E90 3 Series Test

Came across this review this morning and thought you guys would like to see it:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/06_bmw_3.htm

Again with the 3.0 liter 325i. I wish someone would confirm which it is.

"The 325i is powered by a 3.0-litre engine with a new magnesium crankshaft making 215-horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Like all BMW six-cylinder engines, it's an inline cylinder configuration mounted longitudinally.

The 330i (which we drove at the press introduction) is equipped with the same 3.0 litre engine, but with a different intake and computer management system. It makes 255-horsepower and 220 lb.-ft torque."

Originally Posted by Blax

Again with the 3.0 liter 325i. I wish someone would confirm which it is.

"The 325i is powered by a 3.0-litre engine with a new magnesium crankshaft making 215-horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Like all BMW six-cylinder engines, it's an inline cylinder configuration mounted longitudinally.

The 330i (which we drove at the press introduction) is equipped with the same 3.0 litre engine, but with a different intake and computer management system. It makes 255-horsepower and 220 lb.-ft torque."

NA order sheet that autospies posted says the same thing...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cool shot

Originally Posted by Blax

Again with the 3.0 liter 325i. I wish someone would confirm which it is.

"The 325i is powered by a 3.0-litre engine with a new magnesium crankshaft making 215-horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Like all BMW six-cylinder engines, it's an inline cylinder configuration mounted longitudinally.

The 330i (which we drove at the press introduction) is equipped with the same 3.0 litre engine, but with a different intake and computer management system. It makes 255-horsepower and 220 lb.-ft torque."

Yes it is true, the 325i will have the same 3.0 liter engine that is in the 330i.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1046616

Hmm... What's the proposed price diff between the 325 and 330?

I see a HUGE market for intakes and engine reprogramming devices.

Originally Posted by TD

Hmm... What's the proposed price diff between the 325 and 330?

I see a HUGE market for intakes and engine reprogramming devices.

The guy from BMWNA told be that a few of the smaller internal parts will be different but the biggest difference are the intake manifolds.

I thought the exact same thing when he told me that… I see aftermarket intake manifolds being a nice mod for the 325s

Originally Posted by Jeff_DML

NA order sheet that autospies posted says the same thing...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

cool shot

it is indeed, and cool place too (website www.cac.es). I see it almost every day (I live a few minutes away) and despite that I still find it amazing.

You should have seen that area ten years ago

Have to wonder if the power/torque numbers provided by BMW for the 325i are understated to help sell the 330i model.

Originally Posted by TD

Hmm... What's the proposed price diff between the 325 and 330?

I see a HUGE market for intakes and engine reprogramming devices.

My SA told me the difference would be about the same $5-$6k that exists on the '05s, as prices will not change that much.

I am not as knowledgeable on engines, as most here; but thought the same thing about the after-market potential on the 325. I wonder what that $5k would pay for?

Originally Posted by xspeedy

Have to wonder if the power/torque numbers provided by BMW for the 325i are understated to help sell the 330i model.

Good point. Can't see an intake giving you 50 hp, under any circumstances. I bet the cams are different.

Might be tempting to get a 325i w/ manual seats, no moonroof, and then throwing on cams/intake/software for 250 hp.

I like this from the article:

The handling and performance of the 330i is nothing short of brilliant, and continues to be the benchmark against which other cars of this type will be judged. In many ways it felt as nimble as a Mini Cooper S, such was its immediate and appropriate response to driver inputs.

yep seems like the 325 might be the way to go. Aftermarket will probably easily get those horses/torque back.

kind of sad bmw is players the numbers game, kind of like nissan and their 3.5l

Originally Posted by Alstoy

My SA told me the difference would be about the same $5-$6k that exists on the '05s, as prices will not change that much.

I am not as knowledgeable on engines, as most here; but thought the same thing about the after-market potential on the 325. I wonder what that $5k would pay for?

Is BMW really going to do the same thing (or mistake if you wish to call it that) it did with the e46 323/328? As usual, 325s are going to outsell the 330 by a good percentage. I mean, an intake and a reprogramming will turn an e90 325 to a 330?! At first glance, it seems almost impossible to make 40 hp from an intake and software, so there must be a few other things here and there. (Larger throttle body, HFM, etc, etc)