330 and 325

[bmw555]

I'm in the market for used BMW and drove several manual 330ci and 325ci recently. What interesting is than I liked 325ci better - it's much easier to drive smoothly with 5 speed and it feels lighter and more agile overall, the ride is more comfortable too. The engine on 325 revs much faster than on 330, probably due to shorter gear ratios. On the other hand 330 clutch engagement point is very sudden and hard to get used to. What do you guys think about it, what do you like better? Thanks.

 

[Average Jae]

i of course like the 330 better, but you have to go w/ what you like. i don't know how experienced a manual driver you are, but 330 may have a more heavy duty clutch, also w/ useds, the 325 clutch maybe more warn out? making it easier to engage.. the more you drive, more you'll get used to it. imo.

ride should be more comfortable on the 325 as 330s are more tuned for agressive driving. i dun think its possible to be both sporty and comfy. just so you know, the 325 is no slouch, it's basically the same engine as the bigger 3.0 brother, cept for the bore and stroke size. i had a blast driving the loaner 325 around, but it just wasn't as fun as mine

i'm sure you'll be saving a few more grand by going w/ the 25, and you have to go w/ your gut feeling. i could blab all i want, but at the end of the day, you are the one driving your baby.

 

[bmw555]

Thanks, I grew up with manual transmission (I'm from Europe) but was driving automatic for the last 6 years. 325ci I drove was 2001 and 330ci was 2003 year, I heard that they made lighter steering wheel for 2001 models and that's probably why 325ci felt lighter, not sure. I'm not obssesed with power and care more aboute handling, I remember times when 325 was top of the line and considered very very fast , it had 170hp back then. So it's all very relative.