328 Confusion

[olywamat]

I am new to BMW and trying to figure out what the difference is between the 328 models and the 330 models. They are both 3.0L sixes, right?

The best I can tell is:

that the 318 and 328 were replaced around 1997-2000 by the 325 and 330. Now, in 2007, the 325 and 330 are being replaced by the 328 and 335. The older 328 was a 2.8L (logical), but the new 328 is a 3.0L (illogical).

If anyone can shed some light on this, I would appreciate it.

Regardless, I am picking up my "new" 2001 330ci convertible on Saturday (steel grey, grey leather, auto, 28K miles). Looking forward to spending more time here on the board.

 

[Average Jae]

before i dive in, congrats and welcome aboard!! do post pics when you get your car!!

well the logic went out the window a while back.

even in the days of 323 and 328 (early e46.) the 23 was a six, which iirc was a 2.5 liter. 328 a 2.8.

when the new e90s came out, both engines were 3.0 liters. the 330 ended up with second stage? intakes to get the performance boost. from the same engine.

just so you know, 335 is also a 3.0L. it just happends to have a bi-turbo added to the engine.

somewhere along the way the number convention became illogical. but it is less confusing. when the e39 (last gen 5er) 540i got the 4.4 liter v-8 later in life cycle, it didn't all of a sudden become a 544. e60 (current 5er) got the 545, and when the V-8 became a 5.0 liter, it naturally became the 550

i believe the 3.0 on the e90 328 makes more horses but less torque 230/200, than the e46 3.0 on the 330i (225/214 respectively.) the 06 e90 330 made 255/220. but they all pail in comparison in front of the bi turbo 3.0 (300/300)

hope i didn't end up confusing ya even more.

 

[bmw046series]

Kind of like BMW calling the revised Z4 the 3.0 and the 3.0si rather than a 2.5.

Here are the new I6 engines:

3.0 I6 which is 215 HP - (Z4 3.0, old E90 325)
3.0 I6 which is 230 HP - (New e90 328 and 528)
3.0 I6 which is 255 HP - (Z4 3.0si)
3.0 I6 which is 300 HP - (335i & 535i)
3.2 I6 which is 330 HP - (old M3, new Z4 M)

Bottomline like Jason said, less torque in new 3 liters, the difference is that they are uping the revs--something they have NEVER done. They rev close to 7000 rpms.