[JohnMan]

Hi all, I'm new here. I'm new to BMW and cars in general, so forgive my ignorance. But I've been busy researching BMW and the 3 series seems to be the most recommended sports sedan available. I just bought a used E90 325i at a very very cheap price from an American and he recommended me to check out this particular forum as he used to post here. I hope he is a reliable member here and not one that sold me a dud!

BMW HK seem to have deals of $300,000 something for a 320i, which seems to be a bargain. Is it worth "downgrading" to a 320i? Is the performance really poor?

[little_croco]

U have got a 325 and now u want also a 320 or...?

[akhter]

You just bought a used 325i and are considering downgrading to a 320i?

the power differences of 320i (156hp) and 325i (218hp) is 62hp. That is a 30% drop in power. Also there will be smaller wheels and other equipment differences.

I know its subjective, but to me what makes a 3 series special is the inline 6cyl engine which only comes in 323+ models. Now that you drive a 325i, I doubt would would enjoy the 30% less power.

[JohnMan]

I was just wondering since this 325i is from 2005 and has been banged up a bit (which is why I got it at such a cheap price) whereas the 320i would be brand new and would be more economical with the fuel efficiency. Still, I'm told that the E90 will be ending it's production in about a year or two so even if I buy now, the price will drop from the model change, so that will impact it's re-sell value. Anyway, we'll see, I'm going to have a test-drive later today for the 320i and see how it measured up.

[superdx]

One key difference is that the engine in the 320i is a 4-cylinder, where the 323/325i is a 6-cylinder

If you were going to own a BMW... at least it should be the inline 6...

[335 Freak]

Trust me.....you will be sorry once you downgraded yourself for a 320!!! It is a Bimmer with the shell without the soul at all......It is like buying an Armani shirt with a big Armani logo whereas, it is merely a neckless T shirt...........if so, get a Bossini for better quality of its price then!! Just my 02 cents!!

By the way, why don't you spend the money to buy all those LCI E90 parts from Ken of Exoitic Tuning as it posted separately.....it will definitely give yr 2005 a brand new look plus an engine of Bimmer well known.....the in-line 6!!

[kenken]

u bought the car from wolfman?????
dont if you really want to mod 320 is lesser potential than 325.... but 320's fuel consumption is better.....

[JohnMan]

"Wolfman"? You mean he's the American I bought the car from? I didn't have time to check all the postings on this forum, but is he a reliable fellow?

Also, is this "Ken" guy good? I meant no offense, but I don't want the car to be modded only for it to break down a week later. Still, it's tempting to consider. Not sure if I want to have too many external modifications as I don't want to attract the police attention or turn it into a poser car, but as for internal, aka, engine modification, I really would'nt mind if it can improve the performance.

[Black Pig]

I am driving a 320i now.....but I was so regret that I haven't bought a 325i in the first place.....

320i is not bad but 325i is definitely the right way to go!

You should drive your 325i for 2 years and buy a new model 3 series later.....

[little_croco]

Originally Posted by Black Pig

I am driving a 320i now.....but I was so regret that I haven't bought a 325i in the first place.....

320i is not bad but 325i is definitely the right way to go!

You should drive your 325i for 2 years and buy a new model 3 series later.....

A decent proposal, Black Pig!

[ct087ct087]

i'm so regret not getting a 330i but only 325i so, don't downgrade to 320i !!! anyway, F30 will come soon (maybe in 2011/2012 time frame). save money for it lar!

[JohnMan]

So I test drove the 320i and yeah it was underpowered. The handling was there like any bimmer, but even at high-revs it was only managing relatively slow speed compared to my 325i. I'll probably wait for the F30 in around 1-2 years time. Of course come to think of it, I might consider a golf gti, if I trade in my 325i and pay the relatively small difference in price, I could get a new gti. The acceleration is even better then the 325i, but then, the handling isn't the same as the BMW.

[E92-Lighting]

just stick with the higher model

[JohnMan]

Yeah I intend to keep my 325i until the F30 comes out in 1-2 years time. So far I have to say I quite enjoyed it. Being new to the 3 series, I found it's handling better then even some old two seater sports car I drove a few times when I was a kid, and this 325i is a four-door sedan! Of course since I'm still new to cars, I trust the 3 series is a reliable car, no major issues correct?

[335 Freak]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

So I test drove the 320i and yeah it was underpowered. The handling was there like any bimmer, but even at high-revs it was only managing relatively slow speed compared to my 325i. I'll probably wait for the F30 in around 1-2 years time. Of course come to think of it, I might consider a golf gti, if I trade in my 325i and pay the relatively small difference in price, I could get a new gti. The acceleration is even better then the 325i, but then, the handling isn't the same as the BMW.

Hey.....don't even think of trading yr 325 for a Golf GTI, alright?? I've a friend who was the product manager of VW-HK and he told me the New Golf VI is considered as a Facelift, not a complete different model of the previous Golf V whereby, it doesn't worth the money you've paid until the Golf VII come out with whole new gadgets and the car's chasis completely re-design!! Just keep your $$ to buy the all new F30 instead!!

In fact, I did pop up with an idea to trade my E92 335 for a crazy moded VW Scirocco and then, most of my friends were saying I'm downgrading myself for the best handling Rear wheel drive vehicle to a front wheel drive car perhaps a better looking than my 335! Then, I decided to spend the money to mod the cosmetic look of my 335 i/o spending the extra for a downgrading car!! If you trade the 325 for Golf VI GTI, you are pretty much windup identical with my thought to change for VW Scirocco so to speak!! Just my 02 cents....

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by 335 Freak

Hey.....don't even think of trading yr 325 for a Golf GTI, alright?? I've a friend who was the product manager of VW-HK and he told me the New Golf VI is considered as a Facelift, not a complete different model of the previous Golf V whereby, it doesn't worth the money you've paid until the Golf VII come out with whole new gadgets and the car's chasis completely re-design!! Just keep your $$ to buy the all new F30 instead!!

In fact, I did pop up with an idea to trade my E92 335 for a crazy moded VW Scirocco and then, most of my friends were saying I'm downgrading myself for the best handling Rear wheel drive vehicle to a front wheel drive car perhaps a better looking than my 335! Then, I decided to spend the money to mod the cosmetic look of my 335 i/o spending the extra for a downgrading car!! If you trade the 325 for Golf VI GTI, you are pretty much windup identical with my thought to change for VW Scirocco so to speak!! Just my 02 cents....

I see, thanks for that piece of info, most useful! Yeah, there is something about how the 3 series corners. I've haven't had this 325i for long but already I can see just how much better it corners. Little body roll and the car sticks to corners like glue. While the gti can accelerate faster on the straight-away, I don't think it corners as well as my 325i. Besides, with the lack of track and narrow winding HK streets, you can't really step hard on the gas as often you like. The more tactile feel of the 3 series is what I like most, more then performance figures.

The only downside is the relatively stiff ride, but the harder suspension is a small price to pay for it's terrific handling.

[css]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

I see, thanks for that piece of info, most useful! Yeah, there is something about how the 3 series corners. I've haven't had this 325i for long but already I can see just how much better it corners. Little body roll and the car sticks to corners like glue. While the gti can accelerate faster on the straight-away, I don't think it corners as well as my 325i. Besides, with the lack of track and narrow winding HK streets, you can't really step hard on the gas as often you like. The more tactile feel of the 3 series is what I like most, more then performance figures.

The only downside is the relatively stiff ride, but the harder suspension is a small price to pay for it's terrific handling.

3 series corner great, but GTI is not that much far behind except being FWD, the nimbleness is there to compensate it, but if i were you i wouldnt change to a gti when your driving a 325i, however, Golf R or Scirocco R can be considered

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by oda

3 series corner great, but GTI is not that much far behind except being FWD, the nimbleness is there to compensate it, but if i were you i wouldnt change to a gti when your driving a 325i, however, Golf R or Scirocco R can be considered

The golf is a nice little rocket, and I was tempted at first to buy that instead of getting this used 325i. But, it just didn't have that steering feel of a 3 series. The smoothness of the 3 series is also something the golf did'nt have. But still, the golf is really a nice little car, even it's non-gti version drives alot better then the comparative Japanese cars, I would like to know when the Golf VII comes out. (Maybe with the yen rising now, the european cars are also a better buy value for money-wise!)

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

"Wolfman"? You mean he's the American I bought the car from? I didn't have time to check all the postings on this forum, but is he a reliable fellow?

Also, is this "Ken" guy good? I meant no offense, but I don't want the car to be modded only for it to break down a week later. Still, it's tempting to consider. Not sure if I want to have too many external modifications as I don't want to attract the police attention or turn it into a poser car, but as for internal, aka, engine modification, I really would'nt mind if it can improve the performance.

Yes, I'm the one who sold you your car. I'm not in HK anymore but as we agreed, apart from the scrapes on the bottom of the front bumper, the car is good for it's age. If you have any other issue, I prefer you to contact me by pm or email. Thanks.