If you're on the fence on which 3 to buy>>

[bayarea006]

I've read a couple posts on potential buyers opting for the 330i vs. the 325i. Being an e36 M3 owner for almost a decade and a loyal enthusiast I couldn't imagine forking over the extra $7K. When do you remember a time when BMW had the same displacement (3.0L) in all their 3 series? I'm sure this will change in the near future (335i). However, for the 2006 model year the 325 is an incredible value.

From Automobile magazine's web-site:

"Slightly confusingly, both the new 325i and the 330i have the same 3.0-liter inline-sixes. The 325i has retuned software and a different exhaust and intake system, lowering power and torque from 255 hp and 220 lb-ft to 215 and 185: the 325i would need only ten more horses to fill the previous 330i’s stable. In both forms, the engine has a great note. While we favor the more powerful of the two, a $7,000 difference is hard to argue against. Buying a base 325i and spending one to two thousand dollars in the aftermarket could result in a $32,000 330i, although warranties might vanish in the process. The change to the larger engine strengthens the connection between the two 3-series levels. The 325i sounds and feels more like the stronger 330, and low-end torque is greatly improved over previous generations. Near-perfect six-speed automatic and manual transmissions transfer power to the rear wheels".

P.S. Go for the 6 speed manual transmission if you have the option. And save the extra $7K for upgrades from tuner's such as Dinan, Turner Motorsport, etc.

Cheers,

sammy-d
Los Altos, CA
'06 325xi 6spd. Delivered on 12/24/05

Previous Bimmer's:
'95 M3
'97 328iC
'86 528e
'88 750iL
'85 635csi

[steady-eddie]

The base price difference between the 325 and the 330 is only $5700 ($6000 between 325xi and 330xi).

The 330 comes standard with xenon headlamps ($800 on 325), Power front seats w/driver memory ($995 on 325)and the Logic 7 sound system ($1200 on 325). Chrome exhaust tips cost $35 too but are standard on the 330. ( to further complicate matters, if you get the prem. package, it is only $2200 on the 330 vs. $2900 on the 325-but this includes the power seats for the 325).

So the 330 starts to make a little more sense if you are going to outfit your car with these options.

And going with the Dinan upgrades might void the warranty as you mentioned...just a little info.

[jimbethesda]

[Duke Nukem]

warranty.

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[tommckinney]

No mod, Dinan or otherwise, voids the warranty unless the dealer can prove the mod caused a problem. Should that happen with a Dinan mod, then you are correct, the Dinan warranty will cover it.
The Other Tom

[GlennZ]

[GlennZ]

I guess I might have been afraid that I would have liked it. Anyhow, I wanted the 330 and I didn't want to drive the 325 and throw my brain into "Analysis Paralysis" trying to justify why I really wanted the 330. Most of all I wanted the options that are standard on the 330 and I thought the extra jing with the horspower was worth it..
The whole subject of power, the mods and cash that it would take to get the 325 up to the horsepower and amenities of the 330 has been discussed pretty extensively here and on some other forums. I'm hoping some "real" mods come along for both cars. It'll give us all something to do and talk about. Besides the badge on the back of the car, 99.9% of your everyday driving is about the same in either car..

[RichReg]

...car has been around for almost a year, but Dinan still has nothing.

The Dinan'd E46 330 didn't get more than 10-15 more hp over stock. Chances are these new engines will be EVEN more difficult to tune.
And the upgrades will likely cost more than the E46 upgrades did.

No thanks, I'll stick with the 330.....

[GlennZ]

I don't have any experience with the E46 but the 0-60 times are about the same aren't they ? The E90 is a little heavier but most folks that have driven both don't really feel the added horsepower that the numbers should provide. Seems unlike BMW to exagerate on the HP ratings but anything is possible.. Anyhow, I hope some HP Mod comes along but I am not that optimistic..

[dynosor]

argueing your right of way with the train driver that just took your legs off...

Nobody spends $10k in court trying to recoup $5k warantee work.

[bayarea006]

there will be some tasteful mods for the new 3. According to the rep: performance software, exhaust, cold air intake, etc.

cheers,

Sam

[GlennZ]

[rustyh]

comes to the Dinan warranty, at least nothing I've heard or read about. I really haven't seen anyone correctly explain how the Dinan warranty works, and I likely can't word it properly myself, but the Dinan warranty works in unison with the BMW warranty. Only Dinan authorized BMW dealerships will do the Dinan work, and if something were to go wrong, which can be traced to the Dinan upgrade, BMW and Dinan will determine where the fault lies and the problem will be addressed. Like I said, I've seen nor read of anyone being caught in the middle.

You might be able to visit Dinan's site or an authorized BMW dealer's site to see exactly how it works.

Rusty
'05 330i ZHP in Imola

[whiskeyngolf]

Curious as to reliability of the 335CIC. Have a chance to pick one up for my wife but previous experience with 325 (2004) was horrible. Have they gotten the gremlins out? Anyone with any comment on this? Great road car, great fun car, but sheesh the repairs!

[Stinger9]

over the 1600, I did it on the basis of backing out of the driveway to take a test drive. I had driven the 1600, but when I got into the 2002 and pulled it out of the lot, I turned to my Dad and told him I could feel the difference in torque already! So I opted for the large engine. Much later pouring over the owner's manual with complete spec comparisons, I noted that hundreds of differences between the two cars existed that never appeared in the sales brochures. Just like the Germans whose stated philosophy was that if the power was increased, the handling and braking must also be brought up to the same level.
I noted shock piston diameter differences, clutch beefed up, and of course brake size upgrades.
Much the same exists on present day model differences, so when I opted for the extra $7K for my 330Ci, I was figuring there was more I was getting than meets the eye. Visually I love the appearance of the massive brake discs front and rear in proportion to almost every other car on the road. Including Mercs and Corvettes.