[Kurupt1811]

Hey all! Relatively new to the forum (love it btw) and recently pulled the trigger on a 325i. I was really trying to get a 330 but in the end the $6000 price difference was just too much for me. Anyways, I just wanted to know, am I missing out on much? I know how the 325 stacks up on paper but is there a really noticable difference that you can "feel" while driving?

For all you 325 owners out there, after having your cars for awhile now, do you ever wish you saved up just a little longer to get that "perfect" 330 that we are so close to having? Thanks!!

-Kalvin

[know1isgod]

Even if all I had was an E Two One body style, I would just keep it waxed and a little armorall. The 325i is no more nor no less than what it is. If the 330 was "perfect", why is there an V8 M3 coming soon? Enjoy your ride! Just keep it waxed and a little armorall and you will be fine. Trust me.

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by Kurupt1811

Hey all! Relatively new to the forum (love it btw) and recently pulled the trigger on a 325i. I was really trying to get a 330 but in the end the $6000 price difference was just too much for me. Anyways, I just wanted to know, am I missing out on much? I know how the 325 stacks up on paper but is there a really noticable difference that you can "feel" while driving?

For all you 325 owners out there, after having your cars for awhile now, do you ever wish you saved up just a little longer to get that "perfect" 330 that we are so close to having? Thanks!!

-Kalvin

Why does everyone assume someone would choose a 325 because of financial reasons? Sure, it is often peoples first step into a BMW, but I ended up paying cash for my 325. I could have paid cash for the 330. The 325 is a very practical car. Some may never realize the value in the upgrades that the 330 has. The 330 upgrades would have been wasted on my driving needs.

Both are fabulous cars.

I find it very funny, especially in the debadging topic, that someone leasing a 330 would look down at a 325 owner. That 325 owner may not have any payments.

No regrets here, my 325 is "perfect" for me.
Until the e90 M3 comes out.

[siriusinvestor]

Originally Posted by Petercat

Why does everyone assume someone would choose a 325 because of financial reasons? Sure, it is often peoples first step into a BMW, but I ended up paying cash for my 325. I could have paid cash for the 330. The 325 is a very practical car. Some may never realize the value in the upgrades that the 330 has. The 330 upgrades would have been wasted on my driving needs.

Both are fabulous cars.

I find it very funny, especially in the debadging topic, that someone leasing a 330 would look down at a 325 owner. That 325 owner may not have any payments.

No regrets here, my 325 is "perfect" for me.
Until the e90 M3 comes out.

It's funny you mention this because I had this exact conversation. I pulled up to a local deli and I saw an E90 325i. As I get out of my car, the owner of the 325i approaches me and acts snobbish. First thing out of his mouth is, " Did you lease you buy your car? "LOL! I tell him I bought it outright, he didn't believe me. I said to his face, " hey I got the title at home in my safe buddy." Plus would a person leasing a car put over 5,000 miles on it only after 1 1/2 months? Some people could be so rude. When you meet people you don't assume anything just greet and compliment their car.

[z1ppo325i]

mine is perfect for me right now too.. and i bought it because 330i was out of my price range... my choices were MAXIMA, TL, A4, 325i... I fell in love with it the first time i drove the new 3.. I am still in love after 2000 miles!! plus, unless you drive very aggressively, you'll never truly enjoy the power of 330i as the 325i provides all the same options(except for wheels and powerplant).. if you want to out race the competition, go with 330i or wait for an M3, but as you already bought the 325i, you be the judge~ I think people in this forum absolutely love their car so it maybe a little biased in asking us....

[NaTuReB0Y]

The only reason why I bought the 330i instead of the 325i is because my wife wanted powerseat....and I told her only the 330i comes with powerseat.

p.s. She doesn't know that I could've gotten it with the premium package on the 325i....right? Hahahahaha!

[human]

Originally Posted by Petercat

Why does everyone assume someone would choose a 325 because of financial reasons? Sure, it is often peoples first step into a BMW, but I ended up paying cash for my 325. I could have paid cash for the 330. The 325 is a very practical car. Some may never realize the value in the upgrades that the 330 has. The 330 upgrades would have been wasted on my driving needs.

Both are fabulous cars.

I find it very funny, especially in the debadging topic, that someone leasing a 330 would look down at a 325 owner. That 325 owner may not have any payments.

No regrets here, my 325 is "perfect" for me.
Until the e90 M3 comes out.

Petercat, for the vast majority of 325 buyers, it's a financial decision. Look at it this way: if you had a choice of a stock 325 vs. a stock 330, and both cars cost exactly the same amount of money, what would most (and I mean almost everyone) people choose?

I know that there are many people who could afford either car, but don't care enough about the increased power, added features or added prestige of the 330. In that case, of course it wouldn't make sense to "waste" the extra money on a 330! (Wait a minute, was that a financial decision?)

[HRC]

Originally Posted by Petercat

Why does everyone assume someone would choose a 325 because of financial reasons? Sure, it is often peoples first step into a BMW, but I ended up paying cash for my 325. I could have paid cash for the 330...

I think it's a valid assumption, since the poster himself was in this situation, and the previous post to mine also states the same reason. I think you are in the minority group of people that could've paid cash for the 330i but went the 325i route. I think it's a fair statement to say that most people went the 325i route because it was more affordable. And that is no slight, as I agree both are great cars, just different for different people.

Danny

[HRC]

Originally Posted by z1ppo325i

...plus, unless you drive very aggressively, you'll never truly enjoy the power of 330i...

I disagree with this idea. You do not have to drive very aggressively or even just aggressively to feel the difference. I'm refering to more of torque than horsepower. Just day to day driving you will feel the difference, it's just got more power period. Again, not turning a nose to the 325i, just stating a fact. Again, both the 325i and the
330i are great cars.

Danny

[z1ppo325i]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

The only reason why I bought the 330i instead of the 325i is because my wife wanted powerseat....and I told her only the 330i comes with powerseat.

p.s. She doesn't know that I could've gotten it with the premium package on the 325i....right? Hahahahaha!

wow!!! smartest man alive... what happens when she finds out? lol

[z1ppo325i]

Originally Posted by HRC

I disagree with this idea. You do not have to drive very aggressively or even just aggressively to feel the difference. I'm refering to more of torque than horsepower. Just day to day driving you will feel the difference, it's just got more power period. Again, not turning a nose to the 325i, just stating a fact. Again, both the 325i and the
330i are great cars.

Danny

i was referring to automatics.... does 20-30 lbs of torque difference matter in a normal traffic? i really doubt it.. although i would love to drive a 330i for shear pupose that i have the power at my expense..

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by human

I know that there are many people who could afford either car, but don't care enough about the increased power, added features or added prestige of the 330. In that case, of course it wouldn't make sense to "waste" the extra money on a 330! (Wait a minute, was that a financial decision?)

This is exactly where I am coming from... I didn't think the difference was great enough from my driving needs currently. The difference to an M3 or the 335 will be great enough and I look forward to those cars.
I know and understand (like I said in my post) that most buy the 325 as an entry level BMW and good for them. But, I do see too many people just assuming you didn't buy the 325 because you "can't afford it". You know just like a lot of people refer to the 3 series as the "Poor Man's BMW". Both statements show a great amount of ignorance.
Yes, it's a financial decision, it will probably be your second largest purchase, next to your home. People purchase their cars by balancing their needs, wants, etc. always with the amount they are comfortable spending.
All things considered, I am very happy with my 325.
For now.

[xcalibr]

I'm not regretting going with the 325i, but I definitely am envious of the way the 330i pulls --the torque just isn't there on the 325i. But the manual transmission makes it fun to drive --if I got the 325 in auto, I would've been bored to death. I test drove both in auto and there's a huge difference in torque...

Getting the 325i was definitely a financial decision. I simply didn't want to pay more! The cost outweighed the benefits in my mind...

[z1ppo325i]

325i for a 24 year old is still a luxury in the states and to be able to afford one, I saved alot of money and worked hard for it.. so I definitely think it's a financial decision..
IMO, 330i's is really for professionals that make good money or kids with rich/well off parents who loves them very much(very very very much)

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

Some people could be so rude. When you meet people you don't assume anything just greet and compliment their car.

I'm with you Seriusinvestor. It is just plain rude to ask something like that, it's none of their business. Also, what does it matter, it's a great car and that person has made a way to drive it. A person's ownership status has nothing to do with what a great car the e90 is (both 325 and 330).

It is also stupid to think other people buy their cars for the exact same reasons you do. People have so many individual factors going on in their lives which influence their purchases.

[Petercat]

Originally Posted by z1ppo325i

325i for a 24 year old is still a luxury in the states and to be able to afford one, I saved alot of money and worked hard for it.. so I definitely think it's a financial decision..
IMO, 330i's is really for professionals that make good money or kids with rich/well off parents who loves them very much(very very very much)

The 325 is an incredible car for anyone, especially a 24yo. We should all get some perspective on how blessed/lucky/hardworking we are to be able to drive such fine cars.

[stressdoc]

Why does the 325 - 330 issue so often get turned into some kind of status competition discussion? Our cars do not determine who we are, or how others should value us. If they do that is their problem.

Kurupt1811 asked what I read as a simple Q: do those with 325s regret not having gotten the more powerful engine. He did not ask whether we felt we were somehow lower status because we got a 325.

I drive a 323i E46. It has a 2.5l engine. It puts my back into the seat and otherwise provides nice stimuli for my set of neurons. Do I wish for more power? Yes, that would be nice. But I do not regret getting a 323. There are lots of things to spend our $ on besides cars (really, there is another life out there, as crazy as it sounds!), and it is matter of choices. I think it is great that BMW offers us choices like 325, 330, 335i, M3. And that there are lots of universities to send my kids to... I think my neurons will be happy with whichever BMW choice I make. But please, let it be a 335i...

[HRC]

Originally Posted by z1ppo325i

i was referring to automatics.... does 20-30 lbs of torque difference matter in a normal traffic? i really doubt it...

I understand your point, however, I still stand by my post meaning more power/torque is just that. If it was only a 10lb difference in torque, I concur that the butt-dyno won't really register, but it's more than 10lbs.

Danny

[z1ppo325i]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Why does the 325 - 330 issue so often get turned into some kind of status competition discussion? Our cars do not determine who we are, or how others should value us. If they do that is their problem. ...

you are very true but not realistic...

1. people may want bimmers but they can't afford one, thats why some 330i drivers think that anything below their's is inferior
2. you may not see that here since we are merely a percentage of the 3 series owners and we all love our cars and respect each other
3. 325 owners always lean towards defending their choice as all of us know that 330i is a better performing car. but we settled for less and it sucks when people frown upon a 325i next to a 330i.
4. people don't buy expensive cars because its practical, its social classfication of where you are. if you are a corporate exec and drive a honda civic, they will look at you funny(human nature) they dont want to know the details(i.e. mpg, insurance costs, overall price)
5. we are all humans that always want better things than what we have. thats why we ask questions to make sure we have the best thing for the money that we have.
6. 330i is better...
7. M3 is better...
8. both cost more than 325i
9. you can either afford it or not afford it but some people always think negatively....
10. there is always 5, 6, 7 series owners who will look down upon you.

I understand your point but in a perfect environment, you are absolutely correct, but in todays world, its human nature...

[know1isgod]

Again, most people pass slower drivers, not slower cars. I have passed many a "better" or faster car. The 325 is fine for that and more. It is not built for the 1/4 strip. When I need some oomph, I move the auto stick to the left, drop to M4 and it moves out smartly. This forum has got to be more than my D*#* is bigger than yours. The Honda Accord Hybrid has the same HP as the 330 but it is not recognized as an equal because of other characteristics such as handling, steering, feedback, etc.. I traded an 04 Honda V6 Ex for a 06 325i with leatherette, and only wish I did it sooner. I am soooooooo amused when my old Honda colleagues tailgate or pull up to my sides and blast off at the lights. For the most part, no BMW driver has done that yet, and it would be a sad day if a 330 owner felt they had to demonstrate "betterness".

[gsxrpaul]

I was having second thoughts a few weeks ago and even contemplated trading my 325i for the 330i. I realized for the kind of driving I do the 325i is just fine for me. I don't care about the power the car has, if I want power I'll get on the bike and go to the track. I could have afforded the 330 but chose to go with the 325. I know a lot of people go with the 325i because of the cost difference, but 6k really is not all that much. The only thing I am regretting though is not going with the sports package as well.

[z1ppo325i]

330i is really a difference.. more insurance, more gas, more overall price