Re: 330Ci vs. 325Ci handling, etc (archive)

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I'm considering either a low optioned 330Ci with SP, SNRF, CD, HK, or a more optioned up 325Ci with SP, SNRF, CD, HK, LTHR, and perhaps heated seats...
I'm not as concerned with scads of options; performance is more important. Remember, the classic definition of a sports car, which we will extrapolate out to include sports sedans, is: "A car with nothing on it that doesn't make it go faster." Electric windows, sunroof, AC, cruise, decent radio, 20 years ago that was a luxury car - now that's standard equipment on plenty of cars.

One caveat: I really prefer the type 44 wheels on the 325Ci to those on the 330Ci w/ SP - but I'm not making the choice based upon the styling of the wheels.

I have a couple of questions for those who have driven/owned both the 325Ci and the 330Ci:

One, does the larger rear tire footprint and stagger with the 330Ci SP increase understeer? Yeah, I know higher rear tire pressure could help keep things neutral, and I understand that staggered tire set ups can produce "tramlining" when cornering.

Two, does the 325Ci SP have more neutral handling than the 330Ci, due to the better slightly better weight distribution and equally sized front and rear tires and wheels? As far as I know, the suspension tuning is the same for the 325Ci and the 330Ci.

I'm leaning towards the 330Ci. I tested one and as soon as the motor cranked, I was sold, not to mention the actual test drive, which was exhilirating. I've owned a variety of sports cars and appreciate both balanced handling and strong acceleration. One of my current vehicles is an Audi A4 Quattro 2.8 Sport that has equivalent acceleration to the 325Ci, and I wouldn't mind a few more horsepower and a sub 7.0 second 0-60 mph time that the 330Ci provides. But it's not just the motor. The 330Ci has bigger brakes, if I'm not mistaken. And I like the titanium grill/light stuff compared to the 325Ci.

Regardless of what other folks say, I have no doubt I would be able to notice and make use of a .7 sec diff in the 0 - 60 mph times of the 330Ci vs. the 325Ci. I've modded cars in the past and had no difficulty detecting/enjoying a 10hp or more increase in power. BTW, I have no desire to mod the 325Ci in an attempt to make it faster.

Neither one of these cars would be faster than some others I've owned, so I'm not going to be blown away the 325Ci's power, and I won't be a stranger to the 330Ci's response either. I know I'll be happy with either car, but I want to know which will make me happiest!

The car will be a daily driver but will get plenty of miles from fun runs down to the beach, mountains, or in the country side. I don't get off on high speed stuff as much as slicing and dicing through medium speed twisties, and 0 - 60 -80 mph dashes. The added torque of the 330Ci (about 18% more than the 325Ci, if my calculations are correct) appeals to me as much for low end grunt as anything else. However, if the 325Ci is measureably better balanced.... I might prefer it over a the faster 330Ci.

I'm not looking to race anyone, I drive for my own enjoyment, but if I'm going to spend at least 32-34k, why not spend 36-38k and not get shut down (even in theory, if nothing else) by a backwards baseball cap wearing kid in a stock four cylinder revamatic ******* from the pac rim, or one of those pesky A4 1.8t chip kids? (Remember I have an A4 2.8 Quattro Sport, not the 1.8t).

Yes, yes, I know the best bang for the buck is a muscle car - been there, had a 5.0 with mods in between the 944 and 1st gen MR2 during the period I refer to as my sports car graduate school.

I'm especially interested in feedback from veteran drivers and those who own/owned higher performance machinery, like M cars, Porsche, muscle cars, etc....

Yes, I know, I must test both cars to experience the difference in the two models. I still don't expect a test drive is going to fully reveal the car's characters' to the degree that owners realize.

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