2006 325i engine vs. 328i

Sorry guys I have lots of questions about the engine inside my new 2007 328i Sedan.

What is the exact engine code for this year?

Whats the difference between the 2006 325i engine versus the 2007 328i? Was it just an ecu update or was the exhaust system revised? I wish the engine was as fuel efficent as my old 2001 bmw 323i (2.5 versus 3.0)

The E90 engine features valvetronice instead of Double Vanos or does it have both? I heard vavetronic is not used on any of the bmw m cars for high rpm reasons so it stays true mechnical valve timming instead of electronic nannys.

Whats the difference between the 2006 325i vs 330i besides exhuast and ecu? I just want to know the details on the changes and was the transmision gearing updated on the 2007 328i?

Also has any tried the flashing or updating their 2006 325i with an 328i ecu software/update and will BMW still warranty it?

Acutally I wish the 328i got the same engine rated at 260hp like the X3 3.0si not just 230hp but it wouldnt make sense since the 2006 330i made 255hp.

No one knows? No one gets technical about their Beamer on this fourm? I can find tons of write ups and articles about Hondas/Acura (ex: K-Series) , Nissan/Infiniti (VQ), not much luck with Beamers especially on this forum

To answer one question the 325, 328, 330 N52 engine has Valvetronic. The 335 N54 (turbocharged) has only Vanos.

Originally Posted by alan3885

Sorry guys I have lots of questions about the engine inside my new 2007 328i Sedan.

What is the exact engine code for this year?

Whats the difference between the 2006 325i engine versus the 2007 328i? Was it just an ecu update or was the exhaust system revised? I wish the engine was as fuel efficent as my old 2001 bmw 323i (2.5 versus 3.0)

The E90 engine features valvetronice instead of Double Vanos or does it have both? I heard vavetronic is not used on any of the bmw m cars for high rpm reasons so it stays true mechnical valve timming instead of electronic nannys.

Whats the difference between the 2006 325i vs 330i besides exhuast and ecu? I just want to know the details on the changes and was the transmision gearing updated on the 2007 328i?

Also has any tried the flashing or updating their 2006 325i with an 328i ecu software/update and will BMW still warranty it?

Acutally I wish the 328i got the same engine rated at 260hp like the X3 3.0si not just 230hp but it wouldnt make sense since the 2006 330i made 255hp.

It actually doesnt make sense on their end. Really its mostly tuning and detuning that changes the HP between the 325/328/330, the intake manifold is different as well I believe so it breaths more.

If they kept the 328 at the 330's 255 or even the X3's 260 you start to ecplise the 335. Its actually helped sales of the 335 because now more then ever the price jump between a 328 and 335 is very justifiable.

Back in the early 323/328 E46 days for the performance difference the price wasnt easily justified, it got a little better between the 325/330 but still the difference wasnt HUGE (dont tell 330 drivers they get mad lol) but the difference between a 328/335 is very noticeable behind the wheel and really justifies the difference.

Originally Posted by alan3885

Whats the difference between the 2006 325i engine versus the 2007 328i? Was it just an ecu update or was the exhaust system revised? I wish the engine was as fuel efficent as my old 2001 bmw 323i (2.5 versus 3.0)

Also has any tried the flashing or updating their 2006 325i with an 328i ecu software/update and will BMW still warranty it?

325i engine has 2.5 liter displacement, while the 328i has 3.0L displacement...

Flashing the car will surely void BMW warranty.

In the E46 era, the 325i was the upgrade of the 323i, while the 330i was the upgrade of the 328i.

Now I am confused, because I think they sort of downgraded...330i to 328i and 325i to 323i....and on both cars, the engine output also lessened. Weird

2006 325i had the same 3.0 six [N52], it was detuned version of 330i engine, 2007 328i is a similar engine [N53]

2006 BMW 325i Featues & Options - Automobile Magazine

"Slightly confusingly, both the new 325i and the 330i have the same 3.0-liter inline-six. The 325i has retuned software and a different exhaust and intake system, lowering power and torque from 255 hp and 220 lb-ft to 215 and 185: the 325i would need only ten more horses to fill the previous 330i's stable."

If you use DINAN you should be fine regarding upgrades (Dinan BMW | BMW Performance), my dealer sold me dinan ecu for my 540i and warranty was kept intact. IMO it's best to get the 2006 325 or 2007 328 and mod it a little to make it a 2006 330i, of course if you resell it soon you won't get this value back, but if you plan to keep it for a while it's worth it.

EDIT: I found dinan doesn't have software for e90, but see the following article to make a 325/328 into a 330i on steroids: 2006 BMW 325i - European Import Tuning Guide - Eurotuner Magazine

Originally Posted by Exacc

325i engine has 2.5 liter displacement, while the 328i has 3.0L displacement...

Flashing the car will surely void BMW warranty.

In the E46 era, the 325i was the upgrade of the 323i, while the 330i was the upgrade of the 328i.

Now I am confused, because I think they sort of downgraded...330i to 328i and 325i to 323i....and on both cars, the engine output also lessened. Weird

I stand corrected...thanks!

Originally Posted by toology

2006 325i had the same 3.0 six [N52], it was detuned version of 330i engine, 2007 328i is a similar engine [N53]

The 2006 325 has a one stage intake manifold and the 330 has three stages and different programming.

The 2007-2008 328 uses either a revised version of the N52 engine (N52KP) or the N51 engine. The N52KP is ULEV (ultra low emissions) and the N51 is SULEV (super ultra low emissions). In the US, both engines are sold in some states, but most only get the N52KP. Here are the differences: