What's the difference between a BMW 325i and, say, a 328i?

Question

I assume the latter costs more, but what else?

Answer 1

Depends on the year you are referring to. In the US, up until 1996 BMW consistently badged their cars based on series, engine displacement and other traits.

Series is the first # you see. Generally the 3, 5, 6, 7 and older 8. Now there is also a 1 series.

The displacement (in Liters) is the lat two numbers. The 18, 25, 28, 30, 35 etc. = 1.8L, 2.5L, ....

After 1996 they started introducing cars that were detuned versions of larger engines. For example, the 323 from 1996-1999 was actually a 2.5L engine with a different chip, exhaust manifolds, etc.

BMW has no continued the trend through the E46(1999-2005 3 series) generation and now with the E90,1,2 3 series they have taken it even further.
-----------------The 2005 and 2006 325 and 330 also the 2007/8 328 and 335 all use the same 3.0L block just tuned differently with different heads and the 335 is turbocharged. Generally the bigger the # the more power the engine will generate.


The other traits are outlined by the letters:

The preceding letters on some models are:
M=Motorsports edition, high performance
B=Alpina, after market performance upgrade
X=SUV
Z=roadsters

As for the letters following the numbers:
i=Injected engine
L=Long wheel base on most and Luxury on a few
s=sports, indicated a coupe for a while
c=coupe on E46(2000) and newer
x=all wheel drive
t=hatchback

There are a few more letters that can only be found on the door-jam sticker:
cic= coupe injected convertable
A= Automatic

Answer 2

In the current 3 series model "shape" (the E90), the 325i is an early 3 litre model (215hp, 185lbft), this later was replaced with the 328i (also a 3 litre engine but with 230hp, 200lbft).

The main difference is the engine which; although is the same N52 engine in both cases, uses different intake/manifold/exhausts and ECU programming - resulting in different hp and torque figures.

The 328i is also of course the newer model.

The story is very different for previous E46 and earlier models...

Answer 3

first number is the size of the car, last two numbers have to do with engine power (bigger numbers mean more power)

so a key difference is that the 328i has more power than the 325i

Answer 4

the 25 and the 28 refer to engine size. 25 is a 2.5 litre engine. the 28 is a 2.8 litre. The 328i Has as bigger more powerful engine and probably some additional luxury bits as well.

Answer 5

the 328i is a step down from the m3 . then its the 325 and so on.. the 328i has more hbp

Answer 6

nope you are all wrong they have the same engine the 325 gives out 215 bhp the 325 gives out 230 bhp. but dont worry its a common mistake

Answer 7

328 has biger engine. 2,8- cubic capacity. 325 has weaker engine.

Answer 8

read about them here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series