E30 Zone

This has probably been asked millions of times before, but what are the pros/cons or advantages / disadvantages between a 325i and a 320i?
I.e. are there vast differences in fuel consumption, running costs, insurance etc?

If you're on a really tight budget as regards buying it in the first place and insurance, then get the 320. Otherwise 325 all the way... No difference in running costs or economy.

The money isn't really the issue (within reason!!), as long as I can find a decent car. Just wondered if I'd be missing out on anything if I opted for the 320?

If you're after a smooth, quiet ride, and you're not that bothered about trying to break the sound barrier, then the 2.0 is great. The head on a 2.0 is supposed to be less prone to cracking than the 2.5 too.

forget the 320i.

slow, overgeared, thirsty, did i mention that they are slow. fairly dubious about the 125bhp figure aswell.

Not slow, just slower.

325i all the way - no contest
320i is just the same in running costs (apart from maybe insurance costs)and less desirable/slower
If you can't afford the 325i, then get a 318is they're quicker than a 320i and handle better than the 6pots

i will be selling this very soon

h reg 320i se auto
long tax/test etc
if interested pm me

can convert to manual if you wish

can also lower it if wanted

320 auto what a combo

325i all the way, they are also a very smooth engine.

insurance isn't too bad either

I think its fair to say judging by the coments here you should be getting a 325 but like anything its a personal choice thing. I have a 320ise coupe and I'm happy with it granted its slower than a 325 but to be honest if speed is a big priority forget a 325 they may be fast when compared to a 320 but there are plenty of smaller engine, better handling cars that would easily out perform a 325 in every way. I think one of the bigger factors is cost, I just couldnt look past the fact that my 320 cost about a qauter of what a 325 coupe of similar condition would cost me, but whatever you buy I hope you get a nice one and enjoy it !

The 320 is a smooth six cylinder which you don't get in many other cars now (if any) and if looked after they don't drink as much as people make out.
So price wise get a 320, speedwise don't waist your time with a 325, get a skyline.

Thanks for all your replies, hmm, as top speed isn't my major priority, I'm tempted to look at a few 320s now........ cabs too, if any-one knows of any good 'uns for sale - lemme know!

Thats the way, 325's in the main have been ragged so hard its too hard to find a good one. Stick the search for a good 320 SE, good sound solid motor.

At least its not too hard to let the 320i breath a little better, and when finished it should be reasonably lively, utterly reliable and will take a beasting!

If you do go for the 320 make sure it's a manual for God's sake. My stress levels are through the roof since I've been crawling round in the auto. It...won't...move!! Well not unless you absolutely boot it while manually changing and then you can actually see the petrol guage dropping lol!
I can't see the point of the 320 at all & I'll be glad to see the back of it.

IF you don't want the speed, take a 318! They're lighter, just as quick as a 320 and reliable. Cheaper to service too cos you're only paying for 4 plugs

I don't think you'll find a problem with the 4 pots feeling rough, they're not - or at least mine wasn't.

agree with morat, the 320 i drove was very slow (was an auto) i found to slow fro comfortable driving. 325 insurance is not much more at all, for a 27 year old it was Ԛ£10 more a year. 318 is a lot better choice imho than a 320, lighter at the front to. 325 is the best tho, adn the most fun, espicailly with an LSD

325i or 318iS are the only ones worth looking at IMO. 320i is just to slow and thirsty (about the same as 325i from what i hear), 318iS is dirt cheap to run and buy, faster thatn 320i with great economy, 325i is the best though and they are all similar to insure.

this is an E30 forum why buy a skline?

some of the sh!t some people are coming out with to justify there 320's is hilarious

since when has a 325i coupe been 4 times the price of a 320?

i bought my 325ise auto for Ԛ£300, it cost me Ԛ£100 to get it on the road.

All this about heads cracking and 320's are brilliant, they crack like any other M20 if u abuse it and run it on coolant thats 9 years old.

There are plenty of 325's out there that havn't been ragged to death. tbh if they have been driven hard and looked after i'd buy that, than a 1 74 year old owner car with 60k on the clock. A car like this was at the ring last summer. Did a big end on the first lap, wasn't run in properly, plus uber helmet owner

buy a 318i, or a 318is if u don't go for a 325i please!

I think kedge has hit the nail on the head here mate

318is or 325i no choices!

318-is wrote:I think kedge has hit the nail on the head here mate

318is or 325i no choices!

people have been saying this for YEARS on here, lol

I get offered turds all the time and can't remember the last time i had a 320 (apart from a couple of free ones!), the sad fact is you have 325 running costs but 318 performance, as a result they are virtually unsaleable . Breaking for profit is usually not an option either because most 320s have crap spec, once you've sold the foglights what do you do with the rest of the turd ?. Don't get me wrong 731 fiends a nice one (is that a flying pig overhead ?) is a reasonable tram BUT when 325s are so cheap why bother ?

The 320i is the worst of both worlds, dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Still a nice car, but really would be a regretable move to get one when in your position.

Ive got a 320 and a 325, I think the start up and the engine sound is absolutly gorgeous on a 320. But the 325 not only does it sound great but shifts too.

depends on wat u gonna use it for, if its just a runabout then a 320, but if you want to keep something for a longterm, have it as your pride and joy and spend quality time and money on it, then no doubt you have to have a 325

Looks like theres not many people likeing the 320i

I love mine though, its quick enough for now and has the potential to upgrade once the bodywork is sorted, it's faster than my scirocco gt 1.8 and better on fuel

Most people on here like the brand not just a specific model, unlike simon who just seems to have it in for the 320i
So to Simon13 if your 325 is so fast
How come's you just bought an 2.7 alpina rust bucket ?

Martinaston wrote:Most people on here like the brand not just a specific model, unlike simon who just seems to have it in for the 320i
So to Simon13 if your 325 is so fast
How come's you just bought an 2.7 alpina rust bucket ?

most peopel have it in for the 320 mate. even if you dont wona go fast its still useless for economy and daily driving cos it guzzles fuel like pornstars guzzle the white stuff

Martinaston wrote:Most people on here like the brand not just a specific model, unlike simon who just seems to have it in for the 320i
So to Simon13 if your 325 is so fast
How come's you just bought an 2.7 alpina rust bucket ?

Reaches for popcorn....

Mine gets nearly 30mpg around town so i don't think they drink much more than any other BMW of a similar age, but then if was that concerned about it i wouldn't drive a 15 year old car.

318-is wrote: most peopel have it in for the 320 mate. even if you dont wona go fast its still useless for economy and daily driving cos it guzzles fuel like pornstars guzzle the white stuff

At the end of the day if all you want to do is cruise around, then I guess a 320's fine, sounds nice too.
But its going to drink just as much as a 325i

Some people are happy with that, but as the guys asking then it better he knows and can make an informed choice, rather than 2 months down the line wishing he'd gone for the 325i

How about a 325i with a 325i engine but 320i tax and insurance the best of both worlds.

Personally I'd advise you to try both.

I went from a mk2 16v golf to a 320 touring, and have not found it much of a problem. Yes it is slower, but still alright to drive.

Ignore the cock waving about engine size and see what cars you prefer yourself.

Cheers Bri

i have a 320 cab and a 325 sport, completely different cars, running costs are identical give or take fcxuk all. 320 auto so yes it makes the 320 pig slow, 325 much much quicker.

but my cab is for summer evening cruising and the sport is for a bit of fast fun, personally the cab brings a smile to my face for one reason the sport another.

both engines are as reliable as each other.

in uk i had a 1986 318i manual (M10), that was easily as quick as MY 320 auto cab (notice people i said my cab so please no wars started here!), but fuel cost and insurance much cheaper.

you dont seem to be to bothered about speed so look around if you find a nice 320 with no rust take it, if you find a fully specced 318i take that, if you do find a 325 that hasn't been thrashed that would be the best.

mrlee