[anonymousmoose]

I'm pretty much set on a 6 cylinder BMW. BUT, I want to throw this question out if I can. Would it be better to say get a 09-10 4 cylinder then an 06-07 6 cylinder?

Reason I ask if refinement. We all know that the longer a model is out there, the more bugs and glitches have been ironed out.

[JamieA]

IMHO, there is no comparison. Get the 6

[AC in Aus]

Firstly, I'd forget the 320i unless power is not a consideration. If you drive an earlier small 6 (323 or 325) and a newer 320d back to back at a dealer you'll come away with more of an appreciation of what you like and dislike between models. My dealer encouraged me take my current 320d for a "spirited" drive. I drove it to rule it out, and ended up ruling out the baby 6's! Naturally if you're set on a 330i just do it!

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by AC in Aus

Firstly, I'd forget the 320i unless power is not a consideration. If you drive an earlier small 6 (323 or 325) and a newer 320d back to back at a dealer you'll come away with more of an appreciation of what you like and dislike between models. My dealer encouraged me take my current 320d for a "spirited" drive. I drove it to rule it out, and ended up ruling out the baby 6's! Naturally if you're set on a 330i just do it!

I do like the 330i, yet here in WA there are non in my price range at the moment. There is one, private car, which I may call up about. Its over budget but I'll wait a few weeks and if its still for sale, the owner may be more likely to compromise on the price.

[JamieA]

I wouldn't touch a 323i though... a detuned engine with less power, but the same fuel economy of the 325i is not good IMHO. The 323i also was specified more like the 4 cylinder models, and has stuff like electric seats with memory, and iDrive ripped out. For a little extra a 325i is a better all round choice than a 323i.

The 330i was dropped when they introduced the 335i and also did a major running upgrade to fix engineering issues and software bugs, improve equipment levels, and introduce new technologies like superior iPod integration with a USB interface vs the old one, and High Beam Assist... I think this happened for vehicles produced from Sep 2006 onwards (so in Australia 2007 delivered vehicles onwards) - someone who knows may need to confirm this date for me... in any case to spot one of these, look for chrome rings around the climate control and the audio knob on the centre console. I would get one of these if you can't reach up to an LCI model.

During this update, they also updated the hardware and software of the Business Navigation version of iDrive to be able to display maps (previously it was arrow directions only, no maps).

I love the 330i, but if you want something with the bugs ironed out and better equipment and technology, get one of these update models from 2007 onwards. To me, this leaves your choice to an update model 325i with Innovations Package, or a 335i, unless of course you find an LCI 6 cylinder at a good price...

When you get your car, I would take it to the dealer and make sure it has had all it's software updates. I took my current car in when I got it and was amazed to drive out with a totally different car - it was much smoother. I guess it depends on who owned the car previously whether or not they knew enough about these cars to keep the software updated. Your dealer should be able to check the software revisions and let you know if it was worth it. I think (from memory) the hot ones around that time were to fix the following issues:

1. Lurching on the auto when coming to a standstill (update to the soft stop technology)
2. Auto trans update to make smoother
3. Reduce engine splutter when accelerating suddenly after cruising at a constant speed for a while (and other engine efficiency, responsiveness and smoothness updates)
4. Update to iDrive software - better graphics, more responsive
5. Update to the dashboard module to stop speedo needle wobble under some circumstances, and a subtle update to the fonts on the centre display (I think from memory they added anti-aliasing and updated the font to match the iDrive better)
6. Probably many more subtle updates I haven't noticed...

Hope this info helps.

[anonymousmoose]

Thanks Jamie. I was told by BMW the 323i has the exact engine the 325i has. The difference is in the tuning. I enquired if the 323 could be tuned to the same specifications as an 325 and the answer was 'yes', but BMW will not do it, and independent will and any warranty (if any left that is) will be void.

So I assume its ok to tune a 323i to 325i specs? I may start a thread about this as a question.

Also, my gut feeling has been 2007 onwards too. You just helped confirm this. Although the 330i will be off the cards if that is the case, but when I test drove a 323i 2009, I was satisfied with the power output (but they wanted over $50k for it which is a bit over budget).

[sbce90]

Forget 320i. Take a 320d for a drive if you can, you might be well impressed! 323 is bleh.. And 325i is what the standard 3er model should be.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Thanks Jamie. I was told by BMW the 323i has the exact engine the 325i has. The difference is in the tuning. I enquired if the 323 could be tuned to the same specifications as an 325 and the answer was 'yes', but BMW will not do it, and independent will and any warranty (if any left that is) will be void.

So I assume its ok to tune a 323i to 325i specs? I may start a thread about this as a question.

Also, my gut feeling has been 2007 onwards too. You just helped confirm this. Although the 330i will be off the cards if that is the case, but when I test drove a 323i 2009, I was satisfied with the power output (but they wanted over $50k for it which is a bit over budget).

323i can be tuned to 325i pretty easily I think. If you have a shot of the engine bay I can confirm whether or not it has the three stage intake manifold or not.

[AC in Aus]

If you liked the drive of the 323 you should definitely try a 320d. Similar 0-100 from a standing start, but WAY more torque (at a much lower rpm), and double the l/100k (= less cost for the daily run than the 6).

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by AC in Aus

and half the l/100k (= less cost for the daily run than the 6).

fixed

[Jeef Beef]

Ex had a 323i 09 model and the power delivery was smooth as butter as per all BMW I6 engines. Leagues ahead of 4cyl engines IMO in terms of driveability and sound.

Once you bring in the diesels however, it's hard to go past the 320d. Same price as the 323i but waaay more torque.

[sbce90]

320i is the fastest car of the range

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by SBC

320i is the fastest car of the range

In bizarro world

[Samoht]

323i all have the same manifold as the 325i in Australia. easily detuned. For any one bashing the 323i, its the same engine,

I saved myself a heap of $ by getting the 323i and adding a few mods that i thought was needed. 80-120 times, identical to 325i (see my thread 80-120km times, thx Bmroxm5 for participating). I dont have the 0-100 times but BMW understated all the times, the main difference is is you want to REDLINE the engine to 7,000rpms each time, you cant coz its detuned to hit 6,500rpm (still wiggle room to go higher but have not tried) Idrive is overrated a few hundred $ tom toms are better. 323i does have electric seats just not the memory function.

[mmmmQuattro]

The 320d is a newer car, so it may be out of your price range. I personally don't like the 320d as it is a bit rattly, but it does go a lot harder than the 320. I had an X1 2.0d loaner last week and I actually prefer the 320i.
I drove a 323 and I thought it was a lot better than the 320i. I don't think it is easy to do an upgrade to 325 power; I checked this as I was going to get a 323 wagon and wanted to go to 325 power. I refused to pay BMW for a de-tuned motor.

It all depends on where and how you drive. Some people are really happy with 320i's and others find them lacking in power. When the car is full of people and you are trying overtake up a hill, yeah, it lacks power. When you are going down a winding road, it handles great, but the brakes on the 335 are so much better.

The 320i was the most popular in the BMW range, but I suspect that many of the owners were just after the badge.

Your opening statements said it all, 'I was set on a 6cyl BMW'.

If I only had one BMW, it would be a 6 (or an E30 M3)

[cruvon]

I would think if a older car go for a lower spec engine...if you plan buying a 2006 one, the 320i/320d would possibly be the most reliable over an equivalent year 6cyl model if you plan keep it for a few years thereafter. It would also mean real low servicing costs over a 6. However if power is your thing then go for a 6 but be prepared for big bills if things go wrong since there is no warranty. While a good condition one might save you a lot of the headache can't really factor out the age factor since is a fact that cars mean trouble as they get older esp the Euros.
If looking at a 6, would look for something within a 3 year model but guess everyones experiences would be different and luck plays a big factor when buying older cars.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by cruvon

I would think if a older car go for a lower spec engine...if you plan buying a 2006 one, the 320i/320d would possibly be the most reliable over an equivalent year 6cyl model if you plan keep it for a few years thereafter.

Can anyone confirm the earlier V6 models are less reliable then the V6s? I never heard this before.

[sbce90]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Can anyone confirm the earlier V6 models are less reliable then the V6s?

V6 say whaaaaaaat??

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by cruvon
I would think if a older car go for a lower spec engine...if you plan buying a 2006 one, the 320i/320d would possibly be the most reliable over an equivalent year 6cyl model if you plan keep it for a few years thereafter.

Clarification, just meant that a higher performance car would be more prone to issues and high maintenance costs the older it gets so would prefer a newer high performance car with warranty if looking at getting one,else if going for a older model would go for a reduced performance engine which would mean more reliability and lower servicing costs esp since would be out of warranty ..nothing to do with older v6s being less reliable then newer v6s. more to do with age v/s higher performance v/s reliability.

So I would expect reliability to go lower for an M3 v/s 335.........v/s320i with increasing age and maintenance costs higher in that order so I would prefer an older 4 cylinder or a newer 6 for max reliability or a compromise of something inbetween.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by cruvon

So I would expect reliability to go lower for an M3 v/s 335.........v/s320i with increasing age and maintenance costs higher in that order so I would prefer an older 4 cylinder or a newer 6 for max reliability or a compromise of something inbetween.

Just to play Devils Advocate, I've heard many times that V6 engines are longer lasting in general then 4 cyl. One is due to the load. A V6 does not need so use so much power to pull a car as the 4 cyl does. Also, I wouldn't call a 323i or 325i high performance, more like adequate You can get a V6 commodore from 25 year back and find the engine is running at 600,000km still ok. Look at the taxies. I wonder what they would be like if they had 4 cyl engines.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Can anyone confirm the earlier V6 models are less reliable then the V6s? I never heard this before.

Inline 6. V6 is blasphemy

All I6 models on the E90 are N52s which are the same engine. I don't see why older ones would be less reliable outside of what's expected with normal wear and tear.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

Just to play Devils Advocate, I've heard many times that V6 engines are longer lasting in general then 4 cyl. One is due to the load. A V6 does not need so use so much power to pull a car as the 4 cyl does. Also, I wouldn't call a 323i or 325i high performance, more like adequate You can get a V6 commodore from 25 year back and find the engine is running at 600,000km still ok. Look at the taxies. I wonder what they would be like if they had 4 cyl engines.

Yupz, have heard that side of the story too but those are cars which are much heavier than the 3 series and so would need a V6 or an inline 6. A 3 series is not that big/heavy to stress a 4 cyl engine I would think. Offcourse a 4cyl engine on a 5 or 7 series would definetely burn out quick and a turbo 4 even quicker if got the 520d for example maybe which essentially has a 320d engine. Also I expect that increased power in the 320d 4 cyl would wear out the 4cyl engine more than the 320i if comparing the 2 4 cyl engines I guess but am no expert on engine design.