[skimmilk20]

Hey guys, sorry for the barage of questions, I'm on the wall now with getting a CPO 330i or a CPO 328i. The 328 most likely will have less milage but won't come with L7 sound and xenons...

Also, is the 330 engine different than the 328? I know the 328 is 230hp vs 255, but I know the 330 is only like 0.1 secs faster.. what gives?! heavier?

So is the 330 really a faster car than a 328? Will it feel more sporty?

Do you guys know of any problems with the 330, being the first gen of the e90, vs. the 2007+ 328?

Lastly, does the 330 handle as good as the 328?

Appreciate any insight you guys might have on this!

[uhaulball]

go with whatever price feels better vs. the logic7 sound and xenons and any other extras, ie sports package or rims. i think the 328 is almost as fast as the 330. but the 330 does have a better intake system than the 328. the 328 also sounds very tame..

[UltimateDrivingMachine]

It depends on what your primary concern is. If you care more about power than go for the 330. I have a 328 and if I had the choice to get a 330 I would go for it. I honestly don't think the 328 has enough power although both xenons and logic 7 are nice to have.

[quiksilver1029]

buy the 328 with the extra options and then get a cold air intake and youll be up to par with the 330 speedwise and your car will sound amazing

[skimmilk20]

Oh hmm, so does the 330i sound more like a 335? Also, is the handling better than a 328?

[uhaulball]

that depends on which car has the sport package. if neither, theyre the same, if both do, theyre the same. choose whichever has the sports package!
the 330 doesnt sound like a 335 but it does have more grunt sound than a 328.

[skimmilk20]

to quiksilver, yeahh I was planning on getting a 2009 328i with more options, but since wall street has tanked I find myself with no $$$. So... what I'm seeing in the CPO market is that most 2007 CPO manual cars (sedans) don't come with xenons... which is why Im leaning more towards a 330i. I'm just concerned that the 330 is an older car and I heard its a little heavier so I'm not sure if the 328 sedan handles corners better than a 330i...

looking for you 328 and 330i owners for guidance,

really loving all the input I'm getting so far!

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by UltimateDrivingMachine

It depends on what your primary concern is. If you care more about power than go for the 330. I have a 328 and if I had the choice to get a 330 I would go for it. I honestly don't think the 328 has enough power although both xenons and logic 7 are nice to have.

Really? My 328xi has great power for a daily driver.

[NoKids]

get the car with logic7, nothing else matters.

[UltimateDrivingMachine]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Really? My 328xi has great power for a daily driver.

I like to drive aggressive a lot so i feel that my 328xi lacks the power. I feel that my car lacks the torque this car needs. It is not necessarily slow, but if I had the choice I would choose the faster car. Maybe I am just used to the car and I need to drive in my old 325 haha. Everyday I drive my car I crave more power!

[EuRoTUneR]

power wise they are very similar but i have a fully loaded 06 330i and i love the xenons and the logic 7....great handling... but it probably depends most of the price
goodluck

[demosthenes]

Some 328i's have Xenons as an extra cost option. Mine does. The same goes for the upgraded stereo.

The 330i has the N52 engine (ULEV) with a 3 stage intake manifold. The 328i has the N52KP engine (ULEV) with a 1 stage OR a N51 (SULEV) with 1 stage. I think the intake manifold difference explains the different torque/HP ratings and sound.

Some of the differences between the N52 and the N52KP are:
• New engine management (MSV80)
• New HFM (digital)
• New throttle - EGAS8 with magnetoresistive position feedback
• Plastic valve cover with integrated crankcase vent valve and oil separation
• Stronger connecting rods
• Exhaust valve stem increased to 6mm
• New electric water pump (2nd generation)
• Lightweight camshafts (hydroformed)

I recommend you drive similarly equipped cars (both 6MT or both 6AT, ZSP) back to back at a dealer and then decide. The specs don't tell the whole story.

[skimmilk20]

Thanks, that was a great response. I have no idea what that means, however, but yes, I do plan on test driving both cars. Can you describe in simple terms what those upgrades u just mentioned on the 328 does in terms of the cars performance? Do those specs make the engine of he 328 more advanced or better?


What does 3 stage mean vs. 1 stage?

Thaaanks!

[quiksilver1029]

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

to quiksilver, yeahh I was planning on getting a 2009 328i with more options, but since wall street has tanked I find myself with no $$$. So... what I'm seeing in the CPO market is that most 2007 CPO manual cars (sedans) don't come with xenons... which is why Im leaning more towards a 330i. I'm just concerned that the 330 is an older car and I heard its a little heavier so I'm not sure if the 328 sedan handles corners better than a 330i...

looking for you 328 and 330i owners for guidance,

really loving all the input I'm getting so far!

ok what you should do is list your priorities in order. like how important is logic7, cornering stability, transmission, build year, xenons, color, intake, cost, etc? Post your prioritezed package list out here on your thread and we'll help you make your decision. Cuz youre asking a lot of questions and this would help resolve the issue

[skimmilk20]

Thanks, I guess it would be the following

1. reliability
1.5 assuming both are reliable then performance (i know the 330 and 328 are almost same speed so I want the FEELS quicker and handles the best)
2. exterior looks
3. Intertior features and comfort? (btw, are there any differences interior (just stock with no navi) between the 328 and 330? Is the stick designed the same way? I think so, but not sure...


so what do you guys think?

[quiksilver1029]

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

Thanks, I guess it would be the following

1. reliability
1.5 assuming both are reliable then performance (i know the 330 and 328 are almost same speed so I want the FEELS quicker and handles the best)
2. exterior looks
3. Intertior features and comfort? (btw, are there any differences interior (just stock with no navi) between the 328 and 330? Is the stick designed the same way? I think so, but not sure...


so what do you guys think?

1. the newer the car, the more reliable it will generally be.
1.5. performance-wise, you wont be able to tell the difference, as there barely is any. and they should have the same handling unless one has the sport package and the other doesnt
2. an E90 is an E90...the 330 and 328 have the same exterior
3. if youre tight on money then opt out of a navi and go with a manual transmission.

i recommend xenons as it looks really good and you can swap your angel eye bulbs, and since the 330 is more equipped and has more hp, id say you should go for the 330, despite the fact it might be a little older. its up to you

[skimmilk20]

yeah, I agree. Thanks for the help quiksilver, appreciate your insights. Yeah I think I will go with the 330, due to the options. Unless I find a CPO silver 328i manual with xenons

[quiksilver1029]

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

yeah, I agree. Thanks for the help quiksilver, appreciate your insights. Yeah I think I will go with the 330, due to the options. Unless I find a CPO silver 328i manual with xenons

alright man good luck and hope it all goes well

[Richwm]

Also the 330i has bigger brakes, 13.2 compared to the 12.3 of the 328i.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by skimmilk20

Thanks, that was a great response. I have no idea what that means, however, but yes, I do plan on test driving both cars. Can you describe in simple terms what those upgrades u just mentioned on the 328 does in terms of the cars performance? Do those specs make the engine of he 328 more advanced or better?


What does 3 stage mean vs. 1 stage?

Thaaanks!

Here's a good description of the 3 stage intake manifold on the 330i: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37444.

Some of the other differences seem to be significant and others seem to be minor.

Let us know what you notice when you drive them back to back, ok?

[skimmilk20]

thanks yeah will do, does the 335 have a 3-stage intake system as well?

[Asiann]

If you aren't looking to drive spirited then go withe the 328. It is the same old debate with 325 and 330. Very little difference between 325 and 328. 328= plain jane and 330=bigger engine and more to play with depending on options. 330 is older but alot of people dumped them for the 335. They are probably a better deal since they are cheaper these days. Just my 2 cents.