325i gearing

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:48 pm

hi there i'm all new to this aint really gotta clue if this will work or not.....anyway to cut a long story short i'm looking for some info i've recently purchased an f reg 4 door 325i its been played around with before but unsure what work has been done. its done 173k but it flies my mate has one on a g reg 91 and it wastes it any ideas? it don't hold the gears for long tops out 58mph in 2nd about 85 in 3rd and 110 in 4th aint pushed 5th yet. its the way it gets there which leads me to think its been played with compared with my mates! with my friend sat beside me off the lights holding at 4000rpm and slipping the clutch we got 0-60 to around 6.7 secs which i think is a little faster than standard i think! it has nothing done like air filter exhaust etc so i'm wondering if any internals have been changed. I'm looking for an lsd if anyone can help? heres my number 07883361605 thanks again

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:53 pm

Hi there!

Sounds like similar gearing to mine.

I'm running a standard (not sports) 2.5 gearbox with a sports 3.91 LSD and I tend to change gear a little earlier than those with the sports box.

Your car 'could' have a 2.7 conversion.....externally it could appear no different, but internally it'd have a different crank and some machining work done to it!

Alternatively, it could have a chip/cams/headwork which is also not noticeable externally.

Maybe it'd be an idea to have a dyno power run to see what power it is making. Ideally, a standard 2.5 would make ~170bhp at the flywheel.

Your mates 2.5 could just not be running well, there is a big difference between a bad running 2.5 and a good one.

Mileage isn't necessarily an issue either, if the car has been well maintained, it'll last well.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:47 pm

Im not sure on the engine side of things but the gearing sounds about right for a Sport gearbox and diff (3.91LSD).
Im fairly sure the 325i Sport will not hit 60mph in second, its been a while since I drove mine but I think thats right.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:50 pm

jmc330i wrote: Im fairly sure the 325i Sport will not hit 60mph in second, its been a while since I drove mine but I think thats right.

I agree with this....My old sport didn't quite hit 60 in 2nd.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:18 pm

I run a std box and open diff and can just about get 60 in 2nd, 3rd redlines about 90 and 4th will do 120, 5th, well 13? odd.

Best bet is check the tags on the box and diff, the diff one will also give you the ratio aswell as the type.

I have a relativley low spec motor, Zone chip, BBTB, S/S exhaust and short shift, totally std internals and can hit 6.9 regulary for the 0-60, so maybe some investigating would be of benefit. How did you measure the 0-60 time anyway?

If you live near one of the e30 Guru's I'm sure they'd take a lookie and give their advice.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:51 pm

fozzymonster wrote:I run a std box and open diff and can just about get 60 in 2nd, 3rd redlines about 90 and 4th will do 120, 5th, well 13? odd.

I think the standard open dif is 3.73 which probobly explains you being able to crack 60 in 2nd ?

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:37 pm

well my 1991 325 sport can do a 6.7 0-60. and that was with slightly slipping the clutch at about 4250 RPM. so this sounds about right. but mine also has a chip but is standard other than that, just well looked after really. the book speeds are always lower on bmw's for some reason, even the newer ones once they've ran in a bit

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:40 pm

Chris, is this with a G-Tech Timer? Or Stopwatch?

I'd be suprised if a relatively standard 325i Sport could do a 6.7! But if it can, then fair do's!!!!

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:42 pm

stopwatch mate.....so probably not too accurate but it has been done with a few stopwatches so unless my speedo is under reading slightly then it is good. remember that the engine has had a rebuild about 7000 miles ago adn had alot replaced....it also has lots of good ruber on the back.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:44 pm

i think i need to borrow a gtech from someone at a future meet and see what it says.

Post Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:49 pm

Gotta be worth a go with the old G-Tech timer!

I used to do stopwatch runs, and found out they aren't too accurate, normally always underestimate!

Never seen a standard car break a 'book time'.

Your car is sweet though, and if your technique is better than the BMW test driver and the conditions are perfect, you might beat it!