Edmunds: First Drive of 2006 BMW 3-series

[OS]

Originally posted by: OS
Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Of keen interest to Bimmer fans is the fact that both the 325i and 330i are now powered by 3.0-liter engines. The only real difference between the two is output.

325 = the modder's engine?

Well, I doubt those are gonna be modded often any time soon. I don't think anyone would buy a relatively slow 35K+ car new and then mod it a couple months down the line.

The article implies that the 330i has double vanos, but the 325i doesn't, so you'd atleast need the better head and ECU. Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

the new 330 engine will use valvetronic (or whatever technology) that is now used in the 5 series and the 7 series.

I believe the 325 will use the engine from the old 330 straight.

Good, so the old 325 as we knew it will be dead in the US market. A $40K+ car with a sub 200hp engine is just embarassing for a luxury brand...and BMW finally got the message.

how is the 325 a 40k vehicle?? its about 30-35k

Was actually referring to the 525i.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Of keen interest to Bimmer fans is the fact that both the 325i and 330i are now powered by 3.0-liter engines. The only real difference between the two is output.

325 = the modder's engine?

Well, I doubt those are gonna be modded often any time soon. I don't think anyone would buy a relatively slow 35K+ car new and then mod it a couple months down the line.

The article implies that the 330i has double vanos, but the 325i doesn't, so you'd atleast need the better head and ECU. Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

the new 330 engine will use valvetronic (or whatever technology) that is now used in the 5 series and the 7 series.

I believe the 325 will use the engine from the old 330 straight.

Why would BMW detuned the old 3.0L engine? The 330 is probably going to cost about the same as an M35. I guess they need the move the 3 series further up to make room for the 1 series.

they are not detuning any engine..
I believe the new 325 will use the engine from the OLD 330, which produces about 225 hp ish... they dont have to detune it.. maybe change the exhaust to get more torque?

the new 330 will use a completeley new 3 liter engine, lighter, and with valvetronic technology

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Of keen interest to Bimmer fans is the fact that both the 325i and 330i are now powered by 3.0-liter engines. The only real difference between the two is output.

325 = the modder's engine?

Well, I doubt those are gonna be modded often any time soon. I don't think anyone would buy a relatively slow 35K+ car new and then mod it a couple months down the line.

The article implies that the 330i has double vanos, but the 325i doesn't, so you'd atleast need the better head and ECU. Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

the new 330 engine will use valvetronic (or whatever technology) that is now used in the 5 series and the 7 series.

I believe the 325 will use the engine from the old 330 straight.

Good, so the old 325 as we knew it will be dead in the US market. A $40K+ car with a sub 200hp engine is just embarassing for a luxury brand...and BMW finally got the message.

how is the 325 a 40k vehicle?? its about 30-35k

Was actually referring to the 525i.

ah I agreed that car is so friggin underpowered its a joke..

but I guess people pay for the luxury of the 5 series?

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: OS
Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

I dont think so

even if it is, it will be really expensive to change...

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: OS
Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

I dont think so

even if it is, it will be really expensive to change...

heh, then the 325 is a dead end for NA mods.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Of keen interest to Bimmer fans is the fact that both the 325i and 330i are now powered by 3.0-liter engines. The only real difference between the two is output.

325 = the modder's engine?

Well, I doubt those are gonna be modded often any time soon. I don't think anyone would buy a relatively slow 35K+ car new and then mod it a couple months down the line.

The article implies that the 330i has double vanos, but the 325i doesn't, so you'd atleast need the better head and ECU. Are BMW blocks and heads even interchangeable?

the new 330 engine will use valvetronic (or whatever technology) that is now used in the 5 series and the 7 series.

I believe the 325 will use the engine from the old 330 straight.

Why would BMW detuned the old 3.0L engine? The 330 is probably going to cost about the same as an M35. I guess they need the move the 3 series further up to make room for the 1 series.

The 1-series won't be coming to America, last I heard.

It's not the old 3.0 engine. It's an entirely new magnesium\aluminum alloy engine. It says that both motors are new...

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

 

[StageLeft]

FINALLY they break the 200 for the base model. God, it took them long enough.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Civic and kia can't out perform the bmw though...

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Civic and kia can't out perform the bmw though...

again my point with HP is not everything

IMO the 3 series gives the best combination of luxury and performance

I tried the g35, its fast, but not as luxurious and doesnt have that driving feel

the c class is just lame..

the a4 is slooowww... you have to get the quattor if u get the 3.0 otherwise its a FWD!

so I chose the 330ci

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Apples to apples please. A 330 represents only an incremental increase in general performance, poorer engine power, at a 33% higher cost than the G35.

 

[z0mb13]

g35 feels like a fast econobox to me

drive both and see for yourself

 

[Malak]

And the G35 is a lot sweeter looking than a 330. I don't like the look of new BMW's at all. The G35 is one HAWT ride.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: malak
And the G35 is a lot sweeter looking than a 330. I don't like the look of new BMW's at all. The G35 is one HAWT ride.

330ci and the m3 is pure sex

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Apples to apples please. A 330 represents only an incremental increase in general performance, poorer engine power, at a 33% higher cost than the G35.

Those people are buying into the "german feel" and the "soul"

 

[Malak]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak
And the G35 is a lot sweeter looking than a 330. I don't like the look of new BMW's at all. The G35 is one HAWT ride.

330ci and the m3 is pure sex

You must be shaggin some fugly chicks then.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Apples to apples please. A 330 represents only an incremental increase in general performance, poorer engine power, at a 33% higher cost than the G35.

Those people are buying into the "german feel" and the "soul"

and you are jumping into the ATOT g35 bandwagon

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: z0mb13

Originally posted by: malak

Originally posted by: Albis
interesting

now i have to decide between a 330xi and a infiniti g35 coupe

G35 hands down.

330>g35

HP is not everything

yeah but the 330 will also end up costing atleast 10K more.

true, but when he can afford the 330, why would he settle with the g35?

So that he can have 10K to spend on something else.

with your logic, buy a civic and save 20k

or even buy a kia and save 30k

Civic and kia can't out perform the bmw though...

again my point with HP is not everything

IMO the 3 series gives the best combination of luxury and performance

I tried the g35, its fast, but not as luxurious and doesnt have that driving feel

the c class is just lame..

the a4 is slooowww... you have to get the quattor if u get the 3.0 otherwise its a FWD!

so I chose the 330ci

Well, the 330ci is a different story, you should go by price bracket...

Personally, the 330ci and the M3 are the only 3 series that I actually like and you're right...HP isn't everything, but the G35 is a better performer. Iver never been in a G35 so I cannot comment on it's "feel" maybe it feels cheap? I dunno....

I understand where you were going with your comparison but it was the wrong comparison. If you have the money and want to spend...do whatever you want. The point is that for almost 10K less you can get something that simple out performs the BMW. Does that mean you HAVE to buy it? No, buy whatever the fvck you want...but stop getting defensive when people point out the obvious facts.

 

[Francodman]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
The engine, transmission, suspension, and chasis are no-doubt superb, but iDrive, in all its forms, needs to go. I also think the E46 car is prettier than this new one.

But I am looking forward to the turboed 3.5L (325hp) 335i and 4.0L (400hp) M3!

Only 325hp from a turbo 3.5L? That's not very impressive, compared to the 333hp derived from the 3.2L m3 motor. And that motor is going to be huuuuge. Any idea on what size turbo and how many pounds of boost are planned?

And as for the 325i... so it has the 3.0 engine... It says that it's new as well, with the magnesium block technology... So what's the difference between the two motors? Compression? Buy the base model BMW and you can run regular grade gasoline?

A turboed BMW I6 engine is still rumor...

The 4.0L V8 from the old M5 will be born again in the new M3...that is almost confirmed fact.

I am pretty sure all BMWs require premium fuel.

soooo excited about the new m3.