[xPETEZx]

In your shoes, I would only choose the diesel if you prefer its power delivery/driving style.

With 10k PA, it will not work out cheaper overall.

Haven't looked now, but when I picked up my 325i the 325d cost a fair bit more.
I only do about 11-12k per year, and I figured it would take me over 45,000 miles of driving the diesel to be "saving" money. (ie, Cost of Fuel + Car + Tax being less on the D)
So for me that would be 4~ years.

Who knows if in 4 years I will still be driving this car?

[The_Bear_Yid]

325i gets a lot of bashing on here and it does feel snobbish. The torque figure isn't a million miles away from the power one, so you don't have to 'rev the nuts off it' like a VTEC say.

I like mine and rarely find it wanting on the road. I've been after a 35 or M3 for a while but don't know where I'd use the extra power tbh. So it'd be an ego buy?

[xs2man]

I wasn't in any way being snobbish when I said to take the d. I'm sure the 325i is a fine car, but it won't be a fast car (quick maybe, but never fast).

Personally I don't get the argument that the petrol will be a much cheaper car. The cheaper purchase price will be almost wholly returned come time to sell it on. The 325d will command more money when it comes to sell it than the i would, and there will be very little difference in this difference on either side of ownership.

For example, it may cost you £1-2k more to buy now, but it'll be worth £1-2k more when you sell it. So that isn't extra cost in owning or running the car.

The d will be cheaper on fuel and cheaper on tax while you do own it. I assume insurance costs will be similar too.

However, remap the d and it will be a quick car. The i wont see much difference in speed unless you spend serious coin on it. Of course, that may not be relevant to you, but it is to me. Whenever I buy a turbocharged motor, it gets mapped. Simples. If I buy an NA motor, it better be fast enough, for me, out the box, which the 325i isn't.

But then that's just my opinion, and at that sort of power range, I prefer the torquier drive of the diesel to the petrol. Up the power a bit and that would change I'm sure. But for me, if it's petrol, 8 cylinders or more if it doesn't have a turbo. If it has a turbo, then it doesn't matter because a remap will help sort out the power situation.

[davyk31]

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

He says in his post he has a 325i, but he's made a reasoned argument as to why the OP should consider the petrol rather than ridiculous comments like "the 325i has so little torque" as if it was some 1.1 Peugeot 106 or something.

I think I'm pretty well qualified to comment as I had a 325i for 2 years, sold it because I tired of having to knock it down so many gears and wring its neck to get decent passing power. Replaced with a 335d, chalk and cheese.

[David c]

I've had my 325d just over a month and love it to bits.

[The_Bear_Yid]

In the same note, no ones saying the 25i is fast, just that its not the pokeless car comments made it out to be.

I never have to thrash mine to over take.

[Neilios]

Originally Posted by Kuroblack

My two cents;

For your mileage, I'd go for the petrol. If you sit down and do the sums, it will always work out much cheaper - even with the increase in MPG from diesel. Seriously, it will - just spend 20mins with a calculator

If you want the diesel, then think seriously about the 325d - it's a fine car, but IMHO, there's not enough to differentiate it from the 330d - same MPG, same tax - less performance - of course they are cheaper.

If I were looking at 10k per year, I'd have gone M3, or at least 335i. As it happens, with 18-20k annually, the 330d makes good sense, and a reasonable compromise.

I agree wih this, more than happy with my 325i but if i could have found the spec and colour in a slightly older 335i. next time it will be a 335i. The petrol drove nicer than the d and value and running costs worked for me, 8-10k per year.

[DavS1]

I've got a 325i (N53 3.0) I alllways notice how smooth the engine is, It's no slouch either, yea it needs revved before it wakes up and goes but when it goes it's quick...
(i'm used to powerfull cars but i'm not blinkered enough to say it's a slow car...155mph (limited albeit probably wouldnt do much more than 155 if it wasnt limited) isn't a slow car!
Anyway, I've had it nearly 3 years now and I miss having a turbocharged car so I'm hoping to chop it in for a 335i.

OP, what sort of ££ are you looking to spend?

[JakeG21]

Thanks for all the replys as you all say i will have to test drive both of them properly, as i have driven at 325i but was on wet grass so couldnt go any faster then 20mph and drove a 520d but that was an auto which i didnt like. Done an insurance quote on a 330d and its only £60 more to insure so this may also be an option.

[JakeG21]

Originally Posted by DavS1

I've got a 325i (N53 3.0) I alllways notice how smooth the engine is, It's no slouch either, yea it needs revved before it wakes up and goes but when it goes it's quick...
(i'm used to powerfull cars but i'm not blinkered enough to say it's a slow car...155mph (limited albeit probably wouldnt do much more than 155 if it wasnt limited) isn't a slow car!
Anyway, I've had it nearly 3 years now and I miss having a turbocharged car so I'm hoping to chop it in for a 335i.

OP, what sort of ££ are you looking to spend?

Im looking at spending around £13k max

[Leonard123]

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classif...43lr?logcode=p

[markymark34]

How come you have set on a 325i vs 325d?
Why not a 330i? THe 325i does not feel that fast, the 330i is a great all round car, i miss mine, Sure it wasnt as easy to drive fast as a remapped 330d but the sound was fantastic and the difference in mpg and insurance between a 325i and 330i is minimal.
If i had to choose between the 2 your suggesting i guess i would go 325d. I am currently driving a 2007 325d and i miss the extra grunt of my 330d, the 2 cars cost me exactly the same in insurance and i got virtually the same mpg out of both.

What im really saying is why not 330i vs 330d? At 13k your not going to get the newer engined 325d which is a detuned 330d.

Out of interest go test drive a mk6 GTI as well as the 325i and report back your findings.

Mark

[Shere]

Originally Posted by markymark34

How come you have set on a 325i vs 325d?
Why not a 330i? THe 325i does not feel that fast, the 330i is a great all round car, i miss mine, Sure it wasnt as easy to drive fast as a remapped 330d but the sound was fantastic and the difference in mpg and insurance between a 325i and 330i is minimal.
If i had to choose between the 2 your suggesting i guess i would go 325d. I am currently driving a 2007 325d and i miss the extra grunt of my 330d, the 2 cars cost me exactly the same in insurance and i got virtually the same mpg out of both.

What im really saying is why not 330i vs 330d? At 13k your not going to get the newer engined 325d which is a detuned 330d.

Out of interest go test drive a mk6 GTI as well as the 325i and report back your findings.

Mark

This is an interesting shout (sorry op )

I was thinking 325i as will be primarily a short journey car. Road tax and Insurance is the same (will be after a 2007 e92). I do wonder what the mpg difference is in real life driving between a 325i, 330i and 335i on urban driving

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

Try 6.9s for a 325i.

The 325i has had two engines, the 2.5i unit was not very torquey which is one reason BMW fitted the detuned 3.0i.

[wallsmk2]

there may be 2-3 mpg difference between the 325i and 330i and if the 330i is accessible in terms of the availability and the right options I'd go for this. You could probably squeeze out comparable mpg in the 335i but would you want to?

Torque difference between the 2.5 and 3.0 is negligible (about 20nm in it I recall). The older n52 engines appear to have fewer gremlins but higher emissions as they are not direct injection. But didn't the e92 only come with the 3.0 N53? not sure.

[Shere]

My understanding from searches on this forum and others is that the launch models 56 plate) 325s had a 2.5l engine, it was only later in 2007 that the detuned 3.0l was launched as a 325i.

Again, no specific knowledge, but forum research suggests both engines are solid, and as they have no turbo less can go wrong (read about 335i turbo issues, which can be costly, but then people only come on the Internet to complain, so take forum posts with a pinch of salt)

I think the 330i with the 3.0l will actually return marginally better mpg than the 325i with the 2.5l, that's what searching this forum seems to tell me. That'll probably be offset by marginally higher insurance! I think road tax is the same.

In summary I think you're right wallsmk2, I will look out for a 330i, but if a 325i with the right spec turns up I will probably snap it up, as I doubt there s much difference

[markymark34]

Originally Posted by Shere

My understanding from searches on this forum and others is that the launch models 56 plate) 325s had a 2.5l engine, it was only later in 2007 that the detuned 3.0l was launched as a 325i.

Again, no specific knowledge, but forum research suggests both engines are solid, and as they have no turbo less can go wrong (read about 335i turbo issues, which can be costly, but then people only come on the Internet to complain, so take forum posts with a pinch of salt)

I think the 330i with the 3.0l will actually return marginally better mpg than the 325i with the 2.5l, that's what searching this forum seems to tell me. That'll probably be offset by marginally higher insurance! I think road tax is the same.

In summary I think you're right wallsmk2, I will look out for a 330i, but if a 325i with the right spec turns up I will probably snap it up, as I doubt there s much difference

Thats a much better choice! 335i is a different animal altogether, the tax insurance and mpg are painful, but its a much quicker car.Find yourself a 330i you wont regret it

[dobbo99]

if your hung up on budget, then the petrol 325 or 330 is the way to go. cheaper to purchase initially - that's better for any budget than trying to save a few quid here and there on diesel over 2 years.
plus the sound of the 6cyl petrol is great, and you wont tire of it. I've just sold my e92 325i m-sport, and I miss it. It was every car I needed, ridiculously easy to run, except for putting a new born baby in and out of it. So it had to go.

if you could stretch the budget, then the 330i will be the better choice as it gives you a bit extra, although the coupes are a bit of a rarity. if you were looking at saloons, you have a bags of choice from anything costing £6k upwards.

agreed, its not a 330d with the huge torque curve, its not a 335i with the mad performance, but its not trying to be either of those cars either.

if its torque your after, again, miss out the 325d and head straight for the 330d or 335d.

[Shere]

Cheers guys, also noticed that the 330 has the gear shift knobs on the steering (I am after an auto) , whereas the 325 does not. Seeing as that is a 'must do' mod for me I need to factor that into the price of any 325 I look at.

Jus need to sell my old motor now, then I'm good to go!

[av_guy]

Hi OP,

We have both a 330D MSport and a 335D MSport - these are after owning a 2008 X5 XDrive 35D MSport, a 2007 E46 M3 and various E46 330Ci Sport Coupes - all cars from new and fully loaded.

Drive both cars and decide for yourself initially.

My opinion, for the sound, a 325i or better yet a 330i (335i if you can stretch)and if you are primarily driving around town with a few decent bursts on A or Motorway roads. The sheer feel of a petrol is amazing.

Go for a 325D or 330D (335D if you can stretch) if you want mainly A road and Motorway driving, economy and serious torque for the higher engine D's. These are also seriously tunable not far off M3 territory although will never be an M car in respect of looks and performance.

I drive mainly around town with bursts of A and Motorway roads and opted for the D route hoping that 1) the DPF issue does not kill me financially (insurance in place) and 2) residuals are maintained such that when I do sell, the car returns an improved value although we all know that D's cost more initially anyway. I know this is opposite to what I am suggesting to you above as orignally I thought I was wrong but now having had the D for a couple of years or more, there is no turning back! It is hardly noticable that I am in a diesel (power and delivery, engine noise) - so many people including wife and parents make these comments.

The final decision should be yours - only you will tell what you enjoy and prefer. Go for test drives and decide - you'll love whatever you go for

[mikeouk]

Interesting to read opinions on this.
I've just sold my 325i ,it was a 2007 with the 2.5 engine. I loved the car and didn't feel it was underpowered ,my only issues where the mpg (terrible) no matter how much I tried, I never got over 30mpg and that was on motorway runs using cruise. Also tax was about £250 a year ,but I believe the later cars are lower ?
I've bought a lci 325d ,it's an end of 2010 model ,not picking it up until next week ,so have no opinion on it yet, but will report back once I've driven it the 170miles home.

[breathe3asy]

Enjoy that cruise home, nothing better than taking delivery of your new wheels