USA 325i Vs 330i Parts Comparison Done

E90Fleet · 05-19-2005, 08:14 AM

Dealer got new softwae this week, so I could have a look at the similarities between USA 325i and 330i parts

Major parts shared by 325i + 330i

1) Engine block
2) Oil Pan
3) Engine Head
4) Inlet Cam
5) Exhaust cam
6) Connecting Rods
7) Pistons

Parts NOT shared
1) ECU
2) Intake system
3) Clutch
4) Differential

Mark · 05-19-2005, 08:59 AM

wow great investigation !! looks like the differences are exactly those i've been guessing at, just a software+intake+differential difference.. these should be relatively easy and inexpensive things to upgrade to bring a 325i up to a 330i level of performance

woohooo, this is a great day in e90 land

Robin_NL · 05-19-2005, 09:46 AM

Anybody mentioned the engine/cylinder capacity/piston difference between te 2.5litre and the 3.0litre?

Well, I do now

Tierfreund · 05-19-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

Anybody mentioned the engine/cylinder capacity/piston difference between te 2.5litre and the 3.0litre?

Well, I do now

US-spec 325 has 3.0 Liters

Tierfreund · 05-19-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

wow great investigation !! looks like the differences are exactly those i've been guessing at, just a software+intake+differential difference.. these should be relatively easy and inexpensive things to upgrade to bring a 325i up to a 330i level of performance

woohooo, this is a great day in e90 land

Not to bust your bubble, but:

I´ll bet BMW has made some provisions that make an upgrade either impossible or at least more expensive than ordering a 330 in the first place.

They´re no dummys you know...

Robin_NL · 05-19-2005, 09:59 AM

Alright Tierfreund, didn't know that.

EU spec(normal) 325i has a different bore x stroke and it has a short stroke and the 30i has a long stroke(dunno how they say it in English, but in German the 25i is a so called Kurzhuber)

Anyway thanks

Robin_NL · 05-19-2005, 10:00 AM

330i EU:Bore x stroke: 3.35 x 3.46 in, 85.0 x 88.0mm
Displacement: 183 cu in, 2996cc

E90Fleet · 05-19-2005, 10:24 AM

We are talking about the USA 325i here

In europe the upcomming 323i will share engine parts with the Euro 325i

RichReg · 05-19-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

Not to bust your bubble, but:

I´ll bet BMW has made some provisions that make an upgrade either impossible or at least more expensive than ordering a 330 in the first place.

They´re no dummys you know...

Everyone here forgets that these are Valvetronic engines. The ECU cannot just be re-programmed, you have to bypass Valvetronic.

As a precedent, Dinan could barely squeeze out an extra 10-15 hp out of the E46 330i for about $2500 in parts & labor. I can just imagine what they'll have to do to this engine.

Good luck....

england1987 · 12-02-2005, 11:04 AM

Thats useful info to know for 325 and 330. Now we know how much better a 330 is, and we know what parts allow it to be better

ed328ci · 12-04-2005, 05:42 PM

The ECU is the shared. The software on the ECU, or more lightly, the software configuration on the ECU are different.

roppongicorolla · 12-05-2005, 05:26 PM

One thing that I wouldn't change: The 325i clutch has a much better feel than the 330's.

Pretender · 12-06-2005, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roppongicorolla

One thing that I wouldn't change: The 325i clutch has a much better feel than the 330's.

And driving 330i feels much better than 325i...not worth to mod. Go for the original one.

SCA · 12-06-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roppongicorolla

One thing that I wouldn't change: The 325i clutch has a much better feel than the 330's.

I agree. It is lighter in weight too.

TeknoFreaK · 12-24-2005, 11:28 AM

As the BMW website states, "In the 325i, the new inline six-cylinder engine produces 215 hp, and propels the new 3 from 0-60 in a swift 6.7 seconds.* A three-stage induction system, different exhaust, and powertrain software results in a 255 hp output from this same engine in the 330i, which launches the car from 0-60 in a mere 6.1 seconds.* " , so I guees the question now is what are the 330i part numbers and prices for the intake manifold and ECU... :rocks: :rocks:

RichP · 12-27-2005, 01:02 PM

Its easier than you think guys....

..and to whet your whistles..early production 325s have the SAME manifold as the 330, with blank plates where the manifold actuators go...

xdrive · 12-27-2005, 03:13 PM

Price out the difference between a stock 330i and add to the 325i with the same options that are standard on the 330i (power seats, logic 7, xenon, 17" rims). WHAT is the price difference people? Add the prices for mods + labor (if you're not doing it yourself) + a good $1500 USD for anticipated fixes since you will be voiding your warranty... Isn't it just better to get a 330 from the start?

THIS ONLY applies to people who rather spend MORE money on upgrades! The 325i is a great buy if you don't plan on doing engine mods, etc.

F32Fleet · 12-27-2005, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xdrive

Price out the difference between a stock 330i and add to the 325i with the same options that are standard on the 330i (power seats, logic 7, xenon, 17" rims). WHAT is the price difference people? Add the prices for mods + labor (if you're not doing it yourself) + a good $1500 USD for anticipated fixes since you will be voiding your warranty... Isn't it just better to get a 330 from the start?

THIS ONLY applies to people who rather spend MORE money on upgrades! The 325i is a great buy if you don't plan on doing engine mods, etc.

Exactly.

I know I alway burst bubbles on this topic, but it is and always always always always will be an entire waste of money to modify a 325 up to 330 realm. Come on guys, use your brain. The lack of warranty, poor resale value, and money spent doesn't justify it.

Even the after market supercharger route is going to loose it's luster if a 300 hp "335" hits our shores.

Silver 325i · 12-27-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichP

Its easier than you think guys....

..and to whet your whistles..early production 325s have the SAME manifold as the 330, with blank plates where the manifold actuators go...

Which dates? Which VINs? I got my car June 3...thats pretty early right?

E90Fleet · 12-28-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichP

Its easier than you think guys....

..and to whet your whistles..early production 325s have the SAME manifold as the 330, with blank plates where the manifold actuators go...

Never heard of that, and it anyway wouldnt help because you would need the actuators and a way to control them and you will need to reprogramme the Valetronic to cope with them

RichP · 01-04-2006, 02:14 PM

very early versions of the motor, like the first month or so.

It helps because that manifold isnt cheap. The actuators are cheap.

Wiring is all there; look at your manifold, they are clipped right next to the air intake on a 325 US.

05-19-2005, 08:14 AM	#1
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	USA 325i Vs 330i Parts Comparison Done Dealer got new softwae this week, so I could have a look at the similarities between USA 325i and 330i parts Major parts shared by 325i + 330i 1) Engine block 2) Oil Pan 3) Engine Head 4) Inlet Cam 5) Exhaust cam 6) Connecting Rods 7) Pistons Parts NOT shared 1) ECU 2) Intake system 3) Clutch 4) Differential
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05-19-2005, 08:59 AM	#2
Mark Administrator 6724 Rep 4,201 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [8.34]	wow great investigation !! looks like the differences are exactly those i've been guessing at, just a software+intake+differential difference.. these should be relatively easy and inexpensive things to upgrade to bring a 325i up to a 330i level of performance woohooo, this is a great day in e90 land __________________ BMW 1M. BMW M2. BMW M2.
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05-19-2005, 09:46 AM	#3
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Anybody mentioned the engine/cylinder capacity/piston difference between te 2.5litre and the 3.0litre? Well, I do now
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05-19-2005, 09:59 AM	#6
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Alright Tierfreund, didn't know that. EU spec(normal) 325i has a different bore x stroke and it has a short stroke and the 30i has a long stroke(dunno how they say it in English, but in German the 25i is a so called Kurzhuber) Anyway thanks
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05-19-2005, 10:00 AM	#7
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	330i EU:Bore x stroke: 3.35 x 3.46 in, 85.0 x 88.0mm Displacement: 183 cu in, 2996cc
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05-19-2005, 10:24 AM	#8
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	We are talking about the USA 325i here In europe the upcomming 323i will share engine parts with the Euro 325i
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12-02-2005, 11:04 AM	#10
england1987 Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 280 Posts Drives: Z4 M coupe Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NC, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Z4 M Coupe [7.50]	thanks Thats useful info to know for 325 and 330. Now we know how much better a 330 is, and we know what parts allow it to be better
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12-04-2005, 05:42 PM	#11
ed328ci Grumpy 12 Rep 168 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	The ECU is the shared. The software on the ECU, or more lightly, the software configuration on the ECU are different.
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12-05-2005, 05:26 PM	#12
roppongicorolla all systems are go 2 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 325i SG SPP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lake Jackson, Texas iTrader: (0)	One thing that I wouldn't change: The 325i clutch has a much better feel than the 330's.
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12-24-2005, 11:28 AM	#15
TeknoFreaK Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: titanium 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	As the BMW website states, "In the 325i, the new inline six-cylinder engine produces 215 hp, and propels the new 3 from 0-60 in a swift 6.7 seconds.* A three-stage induction system, different exhaust, and powertrain software results in a 255 hp output from this same engine in the 330i, which launches the car from 0-60 in a mere 6.1 seconds.* " , so I guees the question now is what are the 330i part numbers and prices for the intake manifold and ECU... :rocks: :rocks:
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12-27-2005, 01:02 PM	#16
RichP Major 144 Rep 1,184 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	Its easier than you think guys.... ..and to whet your whistles..early production 325s have the SAME manifold as the 330, with blank plates where the manifold actuators go...
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12-27-2005, 03:13 PM	#17
xdrive Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Price out the difference between a stock 330i and add to the 325i with the same options that are standard on the 330i (power seats, logic 7, xenon, 17" rims). WHAT is the price difference people? Add the prices for mods + labor (if you're not doing it yourself) + a good $1500 USD for anticipated fixes since you will be voiding your warranty... Isn't it just better to get a 330 from the start? THIS ONLY applies to people who rather spend MORE money on upgrades! The 325i is a great buy if you don't plan on doing engine mods, etc.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2006, 02:14 PM	#21
RichP Major 144 Rep 1,184 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	very early versions of the motor, like the first month or so. It helps because that manifold isnt cheap. The actuators are cheap. Wiring is all there; look at your manifold, they are clipped right next to the air intake on a 325 US.
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