) "can" do 33mpg but usually does 21mpg in town and 27mpg average. Our 530 can match that, although can drop to 18mpg if hoofed around town alot...my Golf R32 is better on MPG than both, yet its a 3.2
).
The 330 sounds like its had a harder life depsite its lower mileage, but then the previous owners maybe more alert to running issues and the suspesnion wear, so may have spent the money to keep it tip-top, whereas the one owner 325 may have just used it as a daily commuter and just had the scheduled servicing done and nothing more.
Without driving and seeing those specific cars personally, its horses for courses TBH.
To put some perspective on the performance/torque differnce: A 325 auto can't even wheelspin in the wet with the DSC turned off, whereas a 330 auto will happily do proper smoking burnouts in the dry. (Both on Michelins, I'm sure the 325 might do a burnout in the wet if it had some Kumhos or Nankangs fitted
). Don't get me wrong its a sweet-revving engine, but its somewhat gutless in comparison (I actually own a 325 touring for towing stuff).For the performance I would be initially plumping on the 330. However, it would be very dependant on the individual car's condition - E46 are notorious for the suspension bushing going sloppy after 5+ years and the M54 engine on both version are prone to sludging up the breather system and suffer various sensor failures and vacuum leaks which can incurr large diagnosis charges. This does include cars that are not driven hard.
So to conclude: On paper, 330 everytime. But in reality, its whatever is the better car in terms of it being maintained and how much you "want" the extra torque and performance. Natuarally the 325 is better on fuel, but teh MPG on both 330 and 325 vary massively moreso with the way they are driven (my 325 (auto) "can" do 33mpg but usually does 21mpg in town and 27mpg average. Our 530 can match that, although can drop to 18mpg if hoofed around town alot...my Golf R32 is better on MPG than both, yet its a 3.2
).The 330 sounds like its had a harder life depsite its lower mileage, but then the previous owners maybe more alert to running issues and the suspesnion wear, so may have spent the money to keep it tip-top, whereas the one owner 325 may have just used it as a daily commuter and just had the scheduled servicing done and nothing more.
Without driving and seeing those specific cars personally, its horses for courses TBH.
Last edited by ALi-B; 28 July 2009 at 11:25 AM.
28 July 2009, 11:26 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
The 330I also has been fitted with a strut brace which put me off a bit. The chap said the previous owner had it "chipped" as he put it and the strut brace fitted then sold the car due to company car. The owner says its his wife (as do they all it seems)
Don't know much about the 325 as I haven't spoken to the dealer yet.
I'll check history and what not on any car. Theres a BMW dealer not too far away from me but a little bit further afield is an indie BMW specialist who are quite well regarded I believe so will probably take any purchased car there.
I was going for manual only. Thanks for the info though. I think I'll hold out for a 330I
Apart from comfort level is there any difference between SE and Sport models?
Don't know much about the 325 as I haven't spoken to the dealer yet.
I'll check history and what not on any car. Theres a BMW dealer not too far away from me but a little bit further afield is an indie BMW specialist who are quite well regarded I believe so will probably take any purchased car there.
I was going for manual only. Thanks for the info though. I think I'll hold out for a 330I
Apart from comfort level is there any difference between SE and Sport models?
28 July 2009, 11:39 AM
#4
I only mentioned the autos as I have driven them both long term back to back so its easy for me to compare. But the manual versions do follow suit, just they are quicker and better on fuel when driven in town.
SE vs Sport has various differences:
External trim: SE has chrome, Sport has black and differnt bumpers/sideskirts.
Wheels: Sport are obviously bigger and lower profile (although SE can be specced the same)
Interior: Seats are different as is the steering wheel and other bits (although many SEs have various Sport bits fitted as optional extras)
Suspension: SE is softer, Sport is harder and lower. Although I wouldn't call the SE's suspension comfortable either - bit too bouncy for my liking.
There are probably loads of other little bits I've missed, but I think thats the main ones.
SE vs Sport has various differences:
External trim: SE has chrome, Sport has black and differnt bumpers/sideskirts.
Wheels: Sport are obviously bigger and lower profile (although SE can be specced the same)
Interior: Seats are different as is the steering wheel and other bits (although many SEs have various Sport bits fitted as optional extras)
Suspension: SE is softer, Sport is harder and lower. Although I wouldn't call the SE's suspension comfortable either - bit too bouncy for my liking.
There are probably loads of other little bits I've missed, but I think thats the main ones.
28 July 2009, 02:42 PM
#5
I had an '02 325i Sport manual and it gave 3 years of trouble free motoring when I sold it. Obviously it's not gonna have as much grunt as 330i, but it's not gutless by any means and had a very smooth rev happy engine. I had no problems spinning up the 255 Michelin pilot tyres in the wet or dry. The 2 stage traction control allowed for a little slip before kicking in. Press the DSC once and it turns off the stability programme, hold down the button for 3 sec and it'll fully disable the traction control. I got an average of 27mpg with mixed driving and 34-37mpg on motorways. I recommend, if you can, stretch to a Sport model over an SE model. Performance wise, I had a run in with a FN2 CTR and there was nothing in it.
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