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Car Forum / BMW Cars / August 2008Next ??? 325 vs 330
Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next one is 325 vs 330. I'm looking at an 05 or 06 3 series. Is there any other "real" differences between them except the engines ?? Not that it matters, but I'm looking for a coupe. The plan is to head down to Florida in a few months and bring one back north. Something with under 35k miles. >Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next one is >325 vs 330. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >to Florida in a few months and bring one back north. >Something with under 35k miles. Depends as the 330 can differ in the option department. Obviously the 3.0 has more torque and BHP but whether you would actually notice it in everyday driving I can't say but I do know there is not much difference between the 4.0 V8 and the 4.4 V8 yet the 5.0 V12 has bags more torque and strangely enough my 3.0 diesel 730d feels like the V12 on acceleration but falls short of the top speed by 5mph (boo hoo). The large engined car has a higher ratio rear end and in most instances this can give you better mileage especially in everyday driving but then if in town the consumption can and will fall dramatically. My diesel 730 gets 37mpg (imperial) in general running to and from work (25 miles there and 25 back) but now I am not at work the mpg has dropped to 22 in street and shopping use. Ever thought of a SMART car? BTW I have seen rusty cars in FL. Hugh  SignatureSir Hugh of Bognor The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it! Hugh Gundersen hsg@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK > Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next one > is 325 vs 330. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > down to Florida in a few months and bring one back north. > Something with under 35k miles. There are minor variations in what's available, or not, on the option packages. The base 325 will have less feature content than the base 330. Wheels will be different, even with sport package. OTOH, except for the power differential, the cars possess the same "soul." R / John >> Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next one >> is 325 vs 330. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > R / John Thanks John..thats what I thought. Before I buy, I'll definitely get a CARFAX done..I know thats not 100%, but better than nothing. And, with a relatively low-mileage model, I "should" be ok for awhile. I had my heart set on the 330CI but its looking more like a 325CI. 5 or 6k in my pocket to boot. I may be able to get a 325 more loaded as well. J >>> Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next >>> one is 325 vs 330. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > set on the 330CI but its looking more like a 325CI. 5 or 6k in my pocket > to boot. I may be able to get a 325 more loaded as well. More loaded???? The 330 is better equipped from the outset, so it would need fewer "options" to keep up with the fully loaded 325. I have had a 4-door and a 2-door (convertible) 3 Series, and the 4-door is by far a more functional car. I would not have a 2-door without the folding top -- I like my convertible, but I would not like the door limitation in a hardtop car. I find the doors of my convertible to be very heavy, and on occasion they take quite a bit of room. My 4-door 3 Series was far more functional for several reasons. The 330 has cooler looking wheel packages than the 325. I live in a warm-weather climate, and I would take the 330 convertible in a heartbeat, or the 330 sedan. I'd have to pass on the 330 coupe, but that's just me I suppose. Have you priced insurance on the sedan vs. the coupe? I once had an Accord coupe, and the liability insurance cost hundreds of dollars more per year than the same car with 4 doors. I can't explain why. If your a price sensitive buyer, you should look at the insurance cost relative to the same car with 2- or 4-doors. Since I got you started onthe convertible, you may as well check the insurance costs for that model too. > Have you priced insurance on the sedan vs. the coupe? I once had an > Accord coupe, and the liability insurance cost hundreds of dollars > more per year than the same car with 4 doors. I can't explain why. Statistically, coupes are considered to be more sporty. The people who buy them tend to be more aggressive drivers who get into accidents more often. In addition, due to the specific coupe construction, some parts are more expensive and more expensive to repair. Pete >> Have you priced insurance on the sedan vs. the coupe? I once had an >> Accord coupe, and the liability insurance cost hundreds of dollars more [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > often. In addition, due to the specific coupe construction, some parts > are more expensive and more expensive to repair. I hear what you are saying, but I'm not sure I buy into the argument. Personally, I drive the same according to what the car can do, not according to how many points of entry there are. Surely, I would drive a Honda differently than a BMW, but I would drive the 2 door and the 4 door version of each the same, so I contend the liability coverage should cost the same because the damage each car can do (relative to the door count) or the odds of doing damage is the same. But, the insurance company feels differently. As for the repairs, this will affect the collision and comprehensive coverage, not the liability coverage. In the case of my Accord experience, the collision and comprehensive coverage was the same -- within a few dollars -- but the liability cost was different by a very wide margin. The cost of repairs to my car does not affect liability coverage. Hear hear! (I have a different-brand convertible slightly bigger than the 3 convertible but the same thoughts apply.) DAS To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling" --- [...] and the 4-door is > by far a more functional car. I would not have a 2-door without the > folding top -- I like my convertible, but I would not like the door > limitation in a hardtop car. [...] > Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next > one is 325 vs 330. > I'm looking at an 05 or 06 3 series. Is there any other "real" > differences between them except the engines ?? > Not that it matters, but I'm looking for a coupe. Actually it does matter. In '06 the coupe was still the old body style (E46), while sedan was already new (E90). Along with that, the '06 325ci (coupe) had the old 2.5-liter 184-hp engine while the '06 325i (sedan) had a new 3.0-liter 215-hp engine - a slightly detuned version of the engine that was used in the 330i/ci. I realize that's not going to make you buy a sedan instead of coupe, but I'm just point out the differences. http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2006&make=BMW&model=3-Series Regards, Pete >> Since I got so much good info on the "leather vs vinyl" post, my next one >> is 325 vs 330. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Regards, > Pete Thanks Pete...that IS a difference. Perhaps I'll wait till the spring and get an 07...coupe. Does that mean I'd get the newer engine and body ?? > Thanks Pete...that IS a difference. Perhaps I'll wait till the spring > and get an 07...coupe. Does that mean I'd get the newer engine and > body ?? Yes. Actually what happened for the 2007 model year, they changed the naming a little - there is no longer a 325i. Instead, there is a 328i (both coupe and sedan versions) which has a 3-liter 230-hp engine. I wouldn't mind owning one of these myself. :) Cheers, Pete >> I realize that's not going to make you buy a sedan instead of coupe, but >> I'm just point out the differences. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Thanks Pete...that IS a difference. Perhaps I'll wait till the spring and > get an 07...coupe. Does that mean I'd get the newer engine and body ?? are maintenance costs the same for the 330 as the 325?? > are maintenance costs the same for the 330 as the 325?? Yes. Pete >> are maintenance costs the same for the 330 as the 325?? > > Yes. > > Pete Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you are ?? > Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you > are ?? Chicago, IL. Why? Pete >> Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you >> are ?? > > Chicago, IL. Why? > > Pete No reason...just curious..lots of Euros on here. I'm on the East Coast of Canada (NB)..hence the plan to go to FL for my purchase. Thanks >>> Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you >>> are ?? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Thanks Before you go to Florida, call Import Connection in Campbell California. I bought a 2005 330 in absolutely perfect condition for nearly $5000 below blue book. I have been dealing with the owner for 17 years and trust him absolutely. Small store, never more than 10 or 15 cars. Phil >>>> Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you >>>> are ?? [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Phil Thanks..but its a bit too far to drive back home... >>>>> Thanks Pete. Can I ask you where in the world (generally-speaking) you >>>>> are ?? [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Thanks..but its a bit too far to drive back home... I understand, but I would love an excuse to drive across the continent. Phil >>> Before you go to Florida, call Import Connection in Campbell California. >>> I bought a 2005 330 in absolutely perfect condition for nearly $5000 [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Phil I would too, if I had a few weeks to "waste" lol > No reason...just curious..lots of Euros on here. I'm on the East > Coast of Canada (NB)..hence the plan to go to FL for my purchase. I see. I used to live down there. Bought my 530i there, too. Pete |
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