BMW 328i or 325?

Looking at getting a new car. From what I can tell stats wise there's not much between the 2 but my experience tells me that's not the case. Has anyone owned one of these (or both) that could tell me what to look out for etc.

E36?

matty_mk1 wrote:

E36?

Yep. Can't afford anything newer

328I is actually better on fuel.

We used to have a M-tech E36 328 auto cab - not much went wrong with it, if you get leather it tends to age badly - drivers seat wear was a bit of a b***h! It was a looong time ago though so thats all I can remember of the top of my swede. Defo get a 328 though.

you might get bummed on the insurance though, as you're only 12 and all...

jimmymidnight wrote:

you might get bummed on the insurance though, as you're only 12 and all...

Alas that is probably the truth. HIC are giving me a call back later with a quote, I'm guessing I'll get fucked with a rake.

328 ftw bmws ftw hahaha

You considered a 323? i had 1 when i was 20, Mtec coupe. really miss it even now, was a lovely car. not very good on fuel though, i probs got about 27 out of it on average but easy to go below 20 with it.

328s have a lsd from factory i believe so thats a bonus, as said about would be better on fuel as they are restricted like the other models but i think insurance may be the issue for you.

if you do get 1 make sure its a 6pot, all of them are good really. 318is may seem decent on paper but they really arent

matty_mk1 wrote:

You considered a 323? i had 1 when i was 20, Mtec coupe. really miss it even now, was a lovely car. not very good on fuel though, i probs got about 27 out of it on average but easy to go below 20 with it.

328s have a lsd from factory i believe so thats a bonus, as said about would be better on fuel as they are restricted like the other models but i think insurance may be the issue for you.

if you do get 1 make sure its a 6pot, all of them are good really. 318is may seem decent on paper but they really arent

Just got off the phone to HIC and the price they gave me actually wasn't that bad at all. I'm looking at around £1300 a year if I pay monthly with all mods declared on the 328i sport.

Get on it then dude

I too have been looking closely at these...well the 325 anyway!!

On paper/parkers it says...

323
Insurance Group: 16
MPG: 31
BHP: 170


325
Insurance Group: 15
MPG: 34 combined
BHP: 192


328
Insurance Group: 17
MPG: 27.2
BHP: 193

Which is rather random...maybe different years have different engines etc???

Go with the 325......or I might

Where are them figures from jay? Can't understand why the 325 is a group lower insurance?

325 all day, only early 328i sports came with LSD, later ones had traction control and an open :( Although most have been fiddled around with so best to check. Easy to check if its got LSD, jack one rear wheel up and try to turn it, if there is resistance its an LSD, if it spins pretty easily its open.

325 and 328 only differ by 5hp if i remember. why use extra fuel for 5bhp? Or you can get the 328 add a 325 inlet and throttlebody(not a direct swap IIRC small mods needed) and its good for 200bhp+

4 door is cheaper to insure but doesnt look as good obviously.

I'm pretty much set on a 328 now. After reading as much as I could about both it seems that although the 325 is theoretically the same on paper in reality it can't touch the 328 without mods.

Quite a few people have had their standard 328's dynos to unveil that they are actually putting out close too if not over 200bhp. Due to the 2 more cylinders they have about a 30ftlb torque advantage over the 325 and are actually more efficient if you're taking it easy due to less strain on the engine. Combine this with an m3 diff (about £250) and an m50 manifold from a later 325, which frees up the hgiher rev range and your laughing.

Erm, the 325 is 6pot too isnt it? my 323 was

The figures I got were off autotrader...oh and for a convertible too!!!

matty_mk1 wrote:

Erm, the 325 is 6pot too isnt it? my 323 was

You are correct, I was getting confused with E30s

they didnt make a 328 e30, the only 4 pot e30 was a 318.


Drive both, I have and didnt find much difference at all. Also if you can find an m3 diff for 250 your doing well!

Yeah, seems to be alot of miss information going on lol

Just go drive a few and youll soon see whats what mate

You can buy my e36 m3 wheels off me