2005 BMW 325i the best 325 made?

[Fobulous]

I checked on CR and noticed that 2005 is the year that 325i has the highest rating.. why is that? I'm looking to get a 2005 or 2006 325i.. what are your experiences in these vehicles? My wife is currently driving the 2005 BMW X5 3.0 and we love it!

It is also true that the best way to buy the used 325i is through a dealer that offers these as CPO?

Thanks all!!

[drivetolive]

I know the main difference between 2005's and the rest is that the 05's got MP3 compalbility....but 04 was the last year for the H/K system.

I think 04's and before were better simply because of the H/K system (if you got the premium pkg). When i my buddy showed me his speakers in his 05 they sounded horrible compared to the H/K system in my car. Which is why i don't need to upgrade my speakers (or any sound system for that matter) :alright.

[danewilson77]

Some may say get a 330i.

I love my car but I sometimes wish I had more horsey's

[ryankokesh]

Some may say get a 330i.

I love my car but I sometimes wish I had more horsey's

My thoughts exactly.

[danewilson77]

My thoughts exactly.

Seriously....I love my car.....and still have things to do to it......and I am seriously thinking someday, I will get a 330i or an M3 just to satisfy my hp cravings every now and then......

[snocarver]

330 FTW. Oh and 2006+ aren't as good looking. ;)

[Fobulous]

So, ya'll prefer the 330 over the 325 simply because of hp? Looks like both of them are getting the same MPG.. which one has better MPG? My trip to work consists of 6 mile 1 way.. I always come home during lunch time.. so i guess highway MPG won't matter in my case..

I'm currently driving the older Murano and she's been consistently getting about 18 mpg.. whch is not that good imo..

[danewilson77]

I prefer the 325i sedan look over 325i coupe.

I prefer the 325i sedan look over the 330i coupe/sedan.

I prefer the 330i hp over the 325i sedan/coupe. If you do not care about hp.....325i's are fine....

[akhbhaat]

I know the main difference between 2005's and the rest is that the 05's got MP3 compalbility....but 04 was the last year for the H/K system.

I think 04's and before were better simply because of the H/K system (if you got the premium pkg). When i my buddy showed me his speakers in his 05 they sounded horrible compared to the H/K system in my car. Which is why i don't need to upgrade my speakers (or any sound system for that matter) :alright.My 2005 330i has H/K.


So, ya'll prefer the 330 over the 325 simply because of hp? Looks like both of them are getting the same MPG.. which one has better MPG?
Gas mileage is a wash and will depend more upon your driving habits than anything else. If anything, the 330i does slightly better on the highway (taller gearing plus sixth gear overdrive on later models). I'm currently averaging around 24 mpg in moderate suburban driving.

I don't think the extra power is worth hyping, especially if you're primarily limited to short low-speed commutes. The 330i is substantially faster at highway speeds, but the difference is much smaller at city speeds (I used to have a manual trans 323i, and it was plenty quick through the first two gears). I went with the 330 this time around because I wanted the ZHP package and because there was no reason not to (insurance/gas/maintenance costs are identical).

[adept]

So, ya'll prefer the 330 over the 325 simply because of hp? Looks like both of them are getting the same MPG.. which one has better MPG? My trip to work consists of 6 mile 1 way.. I always come home during lunch time.. so i guess highway MPG won't matter in my case..

I'm currently driving the older Murano and she's been consistently getting about 18 mpg.. whch is not that good imo..

If you don't mind that your car is pretty, yet slow, then the 2.5 liter will be fine for you. If you want straight line power, then you should opt for the 3.0. Six miles is very little mileage for a commute if you ask me. In my car I get 23 mpg average. I am half of the time driving in poor city traffic, and half on the freeway going to work.

[drivetolive]

My 2005 330i has H/K.


Gas mileage is a wash and will depend more upon your driving habits than anything else. If anything, the 330i does slightly better on the highway (taller gearing plus sixth gear overdrive on later models). I'm currently averaging around 24 mpg in moderate suburban driving.

Really? I always thought they stopped using them after 04...or maybe thats just Canada?

[akhbhaat]

Really? I always thought they stopped using them after 04...or maybe thats just Canada?Possibly. H/K was also standard on the 330 (at least in the US), so it could be a 325 thing as well. Might ask around and see if any 2005 325 owners here have the H/K sound system.

P.S. - I like H/K quite a bit. Huge improvement over the craptastic standard speakers that my 323i had.

[crashed4u]

I have never drove a 330, but the overall bigger engine turns me on.But, my 325Ci fits me quite nicely.As long as you have BMW though, you are quite cool in my books!!!

[drivetolive]

Possibly. H/K was also standard on the 330 (at least in the US), so it could be a 325 thing as well. Might ask around and see if any 2005 325 owners here have the H/K sound system.

P.S. - I like H/K quite a bit. Huge improvement over the craptastic standard speakers that my 323i had.

Lol learn something new everyday :stickoutt. Ya, for sure, when you actually compare the H/K side by side with the base speakers, it's amazing how different they are. BTW, great car, almost exactly how i wanna do mine (lol except mine's black) :buttrock

[Mstearnsy]

To answer your H/K debate:
In Canada, 2005 325 sedan models were called the Executive Edition. BMW Canada does this to every model in their run-out year. The Exec was a mandatory package that included a 10 speaker "hi-fi" stereo that was NOT H/K. This was in place of the usual 6 speakers. With the exec, you pick one of three colours (black/silver/grey), and choose manual or automatic, and call it a day. No other ways to build a 2005 325 sedan.
2005 330s still got H/K stereos. 2005 coupes were fully optionable since 2006 was their run-out year.

[snocarver]

I prefer the 325i sedan look over the 330i coupe/sedan.

What? They look identical to me.

6 mile commute? Ride your bicycle!!

[akhbhaat]

To answer your H/K debate:
In Canada, 2005 325 sedan models were called the Executive Edition. BMW Canada does this to every model in their run-out year. The Exec was a mandatory package that included a 10 speaker "hi-fi" stereo that was NOT H/K. This was in place of the usual 6 speakers. With the exec, you pick one of three colours (black/silver/grey), and choose manual or automatic, and call it a day. No other ways to build a 2005 325 sedan.
2005 330s still got H/K stereos. 2005 coupes were fully optionable since 2006 was their run-out year.:thumbup: That solves that.


BTW, great car, almost exactly how i wanna do mine (lol except mine's black) Thanks. :)

[Lames325ci]

What? They look identical to me.

6 mile commute? Ride your bicycle!!

I would but cannot find a BMW bicycle.

[SportZ114]

I prefer the 325i sedan look over the 330i coupe/sedan.

What? They look identical to me.


+1

What are the differences?

[akhbhaat]

+1

What are the differences?Differences for sedans:
-Wheels (vary widely, but generally speaking the 325 usually has style 44/45/96/119 and the 330 usually has style 73/M68/137/M135)
-Aero kit (M-tech I for 330 sport, M-tech II for 330 ZHP, 325 has "standard" kit regardless of trim level)
-Window surround trim (matte black for 325, chrome for 330, M shadowline gloss black for ZHP)
-Headlight trim (matte black for 325 and 330 ZHP, titanium/silver for 330 - though from what I've seen, later 330s have black trim again)
-330 has body color trunk handle, hood vent, and rooftop accessory rails (325 has matte black)
-330 kidney grill has chrome tipped slats, 325 has black