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Case in point: the E90 BMW 3 series.

We prefered the E46 325i to the 330i for its superior chassis balance and shorter gearing, and now with the E90 version we’ve noticed:

– The heavy 17” wheels and stiff run-flat tires of the 330i overwhelm the damping of the standard suspension, resulting in the flinty, jittery, fatiguing ride run flats are despised for. – An exhaust specific to the 330 – designed to emphasise power output over refinement – produces a chilling wail at high rpm, but also drones more than the system in the 325i, particularly when paired with the automatic. – The 330i’s longer gearing and recalibrated automatic transmission tend to make the engine lug rather than spin up to where the variable intake manifold can ingest more air (and you can access that extra 40 horsepower). The transmission also seems more easily confused in everyday driving.

The 325i (now with a 3.0L engine) was not available for sampling at the E90 introduction, but now that BMW has added a (red) 325i to their press fleet, journalists are finally getting to drive one. One that’s more observant than most – David Hauter – recently published write-ups in Roundel and european car. In the ec review he observes:

In either form, the N52 engine loves to rev, but with less power, the 325i allows more opportunities to wind it out and hear the intoxicating exhaust note… The 325i loses nothing to the more powerful 330i in terms of handling. We drove both cars with their optional Sport Packages… and found the 325i to be more involving overall. The 132 pund lighter 325i is more tossable, and its steering feels lighter and more responsive, which could be the result of the 330i’s bigger wheels and tires…. Though they increase grip, the 330i’s low profle run-flat tires are noticably harsher than the 325i’s; they also tramline more on the highway. The 330i gets larger brakes, which while increasing fade resistance, also increase unsprung weight…. If you’re more more concerned with driving dynamics… you should take a close look at the 325i before automatically going for the 330i.

Most people we’ve met with 330s didn’t bother to drive the 325i first; we only hope that if you’re reading this you didn’t make the same mistake…

UPDATE:

The 325i has shorter gearing than…the 330i… This 325i blows away the last-generation car and is also quicker than the previous 330i model. source: Car and Driver

UPDATE 2:

While it would seem that the 330i blows away the 325i, it simply is not true. With an opportunity to push vehicles to their (and our) limits at Beaver Run Raceway near Pittsburgh, PA., I jumped into what I thought was a 6-speed 330 and was astonished to discover it was a 325i. Yes it had less torque and slightly different gear response in comparison, but if you choose a 325 you will not be disappointed in power, braking, or handling. – The Auto Channel

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 1st, 2006 at 4:47 pm and is filed under BMW, errata.