E92 - 320i or 325i?

Skylinehead

I'm finally going to bite the bullet and upgrade on the Civic in the next month or so, I've my heart set on an E92 for the last while (could change, was an RX8 a few months ago...), but I'm not sure what exactly to get.

The case for the 320i - better tax, better insurance, marginally better MPG, more choice. Maybe a newer car, and M-sport trim.

The case for the 325i - better car, cheaper to buy by the looks of things (tax putting people off?), less problems with the engine (I hear the 4-pot has issues with timing chains and injectors).

If I were to go with the 325i, I'd have to cancel my current insurance policy as Liberty flat-out refuse to quote for an engine that size for under 30s, so I'd lose 6 months NCB if I understand it properly. I'd also have to go 2007 as the 2008 models are 3.0 and that's probably a step too far. Also only really SE models in the market, but I can probably deal with that as long as it's a good example.

Am I overreaching a bit with the 325? Or is it genuinely worth the extra commitment?

Blazer

If you’re going 325 you might as well go 330i.
The 3l engine came in 2007 as well so another thing to be aware of.
Coming from a 520d I drove a 320i and found it extremely sluggish. The 335i on the other hand? I still want one
Also the 2008 2litre has huge issues with injectors and coils.

conzy

I have owned an RX8 and an E46 325i. The RX8 is not really suitable daily driver unless you do tiny mileage. The mpg is so bad you'll have Catholic guilt driving it. The 2.5 straight 6 was frugal in comparison.

The E90 325 has a bit more grunt than the E46. It's a really great engine. I miss it a lot. For the sake of a few hundred euro in tax and insurance over the year I would absolutely get the 325 over the 320. You will smile every time you touch the throttle

ShadowHearth

I agree with above, if you going pre 08, go for 330i, but I doubt you will find much in Ireland. Most likely will need to import. Both 325i and 330i are 3.0 so same tax.
If you going for 330i might as well go 335i

Mickiemcfist

Have never had an e90 but have had e46 318, 320 and 325, the 318 & 320 were nice looking, slow cars, the 325 has the right amount of power to make it enjoyable. I'd go 330 if I could but personally didn't want to pay the extra 400 a year in tax for it. Fuel wise there's little to no difference between the 3 for me.

Skylinehead

I'm stretching the insurance a bit already with the 325, a 330 would probably be a little too far. Plus it would have to be post 2008 and the prices rise dramatically, making the cheaper tax not really worth it. Are all 330s 3.0?

Blazer

Skylinehead wrote: »

I'm stretching the insurance a bit already with the 325, a 330 would probably be a little too far. Plus it would have to be post 2008 and the prices rise dramatically, making the cheaper tax not really worth it. Are all 330s 3.0?

Yep all 330i are 3 litre. But what an engine

Skylinehead

I'm not sure asking a motors forum was ever going to talk me out of the 325 in favour of a 2 litre

It'll have to be a 2007 SE (literally zero M-Sports around), but as long as it has the nice seats I'm happy enough with the spec.

Cyrus

Skylinehead wrote: »

I'm not sure asking a motors forum was ever going to talk me out of the 325 in favour of a 2 litre

It'll have to be a 2007 SE (literally zero M-Sports around), but as long as it has the nice seats I'm happy enough with the spec.

you can get ses with sports interior and an aero kit, i had one and it looked the business imo

the std se interior is awful though

Skylinehead

Cyrus wrote: »

you can get ses with sports interior and an aero kit, i had one and it looked the business imo

the std se interior is awful though

Yeah the standard seats just don't look good at all. Something like this would do:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/3-series/used-2007-bmw-3-series-325-325i-s-dublin-fpa-1877887840568529823

I'd probably replace the wood trim but not a deal breaker. Has the right bumpers and seats, which is a good start.

Cyrus

Skylinehead wrote: »

Yeah the standard seats just don't look good at all. Something like this would do:

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/3-series/used-2007-bmw-3-series-325-325i-s-dublin-fpa-1877887840568529823

I'd probably replace the wood trim but not a deal breaker. Has the right bumpers and seats, which is a good start.

yep the trim is ok

the wheels would need to go tho :P

Skylinehead

Aye they're not the best option, but that's fairly easily fixable

Theboinkmaster

I'd hold out for a properly specced m sport.

Skylinehead

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

I'd hold out for a properly specced m sport.

I've been keeping track for a month now and they don't seem to exist

The odd few in the UK but they hold their value much better over there.

Veloce

Just to add regarding your insurance - Liberty were always giving me that spiel about not insuring a car of that engine size if you are under 30.

I changed from a 1.8 to a 3.5 litre and my premium only went up around €80. When you tell them you've bought the car they will provide you with a quote.. it is a bit of a gamble as there is nothing to stop them loading you with a huge increase.

Skylinehead

Veloce wrote: »

Just to add regarding your insurance - Liberty were always giving me that spiel about not insuring a car of that engine size if you are under 30.

I changed from a 1.8 to a 3.5 litre and my premium only went up around €80. When you tell them you've bought the car they will provide you with a quote.. it is a bit of a gamble as there is nothing to stop them loading you with a huge increase.

Hmm I'd like a hard quote before actually committing, I'll try and tell them they have to quote me rather than I've bought the car. How long was left on your premium at the time? Mines still 6 months.

Veloce

There was around two months left on my policy. But the renewal came in just fine - it was only up a small amount.

They may have changed their stance with insuring higher powered cars so I can appreciate the need for a hard quote before committing.

Foxhole Norman

If you're still having trouble with Liberty try Aviva, they gave me a quite reasonable quote(IMO) on my 4.4 V8 at 23 and they don't really have an issue insuring higher powered cars once they're newer than 14 years old.

I'd highly recommend a Sport model, they are just a much tighter drive, unless you prefer more refined comfy ride!

Rowley Birkin QC

The main issue is likely to be sourcing a decent example, I've been watching for a while now.

commited

Theres no real competition, the 325i is worth the extra €370 in tax all day long. Fyi Allianz and Post Insurance also seem great for BMW insurance quotes in my experience

Skylinehead

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

If you're still having trouble with Liberty try Aviva, they gave me a quite reasonable quote(IMO) on my 4.4 V8 at 23 and they don't really have an issue insuring higher powered cars once they're newer than 14 years old.

I'd highly recommend a Sport model, they are just a much tighter drive, unless you prefer more refined comfy ride!

123 are coming through nicely for me (1200) so actually getting insured isn't a big issue.

Allianz are 1800, Aviva are 2150, haven't tried Post insurance yet.

As for the M-Sport, there's nothing

Honestly just coming from an 80hp Civic is going to be a better drive either way :pac:

166man

I wouldn't be bothered with the M-Sport E92. All you get is a firmer ride and the silly 19" alloys which have a bad reputation for cracking. Silly tyre prices too.

A well specced E92 325i SE is the one to go for. Reasonable tax and good power and reliability. The 335i are not a reliable car in general from what I have read and posters experiences on here.

I considered one as my next car, they're a nice motor. Regarding insurance if Liberty tell you you need to be over 30 just tell them you bought the car and they are obligated to quote you.

flashforward

Check the insurance on a 335i.

The loading on the model is very low with Post insurance and AIG. (Maybe very few claims associated with it?)

Fully comp:
5 years no claim @29 = €700 with XLNT Driver app (Aig)
6 years no claim @30 = ~€590 no app needed (AIG and Post)

Leonard Hofstadter

166man wrote: »

I wouldn't be bothered with the M-Sport E92. All you get is a firmer ride and the silly 19" alloys which have a bad reputation for cracking. Silly tyre prices too.

A well specced E92 325i SE is the one to go for. Reasonable tax and good power and reliability. The 335i are not a reliable car in general from what I have read and posters experiences on here.

I considered one as my next car, they're a nice motor. Regarding insurance if Liberty tell you you need to be over 30 just tell them you bought the car and they are obligated to quote you.

335is are OK once the turbos have been sorted. They don't have the problems of the M54s with cooling and oil leaks (the engine is based off the glorious M54). HPFP generally tends not to give too much problems in Europe but never say never! An N55 (2010 onwards) will be more reliable though, no problems with the turbos in those (as far as I know) but because it's just the one turbo there is far less remapping potential.

Back to the OP, I have an E46 325 and while it's obviously not the fastest car in the world, they're plenty fast; coming from an 80 bhp Civic they will feel like they're powered by rocket fuel by comparison. The other thing is because it's not as fast as the bigger models, you'll have to work that glorious straight six a bit harder, which means you get to hear the engine sing more often, and what a noise a naturally aspirated straight six petrol BMW makes when you give it some:D!

commited

Insurance on my 335i was dirt cheap for what it was and it's my favouritest car ever. You want to be handy enough with spanners or have reasonably deep pockets though. Lots more than just the turbos can go - my car had the HPFP done before I bought it but I got to do injectors, transmission cooler, waterpump & thermostat and a few other lovely bits and pieces in the year I had it. Was 100% worth it.

Moanin

I'm in the same boat and torn between 08 MK5 Golf GTI DSG / E92 325i. On the Bemmer manual or auto?

Mickiemcfist

Moanin wrote: »

I'm in the same boat and torn between 08 MK5 Golf GTI DSG / E92 325i. On the Bemmer manual or auto?

Having owned a dsg gti and driven a good few 325s and own an e46 325 currently, the GTI is much more fun day to day, quicker in pretty much all real world scenarios & cheaper to run, the sound in the BMW will be better and it looks nicer.