E90 320D v 325D Auto

Taxboy · 04-24-2011, 11:52 AM

Just sounding out some opinions on whether the 325D is a either little unloved i.e if you want the economy get a 320 or actually abit of a real world bargain not being as desirable as the 330D etc. & therefore a bit cheaper

Thoughts appreciated

scooba0010 · 04-24-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taxboy

Just sounding out some opinions on whether the 325D is a either little unloved i.e if you want the economy get a 320 or actually abit of a real world bargain not being as desirable as the 330D etc.

Thought appreciated

My wife is on her 2nd 325D AUTO , it is far smoother than a 4cyl 320d with the auto box and has a bit more grunt from the 6 cyl engine.

I understand the real market is Germany for 6 cyl diesels but cant back that up they cost a couple off k more but imho worth it , I have a new merc 2.1d ndit noisy as fuck compared to the 6 cyl BMW.

I would drive both and make your own mind up

Fox530 · 04-24-2011, 01:40 PM

6 cylinders are always better than 4 - this is most definately true with the diesels where the extra refinement really helps.

The benefit of 6 cylinders isnt in the performance - so you wont find it on paper - its in the way it drives.

chris_s1 · 04-24-2011, 02:11 PM

There are great deals to be had on 325's compared to 330's and they remap REALLY well :-)

Having come from a 320d to a 325d, its a huge step up and far more than the numbers on the spec sheet would indicate.

SO8 · 04-24-2011, 02:15 PM

I have owned a 320d (177) ... driven the 325d (197) and now own a 330d.

The 325d is a superb car - it is quicker than the 320d and more refined. It is definitely IMO more sporty ...

I am not saying the 320d is slow - it is not. It is very smooth for what it is as well - especially compared to other marques ... but is not as nice as the 325d. I found the 325d a hoot ....

Bob S · 04-24-2011, 03:11 PM

I'm picking up my new 325d touring a week on Monday. Can't wait

I tried it against the 320d with similar specs and thought the 6 cyl was more refined and sounded much much better. Fuel economy on an extended run was exactly what I'm getting off the 123d I have just now, and priced up against the 320d, there was £1 a month difference in the payments.

RichardM · 04-24-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SO8

I have owned a 320d (177) ... driven the 325d (197) and now own a 330d.

The 325d is a superb car - it is quicker than the 320d and more refined. It is definitely IMO more sporty ...

I am not saying the 320d is slow - it is not. It is very smooth for what it is as well - especially compared to other marques ... but is not as nice as the 325d. I found the 325d a hoot ....

What are your thoughts on the 325d vs 330d mate?

SO8 · 04-25-2011, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

What are your thoughts on the 325d vs 330d mate?

I didn't drive it back to back with a 330d but with a 530d .... and the 325d in that case felt smoother and quicker.

Compared to my 330d LCI it is slower but the 325d is still a surprising package. I had a 320d so couldn't see the benefit of 'just' going to the 325d .... thus got greedy and went looking for a 330d or 335d.

The area I would say you'd notice the difference between a 330d and 325d is mid range overtakes say on a B road. The 325d when accelerating above say 60 felt slower than a 530d and that difference increased as the speeds got higher - which, tbh was not really a surprise. The difference with a 330d would be I guess greater as speeds got higher.

If I could have got a 325d at the right price when I got the 320d I would have ... I just couldnt find one at the time ....

Everything in the 330d seems more urgent than a 325d - first gear for example catapults you forwards whereas in the 325d it surges - if that makes sense.

Coming off roundabouts up hill on a dual carraigeway the 325d builds speed very comfortably whereas the 330d accelerates more. The difference in outputs shows really how they drive. One is, in LCI form I believe 204ps as opposed to the 245ps of the 330d - it is just greater grunt in the same sort of package.

Taxboy · 04-25-2011, 07:02 AM

Thanks to everyone for their posts it is really very much appreciated. Particulalrly with all the practical comments - usually with these type of questions what often happens is someone asks "what's the 320 like and the response escalates into something like
"if you're thinking of the 320 get a 325" followed by
"the 325 is a bit of a poor man's 330 so you really want a 330"
then followed by "well if you're getting a 330 might as well get a 335"

But not on here

04-24-2011, 11:52 AM	#1
Taxboy Enlisted Member 4 Rep 34 Posts Drives: E39 520SE Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	E90 320D v 325D Auto Just sounding out some opinions on whether the 325D is a either little unloved i.e if you want the economy get a 320 or actually abit of a real world bargain not being as desirable as the 330D etc. & therefore a bit cheaper Thoughts appreciated Last edited by Taxboy; 04-24-2011 at 12:03 PM.. Reason: spelling
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04-24-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
Fox530 Lieutenant 38 Rep 582 Posts Drives: M340i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	6 cylinders are always better than 4 - this is most definately true with the diesels where the extra refinement really helps. The benefit of 6 cylinders isnt in the performance - so you wont find it on paper - its in the way it drives.
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04-24-2011, 02:11 PM	#4
chris_s1 Major 36 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 E92 335d [8.66]	There are great deals to be had on 325's compared to 330's and they remap REALLY well :-) Having come from a 320d to a 325d, its a huge step up and far more than the numbers on the spec sheet would indicate.
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04-24-2011, 02:15 PM	#5
SO8 Major 243 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: BMW G42 M240i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	I have owned a 320d (177) ... driven the 325d (197) and now own a 330d. The 325d is a superb car - it is quicker than the 320d and more refined. It is definitely IMO more sporty ... I am not saying the 320d is slow - it is not. It is very smooth for what it is as well - especially compared to other marques ... but is not as nice as the 325d. I found the 325d a hoot ....
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04-24-2011, 03:11 PM	#6
Bob S Enlisted Member 0 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 325d SE Touring Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I'm picking up my new 325d touring a week on Monday. Can't wait I tried it against the 320d with similar specs and thought the 6 cyl was more refined and sounded much much better. Fuel economy on an extended run was exactly what I'm getting off the 123d I have just now, and priced up against the 320d, there was £1 a month difference in the payments.
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04-25-2011, 07:02 AM	#9
Taxboy Enlisted Member 4 Rep 34 Posts Drives: E39 520SE Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks to everyone for their posts it is really very much appreciated. Particulalrly with all the practical comments - usually with these type of questions what often happens is someone asks "what's the 320 like and the response escalates into something like "if you're thinking of the 320 get a 325" followed by "the 325 is a bit of a poor man's 330 so you really want a 330" then followed by "well if you're getting a 330 might as well get a 335" But not on here
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