Better track car? E46 330ci vs E92 328xi

Precision · 08-12-2012, 06:58 PM

I have a 2002 330Ci sport package auto with 54k on it and a buddy has a 2009 328xi sport package auto with the same mileage, he always tries to big dog me because his car is newer and more expensive as if that makes the better track car of the two. I know neither are speed demons but which is the better track car? Both are our daily drivers.

MattMD · 08-12-2012, 07:19 PM

330ci. It's lighter.

Saintor · 08-12-2012, 07:21 PM

Certainly not an Xi, but I would choose a E92 over the E46. Awesome steering and it is just more communicative.

J02 335i · 08-12-2012, 07:23 PM

330, faster and lighter then the xi.

CJ421 · 08-12-2012, 07:24 PM

I'd sooner take the 330Ci ... lighter & faster as noted; probably cheaper to run too.

E90Company · 08-12-2012, 07:29 PM

330ci. A 328i XDrive won't do as well on the track

DrSeuss99 · 08-12-2012, 08:15 PM

I'd say the E46 is better because it's lighter and more communicative. But honestly it depends more on the driver.

techwhiz · 08-12-2012, 08:39 PM

Not any Xi.
Ride height too high even if sport.
There is a reason why there are no Xi M cars, ride height.

monza2t · 08-12-2012, 08:56 PM

The xi is good around town, but I wouldnt run it on the track. that AWD system wasnt designed for that sort of action.

kgb1637 · 08-12-2012, 09:24 PM

How about you go find out? I'd take the 330 though.

guribeng1 · 08-12-2012, 11:08 PM

I have raced with 330ci before and it was pretty fast. Like ppl said above, 328xi.... is not a track car

Amini77 · 08-12-2012, 11:13 PM

Why isn't an Xi good on the track? Wouldn't it take corners pretty well? Is it because of the height, couldn't you just get coilovers and haha would that make it better?

Bmoney2K4 · 08-13-2012, 12:49 AM

330, no doubt

persian54 · 08-13-2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90330xiSG

Why isn't an Xi good on the track? Wouldn't it take corners pretty well? Is it because of the height, couldn't you just get coilovers and haha would that make it better?

not fair to compare stock vs modded

Also, the AWD system isn't designed for it, or so I've heard

Amini77 · 08-13-2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

not fair to compare stock vs modded

Also, the AWD system isn't designed for it, or so I've heard

bebakhsid..lol but the corners man! the corners! you can accelerate harder without loosing traction right????

kdbryce · 08-13-2012, 01:10 AM

i would take the 330. lower, smaller, probably handles better, and has more power.. i think.

my ex had an e46 330xi and it handled pretty much the same as my 328xi. so rwd is def better.

it would be much better with a 6mt though.. i can't imagine take an auto on a track.. especially without paddles.

Amini77 · 08-13-2012, 01:28 AM

328xi - HP: 230 , Torque: 220 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3582 lbs.
330ci - HP: 225 , Torque: 214 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3285 lbs.

I have a friend with a e46 330ci but it's convertible so that's probably why it felt like it didn't pull hard enough because they're a lot heavier. I asume the regular coupe would be a lot quicker. I drove a 328i before and they felt a bit underpowered, idk if the x drive makes it pull a little hard. But that could be because I'm used to driving my e90 330xi and it pulls. I'd go for the 330ci if i were you, seems like it would be more fun

Catalina Wine Mixer · 08-13-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90330xiSG

bebakhsid..lol but the corners man! the corners! you can accelerate harder without loosing traction right????

330 khelyi tond compared to xi

Amini77 · 08-13-2012, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P3rsian Pr0digy

330 khelyi tond compared to xi

Ahh aha another persian, damet garm baradar. Yea these 2 particularly, but you have to also consider its 2002 it probably also lost some power over 10 11 years. I was surprised to find the e46 330 had significantly less power than the e90 330 though haha but nonetheless the e46 330ci is probably the better track car than the e90 328xi.

persian54 · 08-13-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbryce

it would be much better with a 6mt though.. i can't imagine take an auto on a track.. especially without paddles.

for the average driver the auto would work much better

blingman · 08-13-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90330xiSG

328xi - HP: 230 , Torque: 220 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3582 lbs.
330ci - HP: 225 , Torque: 214 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3285 lbs.

I have a friend with a e46 330ci but it's convertible so that's probably why it felt like it didn't pull hard enough because they're a lot heavier. I asume the regular coupe would be a lot quicker. I drove a 328i before and they felt a bit underpowered, idk if the x drive makes it pull a little hard. But that could be because I'm used to driving my e90 330xi and it pulls. I'd go for the 330ci if i were you, seems like it would be more fun

also the e9x model has a 6 speed auto so better gearing compared to the e46.

kdbryce · 08-13-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

for the average driver the auto would work much better

true.. but i don't think someone tracking their car is always going to be an average driver haha

m dct is a different story if that's what you have... not bashing that

it just seems like it would be frustrating to go around with the auto gear box from the e46

08-12-2012, 06:58 PM	#1
Precision Private First Class 347 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 2002 BMW 330CI Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Better track car? E46 330ci vs E92 328xi I have a 2002 330Ci sport package auto with 54k on it and a buddy has a 2009 328xi sport package auto with the same mileage, he always tries to big dog me because his car is newer and more expensive as if that makes the better track car of the two. I know neither are speed demons but which is the better track car? Both are our daily drivers. __________________ Thirty Past Three
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08-12-2012, 07:19 PM	#2
MattMD E9X > Everything 60 Rep 742 Posts Drives: '22 Corvette Z51 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	330ci. It's lighter.
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08-12-2012, 07:21 PM	#3
Saintor Banned 79 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	Certainly not an Xi, but I would choose a E92 over the E46. Awesome steering and it is just more communicative. Last edited by Saintor; 08-12-2012 at 07:28 PM..
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08-12-2012, 07:23 PM	#4
J02 335i Lieutenant Colonel 39 Rep 1,558 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ontario iTrader: (1)	330, faster and lighter then the xi. __________________ Sport pack, JB3, Dci, factory oil cooler, 18" M3 reps, Michelin PSS, painted trim, black grills, smoked side markers, LED plate lights, H&R coils, Borla catback
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08-12-2012, 07:24 PM	#5
CJ421 Brigadier General 1559 Rep 4,109 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Blue Bell, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.50]	I'd sooner take the 330Ci ... lighter & faster as noted; probably cheaper to run too. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT Last edited by CJ421; 08-12-2012 at 07:25 PM.. Reason: .
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08-12-2012, 07:29 PM	#6
E90Company Major General 194 Rep 6,136 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	330ci. A 328i XDrive won't do as well on the track
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08-12-2012, 08:15 PM	#7
DrSeuss99 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 46 Posts Drives: PimpMobile Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Left Bank iTrader: (0)	I'd say the E46 is better because it's lighter and more communicative. But honestly it depends more on the driver.
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08-12-2012, 08:39 PM	#8
techwhiz Colonel 453 Rep 2,973 Posts Drives: e90 335i Sedan - Arctic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca iTrader: (4)	Not any Xi. Ride height too high even if sport. There is a reason why there are no Xi M cars, ride height.
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08-12-2012, 08:56 PM	#9
monza2t Private First Class 3 Rep 160 Posts Drives: E90 328i, R52 Mini, F25 X3 x35 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	The xi is good around town, but I wouldnt run it on the track. that AWD system wasnt designed for that sort of action. __________________ _____________________________________________ E90 328i Sport & Prem // R52 MINI S JCW // X3 x35i 62 Mini Cooper 997 // 62 Vespa // Laphroaig 30-yr
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08-12-2012, 09:24 PM	#10
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	How about you go find out? I'd take the 330 though. __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
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08-12-2012, 11:08 PM	#11
guribeng1 ㅎㅎㅎ 25 Rep 237 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 zcp & preLCI e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brentwood, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List Pre-LCI e90 335i [9.00] 2012 BMW M3 zcp [10.00]	I have raced with 330ci before and it was pretty fast. Like ppl said above, 328xi.... is not a track car __________________ 2007 E90 335i Pre-Lci 19" m6 wheels/m3 style front bumper/CF interior trim/B&W emblem/jb3/CF m3 spoiler/lux5.0/blackline/led fog/black grille/12mm MS & 20mm TMS spacers 2012 E92 ZCP M3 LUX/ Performance rear spoiler/black performance grille/M3 Performance exhaust/12mm 15mm TMS spacer
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08-12-2012, 11:13 PM	#12
Amini77 Brigadier General 186 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: Alpine White '13 550i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tarzana, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 550i [0.00]	Why isn't an Xi good on the track? Wouldn't it take corners pretty well? Is it because of the height, couldn't you just get coilovers and haha would that make it better?
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08-13-2012, 12:49 AM	#13
Bmoney2K4 Captain 185 Rep 885 Posts Drives: 2016 535i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (0)	330, no doubt
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08-13-2012, 01:10 AM	#16
kdbryce I have to return some video tapes 362 Rep 4,712 Posts Drives: e70 X5M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Albany, NY iTrader: (0)	i would take the 330. lower, smaller, probably handles better, and has more power.. i think. my ex had an e46 330xi and it handled pretty much the same as my 328xi. so rwd is def better. it would be much better with a 6mt though.. i can't imagine take an auto on a track.. especially without paddles. __________________ 13 Carbon Black e70 X5M - 13 Black Sapphire e92 335i - 10 Le Mans Blue e92 335i - 09 Monaco Blue e92 328i xdrive - 07 Sparkling Graphite e92 328xi
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08-13-2012, 01:28 AM	#17
Amini77 Brigadier General 186 Rep 4,732 Posts Drives: Alpine White '13 550i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tarzana, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW 550i [0.00]	328xi - HP: 230 , Torque: 220 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3582 lbs. 330ci - HP: 225 , Torque: 214 ft-lbs , Curb weight: 3285 lbs. I have a friend with a e46 330ci but it's convertible so that's probably why it felt like it didn't pull hard enough because they're a lot heavier. I asume the regular coupe would be a lot quicker. I drove a 328i before and they felt a bit underpowered, idk if the x drive makes it pull a little hard. But that could be because I'm used to driving my e90 330xi and it pulls. I'd go for the 330ci if i were you, seems like it would be more fun
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